Ever since I was a young boy, baseball has been my passion, my first love. Early on I wasn’t a very good player. I probably wasn’t even an average player, but I always loved being on the field, loved being on the team, just playing ball. I’d like to believe that I have gotten better. Opinions vary as they say.

Over the years, I’ve played on many teams, of many different levels; baseball, 16-inch Chicago softball, and 12-inch softball. After 9 years in a 30 and over baseball league, I hung them up, I was turning 50. Shortly thereafter I discovered 1858 Rules Vintage Base Ball and began playing on the Chicago Salmon. Base Ball from the beginning, playing “for the love of the game”. It was a great experience, but I was still missing playing our modern game.

Last summer out of the blue, I saw a post on Facebook about a league called the Chicago Central Men’s Baseball League. It said there was a 30+, 43+, 53+ and a newly formed 60+ division. It was like an answer to a prayer I didn’t even know I had said. I scan their website and figured it was worth a look. In the meantime, my wife and I ran into the wife of one of the pitchers with whom I had played in the 30+ league. Sandi told us that Craig was playing on a 43 and over team, and it sounded like the same league. I was being guided. After speaking with Sandi, I texted an old friend David about the league. David and I have known each other since we each had hair, 40 plus years. We had played together on the 30 and over team as well and I knew he’d be interested and he was.

Now, it’s one thing to be old, but it’s a whole other thing to be old and suck. David and I decided we wanted to see a game or two before contacting the league. Well, life has a disturbing way of getting busy. Each time I was going to head out to a game, something else came up. Finally, after training two clients in Woodridge I came home and saw that there were only two games left. Put up or shut up time. My daughter Colleen encouraged me to go. She said that since I opened my personal training business, I never did anything for myself, just worked. Colleen asked me to text her after the game to let her know what I thought. So off I went.

It was Friday, the 23rd of August’19 that found me driving to Veteran’s Memorial Park in Westmont, Illinois to watch the North Stars play the Yankees. Unfortunately, David couldn’t meet me there, but he told me he trusted my judgement and was going to try and attend the last game that Sunday. He also asked me to text him after the game. As fate had it, David didn’t make the Sunday game.

I arrived at the field just as the game was starting. There were three women in the stands and me. They of course were players’ wives and we talked periodically during the game and answered some of my questions but couldn’t give me very many details.
The game was well played and seemed evenly matched. The standings showed them to be the first and last place teams, but at the end of the seventh inning the score was tied. The Yankees scored in the top of the eighth and while the North Stars were batting in the bottom of the inning, the park district lights went out due to the field closing and the game reverted to the seventh and ended in a tie.
 
My plan had been to speak with the two managers after the game to express my interest in playing and get some “nuts and bolts” information, but without field lights, everyone was using their cell phones to gather their belongs and it didn’t seem like a good time to disturb them, so I gave a wife from each team my business card to pass along to their husbands and the managers.
 
While walking back to my car I ran into the two umpires, one of which looked to be in his later 30s and the other looked to be about 15 years old but was probably a college student. I told them they called a good game and began asking a few rule questions which they gladly answered. After a few minutes of speaking the older of the two umps asked me which player was my father, I said that my father had passed away about three and a half years ago. He then asked which player I had come to watch to which I replied that I was checking out the league as a friend and I had interest in playing. Here’s the best part of this exchange for me. The ump said don’t you know you have to be 60 years old to play in the league and I told him I was 61. He said that he though I was about 45! My first thought was, ‘no wonder you’re an umpire, you’re as blind as a bat’, but I didn’t say that, just thanked him.
 
When I got back to my car I texted both Colleen and David to let them know that the game was well played, that I felt we both would be able to compete and that I was excited about the thought of playing. Both teams had some good players, they seemed to be having a great time on the field and in the dugout. Seemed like a good fit. When I got home Colleen and I talked about it further and I thought that I’d like to do it, but I’d have to pass it by my wife Debbie. Colleen said she’d talk with mom.
 
About a week went by and I hadn’t heard back from either manager. I checked out the website again and was planning on sending an email to the informational link when I heard from Terry, the manager of the Naperville Yankees. We traded a couple of emails and Terry said to just give him a call. We had a very constructive call of about 45 minutes and the next thing I knew David and I were being added to their roster for the 2020 season. I called David and told him the good news.
 
This began another leg of my lifelong baseball journey; a new path if you will. In future posts I will tell you about the team and some of the experiences of my “rookie” year in 60 plus wood bat baseball. Thanks for reading!
 
