Baseball History | The Baseball Zealot

Marvin Miller and Curt Flood

For their last show of the year, Baseball Prospectus Radio had a “Best of 2006” episode airing some of their best clips from the past year. One clip was Marvin Miller, former players’ representative. For as much influence he’s had on the game (negative or positive, it’s your call), it’s hard to believe that he … Continue reading “Marvin Miller and Curt Flood”

For their last show of the year, Baseball Prospectus Radio had a “Best of 2006” episode airing some of their best clips from the past year. One clip was Marvin Miller, former players’ representative. For as much influence he’s had on the game (negative or positive, it’s your call), it’s hard to believe that he retired in 1984. The clip was interesting enough for me to go back to BPR’s
archive and check out the whole interview.

Much of the interview was devoted to the Curt Flood and reserve clause. That reminded me that my wife gave me as a Christmas gift, the book A Well-Paid Slave: Curt Flood’s Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sports.. I look forward to reading it. It’s second in my book queue at the moment (right now, I’m reading Bill James’ Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame? I always enjoy reading Bill James.
I don’t always agree with him but his books are a good read).

Curt Flood never won his case and aside from a short stint with the Senators, never made it big in the majors after his case despite his immense talents.

History of Wrigley Field

On Baseball History Podcast, Bob Wright gives a detailed history of Wrigley Field. And he goes wayyy back, elaborating on the environment which contributed to Wrigley being bulit. I know I learned something. The Baseball History Podcast is just the thing for baseball history buffs. Taking a look at the subject matter, he seems to … Continue reading “History of Wrigley Field”

On Baseball History Podcast, Bob Wright gives a detailed history of Wrigley Field. And he goes wayyy back, elaborating on the environment which contributed to Wrigley being bulit.

I know I learned something.

The Baseball History Podcast is just the thing for baseball history buffs. Taking a look at the subject matter, he seems to cover the gamut from pre-1900 to the 1980’s.

And he has such a soothing voice, too.

Take a listen.

Wait ‘Till Next Year: A Cub Fan’s Burden

Teddy Ballgame sent me a copy of Wait ‘Till Next Year which is billed as “The saga of the Chicago Cubs”. I put off watching it simply because I simply didn’t have the time. Well, I found the time tonight. Thanks a lot, Teddy. Why don’t you just come in my house and beat me … Continue reading “Wait ‘Till Next Year: A Cub Fan’s Burden”

Thanks a lot, Teddy. Why don’t you just come in my house and beat me senseless with a thunderstick? This film relives in quite vivid detail the failures of the Cubs organization.

Seriously, I did enjoy the video though it brought back bittersweet memories (and I’m not even old enough to remember the ’69 season). The video had some good footage, and decent interviews both with baseball people as well with regular ol’ joes.

But I’m looking forward to the 2007 video. The one where they’re the World Champions

thanks Teddy..

Counting down during the offseason

How is Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue spending is off-season? Doing a daily countdown the top 100 Cub players. A daunting task if there ever was one. I’m linking to #89 Jerry Morales because I remember having that very baseball card as a kid. Git that caterpillar off your face, Jerry! I miss the … Continue reading “Counting down during the offseason”

How is Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue spending is off-season? Doing a daily countdown the top 100 Cub players. A daunting task if there ever was one.

I’m linking to #89 Jerry Morales because I remember having that very baseball card as a kid.

Git that caterpillar off your face, Jerry!

I miss the ’70’s when players could hit .290 with 11 homers and still bat in the heart of the lineup.

DR. MIKE MARSHALL IS IN THE HOUSE

Pitch counts have made their way into MLB as owners try to limit the risk of arm injuries to their star pitchers. Starters are yanked at about 100 pitches, while closers seldom work more than one inning. Former Big League pitcher Mike Marshall has the answer, but so far MLB hasn’t been willing to listen. … Continue reading “DR. MIKE MARSHALL IS IN THE HOUSE”

Mike Marshall was the 1974 NL Cy Young Award winner when he appeared in 106 of the Dodgers 162 games. Marshall amassed 208′ innings as a relief pitcher, posting a 15-12 record out of the pen, with 21 saves. Mike faced a remarkable 857 batters and had an exceptional 2.42 ERA. But 1974 wasn’t a fluke as illustrated by his career statistics. From 1971-76 he pitched 66-111′, 65-116, 92-179, 106-208′, 57-109′, 54-99′ (games-innings) and then in 1978-79 54-99, 90-142″ (games-innings), AMAZING! So he knows what he’s talking about.

