Title: Born Today - December
osfan58202233 - December 1, 2006 07:01 AM (GMT)
December 1st – George Foster, 1948
George Foster became a regular with the Big Red Machine in 1975. A mediocre fielder at best, Foster had a strong but inaccurate arm. He was a better than average baserunner. But he made a name for himself as a powerful, productive hitter who had five of the best seasons of any player of his time. Foster's three consecutive RBI championships (1976-78) tied a ML record. In 1977, his MVP year, he hit .320 with 149 RBI and 124 runs and blasted 52 HR to become only the seventh NL player to hit 50 or more in a season. He hit three straight homers in a July 14 game that season, and his 31 road homers set the ML record for righthanded batters. In 1978 Foster again led the NL with 40 HR.
His production began to tail off in 1979 and he was traded to the New York Mets in 1982. Media pressure to perform troubled him in his first season, when he hit only 13 home runs, his lowest total since 1974. He came back to hit 28, 24, and 21 over the next three seasons. During the 1988 season, the Mets traded him to the Chicago White Sox and he retired after just 15 games with Chicago.
George Foster became a regular with the Big Red Machine in 1975. A mediocre fielder at best, Foster had a strong but inaccurate arm. He was a better than average baserunner. But he made a name for himself as a powerful, productive hitter who had five of the best seasons of any player of his time. Foster's three consecutive RBI championships (1976-78) tied a ML record. In 1977, his MVP year, he hit .320 with 149 RBI and 124 runs and blasted 52 HR to become only the seventh NL player to hit 50 or more in a season. He hit three straight homers in a July 14 game that season, and his 31 road homers set the ML record for righthanded batters. In 1978 Foster again led the NL with 40 HR.
His production began to tail off in 1979 and he was traded to the New York Mets in 1982. Media pressure to perform troubled him in his first season, when he hit only 13 home runs, his lowest total since 1974. He came back to hit 28, 24, and 21 over the next three seasons. During the 1988 season, the Mets traded him to the Chicago White Sox and he retired after just 15 games with Chicago.
| QUOTE |
| Foster steadily became a reclusive clubhouse pariah who received his outright release in August 1986 after he accused the Mets of racism for benching him (the Mets' greatest players of the time, it should be noted -- Doc Gooden and Daryl Strawberry -- were both African American athletes, and his replacement on the team was Kevin Mitchell, also of African decent). |
Foster had a career .274 batting average in 1,977 games, with 1,925 hits, including 307 doubles, 47 triples, and 348 home runs. He drove in 1,239 runs and scored 986.
In 1981, at a point in his career when it looked like he would one day rank among the game's all-time greats, Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time.
hickocksports, wikipedia, the baseball page
osfan58202233 - December 2, 2006 02:20 PM (GMT)
December 2nd -- Pedro Borbon, 1946
An unabashed cockfighting enthusiast, macho Borbon reportedly could warm up faster and throw a ball farther than anyone else in the NL during the mid-1970s when he was a top reliever for Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." He liked to show off by throwing strikes to home plate from the center field warning track during batting practice. His best seasons were 1973 (11-4 with 14 saves) and 1977 (10-5 with 18 saves).
baseballlibrary
An unabashed cockfighting enthusiast, macho Borbon reportedly could warm up faster and throw a ball farther than anyone else in the NL during the mid-1970s when he was a top reliever for Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." He liked to show off by throwing strikes to home plate from the center field warning track during batting practice. His best seasons were 1973 (11-4 with 14 saves) and 1977 (10-5 with 18 saves).
baseballlibrary
osfan58202233 - December 3, 2006 07:07 AM (GMT)
December 3rd - Wayne Garrett, 1947
Wayne Garrett's major league career spanned from 1969 to 1978. As a rookie, he was a member of the Miracle Mets and was the club's starting third baseman from 1972 through 1975.
In Game Seven of the team's 1973 World Series matchup with the Oakland A's as the Mets potential tying run, Garrett popped out to shortstop to end the Series. He hit two home runs in the Series, including a leadoff home run in Game Three. However, he also tied Eddie Mathews' 1958 World Series record by striking out 11 times. He also made the final out of the Series, popping out to shortstop Bert Campaneris in the ninth inning of Game Seven with the tying run on base.
The redheaded Garrett played mostly third base, and hit .385 for the Mets in the 1969 LCS.
Wayne Garrett's major league career spanned from 1969 to 1978. As a rookie, he was a member of the Miracle Mets and was the club's starting third baseman from 1972 through 1975.
In Game Seven of the team's 1973 World Series matchup with the Oakland A's as the Mets potential tying run, Garrett popped out to shortstop to end the Series. He hit two home runs in the Series, including a leadoff home run in Game Three. However, he also tied Eddie Mathews' 1958 World Series record by striking out 11 times. He also made the final out of the Series, popping out to shortstop Bert Campaneris in the ninth inning of Game Seven with the tying run on base.
The redheaded Garrett played mostly third base, and hit .385 for the Mets in the 1969 LCS.
| QUOTE |
| After losing a game to the 1969 Mets, Cub Ron Santo - referring to rookie Garrett at second base, Ed Kranepool at first base, Al Weis at shortstop, and Bobby Pfeil at third base - remarked, "It's a shame losing to an infield like that...I wouldn't let that infield play in Tacoma." |
Brother Adrian spent small parts of eight seasons in the majors.
why was this guy's name on the calendar? i musta missed something...
BR Bullpen, baseballlibrary, wikipedia, sportscyclopedia
osfan58202233 - December 4, 2006 05:19 AM (GMT)
i'm learning html :lol:
December 4th – Lee Smith, 1957
As a closer, Lee Smith's 478 saves were the most all-time until current San Diego Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman broke his record on September 24, 2006. Smith also set the career record for games finished; he ranks #8 on the all-time list for career games pitched in, as of the conclusion of the 2006 season. In his 18-year career from 1980 through 1997, Smith played for eight teams; his longest tenure with one team was with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons. He was known as an intimidating figure on the pitcher's mound at 6 feet, 6 inches and 265 pounds with a 95 mile per hour fastball.
[dohtml]
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<li> 15 saves in June 1993 were the most ever in one month (tied by John Wetteland in June 1996 and Chad Cordero in June 2005).
<li> 60 or more games pitched in 12 consecutive seasons (1982-1993).
<li> 30 or more saves in ten seasons (1984-1987, 1990-1995).
<li> 40 or more saves in three seasons (1991-1993).
<li> Broke the all-time saves record on April 13, 1993 with his 358th save. His final total of 478 saves was surpassed by Trevor Hoffman on September 24, 2006.
<li> All-time leader in games finished (802).
<li> At time of retirement, was third all-time in games pitched (since his retirement, he has been passed by five others, and now stands at #8 all-time).
<li> Broke the record for consecutive saves with his 18th on June 20, 1995 (Wetteland broke Smith's record on July 6, 1996).
<li> Fourth all-time in blown saves (103).
<li> All-time Chicago Cubs save leader.
<li> All-time St. Louis Cardinals save leader until Jason Isringhausen passed him on June 13, 2006.
</ul>
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<td width="50%" valign="top">
<div align=left>
<img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a61/dmhmt/220leesmith.jpg">
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Smith signed with the Orioles in 1994, and at age 36, he started pitching better than ever. He saved nine of the Orioles' first 16 games, the fastest to nine saves in major league history. In his first 12 games, he had 12 saves and a 0.00 ERA. After nearly two months, his ERA was still under 1.00 and it was still under 2.00 in mid-July. Smith had been selected for the All-Star Game in 1991, 1992 and 1993 but had not played. After his sixth selection in 1994, Smith was brought into the game to hold a two-run lead in the 9th inning. Instead, he gave up a two-run home run to Fred McGriff, and the National League lost in ten innings. Smith's bad streak continued for the next several weeks until the 1994 baseball strike ended the season and his time with Baltimore, as he filed again for free agency and signed with the California Angels during the strike.
do check out the source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Smith_(baseball)
wikipedia
December 4th – Lee Smith, 1957
As a closer, Lee Smith's 478 saves were the most all-time until current San Diego Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman broke his record on September 24, 2006. Smith also set the career record for games finished; he ranks #8 on the all-time list for career games pitched in, as of the conclusion of the 2006 season. In his 18-year career from 1980 through 1997, Smith played for eight teams; his longest tenure with one team was with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons. He was known as an intimidating figure on the pitcher's mound at 6 feet, 6 inches and 265 pounds with a 95 mile per hour fastball.
[dohtml]
<table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="10">
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top">
<ul>
<li> 15 saves in June 1993 were the most ever in one month (tied by John Wetteland in June 1996 and Chad Cordero in June 2005).
<li> 60 or more games pitched in 12 consecutive seasons (1982-1993).
<li> 30 or more saves in ten seasons (1984-1987, 1990-1995).
<li> 40 or more saves in three seasons (1991-1993).
<li> Broke the all-time saves record on April 13, 1993 with his 358th save. His final total of 478 saves was surpassed by Trevor Hoffman on September 24, 2006.
<li> All-time leader in games finished (802).
<li> At time of retirement, was third all-time in games pitched (since his retirement, he has been passed by five others, and now stands at #8 all-time).
<li> Broke the record for consecutive saves with his 18th on June 20, 1995 (Wetteland broke Smith's record on July 6, 1996).
<li> Fourth all-time in blown saves (103).
<li> All-time Chicago Cubs save leader.
<li> All-time St. Louis Cardinals save leader until Jason Isringhausen passed him on June 13, 2006.
</ul>
</td>
<td width="50%" valign="top">
<div align=left>
<img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a61/dmhmt/220leesmith.jpg">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
[/dohtml]
Smith signed with the Orioles in 1994, and at age 36, he started pitching better than ever. He saved nine of the Orioles' first 16 games, the fastest to nine saves in major league history. In his first 12 games, he had 12 saves and a 0.00 ERA. After nearly two months, his ERA was still under 1.00 and it was still under 2.00 in mid-July. Smith had been selected for the All-Star Game in 1991, 1992 and 1993 but had not played. After his sixth selection in 1994, Smith was brought into the game to hold a two-run lead in the 9th inning. Instead, he gave up a two-run home run to Fred McGriff, and the National League lost in ten innings. Smith's bad streak continued for the next several weeks until the 1994 baseball strike ended the season and his time with Baltimore, as he filed again for free agency and signed with the California Angels during the strike.
do check out the source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Smith_(baseball)
wikipedia
osfan58202233 - December 5, 2006 06:01 AM (GMT)
December 5th – Gus Mancuso, 1905
Mel Ott on the left with Gus Mancuso
Popular, smiling catcher Gus Mancuso played in five World Series and called signals for five Hall of Fame pitchers. In more than 40 years in baseball, he served as a minor league manager and major league pitching coach and broadcast games with Harry Caray.
Buried in the Cardinal farm system for five years, Mancuso was rescued in 1930 by Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who told St. Louis to keep him on the ML club or lose him. The stocky catcher went on to become one of the top NL catchers of the 1930s. After working as a backup for two Cardinal pennant winners (1930-31), Mancuso was traded to the Giants in 1933. Manager Bill Terry credited his acquisition as the major factor in moving New York from sixth in 1932 to the '33 pennant. A fine defensive receiver, the swarthy Mancuso handled a pitching staff that included Carl Hubbell, Fred Fitzsimmons, and Hal Shumacher. He continued as the Giants' regular through the pennant seasons of 1936-37 and later shared catching duties on other NL clubs until the end of WWII. Although he admitted, "I was so slow-footed I could be a real rally-stopper on the bases," Mancuso hit a respectable .265 for his career. In 1936, his best all-around season, he batted .301 and drove in 63 runs.
from a long but in-depth bio of Mancuso by the SABR biography project:
Mel Ott on the left with Gus Mancuso
Popular, smiling catcher Gus Mancuso played in five World Series and called signals for five Hall of Fame pitchers. In more than 40 years in baseball, he served as a minor league manager and major league pitching coach and broadcast games with Harry Caray.
Buried in the Cardinal farm system for five years, Mancuso was rescued in 1930 by Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who told St. Louis to keep him on the ML club or lose him. The stocky catcher went on to become one of the top NL catchers of the 1930s. After working as a backup for two Cardinal pennant winners (1930-31), Mancuso was traded to the Giants in 1933. Manager Bill Terry credited his acquisition as the major factor in moving New York from sixth in 1932 to the '33 pennant. A fine defensive receiver, the swarthy Mancuso handled a pitching staff that included Carl Hubbell, Fred Fitzsimmons, and Hal Shumacher. He continued as the Giants' regular through the pennant seasons of 1936-37 and later shared catching duties on other NL clubs until the end of WWII. Although he admitted, "I was so slow-footed I could be a real rally-stopper on the bases," Mancuso hit a respectable .265 for his career. In 1936, his best all-around season, he batted .301 and drove in 63 runs.
from a long but in-depth bio of Mancuso by the SABR biography project:
| QUOTE |
| "Mancuso is the best catcher in the National League today," the manager declared. When [the Giants' new manager Bill] Terry said "the best," he was referring to defense. Future Hall of Famers Ernie Lombardi and Gabby Hartnett were more powerful hitters, but that didn't matter to the Giants' manager. Following McGraw's philosophy, Terry built his team around pitching and defense. Paul Richards, the Giants' backup catcher in 1933 and a long-time manager, said, "He concentrated almost entirely on defense. His theory was not to let the other club score and they'd beat themselves. Naturally, most ball games are lost rather than won." Mancuso recalled Terry's marching orders: "Gus, you're the catcher and you're going to handle these pitchers. I'd like for you to just take 'em over." ... The rebuilt Giants won their first pennant in nine years while allowing the fewest runs in the league. John Drebinger, who covered the team for The New York Times, said they overcame an "inferior attack" with "brilliant pitching and a firm air-tight defense." |
"The catcher's got to have the pitcher's confidence; the main thing that I found was, rather than studying the hitters so hard, was to study your pitchers, their strengths."--Gus Mancuso
'encyclopedia of baseball catchers', bioproj-SABR.com
osfan58202233 - December 6, 2006 05:04 AM (GMT)
December 6th – Tony Lazzeri, 1903
Although his offensive production was overshadowed by the historic accomplishments of teammates Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, Tony Lazzeri is still considered one of the top hitting second basemen of his era. He finished his career with a .292 batting average, 986 runs, 178 home runs, 1191 RBI and 148 stolen bases.