~ Coach Mike

Lawrence “Yogi” Berra (1946-1965) was an original. He’s in the Hall of Fame and for good reason. A fine defensive catcher, .285 career batting average, 358 home runs, 1,430 runs batted in, 18 All-Star games, part of 13 World Series championships as a player and a manager, 3 time AL MVP and a 484-444 managerial record for a .522 winning percentage. He threw right-handed and batted left-handed. His number 8 has been retired by the N.Y. Yankees (also worn by and retired for Bill Dickey) and he is honored in Monument Park at Yankees Stadium. Yogi was also a coach in the majors.
 
Yogi-isms (colloquial expressions that lack logic) are legendary. Who knows if he really said these or not? As he once said, “I never said most of the things I said.” Here’s a small sampling:
 
“Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.”

“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

“Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.”

“If the people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, nobody’s going to stop them.”

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

“How can you think and hit at the same time?”

“So, I’m ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face.”

“You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.”

“Pair up in threes.”

(On the 1973 Mets) “We were overwhelming underdogs.”

“It gets late early out here.”

“Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting.”

“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.”

“You can observe a lot by just watching.”

“Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel.”

“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

“It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.”

“All pitchers are liars or crybabies.”

“He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.”

“No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded.”

“If you ask me anything I don’t know, I’m not going to answer.”

“I’m lucky. Usually you’re dead to get your own museum, but I’m still alive to see mine.”

“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.”

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.”

Yogi was a "character" but had a strong personal character. He was a fine player and gentleman. More on him in the future.

​Wishing you all the best in 2021.
~ Coach Mike

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I ‘ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” ~ Rodgers Hornsby
 
This is exactly where I am right now. Baseball is over for the year and I pretty much know what is outside my window. It’s not even officially winter season yet. Oh, what to do?
 
Fortunately, there are numerous baseball movies that allow me to get my fix. Here’s a list of my favorites. 
 
1. For Love of the Game
 
Released in 1999. The film based on Michael Shaar’s novel of the same name starred Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston. It centers around the potential last game in Billy Chapel’s career. He is pitching a perfect game, mulling potential retirement and of course is recalling his moments with Jane Aubrey, his love interest. Vin Scully and Steve Lyons calling the game add a wonderful realism to the film.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “Are we not in America? Isn’t baseball America’s favorite pastime?”
 ~ Jane Aubrey
 
   “The game doesn’t stink, Mr. Wheeler. It’s a great game.”
~ Billy   Chapel
 
   “Tell them I ‘m through, “for love of the game,” Billy Chapel
(Signed on the baseball)
 
2. Field of Dreams
 
Released in 1989. The film based on W.P. Kinsella’s book of the same name has an amazing cast. Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster and Frank Whaley. It’s a magical movie of baseball, father and son moments, redemption and believing in dreams. There are several moments in this movie during which I always tear up.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “If you build it, he will come.” ~ The Voice
 
   “This is my most special place in all the world, Ray. Once a place    touches you like this, the wind never blows so cold again. You feel for it, like it was your child.” ~ Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham
 
   “Hey...Dad? You wanna have a catch?” ~ Ray Kinsella
 
   “Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.” ~ Terence Mann
 
3. The Natural
 
Released in 1984. The film is based on Bernard Malamud’s novel of the same name. The cast included Robert Redford, Kim Basinger, Glenn Close, Robert Duval and Wilford Brimley. The story of a ball player, Roy Hobbs that could have been the best of all time but is slightly sidetracked due to a poor decision.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   Pop Fisher - “You know my mama wanted me to be a farmer.”
   Roy Hobbs - “My dad wanted me to be a baseball player.”
   Pop Fisher - “Well you’re better than any player I ever had. And you’re the best god damn hitter I ever saw. Suit up.”
 
   “I wish Dad could’ve...God, I love baseball.” ~ Roy Hobbs
 
4. A League of Their Own
 
Released in 1992. It’s a fictionalized telling of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). It starred Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell and Lori Petty.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” ~ Jimmy Dugan
 
   “Because there’s no crying in baseball. There’s no crying in baseball. No crying.”
~ Jimmy Dugan
 
5. Bull Durham
 
Released in 1988. Based loosely on director Ron Shelton’s minor league experiences. The cast included Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson and Robert Wurlitzer. A fun account of an aging catcher brought in to mature a younger pitcher with an amazing arm. A great glimpse into the minors even if Robbins doesn’t look like much of a pitcher.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “The rose goes in the front, big guy.” ~ Lawrence “Crash” Davis
 
