“There’s two rules in baseball. The first is catch the ball. And the next rule is don’t mess with Joe West.”
~ Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson

At 7:11pm Central Daylight-Saving Time on Tuesday the 25th of May 2021 the Cardinals / White Sox game began on the south-side of Chicago at Comiskey Park allowing “Country” Joe West to set a new baseball record. West ump’d his 5,376-game surpassing the legendary Bill Klem’s all-time mark.

My sincere congratulations to Joe West on his achievement! Officiating in any sport, you are expected to be perfect the first day and get better each ensuing day. Umps are constantly critiqued, second-guessed and downright hated, but Joe has weathered the storms. This ridiculous review / challenge nonsense doesn’t help the situation.  

Joe may not be my favorite umpire (he sometimes seems to act like people buy tickets to the game to watch him ump - my opinion), but he’s his own man and has put in his time. He plans to retire at the end of this season. West will turn 69 years old on October 31st finishing up a career that began with his debut on September 14th, 1976. He became a full-time staff member in 1978. 43 seasons is a great run.

West earned his nickname as he performs as a country singer in the off-season. As a singer, I’d have to say Joe is a hell of an umpire, but he loves music and more power to him. He also earned the reputation as someone you aren’t going to win an argument with. If you have some time, check out some of the videos of West on YouTube. Some are funny and of course some point out his missed calls.   
 
As mentioned, West surpassed Bill Klem, known as the “Old Arbitrator” who ump’d from 1905 to 1941, he holds the record for working 18 World Series. Klem was inducted in the Hall of Fame (posthumously) by the Veteran’s Committee in 1953 for his stellar work. His career 251 ejections are also an MLB record. 
 
During his record-breaking game, Joe was surprised with a bouquet of flowers and a hug from the San Diego Chicken. He looked genuinely touched by the gesture. You can’t beat that!

Joe has spent his adult life in baseball and each game from now until his retirement he will continue to add to this record, which I doubt will be eclipsed. Thanks Joe, for the groans, the laughs, and for your work. All the best.
 
By the way, the White Sox won 8-3.
 
~ Coach Mike

"They invented the All-Star game for Willie Mays." ~ Ted Williams

“If somebody came up and hit .450, stole 100 bases and performed a miracle in the field every day, I’d still look you in the eye and say Willie was better.” ~ Leo Durocher (Willie’s first manager)

The oldest living Hall of Fame baseball player turns 90 years old today. His name is Willie Howard Mays, Jr. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that Willie Mays is 90. He was a huge part of my childhood and I guess I still see him running down a ball in center field or rounding third at a high gallop while scoring from first on a single to the outfield or throwing someone out at the plate with his amazing arm. Wow, it just does not seem possible he is a nonagenarian.
 
He was born on May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama. His father, Cat Mays and his mother Annie Satterwhite, both were athletic. His dad a baseball player for the town’s black team from the iron plant and his mom an exceptional basketball player and track star while in high school. Willie himself played basketball, football and baseball in high school. Willie also played in the for the Birmingham Black Barons beginning in 1948 until he was signed by the New York Giants in 1950 after graduating from high school.
 
Willie was nicknamed, “The Say Hey Kid” as he addressed players or people, “Say Hey” when he could not remember their names. He was a 5-foot 10-inch, 170-pound centerfield that batted and threw right-handed. His MLB debut occurred on May 25, 1951 for the New York Giants and his last appearance on September 9, 1973 for the New York Mets. Willie played for the New York / San Francisco Giants from 1951-1952, served in the US Army and returned to play from 1954-1972, then traded and played for the New York Mets in 1972-1973. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1979 with 94.7% of the vote; he was the only player elected that year.
 
During his career he amassed 3,283 hits, 660 home runs, 1,903 runs batted in, had 338 stolen bases with a career batting average of .302. Was named to the All-Star team 24 time, was Rookie of the Year in 1951, a two-time MVP (1954 and 1965), World Series Champion in 1954, a 12-time Gold Glove winner (1957-1968), NL Batting Champion in 1954, lead the NL in Home Runs 4 time (1955, 1962, 1964 and 1965), was the NL stolen base leader four years straight (1956-1959) and hit four home runs in a single game on April 30, 1961. Willie holds the career outfield putout record with 7,095 and had most extra-inning home runs with 22. He served as a coach for the Mets after his retirement until 1979 and later was a Special Assistant to the President and General Manager for the San Francisco Giants. 
 
