Strangest Play I Ever Saw – K-E2-7-6-7 and the ball never leaves the infield

July 16, 2012 by

You never know what you’ll see at the ballpark – and that was never more true for BBRT than at Metropolitan Stadium on April 25, 1970.  Try to imagine one play that produces a strikeout, a three-base error, an assist and putout for an outfielder and an assist for the shortstop – and takes place with only four players on the field and the ball never leaving the infield.  Let me share the story.

My dad and I were among the just over 11, 000 fans who turned out to watch the Minnesota Twins – off to an 8-4 start and scoring runs in bunches.  The Twins line-up featured power hitters like Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva, as well as the steady bats of Cesar Tovar, Leo Cardenas and Rich Reese.

One of the main attractions that day, however, was Garabrant (Brant) Reyerson Alyea III – a 6’ 5”, 29-year-old power hitter picked up by the Twins in an off-season trade with the Washington Senators. The Twins sent pitchers Joe Grzenda and Charley Walters to Washington in the deal.  Before joining the Twins, Alyea was best known for hitting a pinch-hit home run on the first major league pitch he ever saw (1965).  In parts of three major league seasons since, he had shown some power, rapping 19 homers in 165 games.  In his first 11 games as a Twin, however, Alyea was one of the America League’s hottest hitters – batting .421 (15 for 35) with four home runs and 20 RBI.  Alyea was to play a part in the play of the day, but not with his bat.

On the mound for the Twins that day was lefty Jim Kaat.  The opposing hurler was former Minneapolis Miller Earl Wilson, known as much for his bat as his arm. In an 11-season career, Wilson would win 121 games (including a stellar 22-11 in 1967) and also hit 35 homers (hitting 5 or more in five seasons) – including a .240 average, with 7 homers and 22 RBI in 45 games in 1967. Wilson would also have a role in the strangest play I ever witnessed – but with his legs, rather than his arm or his bat.

It all came about with two out in the top of the seventh inning and the Twins leading 2-1.  Wilson, who had a double and a strikeout in the game, became Kaat’s fifth strikeout victim, seemingly ending the inning (soon to prove an invalid assumption).  The home plate umpire, however, did not signal an out, judging that Twins’ catcher Paul Ratliff had trapped the ball, and Wilson needed to be tagged out.  The Twins didn’t notice the lack of a final emphatic “out” signal and Ratliff rolled the ball to the edge of the mound while the home team trotted of the field. Wilson, signaled by the Tiger third base coach, lingered at the plate. Those of us in the stands assumed he was waiting for someone to bring him his glove (another invalid assumption.)

With all the Twins except Alyea (notoriously slow moving) in the dugout, Wilson bolted for first – setting off confusion in the dugout and the stands.  By the time the Twins – Alyea probably first – realized what was happening, Wilson was rounding third base and heading for home.  Alyea got to the infield and the ball as Ratcliff and Twins’ shortstop Leo Cardenas headed to home plate.  Alyea threw to Cardenas. Wilson held up, heading back to third base and pulling a hamstring in the process (he would have to leave the game). Cardenas then threw to Alyea, who put the tag on the hobbled Wilson.

On my scorecard it ultimately (after we sorted out what had happened) looked like this:  K-E2-7-6-7 – wouldn’t that have been great in one of those now popular scorecard BINGO games.  It all added up to a strikeout for Kaat (and as a hitter Wilson); a three-base error for Ratliff; an assist for Cardenas; and a putout and an assist for Alyea – and the ball was never more then 80-feet from home plate.

After the game, Detroit catcher Bill Freehan urged Alyea to move a bit quicker between innings, “If Alyea has been hustling, Earl might have made it.  Tell him to start coming in and off the field a little quicker.”

BBRT’s ballgame rule:  Never get there late, never leave early – cause you never know what you’re gonna’ see. 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Back in the Day – Most Unique Finish to a No-Hitter

July 15, 2012 by

More evidence of how “the game” has changed.  Can you imagine a hitter today coming to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning of a no-hitter – with a table leg for a bat?  Well, on a July 15, 1973, Detroit Tigers first baseman Norm Cash did exactly that.

Norm Cash bat rack?

Nolan Ryan was putting the finishing touches on his second career no-hitter (and second no-hitter of 1973) – a 6-0 California Angels’ win over the Tigers at Tiger Stadium in front of 41,411 fans.  With two outs in the ninth, Cash (who had struck out two times and grounded out second to first in three previous at-bats) put a punctuation mark on Ryan’s excellence and the Tigers’ futility by coming to the plate brandishing a table leg (form the Tiger clubhouse).  Umpire Ron Luciano, was having none of it and sent Cash back to the dugout for a more traditional “stick.”  Using his usual bat, Cash popped out to the shortstop and Ryan’s no-hitter went into the record books.

There was good reason for Cash to try an unconventional approach to his last at bat.  In that game, Ryan racked up 17 strikeouts – a record for Ks in a no-hitter that still stands – and had struck out the side in the second, fourth and seventh innings.  The Tigers, who drew four walks, had hit only four fair balls out of the infield.  In today’s game, Cash’s attempt at humor probably would merit an instant ejection, angry protests on the field, media outrage and a wave of irate blog post and tweets.  For me, I just wish I had been there.  Really, what we need in baseball is more smilin’ and less stylin’.

