“Baseball didn’t exist in Greenwich Village, kids played one-o-cat, stickball, or other games that could be played on a city street. There was no place to play baseball. Kids down in the Village thought the national pastime was beating up kids of other nationalities.” ~ Hank Greenberg, Hall of Fame First Baseman
Let me take this opportunity to welcome all our new subscribers to “Comments”. Thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoy the content.
Well, the notes, both on paper and my iPhone are piling up again. I know (or at least suspect) these won’t become full posts, so sit back and enjoy. I’ve found that from the number of opens and views in the analytics, these posts are popular, so here comes another …
First, I’d again like to congratulate the new Hall of Fame Class who were enshrined yesterday, players Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen as well as announcer Pat Hughes, who was named the Ford C. Frick winner. You are with the immortals now. If you haven’t visited Cooperstown, New York and the Hall of Fame plan a trip. It’s a beautiful town and a magical experience. If you’re like me, allow at least two days in the Hall.
Major League Baseball began in 1876 with the founding of the National League. In its 147-year history approximately 20,440 men have played professionally. If all these players were to gather at Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field, whose approximate seating capacity for the 2023 season is listed at 25,000, the “attendance” would be at 82% capacity.
“The only thing worse than a Mets game is a Mets doubleheader.” ~ Casey Stengel, then the manager of the New York Mets.
Cornerstone University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan built dorms that overlook their baseball field. Now there’s a perk I wouldn’t have been able to pass up.
Ralph Kiner asked Pirate’s General Manager, Branch Rickey, for a raise one year. Rickey started with, “What place did we come in last year Ralph?” To which Ralph replied, “Last.” Rickey then told him, “We could have finished last without you and your home runs.”
Ted Williams had a career Triple Crown. He played from 1939-1960 (missing 5 seasons while serving in WWII and the Korean War), during that time he had the highest batting average (.344), the most home runs (521) and the most runs batted (1,839) in of all the MLB players. “Teddy Ballgame” was truly the best.
“Call your sons, call your daughters, call your friends, call your neighbors. Mark Buehrle has a perfect game going into the ninth.” ~ Ken “Hawk” Harrelson (I did a few innings before he said this.)
Yesterday was the 14th anniversary (July 23, 2009) of Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle’s perfect game against the Tampa Bay Ray’s. It was a 5-0 victory. It was witnessed at US Cellular Field (Pronounced Comiskey Park) by 28,036 fans. In typical Buehrle fashion, the game lasted 2 hours and 3 minutes (1:07p CT to 3:10p CT – He didn’t need the ridiculous Pitch Clock Rule). By the way, in Mark’s next start he was perfect for six innings. If you like to see the 9th inning of the perfect game (including DeWayne Wise’s catch), CLICK HERE. If you’d like to see all 27 outs, CLICK HERE.
“He talks pretty well for somebody who always had two fingers stuck in his mouth.” ~ Gene Mauch, California Angels manager, discussing Don Drysdale, a former pitcher turned announcer. (Don was reputed to have thrown a spitball from time to time).
Don Drysdale (July 23, 1936 – July 3, 1993) was a Hall of Fame pitcher who played with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He stood 6’6” and threw side arm. Don was not opposed to occasionally hitting a batter and spoke openly about it. His quote was simple, “My own little rule was two for one. If one of my teammates got knocked down, then I knocked down two on the other team.” He died of a heart attack at age 56. He was in the HoF Class of 1984. After his playing career he went into broadcasting with the Montreal Expos (1970-1971), the Texas Rangers (1972), the California Angels (1973, 1979 and 1981), the Chicago White Sox (1982-1987), with NBC (1977), with ABC (1978-1986) and finally with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1988 until his death in 1993). I think it’s high time that Drysdale be considered for the Ford C. Frick Award and be enshrined in Cooperstown as a broadcaster as well. Don was a true professional behind the microphone with a smooth play-by-play style while mixing in analysis and stories of his playing days.
Ted Giannoulas, the San Diego (Mascot) Chicken (now known as the Famous Chicken) was once asked if he thought he’d ever be elected to Cooperstown. His answer, “Who knows? They’ve got a broadcasters’ wing and they have a writers’ wing. Maybe one day they’ll have a chicken wing.” He is a member of the Mascot’s Hall of Fame Class of 2005.
Happy 101st birthday to Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow who was born July 19,1922. Many more, dear lady.
Congratulations to Chicago White Sox seventh-round draft pick, local player George Wolkow of Downers Grove (Illinois) North High School who agreed to terms with the club on July 18th. Wolkow, an outfielder hit .363 with seven home runs, 32 RBIs and 49 runs scored as a senior. Best of luck and much success young man.
If you are new to “Comments” feel free to browse the Archives for past articles. If you enjoyed this one, please click on the previous posts of this subject, “Hits and Runs”, “Hits and Runs II”, “Hits and Runs III”, “Hits and Runs IV” and “Hits and Runs V”.
Lastly, I would like to wish one of our long-time subscribers, John, a very Happy Birthday, it was yesterday.
Thanks for reading.
~ Coach Mike
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I am now BACK on Facebook with a new account. My former account was hacked on the 16th of June. I am slowly rebuilding my friends list, but it’s a slow process. If we were friends or you’d like to be now, I’m on FB as Mike Wittmann. My Profile picture is me in my Naperville Yankees uniform and a family picture as my Cover pic. Please unfriend the “hacked account”. I don’t want that guy bothering you. I ask you to continue telling folks about us, your word of mouth keeps “Comments” growing. Thanks!
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Another fun read‼️ You really do such a great job with getting so many interesting stats and quotes from all things baseball⚾️🤗 I always look forward to your posts🤩
Great post, Mike! Don Drysdale truly was a great announcer. His call of Kirk Gibson's home run (yes, that home run) is rarely heard, but it's great!
And Carl Erskine received the Buck O'Neill award this past weekend at Cooperstown (yes it is a wonderful place). Carl doesn't travel anymore, two of his kids were there. I'm going to see if there is any video out there.
I'm missing our game Thursday, I have a gig. Good luck to you, but be forewarned, the Wildcats are on a roll!