Willie was further honored after his retirement when he was named to the Major League All-Century Team in 1999 as well as the Major League All-Time Team. He was ranked second behind Babe Ruth on The Sporting News “List of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players”. In 2015, he was presented “The Presidential Medal of Freedom” by Barack Obama.
 
He was a five-tool player (Throwing, Fielding, Hitting for Average, Hitting for Power and Speed) long before the term was used or common. At various times in his career, he batted anywhere from lead-off to the fifth slot. I saw him play on tv numerous times and there was always a sense of excitement when he was at bat, or when a ball was hit to centerfield. You just knew something special would occur. I whole-heartedly admit I did not see him in his prime, but I still saw a player that made things happen. I was in high school when he played in his last game / World Series at the age of 42. He was old and had slowed, he alternated starts with Don Hahn in center field, but there was still something magical about his presence even with the Oakland Athletics taking the series. 
 
Willie is and will always be remembered as one of the greats of the game. I will always see his hat flying off in the outfield (he wore it one size too big to add to his speed illusion, but the man could flat-out run) and making his trademark “basket catch” (glove down near his waist) of the fly ball in my memories.  But mostly I will always see a man that smiled and loved playing the game, who competed and entertained, who helped make my childhood special.
 
 Thanks Willie and HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY! May you be blessed with health and many more years.
 
~ Coach Mike

“Analyzing baseball yields many numbers of interest and value. Yet far and away – far, far and away – the most critical number in all of baseball is 3: the three outs that define an inning. Until the third out, anything is possible; after it, nothing is.”
~ Eric Walker
 
Baseball is a game of numbers. Every game has a scorecard, the local papers print the box score. Every game has an official scorer, and they take their scorecard, transfer the information to the official scoresheets (basically an extended box score) and send it to Elias Sports Bureau to store, compile and break down the data. This is how the games stats are compiled, manipulated and stored.
 
Let’s check out some stats and such that I find interesting, hope you will too!

Ted Kluszewski was a first baseman who played for Cincinnati Reds (1947-1957), Pittsburg Pirates (1958-1959), Chicago White Sox (1959-1960) and the Los Angeles Angels (1961). He debuted on April 18, 1947 and made his last MLB appearance on October 1st, 1961. He was 6 foot, 2 inches tall and weighted 225lbs. He threw and batted left-handed.
 
   Amazing Fact: Ted had a 4- year run of 40, 49, 47 and 35 home runs with .300+ batting average between 1953-1956.
 
   Side Note: Ted had arms so big he had to modify his shirts; the 1956 Cincinnati sleeveless jersey was made to accommodate this “guns”.
 
Luke Appling was a shortstop who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut on September 10, 1930 and finished his playing career on October 1, 1950. He was a righted-handed batter and thrower who stood 5 foot 10 inches. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
 
   Amazing Fact: Luke has the record for most bunts (1,424) in a career.
 
  Side Note: He also hit a home run in 1982 at the Cracker Jack Old-Timers game at age 75 off Warren Spahn (1942-1965). The game was played at RFK (Robert F. Kennedy) Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C which at the time was configured for the football season, so it traveled about 265 feet into the left field bleachers, but still pretty good for a 75-year-old man.
 
Cecil Fielder made his MLB debut on June 20, 1985 and finished his career on September 13, 1998. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays (1985-1988), Hanshin Tigers (1989), Detroit Tigers (1990-1996), New York Yankees (1996-1997), Anaheim Angels (1998) and the Cleveland Indians (1998). He was a first baseman and designated hitter who stood 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighted 275lbs. He threw and batted right-handed.
 
Prince Fielder made his MLB debut on June 13, 2005 and finished his career on July 18, 2016. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers (2005-2011), Detroit Tigers (2012-2013) and the Texas Rangers (2014-2016). He was a first baseman and designated hitter who stood 5 foot 11 inches tall and weighted 275lbs. He threw right-handed and batted left-handed.
 