   “He’s got a million-dollar arm but a five-cent head.” ~ Larry Hockett
 
   “Sears sucks, Crash. Boy, I once worked there. Sold Lady Kenmores. Nasty. Nasty work.” ~ Larry Hockett
 
   “The only church that truly feeds the soul, day in and day out, is the church of baseball.” ~ Annie Savoy
 
6. Major League
 
Released in 1989. The cast includes Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, James Gammon and Rene Russo. Bob Uecker steals the movie as Harry Doyle the play by play guy. The last place Cleveland Indians are being run by a former Las Vegas showgirl in hopes of playing so badly she can move them to Florida.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “This guy’s the out you’ve been waiting your whole life for.” ~ Jake Taylor
 
   “Juuuust a bit outside. He tried the corner and missed.” ~ Harry Doyle
 
   “Yeah. We’ve got uniforms and everything. It’s really great.” ~ Jake Taylor
 
7. Pride of the Yankees
 
Released in 1942. This movie starred Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright and Walter Brennan. It’s the story of New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig who died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which after Gehrig died at age 37, became commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Real life Yankee players also joined the cast. They were Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, Robert Meusel, and Mark Koenig. Bill Stern the sportscaster also played himself in the movie.
 
This was the first baseball movie I ever saw. Think I was about 6 years old (obviously not the year it was released) and saw it at my grandfather’s house. Memorable, funny and sad.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
~ Lou Gehrig
 
   “All the arguing in the world can’t change the decision of the umpire.”
~ Lou Gehrig
 
8. The Sandlot
Released in 1993. Mostly a cast of kids, Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renan; but also included Karen Allen, Denis Leary and James Earl Jones. This coming of age story revolves around a game that never ends and the neighborhood kids that are “the game” and the new kid who’s brought in. Funny, touching, and reminds you of many childhood memories.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “C’mon, Benny man. The kid is an L-7 weenie.” ~ Michael “Squints” Palledorous
 
   “You’re killing me, Smalls.” ~ Hamilton “Ham” Porter
 
   “Remember, kid. There’s hero’s and there’s legends. Hero’s get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.” ~ Babe Ruth
 
   “Baseball was life! And I was good at it...Real good.” ~ Mr. Mertle
 
   “Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun. If you were having fun, you would have caught that ball.” ~ Benjamin Franklin “Benny the Jet” Rodriguez
 
9. Mr. Baseball
 
Released in 1992. A fun movie dealing with a MLB player on the NY Yankees that gets traded to the Chunichi Dragons. He regains his love of the game under his strict Japanese manager. This movie stars Tom Sellick, Ken Takakura and Dennis Haysbert. 
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “We’re not athletes, we’re baseball players.” ~ Jack Elliot
 
   “Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.” ~ Jack Elliot
 
   “I‘m a baseball player. I’ve been a baseball player all my life. Even before I was a baseball player, I was a baseball player. I don’t think I can be anything else.” ~ Jack Elliot
 
 
Honorable Mentions:
 
Damn Yankees - Released 1955. A delightful musical.
 
Eight Men Out - Released 1988. Based on the 1919 Chicago “Black Sox” throwing the World Series and the aftermath.
 
It Happens Every Spring - Released 1949. A chemistry teacher invents a substance that keep the ball from contacting a wood bat. Fun movie.
 
Summer Catch - Released 2001. Romantic baseball comedy set in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Unfortunately, they cut the scene with Carlton Fisk.
 
The Rookie - Released 2002. True story of Jim Morris and his unusual path to the major leagues with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Great family dynamics.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “You know what we get to do today, Brooks? We get to play baseball.” ~ Jimmy Morris
 
   “Wasn’t going to miss this one. Watching you out there tonight...not many fathers get to do that.” ~ Jim Morris, Sr.
 
   “Your grandfather once told me it was ok to think about what you want to do until it was time to start doing what you were meant to do.” ~ Jim Morris, Sr.
 
Trouble with the Curve - Released 2012. Solid baseball movie about an old scout out on the road and his relationship with his daughter. No computers, just baseball knowledge.
 
42 - Released 2013. The late Chadwick Boseman playing Jackie Robinson. Emotional movie of Jackie breaking the colour barrier of MLB and all the trials he went through in 1947. A must see.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   “Maybe tomorrow, we’ll all wear 42, so nobody could tell us apart.” ~ Pee Wee Reese
 
   “Robinson rounds third, headed for home sweet home.” ~ Wendell Smith
 
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings - Released 1976. A movie about a barnstorming Negro League team. Good baseball, fun cast.
 