A few tidbits about Ryan and his second 1973 no-hitter:

Over the first seven innings, Detroit starter Jim Perry was also tossing a great game – having given up just 4 hits, 3 walks and one run.  The Angels broke through for five runs on Perry and two relievers in the eighth inning.

Ryan came into the game with a losing record on the season (10-11) and for his career (58-64).

The game took only 2 hours and 21 minutes to complete.  Ryan’s no-hitter was one of his career major league record 7 no-hit games and the 17 strikeouts were part of his 1973 single season (since 1900) record 383 Ks.

Ryan’s no-hitter came in the first year of the DH in the American League.  If he’d had the chance to face the pitcher, he might have recorded another strikeout or two.

The win was part of Ryan’s first-ever 20-win season (21-16 in 1973) – one of only two 20-victory campaigns for the Hall of Famer (he went 22-16 in 1974).

In his eight years with the Angels, Ryan led the NL in strikeouts 7 times, as well as in walks 6 times and wild pitches 3 times.

The Tiger line-up wasn’t exactly overpowering, the highest average among starters on July 15 was .267 (the AL average that year was .259, the Tigers averaged .254, Minnesota led the league at .270). Detroit, however, was 48-43 on July 15 and finished eight games over .500 for the year.

While Cash was a four-time All Star, he is best known for his 1961 season, when he won the batting title with a .361 average, while posting 119 runs scored, 41 HRs and 132 RBI.  In 1962, Cash become the answer to a trivia question, as his average dropped 118 points to .243, the largest next-year decline ever for a batting champion.  In his 17-tear major league career, outside of that 1961 season, Cash – while a steady and solid performer –never recorded another season of 100 runs, 40 HRs, 100 RBI nor a .300 or better average.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

All Star Break – Looking Back at Surprises, Disappointments, BBRT Preseason Predictions

July 11, 2012 by

Now that we’re at the All Star break, BBRT would like to take a look at the season so far – surprises, disappointments and how BBRT’s pre-season (mid-March) projections are holding up.

R.A. Dickey – Mets’ knuckleballer 2012’s biggest surprise.

First, MLB’s biggest surprise – this one is at the top of everybody’s list –  the Mets’s knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.  Dickey came into 2012 having never exceeded 11 wins in a season, with a 9-year record of 41-50, a career 4.33 ERA, a career average of 5.5 strikeouts per game, just 4 complete games and 1 shutout.  This season, Dickey leads the major leagues with 12 wins (versus only 1 loss), has a 2.40 ERA, is striking out 9.2 hitters per nine innings, has 3 complete games and 2 shutouts.

From a team perspective, BBRT is most surprised by the Baltimore Orioles, in second place in the tough AL East (no teams under .500 at the break) with a 45-40 record, despite being outscored 387 – 351, the third-worst run differential in the AL.  Notably, Tampa Bay (1/2 game behind the Orioles) is closing the gap and both Boston and Toronto are within striking distance of the O’s, so BBRT does not expect the surprising performance of the O’s (who haven’t had a winning record since 1997) to last.

Giants hope Lincecum rebounds from disappointing start.

Biggest disappointment?  BBRT gives the nod to the Giant’s Tim Lincecum – with a 3-10 record, a 6.42 ERA and league leadership in earned runs allowed (69) and wild pitches (10).  Lincecum came into the season with a 5-year career record of 69-41, a 2.98 ERA over 1,028 innings pitched, and two Cy Young Awards.   How far off his usual marks is the Giants’ ace?  In 2011, he gave up 66 earned runs in 217 innings.  In 2012, he’s already exceeded that total (giving up 69 earned runs) in only 96.2 innings.  In fact, Lincecum has already given up more earned runs through the break this year then in all but one of his previous 5 full seasons.  And, keep in mind, at 46-40,San Francisco is only ½ game out of first.

The most disappointing team goes to the Philadelphia Phillies – 37-50, in last place, 14 games out and losers of 9 of their last ten games before the break.  This a team picked to top the NL East by most analysts, as well as BBRT – coming off a 102-win season in 2011, five straight division titles and 9 consecutive winning seasons.  What happened?  Injury took a significant toll – Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Roy Halladay, along with disappointing seasons by outfielder Shane Victorian and preseason potential Cy Young pick Cliff Lee.

Now, let’s go a little deeper in the areas of surprises, disappointments and BBRT’s mid-March predictions.

And, what a difference 80+ games can make.  Before the season opened, BBRT predicted competitors for the NY Cy Young were:  1) Cliff Lee (now 1-5, 3.98); 2), Roy Halladay (4-5, 3.98); 3) Cole Hamels (10-4, 3.20).  Oops!

So, let’s look at how things are going – and how BBRT did in March.   Surprises will be in green – disappointments in red.

AL East

BBRT’s predicted winner – the Yankees – have a firm hold on first place.  However, BBRT lists Michael Pineda as a disappointment.  BBRT saw Pineda (who has missed the entire season with injuries) as a key player in the Yankees’ dominance.  Ivan Nova’s 10-3, 3.92 record, however, is a surprise that offsets Pineda.

