Dayton Moore on the Royals

Perfect match-up!

Greatness passes

I grew up in Dallas, Texas. 

When I was a kid, we didn't have Major League Baseball.  We had minor league teams--Dallas Eagles and the Fort Worth Cats. 

At that time, CBS owned the New York Yankees.  As a result, every Saturday and Sunday I watched the immortal Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese call the Yankees' games.

In short, I grew up a Yankees fan.  Much to the chagrin of many of my family and friends, I remain a Yankee loyalist to this day.  Hey, I've got a full-life portrait of Mickey Mantle hanging in my office to this day! 

Thus, my grief at this moment. 

Clearly, God sent Pope Francis to the USA this week to help me deal with the death of one of my childhood heroes, Yogi Berra (1925-2015). 

What a loss to the world.

I can't talk about it or write any more. 

Possibly you could understand more about my grief by going here. 

Down, but not out!

Thanks to historian, Michael Beschloss for this photo of Lou Gehrig after being knocked out by inside fastball that struck him over right eye--exhibition game June 1934: pic.twitter.com/2v5b0Jk7AM.

 

Of course, Gehrig got up and continued his amazing career until he was knocked out by the onset of what became known as Lou Gehrig's disease--ALS. 

 

Life is like this photo in many ways. 

 

Knocked down. 

 

Knocked out. 

 

Set back.

 

How one responds to the painful, tough times determines a great deal about the quality and fabric of a life. 

42

Watch More News Videos at ABC | Technology News | Celebrity News

Baseball is good!

Indulge a granddad who loves baseball, but grandsons even more!

Owen and Wyatt had a good day at their respective ball parks on Saturday. I was lucky enough to make both games!

Had to post some of what I saw. You'll hear me going bonkers over both of them!

Wyatt, another season on the diamond

Baseball is a blast!  Watching kids play, especially when one of them is your grandson, can be off the charts fun!  Here's a couple of glimpses into the beginning of this new season:

He just gets it done!

Check out this New York Times story on Rangers' manager, Ron Washington.  Good stuff!

Picture worth a thousand words. . .

That's the way baseball go!

It doesn't get any better than this if the subject is baseball! 

Go Rangers!

Playing out of position

Most of us try to determine our specific role in life, especially at work, and then spend our energy focusing on working to perfect that role or position. 

At times though life requires more.  And often, when we step out of our normal position, out where things can get really uncomfortable, amazing things can happen.  While it is true that most of the time we must play our assigned roles, I hope we'll always be willing to rise to the occasion of an unexpected new role and assignment for the sake of our "team" or community.

I love what follows!  Let me know your reaction.

Second baseman Valdez picks up win for Phils
By Nate Mink / MLB.com
05/26/11 2:47 AM ET

It was the lasting image of second baseman Wilson Valdez's improbable win, especially considering he retired the meat of Cincinnati's lineup to set up the Phillies' 19-inning, 5-4 win against the Reds on Wednesday night.

And for the first time in the Majors since Brent Mayne of the Rockies faced the Braves on Aug. 22, 2000, a position player was the winning pitcher.

The last player to start a game in the field and earn a win was Babe Ruth on Oct. 1, 1921, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Ruth started in left field for the Yankees in that game.

Valdez said he hadn't pitched since a 2002 backyard game in his native Dominican Republic but needed just 10 pitches to get through the Reds' Nos. 3-6 hitters.

"It was fun. It's something that I will never forget," Valdez said. "I'm a winner. I was ready to pitch, and I'm glad that I went 1, 2, 3."

He got reigning National League MVP Joey Votto to fly out to deep center. Ditto Jay Bruce after hitting Scott Rolen with a pitch. Then, pitcher Carlos Fisher popped out to second.

"It was funny, because when Votto was hitting, [Valdez] started shaking [off catcher] Dane [Sardinha], and I was like, 'What is he about to throw? What does he have?' " first baseman Ryan Howard said. "He threw him a sinker in, and I was like, 'OK.' "

It was the first time Charlie Manuel had ever used a position player to pitch, the manager said after the game.

"I think he got his fastball up to 88, 89 miles per hour," Manuel said. "That's better than some guys I see out there."

Valdez was asked if he could pitch, and he took over for Danys Baez, who threw five innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out three on 73 pitches.

Baez, the last available pitcher for the Phillies, was told he would not return for a fourth inning but asked to stay in so Valdez wouldn't have to face the middle of the Reds' order.

"It is what it is at that point," Bruce said. "Obviously you'd like to get something going against him, but we didn't. That stuff happens. He actually had OK stuff."

To watch a video report click here.

Number 7: the Mick!

This from Clubhouse, the website of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Cut me some slack here, Rangers fans.  I grew up in Dallas when there was no Major League Baseball franchise.  CBS owned the New York Yankees.  As a result, I watched the Bronx Bombers every weekend on then local CBS affiliate, Channel 4 with play-by-play provided by Pee Wee Reese and Dizzy Dean! 


May 18, 1956: Mickey Mantle homers from both sides of the plate in one game, setting a new record

By KEVIN STINER
May 16, 2011

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Hitting a baseball is widely considered one of the most difficult tasks in all of sports. Many men dedicate their whole lives in an attempt to hit the ball consistently either as a right or left handed batter.

Mickey Mantle, however, hit the ball from both sides of the plate like no one before him.