Long Gone - Released 1987. Class D baseball team struggling to get by in the Deep South.
 
Bang the Drum Slowly - Released 1973. Saw this in a high school religion class. Under-rated movie about a star pitcher and his relationship with a catcher dying of cancer. Sad, touching journey.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
   Bruce Pearson - “Everybody’d be nice to you if they knew you were dying.”
   Henry “Author” Wiggins - “Everybody knows everybody is dying; that’s why people are as good as they are.”
 
Check these out. I know I missed a few; which are your favorites? Any other quotes you’d like to add?
 
~ Coach Mike

“When I asked the baseball writers why they hadn’t elected me to the Hall of Fame, they told me they thought I was still playing.”
 
~ Bob Uecker
 
 
Well, another off-season distraction. Today the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot was announced. Members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will begin to analyze and vote on the listed 25 players. Their selections will be announced on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 6 p.m. ET by Hall of Fame President Tim Mead. The event will be covered live by the MLB Network.
 
As with elections, there are rules:
 
An elector will vote for no more than ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted. Any candidate receiving votes of seventy-five percent (75%) of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, N.Y. There are other rules to be followed for both electors and for the candidates; the one that is the most controversial is Rule 5: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which he played.
 
It is only fair to tell you up front, I am NOT in the BBWAA and therefore I do not have a vote in this process. Here is this year’s list and my humble comments on each:
 
Bobby Abreu - Received 5.5% last year, which was his 2nd on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
 
Barry Bonds - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 60.7% last year, which was his 9th on the ballot.
 
Mark Buehrle - New to the ballot. He was one of the best left-handed pitchers of his era. Not over-powering, but he knew how to pitch. I‘d like to see him get in at some point, he’s right there. He gets my vote. Can’t have too many stand up guys in the Hall.
 
A.J. Burnett - New to the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
 
Roger Clemens - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 61% last year, which was his 9th on the ballot.
 
Michael Cuddyer - New to the ballot. Probably a one and done candidate. I just don’t see him getting the votes.
 
Dan Haren - New to the ballot. Another player who will probably be a one and done.
 
LaTroy Hawkins - New to the ballot. Long career, but not HoF worthy.
 
Todd Helton - Received 29.2% last year, which was his 3rd year on the ballot. He was a great hitter but playing in Colorado probably hurts his chances. I go back and forth with his worthiness, but probably wouldn’t vote for him.
 
Tim Hudson - New to the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
 
Torii Hunter - New to the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
 
Andruw Jones - Received 19.4% last year, which was his 4th year on the ballot. He could surprise some folks by getting his vote percentage up, but I personally couldn’t vote for him.
 
Jeff Kent - Received 27.5% last year, which was his 8th year on the ballot. I don’t see him getting much higher a percentage. Another solid player, but not quite HoF.
 
Andy Pettitte - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 11.3% last year, which was his 3rd on the ballot.
 
Aramis Ramírez - New to the ballot. He just doesn’t have the numbers to be in the HoF.
 
Manny Ramírez - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 28.2% last year, which was his 5th on the ballot.
 
Scott Rolen - Received 35.3% last year, which was his 4th on the ballot. Again, not quite a HoF player in my book.
 
Curt Schilling - Received 70% last year, which was his 9th on the ballot. Numbers, probably, competitor absolutely, total idiot as probably. Let someone else vote for him.
 
Gary Sheffield - Received 30.5% last year, which was his 7th on the ballot. Another who had a long career, with solid numbers, but in my mind falls short.
 
Sammy Sosa - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 13.9% last year, which was his 9th on the ballot.
 
Nick Swisher - New to the ballot. He’s a one and done. Nowhere near a HoF career. It’s a joke he’s even on the ballot.
 
Shane Victorino - New to the ballot. Another one and done.
 
Omar Vizquel - Received 52.6% last year, which was his 4th on the ballot. Omar would get my vote. Smooth fielder, an ambassador of the game. Not quite Ozzie Smith, but he was fun to watch.
 
Billy Wagner - Received 31.7% last year, which was his 6th on the ballot. Numbers aren’t quite there in my opinion, but he was a good one.
 
Barry Zito - New to the ballot. He could be surprising, but for me he lacks the big standout numbers.
 