Baltimore in second place is a surprise, as BBRT predicted the Tampa Bay Rays would finished in the number-two spot (the Rays are in third, just a half-game out of second).   What does BBRT see ahead?  Yankees win it, followed by TampaBay, with Orioles dropping to fourth.

Another disappointment in the East is Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez – going from 2011’s .338, 27 HRs, 117 RBI season to .283-6-45 at the break.

AL Central

The White Sox, are the surprise here – thanks in great part to strong hitting from Paul Konerka and A.J. Pierzynski (who should have been all All-Star) and comeback seasons by Adam Dunn and Jake Peavy.

A notable individual surprise in the division is 23-year-old White Sox hurler Chris Sale, who hadn’t started a major league game previous to this season and now stands at 10-2, 2.19, with nearly a strikeout per inning.  With the positive addition of Kevin Youkilis, the Sox are in the race to stay.

The Tigers are a bit of a disappointment here, but not that big a one.  BBRT picked Detroit to lead from start to finish (behind Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander).  Early on, the Tigers showed some problems in the field, with their starting pitching and at the bottom of the lineup.  However, they are now 2 games over .500, just 3 1/2 back and won 7 of 10 before the break.  They will be in the hunt.

BBRT picked Cleveland to be a strong contender (second to the Tigers) and the Indians sit in second place at the break.  However, they will need to make a move or two or risk losing ground to the Tigers and Sox.  Final prediction – Sox hold off the Tigers, Indians drop to third.

AL West

Not much to surprise anyone here.  BBRT saw a dogfight between the Rangers and Angels and that seems to be where we are heading, with both teams boasting strong offenses and pitching staffs.  In March, BBRT saw the finish as Angels –Texas, with both teams making the playoffs.  Right now, they are flip-flopped and you can expect a competitive finish.

We have seen a notable disappointment in the division, in the form of Albert Pujols’ slow start.  Pujols has rebounded, but still is at just .268 (versus a .325 career average) with 14 HRs and 51 RBI.  That may be enough to help the Angels grab a wild card spot, but Pujols needs to pick it up if the Angels are going to catch the Rangers.  Year-end prediction – Rangers have just enough to hold off the Angels.

Mike Trout – potential ROY and MVP candidate?

A key surprise in this Division is young Mike Trout of the Angels at .341, 12 HRs, 40 RBI and 26 SBs – a potential combination ROY and MVP contender (only Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki have won MVP and ROY in the same season).  Given Trout’s role in compensating for Pujols’ slow start, he has a chance.

NL East

The Washington Nationals have ridden a surprising starting pitching staff (Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Edwin Jackson to a major-league best 3.20 ERA, a 49-34 record and a four-game East Division lead.  Add to that the energy infusion of young Bryce Harper and you have a season-long contender.  This is not a total surprise, BBRT’s preseason prediction saw Washington with a winning record and fighting for a playoff spot, with the Braves taking the division.

What BBRT did not expect was the collapse of the Phillies (see the disappointment at the start of this post) and shortfall of the Brewers (with particularly disappointing results from Rickie Weeks and Randy Wolf).  Season’s end?   BBRT sees the Nationals and Braves close all the way, with the Braves winning the Division and Nationals as a Wild Card.

NL Central

The big surprise here for many people is seeing Pittsburgh in first, a game up on the Reds and 2 ½ on the Cardinals – thanks to Andrew McCutchen’s MVP-caliber performance and the stalwart pitching of James McDonald and A.J. Burnett (both among 2012’s surprises).  McDonald came into the season at 18-20 with a career 4.04 ERA (but having shown some promise) and, at the 2012 break, is 9-3, 2.37.  Burnett is a “comeback” surprise.  He’s had some good years in the past, but for 2010-11, he was 21-26 with an ERA north of 5.00 both seasons.  In 2012, he stands at 10-2, 3.68.

Right now, trailing the Pirates closely are the Reds and Cards.  The Cardinals, in particular, have shown some grit – overcoming the loss of Pujols.  Yadier Molina, David Freese, Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran have picked up the slack.  And, there is a surprise here.  Lance Lynn, the Cards’ 25-year-old Rookie of the Year Candidate stands at 11-4 with a 3.41 ERA.

What does BBRT expect for the second half?  First, as predicted in March, the Pirates notch their first winning season since 1992.  However, it won’t be enough to hold off the Cards and Reds.  BBRT will stick with its March prediction, the Cards take the Division, followed by the Reds.

NL West

A notable surprise here, the Dodgers went into the break in first place (just ½ game up on the Giants), despite losing Matt Kemp for 51 games.  Pitching has helped keep the Dodgers in the hunt, particularly Clayton Kershaw (who has pitched much better than his 6-5 record – with a 2.91 ERA) and the Dodgers’ “surprise” Chris Capauno (9-4, 2.91 this year; 11-12, 4.55 in 2011; but an 18-game winner for the Brewers in 2005).

The Giants in second matches BBRT’s March prediction, despite Tim Lincecum’s decline.  Contributing factors are strong seasons from Melky Cabrera, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval – more important, strong starting pitching from Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and even a surprising resurgence (7 wins) from Barry Zito.