Check out what Dr. Mike Marshall had to say in an article that appeared in the July 13, 2006, St. Petersburg Times. The article goes on to say how Marshall’s study of kinesiology early in his career led him to a surprising discovery. He developed a motion that ended the immense stress on his elbow, allowing him to pitch well with little rest.

There are so many major league teams & pitchers who would benefit from Mike Marshall’s knowledge. Wake up & smell the coffee!!! Is anybody listening?

Sweet Lou

Most Similar Batters to Lou Piniella 1. Vic Power 2. Garry Maddox 3. Al Cowens 4. Willie Montanez 5. Tony Gonzalez 6. Curt Flood 7. Pinky Whitney 8. Jorge Orta 9. Jim Piersall 10. Pete Fox courtesy Baseball Reference

Most Similar Batters to Lou Piniella

1. Vic Power
2. Garry Maddox
3. Al Cowens
4. Willie Montanez
5. Tony Gonzalez
6. Curt Flood
7. Pinky Whitney
8. Jorge Orta
9. Jim Piersall
10. Pete Fox

courtesy Baseball Reference

Pappas interviewed on Cubscast tomorrow

Cub fans, On the 34th anniversary of his no-hitter in 1972 (the last by a Cub), Milt Pappas will be interviewed by the folks at Cubscast for a special Saturday edition of the Cubs-oriented podcast. I’ll be out of town but will anxious to download that show as soon as I get back. Update: I … Continue reading “Pappas interviewed on Cubscast tomorrow”

Cub fans,
On the 34th anniversary of his no-hitter in 1972 (the last by a Cub), Milt Pappas will be interviewed by the folks at Cubscast for a special Saturday edition of the Cubs-oriented podcast.

I’ll be out of town but will anxious to download that show as soon as I get back.

Update: I just listened to the Cubscast interview with Milt Pappas. It is well worth the listen. The direct link to the download is here.

Trivia Time… Team Batting Average Titles

I read in a book published around 1990 that Pittsburgh Pirates, as a team, have the most batting titles throughout history. I wondered if that was still true. A quick check found it was that no longer the case. What team can claim the most batting titles (starting from 1901)? The answer in a couple … Continue reading “Trivia Time… Team Batting Average Titles”

I read in a book published around 1990 that Pittsburgh Pirates, as a team, have the most batting titles throughout history.

I wondered if that was still true. A quick check found it was that no longer the case.

What team can claim the most batting titles (starting from 1901)?

The answer in a couple days.

Woody gets his night

Last night, the Giants honored Kirk Rueter. Complete with a life-sized statue. Now, Rueter wasn’t a household name or anything, And to say he faced the batter with any sort of intimidation would be laughable. In his later years, he sometimes had more walks than strikeouts. BUT… he won games. He wasn’t a 20-game winner … Continue reading “Woody gets his night”

Last night, the Giants honored Kirk Rueter. Complete with a life-sized statue.

Now, Rueter wasn’t a household name or anything, And to say he faced the batter with any sort of intimidation would be laughable. In his later years, he sometimes had more walks than strikeouts.

BUT…

he won games.

He wasn’t a 20-game winner or anything like that. but he did win double-digits seven years in a row all for the Giants. And he is the SF Giants all time leader in wins for a lefty.

Buzz’ pal?

Something I didn’t know until just recently… his nickname Woody came from the fact that he looks something like Woody from the movie Toy Story.

The more you know.

Corrected: he is the SF Giants leader in wins, not Giants.

thanks, Captain Will for catching that.

Sutter inducted into Hall today

Bruce Sutter’s plaque will now hang in the hall of immortals.

Today is not the time to discuss, deliberate, or debate. Today is his day

My memories of Sutter were when he was a Cub. F’instance, his phenomenal year in 1977 when he had a 1.34 ERA and 31 saves. Of course back then 31 saves meant something; good enough for second in the league. Also, he had 129 strikeouts in 107 1/3 innings.

Sutter in 1979

Then there was 1979. With his league-leading 37 saves and 110 Ks in 101 innings, and a 2.22 ERA, he was not only awarded the Rolaids Relief Award (one of four he would receive) but the Cy Young as well.

A bit of trivia about Sutter; he allowed 2 homeruns to Mike Schmidt in the memorable 23-22 Phillies-Cubs game in 1979. The second one was the game-winner. Fortunately, he usually had better days than this.

The image of Sutter on the plaque is wearing a Cardinals cap. I knew that was coming but I still feel a bit disappointed when I see it. If you see Sutter’s stats, you can see that he had the bulk of his dominating years with the Cubs not to mention it was the team he broke in the majors with. But I’m willing to let it go.