Blinded by the Shining Star of Fame

--"Show me a hero, and I'll write you a tragedy."--F. Scott Fitzgerald--

     In the wake of the Freeh Report regarding the events and the cover-up by the so called leaders at Penn State University, F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote has once again been proven to be true.  For decades at State College, Pennsylvania Joe Paterno was placed upon a pedestal that many considered to rival a God.  He was considered to be all that is good in not only football, but in competitive sports as a whole.  Little did everyone know how dangerous putting a mere mortal on such a huge platform could be.  Once a hero, now a great tragedy.

   The tragic stories of heroes expands far beyond the the boundaries of Central Pennsylvania and can be found in all sports, everywhere.  In baseball, who could forget Lenny Dykstra and "Charlie Hustle" with their regularly dirty uniforms, and equally dirty personal lives.  Then there were the young phenoms in Flushing, New York.  In the mid-1980's Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden seemed to be on the fast track to Cooperstown.  Young fans from all parts of the country dreamed of hitting towering homeruns like Strawberry, or firing a fastball by the league's best hitters, like Gooden.  Both players received Rookie of the Year honors, Strawberry in 1983 followed by Gooden in 1984, and then further captured the hearts of the entire city of New York by helping the Mets win the 1986 World Series over the Boston Red Sox.  The Championship trophy was presented to the heroes of New York that October evening, and the famous ticker-tape parade was planned.  When parade kicked off, however, one star player was absent from the festivities.  Dwight Gooden's world was in a tailspin at a drug dealers house, and he missed the entire celebration.  Thanks for coming out, sorry kids I couldn't make it.  Sorry?  Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry were only two of the many players on that 1986 team to have legal problems, but they were the young phenoms that threw away the prime of their careers because of drugs and alcohol. 

   Another New York icon guilty of compromising his raw talents during his career was the great Mickey Mantle.  A young star in the making who could run like the wind, track balls hit to the outfield, and hit towering homeruns resembling those hit by Babe Ruth.  A well deserving member of the Hall of Fame, Mantle captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere in the 1950's and 1960's.  The bright light of his shining star, however, blinded people from what was really going on beyond the playing field.  The late nights of alcohol abuse finally caught up with him and eventually cost him his life.  If Mantle would have been capable of staying away from the alcohol, it is difficult to imagine how many records he could still own today.  Nearly one month before he lost his final battle with cirrhosis and liver cancer, he met with the media to make peace with his many followers.  His swagger, and boyish enthusiasm was reduced to a frail, old shell of what was once a divine example of every young baseball fan's dream.  Regardless, he faced the crowd and stated:  "This is a role model.  Don't be like me."

  Mickey Mantle might have been speaking for himself when he made that statement in July of 1995 but it should hold true for most athletes and celebrities.  Children today need to realize that athletes and celebrities are human, and the price of fame is sometimes a recipe for disaster.  Lenny Dykstra, Pete Rose, "Doc" Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Mickey Mantle, Joe Paterno, Elvis Presley, Charlie Sheen; the list keeps going and sadly new names are frequently added.  A hero for a day? Yes. A lifetime of memories? Perhaps. A role model for the youth of America?  Try Mom and Dad because  as F. Scott Fitzgerald once said;  "Show me a hero, and I'll write you a tragedy."

  

  

A Chance to See the All-Stars of Tomorrow--Today

   June 8, 2003--This day was just like any other warm, lazy Sunday afternoon.  The sun was shining, and children all over were looking forward to the conclusion of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation.  On this particular Sunday in early June, however, the fans at First Energy Park in Lakewood, New Jersey were treated to a contest that featured two future Major League All-Stars.  The Lakewood Blue Claws hosted the Hagerstown Suns, and the pitching matchup for game 1 of the doubleheader was Cole Hamels verses Matt Cain.  Both pitchers were just young prospects for their respective organizations and most of the fans in attendance probably didn't even realize who they were seeing that afternoon, but hindsight being 20/20 this was and still is a classic matchup between two of the most dominating pitchers in the game today.  Hamels put on a brilliant pitching display that day going 7 innings, and striking out 13 on the way to a 3-0 Blueclaws victory, but Cain was also on his way to becoming a star in the game.
  October 19, 2010--This was Game 3 of the NLCS, and the fans in attendance that afternoon in San Francisco knew exactly who they were seeing.  By then Cole Hamels had a ring and a World Series MVP to his credit, and Matt Cain was an All-Star.  It's strange how baseball sometimes has a way of connecting different moments in time because on that cool October day it was Cain that outshined Hamels by pitching 7 innings and only giving up 2 hits in a 3-0 Giants win.  This gave the Giants a 2 games to 1 lead in the series that they would eventually win, and a couple of weeks later it would be Cain holding the World Series Trophy just like Hamels did two years prior. 
   This season both pitchers are now veterans in their prime and probably don't even remember that afternoon 9 years ago in Lakewood, New Jersey.  Cole Hamels is ranked second in the Major Leagues with 9 wins, and Matt Cain just this week became the first Giant and only the 22nd pitcher in Major League history to toss a perfect game.  It was perfect, and arguably the greatest game ever pitched by anyone in the long, rich history of The National Pastime.  Cain faced 27 batters and struck out 14 in front of 42,298 fans at San Francisco's AT&T Park. 
   From Lakewood, New Jersey to San Jose, California and all places in between, Minor League Baseball games are being played by young ballplayers with dreams of someday playing in a Major League ballpark.  For the price of a ticket being only a fraction of the cost to attend a Major League game, a fan might get the opportunity to see a future All-Star play.  The stadiums are smaller and there rarely is a bad seat to catch a game and see the players up close.  Just like the many people in attendance on that Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, a fan might be treated to a special preview of Major League talent before they reach the big show and will be able to boast for years about the time when they, "saw that guy and knew he was going to be great."  

  

The Dugout

   On each side of the field, in foul territory are the areas designated for the teams personnel called the dugout.  Although for a fan watching the game these areas of the ballpark go almost unnoticed, but for the players, managers, coaches, and other members of a ball club this is one of the most important places on the field.   For the team, the dugout is the information hub that provides the keys to winning a game.  The managers and coaches send in signs to the the field, and the players can talk about game strategy without the opposing team listening in or reading their lips.  The equipment is stored there and some of the most important people, the trainers, are there to provide treatment at a moment's notice for all of the dings and scrapes that the long baseball season produces. 
   The dugout was originally designed just like many of the high school and college dugouts today.  They were located in foul territory and consisted of a bench at same level as the playing field.  As professional baseball gained popularity, however, there was a need to build bigger stadiums with more seating to accommodate the fans.  The dugouts were changed and now featured a bench area with walls and concrete steps that were located below the playing surface.  This allowed seats to be placed behind the dugout without obstructing the fans view of home plate.  The fans could now purchase seats close to the field and the team personnel had their own private area away from them to concentrate on the game being played.  Most professional dugouts now also feature a tunnel that leads to the home and away clubhouses; which is perfect for those times when a temper tantrum is necessary, or when the Tigers are locked into a tight game and Jim Leyland just needs that puff of a Marlboro to calm his nerves.  The dugout serves as a place where only the members a special fraternity of people lucky enough to be associated with a big league club are welcome, and also provides a much needed shelter from the fans and cameras.  The Official Rules of Major League Baseball supports this, stating that "no one except players, substitutes, managers, coaches, trainers and bat boys shall occupy a bench during a game." (MLB Rule 3.17) 
   A fan attending a game might notice that in some stadiums the home team's dugout is located on the first base side, and in others it is on the third base side.  There are no rules against which dugout is designated for the home or away team so it is the choice of the home franchise to decide which dugout they will occupy.  More of the Major League ballparks feature the home dugout on the first base side, and the reason for this might be because most of the close plays take place at first base and the manager will get a better view of the play.  As stated earlier this is completely the preference of the home club and the choice might also have to do with which side simply has the better clubhouse.  Whatever the reason, the dugout or bench serves the same purpose and what occurs there has provided enough stories to fill books.  It is the place where the players can relax and be themselves without the pressure of being under the microscope of cameras and fans like they are when on the field of play.  For the fans, the dugout serves as the place that houses their heroes, the focal point until the home team takes the field and it is time to "Play Ball!"  The legendary stories from the dugout provides hours of entertainment to be discussed throughout time.  From Roger McDowell's hot foot and Turk Wendell brushing his teeth between innings, to Bobby Valentine's moustache disguise and the famous fight between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson in Fenway, the dugout serves as the starting location where the game takes on a personality all its own. 