So, I only voted for two. You may have noticed I didn’t include stats and metrics, sorry, but I saw all these players and felt my honest evaluation was the way to go. Of course, I ‘d enjoy hearing from you and who would get your vote.
 
An aside; if you haven’t, get yourself out to Cooperstown and visit the Hall. Allow at least two days. It is a magical place where history comes alive.
 
~ Coach Mike
 

"No one knows this yet, but one of us has just been traded to Kansas City."
~ Casey Stengel, on how he let Bob Cerv know he was traded.
 
The season has been over for 13 days now, and I think we have approximately 99 days prior to the opening of spring training camps. How do we fill the time? Well, let’s talk about a strange trade.
 
You never know how a trade will work out. General Mangers always hope they will get the better end of the deal, while hoping the other GM doesn’t notice. The perspective is, what does our team need and what can we give up without destroying another area. Not easy, but a fun part of the game. “They”, whoever “they” really are, say that it takes a couple seasons to truly evaluate who won the trade, while others say, the best trade is one were both sides win. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
 
Harry Chiti was a was a 6’2”, 220lbs catcher who threw and batted right-handed. Harry was considered a competent receiver, who handled the knuckleball well. He made his major league debut at the age of 17 for the Chicago Cubs on September 27, 1950 and his last appearance in the majors was with the New York Mets on June 10, 1962. Harry played occasionally in 1951 and 52 before serving in the United States Army during the Korean War in ’53 and ’54. The 1955 season with the Cubs was his most productive season when he batted .231, hit 11 home runs with 41 RBIs in 113 games.
 
Harry bounced around after the 1956 season, first to the New York Yankees, then was a Rule 5 draft of the Kansas City Athletics in 1957. He was with the A’s, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians during the 1958 to 1962 seasons.
 
Here’s where it gets interesting, on April 25, 1962, he was acquired by the expansion New York Mets for the ever popular “player to be named later” without ever having played in a game for the Indians. After 15 games for the Mets, compiling a batting average of .195, on June 15, 1962 Harry was sent back to the Indians as “the player named later”; he was the first MLB player traded for himself. Since this “trade”, three other players have been traded for themselves; Dickie Noles, Brad Gulden and John McDonald.
 
An evaluation of this trade is hard, since it was only 15-day experiment, but you’d have to say it was balanced. Harry was sent down to the minors and played two years in Triple-A ball. First with Jacksonville in the Indian’s organization and then Toronto of the Milwaukee Braves organization. He never made it back to the majors and retired in 1964.  
 
We will re-visit some other trades in the coming weeks. Thanks, Joe, for pointing me in this direction.
 
~ Coach Mike

We’ve covered some amazing stats in the past. Today, let’s look at two of the stranger things that have occurred on a baseball field.
 
Well, this first one occurred on two different fields, in two different cities. Joel Youngblood was a typical serviceable player. Joel made his MLB debut on April 13, 1976 and finished his MLB career on September 29, 1989 both in uniform for the Cincinnati Reds, this is not all that strange of course. During his career he played for the Reds (1976), the St. Louis Cardinals (1977), the New York Mets (1977-1982), Montreal Expos (1982), the San Francisco Giants (1983-1988) and again the Reds (1989). This 6-foot-tall, 180lbs, righted handed thrower and batter was predominantly an outfield, but also provided service at third base and handled pinch hitting duties. He had a career batting average of .265, hit 80 home runs and 422 runs batted in. He appeared in one All-Star Game in 1981 as the Mets only representative. After retiring, he served as a coach for several organizations and managed the Kane County Cougars, a Baltimore Orioles farm system team in the Midwest League in 1992. A nice baseball life.
 
Back to the strange occurrence, on August 4, 1982, Joel was playing for the Mets. He was playing centerfield and in the third inning, he hit a single driving in two runs against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in an afternoon game (this being prior to Wrigley having lights). The next inning, Mookie Wilson replaced him in centerfield, because Youngblood had been traded to the Montreal Expos. He quickly boarded a flight to Philadelphia to join the Expos who were playing the Phillies. He ended up hitting a seventh inning single. He is the only player in major league history to hit safely for two different teams, in two different cities. Not to mention, both pitchers he got his hits against were future Hall of Famers, Fergie Jenkins of the Cubs and Steve “Lefty” Carlton of the Phillies. Not a bad day.   
 
