Today's quotes come from the Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck. Veeck was a brilliant visionary and promoter in a game built on tradition. His induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 proves just how much of an impact he has made on the game. Included in his many contributions was the signing of Larry Doby to become the first African American to play in the American League.
"To compare baseball with other team games is to say the Hope Diamond is a nice chunk of carbon. The endless variety of physical and mental skills demanded by baseball is both uncomparable and incomparable."
This one is from Bill Veeck's book The Hustler's Handbook .
"Baseball's unique possession, the real source of our strength, is the fan's memory of the times his daddy took him to the game to see the great players of his youth. Whether he remembers it or not, the excitement of those hours, the step they represented in his own growth and the part those afternoons--even one afternoon--played in his relationship with his own father is bound up in his feeling toward the local ball club and toward the game. When he takes his own son to the game, as his father once took him, there is a spanning of the generations that is warm and rich and--if I may use the word--lovely."
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Exploding Scoreboards and Other Gimmicks That Have Shaped the Game
Baseball has always been a game grounded in tradition, and it has been played basically the same way since the 1800's. Players gain respect from each other and the fans for being hard-nosed, tough, and by playing the game the way that it should be played. The managers and coaches are admired for being "old school" baseball guys. However, as time goes by, and the rules and the game evolve, there is that special place for the characters and innovators that make the National Pastime so intriguing. Many ideas, such as the designated hitter, free agency, and interleague play have become part of the game today. Then there are the other, sometimes notorious, ideas and gimmicks that have become part of the folklore that adds spirit, and color to an "old school" game.
One of the free spirits in baseball was Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck. He introduced the first "exploding" scoreboard to the game when one was installed in Comiskey Park, the former home of the Chicago White Sox. The scoreboard was created in 1960, and featured pinwheels on the top, and different electrical and sound effects. The most notable feature, however, was how it would set off fireworks each time a White Sox player hit a home run.
The same Bill Veeck who introduced the "exploding" scoreboard to Major League Baseball, also used 3 foot 7 inch Eddie Gaedel for a pinch hit appearance in 1951, as owner of the St. Louis Browns. Twenty six year old Gaedel was sent up to the plate as a promotional stunt wearing number 1/8. He was walked on four pitches, was promptly pinch-run for, and that ended his major league playing career. Even though this stunt was declared to be "not in the best interest of baseball," Gadel's 1/8 Browns jersey is displayed at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Another stunt, as the owner of the St. Louis Browns, also took place in 1951. Veeck let 1,115 fans, seated behind the Browns dugout, make decisions during that days contest. The "grandstand managers" made calls during the game using either "yes" or "no" flashcards whenever the Browns coaches presented them with questions pertaining to the strategy. The fans decided to warm up relief pitchers and even benched two Browns players. Veeck also installed showers behind the speaker horns at Comiskey Park for fans to cool off on hot summer days, introduced the picnic area to baseball, and no White Sox fan could ever forget Disco Demolition Night at the stadium.
"The Night Disco Died" occurred on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park. A crate full of disco records was blown up on the field, and spurred a riot that caused the White Sox to forfeit the second game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers. This event proved to be one of the most notorious promotional events since the Cleveland Indians hosted "Ten Cent Beer Night" in 1974.
Many other gimmicks introduced to the game of baseball are still in use today. For instance, what would a trip to a Phillies game be like without the Phillie Phanatic and his zany performances throughout. Other ideas have become a part of baseball's past. The bullpen vehicle became part of the game in 1951 and was used until the Milwaukee Brewers drove baseball's last relief pitcher to the mound on a Harley Davidson with a sidecar in 1995. Then, there was Marge Schott's St. Bernard with the Reds, and Charlie Finley's mule, Charlie-O, with the Athletics. Finley also introduced a mechanical rabbit with a basket, named "Harvey", to pop out of the ground, and provide the home plate umpire with baseballs during a game, and a pitch clock to keep the game moving. Whether any of the gimmicks and promotions were well received, or found to be "not in the best interest of baseball," is irrelevant. From 3 foot 7 inch Eddie Gaedel in 1951, to the big, green Phanatic in Philly, promotions and gimmicks have always been part of the game. They give color to the line score, and provide great stories to be passed on from generation to generation.
One of the free spirits in baseball was Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck. He introduced the first "exploding" scoreboard to the game when one was installed in Comiskey Park, the former home of the Chicago White Sox. The scoreboard was created in 1960, and featured pinwheels on the top, and different electrical and sound effects. The most notable feature, however, was how it would set off fireworks each time a White Sox player hit a home run.