Though "Poosh 'Em Up" Lazzeri may have been overshadowed by his teammates, those in the game respected his leadership skills.
"You have shown that you are our most valuable player. When you were out of the game we could not win. Miller Huggins put you on second when we were playing those five games with the Athletics and your playing and the inspiration you gave us made us win all but one of the series. We would be in second place today if it were not for you."
-- Mark Koenig, 1929
A key member of six pennant-winners, he was a .300 hitter five times and drove in over 100 runs seven times. Lazzeri, who established an American League single-game record with 11 RBI on May 24, 1936, belted 60 home runs and drove in 222 runs in 1925 for Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League.
Although his offensive production was overshadowed by the historic accomplishments of teammates Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, Tony Lazzeri is still considered one of the top hitting second basemen of his era. He finished his career with a .292 batting average, 986 runs, 178 home runs, 1191 RBI and 148 stolen bases.
Though "Poosh 'Em Up" Lazzeri may have been overshadowed by his teammates, those in the game respected his leadership skills.
"You have shown that you are our most valuable player. When you were out of the game we could not win. Miller Huggins put you on second when we were playing those five games with the Athletics and your playing and the inspiration you gave us made us win all but one of the series. We would be in second place today if it were not for you."
-- Mark Koenig, 1929
A key member of six pennant-winners, he was a .300 hitter five times and drove in over 100 runs seven times. Lazzeri, who established an American League single-game record with 11 RBI on May 24, 1936, belted 60 home runs and drove in 222 runs in 1925 for Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League.
| QUOTE (Bill James in The Historical Baseball Abstract) |
| Tony Lazzeri was also a practical joker, and the two of them [he and Bob Johnson] wree always trying to get the best of one another. One time Lazzeri took a used baseball and doctored it for two weeks. He put it on a bench and pounded on it with his bat, soaked it overnight in soapy water, rubbed dirt into it until it was as dead as Abe Lincoln, then put a little shoe polish on it so it would look white at a glance. When Johnson came up to bat in a [meaningless] game at the end of the [1937] season, Lazzeri walked [from his position at second base] to the mound to talk with the pitcher, Kemp Wicker, and switched baseballs. Wicker threw Johnson a fat pitch, right out in the middle of the plate with nothing on it. Johnson nearly came out of his shoes taking a whack at it. He hit it solid, but the ball went "thud" instead of "crack," and bounced off harmlessly into foul territory...Johnson asked, "What'd I hit?" |
james goes on to write that there were then two versions of the truth that came down over the years about what had happened. the first was as published in a Look magazine article ca. 1960, the second from the New York Times the day after the game...
| QUOTE |
| According to the Look article, Bill Summers [home plate umpire] called the pitch a strike, and he stuck with the call over the objections of Johnson and his Philadelphia teammates, apparently to cover Lazzeri's ass. He said that he knew immediately what had happened. "Lazzeri," he said, "turned around." Sure enough, Lazzeri had the other baseball in his back pocket. |
| QUOTE |
| The New York Times wrote that [dohtml]<ol> <li>Summers was the first-base umpire. <li>The home-plate umpire, Johnny Quinn, immediately nullified the pitch. <li>It was the Philadelphia bench that caught on to Lazzeri's deception and told Quinn, who sent Summers to second base to check it out. <li>The incident was immediately reported to the league office, which was expected to fine Lazzeri for tampering with the baseball. </ol>[/dohtml] |
just another piece of history of the game for me, in addition to my first html ordered list...I'm not going to miss the commitment of updating these daily (even tho just for myself, i realize) but i will miss the fun with html i've been having, not to mention what i've learned about baseball since starting these last january...
National Hall of Fame site, wikipedia
Skipjack - December 6, 2006 11:30 AM (GMT)
I enjoy the bios of the birthday boys D and thanks again for going to all the trouble to post them.
osfan58202233 - December 7, 2006 05:56 AM (GMT)
[doHTML]<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<A href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/bench_johnny.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/Bench_Johnny_3.jpg" width="150"></A>
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td>check out the strike
at the end
<br>of this video
(click on the pic)
</td></tr></table>
<b>December 7th – Johnny Bench, 1947</b>
<br>
<p>As one of the most impressive defensive catchers, Johnny Bench was also considered to be an outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove awards, two Most Valuable Player awards, and the Rookie of the Year Award during his 17-year National League career. A skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the league in RBI three times as a leader of the “Big Red Machine” teams of the 1970s.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.johnnybench.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Johnny-Bench---Catchers-Gear---Photofile-Photograph-C10106964.jpeg" width="200"></a></div>
</td></tr></table>
<br>
<p><i>"A slump is like a soft bed, easy to get in to, but hard to get out of! Persevere."</i>---Johnny Bench
<br>
<p>Although baseball history is filled with many outstanding catchers, such as Yogi Berra and Mickey Cochrane, arguably, no player revolutionized the position like Johnny Bench. The catcher's equipment was traditionally called "the tools of ignorance" as many catchers were converted from other positions or lacked the fielding skills to play elsewhere. But Bench inspired many young ballplayers to become catchers. His use of the hinged catcher's mitt, which many thought was a gimmick when he first used one (after injuring his throwing hand, Bench had a custom hinged mitt made to replace the traditional rigid trapper-style mitt, which allowed him to tuck his throwing arm safely to the side), became standard equipment within a few years. Bench's one handed catching style soon became a commonplace throughout baseball, both professional and amateur. He also tended to block breaking balls in the dirt by scooping them with one hand instead of the fundamentally taught drop to both knees.
<br>
<p>When the Reds and Yanks squared off in 1976, the press played up the confrontation between Johnny and the Yankees' catcher and captain, Thurman Munson. Johnny caught Mickey Rivers stealing in Game One, New York's only attempted theft in the Series, got two hits in each of the first three games, and hit two home runs in Game Four to lead the Reds to their first World Series sweep. Munson hit .529 with 2 RBI; Johnny hit .533 and knocked in 6 runs. Munson gave Johnny his due, "The man deserves all the credit in the world."
<br><br>
<i>Hall of Fame site, wikipedia, johnnybench.com</i>[/dohtml]
boy, did i have fun with this one! :lol:
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<A href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/bench_johnny.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/Bench_Johnny_3.jpg" width="150"></A>
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td>check out the strike
at the end
<br>of this video
(click on the pic)
</td></tr></table>
<b>December 7th – Johnny Bench, 1947</b>
<br>
<p>As one of the most impressive defensive catchers, Johnny Bench was also considered to be an outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove awards, two Most Valuable Player awards, and the Rookie of the Year Award during his 17-year National League career. A skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the league in RBI three times as a leader of the “Big Red Machine” teams of the 1970s.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.johnnybench.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Johnny-Bench---Catchers-Gear---Photofile-Photograph-C10106964.jpeg" width="200"></a></div>
</td></tr></table>
<br>
<p><i>"A slump is like a soft bed, easy to get in to, but hard to get out of! Persevere."</i>---Johnny Bench
<br>
<p>Although baseball history is filled with many outstanding catchers, such as Yogi Berra and Mickey Cochrane, arguably, no player revolutionized the position like Johnny Bench. The catcher's equipment was traditionally called "the tools of ignorance" as many catchers were converted from other positions or lacked the fielding skills to play elsewhere. But Bench inspired many young ballplayers to become catchers. His use of the hinged catcher's mitt, which many thought was a gimmick when he first used one (after injuring his throwing hand, Bench had a custom hinged mitt made to replace the traditional rigid trapper-style mitt, which allowed him to tuck his throwing arm safely to the side), became standard equipment within a few years. Bench's one handed catching style soon became a commonplace throughout baseball, both professional and amateur. He also tended to block breaking balls in the dirt by scooping them with one hand instead of the fundamentally taught drop to both knees.
<br>
<p>When the Reds and Yanks squared off in 1976, the press played up the confrontation between Johnny and the Yankees' catcher and captain, Thurman Munson. Johnny caught Mickey Rivers stealing in Game One, New York's only attempted theft in the Series, got two hits in each of the first three games, and hit two home runs in Game Four to lead the Reds to their first World Series sweep. Munson hit .529 with 2 RBI; Johnny hit .533 and knocked in 6 runs. Munson gave Johnny his due, "The man deserves all the credit in the world."
<br><br>
<i>Hall of Fame site, wikipedia, johnnybench.com</i>[/dohtml]
boy, did i have fun with this one! :lol:
osfan58202233 - December 10, 2006 07:23 AM (GMT)
December 9th – Juan Samuel, 1960
first, to establish some context on this gentleman, from Oct 2006:
first, to establish some context on this gentleman, from Oct 2006:
| QUOTE |
| Juan Samuel has been added to the Orioles major league coaching staff for the 2007 season. Samuel will coach third base, with Tom Trebelhorn taking over duties as bench coach for manager Sam Perlozzo. Samuel managed the AA Binghamton Mets to a 70-70 record in the Eastern League this past season. He spent the previous seven seasons as a coach for the Detroit Tigers, serving three years as first base coach and then four years as third base coach. With the Orioles, he also will have responsibility for coaching and positioning infielders. Samuel, 46, batted .259 in a 16-year career with 7 different teams. He was a three-time All-Star and won the National League's Silver Slugger Award for second basemen with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1987. |
on his "fan impact," for what it's worth:
| QUOTE |
| He was inducted into the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 and was one of the most popular players to appear in both Reading and Philadelphia. |
| QUOTE (Fan "Shawn Green") |
| Sammy will be to a lot of people just a bench player, or a first base coach with the Detroit Tigers. There is so much more to this wonderful person. Sammy was not only a great ball player in his time, but also a warm, and wonderful person. |
okay, now on to the usual...
A speedy runner with great power but unsure hands for a second baseman, Samuel set a rookie stolen-base record of 72 in 1984 (broken by Vince Coleman the following year.) He had a NL-record 701 at-bats in 1984 and hit .272 with 15 HR and 69 RBI as the Phillies' leadoff hitter to win TSN NL Rookie Player of the Year honors. He also struck out 168 times to lead the NL, rarely walked, and committed 33 errors, weaknesses that plagued his career. The Phillies moved the strikeout-prone Samuel (at least 141 in each of his six ML seasons through 1988) from the leadoff spot and in 1988 switched him to the outfield, where his speed partially compensated for bad fly-ball judgment. Samuel's best offensive season was 1987, when he hit .272 with 28 HR, 100 RBI, 113 runs, 35 stolen bases, and a NL-high 15 triples. He became the only player in ML history to post double figures in doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in each of his first four ML seasons. In 1988 he missed the feat by one triple.
an interesting tidbit here:
| QUOTE |
| Apr 27, 2000 - Major league baseball announces what is believed to be a record 16 suspensions for a total of 82 games to members of the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers for their parts in two brawls in last Saturday's game between the teams. Managers Phil Garner and Jerry Manuel were suspended for 8 games apiece‚ Detroit coach Juan Samuel for 15 games‚ and Tigers 3B Dean Palmer for 8 games. |
Baltimore Orioles press releases, baseballibrary.com, wikipedia, shawngreen.net, readingphillies.com
-----------------------------------------------
as an aside, i've got some genuine issues with this signing, if what we're trying to do is improve our defense to back up our young pitchers. he just so happens to be absent as the 3rd base coach during the one year the Tigers were a winning team. he had to rely on speed to compensate for bad fly-ball judgment, and among his walks and strikeouts "committted 33 errors" to "plague his career." and this is who we choose to "coach and position infielders" ?? someone help me out here...
Skipjack - December 10, 2006 11:19 AM (GMT)
Maybe for the same reason we have a lifetime .250 hitter as hitting coach... :D
escambia - December 10, 2006 04:00 PM (GMT)
I was at a spring training game and out in the Tigers outfield not shagging flyballs stood the 3 Juans - Juan Samuel, Juan Encarnacion and Juan Gonzalez.
Must have been a slow day to have Wayne Garrett listed. There had to have been someone born more interesting than Wayne, but I know that you don't select these.
Must have been a slow day to have Wayne Garrett listed. There had to have been someone born more interesting than Wayne, but I know that you don't select these.
osfan58202233 - December 10, 2006 05:48 PM (GMT)
December 10th – Jocko Conlan, (umpire) 1897
[dohtml]<img src="http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/conlon/umpires/images/umps4.jpg" width="200">[/dohtml]
Jocko Conlan had a successful career as a center fielder in the high minors. He then spent two years as a White Sox reserve outfielder, batting .263 in 128 games. During a July 1935 doubleheader in steamy St. Louis, one of the umpires was overcome by the heat. Conlan, sidelined by an injury, volunteered to replace him. He did such a good job (even calling teammate Luke Appling out at third base as he tried to stretch a double) that he began a career as a professional umpire the following season. A polka-dot tie, balloon chest protector and quick grin became his trademarks.
In 1941 he reached the majors, where he began a distinguished 24-year career in the National League. Conlan worked in five World Series and six All-Star Games. A southpaw, Jocko was the only arbiter of his time to give all his signals lefthanded.
Known as one of the feistier umpires of his day, he was just 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. Despite his small size, he was an impressive umpire, and in 1974 he became the fifth umpire inducted into the Hall of Fame.
