June 2009

Happy Father's Day

To my Dad and Dad's all over, Happy Father's Day. I have to say in New York the weather has been crummy, with 13 days of rain in the month of June. Not much fun. Also, the U.S. Open is playing not far from my house, and they are struggling with the weather to get rounds in. A soggy month.

Father's Day Inspirational Quote

"My Dad taught me to switch-hit. He and my Grandfather, who was left-handed, pitched to me everyday after school in the back yard. I batted lefty against my Dad and righty against my Granddad." -- Mickey Mantle

Rain Quote

"You don't save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain." -- Leo Durocher

Until then, see ya at the park!

Remembering Dusty Rhodes

I read the other day about the passing of former New York Giant Dusty Rhodes and the memory bank began to flow about the phone conversation I had with him many years ago. 

Working on my Eagle Scout project in the late '80's, I was putting together drug and alcohol prevention seminars and invited many sports athletes to come and share their personal feelings on the subject. Well, Dusty Rhodes I invited and he personally called me saying he "couldn't make it." But, we began to talk about baseball and his days playing with the New York Giants and how much fun he had playing baseball. It's something I will always remember.

Rhodes played with the New York Giants from 1952 to 1957 and for the San Francisco Giants in 1959. He had a .253 career average with 54 homers and 207 RBI's. He'll be remembered for going 4 for 6 with two home runs in the '54 World Series beating the Cleveland Indians for the World Series title. As with many people I come across, Dusty Rhodes was an inspiration.

Baseball Quote

"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is greatly appreciated."

Until then, see ya at the park!

PSAL at Yankee Stadium

Went to the New York City PSAL Baseball Championships at Yankee Stadium last Tuesday and  what a treat it was. My girlfriend works for the Board of Education and the tickets were free. Though I'll never be able to get the seats I had at a regular Yankees' game, I sat in section 119 right behind the Legends seating at home plate. What a view!

Time, I wish I had it. 

Besides writing all over the place, I'm also working on a new baseball book which hopefully will be out by the World Series. Write, sleep, eat, write!!! I'll keep everyone up-to-date on the progress of the book. I also have a couple of book reviews to do, so I'll be posting  some of them real soon!

Inspirational Quote

"I have observed that baseball is not unlike war, and when you get right down to it, we batters are the heavy artillery." -- Ty Cobb

Until then, see ya at the park!

The 300 Club

On Thursday, Randy Johnson officially became member of the elusive 300 win club. Johnson, the 24th member, might be the last pitcher in a long time to attain this exclusive membership. Here's a look at pitchers in the club before Johnson.

Tom Glavine
Greg Maddux
Roger Clemens
Nolan Ryan
Don Sutton
Phil Niekro
Tom Seaver
Steve Carlton
Gaylord Perry
Early Wynn
Warren Spahn
Lefty Grove
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Walter Johnson
Eddie Plank
Christy Mathewson
Cy Young
Kid Nichols
John Clarkson
Hoss Radbourn
Mickey Welch
Tim Keefe
Pud Galvin

Inspirational Quote

"Poets are like baseball pitchers. Both have their moments. The intervals are the tough things." -- Robert Frost

Until then, see ya at the park!

Unit Going for 300

With everything he's got, Randy Johnson will be looking to get his 300 win tonight against the Washington Nationals. If he does get it, he'll be the only one for a long time. Jamie Moyer is the next in line with 250 wins, but he's 46 and will most likely will call it a career soon.

Pitching Quote

"Good pitching will beat good hitting any time, and vice versa." -- Bob Veale

Until then, see ya at 300!

The Quotable

Here's another brilliant quote from Rogers Hornsby.

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." -- Rogers Hornsby

Preston Wilson Update

In my previous post, I mentioned about seeing Preston Wilson play for the Long Island Ducks. Well, sadly the next day he was hit by pitch in the face and had his nose broken. He's awaiting word on whether he needs to have surgery. Most likely, his season is over.

Until then, see ya at the park!
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