BBRT’s sees a disappointment in the West – the struggles of the Diamondbacks (BBRT’s March pick to win the Division).  The Diamondbacks have been helped by Paul Goldschmidt’s emergence as a Rookie of the Year candidate (.302, 12 HRs, 42 RBI), a solid season from Aaron Hill (.300, 11 HRs, 40 RBI) and what BBRT rates as a mild surprise, newcomer Jason Kubel’s .293, 15 HRs, 60 RBI performance going into the break.  The pitching has been adequate led by 25-year-old Wade Miley with 9 wins. The big disappointment forArizona?  Justin Upton, who – after last season’s .289, 31 HRs and 88 RBI – was expected to further mature and carry the offense.  This season, Upton stands at .273, 7 HRs and 37 RBI – respectable, but well below expectations.

Post All-Star break, BBRT sees the Giants winning the Division, with the Diamondbacks and Dodgers fighting for second – and Kemp’s return being just enough to keep the Dodgers ahead of the Diamondbacks.

 

Finally, BBRT’s Mid-Season Award Predictions:

AL MVP: 1) Robinson Cano (NYY); Josh Hamilton (TEX); Mike Trout (LAA).  BBRT’s preseason picks were:  Cano, Albert Pujols (LAA); Evan Longoria (TB).

NL MVP:  1) Joey Votto (CIN); 2) Andrew McCutchen (PITT); 3) Matt Kemp (LAD).  Preseason picks:  Justin Upton (AZ); Kemp; Votto.

 

AL Cy Young:  1) Jered Weaver (LAA); 2) Justin Verlander (DET); 3) David Price (TB).  Preseason picks were:  Weaver; Verlander; C.C. Sabathia (NYY); Price.

NL Cy Young: 1) R.A. Dickey (NYM); Gio Gonzalez (WASH);  Matt Cain (SF).   Preseason predictions:  Cliff Lee (PHIL), Roy Halladay (PHIL); Cole Hamels (PHIL). (Boy, did I miss this one.)

 

AL Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout (LAA); Yu Darvish (TEX).  Preseason picks:  Matt Moore TB); Jesus Montero (SEA).

NL Rookie of the Year:  1) Bryce Harper (WASH) ;  2) Lance Lynn (STL).  Preseason picks:  Bryce Harper; Julio Teheran (ATL).

So, there’s a look back and a few predictions forward.  Can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds.

Filed Under: News

Calico Joe – a solid summer read

July 3, 2012 by

Calico Joe by John Grisham

Doubleday – 2012 ($24.95)

While John Grisham is best known for his detailed legal thrillers, he has set that aside to pen a baseball-focused tale of relationships and redemption that gives readers a look into the heart and soul of an “old school” hardballer, his family and the ultimate victim of his approach to life and the national pastime.

The story initially centers on Joe Castle – a hard hitting 21-year-old phenom from Calico Rock, Arkansas, who joins the Cubs during the 1973 season.  Castle homers in his first three major league at bats and continues on a tear that sees him with 21 home runs and an average near the .500 mark after 38 games.  Unfortunately for Calico Joe Castle, his last home run comes in his first at bat against Warren Tracey, a 34-year-old journeyman pitcher trying to hang on with the Mets – not a very good hurler and even less of a father, husband, friend or team mate.  Known for an “old school” attitude, a fierce temper and a penchant for hitting batters, Tracey takes his revenge in Castle’s next (and last) at bat with an intentional and nearly fatal bean ball that puts an end to both their careers.

In the stands for the game is Warren Tracey’s 11-year-old son Paul, who idolizes Castle as much as he dislikes his own often absent and always overbearing father.  Paul, who has been berated by his father for not knocking down hitters when he’s on the Little League mound, knows and dreads what’s coming when Calico steps in for his second at bat– and is among the most passionate non-believers when Warren later denies he hit Castle intentionally.

Years later, Paul still feels personal and family guilt.  With Warren– by now on wife number 6 and just as dour as ever – dying of cancer, Paul becomes determined to arrange a redemptive meeting between Warren and Joe.   Paul, however, finds plenty of opposition to the proposed meeting – from his father and Joe Castle’s very protective family and community.  Paul’s quest and the relationships he discovers and builds along the way are what Calico Joe is really all about.  It takes us all the way from a major league baseball diamond to two former big leaguers, both damaged in different ways, facing each other in folding chairs in small town ball park.

Now, if statistics are your priority, Calico Joe may not be for you (at times, some of the numbers just don’t seem to add up).  However, if you are a baseball fan looking for an enjoyable summer read, this book will capture you.  I recommend it for the story, for its ties to baseball and for the fact that Grisham has made it even more interesting by deftly intermingling real players and events with his fictional cast of characters.  Again, a fun summer read, ideal for the beach or campground.

Filed Under: Reviews

The All Stars – a B+, but still debatable.

July 2, 2012 by

The MLB All Star selections are in (minus the final five vote).  Overall, a pretty good job by the fans and managers, I’d rate the selections a B+ or A-.  That better than many years, but,  as always, there is some disapointment and debate.  Here are BBRT’s commentary on the”snubs” of 2012, as well as my vote for the final spot.