[dohtml]<img src="http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/conlon/umpires/images/umps4.jpg" width="200">[/dohtml]
Jocko Conlan had a successful career as a center fielder in the high minors. He then spent two years as a White Sox reserve outfielder, batting .263 in 128 games. During a July 1935 doubleheader in steamy St. Louis, one of the umpires was overcome by the heat. Conlan, sidelined by an injury, volunteered to replace him. He did such a good job (even calling teammate Luke Appling out at third base as he tried to stretch a double) that he began a career as a professional umpire the following season. A polka-dot tie, balloon chest protector and quick grin became his trademarks.
In 1941 he reached the majors, where he began a distinguished 24-year career in the National League. Conlan worked in five World Series and six All-Star Games. A southpaw, Jocko was the only arbiter of his time to give all his signals lefthanded.
Known as one of the feistier umpires of his day, he was just 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. Despite his small size, he was an impressive umpire, and in 1974 he became the fifth umpire inducted into the Hall of Fame.
| QUOTE (Hall of Fame Plaque) |
| JOHN BERTRAND CONLAN JOCKO UMPIRE NATIONAL LEAGUE 1941-1965 SUNNY DISPOSITION, ACCURACY AND HUSTLE EARNED HIM RATING AS STANDOUT UMPIRE AND HE WON RESPECT OF PLAYERS AND MANAGERS WITH HIS FAIRNESS. ONLY ARBITER TO WORK IN EACH OF FIRST FOUR N.L. PENNANT PLAYOFFS. CHOSEN FOR SIX WORLD SERIES AND SIX ALL-STAR GAMES. |
Conlan demanded respect from players and managers, and he got it. Commissioner Ford Frick said that his work in twice extinguishing outbreaks of beanball throwing was the greatest piece of umpiring I've ever seen in the National League. Recalling the time when only one official covered the whole field, umpiring legend Bill Klem told Jocko, "You are one umpire who could have umpired in the old days."
"You've got to have a thick skin and a strong heart. You've got to have and command respect. Without them, you're nothing."–Jocko Conlan on umpiring
National Hall of Fame site, baseball-almanac, sporting news archives
osfan58202233 - December 11, 2006 05:20 AM (GMT)
December 11th – Old Hoss Radbourn, 1854
i wonder if he's the tagger or the taggee??
Charles Gardner Old Hoss Radbourn compiled a 309-195 career record as a starter from 1880 to 1891. In 1884 he won the National League's pitching Triple Crown with a 1.38 ERA, 60 wins and 441 strikeouts. His 60 wins in a season (or 59, according to some sources; see note) is a record which is expected never to be broken. He also finished 484 of the 497(4?) games he started.
There is a discrepancy in Radbourn's victory total in 1884. The classic MacMillan Baseball Encyclopedia as well as the current Sporting News Baseball Record Book both credit Radbourn with 60 wins (against 12 losses). Other sources, including the baseball reference and baseball almanac links shown here, give Radbourn only 59 wins. Some older sources (such as his tombstone plaque) counted as high as 62.
There is no dispute about the 678-2/3 innings pitched, only over the manner in which victories were assigned to pitchers.
i wonder if he's the tagger or the taggee??
Charles Gardner Old Hoss Radbourn compiled a 309-195 career record as a starter from 1880 to 1891. In 1884 he won the National League's pitching Triple Crown with a 1.38 ERA, 60 wins and 441 strikeouts. His 60 wins in a season (or 59, according to some sources; see note) is a record which is expected never to be broken. He also finished 484 of the 497(4?) games he started.
There is a discrepancy in Radbourn's victory total in 1884. The classic MacMillan Baseball Encyclopedia as well as the current Sporting News Baseball Record Book both credit Radbourn with 60 wins (against 12 losses). Other sources, including the baseball reference and baseball almanac links shown here, give Radbourn only 59 wins. Some older sources (such as his tombstone plaque) counted as high as 62.
There is no dispute about the 678-2/3 innings pitched, only over the manner in which victories were assigned to pitchers.
| QUOTE |
| According to at least two writeups, in the game of July 28 at Philadelphia, Miller pitched five innings and left trailing 4-3. Providence then scored 4 in the top of the sixth. Radbourn came in to relieve, and pitched shutout ball over the final four innings, while the Grays went on to score 4 more and to win the game 11-4. The official scorer decided that Radbourn had pitched the most effectively, and awarded him the win. Under the rules of the day, the scorekeeper's decision certainly made sense. However, under modern scoring rules, Miller would get the win, being the pitcher of record when he left the game, and Radbourn would have been credited with a save, for (ironically enough) closing the game and pitching effectively for 3 or more innings. Some modern statisticians have retroactively awarded the win to Miller. This may be a disputable practice, but it provides the explanation for the 59 vs. the 60 wins for Radbourn in 1884. |
how's that to help offset Wayne Garrett :D
Hall of Fame site, wikipedia, baseballlibrary
escambia - December 11, 2006 11:45 AM (GMT)
The O's should consider signing good Old Hoss. They could use a 60 game winner. You don't see those around anymore.
osfan58202233 - December 12, 2006 07:35 PM (GMT)
[dohtml]
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<b>December 12th – Ralph Garr, 1945</b>
<br><br>
<i>"Ralph (Garr) is about as aggressive with a bat as anyone I've ever seen. At first you want to tell him to leave those pitches outside the strike zone alone. That is, until you see how many of them he puts between the outfielders for base hits."</i>
--Eddie Mathews in Baseball Digest (November 1974)
<br><p>Garr had a remarkable talent for hitting to all fields at the plate, a very valuable skill when hitting because fielders could never predict how to set up their defense.
<br><p>A Grambling football star, Garr reached the Braves briefly in 1968 (his second pro season) and stole home for the first of 172 steals.
<br><p>Nicknamed "Roadrunner" because of his extraordinary speed, Ralph Garr was the Braves' starting leftfielder for five seasons (1971-75), tied with Ryan Klesko for the longest run in Atlanta. He is one of only three Atlanta Braves to lead the National League in hitting (.353 in 1974).
<br><p>Garr holds Atlanta career records for batting average (.317) and triples (40) and Atlanta season records for hits (219 in '71, his first full season in the majors), singles (180 in '71) and triples (17 in '74).
<br><p>In the four-year period 1971-74, Garr had three seasons of 200 or more hits. In 1974 Garr's .353 took the NL batting crown, and he led the league with 214 hits and 17 triples. The free-swinging leadoff man repeated as triples leader in 1975, and hit .300 twice again with the White Sox (1976 and 1977).
<br><br><p>
<i>baseballalmanac, braves400.org, baseballlibrary</i>
[/dohtml]
just a little numbers thing here: post 444=12 on 12/12 :D
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
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<img src="http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nl/atlbraves/Ewillaismatl.jpg" width="150">
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<b>December 12th – Ralph Garr, 1945</b>
<br><br>
<i>"Ralph (Garr) is about as aggressive with a bat as anyone I've ever seen. At first you want to tell him to leave those pitches outside the strike zone alone. That is, until you see how many of them he puts between the outfielders for base hits."</i>
--Eddie Mathews in Baseball Digest (November 1974)
<br><p>Garr had a remarkable talent for hitting to all fields at the plate, a very valuable skill when hitting because fielders could never predict how to set up their defense.
<br><p>A Grambling football star, Garr reached the Braves briefly in 1968 (his second pro season) and stole home for the first of 172 steals.
<br><p>Nicknamed "Roadrunner" because of his extraordinary speed, Ralph Garr was the Braves' starting leftfielder for five seasons (1971-75), tied with Ryan Klesko for the longest run in Atlanta. He is one of only three Atlanta Braves to lead the National League in hitting (.353 in 1974).
<br><p>Garr holds Atlanta career records for batting average (.317) and triples (40) and Atlanta season records for hits (219 in '71, his first full season in the majors), singles (180 in '71) and triples (17 in '74).
<br><p>In the four-year period 1971-74, Garr had three seasons of 200 or more hits. In 1974 Garr's .353 took the NL batting crown, and he led the league with 214 hits and 17 triples. The free-swinging leadoff man repeated as triples leader in 1975, and hit .300 twice again with the White Sox (1976 and 1977).
<br><br><p>
<i>baseballalmanac, braves400.org, baseballlibrary</i>
[/dohtml]
just a little numbers thing here: post 444=12 on 12/12 :D
osfan58202233 - December 13, 2006 06:43 AM (GMT)
[dohtml]<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
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<a href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/jenkins_ferguson.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.autographedtoyou.com/celebpics/ferguson_jenkins2.jpg"></a>
</div></td></tr>
</table>
<b>December 13th – Fergie Jenkins, 1943</b>
<br>
<p>Canada has never been known as an importer of baseball talent, but then Fergie Jenkins never really did things in a customary fashion. Over his 19-year career, the big hurler from Ontario proved to be a durable commodity, retiring with 267 complete games and 49 shutouts. He also holds the 9th-highest strikeout total in history (3,192) and was the National League Cy Young Award winner in 1971. He was elected to the National Hall of Fame in 1991.[/dohtml]
(click on the pic for video)
National Hall of Fame site, Official Fergie Jenkins site
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<a href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/jenkins_ferguson.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.autographedtoyou.com/celebpics/ferguson_jenkins2.jpg"></a>
</div></td></tr>
</table>
<b>December 13th – Fergie Jenkins, 1943</b>
<br>
<p>Canada has never been known as an importer of baseball talent, but then Fergie Jenkins never really did things in a customary fashion. Over his 19-year career, the big hurler from Ontario proved to be a durable commodity, retiring with 267 complete games and 49 shutouts. He also holds the 9th-highest strikeout total in history (3,192) and was the National League Cy Young Award winner in 1971. He was elected to the National Hall of Fame in 1991.[/dohtml]
(click on the pic for video)
National Hall of Fame site, Official Fergie Jenkins site
osfan58202233 - December 15, 2006 05:07 AM (GMT)
December 14th – Bill Buckner, 1949
Bill Buckner played his first major league game in 1969 with the Los Angeles Dodgers (at the age of 19) and his last game in 1990 (at the age of 40) with the Boston Red Sox. He won the National League batting title in 1980 with the Chicago Cubs. He was an All-Star in 1981.
Bill Buckner played his first major league game in 1969 with the Los Angeles Dodgers (at the age of 19) and his last game in 1990 (at the age of 40) with the Boston Red Sox. He won the National League batting title in 1980 with the Chicago Cubs. He was an All-Star in 1981.
| QUOTE |
| Buckner made an impression at an early age. He was drafted into the Dodgers organization straight out of high school. His first manager in professional baseball was Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda would later become the Dodgers' manager, but even as a minor league manager, he had a way with players. Buckner says Lasorda had his young players feeling they would be ready for the majors any day. One of Lasorda's exercises was to have his players write letters to the Los Angeles starters to let them know they were coming. Buckner wrote his letter to the Dodgers' first baseman Wes Parker. "I wrote a letter to Wes Parker and told him I was going to take his job," Buckner said. He said Parker later gave him a hard time about writing the letter. |
For his entire career, "Billy Buck" was known as one of the more consistent contact hitters in the major leagues: in 2,517 games, Buckner accumulated 2,715 hits and only 453 strikeouts. He led the league four times in most at bats per strike out (1980, 1982, 1985, 1986), and four times placed second in the category (1979, 1981, 1983, 1987). For his career he averaged 20.7 AB/K (compared to 18.5 for Joe DiMaggio, 10.9 for Ted Williams, 42.7 for Nellie Fox, 44.9 for Lloyd Waner and 46.3 for Tris Speaker).
As a player he was a speedy baserunner who twice finished in the top-ten in the league in stolen bases. He twice led the league in doubles.
Originally promoted to the majors as an outfielder, he moved to first base when he joined the Cubs. At that position, he played 1,555 regular season games and made only 128 errors in 13,901 chances.
The year that will always be a part of Buckner's legacy came in 1986...."I thought, what is going on," Buckner recalls. "I turned around to go after the ball and I realized the game was over."
[dohtml]<ul>
<li>"The Bill Buckner Bridge" in Boston is a nickname given to the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge on which cars pass through the bridge's Y-shaped "legs."
<li>Boston poet John Hodges wrote a poem titled <i>Forgiving Buckner</i>. The poem starts out, "The world is always rolling between our legs...."
<li>Boston band Slide named their debut album <i>Forgiving Buckner</i>.
<li>In The Simpsons episode, <i>Brother's Little Helper</i>, Bart gives Homer a book, titled <i>Chicken Soup for the Loser</i>, which, according to Bart, inspired Buckner to open a chain of laundromats.
<li>In the film <i>Rounders</i>, as the protagonist walks into the cardroom where, earlier in the film he had lost $30,000, he says, "I feel like Buckner, walking back into Shea."
<li>In the movie <i>Stuck On You</i>, an obnoxious antagonist yells "Hey boys from Beantown, say hello to Billy Buckner!" The comment immediately triggers a fight.
