‘Tis The Season…
… when pennants are won and lost. The Metropolitans, anxious as me [their #1 fan] to atone for their disastrous recent past embarrassments, have offered 36 year old hurler Derek Lowe a three year contract.
He is talented and filled with moxie… a prime candidate to succeed in Gotham City.
Signing Lowe, a legitimate # 2 starer, would be a nice way to welcome the new year.
Dancin’ Thru The Holidays
Watching this video brought a smile. Have a terrifc holiday season, everyone.
Now Batting, Number…
… by Jack Looney is a terrific read. I’ve had a lifetime obsession with baseball numbers. Sure stats, but more importantly uniform numbers. This is the bible thereof.
Did you know that Hank Bauer wore #25 when first donned pinstripes? And after Andy [Hexum] Carey left the Yankees, Deron Johnson wore his # 6 for a short while before Clete Boyer changed from #34 to #6. I’m guessing it matters not, to the vast majority of folks. :-)
Hall Of Fame For Some?
Of course, Rickey is a lock. Before Barry Bonds put up the artificially inflated numbers at the end of his career, folks were making the case that Henderson was the best left fielder of all time. He is certainly the best leadoff hitter ever. He, like Jack [Rachel and I call him that] Robinson and Willie Mays, before him “became the game” when they took the field.
As I posted last year, I think Boit should be in.
A case can be made for some of the folks chosen for the the ballot. Not for Jesse Orosco, both Vaughns, Jay Bell or Dan Plesac, however.
Here’s the complete list of those eligable:
Harold Baines
Jay Bell
Bert Blyleven
David Cone
Andre Dawson
Ron Gant
Mark Grace
Rickey Henderson
Tommy John
Don Mattingly
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Jesse Orosco
Dave Parker
Dan Plesac
Tim Raines
Jim Rice
Lee Smith
Alan Trammell
Greg Vaughn
Mo Vaughn
Matt Williams
Jeter’s Hep To Manny…
… and so am I. Ramirez and the Yankees would be a perfect fit. The prodigal son, raised in the Bronx, a stray shot from the Stadiums, both new and old.
Here’s a picture of Manny, “digging it out.”
RIP Dock Ellis
The 1971 All-Star Game featured 17 future Hall Of Famers. Dock Ellis had as much, or more, natural talent as any of his teammates or opponents in that or any game ever played.
“Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball,” is among the most open, honest, and interesting books I’ve ever read.
Dock past away today, at age 63, of liver disease.
He chose an interesting, unique [if not always admirable] way of “going around the track of life.”
Here’s a picture of the former Met, Pirate, Athletic, and Ranger pitcher He’s pitching to Johnny Bench, and giving up a homer to Reggie Jackson.
Wilpons Defrauded, Will Dreams Come True?
In the wake of the announcement that the idiot owners [Wilpons, father and son] of MY NY Mets had been defrauded of much of their personal fortune, I had a dream that they lost the team, and were allowed to stay on… as ushers. They [both father and son] did fairly well at their new jobs. In keeping with the “Peter Principal” they were soon recruited to the Scouting Department of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having reached their “level of incompetence,” they spent their remaining years misplacing reports and drafting overpriced duds.
The new owners, however, recognized the history of the New York Giants, as well as the Brooklyn Dodgers.
I’m sad that it was just a dream so far, but you neva, eva know.
A’s Are Pathetic
Not much has been written about the disastrous Gonzales fiasco. Either Beane was fleeced [He gave up Haren, for gawd sake] or they gave up on him too soon. Either way, not good. If Billy’s lost interest, he should move “Upstairs,” and put someone in there that gives a fiddler’s flute… If they sign Furcal, season ticket sales will go up, they’ll continue to lose because the pitching now sucks, and Holliday and Furcal will both be dealt for [you guessed it] prospects. Meanwhile because of the luxury tax, they turn a profit, at the price of competing. Soon enough they’ll move, for only the third time as a franchise. To borrow a line, if Bud Selig were alive, this crap wouldn’t be happening.
K-Rod A Met
The Metropolitans , once again, have a closer. They signed a three year deal with the former Los Angele Angel’s star reliever Francisco Rodriquez, making The Amazins the odds on favorite to win the NL East.
I’m ready for that!!
Comfortably Zoned with Ralph Zig Tyko 