   Amazing Fact: Father and son, each finished their careers with 319 home runs.
 
Joe Sewell who made his MLB debut on September 10, 1920 and his final appearance on September 24, 1933. He played for the Cleveland Indians (1920-1930 and the New York Yankees (1931-1933). Was a 5-foot 6-inch shortstop and third baseman. He threw right-handed and batted left-handed. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977.
 
   Amazing Fact: Sewell only struck out 114 times in his whole career with 7,132 At Bats; that is one time for every 62.2 At Bats. He holds the records for least strikeouts in a season with 3 in 1932 with 353 At Bats. And add to that, he also holds the records of going 115 consecutive games without recording a strike out.
 
The numbers are fascinating, the players were great, and we still talk about these players; does it get any better than this. More amazing stats in the future.
 
~ Coach Mike

“Opening day. All you have to do is say the words and you feel the shutters thrown wide, the room air out, the light pours in. In baseball, no other day is so pure with possibility. No scores yet, no losses, no blame or disappointment. No hangover, at least until the game’s over.”
~ Mary Schmich
 
Opening day is magical. The kick-off of the season. I look forward to it from about 5 minutes after the World Series ends. It is a blank slate; the possibilities are limitless. Your team is going to lead their division from the first game all the way to the end, well, at least in your mind and heart. Your favourite player will have a career year. No-hitters and walk-off home runs, game saving catches or game winning singles, the perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt and the un-assisted triple play; they all lay ahead of us. Being in the sun on a summer afternoons and chilly April and October nights. Rain outs and day / night doubleheaders. Ah, it just does not get much better.
 
So, what happened on Opening Day, April 1, 2021 once the games started and reality took over? Let’s look at the scores and some of the more interesting “highlights”.
 
Blue Jays 3 / Yankees 2 in 10 innings:
13 strikeouts by the Yankee hitters and a fly ball which Randal Grichuk of the Blue Jays hit over Aaron Judge’s head for the RBI. Game goes to the Blue Jays.
 
Indians 2 / Tigers 3:
Miquel Cabrera hits his 350th home run as a Tiger. Due to the snowy conditions, he does not see that the ball went over the wall and slides into second base. He is informed that the ball went out and gets up to finish rounding the bases, with a smile on his face.
 
Twins 5 / Brewers 6 in 10 innings:
I caught the last couple innings on AM 620 WTMJ on my way home from training clients. The legendary Bob Uecker, entering his 51st year as broadcaster for his hometown team was in mid-season form. Bob is talking about how tailgating will be allowed in a few weeks in the parking lots prior to the home games and says if you don’t personally tailgate, just walk through the parking lot, grab a hotdog off someone’s grill and run. He said this in his usual deadpan voice. He is a true treasure! When the Brewers tied it in the bottom of the nineth his voice rose with emotion and excitement; even more so when they won in the home-half of the tenth. I could listen to Ueck for hours.
 
An aside, I absolutely HATE the runner (the last out of the previous inning) starting the extra innings on second base rule. Of all the idiotic things. It’s like neighborhood sandlot ball when you don’t have enough players to field all the positions you play “right field out”, “pitchers hand out” and you sub the last out for the runner on base that is next in the batting order. Just ridiculous at the professional level. I’ll discuss some of the new rules (and some old ones) in an upcoming post.   
 
Pirates 5 / Cubs 3
 
Braves 2 / Phillies 3:
Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius makes an outstanding over the shoulder with his back to the infield sliding catch while fighting the wind to end the top of the ninth inning.
 
Diamondbacks 7 / Padres 8
 
Dodgers 5 / Rockies 8:
With Dodger Justin Turner on first base, Cody Bellinger homered for what turned out to be an RBI single and an out. Scratching your heads? Here’s how it occurred. Turner runs on the fly ball, rounds second as the ball appears to be caught by outfielder Raimel Tapia, but it bounced out of his glove and over the fence. Turner turns around re-touches second on his way back to first, which is the correct thing to do in catch situations, however, Bellinger stops as he approaches second to get clarification if it was an out or a homer, Turner on his way back to first to tag up ends up being passed by Bellinger. By rule Bellinger is called out and is awarded a single and Turner is sent home to score the run. It happens occasionally but for the life of me, I don’t understand how it does; these are professional players who should be aware of their surroundings and the rules of the game. Just saying.
 