#1 Snub … Voters select Pablo Sandoval (Giants) to start over David Wright (Mets) at third base.  Look at the numbers, Sandoval’s 45 games, .300 average, 6 HRs and 25 RBI are respectable – but put them up against Wright’s 76 games, .354 average, 9 HRs and 50 RBI and I know who my starter would be.

#2 … Voters select Mike Napoli (Rangers) to start at catcher for the AL.  Yes, Napoli hit 56 homers in 2010-11 and was a post-season star, but he’s not even close to my first choice.

Check out the numbers:

Totals as of June 1                           HR                   RBI                  Avg.

Mike Napoli                                        12                    30                    .235

Joe Mauer (Twins)                              4                    36                    .324

A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox)              14                    45                    .285

Matt Wieters   (Orioles)                    11                    38                    .249

My choice:  A.J., with Mauer and Wieters on the bench.

Encarnacion deserves to be at the 2012 All Star game.

#3 … No reserve spot for Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays) on the AL squad. Encarnacion’s rung up a .291 average, with 22 HRs and 55 RBI in 76 games.  Who would I drop?  At the reserve DH spot, the AL has Adam Dunn with 79 games, a .210 average, 24 HRs, and 58 RBI.  Some additional factors:  Encarnacion has 8 SBs to 0 for Dunn; 50 Runs to 44 for Dunn; and has struck out 54 times, compared to Dunn’s league-leading 126.  Dunn does lead Encarnacion in walks 64 to 32, but still trails in OBP .359 to .373 and Slg. Pct. .507 to .572.  Overall, I give Encarnacion the nod for the final DH spot behind David Ortiz (Red Sox) and Billy Butler (Royals).

#4 … Voters select Buster Posey (Giants) to start over Carlos Ruiz (Phillies) and Yadier Molina (Cardinals) at NL catcher.  Okay, we have a trio deserving backstops here, but the numbers swing in Ruiz’s favor and drop Posey to third.

Totals as of June 1                   HR                 RBI                 Avg.

Buster Posey                            10                    42                    .303

Carlos Ruiz                                11                    43                    .356

Yadier Molina                            13                    45                    .312.

#5  … Matt Kemp selected by the voters having played only 36 games played.

#6 …  A few I’d classify as truly deserving, even at the expense of other selections:

Aaron Hill (2B. – Diamondbacks)

Johnny Cueto (SP – Reds)

Austin Jackson (OF – Tigers)

Ernesto Frieri (RP – Angels)

Zack Grienke (S P- Brewers)

Jason Kipnis (2B – Indians)

Finally, my votes in the final five for each league.

First the NL, going with tradition here and voting for the Braves’ Chipper Jones to make a final All-Star appearance, honoring a 19-career which now stands at a .304 average, 460 HRs and 1,590 RBI.

Frieri … my AL final five vote … wearing an Angels uniform, of course.

In the AL, going with the surprise  flame thrower – Angels closer Ernesto Frieri.  For the season (Padres and Angels), Frieri has pitched in 35 games, 36 innings, giving up only 16 hits, fanning 60 and notching a 0.75 ERA.  With the Angels, he’s pitched in 24 games (10 saves), totaled 24.1 innings, given up just 7 hits and no runs, and whiffed 42.  Fans need to see this guy pitch on the big stage.

Filed Under: News

Aaron Hill – Two Cycles a Rarity … Tyrone Horne “Homer Cycle” Even Rarer

June 30, 2012 by

On June 29, Aaron Hill – for the second time in 11 days – hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run in one game).  This made him the first player with a two-cycle season since 1931 (Babe Herman,Brooklyn) – and only the fourth in major league history (it was accomplished twice in the ML American Association of the 1880s (John Reilly, Cincinnati, 1883 and Tip O’Neill, St. Louis, 1887).

Two cycles in a season, a rare feat indeed.  Let’s look, however, at an even rarer feat – the “Home Run Cycle,” accomplished just once in all of professional baseball.   On July 27, 1998, Tyrone Horne of the Double-A Arkansas Travelers hit a solo home run, two-run homer, three-run homer and a grand slam in a 13-4 road victory over the San Antonio Mission.  The term “Home Run Cycle” was coined for Horne’s accomplishment – never done before and not duplicated since.

Although it was surprising, the feat was, perhaps, not totally unexpected.  Horne was in the midst of a stellar minor league season in which he would go .313 with 37 home runs, 140 RBI, 95 runs scored and even throw in 18 stolen bases.  And, right after the historic game, Horne headed off to the Texas League All-Star Game where, of course, he proceeded to win the Home Run Derby.  Horne, by the way, never made it to the major leagues – completing a 13-year (1,286 game) minor league career with a .288 average and 143 home runs.  The bat he used that historic day, however, has made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

A final thought on hitting for the cycle.  Yankee third baseman Tony Lazzeri may have had the major league’s most overshadowed cycle.  On June 3, 1932 – in a 20-13 win over the Athletics – Lazzeri completed his cycle (1B, 2B, 3B, HR) with a grand slam.  On the same day, however, Lou Gehrig notched the American League’s first-ever four-homer game.   Oh yes, and if you’re interested, the career cycle record is three by the Yankees’ Bob Meusel.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Cincinnati – Chicago – Home … Another Jam Packed Ballpark Tour Complete

June 26, 2012 by

The Great American Ball Park – another great stop on the tour.

