The Little Book of Yankee Evil
Forward
"He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind" Proverbs 11:29
"Twas ever thus" - Oliver Hardy
This is a new improved version of "The Little Book of Yankee Evil" and along with that comes a new forward. After viewing the forward I sent in for the last edition it is a wonder that Brooke would have me do it again. Brooke said the last version was, and I quote, "A twisted tale that not even a plug-ugly politician could read without vomiting". Obviously, I need to stick to the facts and let you begin the journey through this thoughtful book. Besides, there are enough demented and vile tales here to keep even the most macabre personality happy.
Let me begin by saying that I LOVE Baseball and everything about it and there is very little that could sway my opinion. However, after finishing this new edition of this book that sentiment has been shaken to the core. We all know the stories of the Cubs' curse with Mrs. O'leary's cow, Boston, and the curse of the bambino, the statue of William Penn with the Phillies, and even good old Marge Schott and her racist rants as the owner of the Reds. The tales told in this book make the above seem like a bunch of kids playing marbles. The only tale that comes even close to the stories in this book is the possibility that if you can pry up the home plate plaque of the old Shea Stadium in the Citi Field parking lot you just might find an entrance to a deep and dismal cavern. Purportedly Robert Moses and M. Donald Grant held Black Masses and spirit conjuring there.
The "Little Book of Yankee Evil" may be just that, little, but it is huge with its meticulous research and thought-provoking prose. The anecdotes are true and the eye-opening tales of the evil they discuss might make you give up on baseball altogether and join the local dart-throwing team. Not since the infamous Gangs of New York and the Five Points has this city known such treachery, such arrogance, and, yes, such evil. A motley collection of ward wheeling hacks and molesters that will invade your sleep each night. Pleasant Dreams.
Joe Hofmann
Fair Lawn, NJ
8/19/2024
Metsies
Baseball. I love the game. Is there any game that might be available to watch? I love college softball, and I love going to Minor league parks. The point? The season will be over all too soon and the winter doldrums of once-weekly Hot Stove shows will ensue. As Casey Stengle once said "Metsies, Metsies, Metsies. The little baby doesn't say Mama or Papa, he says Metsies"
Snap-E- Tom
After the miraculous West Coast swing, the charter plane headed East back to the old stomping grounds at Citi. While on board the team celebrated the beginning of a wonderful season with Bloody Mary's all around. The celery stalks flew throughout the cabin as the Boys of Summer ran amok with the heady feeling that nothing was impossible this year. Their bats were blessed with hits a-plenty and though many on their pitching staff were down, the beleaguered bullpen had come through in fine fashion. The starters would return soon and the curse of the Shea Tomato patch for good.
No one seemed particularly interested in the mix that was used in their drinks. A generous amount of canned Bloody Mary elixir, "Snappy Tom" was being used. The smug and pugnacious owners of the team through caution to the foul-smelling wind and failed to read the disclaimer on the can side. "Produced with the finest Italian plum tomatoes and liberally seasoned with Spanish spices, Snappy Tom adds one last ingredient that is rare and unique indeed, Flushing NY famous red gold tomatoes". The die was cast.
From that fateful day to this, the team as a whole has managed to scratch out just a couple of desperate wins and barely avoided being swept by the Nationals, the Braves, and were swept by the Lowley Tigers. The bats are cold, more pitchers falling by the wayside and those who do return are stymied by a force they cannot fathom nor deal with. Must I go on? The courage of the tomato is in complete and firm control and will not loosen until the ghost of Robert Moses haunts the Shake Shack and serves his penance to the curse of the great chief...
It's all about the Donut
While the "curse of the tomato" is for the meanwhile taking a back seat during this nice little road trip streak (A's, LA, SF currently 7-3) let's take a peek at what's in store for your gut at Citi for 2023. This year it's all about the glazed donut. Whether it's a complete donut crowning the top of an ice cream sundae, or used as a bun for a chicken sandwich, these monstrosities will pack on the pounds. As for me, I'm strictly a dog and beer guy. I like to keep score at games so I don't have the time to inhale this sumptuous fare
Return to the Tam
An empty lot sits where my old haunt "The Tam O'Shanter" used to be. The old book curator at the NY Public Library has vanished, no one ever heard of her. My story "New York Mets, an Alternate Universe" is now languishing on the back pages of this blog with little or no reads. Meanwhile, the curse of the tomato continues its slow yet steady trudge toward induction into Cooperstown.
Thus far 3 pitchers have already been affected, Edwin Diaz was injured, perhaps for the entire season, while participating in the World Baseball Classic, and Justin Verlander has yet to pitch this season due to a "Teres Major Strain" which impedes the movement of the arm forward and backward, finally, Max Scherzer was recently scratched for a strain in his back. The dream team pitching staff, like last year has abruptly fallen flat. As far as how far-reaching the tomato virus can reach, Jacob deGromm's new team, the Texas Rangers are watching with trepidation.