Jaime Moyer: Recording Another One For The Old Timers.

   Jaime Moyer of the Colorado Rockies is continuing to prove that age is just a number.  Earlier this season Moyer became the oldest pitcher in Major League history to win a game, and last night he became the oldest player to record an RBI.  In the fourth inning of yesterdays game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies Jamie Moyer tapped a slow roller toward first base and hustled to beat the diving first baseman to the bag.  As a result of his hustle two runs crossed the plate and Moyer was credited with two RBI's.  The Rockies went on to win the game by a score of 6 to 1 as he earned his second win of the season.  At 49 years old, Moyer continues to beat the odds and the opposing teams with a fastball that barely reaches 80 m.p.h.  He changes the break on the ball and the pitch locations so well that good hitters half his age are confused when they face him.  Besides knowing how to get big league hitters out, Moyer knows how to play the game.  He puts in the work to keep himself in shape, studies the opposition, and as he displayed yesterday, hustles and never gives up when he's on the field.  Congratulations to Jamie Moyer as he continues to set records, and who knows next season he might have the opportunity to break some of his own records becoming the only 50 year-old to win a game in the Major Leagues. 

Where is the Fight in The Fightin' Phils?

   The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies started the season with so much hope even though they were without Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.  The defending National League East Champions for five consecutive years are now quickly becoming the longshots to win it again, and they are learning just how much Utley and Howard are essential to the success of the team.  On Wednesday, the New York Mets finished off a three game sweep of the Phillies in front of the 233rd consecutive sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park, and to make matters worse this was the first time that the Phils were swept in a three game series by the Mets at home since 2006.  In the three games, the Phillies scored a total of 12 runs on 33 hits but late in the game the relief pitching, defense, and situational hitting were horrible.  Whether it was Jonathan Papelbon giving up a three run homer in the ninth to a rookie that was just added to the Mets roster that evening, Pete Orr throwing away game 2, Kyle Kendrick not being able to protect a two run lead, or Hunter Pence dropping a routine fly ball in right, the Phillies have found a way to embarrass themselves in front of 43,000+ each night. 
   Ryan Howard's 30 to 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI's, and Chase Utley's defense and take control presence in the clubhouse are keys that have been missed this season, however it is starting to look like the Phillies problems run much deeper than that.  They still have arguably the best starting staff in the big leagues with Halladay, Hamels, Lee, Worley, and Blanton but without a bullpen that can hold a lead to get to Papelbon the good work of the starters continue to go unrecognized.  It is doubtful that Chase Utley would have thrown the ball away like Orr did on Tuesday, but the all around lack of fundamental baseball at the plate, and in the field cannot be fixed by one or two players.  It has to be a group effort to turn this sinking ship of a season around, and without their captain in the clubhouse Charlie Manuel has to light the fire all on his own.  Manuel did say that he spoke to the team after the third loss to the Mets, and it was probably a less than gracious speech delivered by the skipper to let his team know exactly what he thought about their play.  If things don't get fixed, and soon, the Phillies are going to be in for more trouble than they want, and the franchise could be set back for years.  Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee both signed with the Phillies for a chance to win a ring before their great careers are over, and Cole Hamels will be looking to sign a long-term contract soon.  What incentives do these players have to remain with the team if the losing continues?  Yes, it is still May, and Howard and Utley are due back at some point, and hopefully soon, but if the losing continues the message to those guys might be to take your time and look forward to the future.  Not that the Phillies should throw in the towel this early, but if they keep playing the kind of baseball that they have been, the recent powerhouse team that was built is going to turn into the empty, 700 level, Veterans Stadium team of years past.  Just like Tug McGraw once said, "Ya Gotta Believe", and for the frustrated Phillies fans this statement is true because its "gotta" get better than this.

Phillies vs. Nats: Round 1

   ESPN, Sunday Night Baseball, prime time for the 19-year-old Bryce Harper.  The nation tuned in yesterday to see the defending National League East Champion Philadelphia Phillies face off against the first place Washington Nationals with their new "Natitude".  The stage was set for a classic matchup in the first inning when Harper stepped to the plate to face the veteran left hander Cole Hamels.  With Harper crowding the plate, the first offering was a 93 mph fastball that was, admitted later by Hamels himself, aimed for the ribcage of the Nationals phenom.  Harper brushed it off then proceeded to be a "pain" for the Phillies on the basepaths.  First, he advanced all the way to third on a Jayson Werth single to left, then he followed that by recording his first stolen base of his young career by swiping home when Cole Hamels threw over to first keeping Werth close.  A couple of innings later the Washington pitcher returned the favor, and hit Cole Hamels in the ankle with the first pitch forcing the home plate umpire to warn both dugouts.  The Phillies went on to win the ballgame 9-3, but the rivalry was bumped up a notch as a result of what took place early in the game.
   After the game Hamels admitted to hitting Harper on purpose stating, "oh yeah, that's baseball".  Hamels hit their guy, then two innings later he gets hit.  That's the way that the game is meant to be played at the highest level.  There were no bench-clearing brawls, and no glaring looks back at the pitcher, both players just took their base and went on playing the game.  Bryce Harper went 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored, and Hamels pitched 8 brilliant innings to record his fourth win of the season.  The game was a classic example of two throwback players competing at the highest level with the same intensity displayed by the players of baseball's past.  Harper responded to Hamels by stating: "He's a great pitcher and a great guy."
   Hamels admitting that he hit Harper on purpose prompted the Nationals General Manager, Mike Rizzo, to call him "fake tough", and wants a suspension for the "classless and gutless" act.  Maybe Mr. Rizzo was asleep or getting another hot dog in the bottom of the first because that would explain his comments.  Didn't he witness Harper getting hit in the back and not in the head?  Didn't he witness Harper racing from first to third on a single to left then scoring the first run of the game by stealing home?   Hamels pointed out in his postgame interview that it was just a 'Welcome to the big leagues' message.  Bryce Harper understands that it is part of the game, so why does a GM watching the game from his luxury box have such a problem with it? 
   Cole Hamels will probably receive an unfair suspension for his postgame comments, but it has definitely sparked a rivalry that the Commissioners Office will never admit to being a good thing for the game.  Yesterday's incident might have even lit the fire that the Phillies have been searching for since the 2012 season started.  A pitcher throwing inside, and brushing back a hitter is as much a part of the game as a hard slide to break up a double play.  Pitchers such as Early Wynn, Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, and Sal Maglie had great careers pitching inside to hitters, and it is unfair to the pitchers today not to be able to do the same.  Sal Maglie, nicknamed "The Barber", and not because he cut hair in the off-season once said: "When I'm pitching, I figure that plate is mine, and I don't like anybody getting too close to it."

Bryce Harper:Coming to a Ballpark Near You

   The future of Major League Baseball has arrived.  On Saturday April 28, 2012 Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals made his Major League debut against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. In his first game he was 1 for 3 with a double, made a strong throw from left field, and had a sacrifice fly in the ninth to temporarily put his team ahead by one.  The Nationals eventually lost the game 4-3 when Matt Kemp of the Dodgers crushed the game winner to lead off the bottom of the tenth inning, but finally baseball fans all over the country were able see the phenom on the biggest stage.  Since then he has collected four more hits and showed off his arm once again against the Diamondbacks.  The replay suggested that the runner was out at the plate but the umpire saw it differently.  Maybe in a few years when this rookie becomes a superstar in the league those close calls will start to go his way.
   Bryce Harper has all of the tools to become a star in the Major Leagues.  In just a small sampling of games to display his many talents, he has proven that he belongs there.  He can hit in pressure situations, and his arm in the outfield brings back memories of Clemente.  Before the game on Saturday, Harper was seen signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, and the high socks with the almost completely phased out stirrups is a touch that is hardly seen in the game today.  In fact, one of the few Major Leaguers to still wear the stirrups as part of his uniform is 49 year old Jaime Moyer, who made his big league debut six years before Harper was even born.  This season Moyer became the oldest pitcher ever to win a game in the Major Leagues, and it will be an interesting day when the oldest player faces the youngest.  Bryce Harper's obvious appreciation for the game was displayed when the television broadcast showed him looking around Dodger Stadium in between innings in awe of his surroundings.   This wasn't even a home game for him, but the viewers at home could definitely feel his appreciation of the surroundings.  He was like a fan taking in his first game at a big league ballpark, except for this fan was 1 for 3 with a double and a go-ahead RBI in the ninth.  That day wasn't about the money, it was obvious from this young man's eyes that he appreciated the moment and his natural abilities outshined his nerves. 
   The fans that were in attendance at Dodger Stadium were lucky to witness what they saw.  Even though they booed Harper each time that he approached the plate, those same fans will be telling their grandchildren about the time when they saw him make his Major League debut.  Just like Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson said to Baseball Illustrated in 1975;  "Fans don't boo nobodies."  Bryce Harper is far from a nobody, and if he could stay away from a major injury fans will be visiting a plaque in Cooperstown for the first Washington National inducted.   Los Angeles, California will be where it all began for a 19 year-old phenom with the power and speed of Mantle and the arm of Clemente.  Hollywood tried to be the start of a great story, and provide the backdrop for Bryce Harper to drive in the winning run in his first game, but the baseball "Gods" sense that a rookie has to wait his turn.  