<li>On <i>Ally McBeal</i> (which takes place in Boston), when Ally was having one of her manic spells, she rattled off a long list of incidents leading to tragedies in her life. One of them was "ground ball towards first base."</ul>[/dohtml]
ah, ally mcbeal. and that character robert downey jr. played. what a perfect pair...oops digression there
wikipedia, baseballibrary, historicbaseball.com
osfan58202233 - December 15, 2006 05:09 AM (GMT)
December 15th – Art Howe, 1946
celebrating their second WS championship in three years, 2003...sigh
here's an excerpt from a salon.com article that was written in 2001
when Howe was managing the As:
celebrating their second WS championship in three years, 2003...sigh
here's an excerpt from a salon.com article that was written in 2001
when Howe was managing the As:
| QUOTE |
| I think Howe probably was too nice at times, during the years I covered him, but it's hard to say for sure. All I know is that this season, when Howe benched mercurial young shortstop Miguel Tejada for not hustling and running out a ground ball, it was a different Howe than the man I watched. Howe not only yanked Tejada right out of the game, he told reporters just what he had done and why. It was a calculated risk, and it paid off beautifully. Tejada apologized to his teammates and seemed to gain a new maturity and consistency heading into the playoffs. Anyone who knows Howe knew it was not easy for him to lean on Tejada like that. He did it because he had to. "Believe me, it hurt him to do that," Betty Howe tells me. "He came home and told me, 'I hated to do that to Miguel. I had to send a message to the team.' He was sending a message to everyone else, 'Not on my team.' It really hurt him. He likes Miguel, he loves Miguel, and he knows that on top of everything else, Miguel has the language barrier." "The Latin players have so much pride," Betty Howe says. "Miguel's problem is he just gets down on himself. He hit a little rut where he was getting lax. I think it was because he wasn't hitting like he wanted to. The one game, he did not run all the way out to first base. The second baseman fell down, and got up and threw the ball and Miguel was out. It was at a crucial time when we still had to be winning ballgames. We knew if we weren't winning by the All-Star Game, management would probably dismantle the team. Art pulled him. When the team went out to take their defensive positions, Miguel was not at shortstop." |
i know, it's supposed to be about Art Howe. this is the thing i will miss about doing these tho...you never
know what you're going to stumble upon. here's an exerpt with more about Howe:
| QUOTE |
| Howe always looks like a man who just sunk a long, long birdie putt, and will tell you about it if you'd like to hear. He does what he does, his own way, always laconically and happily, and that drives his critics crazy and warms other people to him. "Baseball managers generally fall into one of two categories," New York Post columnist Tom Keegan tells me. "The majority base decisions on what they think will enable them to keep their jobs. They make moves they can defend to the media and to their bosses, their general managers. They never enjoy managing because they are consumed by paranoia. They forever smell the GM's breath, always envision the next unflattering headline and hear the boos from the crowd, even in their sleep." "And then there is Art Howe," Keegan continues. "He falls into the second group. Even if Howe had hair, he wouldn't be losing it from constantly worrying about his job security. He's good at his job, he knows it, and he's not going to let anyone convince him otherwise, even his general manager. He cares more about doing what he considers the right thing than what anybody else thinks." |
to get to the article, you have to click on and watch the advertisement "site pass" and can then click on the entry link to Salon at the top right. it may not take you to the article directly, but instead to the salon.com home page. if that's the case, paste this in your address box, but only after you've reached that home page:
http://archive.salon.com/people/bc/2001/10/16/howe/index.html
salon.com
osfan58202233 - December 17, 2006 05:28 AM (GMT)
December 16th – Mike Flanagan, 1951
i'm choosing to focus on his playing time. also choosing to ignore one site that pretty much took his pitching career stats and had him turn out to be no better than mediocre save for 1979. also leaving out a cool site that shows his win shares to equal #4 of all Orioles pitchers 1954-2003, at 136
okay, here's that last one:
http://www.oobleck.com/orioles/archives/20...s_pitchers.html
Flanagan was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 7th round of the 1973 draft, and made his major league debut with the Orioles on September 27, 1975. One the team's most dependable pitchers for the next nine years, Flanagan went to the All-Star Game in 1978 and won the Cy Young Award in 1979. That season was his best in baseball: with a record of 23-9 (leading the league in wins) and an ERA of 3.08.
[dohtml]<ul>
<li>1979- American League Cy Young Award winner, TSN Pitcher of the Year
<ul>
<li> 1st in wins</li>
<li>3rd in strikeouts</li>
<li>3rd in innings pitched</li>
<li>6th in AL Most Valuable Player voting</li>
<li>3rd in WHIP</li>
<li>4th in ERA</li>
<li>4th in winning percentage</li>
<li>2nd in games started</li>
<li>5th in complete games</li>
<li>1st in shutouts</li>
<li>6th in hits allowed/9IP</li>
<li>3rd in strikeouts/9IP</li>
</ul>
</li></ul>[/dohtml]
On August 31, 1987, Flanagan was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Oswaldo Peraza and José Mesa. He had two solid seasons for the Blue Jays as a starter before being converted to a reliever in the 1990 season.
Flanagan re-invented himself as a highly effective set-up man upon rejoining Baltimore in April 1991, recording three saves and a 2.38 ERA in 64 appearances. On July 13th, 1991, he pitched the seventh inning of a four-man tag-team no-hitter against Oakland, a game started by Bob Milacki and completed by Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson. He also threw the last pitch by an Oriole in the final game at the club's longtime Memorial Stadium home that October. Bridging two eras of Baltimore baseball, Flanagan stuck around for one more season when the Birds moved into their news digs at Camden Yards.
In an 18-season career, Flanagan posted a 167-143 record with 1491 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 2770.0 innings pitched.
wikipedia, dodgermath.com, baseballlibrary
i'm choosing to focus on his playing time. also choosing to ignore one site that pretty much took his pitching career stats and had him turn out to be no better than mediocre save for 1979. also leaving out a cool site that shows his win shares to equal #4 of all Orioles pitchers 1954-2003, at 136
okay, here's that last one:
http://www.oobleck.com/orioles/archives/20...s_pitchers.html
Flanagan was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 7th round of the 1973 draft, and made his major league debut with the Orioles on September 27, 1975. One the team's most dependable pitchers for the next nine years, Flanagan went to the All-Star Game in 1978 and won the Cy Young Award in 1979. That season was his best in baseball: with a record of 23-9 (leading the league in wins) and an ERA of 3.08.
[dohtml]<ul>
<li>1979- American League Cy Young Award winner, TSN Pitcher of the Year
<ul>
<li> 1st in wins</li>
<li>3rd in strikeouts</li>
<li>3rd in innings pitched</li>
<li>6th in AL Most Valuable Player voting</li>
<li>3rd in WHIP</li>
<li>4th in ERA</li>
<li>4th in winning percentage</li>
<li>2nd in games started</li>
<li>5th in complete games</li>
<li>1st in shutouts</li>
<li>6th in hits allowed/9IP</li>
<li>3rd in strikeouts/9IP</li>
</ul>
</li></ul>[/dohtml]
On August 31, 1987, Flanagan was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Oswaldo Peraza and José Mesa. He had two solid seasons for the Blue Jays as a starter before being converted to a reliever in the 1990 season.
Flanagan re-invented himself as a highly effective set-up man upon rejoining Baltimore in April 1991, recording three saves and a 2.38 ERA in 64 appearances. On July 13th, 1991, he pitched the seventh inning of a four-man tag-team no-hitter against Oakland, a game started by Bob Milacki and completed by Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson. He also threw the last pitch by an Oriole in the final game at the club's longtime Memorial Stadium home that October. Bridging two eras of Baltimore baseball, Flanagan stuck around for one more season when the Birds moved into their news digs at Camden Yards.
In an 18-season career, Flanagan posted a 167-143 record with 1491 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 2770.0 innings pitched.
wikipedia, dodgermath.com, baseballlibrary
osfan58202233 - December 17, 2006 07:18 PM (GMT)
December 17th – Leo Cardeñas, 1938
[dohtml]<div align="left"><table><tr><td><img src="http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20061018&Category=SPT04&ArtNo=610180347&Ref=AR&MaxW=315&border=1" width="200"></td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
it was difficult to find much on Cardeñas, until i came upon this:
[dohtml]<div align="left"><table><tr><td><img src="http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20061018&Category=SPT04&ArtNo=610180347&Ref=AR&MaxW=315&border=1" width="200"></td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
it was difficult to find much on Cardeñas, until i came upon this:
| QUOTE |
| Nowadays, Guantanamo Bay on Cuba's far southeastern tip is known for its naval base and site of a detainee camp of alleged terrorists. But when Cardeñas was a boy, he knew it as the place he went to play baseball on Sundays for five pesos a game. "I played doubleheaders and would get 10 pesos and give eight to my father and keep two myself," recalled Cardeñas, one of 14 children and the oldest boy. "It was shortly after that that the Reds flew me to Douglas, Ga., for a workout." "To show you just how much (clout) the Reds had in Cuba, think about this: The Reds had just signed Tony Gonzales, Mike Cuellar and Cookie Rojas (all out of Cuba) and flew them in for that same workout." Cardeñas played in Tucson, Ariz., in 1956. "I remember going back home (to Cuba that winter) and people said, 'You put on weight!' It was the milk. I loved the American milk. We didn't get milk like that in Cuba." BASEBALL AND BULLETS Matanzas province, where Cardeñas grew up, is famous for its sugar-cane factories and oil refineries - and its baseball players and boxers. Cardeñas said he never will forget playing for the Sugar Kings in Havana when President Fidel Castro would attend games and even take a turn on the mound. Cardeñas also never will forget those rifle-toting revolutionaries in the stands. "I remember (pitcher) Pedro Ramos being on the mound, and when he was having a bad night and giving up a lot of hits, the soldiers would yell at him in Spanish: 'Pedro, you ain't got (nothing).' "Well, Pedro, he was crazy. He'd flip them (an obscene gesture) and yell, 'Come down here and see if you can hit it, you (bums).' " In 1959, Cardeñas was a shortstop for the Sugar Kings, the Reds' Triple-A affiliate. While playing in a game in late July that year, he was struck by an errant bullet fired by one of Castro's soldiers celebrating the sixth anniversary of the 1953 storming of the Moncada Garrison that sparked the Castro revolution. The bullet penetrated Cardeñas' uniform above his right shoulder. "The bullet that hit me just grazed me, but it tore the skin and I was bleeding," Cardeñas said. "They put a bandage on it, and I was ready to go. But I didn't like seeing those soldiers coming on the field with their rifles anymore." In mid-summer 1960, the Sugar Kings moved to Newark, N.J. "Castro said, 'A baseball player shouldn't make more money than the president,' " Cardeñas said. |
am i reading this right? did the Reds' AAA team play in Havana? i mean, i thought Ottawa was far removed...but Cuba??
ahh...here's my answer
| QUOTE |
| The Reds were the first major-league team - no throw-ins from other teams - to visit Cuba. The year was 1908. For the next 50 years, the Reds were one of the strongest major-league organizations for scouting and signing Cuban players. In 1960, their Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Kings, were moved from Havana to Newark, N.J., in part because of the unrest in Cuba. An era had come to a close. The Reds were the last organization in MLB to have a minor-league team in Cuba. |
cincinatti news.enquirer.com
Skipjack - December 17, 2006 08:15 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| The Havana Sugar Kings were a Cuban-based minor league baseball team that played in the Class AAA International League from 1954 to 1960. They were affiliated with Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and their home stadium was El Gran Estadio del Cerro (sometimes called Gran Stadium) in Havana, Cuba. The Sugar Kings began life in 1946 as the Havana Cubans, founded by Washington Senators scout Joe Cambria. They played in the old Class C (later Class B) Florida International League. In 1954, Roberto Maduro bought the team, moved it to the International League, and renamed it the Sugar Kings. Several talented Cuban players who eventually made it to the Major Leagues donned the Sugar Kings uniform, including Luis Arroyo, Tony Gonzalez, Cookie Rojas, Leo Cardenas, and Mike Cuellar. |
From Wikipedia
osfan58202233 - December 18, 2006 06:52 AM (GMT)
ah, cool, thanks jack
osfan58202233 - December 18, 2006 06:57 AM (GMT)
December 18th - Tyrus Raymond Cobb, 1886
watch it, comin in, spikes up!
Ty Cobb may have been baseball's greatest player, if not the game's fiercest competitor. His batting accomplishments are legendary - a lifetime average of .367, 297 triples, 4,191 hits, 12 batting titles (including nine in a row), 23 straight seasons in which he hit over .300, three .400 seasons, and 2,245 runs. Intimidating the opposition, "The Georgia Peach" stole 892 bases during a 24-year career, primarily with the Detroit Tigers.
His best years were 1911, when he led the league in every major offensive category but homers and batted a career high .420, and in 1915 when he stole 96 bases.
In 1909, Cobb won the Triple Crown by hitting .377 with 107 RBI and nine home runs - all inside-the-park. Cobb thus became the only player of the modern era to lead his league in home runs in a given season without hitting a ball over the fence.
let the quotes reflect the man:
watch it, comin in, spikes up!
Ty Cobb may have been baseball's greatest player, if not the game's fiercest competitor. His batting accomplishments are legendary - a lifetime average of .367, 297 triples, 4,191 hits, 12 batting titles (including nine in a row), 23 straight seasons in which he hit over .300, three .400 seasons, and 2,245 runs. Intimidating the opposition, "The Georgia Peach" stole 892 bases during a 24-year career, primarily with the Detroit Tigers.
His best years were 1911, when he led the league in every major offensive category but homers and batted a career high .420, and in 1915 when he stole 96 bases.