After much detective work, I have found evidence of major hauntings in the caverns beneath Citi Field. Reports of a hooded death figure, who looks like M.Donald Grant, and a screaming Banshee in the image of Joan Payson have been seen lurking in dark corners, ready to pounce on any who might get near their hidden lair. Those close to the team, who wish to retain their anonymity, say that the upper echelon is experimenting with a drink to be given to all patrons and home and opposing teams before each game. The vision of thousands of disposed paper cups gives me the willies as I see pictures of Jonestown before my eyes. Heady stuff.
The drink, which has been widely touted as a miracle juice from some fruit grown in the shadow of Krakatoa might be an answer to the dreaded tomatoes curse The drink which is called Noni was originally used to heal open gangrenous sores on the extremities of the natives of the area. There are rumors that Rupolph Guilianni even got a hold of some in a doomed effort to time travel, like Sidney Powells' key conspiracy hack, all to no avail.
Maybe it will work against the tomatoes, the Mets are hopeful
Advertising on uniforms now the rage
The box of worms has broken open and the contents spilled all over the various MLB stadiums. MLB has now authorized advertising patches to be used on the uniform sleeve if desired...Besides the ridiculous advertising on the mounds now this might inevitably turn uniform tops into carbon copies of NASCAR jackets.
I have a suggestion for the Mets sleeve patch.
The Boys are Back!
Grub for the playoffs at Citi
General Tso and his chicken. Which is it General Chow or General Zo? I always went with General Chow but apparently Citi field calls it Zo. No matter, the park is offering some great grub this year, everything from the afformentioned General's chicken in a bucket with large cylindrical cheesy tater tots to the awesome Polare Bear Burger (ala Pete Alonso). Watch the game and gain some much needed weight!
2023 Schedule
GKR Get Their Due
Gary, Keith & Ron are the gold standards of televised baseball, they have been since the 3 got together so long ago. They are finally getting their own bobbleheads, one broadcaster at a time so when you get all 3 you can join them as there is a magnet on their sides. Long overdue! Congratulations!
* Hold the presses! Last night Ron divulged that they would be separate and it was up to you to place them together, if, indeed that's what you want to do. No magnets!
And speaking of bobbleheads there is a rumor that the most overpaid player in Mets history (he is long since retired but his contract was written in such a manner that he still receives yearly paychecks!) will soon receive a bobblehead of his very own. Huzzah!
Hurry up and wait
A parade of hairy mole-filled back big boppers is making their way to the plate. But wait! This ball ain't no good, it has a minuscule speck of cheese Whiz is on it, toss it. No, this one has a tannish color I don't like, toss it, and on and on it goes. Does anyone remember that a ball stayed in play until either slammed outta the park or flew into the stands as a foul? The use of a foreign substance to get a grip has been around since Noah counted by twos. But a hell of a lot less was needed when a ball had some wear on it, like a scuffed-up Wiffle ball. Going to a game does not entitle every drunken knothead to a free major league ball. Either cut it out and get the game moving or change to the Wiffle ball, pronto.
What's the sharp-dressed Mets fan wearing?
Elston Howard Bobblehead
I heard on WFAN news that there would be an Elson Howard Bobblehead giveaway at the "Pantheon of Yankee Greats" I am reminded of a true story I read in the great book below how, when the Yankees finally broke the race barrier, they were one of the last to do so, they selected catcher Elston Howard. He had a solid 15-year major league career, amassed a respectable 16 + games played, and a totally solid 1491 hits and 775 homers. When brought aboard in 1955 Manager Stengel said "well, they finally got me a N* and he is the only one who can't run". Have a wonderful bobblehead day Mr. Howard.
Little Book of Yankee Evil Now Available!!
The start 0f the 2022 season is only days away and is the most opportune time to nab a copy of this amazing saga of baseball treachery.
Don't let the title fool you. Even as a long-time Met lover I have an infinite amount of respect for those players who wore the pinstripes. No, this book is about the organization and all its villainous entries, where many of the great Yankee players became entangled in their boa-constrictor-like grip. The stories contained therein are broken down by year, some 100 + pages of unbelievable cruelty and injustice, all true along with a complete list of sources.
To Wit:
Death in the Rain
1929
Yankees ushers keep fans in the park by locking the grandstands during a downpour so that owner Col. Jacob Ruppert will not have to give out rainchecks. Rebelling against the forced exposure to torrential rain and gusting winds, desperate fans scramble for cover. The result: two dead and dozens injured.
Nice, right? Just a small sample of what awaits you inside.
Here is the forward I wrote for this book, more of a stomach-churning bad acid trip of an adventure than meaningful prose:
"He Who Troubleth His House Shall Inherit the Wind" Proverbs 11:29
The "House that Ruth built" is gone, replaced by a sandlot and parking spaces. The "House that Steinbrenner built" is now next door to that sandlot and is, indeed, inheriting a vile-smelling wind.