The same Bill Veeck who introduced the "exploding" scoreboard to Major League Baseball, also used 3 foot 7 inch Eddie Gaedel for a pinch hit appearance in 1951, as owner of the St. Louis Browns. Twenty six year old Gaedel was sent up to the plate as a promotional stunt wearing number 1/8. He was walked on four pitches, was promptly pinch-run for, and that ended his major league playing career. Even though this stunt was declared to be "not in the best interest of baseball," Gadel's 1/8 Browns jersey is displayed at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Another stunt, as the owner of the St. Louis Browns, also took place in 1951. Veeck let 1,115 fans, seated behind the Browns dugout, make decisions during that days contest. The "grandstand managers" made calls during the game using either "yes" or "no" flashcards whenever the Browns coaches presented them with questions pertaining to the strategy. The fans decided to warm up relief pitchers and even benched two Browns players. Veeck also installed showers behind the speaker horns at Comiskey Park for fans to cool off on hot summer days, introduced the picnic area to baseball, and no White Sox fan could ever forget Disco Demolition Night at the stadium.
"The Night Disco Died" occurred on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park. A crate full of disco records was blown up on the field, and spurred a riot that caused the White Sox to forfeit the second game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers. This event proved to be one of the most notorious promotional events since the Cleveland Indians hosted "Ten Cent Beer Night" in 1974.
Many other gimmicks introduced to the game of baseball are still in use today. For instance, what would a trip to a Phillies game be like without the Phillie Phanatic and his zany performances throughout. Other ideas have become a part of baseball's past. The bullpen vehicle became part of the game in 1951 and was used until the Milwaukee Brewers drove baseball's last relief pitcher to the mound on a Harley Davidson with a sidecar in 1995. Then, there was Marge Schott's St. Bernard with the Reds, and Charlie Finley's mule, Charlie-O, with the Athletics. Finley also introduced a mechanical rabbit with a basket, named "Harvey", to pop out of the ground, and provide the home plate umpire with baseballs during a game, and a pitch clock to keep the game moving. Whether any of the gimmicks and promotions were well received, or found to be "not in the best interest of baseball," is irrelevant. From 3 foot 7 inch Eddie Gaedel in 1951, to the big, green Phanatic in Philly, promotions and gimmicks have always been part of the game. They give color to the line score, and provide great stories to be passed on from generation to generation.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
The Greatest Baseball Movies of All Time
Baseball has been the topic of more great movies than any other sport. The first of which was released in 1898 by Thomas Edison entitled, The Ball Game. The movie was about two amateur baseball teams playing in Newark, New Jersey. Since then many ballplayers have even acted in films. For example, Babe Ruth played himself in The Pride of the Yankees, and Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris both starred in the 1962 movie Safe at Home! After the season that both Mantle and Maris had in 1961, where they went head-to-head in the home run race until Maris broke the single season record, who wouldn't want to see a movie starring both of the M & M boys? Just like the game itself, baseball movies hold a certain place in the hearts of people everywhere. That is why there is even an exhibit, entitled Baseball at the Movies, on the first floor of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. This exhibit features video clips of the greatest baseball movies of all time and some of the props used in them.
Since the Major League season is still a month away, there is still time to catch a movie. The following list that I have compiled, provides the greatest baseball movies ever created. So sit back with your peanuts and Cracker Jack and enjoy the show.
A League of their Own-1992
Since the Major League season is still a month away, there is still time to catch a movie. The following list that I have compiled, provides the greatest baseball movies ever created. So sit back with your peanuts and Cracker Jack and enjoy the show.
Top 10 Baseball Movies
1. Bull Durham-1988
2. Field of Dreams-1989
3. For Love of the Game-1999
4. Eight Men Out-1988
5. Moneyball-2011
6. The Stratton Story-1949
7. Major League-1989
8. 61*-2001
9. Cobb-1994
10. Kill the Umpire-1950
Honorable Mention:
A League of their Own-1992
Safe at Home!-1962
The Pride of the Yankees-1942
The Babe Ruth Story-1948
Pastime-1991
The Fan-1996
It Happens Every Spring-1949
For the Kids:
Everyone's Hero-2006
Angels in the Outfield-1994
Rookie of the Year-1993
Friday, March 2, 2012
Update: Wild-Card Round, Good or Bad?
Major League Baseball has approved the new playoff format for the 2012 season. One twist, however, is that the first two games of the Divisional Round will start at the lowest seeded team's home park. This is a short, best-of five series already and this new rule immediately hurts the better team. What is the advantage of having the best regular season record, except for the fact that they do not have to play an extra playoff game?
The Quotable Side of the Game
These quotes come from the Hall of Fame pitcher of the St. Louis Cardinals, Dizzy Dean. "Deanism", as they have become known, produce a perfect example of how witty, and brash this great pitcher of the 1930's and 1940's was. Dean is the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in a season, and was the ace of the 1934 World Champion, St. Louis Cardinals nicknamed the "Gas House Gang".
"It ain't bragging if you can do it."
"Let the teachers teach English, and I will teach baseball. There is a lot of people in the United States who say isn't, and they ain't eating."