In 1909, Cobb won the Triple Crown by hitting .377 with 107 RBI and nine home runs - all inside-the-park. Cobb thus became the only player of the modern era to lead his league in home runs in a given season without hitting a ball over the fence.
let the quotes reflect the man:
| QUOTE |
| "Rarely should a base runner risk a steal when the game is in balance. It's to be used when you can afford to fail." "Most of all I was saddling that team with a psychological burden so that they would be muttering, Cobb is crazy. He'll run anytime and in any situation. It would help give them the jitters and they'd concentrate so much on me they were not paying any attention to the business at hand. My failures rarely were complete failures. They were more like future investments." "A ball bat is a wondrous weapon." "Baseball was one-hundred percent of my life." "Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher." "I had to fight all my life to survive. They were all against me... but I beat them and left them in the ditch." "I have observed that baseball is not unlike a war, and when you come right down to it, we batters are the heavy artillery." "I may have been fierce, but never low or underhand." "I never could stand losing. Second place didn't interest me. I had a fire in my belly." "I regret to this day that I never went to college. I feel I should have been a doctor." "Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference." "The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full of speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his own fault." "The crowd makes the ballgame." "The great American game should be an unrelenting war of nerves." "To get along with me, don't increase my tension." "When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." "When I came to Detroit, I was just a mild-mannered Sunday school boy." "Watch out you big baboon. I'm going down on the first pitch." "I'm taking third on the next pitch." "Out of my way, ice wagon. I'm coming home." "Someone will hit .400 again. Somebody will get smart and swing naturally." "On August 2, 1907, I encountered the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field. He was only a rookie, and we licked our lips as we warmed up for the first game of a doubleheader in Washington. Evidently, manager Pongo Joe Cantillon of the Nats had picked a rube out of the cornfields of the deepest bushes to pitch against us....He was a tall, shambling galoot of about twenty with arms so long they hung far out of his sleeves and with a side arm delivery that looked unimpressive at first glance....One of the tigers imitated a cow mooing and we hollered at Cantillon: 'Get the pitchfork ready, Joe-your hayseed's on his way back to the barn.' ...The first time I faced him I watched him take that easy windup-and then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him...every one of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park." Cobb, on the only time he ever deliberately tried to slash a man: "[Boston Red Sox pitcher Hub Leonard] would aim bullets at your head, left handed to boot... I dragged a bunt... which the first baseman was forced to field. Leonard sprinted for first to take the throw and saw that I was after him. He wouldn't have been safe that day if he'd scrambled into the top bleachers. I ignored the bag-since I was already out-and dove feet first right through the coaching box. He managed to duck, but...the escape was close enough medicine for him. He never threw another beanball at me." Cobb described baseball as: "Not unlike a war. If we cannot only beat them but run wild on them in addition, treat them like a bunch of bush leaguers, it is liable to put them up in the air for a week." "Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded man. It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out. It's a struggle for supremacy, survival of the fittest." |
Ty paid the price for success. He would practice sliding until his legs were raw. He would place blankets along the base and practice bunting a ball on the basket. During the winter he hunted through daylight hours in weighted boots so that his legs would be strong for the upcoming campaign. He overlooked no opportunity to gain an edge over his opponents, most of whom admired his drive to succeed.
Cobb appreciated the value of a dollar and engaged in annual haggles with Detroit executives before signing his contract. Cobb's earnings were invested wisely, mostly in General Motors and Coca-Cola stock, which made him very wealthy and probably baseball's first millionaire.
there's so much to include about him. his style compared to Babe Ruth. he and Nap Lajoie and the controversy of 1910. the game he managed, played in, and pitched one inning of in 1925. some of his rather unpleasant antics. his work ethic. just too much. but hopefully what's here captures a sense of him, at any rate
Hall of Fame site, Official Ty Cobb site, wikipedia
stanhouse - December 18, 2006 04:10 PM (GMT)
Here's the cruddy espn page 2 link from which the cartoon came:
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/villains.html
osfan58202233 - December 19, 2006 05:09 PM (GMT)
haha stanhouse that's pretty good...and thanks for lending some balance ;)
osfan58202233 - December 19, 2006 05:23 PM (GMT)
December 19th – Al Kaline, Born December 19, 1934, in Baltimore, Maryland
[dohtml]<table><tr><td><div align="left">
<a href="http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=145&category=sports" target="_blank">
<img src="http://info.detnews.com/dn/history/kaline/images/3.jpg" width="320">
</a>
</div></td></tr></table>
<i>19-year-old Al Kaline sits on the bench
<br> with Tigers manager Fred Hutchinson in June of 1953
<br>after signing a $35,000 contract to play for the Tigers</i>[/dohtml]
click on pic to see Detroit News article and some other pretty cool photos
Al Kaline was a model of consistency who excelled with minimum fanfare. Over 22 seasons, the quiet, durable Tiger outfielder accumulated 3,007 hits, 399 home runs, a .297 batting average, 10 Gold Gloves and 15 All-Star team selections. "Mr. Tiger" won the batting title in 1955, hitting .340 at the age of 20. His reputation as a clutch performer was enhanced by his .379 average against St. Louis in the 1968 World Series. During his 22 years as a player, Kaline became one of the finest right fielders ever. He once went 242 consecutive games without an error.
hall of fame site, detroit news
[dohtml]<table><tr><td><div align="left">
<a href="http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=145&category=sports" target="_blank">
<img src="http://info.detnews.com/dn/history/kaline/images/3.jpg" width="320">
</a>
</div></td></tr></table>
<i>19-year-old Al Kaline sits on the bench
<br> with Tigers manager Fred Hutchinson in June of 1953
<br>after signing a $35,000 contract to play for the Tigers</i>[/dohtml]
click on pic to see Detroit News article and some other pretty cool photos
Al Kaline was a model of consistency who excelled with minimum fanfare. Over 22 seasons, the quiet, durable Tiger outfielder accumulated 3,007 hits, 399 home runs, a .297 batting average, 10 Gold Gloves and 15 All-Star team selections. "Mr. Tiger" won the batting title in 1955, hitting .340 at the age of 20. His reputation as a clutch performer was enhanced by his .379 average against St. Louis in the 1968 World Series. During his 22 years as a player, Kaline became one of the finest right fielders ever. He once went 242 consecutive games without an error.
hall of fame site, detroit news
Puma170 - December 19, 2006 05:54 PM (GMT)
Al Kaline also a Baltimore native to bring full circle.
It is interesting that two Tiger greats were born a day apart (all be it several years difference.)
PUMA
It is interesting that two Tiger greats were born a day apart (all be it several years difference.)
PUMA
osfan58202233 - December 20, 2006 05:59 AM (GMT)
Puma - in that article, they mentioned that in 1955 Kaline became the youngest player to have won a batting title, two months shy of his 21st birthday, that Cobb was one day older when he won his first in 1907. i found that fascinating.
anyway....on with the show
December 20th - Gabby Hartnett, 1900
[dohtml]<table><tr><td>
<img src="http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/hartnett2.jpg" width="220">
</td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
Joe McCarthy, who saw much of Mickey Cochrane and managed both Bill Dickey and Hartnett, called Gabby "The Perfect Catcher." He is widely considered the greatest NL catcher before Johnny Bench. His 20 years and 1,790 games behind the plate put him among the all-time leaders in service, and he is among the Cubs' all-time top ten in nine offensive categories. The BBWAA inducted him into Cooperstown in 1955.
Gabby Hartnett was not only a standout catcher, but a dangerous hitter. In 1930, his best season, he hit .339 with career highs of 37 HR and 122 RBI.
As a Cubs backstop, he caught 100 or more games 12 times, led the National League in putouts four times, and in assists and fielding average six times. An All-Star six straight years, in the 1934 game he was the catcher when Carl Hubbell fanned Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in succession. He was named NL MVP in 1935, batting .344 (third in the league), topping NL catchers in assists, double plays, and fielding average, and led the Cubs to the pennant.
The winner of the 1935 National League MVP award and runner-up in 1937, Hartnett finished his career with a .297 batting average.
As a player-manager in 1938, his near-darkness home run, known as the "Homer in the Gloamin'," helped the Cubs to their fourth pennant during his tenure as a player.
anyway....on with the show
December 20th - Gabby Hartnett, 1900
[dohtml]<table><tr><td>
<img src="http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/hartnett2.jpg" width="220">
</td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
Joe McCarthy, who saw much of Mickey Cochrane and managed both Bill Dickey and Hartnett, called Gabby "The Perfect Catcher." He is widely considered the greatest NL catcher before Johnny Bench. His 20 years and 1,790 games behind the plate put him among the all-time leaders in service, and he is among the Cubs' all-time top ten in nine offensive categories. The BBWAA inducted him into Cooperstown in 1955.
Gabby Hartnett was not only a standout catcher, but a dangerous hitter. In 1930, his best season, he hit .339 with career highs of 37 HR and 122 RBI.
As a Cubs backstop, he caught 100 or more games 12 times, led the National League in putouts four times, and in assists and fielding average six times. An All-Star six straight years, in the 1934 game he was the catcher when Carl Hubbell fanned Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in succession. He was named NL MVP in 1935, batting .344 (third in the league), topping NL catchers in assists, double plays, and fielding average, and led the Cubs to the pennant.
The winner of the 1935 National League MVP award and runner-up in 1937, Hartnett finished his career with a .297 batting average.
As a player-manager in 1938, his near-darkness home run, known as the "Homer in the Gloamin'," helped the Cubs to their fourth pennant during his tenure as a player.
| QUOTE |
| The Homer in the Gloamin' Mace Brown never pitched for the Chicago Cubs, but he played an integral role in one of the most memorable games. The Cubs and Pirates, battling for the National League pennant in 1938, were playing at Wrigley Field in late September. The score was tied 5-5 with two outs in the ninth inning. Darkness was fast descending as Brown stood on the mound peering at Gabby Hartnett through the fading daylight. Many thought the game should have been called because of darkness. In what is referred to in baseball lore as "The Homer in the Gloamin'," Hartnett connected with one of Brown's pitches and smacked it into the bleachers. The momentum of that victory vaulted the Cubs to the pennant. "Gabby must have swung at what he heard," laughs Brown, "because it was too dark for him to see the ball." |
Hall of Fame site, baseballlibrary.com, "English Valleys Alumni Online"
Ta-Da! 500 posts
osfan58202233 - December 21, 2006 07:09 AM (GMT)
mornin' boys :jackmiltjaybags:
December 21st – Josh Gibson, 1911
"He hits the ball a mile," Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, the Washington Senators pitcher who won 416 games, said of Gibson.
Satchel Paige, who was Gibson's teammate on the Pittsburgh Crawfords and later pitched for the Cleveland Indians, said, "He was the greatest hitter who ever lived."
In various publications, the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has been credited with as many as 84 homers in one season. His Hall of Fame plaque says he hit "almost 800" homers in his 17-year career. His lifetime batting average was higher than .350, with one book putting it at .384, best in Negro League history.
It was reported that he won nine home-run titles and four batting championships playing for the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays. In two seasons in the late 1930s, it was written that not only did he hit higher than .400, but his slugging percentage was above 1.000.
Belting home runs of more than 500 feet was not unusual for Gibson. One homer in Monessen, Pa., reportedly was measured at 575 feet. The Sporting News of June 3, 1967 credits Gibson with a home run in a Negro League game at Yankee Stadium that struck two feet from the top of the wall circling the center field bleachers, about 580 feet from home plate. Although it has never been conclusively proven, Chicago American Giants infielder Jack Marshall said Gibson slugged one over the third deck next to the left field bullpen in 1934 for the only fair ball hit out of the House That Ruth Built.
December 21st – Josh Gibson, 1911
"He hits the ball a mile," Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, the Washington Senators pitcher who won 416 games, said of Gibson.
Satchel Paige, who was Gibson's teammate on the Pittsburgh Crawfords and later pitched for the Cleveland Indians, said, "He was the greatest hitter who ever lived."
In various publications, the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has been credited with as many as 84 homers in one season. His Hall of Fame plaque says he hit "almost 800" homers in his 17-year career. His lifetime batting average was higher than .350, with one book putting it at .384, best in Negro League history.
It was reported that he won nine home-run titles and four batting championships playing for the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays. In two seasons in the late 1930s, it was written that not only did he hit higher than .400, but his slugging percentage was above 1.000.
Belting home runs of more than 500 feet was not unusual for Gibson. One homer in Monessen, Pa., reportedly was measured at 575 feet. The Sporting News of June 3, 1967 credits Gibson with a home run in a Negro League game at Yankee Stadium that struck two feet from the top of the wall circling the center field bleachers, about 580 feet from home plate. Although it has never been conclusively proven, Chicago American Giants infielder Jack Marshall said Gibson slugged one over the third deck next to the left field bullpen in 1934 for the only fair ball hit out of the House That Ruth Built.
| QUOTE |
| Despite the fact that statistical validation continues to prove difficult for Negro League players, the lack of verifiable figures has led to various amusing "Tall Tales" about immortals such as Gibson. A good example: In the last of the ninth at Pittsburgh, down a run, with a runner on base and two outs, Gibson hits one high and deep, so far into the twilight sky that it disappears from sight, apparently winning the game. The next day, the same two teams are playing again, now in Washington. Just as the teams have positioned themselves on the field, a ball comes falling out of the sky and a Washington outfielder grabs it. The umpire yells to Gibson, "You're out! In Pittsburgh, yesterday!" |
espn sportscentury, wikipedia
kinda weird how these two catchers are back-to-back with that same old gear
osfan58202233 - December 22, 2006 07:24 AM (GMT)
December 22nd – Connie Mack, 1862
Player, manager, scout, general manager, owner — Cornelius MacGillicuddy (Connie Mack) — did it all. For more than half a century he owned and managed the Philadelphia A's — nearly their entire existence. He built two dynasties that won a total of five World Series titles, and he still holds the unbreakable records for most games managed, won, and lost.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1922 that baseball was a sport, not a business. But Connie Mack always saw it as a business first. Like any business, it had to show a profit to keep going. "It is more profitable for me to have a team that is in contention for most of the season but finishes about fourth," he once confided. "A team like that will draw well enough during the first part of the season to show a profit for the year, and you don't have to give the players raises when they don't win." But of course Mr. Mack - as he was universally addressed - liked winners. He had nine of them, and won five World Series.
For 50 of his 60 years in baseball, he had an ownership interest in the team he managed, the Philadelphia Athletics. He started in 1901 with a 25 percent piece of the team and eventually became sole owner. Baseball was his only business. Gate receipts and concessions sales were the only sources of capital he had to work with. He never had any corporate coffers to tap and never took much money out of the game. It was financial realities that forced him to break up two of the greatest teams ever put together.
From 1910 to 1914 he guided the A's to four pennants and three World Series titles. He had some of the game's best pitchers: Rube Waddell, Jack Coombs, Chief Bender, and Eddie Plank.
Player, manager, scout, general manager, owner — Cornelius MacGillicuddy (Connie Mack) — did it all. For more than half a century he owned and managed the Philadelphia A's — nearly their entire existence. He built two dynasties that won a total of five World Series titles, and he still holds the unbreakable records for most games managed, won, and lost.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1922 that baseball was a sport, not a business. But Connie Mack always saw it as a business first. Like any business, it had to show a profit to keep going. "It is more profitable for me to have a team that is in contention for most of the season but finishes about fourth," he once confided. "A team like that will draw well enough during the first part of the season to show a profit for the year, and you don't have to give the players raises when they don't win." But of course Mr. Mack - as he was universally addressed - liked winners. He had nine of them, and won five World Series.