Cardinals 11 / Reds 6
 
Rays 1 / Marlins 0
 
Rangers 10 / Royals 14:
A rather dubious record is set, neither starting pitcher lasted two innings.
Brad Keller, the Kansas City starter went an inning and a third, giving up 9-hits, 6-runs, and 2-walks. His ERA is at 40.50 Kyle Gibson, the Texas starter went one third of an inning, giving up 4-hits, 5-runs, with 3-walks and one strike out. His ERA is at 135.00
 
White Sox 3 / Angels 4:
Luis Robert of the Sox hits a leg double, steals third with two out (not necessarily a good idea) and scores on a subsequent wild pitch. Speed beyond belief from this young man. Lucas Giolito went 5 and a third innings, giving up 2-hits, 2-runs, 2-walks and 8-strikeouts. Solid performance, perhaps taken out too soon. While I hate the “replay challenges” I think La Russa, the Sox manager should have asked for a review of Nick Madrigal being called out at second, sure looked like he was safe on the slide with his leg hitting the base prior to the tag.
 
Orioles / Red Sox:
Postponed COVID
 
Mets / Nationals:
Postponed COVID
 
Astros 8 / Athletics 1
 
Giants 7 / Mariners 8
 
We had sunshine and snow. Close games and a blow-out. Errors and defensive gems. Plus, unbelievably, three pitchers from the same high school were the opening day starters for their respective teams. Lucas Giolito of the White Sox, Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves and Jack Flaherty of the Saint Louis Cardinals were all pitchers under now White Pitching Coach Ethan Katz, who was the pitching coach of Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angelis, California. This has never occurred before. What are the odds of that? You tell me.
 
And I’d be derelict in my duties if I didn’t mention the games brought back fond (beyond belief) memories of Chicago’s own Ed Farmer, the White Sox radio man and former relief pitcher who passed away last April 1st. You truly did “hang a star on it” your whole life and career. Miss you dearly sir.
 
A little something for everyone yesterday with another 161 games to come; can’t wait.
 
~ Coach Mike

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”
~ Yogi Berra
 
The 2021 MLB season begins tomorrow, April 1st. This is not a joke, or an “April Fool’s Day” prank. It is a real season with each team (hopefully) playing 162 games, followed by playoffs and then the World Series.
 
It is traditional for sports writers and bloggers to make predictions on teams; so, who am I to break with tradition? Here are my picks.
 
American League East:
 
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays * Wild Card
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
 
American League Central:
 
Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins * Wild Card
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
 
American League West:
 
Oakland Athletics
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
 
American League Champs: Chicago White Sox
 
National League East:
 
Washington Nationals
New York Mets * Wild Card
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
 
National League Central:
 
Saint Louis Cardinals
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh Pirates
 
National League West:
 
San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers * Wild Card
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
 
National League Champs: San Diego Padres
 
World Series Champs: Chicago White (In six games)
 
My other predictions:

I think home runs will be down from the past, strike outs unfortunately will remain too high for my taste, the commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred will make at least 12 inappropriate (and highly questionable) statements during the season / post season, and Angel Hernandez and Joe West will be embarrassing on the field again this year.
 
But most importantly, baseball will warm our hearts, fill our days and nights with joy and some disappointments along the way. Baseball will bring up memories of seasons past and add moments to those memories. Baseball will be families at the park (finally), missing deceased family members that shared and loved the game, daily box scores and always the promise of tomorrow.
 
I can’t wait...
 
~ Coach Mike


*** Sorry for the long layoff. I've been looking for another platform for this blog. A service that would offer a subscription feature, easier comment and "Like" format, and analytics so I can determine how many reads each post gets as well as geographical information of the subscribers and readers all at a reasonable price.