-Dizzy Dean was often criticized for not using proper English during his years as a broadcaster, but that didn't stop people from tuning in just to hear what he would say next.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it."
"Let the teachers teach English, and I will teach baseball. There is a lot of people in the United States who say isn't, and they ain't eating."
-Dizzy Dean was often criticized for not using proper English during his years as a broadcaster, but that didn't stop people from tuning in just to hear what he would say next.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wild-Card-Round, Good or Bad?
Major League Baseball is planning to add an extra wild card team from each league to the playoffs. The fourth round will be a winner-moves-on game between the two wild-cards. This could be great for baseball fans especially after last years exciting end to the season. However, baseball should not be about one game. It's tradition was built on a long season and winning a series of games to prove who is the best team. Sure the team that wins their division has an obvious advantage entering the playoffs, but now a third place team in that division has the chance to win the World Series. Furthermore, pitching staffs are set up for a series. Unlike the NFL where you know who the starting quarterback will be for one game, a pitching rotation might mean that a team will lose that game by not having their ace on the mound. In a best-of-seven series a team's ace will pitch two maybe 3 games. If you can beat the other team's best pitcher two or three times you definitely earned the right be called World Champions.
This new format will give teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals a chance to reach the playoffs quicker. This is great for the fans of these teams if they get into the playoffs, but what does it really mean? If they lose that one game in the wild-card-round it just might mean that they were the best third place team that year. If they win that one game it makes it easier for the team that they face in the Divisional Round, thus watering down the playoffs. Does the best third place team still get champagne?
Another issue with the new playoff round is that it will take away from the drama at the end of the regular season. Last year the Boston Red Sox missed the playoffs by losing to the last place Baltimore Orioles on the final day of the season. The Orioles season was over and the Red Sox were not only playing to get into the playoffs, but also to avoid the biggest collapse in the history of the game. Were the Orioles a better team than the Red Sox? Of course not, but they won that day, the Sox missed the playoffs and the collapse is in the books. One game does not sum up an entire 162 game, marathon season, and should not be used between playoff teams. In the case of the 2011 Boston Red Sox, the final month sealed their fate. If the regular season standings end in a tie, than a one-game-playoff between two teams, that have battled all season, is great. What baseball fan could forget the 1978 tie-breaker game between the Red Sox and Yankees. Bucky Dent became an instant hero that day and the Yankees won the American League East by one game. The Red Sox season was over and the Yankees went on to win the World Series. Would a casual fan of the game even know who Bucky Dent is if that game never happened, and both teams just got into the playoffs?
A new format of the Major League Playoffs produces both pros and cons. Just like anything else that disrupts tradition, some people will like it and some will not. We will just have to wait and see, and who knows a new hero of October might be born this season in the Wild-Card Round.
This new format will give teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals a chance to reach the playoffs quicker. This is great for the fans of these teams if they get into the playoffs, but what does it really mean? If they lose that one game in the wild-card-round it just might mean that they were the best third place team that year. If they win that one game it makes it easier for the team that they face in the Divisional Round, thus watering down the playoffs. Does the best third place team still get champagne?
Another issue with the new playoff round is that it will take away from the drama at the end of the regular season. Last year the Boston Red Sox missed the playoffs by losing to the last place Baltimore Orioles on the final day of the season. The Orioles season was over and the Red Sox were not only playing to get into the playoffs, but also to avoid the biggest collapse in the history of the game. Were the Orioles a better team than the Red Sox? Of course not, but they won that day, the Sox missed the playoffs and the collapse is in the books. One game does not sum up an entire 162 game, marathon season, and should not be used between playoff teams. In the case of the 2011 Boston Red Sox, the final month sealed their fate. If the regular season standings end in a tie, than a one-game-playoff between two teams, that have battled all season, is great. What baseball fan could forget the 1978 tie-breaker game between the Red Sox and Yankees. Bucky Dent became an instant hero that day and the Yankees won the American League East by one game. The Red Sox season was over and the Yankees went on to win the World Series. Would a casual fan of the game even know who Bucky Dent is if that game never happened, and both teams just got into the playoffs?
A new format of the Major League Playoffs produces both pros and cons. Just like anything else that disrupts tradition, some people will like it and some will not. We will just have to wait and see, and who knows a new hero of October might be born this season in the Wild-Card Round.
Your Input is Appreciated
Thank you for your interest in Bleacher Reader. I have changed the comment settings, so I can now accept comments from viewers even if you do not have a profile. Just click anonymous from the drop down menu and write whatever you want. I look forward to reading them and cannot stress enough how much your participation is appreciated. Please feel free to send me your criticism, thoughts and ideas. Also, if you go to a sporting event and want to share your photos please do not hesitate to send them to my e-mail mrn13@hotmail.com. Thanks again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)