Just Give the Kid a Ball!

      In the game of baseball there are certain unwritten rules that the players follow.  A certain etiquette that makes the game great and provides added respect and admiration for the men on the field.  Whether they win or lose they can say that they played the game the way that it was meant to be played, and can hold their heads high knowing this.  The same is true for the fans when they purchase a ticket and attend a game.  They are also subjected to a set of unwritten rules that the "true" fans of the game would follow.  Some examples of these rules include but are not limited to; not interfering with the game being played, not heckling the players about their personal lives, and older fans giving  a ball tossed into the stands to a crying toddler sitting next to them.  The last rule mentioned seems like common sense to most adults, but sadly common sense is not very common in this world that we live in.
   During the eighth inning of Wednesday's game between the Yankees and Rangers a foul ball was picked up by Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland and tossed into the stands toward a young fan in an adult's arms.  The ball landed on the ground and was scooped up by the fan sitting next to them.  Instead of giving the ball to the child he handed it to the woman sitting to his right.  This prompted the young fan to burst into tears when he realized that the ball was not going to be his.  Then the seemingly innocent story became worse.  The fan with the souvenir ball simply ignored the crying child and proceeded to take photos of his lady friend with the ball.  Michael Kay, the Yankees play-by-play announcer became understandably angry at what he had just witnessed and even pointed out the total lack of compassion to the viewers at home.  Kay used the descriptive words awful, cold, and oblivious to describe what was happening.  Then someone from the Texas dugout saw the child crying and tossed another ball into the stands which immediately put a smile on his face.  As this was happening, however, the couple next to them leaned in to kiss each other completely oblivious to what was going on.
   The story ended well for the crying child because he too went home with a souvenir, but what about the adults sitting next to him.  They didn't break any posted stadium rules, but morally they should be ashamed of themselves.  As was stated earlier there are certain unwritten rules that are associated with attending a ballgame, and if there was a kangaroo court for fans these two people would without doubt be found guilty and fined.  Just give the kid a ball!  When Moreland tossed the ball into the stands it was probably meant for the child anyway, as is usually the case when players look into the stands for someone to give a ball to.  Getting a baseball at a ballgame is understandably an exciting experience but the fact that these adults didn't feel even a little obligated to share that experience with a child is just ridiculous and selfish.  That would make the child's night, and he would walk away from that game with a memory that will last forever.  The two fans felt the need to, as Michael Kay pointed out, actually rub it in the kids face by taking pictures and laughing as the child looked on and cried. 
   To be fair to the couple, however, they stated that they were just caught up in the moment and even took the time to speak to the adults with the toddler.  They said that they have children of their own and would never do anything to intentionally hurt a child.  It is certainly understandable to be caught up in the moment, but how could someone be that "caught up" to completely ignore the situation.  I would hate to be driving next to these people the next time that they get "caught up" in a moment because I might just end up in a ditch.

The Cursed Cubs

   This weekend the Chicago Cubs will face the Phillies for a four game series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.  For a team so rich in history, "The North Siders" haven't won a championship since 1908 and haven't even appeared in a Fall Classic since 1945.  This is currently the longest drought in Major League Baseball, but the loyal army of fans still don their blue caps with the red "c" each season in hopes that this will be the year to witness something that so many lifelong Cubs fans have died waiting for.  Year after year however, "The Lovable Losers" have found a way to live up to their nickname and leave grown men crying into their frosted mugs of Old Style brew.  Each October they reluctantly accept their fate and gather at Harry Caray's to watch some other team represent the National League in the World Series.  Cubs fans have been through a lot, and the stories of Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Harry Caray, Ryan Sandberg, and a kid named Steve Bartman are enough to last until the snow melts and the ivy is once again green on the brick walls at Wrigley.  The warmth of spring is usually a sign of new beginnings, but on the North Side of Chicago the beginning of spring signifies another season of skeptical hope and the feelings that they are rooting for a cursed team. 
  A cursed team is the only way to explain the years of bad luck that has haunted the Cubs.  It all started in 1945, the last World Series appearance for the club, and is known as the Curse of Billy Goat.  That season, the Cubs played the Detroit Tigers in the Series, and Billy Sianis the owner of Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago purchased two tickets for Game 4 at Wrigley Field.  The Cubs were leading the Series 2 games to 1, and Billy took his goat to the game for good luck.  The ushers at the gate, however, did not grant the goat entrance to the stadium, and this prompted Billy to protest the decision to the team owner P.K. Wrigley.  Wrigley's response to the complaint was to let Billy in but not the goat.  When Billy asked why not the goat, Wrigley's answer was because the goat stinks and he didn't want to bother the other fans.  This upset Billy and he stated "The Cubs ain't gonna win no more.  The Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field."  The Tigers went on to defeat the Cubs 4 games to 3 and the Curse of Billy Goat was set.  This change of luck inspired the tavern owner to send a telegram to P.K. Wrigley stating, "Who stinks now?"
   There have been many attempts to break the curse set in 1945, but as of now the Curse of Billy Goat still casts a dark shadow over "The Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field.  Other curses in the game have been lifted such as The Curse of the Bambino in Boston, but the Chicago Cubs still remain "The Lovable Losers".  The fans are still waiting for that moment in October for the white flag with the blue 'W'  to be raised, and instead of crying because of sadness the "Bleacher Bums" can celebrate together and sing "Go, Cubs, Go!" as the Curse of Billy Goat is reversed forever.

Unique Home Run Features at the Ballpark

   On Sunday afternoon, Omar Infante of the Miami Marlins smashed a J.A. Happ fastball over the left-field fence in the second inning.  Not only was this the first home run ever hit at the new Marlins Park, but it was with that blast that the huge, multi-colored sculpture in the outfield was put into motion for the first time.  As Infante circled the bases, the sculpture in center field was "lit-up" like the J.A. Happ fastball down the middle of the plate.  Marlins leaped, seagulls flew, fountains sprayed water into the air, and lights flashed, all in a manner that would make Dock Ellis proud.  It was an impressive display, and one that the Marlins fans only had to wait until the eighth inning to witness again.
   The home run display brings back memories of the first "exploding" scoreboard that was introduced in 1960 by the Chicago White Sox.  When a White Sox player hit a home run, the scoreboard would light up, pinwheels would spin and the fireworks display would sometimes be more amusing for the fans than the actual home run.  This was the beginning of the home run displays in Major League Baseball and it was all thanks to the ultimate entertainer in the game, Bill Veeck.  In Milwaukee, the Brewers mascot Bernie Brewer would slide down a twisted yellow slide into a huge beer mug to celebrate home runs.  Today, the beer mug has been replaced with a platform in the shape of home plate, but Bernie can still be seen above the bleachers in left field cheering for the hometown Brewers.
   The New York Mets introduced the huge, red apple in 1980 at Shea Stadium.  The apple with the Mets logo in the center would light up and rise out of a magicians hat inscribed with "HOME RUN" in white block letters.  Today, the Mets call Citi Field home but the home run apple is still a part of the Mets' celebrations.  Located in center field, the magicians hat has become part of the history of Shea Stadium, but the apple is much larger and still includes the Mets logo in the center.
   Then there is the home run train in Houston that runs along a track on top of the outside wall in left,  the illuminated Liberty Bell at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and even the "old-fashioned" idea of fireworks that remains a staple for celebrations throughout the league.  From Bill Veeck's original "exploding" scoreboard in Chicago to the Marlins colorful sculpture in Florida, the idea of putting on a show for the fans remains the same.  As stated by Veeck himself:  "We can't always guarantee the ballgame is going to be good, but we can guarantee the fan will have fun." 

