Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
An oldie but goodie and one of my favorites from George Carlin who passed away Sunday.
Despite Carlin portraying baseball as a less than manly sport in his schtik, he was actually quite a fan of the game. He was a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers as a kid then later, when they moved to LA, rooted for the Mets.
A sad note, former Cub pitcher, Jeremi Gonzalez was killed on May 25th in Venezuela when he was struck by lightning. Jeremi was 11-9 in 1997 & 7-7 in 1998, before being out of MLB for nearly five years due to three surgeries and a variety of injuries.
In 2003, he was rewarded by Tampa Bay with the Out of Nowhere Award. Gonzalez ended up being the Rays’ most consistent pitcher, despite his 6–11 record. He allowed three runs or fewer in 17 starts, but received the lowest run support of any AL East starter. He was known as Jeremi Gonzalez until he was traded to the Brewers in 2006, at which time he informed the team of the proper spelling of his name.
At the time of his passing, Geremi Gonzalez was only 33 years old.
Emil “Buzzie” Bavasi, former general manager and baseball executive, died Thursday at the age of 92.
He helped the Dodgers to their first World Series championship in 1955 (their only one in Brooklyn) plus three more in LA. In addition he brought the Angels to the playoffs twice.
I seem to remember Bavasi being on the ‘A’ list of nominees for the 2007’s ballot of the Hall of Fame.
Home plate umpire Gary Darling called a balk on SF Franchise righthander Tim Lincecum late in the game with the go-ahead run on 3rd base. His catcher stood up asking for time as Lincecum started his windup, Darling said, “time”, then he said, “that’s a balk”. The eventual winning run came walking home as the winningest foreign born skipper (from France) Bruce Bochy came out of the Giant dugout.
After a lengthy & heated exchange, Darling gave Bochy the heave-ho. Lincecum, in a bold move, said, he would take Gary Darling off his Christmas card list. While Bochy was seen taking Darling out of his Fave Five, as he exited stage left.
Miguel Tejada has seen better days. First, he gets word that Congress is opening an investigation into whether he lied to the House Committee Oversight and Government Reform in 2005 on his use of PEDs.
Then, he finds out that his older brother was killed in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic.
Astros management predictably expressed their condolences on Tejada’s brother’s death but kept their words to a minimum on the investigation issue, waiting for more information.
In a letter to US Attorney General Michael Mukasey, the Committee made their case:
“Mr. Tejada made statements to the Committee in a transcribed interview on Aug. 26, 2005, regarding his knowledge of and involvement with steroids. Evidence contained in former Senator Mitchell’s report on steroid use in Major League Baseball appears to be inconsistent with statements he gave to the Committee.”
Naive me. I had this feeling that the baseball powers-that-be were bringing the Mitchell Report out in the dead of winter so that it would blow over by the time Spring Training started. With Congress (and let’s face it, the media) getting involved, who knows how long it will last.
Johnny Podres, the last Brooklyn Dodger to win a World Series game, passed away at 75.
Podres, was key to the Dodgers’ only World Series win in 1955 pitching two complete game wins. For his career, he was 148-116 over 15 seasons, thirteen with the Dodgers.
Tommy Byrne, who lost Game 7 against Podres in 1955, died less than a month ago on December 20.
At the GM meetings this week, it was decided that the wearing of helmets by first and third base coaches will be enforced. This is in response to the death of AA coach Mike Coolbaugh who was hit by a line drive on July 22 this year. The exact details of what they will be … Continue reading “GMs mandate helmets for coaches”
At the GM meetings this week, it was decided that the wearing of helmets by first and third base coaches will be enforced. This is in response to the death of AA coach Mike Coolbaugh who was hit by a line drive on July 22 this year.
The exact details of what they will be wearing has not been ironed out.
Ron Kremer of the Herald News agrees with the ruling. He makes his argument in his article entitled Baseball Gets With It:
The decision came four months after ex-major leaguer Mike Coolbaugh died. He was struck in the neck by a batted ball while coaching at first base during a minor league game. He was not wearing a helmet.
…except (as Kremer notes in the sentence before) Coolbaugh was hit in the neck and that helmet probably wouldn’t have saved his life.
As for the issue itself, I’m not much for mandates in isolated situations like these. If the coaches want to wear the protective devices, I’m all for it. Joe Garagiola Jr, senior vice president for baseball operations, says that there was a “sentiment that as concept, this was a good idea.” Hopefully, this sentiment extends to those who will be wearing the helmets.
(AP Photo) CBS 2 has a tribute to Thurman Munson whose fatal plane crash was 28 years ago today. It includes a video of an interview of Munson. On personal note, my buddy Brando and I did a APBA replay of the 1979 baseball season. When August 2 rolled around, it was a somber reminder the Yanks … Continue reading “Thurman Munson August 2, 1979”
(AP Photo)
CBS 2 has a tribute to Thurman Munson whose fatal plane crash was 28 years ago today. It includes a video of an interview of Munson.
On personal note, my buddy Brando and I did a APBA replay of the 1979 baseball season. When August 2 rolled around, it was a somber reminder the Yanks no longer had Munson’s services. Kinda put some perspective on things.
Rollie Stiles, known to be the oldest former big league player died on Sunday. Stiles’ MLB stats for his 3 year career My first thought after reading this was… Who is the oldest now? (hat tip, Baseball Musings) Update: Wikipedia has the (now updated) list of 31 oldest living MLB players. Right now, 99-year Billy … Continue reading “Oldest ex-MLB player Stiles passes”
Rollie Stiles, known to be the oldest former big league player died on Sunday.
Stiles’ MLB stats for his 3 year career
My first thought after reading this was… Who is the oldest now?
(hat tip, Baseball Musings)
Update: Wikipedia has the (now updated) list of 31 oldest living MLB players. Right now, 99-year Billy Werber tops the list.
Werber played 1295 games from 1930 to 1942 and played for the Yankees, Red Sox, Athletics, Reds, and Giants.
Mr Rod Beck, intense reliever yet laid back teammate, is dead at 38. The Shooter signing autographs at the 2007 Cubs Convention I saw the Shooter at this year’s Cubs Convention. Out of all the old-timers signing autographs on the lower level, Rod Beck was one of the more popular ones with the fans. He … Continue reading “Rod Beck no longer Shooting”
Mr Rod Beck, intense reliever yet laid back teammate, is dead at 38.
The Shooter signing autographs at the 2007 Cubs Convention
I saw the Shooter at this year’s Cubs Convention. Out of all the old-timers signing autographs on the lower level, Rod Beck was one of the more popular ones with the fans. He had a friendly way with those waiting in line. With his signature handlebar mustache and longish hair, he stood out.
His cause of death is unknown and is pending an autopsy. I’m not holding my breath and quite honestly, you probably won’t hear about the results here. The results probably won’t be surprising.
That said, Beck’s persona was one of a kind. A pitcher who camps out in an RV beyond a minor league scoreboard is bound to have a little color.
But let’s not forget that the Shooter was once one helluva a pitcher. Yes, he had 286 career saves but he had incredible control too.
In 1994, when he had 48 saves for the Giants, he came in 8th in the Cy Young voting. Cubs fans will remember his 1998 season when they made the playoffs. That year he recorded 51 saves, his career high.