The 30th Anniversary Ballpark Tours (BPT) trek is complete – and this will be my last tour-related post.  (Back to more traditional commentary, reviews, etc. – Coming soon a review of John Grisham’s “Calico Joe;” a recipe for “Tokyo Dogs;” and a look at mid-season standings, achievements and disappointments.)

 

Note:  To get the chronological “feel” of the Ballpark tours trek, scroll down and being the with initial post in this series.  

 

The final days of the 2012 BPT trek took our band of about 40 baseball fanatics to:

– Cincinnati … Where we saw our Twins slip by the Reds 5-4, despite a pair of Reds’ 2-run homers.

– Chicago … Where we witnessed a see-saw battle as the White Sox topped the visiting Brewers 8-6.

– Monroe, Wisconsin … Where we toured (and sampled the wares of) the Minhas Craft Brewery,

A few highlights of the final days/hours:

At our Friday game, Cincinnati was honoring the “Big Red Machine” of the ‘70s and we got to see post game interviews with George Foster, Dave Concepcion, Gary Nolan, Dan Driessen and Cesar Geronimo. Foster was particularly entertaining, as he reflected on his 1977 MVP season when he led the NL with 52 home runs, 149 RBI, 124 runs scored and posted a .320 batting average.  According to Foster, he could have plated a few more RBI if Dave Concepcion hadn’t “help up at third” so often.

The post-game interviews were followed by a fantastic fireworks show (the best most of us had seen at a ball park, or any other venue).   Other notables:  The Smokey Red Dogs made for great baseball fare; even the vendors in the stands featured steamed hot dog buns; the Twins’ young Ben Revere went 4 for 4 with a pair of stolen bases; and the Reds’ veteran Scott Rolen went 3 for 4 with a home run and a pair of RBI.   A moment to “rant” about.  In the fifth inning of a 4-3 game, Reds’ fans in centerfield tried to start “the wave,” a fortunately fruitless endeavor that they repeated in the sixth inning of a then 5-4 game.  BBRT remains steadfastly anti-wave, especially in a tight contest.

In Chicago, during Saturday’s final tour contest, we saw a combined 25 hits, 6 walks, 2 hit batsmen, 1 fielding error, 1 passed ball, 10 pitchers and 7 stolen bases in a less then cleanly played White Sox win.  On the plus side, we did witness two very well executed sacrifice bunts.

We also enjoyed another fireworks display – not up to Cincy’s standards, but still very good, well-timed to great music.   Among the food highlights were corn “off the cob” (I had mine with butter, salt and shredded mozzarella); loaded baked potatoes; and a variety of sausages (all available with grilled pepper and onions.)  On the beverage side, mango margaritas received some high praise. It was a beautiful night (some respite from the 90-degree heat) and, as usual, we had good seats (upper deck box behind home plate).  One of our group caught a T-Shirt in the between innings give-away and (as is BPT custom) quickly “gave it to a kid.”

Sunday’s dash for home included a side trip off the main highway – to the small town of Monroe, Wisconsin, where we toured the Minhas Craft Brewery.  Great tour and great tasting – including the popular “Lazy Mutt” Brew and the tasty Huber Bock and Boxer Lager.  The stop in Monroe also included a visit to the Haydock Museum of Beer Memorabilia and time for lunch at one of the restaurants on the town square. I enjoyed a great burger with spicy garlic olives, Swiss cheese and horseradish mayo.  Of note, Minhas lays claim to being the oldest brewery in the Midwest (operating since 1845), now owned by the world’s youngest brewery owners (Ravinder and Manjit Minhas.)  We all received a Minhas “Damn Good Beer” glass for the tasting – with numerous refills available, as well as a five-pack (four beers and one root beer) of samples to take with us.  By the time we rolled out of Monroe, we had met and mingled with a host of locals – and several in our group were talking about coming back for Monroe’s Cheese Fest.

So, there you have it – in 9 days, a total of 205 ½ hours, my personal tally (which is representative of the group) included:

– 8 ball games … 5 major league, 3 minor league – in 5 cities in 4 states.

– 5 museums …  History, Science, Art, Bat Manufacturing, Beer Memorabilia

– 1 pregame tailgate party

– 3 fireworks displays

–  A host of freebies … A tour T-shirt; a Ball Park Tours 30th Anniversary windbreaker; a Roberto Clemente jersey; a Louisville Slugger mini-bat; a magnetic, baseball-oriented photo frame; a MLB.net mini backpack; a Minhas beer glass; a sampler five-pack (four beers and a root beer).

To wrap up BPT’s 30th Anniversary Tour, I had a great time with a lot of great people (old friends and new) who share a passion for the national past time.   How much fun are these tours?  At our Chicago hotel, a good share of the group was gathered in the bar laughing at tales of events from this trip (and a host of trips past), when the manager came over to our group.  Our first thought was that he was going to ask us to “keep it down” a bit.  Instead, he just wanted to comment on how great is was to see a group having such a good time in the lounge/bar.   That’s why Ballpark Tours is my choice for the premier baseball tour operation.