For 50 of his 60 years in baseball, he had an ownership interest in the team he managed, the Philadelphia Athletics. He started in 1901 with a 25 percent piece of the team and eventually became sole owner. Baseball was his only business. Gate receipts and concessions sales were the only sources of capital he had to work with. He never had any corporate coffers to tap and never took much money out of the game. It was financial realities that forced him to break up two of the greatest teams ever put together.
From 1910 to 1914 he guided the A's to four pennants and three World Series titles. He had some of the game's best pitchers: Rube Waddell, Jack Coombs, Chief Bender, and Eddie Plank.
| QUOTE |
| Combined, the four members of the "$100,000 Infield" (Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Jack Barry and Stuffy McInnis) appeared in 12 of the 16 World Series played from 1910 to 1925, and were on the winning side eight times. They played in 104 World Series games, collected 109 hits, batted .294, and scored 50 runs. Both Collins and Baker were inducted into the Hall of Fame. We can only imagine what price tag would be put on the $100,000 Infield today. |
After the shocking loss to the Boston Braves in the 1914 Series, Mack sold off many of his stars. He had to do this to compete with two major league teams in his market. In addition to the Phillies, the Federal League threatended to expand into Mack's backyard.
Mack rebuilt his team into contenders in the mid-1920s. He bought several players from the highly successful minor league Baltimore Orioles, including strong-armed hurlers George Earnshaw and Lefty Grove. In 1928, Mack signed star outfielder Tris Speaker, who was at the end of his remarkable career. Speaker joined Ty Cobb and Al Simmons in the A's outfield, giving Mack three future Hall of Famers in his outer region.
By 1929 he had a juggernaut — winning the first of three straight pennants. Even the vaunted Yankees, with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, could not stop the A's dynasty of that era. In the World Series, only the Cards in 1931 were able to topple the "Mackmen," which featured future Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Grove. Supporting players Rube Walberg, Jimmie Dykes, Max Bishop and Bing Miller added to the mix.
He broke up his second great team due to financial difficulties due to the Great Depression. He had every intention of building another winner, but he never invested any money in a farm system. While the Athletics finished second in 1932 and third in 1933, they fell into the cellar in 1935 and finished either last or next-to-last all but once through 1946. Aside from 1948 and 1949, Mack's teams were never again a factor past June.
Mack was also known by the nickname "The Tall Tactician" and, in his later years, the "Grand Old Man of Baseball."
The Baseball Page, wikipedia
osfan58202233 - December 23, 2006 11:23 PM (GMT)
December 23rd – Jerry Koosman, 1942 in Appleton, Wisconsin
...used to work for a hospital there
[dohtml]
<TABLE width="35%" align="left" border=1 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=3 class="orangetable">
<TR align=right>
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<TR align=right>
<TD align=left><B><FONT size="1" face="arial,helvetica">Career</FONT></B></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3839</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">222-209</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3.36</FONT></TD>
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<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">26</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3-0</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">2.39</FONT></TD>
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<p><br>
<p><br>
[/dohtml]
Jerry Koosman played silent sidekick to Tom Seaver for virtually his entire 12-year career with the Mets. The classy southpaw never complained that "The Franchise" garnered the spotlight for nearly a dozen years in Queens and still doesn't begrudge Seaver his rightful and lofty place in team history.
Yet, for one magical season, Koosman captured the baseball world and was the Big Apple's best hurler. The year was 1976 and it was Koosman who upstaged "Tom Terrific" and crosstown star Catfish Hunter. Koosman won a career-high 21 games that summer for the Mets, making a bid for a Cy Young Award while solidifying his place in the annals of New York baseball history. Only a big season from Mark Fidrych, Detroit's zany rookie, kept "Kooz" from being one of the most celebrated pitchers in the game.
Koosman went 21-10 that season, posting a 2.69 ERA, losing a dogfight for the Cy Young to San Diego's Randy Jones. It was a landmark season for Koosman, who would go on to post an 11-35 mark over the next two years before being traded to Minnesota prior to the 1979 season.
"Being in Tom Seaver's shadow was fine with me," said Koosman, who is second to Seaver on the team's all-time list in starts, complete games, innings pitched and shutouts. "And it was fun. It was fun to be part of a great pitching staff and it was fun for me personally. Having him there made a better pitcher of me and made the whole staff better."
Still, in the eyes of some, it was Seaver's 1975 Cy Young season that prevented Koosman from winning the award in '76.
[dohtml]<div class="quoted">
<br><p>
"I don't know if I should have won the award that year," said Koosman, who posted one of only eight 20-win seasons in team history that year. "
<br><p>
The year started out miserably for Koosman when his father, Martin, passed away during Spring Training. The devastating blow could have hindered his on-field effort, but the affect was quite the opposite.
<br><p>
"My concentration was the best it ever had been in my whole life and on the mound. Because of that reason, I had an exceptional year.
<br><p>
"I think during the first month of the season, I noticed how good my concentration was. I noticed my mechanics were the same all the time. If they varied one little bit, I corrected it on the next pitch. My concentration was so good that come the All-Star Break, I was so mentally tired that I slept for three days."</div>
<br>
<p>this is a great bit of trivia:
<br><ul>
<li>In his book October 1964, author David Halberstam states that the Mets had decided to trade Koosman while he was still struggling in their farm system but that he was retained because then-club president (and reputed skinflint) George Weiss discovered that Koosman owed the Mets $500 and would not let him go until the debt was paid.</li></ul>[/dohtml]
wasnt it nice to focus on 1976 instead of '69? had to...
mlb.com news from 2001, baseballibrary, wikipedia
...used to work for a hospital there
[dohtml]
<TABLE width="35%" align="left" border=1 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=3 class="orangetable">
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<TH><FONT size="1" face="arial,helvetica">W-L</FONT></TH>
<TH><FONT size="1" face="arial,helvetica">ERA</FONT></TH>
</TR>
<TR align=right>
<TD align=left><B><FONT size="1" face="arial,helvetica">Career</FONT></B></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3839</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">222-209</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3.36</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR align=right>
<TD align=left><B><FONT size="1" face="arial,helvetica">World Series</FONT></B></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">26</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">3-0</FONT></TD>
<TD><TT><FONT size="2" face="arial,helvetica">2.39</FONT></TD>
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</TABLE>
<p><br>
<p><br>
[/dohtml]
Jerry Koosman played silent sidekick to Tom Seaver for virtually his entire 12-year career with the Mets. The classy southpaw never complained that "The Franchise" garnered the spotlight for nearly a dozen years in Queens and still doesn't begrudge Seaver his rightful and lofty place in team history.
Yet, for one magical season, Koosman captured the baseball world and was the Big Apple's best hurler. The year was 1976 and it was Koosman who upstaged "Tom Terrific" and crosstown star Catfish Hunter. Koosman won a career-high 21 games that summer for the Mets, making a bid for a Cy Young Award while solidifying his place in the annals of New York baseball history. Only a big season from Mark Fidrych, Detroit's zany rookie, kept "Kooz" from being one of the most celebrated pitchers in the game.
Koosman went 21-10 that season, posting a 2.69 ERA, losing a dogfight for the Cy Young to San Diego's Randy Jones. It was a landmark season for Koosman, who would go on to post an 11-35 mark over the next two years before being traded to Minnesota prior to the 1979 season.
"Being in Tom Seaver's shadow was fine with me," said Koosman, who is second to Seaver on the team's all-time list in starts, complete games, innings pitched and shutouts. "And it was fun. It was fun to be part of a great pitching staff and it was fun for me personally. Having him there made a better pitcher of me and made the whole staff better."
Still, in the eyes of some, it was Seaver's 1975 Cy Young season that prevented Koosman from winning the award in '76.
[dohtml]<div class="quoted">
<br><p>
"I don't know if I should have won the award that year," said Koosman, who posted one of only eight 20-win seasons in team history that year. "
<br><p>
The year started out miserably for Koosman when his father, Martin, passed away during Spring Training. The devastating blow could have hindered his on-field effort, but the affect was quite the opposite.
<br><p>
"My concentration was the best it ever had been in my whole life and on the mound. Because of that reason, I had an exceptional year.
<br><p>
"I think during the first month of the season, I noticed how good my concentration was. I noticed my mechanics were the same all the time. If they varied one little bit, I corrected it on the next pitch. My concentration was so good that come the All-Star Break, I was so mentally tired that I slept for three days."</div>
<br>
<p>this is a great bit of trivia:
<br><ul>
<li>In his book October 1964, author David Halberstam states that the Mets had decided to trade Koosman while he was still struggling in their farm system but that he was retained because then-club president (and reputed skinflint) George Weiss discovered that Koosman owed the Mets $500 and would not let him go until the debt was paid.</li></ul>[/dohtml]
wasnt it nice to focus on 1976 instead of '69? had to...
mlb.com news from 2001, baseballibrary, wikipedia
osfan58202233 - December 24, 2006 06:11 AM (GMT)
December 24th – Kevin Millwood, 1974
[dohtml]<img src="http://rangers.beloblog.com/archives/kevinmillwood.jpg" width="200">[/dohtml]
Millwood made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 14, 1997. A year later he won 17 games. Millwood formed a part of the Braves' star pitching rotation, which also consisted of Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine, which at that time was regarded by many as the best in the National League.
The 1999 campaign was one of Millwood's best. He posted career highs in wins (18, also achieved in 2002), ERA (2.68), strikeouts (205) and WHIP (0.996).
Before the 2003 season, Millwood was traded by the Braves to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Estrada. He went 14-12 with his new team, including throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants on April 27. This was one of only two no-no's ever thrown at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium.
In 2005, Millwood signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He came back from injury well, leading the American League in ERA (2.86). However, he only managed a record of 9-11, having horrible run support. On December 26, 2005 the Texas Rangers signed Millwood to a four-year, $48 million deal (with an option for a fifth year).
Through the end of the 2006 season, Millwood has compiled a career 123-87 record with 1437 strikeouts and a 3.85 ERA in 1774 innings. He has a 3-3 career playoff record, with an ERA of 3.92.
wikipedia...and nothin else tonight
happy birthday to my dad....here comes santa! :santa:
[dohtml]<img src="http://rangers.beloblog.com/archives/kevinmillwood.jpg" width="200">[/dohtml]
Millwood made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 14, 1997. A year later he won 17 games. Millwood formed a part of the Braves' star pitching rotation, which also consisted of Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine, which at that time was regarded by many as the best in the National League.
The 1999 campaign was one of Millwood's best. He posted career highs in wins (18, also achieved in 2002), ERA (2.68), strikeouts (205) and WHIP (0.996).
Before the 2003 season, Millwood was traded by the Braves to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Estrada. He went 14-12 with his new team, including throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants on April 27. This was one of only two no-no's ever thrown at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium.
In 2005, Millwood signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He came back from injury well, leading the American League in ERA (2.86). However, he only managed a record of 9-11, having horrible run support. On December 26, 2005 the Texas Rangers signed Millwood to a four-year, $48 million deal (with an option for a fifth year).
Through the end of the 2006 season, Millwood has compiled a career 123-87 record with 1437 strikeouts and a 3.85 ERA in 1774 innings. He has a 3-3 career playoff record, with an ERA of 3.92.
wikipedia...and nothin else tonight
happy birthday to my dad....here comes santa! :santa:
osfan58202233 - December 26, 2006 05:41 AM (GMT)
December 25th – Rickey Henderson, 1958
[dohtml]<table border cellpadding=5><tr><td><img src="http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/oakland/Rickey939b.JPG" width="350"></td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s Rickey Henderson's on-base percentage and high stolen-base totals made him baseball's premier leadoff hitter, and arguably the best ever. He is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in runs scored, stolen bases, and leadoff home runs, and he holds the single-season records for stolen bases and caught-stealing. At the time of his retirement, he was also the career leader in walks.
[dohtml]<table border cellpadding=5><tr><td><img src="http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/oakland/Rickey939b.JPG" width="350"></td></tr></table>[/dohtml]
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s Rickey Henderson's on-base percentage and high stolen-base totals made him baseball's premier leadoff hitter, and arguably the best ever. He is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in runs scored, stolen bases, and leadoff home runs, and he holds the single-season records for stolen bases and caught-stealing. At the time of his retirement, he was also the career leader in walks.
| QUOTE ( Bill James in 2001 ) |
| "Somebody asked me did I think Rickey Henderson was a Hall of Famer. I told them, 'If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers.' The greatest base stealer of all time, the greatest power/speed combination of all time (except maybe Barry Bonds), the greatest leadoff man of all time, one of the top five players of all time in runs scored...yeah, I would think that might make a man a Hall of Famer. Without exaggerating one inch, you could find fifty Hall of Famers who, all taken together, don't own as many records, and as many important records, as Rickey Henderson." |
[dohtml]<div class="quoted">"Ten years ago, when I was asked the question, 'What's the most important thing for you to do?' I always said, 'Scoring runs,'" explained Rickey with uncharacteristic seriousness. "A leadoff hitter's job is to come across the plate."</div>[/dohtml]
a little satire: http://www.yard-work.org/?cat=31
salon.com, baseballpage.com, yard-work.org, wikipedia
osfan58202233 - December 26, 2006 06:12 AM (GMT)
[dohtml]<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<img src="http://mlb.mlb.com/ws/photo/history/ws_fisk_1975_288x235.jpg" width="320">
</td></tr>
</table>
<b>December 26th – Carlton Fisk, 1947</b>
<br><p>
Baseball's most durable catcher with 24 years behind the plate, Carlton "Pudge" Fisk caught more games (2,226) than any player in history. The 11-time All-Star hit 376 career home runs, including a record-setting 351 as a catcher, since bested by Mike Piazza. His most memorable home run came in Game Six of the 1975 World Series - a 12th inning blast off the left field foul pole at Fenway Park - giving his Red Sox a 7-6 win over Cincinnati. His tremendous pride and work ethic were respected by both teammates as well as the opposition.