Ozzie Guillen: Leave Politics to the Politicians

   Ozzie Guillen, the outspoken manager of the Miami Marlins, was suspended for five games yesterday for the comments that he made regarding Fidel Castro.  Guillen stated to Time Magazine that he loves and respects Castro for his ability to stay in power for so long.  This understandably upset many people in Miami, and especially in the neighborhood of Little Havana.  When the Miami Marlins hired Guillen last September they thought that he would be a perfect fit and relate to the Spanish population in that area.  They opened a brand new, $515 million stadium this season, and Guillen was their guy to attract people to fill the stands.  This all backfired last week when the Time Magazine article became available, and Guillen's notoriously outspoken personality stirred the community into a frenzy.  Now there are protesters, boycotts planned, and even the Mayor of Miami-Dade, Carlos Gimenez, has told the Marlins "to take decisive steps" to extinguish the fire started when Ozzie Guillen struck the match. 
   Ozzie Guillen, born in Venezuela and now residing in Miami, will have a very difficult time surviving this disaster.  He has upset an entire community whose support is essential to the success of the Miami Marlins Baseball Club.  The front office that hired Guillen has done everything possible to generate passion, and excitement for baseball in South Florida and counted on their manager to put all of the pieces together.  Now, the season is hardly a week old and they are forced to suspend their manager only to buy time and see what the next form of action will be.  If the animosity doesn't settle down around Little Havana, the Marlins will have no choice but to terminate Guillen and hope that it will be enough to satisfy the fans at ticket windows. 
   Guillen has always been a very outspoken, and energetic personality in the game.  He says what he wants, and never seems to mind the consequences.  This all changed recently, and Guillen appeared obviously upset and embarrassed when he addressed the media at Marlins Park yesterday.  His teary-eyed apology seemed sincere, and he stated that he will never talk about politics again.  Why is a lifelong baseball man talking politics to the media in the first place?  In Guillen's case, the combination of such a sensitive subject along with the broken translation from Spanish to English is a sure disaster waiting to happen. When people buy Time Magazine they aren't checking the week in sports, and similarly readers of Baseball Digest aren't looking for world news.  To many fans of the game, Ozzie Guillen's political views are less intriguing than his starting lineup for that nights game. Athletes in general should learn to leave their views on sensitive subjects, such as religion and politics, away from the media because it rarely turns into a good situation for all involved.  Although Ozzie Guillen's comments were out of line and wrong for a high profile celebrity, would they create such a stir if he was managing anywhere other than in Miami, Florida?  A five game suspension is a good start to rebuild the relationship between the community and the Miami Marlins, but once that is over Ozzie Guillen needs to go back to what he has always known.  Time will tell, but if  the community can find a way to forgive Guillen, he can go back to being a fun-loving baseball personality, and the manager experienced enough to lead the Marlins into the playoffs this year.

A Piece of Baseball History on Display Today

   When fans, either on television or at the ballpark, watch a game most of their attention is centered on the pitcher's mound, or at home plate.  The dirt mound at the center of the infield, and the area of dirt where home plate is located are the places in the field that gets everything started.  The game pauses momentarily until the pitcher hurls the ball toward the plate, the batter connects, and all of a sudden everyone on the diamond springs into motion.  Bases are being covered, positions are being backed up, and when that play is over the ball is returned and the fans anxiously watch for the pitcher to start it again.  In Detroit and Arizona, however, fans might notice something different in the infield.  Connecting the bottom of the pitchers mound and the cutout at home plate is a strip of dirt.  Although this was common in the past, and especially in the 19th Century, the only two stadiums in the Major Leagues currently with this feature are Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Comerica Park in Detroit.
   The dirt cutout in the infield, known as a "keyhole" for its shape, was common in 19th Century baseball.  In the 1800's the game of baseball was in the beginning stages and often played on cricket fields.  On a cricket field the central point of action is called the pitch.  This is a clay or dirt strip in the center of the field where the "bowler" and the "batsman" face eachother in a fashion similar to baseball.  The concept of the dirt strip between the pitcher and batter probably just remained part of the early stages of the game as newer stadiums were built. 
  As the game evolved into the 20th Century another theory for the "keyhole" was to protect the high traffic area of the diamond.  As stated earlier the pitcher's mound and home plate area are the focal points during a game, and most of the action occurs there.  In the early 1900's teams had limited funds to pay the players, run the team, and keep the field presentable to the fans.  The dirt strip eliminated the grass from getting worn out during the long season that included many visits to talk with the pitcher, and the fielding of many bunts, as was common during baseball's "Dead Ball Era".  Today groundskeepers are paid a lot of money, and operate advanced machinery to make a professional field look perfect.  The teams have more money to spend, and some ballparks even use artificial turf for the playing surface.
   By 1960, the dirt strip known as a "keyhole" was phased out and became part of the history of  Major League Baseball.  Then, beginning in 1992 with Camden Yards in Baltimore, new stadium designs included features from the past ballparks.  This "retro" look and feel is the reason for the dirt strip in Detroit and Arizona.  It was part of the design of Comerica Park and Chase Field to pay tribute to the throwback diamonds of a different era.  The next time that you catch a game from Arizona or Detroit take notice of the dirt strip between the pitcher's mound and home plate, because this is a piece of baseball's past resurfacing in the game today.

Farewell to One of South Amboy's Heroes

   On Monday, the close knit community of South Amboy, New Jersey lost one of their heroes.  Allie Clark, the two time World Series Champion with the Yankees and Indians passed away at the age of 88.  Clark played seven seasons in the big leagues between 1947 and 1953 with four different teams, and was a career .262 hitter during Baseball's Golden Era.   He was the first Major League baseball player from the City of South Amboy that also produced Ed and Johnny O'Brien, Jack McKeon, and Tom Kelly.  Allie Clark played in the 1947 World Series with the New York Yankees, and in Game 7 he collected an RBI as a pinch hitter for Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra.  The next season he was traded to the Cleveland Indians, which made him one of the last players ever to wear number 3 for the Yankees, and once again found himself in the Fall Classic.  Even with two World Series rings Allie Clark never forgot the place where it all began for him, and would return to South Amboy where he worked as an iron worker in the off season.  After his playing career, Clark remained in South Amboy and could always be found at Mass on Sunday at St. Mary's Church.
   Growing up in South Amboy, I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Clark, on many occasions.  He was very accommodating and always took the time to talk with me and ask how I'm doing.  One of my best memories, since I became a fan of the game, was when I was 12-years-old.  I wrote Mr. Clark a letter asking for his autograph, and a couple of weeks later I was at the library when his wife presented me with an envelope that included two 8x10 pictures and a baseball card.  One of the pictures was a team photo of the 1947 New York Yankees, and the other was a picture of him with the Cleveland Indians that I have framed in my living room.  This was a great thrill for me and I ran as fast as I could to get home and show my parents the pieces of memorabilia that I was lucky enough to have in my possession.  I wrote him another letter to thank him, and included tickets to the South Amboy Little Fellas awards picnic.  When he arrived at the picnic, I had the opportunity to thank him in person and get my picture taken with the great hometown hero.
   In the city that spans just over 1 square mile, Allie Clark will always be a hero to those who had the opportunity to meet him.  He is inducted into the Cardinal McCarrick High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the youth fields near the bay are appropriately named the Allie Clark Sports Complex.   He was a steady ballplayer for seven seasons divided between the Yankees, Indians, Athletics, and White Sox and his teammates included such names as Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Larry Doby, and Bob Feller just to name a few.   Clark was one of the few players in the game to win two consecutive World Series Championships with two different teams but never forgot about his hometown where he lived his entire life. 
   On April 14, 2012 the Allie Clark Sports Complex will host the Opening Day ceremonies for the South Amboy Youth Baseball League.  Maybe that day will be the start of another young players journey to the big leagues, and follow in the footsteps of the great baseball players from South Amboy that was started by the man the fields are named after.  Perhaps, for Mr. Clark he will be playing ball somewhere again too.  On a field where there are no rainouts, Bob Feller is throwing 100 m.p.h. again,  DiMaggio's streak never ends, and Allie Clark is tracking down flyballs in right wearing the Yankee pinstripes.