The Lazy Mutt Lounge – a highlight of the Minhas Brewery tour.

 

Filed Under: Ballpark Tours, Rants & Raves

Our Literary Group Moves On – Pittsburgh and our Twins

June 22, 2012 by

PNC Park – beautiful place for a ball game.

The programs and (dutifully completed) scorecards continue to mount up, as our BPT trek has moved on – through Pittsburgh to Cincinnati.  In addition, our band of bus riders continues to move through its on-trek reading material.  In this blog, BBRT will give you a look at the middle of this baseball tour, as well as what baseball fans (at least this group) choose to read.

In Pittsburgh, we witnessed a 7-2 Twins loss to the Pirates, followed by a 2-1 Twins win (on an eighth inning home run by Josh Willingham) and a 9-1 Twins loss on the final day (which prompted one of our group – in about the 7th inning – to proclaim loudly, “In the name of humanity, stop the game.”)  While we lamented the losses, we had plenty of company, as the stands held a large contingent of Twins-attired fans.

PNC Park, with the Roberto Clemente Bridge in the background, provided a beautiful setting for baseball.  We enjoyed different seats, with different vantage points for each game (down the third base line, behind the first base dugout and second deck behind home plate).  This gave our group a real flavor of the park and a chance to interact with a diverse range of Pirates fans.

Unique food flavors included stuffed Pierogies (dumplings with sour cream) and the delicious Primanti Brothers sandwiches (a meal between two slices of bread) that features your choice of cheese steak, ham and cheese and capicola and cheese – with the coleslaw and French fries mashed right into the sandwich.

Cold beer helped take the edge off the 90+ degree heat (and the Twins losses).  To add more local flavor, we were in Pittsburgh for “Pup Night” – lots of cute dogs at the ball park – and members of our group got their choice of a Roberto Clemente jersey or a Pirates hat as a group gift.  There were the usual between-inning stunts (still a sore spot with BBRT) including a Pierogi race, T-shirt toss and even the firing of hot dogs into the stands. All in all, a good ball park experience.

The Pittsburgh front office staff showed a sense of humor, picturing Minnesota players on the big scoreboard next to snow globes encasing the Twin Cities skyline, and playing “Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” between innings.

As usual, we stayed at a hotel close enough to downtown to enjoy the culture of the city.  I chose the Andy Warhol Museum, but other BPT-ers took bus, boat and even Segway tours.  In our free time, trekkers also visited the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Phipps Botanical Gardens, the Heinz Museum and Pittsburgh Zoo (among others);  rode the popular “inclines” for a better view of the city and its rivers; took the water taxi to the game; and shopped and dined at spots like Station Square, Market Square and the Strip. My lunches (all three games were evening affairs) included a spinach salad with hazel nuts, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and feta cheese on one day, and a baked stuffed clam on another.

Basically, we enjoyed not only a great ball park, but an interesting and hospitable city.

Now, for a little on-the-bus culture.  BBRT did a survey of our BPT group, to find out what’s being read on the bus.  The results back up baseball as the most literary game, with the most literate of fans.

Here’s the list (14 non-fiction / 9 fiction) – judge for yourself:

 Non-fiction

– Baseball in the Garden of Eden – Secret History of the Early Game (John Thorn)

 – The Lady in the Tower – The Fall of Anne Boleyn (Alison Weir)

– Big Russ & Me (Tim Russert)

– On the Ground – Illustrated Annotated History of the 60’s Underground Press in the United States (Sean Stewart)

– Freakonomics (Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner)

–  Bill Veeck – Baseball’s Greatest Maverick (Paul Dickson)

  Destiny of the Republic – A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President (Candice Millard)

– Moneyball (Michael Lewis)

– The First Girl Scout – The Life of Juliette Gordon Low (Ginger Wadsworth)

– Mayflower (Nathaniel Philbrick)

 – Health and Wellness Newsletter

 – D-Day (Stephen Ambrose)

– Lone Survivor (Marcus Luttrell)

–October 1964 (David Halberstam)

 

 Fiction

 –The Art of Fielding (Chad Harbach)

– Hold Tight (Harlan Coben)

– The Mangrove Coast (Randy Wayne White)

 – 63: A Novel (Stephen King)

 – Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (Arthur Cannon Doyle)

 – Good Omen (Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett)

– Alias the Saint (Leslie Chartiers)

– Crewel World Framed in Lace (Monica Ferris)

 – Kill Shot (Vine Lloyd)

Yep, no Fifty Shades of Grey.  Maybe they all read it already.

 

Scorecards piling up.

More to come.

Filed Under: Ballpark Tours, Rants & Raves

Ballpark Tour – Breakfast AND a Show!

June 18, 2012 by

What else would you do? Enter?

Where does a sign like the one pictured here generate the greatest level of enjoyment?   That’s easy.  On a Ballpark Tours (BPT) trek.  The bigger question might be – “What else would you do when you leave?  Enter?”