<br><p>
Fisk became Boston's starting catcher in 1972. He was named American League Rookie of the Year for hitting .293, with 22 homers, 61 RBI and tying for the league lead in triples with nine. He also was selected to his first of 11 All-Star teams and won the only Gold Glove award of his career after leading AL catchers in putouts and assists.
<br><p>
Fisk became an iron man in 1977-78, catching a combined 309 games, one short of the major league record over two seasons. In 1977, he became only the fifth catcher to score 100 runs and drive in 100 in the same season.
<br><p>
With the White Sox he set single-season and career records for homers by a catcher, as well as games caught in a career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.
[/dohtml]
espn classic.com, baseballpage.com
<tr><td>
<img src="http://mlb.mlb.com/ws/photo/history/ws_fisk_1975_288x235.jpg" width="320">
</td></tr>
</table>
<b>December 26th – Carlton Fisk, 1947</b>
<br><p>
Baseball's most durable catcher with 24 years behind the plate, Carlton "Pudge" Fisk caught more games (2,226) than any player in history. The 11-time All-Star hit 376 career home runs, including a record-setting 351 as a catcher, since bested by Mike Piazza. His most memorable home run came in Game Six of the 1975 World Series - a 12th inning blast off the left field foul pole at Fenway Park - giving his Red Sox a 7-6 win over Cincinnati. His tremendous pride and work ethic were respected by both teammates as well as the opposition.
<br><p>
Fisk became Boston's starting catcher in 1972. He was named American League Rookie of the Year for hitting .293, with 22 homers, 61 RBI and tying for the league lead in triples with nine. He also was selected to his first of 11 All-Star teams and won the only Gold Glove award of his career after leading AL catchers in putouts and assists.
<br><p>
Fisk became an iron man in 1977-78, catching a combined 309 games, one short of the major league record over two seasons. In 1977, he became only the fifth catcher to score 100 runs and drive in 100 in the same season.
<br><p>
With the White Sox he set single-season and career records for homers by a catcher, as well as games caught in a career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.
[/dohtml]
espn classic.com, baseballpage.com
osfan58202233 - December 27, 2006 06:17 AM (GMT)
December 27th – Jim Leyritz, 1963
[dohtml]<img src="http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/photo/photogallery/anniversary/1954_2003/14.jpg" width="400">[/dohtml]
The game was played before 51,881 on a Wednesday night at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Yanks versus Braves who had a 2-1 lead in the World Series.
Through five innings it looked as if the home team was headed for another victory. Their fans, tomahawk chopping in earnest, were pumped up over Atlanta's six run lead. Denny Neagle was shutting down New York.
But in the sixth the Yanks scored three times. Enter Jim Leyritz, Number 13, as a defensive replacement for Joe Girardi. The muscular Leyritz had spent much of the game in the weight room.
To preserve the lead, Braves skipper Bobby Cox started the eighth inning with closer Mark Wohlers, who could hit 100 MPH on the radar gun. With two on, Leyritz stepped into the box. He worked the count to 2-2, fouling off two blistering fastballs. Then Wohlers hung the slider. Then deep to left, fly ball disappearing over the wall. Leyritz hung three runs on the scoreboard. The Yankees hadn't won the game and tied the Series with one swing, but it sure seemed that way. ''I'm not thinking home run right there,'' Leyritz said. ''I'm thinking I've got an opportunity to drive in one run if I get a base hit."
"I lost it," Wohlers said. "I blew it."
The game moved to the tenth, tied, 6 up. Southpaw Steve Avery, the replacement for Mark Wohlers, got the first two batters. Then Tim Raines walked. Jeter got an infield single. Bernie Williams was intentionally walked to get at Yankee rookie Andy Fox. Joe Torre, inserted his last pinch hitter, Wade Boggs, who walked. A run was forced in. The Yanks had their first lead. Then another run was tacked on.
It took seven pitchers, five pinch hitters, a reserve catcher, a pinch runner - - the whole Yankee bench not including pitchers for the victory to be achieved, but the Yankees won the game, finally, 8-6. For journeyman Jim Leyritz who triggered what happened, that home run was his greatest moment in baseball. "Because it was in the World Series," he said, "It helped us get the momentum back and go on to win the World Series. And it really made my mark as far as being a Yankee."
Harvey Frommer on baseballlibrary.com
[dohtml]<img src="http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/photo/photogallery/anniversary/1954_2003/14.jpg" width="400">[/dohtml]
The game was played before 51,881 on a Wednesday night at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Yanks versus Braves who had a 2-1 lead in the World Series.
Through five innings it looked as if the home team was headed for another victory. Their fans, tomahawk chopping in earnest, were pumped up over Atlanta's six run lead. Denny Neagle was shutting down New York.
But in the sixth the Yanks scored three times. Enter Jim Leyritz, Number 13, as a defensive replacement for Joe Girardi. The muscular Leyritz had spent much of the game in the weight room.
To preserve the lead, Braves skipper Bobby Cox started the eighth inning with closer Mark Wohlers, who could hit 100 MPH on the radar gun. With two on, Leyritz stepped into the box. He worked the count to 2-2, fouling off two blistering fastballs. Then Wohlers hung the slider. Then deep to left, fly ball disappearing over the wall. Leyritz hung three runs on the scoreboard. The Yankees hadn't won the game and tied the Series with one swing, but it sure seemed that way. ''I'm not thinking home run right there,'' Leyritz said. ''I'm thinking I've got an opportunity to drive in one run if I get a base hit."
"I lost it," Wohlers said. "I blew it."
The game moved to the tenth, tied, 6 up. Southpaw Steve Avery, the replacement for Mark Wohlers, got the first two batters. Then Tim Raines walked. Jeter got an infield single. Bernie Williams was intentionally walked to get at Yankee rookie Andy Fox. Joe Torre, inserted his last pinch hitter, Wade Boggs, who walked. A run was forced in. The Yanks had their first lead. Then another run was tacked on.
It took seven pitchers, five pinch hitters, a reserve catcher, a pinch runner - - the whole Yankee bench not including pitchers for the victory to be achieved, but the Yankees won the game, finally, 8-6. For journeyman Jim Leyritz who triggered what happened, that home run was his greatest moment in baseball. "Because it was in the World Series," he said, "It helped us get the momentum back and go on to win the World Series. And it really made my mark as far as being a Yankee."
Harvey Frommer on baseballlibrary.com
osfan58202233 - December 29, 2006 07:06 AM (GMT)
December 28th - Bill Lee, 1946
Bill Lee and Carl Yastrzemski, 1971
For 14 years as a left-handed pitcher (1969-1982), ten with Boston and four with Montreal, Bill Lee was anything but a conventional major league ballplayer. His career record was a respectable 119-90, including three consecutive 17-win seasons with the Red Sox (1973-1975) and a 16-win season with the Expos in 1979. He was selected to the American League All-Star squad in 1973 and pitched in the World Series in 1975 against the Cincinnati Reds. But it was Lee’s rebellious spirit and opposition to the conservative baseball establishment that usually rated more attention than his performance on the field.
Lee's popularity was because of his personality, which gave him the nickname Spaceman. The USC graduate was an intelligent, articulate, humorous voice, and his outspoken manner meant his views were frequently recorded in the press. He spoke in defense of Maoist China (once visiting, only to lampoon it endlessly), population control, Greenpeace, school busing in Boston and anything else that happened to cross his mind. He berated an umpire for a controversial call in the 1975 World Series, threatening to bite off his ear and encouraging the American people to write letters demanding the game be replayed. He ate health food and practiced yoga. He claimed his marijuana use made him impervious to bus fumes while jogging to work at Fenway Park. He sang Warren Zevon songs at times, and in an act of mutual admiration, Zevon recorded a song entitled "Bill Lee" on his album Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School. In a college town like Boston, his views were shared by many youths, and they quickly became Lee's biggest fans.
Despite his views on off-the-field matters, Lee was respected by fellow players, who believed his cajoling of the press took pressure off the team, and his attitude on the field was pure business. He was intensely competitive, and worked quickly, which always endears a pitcher to his team mates.
But Lee would often speak out on matters concerning the team and was not afraid to criticize management, causing him to be dropped from both the Red Sox and Expos.
Lee countered his offbeat politics with a strong sense of the game. He is an avowed purist and traditionalist, speaking out against the designated hitter, AstroTurf and polyester uniforms, while conversely extolling the virtues of day games and Sunday doubleheaders.
Bill Lee and Carl Yastrzemski, 1971
For 14 years as a left-handed pitcher (1969-1982), ten with Boston and four with Montreal, Bill Lee was anything but a conventional major league ballplayer. His career record was a respectable 119-90, including three consecutive 17-win seasons with the Red Sox (1973-1975) and a 16-win season with the Expos in 1979. He was selected to the American League All-Star squad in 1973 and pitched in the World Series in 1975 against the Cincinnati Reds. But it was Lee’s rebellious spirit and opposition to the conservative baseball establishment that usually rated more attention than his performance on the field.
Lee's popularity was because of his personality, which gave him the nickname Spaceman. The USC graduate was an intelligent, articulate, humorous voice, and his outspoken manner meant his views were frequently recorded in the press. He spoke in defense of Maoist China (once visiting, only to lampoon it endlessly), population control, Greenpeace, school busing in Boston and anything else that happened to cross his mind. He berated an umpire for a controversial call in the 1975 World Series, threatening to bite off his ear and encouraging the American people to write letters demanding the game be replayed. He ate health food and practiced yoga. He claimed his marijuana use made him impervious to bus fumes while jogging to work at Fenway Park. He sang Warren Zevon songs at times, and in an act of mutual admiration, Zevon recorded a song entitled "Bill Lee" on his album Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School. In a college town like Boston, his views were shared by many youths, and they quickly became Lee's biggest fans.
Despite his views on off-the-field matters, Lee was respected by fellow players, who believed his cajoling of the press took pressure off the team, and his attitude on the field was pure business. He was intensely competitive, and worked quickly, which always endears a pitcher to his team mates.
But Lee would often speak out on matters concerning the team and was not afraid to criticize management, causing him to be dropped from both the Red Sox and Expos.
Lee countered his offbeat politics with a strong sense of the game. He is an avowed purist and traditionalist, speaking out against the designated hitter, AstroTurf and polyester uniforms, while conversely extolling the virtues of day games and Sunday doubleheaders.
| QUOTE |
| The Ballad of Bill Lee by Warren Zevon "You're supposed to sit on your ass And nod at stupid things Man, that's hard to do. And if you don't, they'll screw you. And if you do they'll screw you too. When I'm standing in the middle of the diamond all alone I always play to win when it comes to skin and bone But sometimes I say things I shouldn't.... Sometimes I say things I shouldn't." |
wikipedia, baseballreliquary.com, baseball almanac
osfan58202233 - December 29, 2006 07:07 AM (GMT)
December 29th - Devon White, 1962
i challenge someone to find me a decent photo of Devon White online...
An excellent devensive outfielder with blazing speed, White didn't hit higher than .257 in his first three pro seasons, but hit .291 with 14 HR and 60 RBI at Edmonton (Pacific Coast League) in 1986, with a league-leading 42 stolen bases, to win the Angels' right-field job. Debuting in the "lively ball" season of 1987, White smacked 24 HR and stole 32 bases while hitting .263, earning a spot on the Topps All-Rookie Team. In 1988 White moved over to centerfield when Gary Pettis was traded to Detroit, and won a Gold Glove for his often breathtaking defensive play. White stole second base, third base, and home consecutively in a September 1989 game.
[dohtml]<div class="indented"><p>» June 1, 1992: Toronto OF Devon White becomes just the 6th player in history to hit both a leadoff home run and an extra–inning four–bagger in the same game. He does so in the Blue Jays 5–3 win over Minnesota. He also becomes the 56th player in history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.
<BR >
<p>» In Game 3 of the 1992 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, White was the central part of one of the most famous plays in Blue Jays history. With David Justice batting and runners on first and second base, Justice hit a fly ball which White chased down and caught while jumping into the wall. White then threw the ball to John Olerud at first and to try to double up Terry Pendleton, but Pendleton had already been called out for running past Deion Sanders. Olerud promptly threw it to Kelly Gruber who chased down Sanders, diving and clipping him on the heel with his glove. However the umpire didn't see the tag, and called Sanders safe, which cost the Jays the second triple play in World Series history. After the game, the umpire watched the replay and admitted he missed the call. Many people who saw White's famous catch and throw have positively compared it to Willie Mays' famous catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, often claiming that White's effort was more impressive.</div>[/dohtml]
wikipedia, baseballlibrary
i challenge someone to find me a decent photo of Devon White online...
An excellent devensive outfielder with blazing speed, White didn't hit higher than .257 in his first three pro seasons, but hit .291 with 14 HR and 60 RBI at Edmonton (Pacific Coast League) in 1986, with a league-leading 42 stolen bases, to win the Angels' right-field job. Debuting in the "lively ball" season of 1987, White smacked 24 HR and stole 32 bases while hitting .263, earning a spot on the Topps All-Rookie Team. In 1988 White moved over to centerfield when Gary Pettis was traded to Detroit, and won a Gold Glove for his often breathtaking defensive play. White stole second base, third base, and home consecutively in a September 1989 game.
[dohtml]<div class="indented"><p>» June 1, 1992: Toronto OF Devon White becomes just the 6th player in history to hit both a leadoff home run and an extra–inning four–bagger in the same game. He does so in the Blue Jays 5–3 win over Minnesota. He also becomes the 56th player in history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.