Happy 20th: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

   This season will mark the 20th anniversary for the beautiful Camden Yards, nestled in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland.  Minutes from the Inner Harbor this stadium has been the home of the Baltimore Orioles since April 6, 1992.  Camden Yards is considered to be the first of the retro-classic ballparks, and has served as an inspiration for the designs of many other stadiums being used today.  Camden Yards incorporates a majestic view of the Baltimore skyline along with one of the most noticeable features of any stadium in baseball, The old B&O Warehouse. 
   The warehouse was completed in 1905, and is the longest brick building on the East Coast. Built next to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Camden Station, and Eutaw Street the 8 story warehouse stored over 1,000 boxcars full of merchandise.  It has been described as a classic turn of the century railroad warehouse, and was used by the B&O Railroad until the 1970's.  By then, however, newer more convenient warehouses were built, and the railroads were being replaced by trucks as the main form of shipping in the country.  The abandoned warehouse was saved and renovated, except for a small section that was removed, to be incorporated as part of the ballpark.  Today, the historic B&O Warehouse is the location for the Orioles front office, a private club for the team, the Orioles team shop and ticket offices, and even a banquet facility that hosts weddings and other events.  It stands 432 feet from home plate and provides the backdrop for the right side of the stadium.
   When the "classic turn of the century" railroad warehouse was built nobody would even dream that it would become the most noticeable ballpark feature in Major League Baseball.  When fans stroll along Eutaw Street, located between the outfield stands and the warehouse, bronze plaques can be seen positioned where home runs have landed since 1992.  The plaques look like a baseball with the players name, team, date, and distance of the shot that reached Eutaw Street.  There is only one plaque mounted on the warehouse wall, however, and it contains the name of Ken Griffey Jr.  During the 1993 All-Star Home Run Derby, Junior drove the ball 445' and became the one and only player to this point to hit the warehouse on a fly.  Besides the plaques, Eutaw Street provides the fans with many choices of food, beverages, and souvenirs.  Included is Boog's BBQ, owned by All-Star first baseman, and 1970 American League MVP, Boog Powell.  During many Orioles home games lucky fans will even get the opportunity to meet this great player and get his autograph. 
   Oriole Park at Camden Yards was the first stadium to break away from the designs of the cookie-cutter parks of the 1970's and 1980's.  Although it has never hosted a World Series game, this park has been featured in movies including Major League II. It was also the place where Cal Ripken Jr. became the "Iron Man" of baseball, surpassing Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak in 1995.  During that record setting year for Cal Ripken Jr., a banner was placed on the warehouse and counted down the games until the record was broken.  Scenic Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland continues to be one of baseball's most treasured diamonds.  With the conveniences of today combined with the aura of the historical ballparks of the past, fans who get the opportunity to see a game there are in for a real treat, and an experience that will not soon be forgotten.

Opening Day 2012.....Where?

   The 2012 Major League Baseball regular season kicked off this morning at 3:09 a.m. on the west coast.  The game wasn't played in Cincinnati, home of professional baseball's oldest team, it wasn't played in the Nations Capital or in "The Birthplace of America", the opening of the 2012 season was hosted in Tokyo, Japan.  This marked the fourth time in the history of baseball that the season opener was held in Japan, and those fans who were sleeping missed out on a 11 inning nail-biter between the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners.  Major League Baseball is becoming more of a global game, but it will always be America's "National Pastime".  Somewhere the game is benefiting from doing this otherwise it would not happen, but it doesn't make sense to hold opening day in another country between two west coast teams when it is the middle of the night in those markets back home. 
   The game itself was a classic pitcher's duel with the game knotted up at 1 until the Mariners went ahead in the 11th inning.  Ichiro Suzuki thrilled the Japanese crowd by going 4 for 5 with an RBI, and this game was the much anticipated debut for Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.  The Cuban born Cespedes collected his first Major League hit in the game, and most of the baseball fans in America were still asleep. 
   If Major League Baseball wanted to showcase games in Japan they should have played strictly exhibition games and left the regular season alone.  Instead, after the Mariners and A's play two regular season games they will return home to continue their spring schedule before playing the rest of the regular season.  Furthermore, the home fans of these teams are missing out on opening day at their ballparks. Opening day is one of those occasions in the game that makes baseball so special.  It marks a day where every team is in first place and every fan has high hopes that this will be their year.  Opening the season in a foreign country is just ridiculous, and proves that baseball is trying too hard to incorporate the whole world while at the same time cheating the fans that made the game "The National Pastime".  Tomorrow morning the A's and Mariners will play game two of the regular season, and if anyone is interested they will have to be awake at 2:10 a.m. on the west coast and 5:10 a.m. in the east.  Baseball fans that want to watch this contest might be forced to call out from work, assuming that they are lucky enough to still have a job with the increasing rates of manufacturing jobs also being sent overseas.

The Quotable Side of the Game

These quotes come from the Hall of Fame player and manager,  Leo "The Lip" Durocher.  Durocher, being the ultimate competitor, made the line, "Nice guys finish last" famous. These are other quotes of his that demonstrated just how badly he wanted to win at all costs.

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom, but nobody beats me.'" "I never did anything I didn't try to beat you at.  If I pitch pennies I want to beat you.  If I'm spitting at a crack in the sidewalk I want to beat you." --This is from Durocher's book Nice Guys Finish Last.

Small Ball: The Key to Success for the Phillies

   The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies have already been crippled by injuries this spring, but they still have the best chance to win the National League East.  They still have the best pitching staff in baseball, and the most underrated catcher behind the plate in Carlos Ruiz.  With Ryan Howard and Chase Utley unable to play at all, however, the power numbers for the Phils will be substantially lower than in the past.  It is that fact that prompted manager Charlie Manuel to come to the realization that this season the Phillies are going to have to play more small ball to score runs.  Manuel realizes it, but can he add this to his managerial philosophies and implement the plan on gameday?  He was a hitter when he played and enjoys seeing a home run as much as the fans in the right field grandstands.  This season has to be different though;  in order for his team to win, the Phillies need to steal bases, sacrifice the runners over and claw for runs to give his all-star pitching rotation a chance. 
   Since the 2008 Championship season the Phillies have lost in the 2009 World Series, 2010 NLCS, and 2011 NLDS.  In all three seasons the Phillies were arguably the best team, but could not generate enough runs to win.  This brings up the question, what took Charlie Manuel so long to realize that a home run is not going to win as many games as small ball?  In 2009 against the Yankees Chase Utley hit 5 home runs to tie Mr. October, Reggie Jackson for the most in a World Series.  The Phillies lost that series, however, in six games.  The following season the Phillies' bats went dormant against the Giants, and last season it happened again in the NLDS against the Cardinals.  In Game 2 of last season's Divisional Series the Phillies scored 3 runs in the first inning, 1 in the second and that was it in a 5-4 loss.  In Game 4 they scored 2 in the first, and were shut out until they came up with 1 in the eighth in a 5-3 loss.  Then there was the decisive Game 5 when the Phils were shut out 1-0 and eliminated from the playoffs.   The losing pitchers in those games were Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Roy Halladay.  Any manager in the league would want those three pitchers on their staff, but without run support they become very limited in what they could do to win ballgames.  The Phillies outscored the Cardinals in that series 21-19, but still lost because of the timing of the runs scored.  While the Phils were waiting for the big hit, the Cardinals were getting hits at the right times to score runs when they needed them. 
   The home run might be the most overrated part of a baseball game.  The key to winning games is good pitching along with producing base runners to manufacture runs.  Charlie Manuel is a smart manager and possibly the best in Phillies history.  He knows what it takes to score runs, but cannot be too stubborn to call for the hit-and-run or stolen base when that will win the game.  The 2012 Phillies have the pitching to go all the way, but with their biggest power threats injured, and the National League East becoming more talented it could be a long, hot summer in the "City of Brotherly Love".  The Phils need to utilize their speed and fundamental abilities to make things happen to win ballgames.  If they can create chaos on the basepaths it will force the opposing teams to beat themselves with mistakes.  The home runs will happen, but it will have to be a bonus and not a staple for this Phillies team to have success in 2012.