If you have any suggestions, feel free to reach out to me. Thanks in advance!

 "People who write about spring training not being necessary have never tried to throw a baseball."
~ Sandy Koufax

Four magic words have brightened my day, “Pitchers and Catchers Report.” Though I am sitting in Lockport, Illinois with a temp of -2 degrees and a high expected of only 18 degrees, those four magic words have brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart.
 
The reporting schedule looks like this.

Arizona Cactus League:
 
February 17th Pitchers and Catchers - February 22nd Full Squad First Workout. Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks - Chicago Cubs - Chicago White Sox - Kansas City Royals - Oakland Athletics - San Diego Padres - San Francisco Giants - Texas Rangers

February 18th Pitchers and Catchers - February 22nd Full Squad First Workout. Team: Cincinnati Reds

February 18th Pitchers and Catchers - February 23rd Full Squad First Workout. Teams: Cleveland Indians - Colorado Rockies - Los Angles Dodgers - Los Angles Angels - Milwaukee Brewers - Seattle Mariners


Florida Grapefruit League:
 
February 17th Pitchers and Catchers - February 22nd Full Squad First Workout. Teams: Baltimore Orioles - Detroit Tigers - New York Yankees - Philadelphia Phillies - Pittsburg Pirates - St. Louis Cardinals 

February 18th Pitchers and Catchers - February 22nd Full Squad First Workout. Teams: Boston Red Sox - Houston Astros - Toronto Blue Jays

February 18th Pitchers and Catchers - February 23rd Full Squad First Workout. Teams: Atlanta Braves - Miami Marlins - Tampa Bay Rays - Washington Nationals 

February 19th Pitchers and Catchers - February 22nd Full Squad First Workout. Team: New York Mets

February 19th Pitchers and Catchers - February 23rd Full Squad First Workout. Team: Minnesota Twins

Each team will test their players for COVID-19, give normal physicals and get started on throwing and fielding drills. As the position players arrive, general drills will increase, the position specific drills will be added as well as the conditioning routines and finally spring training games will start. This all leads up to that glorious day of the opening games. The baseball cycle has begun.

I’m still surrounded by snow, wind chills and temperatures non-conducive for playing baseball outside; but my heart is warmed, my enthusiasm is high, my anticipation is peaked, and all is right with my world. Spring in the Midwest is still a few weeks off, but hope abounds, BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING has begun.

Spring, a time when the weather gets warmer, the days get “longer” and life begins again. Baseball starts in the spring, coincidence, I think not! 
 
Enjoy!

​~ Coach Mike

Well, I‘m stepping out of my writing “comfort zone” today. No baseball, no sports, period. Hmmm, is this possible? Let’s see.
 
Recently a dear friend from back in the day reached out on Facebook for me to “Like” her blog page, “It’s All in the Expression” which of course I did. The title intrigued me, so I clicked on the blog link while perusing the Facebook page.
 
Donna has an “about this blog” page which hooked me immediately with, “When I‘m looking for ways to unwind or destress, I find I always end up doing something creative.” That was exactly one of the top reasons I re-started my blog, a need to destress and the desire to be creative in one of the few ways I feel confident, writing (I play guitar, some banjo and mandolin as well, which is “creative”, but I digress); a kindred spirit approaching from a different interest.
 
On I ventured into the most current post, “When in doubt COLOR and do it with flare!” was the title.  Now I thought I might be in trouble. My artistic talents in the drawing / colouring arena are slim. As I like to say to people, ‘I need a ruler to draw stick men’. And that whole “colour thing”, my wardrobe is made up of blacks, blues, and grays; rarely do I venture into hues other than the basics. But the post started out with a quote from Dr. Joel Pearson that hit a chord with me, “it brings out our inner child”; parallel again to my love of baseball, my “inner child” pursuit. Okay, keep reading. Donna touched on her journey with Adult Coloring books and what she found inside. She continued into aspects of technique (who knew there’s more than just putting a colour between the lines and shapes), the actual “why” of the process, building her colored pencil collection, images, and the endless possibilities. It didn’t make me run out and get a 64 box of crayons and a couple books, but it did remind me of the simple times I coloured with my three kids when they were younger and the relaxation and joy of those times. It was a good read and it spoke to my soul.
 