<BR >
<p>» In Game 3 of the 1992 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, White was the central part of one of the most famous plays in Blue Jays history. With David Justice batting and runners on first and second base, Justice hit a fly ball which White chased down and caught while jumping into the wall. White then threw the ball to John Olerud at first and to try to double up Terry Pendleton, but Pendleton had already been called out for running past Deion Sanders. Olerud promptly threw it to Kelly Gruber who chased down Sanders, diving and clipping him on the heel with his glove. However the umpire didn't see the tag, and called Sanders safe, which cost the Jays the second triple play in World Series history. After the game, the umpire watched the replay and admitted he missed the call. Many people who saw White's famous catch and throw have positively compared it to Willie Mays' famous catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, often claiming that White's effort was more impressive.</div>[/dohtml]
wikipedia, baseballlibrary
osfan58202233 - December 30, 2006 05:55 AM (GMT)
[doHTML]<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<A href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/koufax_sandy.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.cise.columbia.edu/herman/KOUFAXLR1.JPG" width="250"></A>
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td>man, you gotta love that delivery
<br>(click on the pic for HOF video)
</td></tr></table>
<b>December 30th – Sandy Koufax, 1935</b>
<br>
<p>Koufax's career peaked with a run of six outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1963, and won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, leading both leagues in wins, strikeouts and earned run average in all three seasons. A notoriously difficult pitcher to bat against, he was the first major leaguer to pitch more than three no-hitters, the first to average fewer than seven hits allowed per nine innings pitched over his career, and the first to strike out more than nine batters per nine innings pitched in his career.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<img src="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/Koufax.jpg" width="120"></a></div>
</td></tr></table>
<br>
<p>Among NL pitchers with at least 2,000 innings pitched who have debuted since 1913, he has both the highest career winning percentage (.655) and the lowest career ERA (2.76); his 2,396 career strikeouts ranked 7th in major league history upon his retirement, and trailed only Warren Spahn's total of 2,583 among left-handers.
<br>
<p>At the height of his career, traumatic arthritis in his elbow threatened permanent disability and hastened his retirement after the 1966 season <i>at the age of 30</i>, and he became, at age 36 and 20 days, the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
<br>
<br>
<p>and here's a little something courtesy of jon tapper:
<div class="quoted">
<p>In early 1960 Koufax asked Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi to trade him because he wasn't getting enough playing time. By the end of 1960, Koufax was ready to quit baseball and devote himself to his electronics business. After the last game of the season, he tossed his gloves and spikes into the trash. Nobe Kawano, the clubhouse supervisor, retrieved the equipment to return to Koufax the following year (or to somebody else if Koufax did not return to play).
<br>
<p>Koufax showed up for the 1961 season in better condition than he had in previous years. Over the winter, he decided to start working out and running more. Koufax also decided to find out just how good he could be. During a spring training trip to Orlando, a Dodger scout eating with Koufax and catcher Norm Sherry the night before the game discovered a hitch in Koufax's windup: he'd rear back far enough that, in his release, his vision was somewhat obstructed by his lead arm and he often couldn't see the full strike zone. Sherry translated it for Koufax in the same words that many others had used in the past: <b>Sandy, you don't have to throw so hard</b>. He also convinced Koufax not to pull so far back in his windup.
<br>
<p>In the first inning of the game in Orlando, Koufax walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. Again, Sherry told him to take something off the ball to get better control. Koufax finally listened and struck out the side. By the time he came out of the game after seven innings, Koufax had struck out eight batters, walked five and given up no hits.
<br>
<p>Koufax finally broke into the starting rotation permanently. On September 15, 1961, he surpassed the previous record of strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher in the National League with his 243rd strikeout. On September 27, Koufax broke the National League record for strikeouts in a season, surpassing Christy Mathewson's 58-year-old mark of 267, set in 1903. Koufax finished the year 18–13, with 269 strikeouts versus 96 walks. During the two 1961 All-Star games, Koufax pitched two and one-third innings without giving up a run.</div>
<br>
Hall of Fame site, wikipedia, jewishvirtuallibrary[/dohtml]
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<A href="mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/hof/koufax_sandy.wmv"
target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.cise.columbia.edu/herman/KOUFAXLR1.JPG" width="250"></A>
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td>man, you gotta love that delivery
<br>(click on the pic for HOF video)
</td></tr></table>
<b>December 30th – Sandy Koufax, 1935</b>
<br>
<p>Koufax's career peaked with a run of six outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1963, and won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, leading both leagues in wins, strikeouts and earned run average in all three seasons. A notoriously difficult pitcher to bat against, he was the first major leaguer to pitch more than three no-hitters, the first to average fewer than seven hits allowed per nine innings pitched over his career, and the first to strike out more than nine batters per nine innings pitched in his career.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<img src="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/Koufax.jpg" width="120"></a></div>
</td></tr></table>
<br>
<p>Among NL pitchers with at least 2,000 innings pitched who have debuted since 1913, he has both the highest career winning percentage (.655) and the lowest career ERA (2.76); his 2,396 career strikeouts ranked 7th in major league history upon his retirement, and trailed only Warren Spahn's total of 2,583 among left-handers.
<br>
<p>At the height of his career, traumatic arthritis in his elbow threatened permanent disability and hastened his retirement after the 1966 season <i>at the age of 30</i>, and he became, at age 36 and 20 days, the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
<br>
<br>
<p>and here's a little something courtesy of jon tapper:
<div class="quoted">
<p>In early 1960 Koufax asked Dodgers GM Buzzie Bavasi to trade him because he wasn't getting enough playing time. By the end of 1960, Koufax was ready to quit baseball and devote himself to his electronics business. After the last game of the season, he tossed his gloves and spikes into the trash. Nobe Kawano, the clubhouse supervisor, retrieved the equipment to return to Koufax the following year (or to somebody else if Koufax did not return to play).
<br>
<p>Koufax showed up for the 1961 season in better condition than he had in previous years. Over the winter, he decided to start working out and running more. Koufax also decided to find out just how good he could be. During a spring training trip to Orlando, a Dodger scout eating with Koufax and catcher Norm Sherry the night before the game discovered a hitch in Koufax's windup: he'd rear back far enough that, in his release, his vision was somewhat obstructed by his lead arm and he often couldn't see the full strike zone. Sherry translated it for Koufax in the same words that many others had used in the past: <b>Sandy, you don't have to throw so hard</b>. He also convinced Koufax not to pull so far back in his windup.
<br>
<p>In the first inning of the game in Orlando, Koufax walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. Again, Sherry told him to take something off the ball to get better control. Koufax finally listened and struck out the side. By the time he came out of the game after seven innings, Koufax had struck out eight batters, walked five and given up no hits.
<br>
<p>Koufax finally broke into the starting rotation permanently. On September 15, 1961, he surpassed the previous record of strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher in the National League with his 243rd strikeout. On September 27, Koufax broke the National League record for strikeouts in a season, surpassing Christy Mathewson's 58-year-old mark of 267, set in 1903. Koufax finished the year 18–13, with 269 strikeouts versus 96 walks. During the two 1961 All-Star games, Koufax pitched two and one-third innings without giving up a run.</div>
<br>
Hall of Fame site, wikipedia, jewishvirtuallibrary[/dohtml]
osfan58202233 - December 31, 2006 05:14 AM (GMT)
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<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/King_Kelly_0554fu.jpg/340px-King_Kelly_0554fu.jpg" width="220">
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<b>December 31st</b> – Michael Joseph "King" Kelly, 1857
<br>hey, jmk, almost a namesake
<br>
<p><b><i>Bill James writes:</b></i>
<p><i>To summarize the obvious for anybody who might have skipped the pre-requisite courses, King Kelly was the first matinee idol of the National League. A handsome man with red hair and a long moustache, Kelly was regarded as a great defensive outfielder, and as the greatest baserunner of his time. He was, stated Bill Stern with the calm assurance of a man who doesn't give a tinker's damn whether he is right or wrong, "the idol of a nation. He was the first baseball player people followed on the streets. The fans loved him so much they presented him with a glistening white horse and a beautiful carriage so he could ride to the park in style." Kelly was the highest paid star in baseball for much of his career, but spent every dime on wine, women, song and fancy clothes. When he died of pneumonia in 1894, aged 36, he was reportedly destitute. </i>
<br>
<p>Not only was Mike "King" Kelly one of the premier players of his day, he was also one of the most flamboyant. His daring baserunning prompted fans to coin the battle cry, "Slide, Kelly, Slide," and the catcher-outfielder sparked the Chicago Nationals (aka White Stockings, of the National League) to five pennants. Manager Cap Anson credited Kelly with originating the hit-and-run play.
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<img src="http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Kelly_King.gif" width="110"> </div>
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<br>
<p>As a member of the White Stockings until 1886, he was annually among the league leaders in most offensive categories, including leading the league in runs from 1884 through 1886 (120, 124 and 155 respectively), and batting in 1884 and 1886 (.354 and .388). The White Stockings won five league championships with Kelly on the team.
<br>
<p>He led the league three times each in doubles and runs scored, and he is one of ten NL players to have scored a league-record six runs in one game. Kelly won renown for his daring baserunning, stealing at least 50 bases for four successive years, with a high of 84 for the Braves in 1887. He once stole six bases in one game.
<br>
<p>After capturing the batting crown in 1886, the colorful Kelly was sold to the Boston Beaneaters for a then-record $10,000. As a member of the Beaneaters, he continued to be a key run-producer, scoring 120 runs in 1887 and 1889.
<br>
<p><b><i>More from Bill James:</i></b>
<p><i>King Kelly was noted for his innovative circumvention of the rulebook; someone said that half of the National League's rules were written to keep King Kelly from stealing ballgames. When the rules were changed to allow in-game substitutions, all a player had to do was call himself into the game. This was the practice until one day when the third out of the ninth inning was popped up over the head of King Kelly, seated on the Chicago bench. Kelly stood up, called himself into the game, and caught the ball (or so, at least, the story goes). Whether that story is true or not, he certainly cut across the infield while running the bases when he could get by with it, and pioneered such tactics as limping to first base in great pain, then suddenly recovering to steal second, and dropping his catcher's mask where the baserunner would trip over it.</i>
<br><br>
Hall of Fame site, Bill James' Historical Baseball Almanac, wikipedia, baseballlibrary[/dohtml]
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<img src="http://www.hickoksports.com/images/kelly_king.jpg" width="150">
</div></td></tr></table>
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5">
<tr><td><div align="center">
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/King_Kelly_0554fu.jpg/340px-King_Kelly_0554fu.jpg" width="220">
</div></td></tr></table>
<b>December 31st</b> – Michael Joseph "King" Kelly, 1857
<br>hey, jmk, almost a namesake
<br>
<p><b><i>Bill James writes:</b></i>
<p><i>To summarize the obvious for anybody who might have skipped the pre-requisite courses, King Kelly was the first matinee idol of the National League. A handsome man with red hair and a long moustache, Kelly was regarded as a great defensive outfielder, and as the greatest baserunner of his time. He was, stated Bill Stern with the calm assurance of a man who doesn't give a tinker's damn whether he is right or wrong, "the idol of a nation. He was the first baseball player people followed on the streets. The fans loved him so much they presented him with a glistening white horse and a beautiful carriage so he could ride to the park in style." Kelly was the highest paid star in baseball for much of his career, but spent every dime on wine, women, song and fancy clothes. When he died of pneumonia in 1894, aged 36, he was reportedly destitute. </i>
<br>
<p>Not only was Mike "King" Kelly one of the premier players of his day, he was also one of the most flamboyant. His daring baserunning prompted fans to coin the battle cry, "Slide, Kelly, Slide," and the catcher-outfielder sparked the Chicago Nationals (aka White Stockings, of the National League) to five pennants. Manager Cap Anson credited Kelly with originating the hit-and-run play.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10">
<tr><td>
<div align="center">
<img src="http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Kelly_King.gif" width="110"> </div>
</td></tr></table>
<br>
<p>As a member of the White Stockings until 1886, he was annually among the league leaders in most offensive categories, including leading the league in runs from 1884 through 1886 (120, 124 and 155 respectively), and batting in 1884 and 1886 (.354 and .388). The White Stockings won five league championships with Kelly on the team.
<br>
<p>He led the league three times each in doubles and runs scored, and he is one of ten NL players to have scored a league-record six runs in one game. Kelly won renown for his daring baserunning, stealing at least 50 bases for four successive years, with a high of 84 for the Braves in 1887. He once stole six bases in one game.
<br>
<p>After capturing the batting crown in 1886, the colorful Kelly was sold to the Boston Beaneaters for a then-record $10,000. As a member of the Beaneaters, he continued to be a key run-producer, scoring 120 runs in 1887 and 1889.
<br>
<p><b><i>More from Bill James:</i></b>
<p><i>King Kelly was noted for his innovative circumvention of the rulebook; someone said that half of the National League's rules were written to keep King Kelly from stealing ballgames. When the rules were changed to allow in-game substitutions, all a player had to do was call himself into the game. This was the practice until one day when the third out of the ninth inning was popped up over the head of King Kelly, seated on the Chicago bench. Kelly stood up, called himself into the game, and caught the ball (or so, at least, the story goes). Whether that story is true or not, he certainly cut across the infield while running the bases when he could get by with it, and pioneered such tactics as limping to first base in great pain, then suddenly recovering to steal second, and dropping his catcher's mask where the baserunner would trip over it.</i>
<br><br>
Hall of Fame site, Bill James' Historical Baseball Almanac, wikipedia, baseballlibrary[/dohtml]
Career200 - July 23, 2008 04:32 PM (GMT)
You know, I never read these until today and I'm sorry I didn't.
Great stuff osfan, and your taking to the time to post it is much appreciated.
I share a birthday with Al Kaline. :) Unfortunately that's probably all I share with him. :(
Great stuff osfan, and your taking to the time to post it is much appreciated.
I share a birthday with Al Kaline. :) Unfortunately that's probably all I share with him. :(