Farewell Season For One of Baseball's Special Players

   Ted Williams a Yankee, Stan Musial a Cub, how about Mickey Mantle with the Sox.  Unbelievable and unthinkable were these scenarios before free agency became part of baseball.  If these players were in the game today, however, this could have been a reality.  Nobody ever thought that Albert Pujols would leave St. Louis, but he did and for an astronomical amount of money.  That is what makes Chipper Jones such a special player for the Atlanta Braves and for the entire game of baseball.  Jones announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2012 season and that will end a Hall of Fame, 19 year career played entirely in a Braves uniform.  Throughout his career he has always prided himself on playing the game the way it was meant to be played.  He will always be a special throwback player, arguably the greatest third baseman of all time, the greatest switch hitter since Mickey Mantle, and a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer.  Chipper Jones has always demonstrated the respect and loyalty to the game and although he might have been able to sign a contract for more money somewhere else he remained in Atlanta.  He deserves this farewell season for himself.  The fans who were lucky enough to have seen him play know that he is a one of a kind player that brings back the memories of the old-time greats.  Baseball fans everywhere should stand and cheer this season when Chipper Jones steps onto the baseball diamond because this will be the end of a great career of a true throwback future Hall of Famer.  Ted Williams will always be with the Red Sox, Stan Musial will always be a Cardinal, Mickey Mantle always a Yankee, and Chipper Jones will always be an Atlanta Brave.

Can Braun Handle the Pressure?

   Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, and reining National League MVP, is 1 for 17 this spring and has seen limited action.  In the offseason he tested positive for elevated testosterone levels, suspended by Major League Baseball for 50-games, and won his appeal based on the way the test was delivered to the lab.  He remained quiet for most of the winter until he addressed the media from the Brewers spring training camp regarding his successful appeal.  Braun might have been successful in his appeal process, which is a problem that might be too large at this point for baseball to clean up, but the emotional distraction is starting to show on the field.  It is only spring training, and he has been nursing a groin strain but the distraction of the offseason along with the added pressure of being without Prince Fielder is proving to be a factor.  Already this spring he has been booed and called a cheater, but the worst is yet to come once the regular season begins.  When he plays on the road the fans in cities such as St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Chicago just to name a few will pay to sit in left field and make sure Braun knows how they feel about him.  Each time that he comes to the plate he will hear the boos and taunts and there is nothing that he can do about it but try and get the job done.  Each time, however, he will come to the realization that he did cheat but got away with it based on a technicality.  In contrast the fans in Milwaukee will be on his side, or at least keep their disapproval to themselves until all of this distraction gets to him and his numbers fall off.  Once this happens, like it already has this spring, there will be no excuses worthy enough to keep the home fans from also turning on him.
   To be fair to Ryan Braun he did win the appeal, and this should negatively reflect more on Major League Baseball than on him.  The test was positive, but he was granted an appeal and anyone in Braun's position would be a fool not to take advantage of that right.  So don't put the blame completely on Braun himself, Major League Baseball and their drug testing policy also played an important role in the bitterness of baseball fans everywhere.  This is a real problem and baseball knows it.  Now that Braun has won his appeal based on a loophole how many other players are going to do the same thing.  Baseball is so far behind on the drug testing policies that it is going to take years before it is corrected, and this has already proven to leave a black mark on the game.
   Opening day for the Brewers is April 6th against the rival St. Louis Cardinals, and this will be the real test to see if Braun can handle the pressure created this offseason.  For his sake the season opener is in Milwaukee, and not before a hostile crowd in St. Louis where the Cardinals' faithful might turn Busch Stadium into the Roman Colosseum.  Time will tell if Braun can get through this and produce on the field despite all of the pressure, but if he can't he has nobody to blame but himself.  After all, he knows the truth and that fact might be the heaviest weight on his mind all season.

The Respectable Decision of Andy Pettitte

   Andy Pettitte threw 50 pitches on Tuesday in his first bullpen session of the spring.  Pettitte retired from the Yankees but didn't want to have any regrets about it, so he signed a contract last Friday giving him a chance to comeback with the team.  It's tough to leave a game that has become a way of life for these type of players, just ask former NFL quarterback Brett Favre.  Pettitte reported that after throwing that session in Tampa he felt good, and impressed everybody in camp as he will continue on his quest to pitch in New York this season. 
   This quest that Andy Pettite has returned to accomplish is a far cry from that of some free agent players such as Roy Oswalt who is also at the tail end of a very good career.  After eleven seasons with the Astros and  Phillies, Oswalt filed for free agency in October.  He hasn't signed with any team as of yet although the Red Sox, Rangers, and Cardinals have all shown interest.  His agent, Bob Garber, stated that "Roy has every intention of pitching for a contending club at some point this season."  At some point this season?  After spring training when a young player earned his spot on the roster?  The fact that Oswalt wants another chance to pitch in the postseason is understandable at this point of his career.  Pitching for a contender with a chance to play in the World Series surely made Andy Pettitte's decision to return with the Yankees that much easier, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about everything. 
   Oswalt intends to wait and see who the contenders will be before announcing his decision, and the Cardinals and Rangers are at the top of his list.  It has been reported that he could possibly make his return in June, however that's nearly half way through the season.  Andy Pettitte joined his team in spring training, put on the pinstripes and went to work.  He didn't leave his team guessing into June whether or not he feels like being there.  He showed up and even made the comment, "It's weird to say, but I feel like I never left."  His teammates feel the same way, and if they don't that feeling will be present when the Yankees break camp and head north.  He is helping the Yankees by eliminating the distraction of his return from the regular season when winning is the main goal.  He didn't wait until June to create a whirlwind around the team, to announce his return from retirement. 
   Whatever team signs Roy Oswalt will without doubt be getting a determined pitcher ready to help the club reach the postseason.  However, the events surrounding such an announcement will also create a stir around the team that if the decision backfires will only produce an uneasy environment inside the clubhouse and among the fans.  What about the pitcher who made the team out of spring training, that will end up in the minor leagues whenever Oswalt decides to sign a contract? Andy Pettite stated that he felt a little "embarrassed" when he announced his desire to pitch with the Yankees after a year of retirement.  As stated earlier, however, there is a right and wrong way to do everything and Andy Pettitte should in no way feel embarrassed about continuing his dream and pursuing it in a respectful manner.

Bryce Harper and "The Mick"

   On Sunday the Washington Nationals sent Bryce Harper, their 19 year old phenom, to AAA Syracuse.  This spring he was in the process of moving from right field to center to make the club full of talent in the outfield, but fell a little short.  He just needs more professional experience before he is ready for the Major Leagues, and his demotion to the minors shouldn't have any negative impact on this sometimes overconfident young man.  Starting the season in the minors will fine tune his great talents and help this already special ballplayer on his path to a level only few Major Leaguers reach in their careers.  Harper has already been on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was 16 years old, has converted from catcher to the outfield without any problem, has won numerous awards, and has been compared to one of his idols, Mickey Mantle.  In fact Harper chose to wear number 34 because 3 plus 4 is 7 the same number Mantle wore when he played for the Yankees.  All this and Harper is still only 19 with the confidence, work ethic, and raw talent to someday soon start to make a prominent impact in the Major Leagues.  He is also smart enough not to let this little speed bump distract him, it will only make this very good ballplayer great when it is time and he gets the call to join the big team.
   The comparisons being made between Bryce Harper and his idol Mickey Mantle goes beyond that of his talents on the field.  There was obviously no way that Harper has ever seen Mantle play except in old baseball films, but as special a player that Harper will become Mickey Mantle was just as special in the 1950's and 1960's.  Just like Harper, Mickey Mantle joined the New York Yankees in spring training when he was 19 years old.  Mantle impressed manager Casey Stengel and was assigned to the Yankees as a right fielder because centerfield was already occupied by Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio.  Mantle was said to be Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio rolled into one and was even assigned uniform number 6, (Ruth-3, Gehrig-4, DiMaggio-5, now Mantle 6).  After Mantle went into a slump to start the season he was demoted to the Yankees top farm team in Kansas City.  The pressure of playing in the big leagues and being compared to Hall of Fame talent proved to be too much for a 19 year old to handle, and he even considered quitting baseball.  His father talked him out of it, telling him that if he wanted to quit he could come back to Oklahoma and work in the mines.  Shortly after that "talk" with his father, Mantle broke out of his slump and the rest is history.  The demotion almost ended a career before it had a chance to develop.  If Mantle would have went back to Oklahoma the glorious history of baseball in the 1950's and 60's would not nearly be the same.
   Harper is trying to make the transition from right field to center because right is already occupied by high priced talent, Jayson Werth.  His talents have already been compared to Mickey Mantle and is arguably the best prospect since Ken Griffey Jr.  Harper, however, has an advantage over Mantle because he will not be rushed into the Major Leagues.  He will go through injuries and slumps throughout his career, but the pressure of playing in the big leagues, with the fans and media dissecting every move that he makes, will be more manageable after going through the maturing process at all levels in the minors.  He will get more at bats against professional pitching and will eventually be an impact player at baseball's highest level.  Baseball almost missed out on one of the best players ever, and the Nationals management should be given credit for taking special care with the development of their great prospect.  Mickey Mantle proved that he was human, but also with his determination and courage proved everybody right when he made his impact on the game.  Bryce Harper is a long way from being Mickey Mantle but the comparisons are too close to ignore.  Harper is a "can't miss" Major Leaguer, and maybe someday he will prove everyone right by making his impact on the game just like Mantle did 60 years ago.
  