Mickey Mantle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

Fifty-five years ago this week – on May 18, 1956 – Mantle showcased his talents in an unprecedented way. Mantle connected for two round-trippers, one from the right side and one from the left – becoming the first player to achieve the single-game milestone three times in a career.

Mantle began the 1956 season on a torrid pace, entering the game on May 18 with a .387 batting average, 13 home runs and 29 RBI, leading the Yankees to an 18-10 start.

The Chicago White Sox sent staff ace Billy Pierce to the mound that day, hoping to avenge the loss from the game before. He was also off to a strong start in the season with a 4-1 record.

But Mantle went 2-for-2 against Pierce with a single, walk and a two-home run in the fifth inning. The Yankees had built a 5-1 lead by the time Pierce, a lefty, was removed from the action. But the White Sox rallied for two runs apiece in the sixth, seventh and eighth to take a 7-6 lead heading into the ninth inning.

The White Sox’s right-handed relief specialist Dixie Howell had already pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out two. In the ninth he got the first two batters to ground out, so all that remained between a White Sox victory was Mantle.

Mantle stepped up to the plate, having already hit a home run from the right side, and now delivered one from the left side. He tied the game before the Yankees went on to win in the 10th inning.

Mantle began the season on a pace to break Babe Ruth’s single season home run record from 1927. Although he didn’t break the record, it didn’t stop him from earning his first of three career MVP awards. Mantle led the league in average, runs, home runs and RBI taking home the Triple Crown with a .353 average, 52 home runs, and 130 RBI.

Hall of Famer Bill Dickey saw the raw power Mantle possessed from both sides of the plate very early in his career.

“I was pitching batting practice when the kid came to the plate,” said Dickey. “The boy hit the first six balls nearly five hundred feet, over the lights and out of sight. He hit them over the fences right-handed and left-handed.”

Mantle finished his career with 10 games where he homered from both sides of the plate, a record at the time of his retirement.

Mantle joined Dickey in the Hall of Fame when he was inducted in his first year of eligibility in 1974.

(Kevin Stiner was the spring 2011 Public Relations intern for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

"Say Hey Kid" celebrates 80th today!

Baseball great, Willie Mays celebrates his 80th birthday today!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Mays! You've brought joy and thrill to lots of folks. Just had to remember "the catch" before the day got away.

All Star goes down. . .will Rangers?

During Tuesday's game against the Detroit Tigers, American League MVP and Rangers' outfielder, Josh Hamilton slid into home. 

He was thrown out at the plate.

In the process he broke a bone in his shoulder.  Hamilton will be out of action for 6-8 weeks. 

How will the Rangers manage without their star player? 

We'll see. 

I predict they will rise to the occasion in fine fashion. 

But, as I say, we'll see.  It's why we watch the game, right? 

BTW--three day games in Detroit in a row really made it hard to work this past week!  Anyone else feel that way?

George Will's opening day baseball quiz

My good friend and college roommate, Dr. Jerry Cook sent me this delightful challenge for opening day from baseball fan/fanatic, Washington Post columnist George F. Will. 

Check it out here. 

Opening Day. . .at Last!

In recognition of "Opening Day 2011," enjoy the following reflection on the importance and transcendence of the national passtime! 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Spring is here, and Americans' thoughts turn — once again — to baseball
By Roger Rosenblatt
Parade Magazine, Sunday, March 27, 2011

When the game was over, I stood with a bunch of kids outside Yankee Stadium, waiting to get autographs. The Indians’ Bob Feller burst through the door, a losing-pitcher’s scowl on his face, and plowed through us, muttering his irritation. Offended, I reported it to my dad, who suggested I write a letter of complaint to the New York Times. I was 10, and it was 1951. I can’t recall if the Times ran my letter, or even if I mailed it. But the incident suggests what an innocent time that was, long before big money divided fans from the stars, when players were expected to sign baseballs and chat with kids in the street.

Yet even now, when a so-so reliever costs $5 million and the stadium serves quiche, baseball retains most of its innocence. Here we are, older and jaded, and still giddy as the season begins. Nothing in American life excites us this way. Of course, my “we” and “us” assume everyone loves the game, but why not? Baseball is America. It’s competitive. It’s green. And it’s such a well-made invention.
 
Read more here.

A home run I will always remember. . .

I was 10-years-old and watching the 7th game of the 1960 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburg Pirates. Bill Mazeroski came to the plate and the rest is history. I was cheering for New York, but I couldn't help being thrilled by this series ending blast. What a moment! It is as if it were yesterday. . .50 years ago!

Enjoy this post dedicated to my dear friend and partner, Keith Ackerman and his father, Bishop Ackerman.

Time out for celebration! Finally!!!

Time out for a baseball fanatic's core meltdown!

At last!

Finally, after all these years the Texas Rangers won a place in the World Series!

The best thing about the entire season is the obvious strength of the team and the team concept.

The Texas Rangers provide us a living portrait of real "community" at work.

Go Rangers!

(photos from The Dallas Morning News, 10-23-10)

Nothing like fall baseball!

Wyatt gets his swings in. . .I smile

If you know me at all, you know I have to talk about my grandchildren long and often! Having four now turns out to be a real hoot, and on a regular, no, routine basis.

Baseball season is here and my oldest grandson, Wyatt, is playing hard and working hard at the game. Couldn't make myself not share these images and this short video.