Some of the categories she has or will tackle are:

     > Baking
     > Coloring
     > Equip Yourself
     > Home Refresh & Repair
     > Knowledge Portal
     > Photography
     > Self-Expression
     > Sewing
 
She has other posts, which I will not recap here, but suffice to say, I was delighted with what I found and have put her blog in my Feedly Classic app. 
 
In this time of stress and isolation with the pandemic, political chaos, un and under-employment along with our “modern problems” this blog may just be the site that changes our outlook and steers us into a positive pursuit.
 
Check it out, the link is: https://www.itsallintheexpression.com
 
Donna has a relaxed, enjoyable writing style. She covers a variety of subjects and is just a wonderful person who deserves a following for her voice. You can subscribe to the blog and be notified via email when she posts. Tell her I sent you!
 
Back to sports soon!
 
~ Coach Mike

 team·mate /ˈtē(m)ˌmāt/
noun
plural noun: teammates

1. a fellow member of a team.

 
This definition may not be complete or at least detailed enough to mirror my personal experiences, nor this post concerning two well-known teammates.
 
In my lifetime, I have had many teammates, some I was closer to than others, some I didn’t care for on a personal basis, but still understood our interaction and cooperation equaled a better chance of success for the team. Many of my teammates have become friends and some friends have been teammates, a select few have become family. Sports is often spoken of being a metaphor for many things, including life. Perhaps, this is correct.
 
Lawrence “Yogi” Berra. (May 12, 1925 - September 22, 2015) was a major league catcher, coach, and manager. He has also been described as a character due to his malapropism, his “Yogi-isms” are famous. (See “Yogi-isms” posted on January 4, 2021) Some pretty good stories have been floated around as well.
 
Yogi played 19 seasons in the majors and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 with 85.6% of the voted on the second year of his being on the ballot. He was an exceptional defensive catcher. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed standing 5’7” tall at 185lbs. His MLB debut was on September 22, 1946 with the New York Yankees and appeared in his final game as a New York Met on May 9, 1965. He had a career batting average of .285, hit 358 home runs and had 1,430 runs batted in. He was a Yankee from 1946-1963 and a Met player in 1965, also coaching that year. His number 8 was retired (Bill Dickey also wore it, so it was retired for them both), and he has a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
 
He was an 18 time American League All-Star, won 10 World Series Championships as a player, three as a coach, won 3 AL MVP Awards, caught Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, caught 173 shut-out games, which is a record and was named to the MLB All-Century Team.
 
Yogi’s managerial career started with the NY Yankees in 1964 and included the NY Mets from 1972-1975 and back with the Yankees again in 1984 and ‘85. He compiled and overall record of 484 wins / 444 losses for a .522 winning percentage. He also coached for the Mets from 1965-1971, Yankees 1975-1983 and the Houston Astros 1986-1989.
 
Berra also served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. He was at gunner’s mate, Seaman Second Class and earned the Purple Heart During the Normandy Landings.
 
Phil “The Scooter” Rizzuto (September 25, 1917 - August 13, 2007) was a major league shortstop and after his playing days had a 40-year career as a radio and television announcer all for the N.Y. Yankees. He was known as a great guy, hard competitor as a player; as an announcer, for his trademark expression of “Holy Cow”, off the wall digressions and a true love of the game which came through with each broadcast.   
 
Phil played 13 seasons in the majors and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994 by the Veterans Committee. He was an exceptional defensive shortstop. He batted and threw right-handed standing 5’6” tall at 150lbs. His MLB debut was April 14, 1941 and appeared in his final game August 16, 1956. He has a career batting average of .273, hit 38 home runs, had 563 runs batted in and was a fine bunter. Phil had 1,224 career double plays and a fielding percentage of .968. He was a Yankee from 1941-42 and 1946-1956. His number 10 was retired, and he has a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
 
He was a 5-time American League All-Star, won 7 World Series Championships and won 1 AL MVP Award.
 