Irish Impact on Baseball in America

   Everybody knows that the National Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Cooperstown, New York, but how many people know of the one located at Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant on West 33rd Street.  This is the home of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame as well as "The Bar That Banned Danny Boy".   The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame was created by baseball historian and owner of Foley's, Shaun Clancy in 2008 and honors the players, managers, executives, writers, and entertainers with Irish roots who have made an impact on the game of baseball.  The inductees are honored in the hall with plaques and include such names as Red Foley, the famed baseball journalist and inspiration for the naming of Foley's pub, Connie Mack, Tug McGraw, Kevin Costner and many more.  There are four criteria to be met prior to enshrinement in the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.  First of all, is the impact the person has had on the game of baseball.  Next, is the person's popularity on and off the field.  Third, is the contributions that the person has had on society, and last of course is the person's ancestry and connections to the Irish community.
  
The following is a list of inductees to the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame since 2008:

2008: Sean Casey, Kevin Costner, John Flaherty, Pete Flynn, Connie Mack, Tug McGraw, Mark  McGwire, Red Foley, Jeff Horrigan.
2009:  Walter O'Malley, Steve Garvey, Paul O'Neill, Vin Scully, Jim Joyce, Ed Lucas.
2010:  Tim McCarver, Brian Cashman, Bill James, Bob Murphy, Mike "King" Kelly.
2011:  Nolan Ryan, Big Ed Walsh, John McGraw, Gene Monahan and Steve Donohue, Terry Cashman, Chuck Lennon.

   The 2012 nominees include two former managers from South Amboy, New Jersey:  Tom Kelly, and Jack McKeon.  Also on the ballot is Peter O'Malley.  O'Malley is the former owner of the Dodgers and is also responsible for donating $140,000 toward the building of a baseball facility in Clondalkin, West Dublin.  Many other names are listed on the ballot, but it will be up to the past inductees and a panel of baseball experts to decide who will be the next group to be enshrined on July 27, 2012.
   Irish Americans have always made outstanding contributions to the game of baseball.  Even though Mark McGwire might never get into The National Baseball Hall of Fame he will always have a spot in the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.   This St. Patrick's Day if you're in New York,  The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame is the place to gain respect for and learn more about the many contributions Irish Americans have made in shaping baseball's rich history.

Let the Players Get Ready

Ty Cobb once said that he would only hit about .270 against modern day pitchers, but further commented "you have to remember, I'm over seventy now".  The Phillies' Roy Halladay isn't 70 but he will turn 35 before opening day and the media is concerned about a few bad spring training outings.  Halladay was removed from Wednesday's game in the third inning after giving up five runs on seven hits and his fastball topped out at 89 m.p.h.  There is concern about his velocity and his lower than usual release point, indicating that he might be nursing an injury.  It is still March and opening day still three weeks away.  Isn't spring training the time to get into shape for the regular season?  Halladay is a veteran and arguably the best pitcher of his generation, he knows what he needs to do to get ready for April.  Spring training has no impact on how a team or player will play once the regular season starts, but for the players like Roy Halladay people expect to see him pitch like a two time Cy Young Award winner every time he steps on the mound.  Once the season starts however, he is the type of pitcher who can throw a no-hitter at any time, just like in 2010 when he was perfect against the Marlins then followed that by no-hitting the Reds in the playoffs.  He even admitted that as he gets older it takes him longer to get going in spring training, but nobody on the Phillies are concerned about him being ready for the regular season.  With all of the video and scouting reports available why shouldn't a veteran pitcher try new things to throw the hitters off, and what better time than spring training to do it.  Halladay was understandably upset when he was questioned about his health and even fired back at the media stating:  "That's poor reporting at the extreme end of poor reporting, it couldn't be further from the truth."  That type of comment isn't typical of Roy Halladay, but what do you expect from the 14 year pro, trying to get into shape for when the games matter.  So instead of expecting the veteran right hander to be at the top of his game in March, just enjoy the Florida sun and watch Doc go to work in April.  Who knows, he might surprise everyone with something new that he discovered while working out in spring training.

A Matter of Pride: The Evolution of Baseball Uniforms

  When fans enter a Major League stadium to take in "America's Pastime," one of the first things that they notice are the freshly laundered bright home white or visiting grey uniforms standing out in a never ending sea of emerald green grass, and perfectly manicured dirt.  The front of the jerseys are emblazoned with the team name or city they represent, and the fans see this with a sense of pride of who to root for or against that day.  The reverse side is the fans identification of and connection to their heroes-the names and numbers of the players that they fill the stands to see.  Uniforms are as unique a piece of baseball history as are the players who wear them. 
   Uniforms have been in baseball since the mid-1800's and were first worn by the New York Knickerbockers.  By 1882, the uniforms included different colored stockings so the fans could differentiate between clubs.  The caps and shirts were designed with different patterns and color schemes, each representing the players' positions on the field.  For example, the opposing pitchers on a given Sunday afternoon would wear matching light blue shirts and caps, even though they played for different teams.  This was understandably confusing however, and only lasted one season.  By the turn of the century, all Major League teams were wearing uniforms.  They were made of wool and cotton, and must have been almost unbearable in the summer heat compared to the synthetic and more breathable fabrics of today.  The home team wore white and the visiting team grey.  There were no names, numbers, or designs until 1907 when pin striping was introduced.  This was the start of a gradual process of trends that eventually led to modern baseball uniforms. 
   Numbers first appeared on the back of major league uniforms worn by the New York Yankees in 1929.  Prior to that, many players were opposed to the idea because they said it made them feel like convicts.  That did not stop the Yankees however, and the numbers represented the players' positions in the batting order (i.e., Babe Ruth wore number 3 and batted third in the Yankee line-up).  The fans embraced this idea, and by 1932, all Major League uniforms included numbers.  This idea also boosted teams' revenue from the sale of scorecards; fans in attendance could now match the players names to the numbers on their jerseys.  Names on the back did not exist until 1960 when Chicago White Sox owner and baseball visionary Bill Veeck introduced the concept, and many teams quickly followed.  Veeck felt it was unfair that fans watching the games on television could see the players' names on the screen, but the fans in attendance at the ballpark could not.
   Color schemes, graphics, patches, and gimmicks have also been around since the early 1900's.  Though they were not as flashy as the trends of the 1970's and 1980's, they were just as important in identifying the different clubs.  Could you imagine Babe Ruth striding to home plate wearing the White Sox Bermuda shorts that were introduced (and phased out nearly as fast) in 1976?  Fans could now better identify with their team's logo.  Patches are still used to this day to commemorate special events.  From the patriotic pride patches during World Wars I and II, to the initials of passing members of an organization, patches have been a part of Major League uniforms since 1907.  They were first worn by the Chicago White Sox to brag about their World Championship in the 1906 series against the cross-town Cubs. 
   Big league uniforms have come a long way since the original baggy, wool ones, but the sense of pride and accomplishment players derive from wearing it remains the same.  Fans flock to purchase their favorite team and player's jerseys and caps.  It has become a huge source of revenue for ball clubs and has helped spread the popularity of "America's Pastime" to other parts of the world.  Whether it's Bill Veeck's sometimes ridiculed Bermuda shorts idea, the Houston Astros' often criticized rainbow scheme or the traditional Yankee pinstripes, the basic concept has not changed.  Uniforms are a simple way for fans to identify one team, and one player from another.