Ritchie Ashburn was a 5’10, 170lbs center fielder who threw right-handed and batted left-handed. Richie’s MLB debut was on April 20, 1948 and his last game was on September 30, 1962. His best years were the 12 seasons he spent with the Philadelphia Phillies, he played two years with the Chicago Cubs and endured the disastrous first season of the New York Mets and then retired. He was inducted into The Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. In his career he had a .308 batting average, 2,574 hits, 29 home runs and 586 runs batted in. Ritchie was a six-time All-Star, two-time National League Batting Champ, and led the National League in stolen bases in 1948. After retiring, he broadcasted for the Phillies until his death in 1997.
 
Side note: Ritchie was known for his dry humor. He said to Harry Kalas, his broadcasting partner, that one of his superstitions while playing was keeping his bats with him while he was hitting successfully; taking them home or to the hotel and sleeping with them as he didn’t trust the clubhouse guys to give him the same bat each game. Ashburn put it to Kalas that he had “slept with a lot of old bats” in his playing days. Classic line; but sorry, I digress.
 
On August 17, 1957, playing for the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium in a day game against the New York Giants, Ritchie, always a contact hitter fouled a ball into the stands that struck a spectator, Alice Roth, breaking her nose. She was the wife of the Philadelphia Bulletin’s sports editor, Earl Roth. Play was stopped as she was treated; when play resumed, Ashburn fouled off another ball and you guessed it, hit Alice while she was being carried off on a stretcher. The second foul did more damage, it broke a bone in poor Alice’s leg. What are the odds? Richie and Alice formed a friendship through this incident, though she began sitting in the outfield seats from then on.  Eventually the Roth’s grandson became a Phillies bat boy. By the way, the Phillies beat the Giants 3-1 as Ashburn went 2-4 with a double. 
 
More strange occurrences at a later date. What are some of the things you remember?
 
~ Coach Mike

"If anybody talks about a dead guy during a broadcast, I'll sack 'em. I'm sick of dead guys. Whenever I turn on baseball, all I hear about is dead guys. If I hear a name, I'm going to ask: 'Is he dead?' And if he is, you're fired." - Fox Sports President David Hill
 
Loss is personal to all of us. We each deal with a loss in different ways. I’m not speaking about losing a game, but of the passing of so many of our childhood heroes lately.
 
Ex-athletes die all the time, but I guess this year with the pandemic / shelter I‘ve noticed it more. Being an athlete, you know you only have so many years to play before your career is over. The better or star players get to decide “when to hang’em up.” The good, marginal or role players normally have their fate decided by a manager or general manager, perhaps by an injury; but any way you look at it, their careers will end.
 
Some end up staying in the game as a coach or manager at some level; some scout or work in the front office; while still others go into the radio or television booths. The majority go into some other walk of life. Almost all have wives, children, grandchildren. They live rich lives as do the rest of us. And in the end, they pass as we all will. 
 
How do you wrap your arms and minds around the passing of someone “famous” or that you looked up to as a youngster? You cheered for them, maybe got their autographs, made sure you watched them either in person or on tv every chance you got. If you were like me, had their baseball cards and would never trade them. They were bigger than life and brought you happiness and sorrow at various times. 
 
With the passing of Ed Farmer, which hit me very hard as I loved him as a player and his radio broadcasts of the White Sox. In quick succession, we then lost Al Kaline, Glenn Beckert and another White Sox player, Bart Johnson. Other players as the months passed. Then recently Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Jay Johnstone and Joe Morgan within weeks of one another. The list grew bigger. My research showed that to date we have lost 83 former players along with four former players that became managers. I don’t know how that compares with other years, but boy it sure seems excessive.
 
I must admit, I shed some tears, read the articles detailing their careers, quotes from their old teammates, remembered some of the stories about them or the times I saw them play. It took me back to a simpler time, a time when I didn’t have to work; it was just school, friends, playing, reading about and watching baseball. Thank goodness for YouTube and the ability to see some of those old plays that I re-called in my mind. I shared stories with my grown kids, friends and teammates on the 60+ team I played with this past summer. It felt good to reminisce, commiserate and to re-live those happy days.
 
Not all those who have passed this year were household names, many had just a season or two in the majors, the proverbial “cup of coffee”. But I was reminded of The Righteous Brother’s song, “Rock and Roll Heaven” and how “they’ve got a hell of a band”. Well 2020 has a hell of a baseball team in the “Field of Dreams.”
 
Below is the 2020 team I organized from the 83 deceased players; I added all four managers to the “coaching staff.” They are listed by name, years they played, the date they died and their positions. I also noted the six who were elected to the Hall of Fame. 
 