Phil broadcasted Yankee games from 1957 through 1996. He was colourful, and insightful. Along with his “Holy Cow”, he would frequently come out with an “Unbelievable” or “Did you see that?” during broadcasts. Rizzuto would wish fans a happy birthday or anniversary; he spoke of restaurants he enjoyed and told great stories. From time to time he would lose track of the game, so on his scorecard he would tally “WW” for “Wasn’t Watching”.
 
Rizzuto served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. He was stationed in the South Pacific.
 
If you notice, both players had some things in common; military experience, shorter than the average player, N.Y. Yankee teammates, members of the HoF and careers in baseball after their playing days were over. I will also mention, they both had long marriages and loving families. I’d imagine during their playing careers, they drank a few beers together, probably even did some family things together.
​
Why did I bring this up? Because as Phil aged and due to declining health, he lived at an assisted living facility in West Orange, New Jersey which was about 30 minutes from where Yogi lived. Yogi went to see him every day. They would talk and play cards until Phil got too tired to play and start to doze off. Yogi would hold Phil’s hand until he fell asleep and then leave. He did this every day. Because teammates were important, this is what Yogi did with and for Phil.
 
May they both Rest in Peace.
 
~ Coach Mike

“As a minor leaguer, I have learned what baseball means to communities big and small.”
~ Will Savage – Former Single A Player
 
I recently saw a Facebook post from a friend of mine, Lois, it read:
 
   “I am beyond tickled to hear of this news. Personally, I‘d love to go to a game and scream, Go Trash Pandas!”
 
Well, after seeing this I had to investigate. Who wouldn’t want to yell, “Go Trash Pandas”? So, my first order of business was to figure out what a “Trash Panda” was; of course, the internet was a huge help:
 
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/trash_panda
 
Trash Panda
Noun
   Trash panda (plural trash pandas)

1. (US, Canada, slang, mildly humorous) A raccoon, especially one that forages in garbage cans.

Okay, one informational tidbit down. Next, who or what exactly did this cheer refer? Again, the internet answered the call!
 
Turns out, they are an AA baseball team located in Madison, AL - Officially named the Rocket City Trash Pandas, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angles in the Southern League. It was to be there first year in Madison, formerly playing as the BayBears in Mobile, AL. Apparently the BayBears were bought in 2017 with the plan of moving them to Madison. The name is a combination of the area’s association with the space program and the resourceful, determined, animal who forages for their food, the raccoon. They were scheduled to open their inaugural season, 2020 against the fabled Birmingham Barons on April 9th and celebrate their home opener on April 15th. But as you well know, with the Pandemic, all sanctioned / affiliate minor leagues had their seasons cancelled. Fascinating fact, they have yet to play a game, but have sold over 2 million dollars’ worth of merchandise since the branding was announced in November of 2018.
 
A quick scan of their roster didn’t turn up any familiar names as far as the players went. This isn’t surprising; stats show on average 17.6% of overall drafted players ever make it to the majors and only about 10% of AA players make it to “The Show”. In fact, the most recognizable name was their manager, Jay Bell who had a major league career as a shortstop and second basemen from 1986 through 2003 with the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburg Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets.  
 
So, what’s the big deal about a team with a marketable, catchy name, that is filled with roster filling players that don’t have much of a chance of playing in the bigs? It’s a team that primarily will play at a developmental level churning players through, most staying at this current level, some being promoted up, others sinking back down or being released and trying to hold on to their dreams signing on in an independent league. 
 
Well, it’s really the foundation of baseball. The minors, in little towns that support the teams and the players. It is about dreams, about giving it your shot. It’s about developing players that will never star, but who will teach the game in other towns either at a professional level or perhaps at their local high school or a travel program. It’s what keeps baseball alive, it’s what keeps the game going.
 
MLB, who had been talking about eliminating roughly 42 (out of 162) minor league teams at the end of the contact which expired after this 2020 season, pulled the trigger and sent out invitations to only 119 teams to remain affiliated with their major league club. Basically 4 teams per MLB franchise; The Rockies are only at 3, because the Fresno Grizzlies, who had been a AAA team have been offered a single A spot and a decision hasn't been made.
 