Proud Moment for the History of Baseball

   Last Friday the Houston Astros announced that the Houston Colt .45's throwback jerseys that they are going to wear this season will feature the smoking gun just like the original design from 1962-1964.  The Astros are entering their 50th anniversary season in Major League Baseball and want to honor this by featuring all of their past uniforms throughout the season.  However, when they tried to get approval from the league for the Colt .45's jerseys they were originally denied unless the pistol was removed from the front.  This understandably upset many of the Houston fans, and last Friday the league surrendered to their dissension.
   Major League Baseball was hesitant at first to approve the logo with fear that they would offend people by featuring the pistol.  What they accomplished instead was the complete opposite, they managed to offend people by trying to edit the team's history.  This is an example of Major League Baseball falling into the trap of political correctness that at times just makes them look foolish.  They try to cater to as many different people as possible, but changing the history of the game is absurd.  Major League Baseball already changed the Tampa Bay name from Devil Rays to Rays, there has also been talk of changing the Braves, and Indians team names, now they have attempted to change the Astros historically correct throwback jerseys.  It's about time for baseball and society as a whole to realize that people are not always going to be happy and agree with everything, but that is what makes this country of free thought so interesting.  No matter how many attempts are made history cannot be changed, and the foundation of  baseball will weaken if the Commissioner's Office continues to feed into society's need for everyone to have a happy day.  That is why the decision of Bud Selig to listen to the fans, and allow the Astros to feature the original Colt .45's jerseys is a step in the right direction. It proves that the people have a voice that matters and will be listened to if they go about it the right way.  The games on April 10th and April 20th of this season will produce two more proud moments in Astros' history.  When the home team takes the field, they will be wearing the Houston Colt .45's jerseys as they were intended to look.  The Houston Astros, baseball fans, and Bud Selig should be applauded for their roles in preserving history, and demonstrating the reasons why baseball is America's National Pastime.

Bobby V. Taking His Act to Boston

      Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine stated that he is not a believer in pitchers using the windup as part of their delivery, according to the Boston Red Sox website.  Valentine stated that pitching exclusively from the stretch position is common in Japan, where he has served as manager on two separate occasions, and he doesn't get why the windup is so common in Major League Baseball.  Last month Valentine banned alcohol in the home clubhouse at Fenway Park and on return flights home.  Then he fired a shot at the rival New York Yankees, stating that Derek Jeter was out of position on the "flip-play" in the 2001 ALDS, and also made the claim that there was no way Jeter practiced that play.   All of this talk, and the first pitch of the 2012 regular season has not even been delivered yet.
   Pitchers utilize the windup to create a rhythm for themselves, distract the hitter with all of the motion, and create more momentum by shifting their weight backward than forward toward the plate.  When a batter is waiting for the pitch, it is definitely a distraction seeing the pitchers arms, legs, and body all move then deliver a 90 mph fastball toward the plate.  It creates deception by the pitcher which is an important part of getting hitters out.  The windup is a perfectly legal way to distract and hide the ball from the batter.  Furthermore, when a pitcher uses the windup it can help him concentrate on the target rather than using a slide step then rushing the pitch.  Everything in baseball happens in a split second, so just a little extra time to pick up and see the target could be the difference between a strike on the corner or a fastball that catches too much of the plate and ends up in the seats.  A windup might not create more speed on a fastball but with the deception of the arms, legs, and body a pitcher will appear to be "sneaky" fast and the pitch will seem to have more velocity when it reaches the plate.  Valentine also stated that it is common for the pitchers in Japan to only throw from the stretch, but how many Japanese pitchers had great big league careers?  The answer is none.  Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka, came into the league and were good but not as great as the hype generated.  They had good seasons and Hideo Nomo even pitched a no-hitter, but it will be a long time before a pitcher from Japan is elected into the Hall of Fame, and the windup vs. the stretch position has nothing to do with it.  Yu Darvish still has the opportunity to prove this fact wrong, but if he follows the trend he will be another Japanese pitcher who will have a good not great career in the major leagues.
   Bobby Valentine also banned alcohol from the Red Sox clubhouse after last season when some of the pitchers were drinking beer during games on their off day.  This is an understandable move and other teams already have this rule in place, however the former manager of the Red Sox, Terry Francona thinks that it was a P.R. move and he might not be that far off.  Remember that it was Bobby V. back in 1999, as manager of the Mets, who was ejected from the game and returned to the bench wearing a fake moustache and sunglasses.  That stunt got him fined $10,000 and suspended for two games, but worse of all ridiculed for making a mockery of the game.  This is also the same Bobby V. who was at the helm when Mets players Rickey Henderson and Bobby Bonilla played cards in the clubhouse during a game, rebelling against the philosophy of their skipper.  Bobby Valentine has been proven to run a loose clubhouse, so for Terry Francona to call his latest rule a P.R. event might prove to be fact.  What is the policy going to be if the Sox win in the playoffs, no champagne or beer?  Valentine can talk as much as he wants, after all he has been a manager on and off in the big leagues since 1985.  However, time will tell if he can win in Boston, his players respect him but Bobby Valentine has a way of letting his ego get in the way.  Just like the pitchers that he managed in Japan, he will go down in baseball history as being a good not great manager, and a long way from being a Hall of Famer.

Summer School

I know that summer is for barbeques, swimming, the beach, going to ball games, and the last thing on a youngster's mind is school and homework.  There will be no homework assigned but this lesson is based on baseball, where math is especially important.  There is a lot that can be learned from the game, and it doesn't feel like work at all. 

Lesson # 1:  Geography

Baseball is America's Pastime but it is actually played all over the world.  You will find that Major League players come from all over including Japan, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and many other locations where a scout might find the next young prospect.  Until the early 1950's there were no teams west of St. Louis.  In 1958 the Dodgers and Giants both moved from New York to California, and this started a trend to expand Major League Baseball to cities across the United States and even into Canada.  Today there are 30 teams in Major League Baseball spread across 17 states with 1 in Canada, and 1 in Washington D.C.  Can you name the 17 states where you can watch a game?

Lesson # 2:  Language

As I stated earlier baseball players come from many different countries.  To play in the Major Leagues a player truly needs to be one of the best in the world.   As a result, this can create a language barrier where communication on the field is essential to a team's success.  When a player comes from another country he usually has a translator with him for press confrences, however this does not help in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base, and the catcher from the Dominican Republic is trying to tell his Japanese hurler how to pitch to the next batter.  That is why, before they come to the United States they at least know baseball terms and they understand hand motions to be able to communicate on the field.  After that it is a real struggle for many foreign players to adapt to life away from the diamond. 

Lesson # 3:  History

Baseball is based on tradition and history, and part of American History is based on baseball.  The many different players, managers, coaches, teams, games, and how all of this has a place in making baseball America's Pastime.

Lesson # 4:  Math

Baseball is tracked, and the history of the game is based on stats.  It is statistics that are the measuring stick to be able to tell if a player will have a long career in professional baseball.  They determine who is an All-Star and who is a Hall of Famer, and it is all based on mathematical equations.  Some of the most important equations will be highlighted here.

Batting Average-- Number of Hits divided by Number of At Bats.
Note:  A walk or Sacrifice does not count as an at bat.

On-Base Percentage-- (Hits + Walks + Hit by a pitch) / (At Bats + Walks + Hit by a pitch + Sacrifice Flies)

Slugging Percentage--This stat determines how many extra base hits a hitter gets, and is used to determine power numbers.
Total Bases divided by At Bats

Earned Run Average--This determines how many earned runs a pitcher averages over 9 innings.
                                       (Earned Runs x 9) divided by innings pitched.

Winning Percentage--Wins divided by (Wins + Loses)

Magic Number-- The magic number is used to determine how close a team is from reaching the playoffs. 

Interesting Baseball Fact:  In 2001 Barry Bonds set the single season homerun record by belting 73 roundtrippers.  Knowing that the bases are 90 feet apart and there are 5,280 feet in a mile.  You can determine that Bonds ran an extra 4.97727 or 5 miles circling the bases after hitting those 73 record setting homeruns.