On June 16, I began my annual baseball trek with Ballpark Tours – 9 days of fun (thank you, Julian) with a busload (about 35) of baseball fanatics. The trip, as noted in the previous post, was headed for Kane County, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Chicago.  We’ve got Kane County and Louisville under our belts (or wheels – thanks, Dick) so far and, as usual, all is going well.  The “exit” sign, by the way, was outside Fifth Third Bank Park– the tour’s first stop and home of the Kane County Cougars.  In the next two or three posts, I’ll try to give you a flavor for what a BRT Trek is like.

We left St. Paul, MN, for Kane County (outside Chicago) at 9:00 a.m., our hands filled with a BPT 30th Anniversary T-Shirt, a special 30th Anniversary Windbreaker, the annual Baseball Triva “Kwiz” and a new twist – a competition to predict (guess)  how many runs major leaguers would score during our five weekdays of baseball nirvana.

Our first game was in Kane County (Class A ball), where we were treated to a pregame picnic (brats, hot dogs, burgers, chicken, potato salad, fruit and ice cream.)  The game was typical A-Ball, a 7-4 Kane County Cougars loss to the Cedar Rapid Kernels that featured a few too many hit batsmen, missed cut-off men, bases on balls and strikeouts – but just the right amount of drama and fun.

As is usual in lower-level minor league ball, lots of crazy entertainment in between half-innings.  “Mackerel Jordan” – a large fish in a basketball uniform who devoured everything in sight (including the bat boy) to the “Eat It!” parody of MJ’s beat it – seemed to be the tour favorite.  There was a vote or two for “Harry Canary,” prompted, apparently, by the trademark black-rimmed glasses.  In addition to filling up at the picnic, the group also fill up on souvenirs and beverages (probably in reverse order).

Day two, featured a stop at the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum (after the Illinois-to-Kentucky bus ride), where we all got free (we love free on BPT) mini-bats and, in honor of Fathers’ Day, all the dads got special “Happy Fathers’ Day” versions.

That night’s game was Triple A, and much more crisply played (a 7-4 Rochester Red Wings win over the Louisville Bats.) Rochester is a Twins farm club, so all of us Minnesotans saw a host of familiar faces (Valencia, Nishioka, Thomas, Rivera, Waldrop).  Among minor league stops, AAA games are especially interesting.  You get to see young “risers” on their way up, current major leaguers rehabbing and waiting to come off the major league Disabled List, former productive major leaguers who have seen better times and are looking for one last shot, and players who love the game, have had a taste of the show and are giving it their best to get back.

A particular favorite in our section of the stands was 36-year-old Corky Miller (Louisville catcher) – in his 15th professional season.  Going into the 2012 season, Corky had gotten a taste of the major leagues in parts of  ten separate seasons – totaling 199 games with five teams   (Cincinnati, Minnesota, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago/AL).   He also had chalked up more than 900 minor league games with 9 teams including parts of 8 seasons (including 2012) with Louisville.  His numbers?  Doesn’t matter, he was there to play.  He’s puting his heart into the game.  And, we appreciate it.   By the way, on this particular night, Miller had two walks, a single, a fly out and an RBI.

Now, while BPT tours are about baseball, they are not all about baseball.  We stay in nice hotels, close the the local culture and night life.  We are seeing not just the ball teams, but the people and the cities.  As I awaited tonight’second game in Louisville, I also took in the Louisville Science Museum, The Frazier History Museum (saw at least 7 other “tour-ees” there) and lunch at Kentucky’s only urban winery (River Bend Winery) – a great Buffalo Chicken sandwich, homemade potato chips, a nice Meritage and a pleasing atmosphere of well-balanced “rustic elegance.”

Breakfast AND a show.

Oh yes, our first hotel featured the pictured pancake machine – looked like a copy machine, but turned out two pancakes in sixty seconds, at the push of a button.  Breakfast AND a show, gotta love that.

So much is happening, I almost forgot, we’ve also been treated to a spectacular fireworks show.

More to come. (This blog falls into the “rave” category.)

Filed Under: Ballpark Tours, Rants & Raves

Ballpark Tours – 30th Anniversary

June 15, 2012 by

Ballpark Tours 30th Anniversary Trek Hits the Road

Tomorrow a.m. (Saturday, June 16), I’m off on Ballpark Tours 30th Anniversary Trek … 9 days of baseball and bus rides on what BBRT considers the premiere hard ball touring group.  Ballpark tours offers the perfect combination of structure and freedom to freelance.  “Trekkies” enjoy not just our national pastime, but also the tastes, sounds and culture of major and minor league cities.  In addition, there’s the unique “on-the-bus” baseball-saturated culture and camaraderie. I know in advance that “a good time will be had by all” – and there’s even a trivia competition and an awards ceremony.

This year’s schedule:

June 16 … Ceder Rapids Kernels at Kane County (IL) Cougars, with pre-game picnic.

June 17 … Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum Tour – Rochester Red Wings at Louisville (KY) Bats.

June 18 … Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at Louisville Bats.

June 19 … Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates, with pre-game “Meet and Greet.”

June 20 … Twins at Pirates.

June 21 … Twins at Pirates.

June 22 … Minnesota Twins at Cincinnati Reds

June 23 … Milwaukee Brewer at Chicago White Sox

June 24 … Wisconsin Brewery Tour and home to Minnesota.

 

 

Filed Under: Ballpark Tours, Rants & Raves
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