Starting Pitchers:
   Don Larson (1953-1967). 1-1-2020. Right-Handed SP
   Johnny Antonelli (1948-1961). 2-28-2020. Left-Handed SP
   Tom Seaver (1967-1986). 8-31-2020. Right-Handed SP. *HoF
   Bob Gibson (1959-1975). 10-2-2020. Right-Handed SP. *HoF
   Whitey Ford (1950-1967). 10-8-2020. Left-Handed SP. *HoF
 
Bullpen:
   Ed Farmer (1971-1983) 4-1-2020. Right-Handed RP
   Bart Johnson (1969-1977). 4-22-2020. Right-Handed P
   Mike McCormick (1956-1971). 6-13-2020. Left-Handed P
   Adrian Devine (1973-1980). 6-27-20. Right-Handed P
   Ron Perranoski (1961-1973) 10-2-2020. Left-Handed RP
 
Catchers:
   Ed FitzGerald (1948-1959). 6-14-2020. Catcher
   J.W. Porter - (1952-1959). 10-11-2020. Catcher
 
Infield:
   Tony Fernandez (1983-2001). 2-15-2020. Short Stop
   Glenn Beckert (1965-1975). 4-12-2020. 2nd Base
   Bob Oliver (1965-1975). 4-19-2020. 1st Base / Outfield
   Bob Watson (1966-1984). 5-14-2020. 1st Base / Left Field
   Tony Taylor (1958-1976). 7-16-2020. 2nd / 3rd / 1st Base
   Kim Batiste (1991-1996). 10-7-2020. 3rd / SS
   Joe Morgan (1963-1984). 10-11-2020. 2nd Base. *HoF 
 
Outfield:
   Jim Wynn (1963-1977). 3-26-2020. Center Fielder
   Al Kaline (1953-1974). 4-6-2020. Right Fielder. *HoF
   Claudell Washington (1974-1990). 6-10-2020. Outfielder
   Lou Brock (1961-1979). 9-6-2020. Left Fielder. *HoF
   Jay Johnstone (1966-1985). 9-26-2020. Center Fielder
   Lou Johnson (1960-1969). 9-30-2020. Center Fielder
 
Manager / Coaching Staff:
   Jim Frey (1980-1986). 4-12-2020.
   Bobby Winkles (1973-1978). 4-17-2020.
   Eddie Kasko (1970-1970). 6-24-2020.
   John McNamara (1969-1996). 7-28-2020. 
 
Thanks for being a part of the game, my childhood and for all the memories. May these players, the others and all who have passed this year Rest in Peace.
 
~ Coach Mike

Well, I did say we’d revisit this theme again and now seems like the perfect time. Hard to believe we lost two Hall of Fame pitchers within a week of one another. 

We lost Bob Gibson on October 2nd of this year to pancreatic cancer. He didn’t lose many decisions. In a post on July 13th I chronicled a couple of his “amazing stats”. Bob was a 6-foot 2 inch, 195lbs right-handed pitcher and batter who made is major league debut on April 15, 1959 and pitched his last game on September 3, 1975, all 17 years with the Saint Louis Cardinals. His career win / lose record was 251-174, Earned Run Average 2.91 and had a total of 3,117 Strike Outs.

He was a giving, caring, competitive man who during his playing career had to endure taunts and slights because of his race. He rose above these to achieve his deserved trip to Cooperstown as he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1981. He also left a great legacy as a human being.

Amazing Stat: In the last 40 seasons, there have been no players to do one of the following:

   -Pitch 300 or more innings
   -Have a sub-1.50 ERA
   -Throw 25+ complete games

Bob Gibson did all three in 1968 (304.2 IP, 1.12 ERA, 28 CG).

BONUS - Funny Bob Gibson Story: On September 3, 1975, in the 7th inning of his final MLB game, Bob gave a up a bases-load homer run to Peter LaCock who had never hit a “Grand Slam” in his career (even dating back to high school). He calmly got the next batter to ground out and Mike Wallace replaced Gibson pitching in the 8th. 15 years later in an “Old-Timers” game LaCock comes up to bat with Bob Feller pitching. Gibson leaves the bench replacing Feller and warms up. He drills LaCock with his first pitch. Apparently, Bob had a good memory! The two would also later coach together on the St. Louis Cardinals staff.

Rest in Peace Bob Gibson.
 