Why is this happening? MLB felt that these 42 (probably some of the ones offered a spot as well) didn’t stack up to standards, were inefficient and not worth the trouble. Or in MLB’s commissioner Rob Manfred’s own words, “If you clean up some stuff around the edges, it creates economic flexibility.” Once again, Manfred has gotten it wrong.
 
These teams are the heart and soul of the game. Minor League baseball is these towns where kids get to see live games at a reasonable price and where the dream of playing may take root for them; where young talent is developed or at the very least where the game is taught to them which in turn gets taught to the next generation. It’s the places with cool names and players that get to tell stories. It’s where players are “adopted” by families because they can’t afford an apartment or a hotel room.
 
What it is not is New York City baseball executives, or “luxury box” patrons, it’s not money pouring in and Manfred doesn’t see the need. I know the sport needs to make money, but they are being short sighted. The commissioner needs to take a trip to New England, the Midwest, rural towns in the south and out west to experience what these towns have to offer, the loyalty of their fans and the determination of those players. He really needs to see what baseball is about, but I’m pretty sure he won’t.
 
I am saddened that some towns will lose their teams, or at the very least fall from organized minor league status. I am sadden for a kid in Lowell, Massachusetts who may not go to a Spinners game if the Red Sox can’t come up with a viable option, or another kid in Clinton, Iowa that will now watch the LumberKings in the “Prospect” League if they are able to play, and 40 other towns with the same situations.
 
The Trash Pandas were invited to be the Angels AA affiliate for 2021, so for now, “Go Trash Pandas!”
 
~ Coach Mike

“And there used to be a ballpark - Where the field was warm and green. And the people played their crazy game - With a joy I'd never seen.”
- There Used To Be A Ballpark lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, The Joe Raposo Music Group Inc
 
I was recently thinking of the many baseball parks in which I have had the privilege to watch games. Some have been major league and several minor league parks as well. Each has brought their own sense of joy and uniqueness to their team and games. So, the idea hit me, perhaps I should write, from time to time about the ones I’ve been in as well as some of the classic parks of the past. 
 
The idea appealed to me, and the more I thought about it, I knew I ‘d have to say something about this song which I had heard so many years ago. An aside, I also have it on my Spotify Playlist that I listen to while traveling to my games (more on that in a future post). It’s a song composed by Joe Raposo which was recorded by the late Frank Sinatra; how can you go wrong? Baseball and “Ol’ Blue Eyes”, great combination. This song actually was on Frank’s 1973 album, “Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back”.
 
The song is “There Used to Be a Ballpark”. It is often said, it was written about the Brooklyn Dodgers and the fabled, Ebbets Field. However, Joe Raposo once said in an interview, that it’s actually about the Polo Grounds which housed the New York Giants (and the New York Yankees, prior to Yankee Stadium being built and even though it was condemned, the New York Mets played there for their first two seasons prior to Shea Stadium’s opening).  If you listen to the words, “the old team just isn’t playing, and the new team hardly tries” you realize he’s talking about the Giants and Mets. 
 
Yes, Raposo was being specific about baseball memories and the location, but this song touches many fans who have lost the ballparks of their youth. The old parks, with their history and physical quirks that largely have been replaced by modern concrete venues, which of course seat more folks. 
 
This song can also be a metaphor of any loss and its memories. Music can take me back to other times and the remembrance of people long gone from my life; very similar to baseball in that regard. But let’s not get too philosophical, right now. This is just meant as an introduction (and a teaser) of some posts that will be appearing in the very near future on Friday’s. In the meantime, sit back, relax and listen to Frank sing:
 
"There Used to Be A Ball Park" - Click Here.
 
Hope you enjoy it!
 
On a personal note, the line “And the summer went so quickly this year” really hit home. Probably due to the fact baseball started towards the end of July in 2020 and was a shortened season with only 60 regular season games. I think too as we age, our happy times tend to move by rather swiftly. Not that I concede anything to “aging”.
 
Let me know what you think of the idea, which park(s) were or are your favorite and if you’d like me to cover a particular one. A shout out to whoever guesses the first park I’m going to cover!
 
~ Coach Mike