Edward “Whitey” Ford was a left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees. He was nicknamed “The Chairman of the Board”. He played in the majors from July 1, 1950 to May 21, 1967. He missed the 1951 and 52 seasons while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was 5’10 and weighted 178lbs. He also batted left-handed. He finished his career with 236 wins / 106 losses, a 2.75 Earned Run Average. In 498 games / 3170.1 Innings Pitched he compiled 1956 Strike Outs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. We lost Whitey on October 8th of this year at the age of 91.

Amazing Stat: In 1961 Whitey went 25-4. There were no stolen bases against him that year. But wait, in 1958, 1959 and 1964, he also allowed no stolen bases. In fact, in his career he only allowed 30 stolen bases total.

Rest in Peace Whitey Ford.

 
~ Coach Mike

​Sometimes a special moment occurs, and it’s not fully appreciated until much later. You look back and wish you would have captured each and every detail, perhaps had written it down immediately. You lament that your normally excellent memory failed, and question yourself, why then. You wish you could re-live the moment, not only to get back some of the details, but because it was never to happen again. I’m not sure if this event would qualify for everyone to include it in their file of these moments, but it’s one that has haunted and delighted me for years now.

My uncle Marty was a huge baseball fan. Loved the sport. He loved the game, players, stories and most of all to talk about it with like-minded people. Marty also had one of those sense of humors that not everyone understands, but for those who do, his comments could get you laughing uncontrollably until tears streamed down your face. I may have inherited some of that, but I truly appreciated his. He could talk “silliness” as he put it with the best.

I can’t tell you exactly when this event occurred, it had to have been prior to June of 2008 as that is when Mart passed away. I know it was between 2005 and 2008 because of the main character in this story playing with Milwaukee then, and I’m guessing it was 2005 or 06 as he was still very effective at the time. It also took place on a Sunday; I know that much. My cousin Tom, Mart’s oldest son was also in attendance, he and I agree on that and what follows, the rest is lost to time.

I was over at my uncle’s house watching baseball, as mentioned, it was a Sunday afternoon. He had the MLB Package, so he could watch any (and all) games and for some reason, we were watching the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s the 9th inning and in comes their closer, a right-handed pitcher named Derrick Turnbow to “save” the game. Now Derrick was an interesting looking guy. He was 6’3, 195lbs during his playing days. Pretty standard. He also had a slightly crooked, full nose, stringy long hair that tended to stick out of the sides of his baseball cap, with the help of some large protruding ears. And Marty says something to the effect of, “that has got to be the ugliest player I’ve seen in years”! I‘m sure I agreed and the game continued.

Well, Marty didn’t leave it at that, he goes on with and again I wasn’t writing this down, “you know who else is really ugly, the old relief pitcher from the Cubs, you know the guy with six fingers”? And I responded something like, “you mean, Antonio Alfonseca”, to which he agreed.

Well that was that, Marty now had to come up with his “All Ugly Team”. This is where things get dicey, because we started laughing. And of course, names are thrown around and some “make the team”, others, not so much. But we are having a grand ole time. Nothing is written down, but we laughed, threw out names, watched some of whatever game was put on after the Brewers and then would add someone else and laugh some more. Pure fun, no hostility meant by it, just silliness in the moment. I got home later that night and remember telling my son Michael about it and of course he and I laughed as well.

Well, time went on and Marty passed away from various cancers that ravaged his body and it just didn’t occur to me to ever bring it up again. But since he’s been gone, I think about it occasionally with many other glorious times I spent with him. Games we attended together, the baseball he taught me, life lessons and just all-around fun. I miss him dearly.

Since starting my blog writing again, this memory just kept coming back and I began to try and piece the “All Ugly Team” together. I reached out to several of my cousins, but only Tom recalled the “event” or any of the players. Michael confirmed some of these as well. So below is what we came up with:

Pitchers:
Derrick Turnbow
Antonio Alfonseca
Randy Johnson
Kelly Wunsch

Catcher:
Ron Karkovise

3rd Base:
Gary Gaetti

Outfield:
Willie McGee

No given Position:
Pete Rose (don't think the ban would affect his status in this lineup)

There may have been others; I really don’t recall if we came up with a full team that day or not. Again, this is not to cast dispersions on any of these players. They all had decent to very good careers. They were a part of an afternoon of fun, that has mostly stayed in my memory along with a man who helped develop my lifelong love of the game.

In the future, I will probably write about more “traditionally themed” all time teams, but this one had to be the first! Hope you enjoyed my trip down “memory lane” and if you have the chance, go ahead and build your own “team”.

~ Coach Mike