In the summer of 1962, I sat with my father in the Polo Grounds watching the new national League franchise New York Metropolitans create their own special brand of stink. No one mentioned or commented that just across the Harlem River sat the aforementioned edifice of the powerhouse Yankees, however, it was nigh impossible to not catch a whiff of some unexplained toxic funk that permeated the field and stands when the wind shifted from the east. Sometime around the middle of the game a lurking, jerking small animal crept in from the outfield, vomiting and howling like a banshee. A rabid weasel had been deposited on the field ad it was not only vomiting but molting as well. There was a note attached to its underside on Yankee stationery which read: "Welcome to New York, scumbags".
The bar was in the basement of a building, a late 70's local watering hole for the long-haired elite of Lawrence, Kansas. The place was jammed and as I walked in I was engulfed in a blue haze of marijuana smoke. A paper bowl was shoved into my midriff and I was pushed towards the bar where sat a multitude of ripe watermelons all injected with liberal doses of grain alcohol. I sliced off a huge hunk with the buck knife that had been stabbed into the bar. "This blade being here might be trouble with this dangerous bunch," I thought. I turned to watch the TV everyone was transfixed upon.
The Royals were playing the Yankees for the umpteenth time for the American League pennant and had lost out the previous years. This year seemed to be different and the buzzing and growing fervor of the crowd meant that good things were happening. The Royals won that night, clinching the American League Pennant. Pandemonium reigned as the Royals celebrated as if they had won the World Series (this would prove to be their swansong as they fell easily to the Phillies in the series). In the bar, it was a drunken rampage, fueled with grain alcohol, cheap beer, and homegrown 2nd generation primo pot. The crowd spilled onto the street screaming deliriously and waving their arms like lunatics just escaping from the asylum. I sat alone watching the highlights. I shall never forget my glee in seeing George Steinbrenner throw up his hands in disgust as he sat in his private box, then he stalked off like a spoiled child. His chief thug, Billy Martin, was wondering, I'm sure if he would be fired yet again for not kissing the boss's ring. It was better than winning the game, the air shifted from the east and was fresh and sweet.
The "House that Ruth built" is gone, replaced by a sandlot and parking spaces. The "House that Steinbrenner built" is now next door to that sandlot and is, indeed, inheriting a vile-smelling wind.
In the summer of 1962, I sat with my father in the Polo Grounds watching the new national League franchise New York Metropolitans create their own special brand of stink. No one mentioned or commented that just across the Harlem River sat the aforementioned edifice of the powerhouse Yankees, however, it was nigh impossible to not catch a whiff of some unexplained toxic funk that permeated the field and stands when the wind shifted from the east. Sometime around the middle of the game a lurking, jerking small animal crept in from the outfield, vomiting and howling like a banshee. A rabid weasel had been deposited on the field ad it was not only vomiting but molting as well. There was a note attached to its underside on Yankee stationery which read: "Welcome to New York, scumbags".
The bar was in the basement of a building, a late 70's local watering hole for the long-haired elite of Lawrence, Kansas. The place was jammed and as I walked in I was engulfed in a blue haze of marijuana smoke. A paper bowl was shoved into my midriff and I was pushed towards the bar where sat a multitude of ripe watermelons all injected with liberal doses of grain alcohol. I sliced off a huge hunk with the buck knife that had been stabbed into the bar. "This blade being here might be trouble with this dangerous bunch," I thought. I turned to watch the TV everyone was transfixed upon.
The Royals were playing the Yankees for the umpteenth time for the American League pennant and had lost out the previous years. This year seemed to be different and the buzzing and growing fervor of the crowd meant that good things were happening. The Royals won that night, clinching the American League Pennant. Pandemonium reigned as the Royals celebrated as if they had won the World Series (this would prove to be their swansong as they fell easily to the Phillies in the series). In the bar, it was a drunken rampage, fueled with grain alcohol, cheap beer, and homegrown 2nd generation primo pot. The crowd spilled onto the street screaming deliriously and waving their arms like lunatics just escaping from the asylum. I sat alone watching the highlights. I shall never forget my glee in seeing George Steinbrenner throw up his hands in disgust as he sat in his private box, then he stalked off like a spoiled child. His chief thug, Billy Martin, was wondering, I'm sure if he would be fired yet again for not kissing the boss's ring. It was better than winning the game, the air shifted from the east and was fresh and sweet.
The "Little Book of Yankee Evil" may be just that, little, but it is huge with its meticulous research and thought-provoking prose. The anecdotes are true and the eye-opening tales of the evil they discuss might make you give up on baseball altogether and join the local dart-throwing team. Not since the infamous Gangs of New York and the Five Points has this city known such treachery, such arrogance, and, yes, such evil. A motley collection of ward wheeling hacks and molesters that will invade your sleep each night.
Fear not, there are enough skeletons in all of baseball so to make any organization not feel left out. Bon Appetit.
To get your very own treasured copy send $19.98 or $15.98 (newsprint edition) to my Paypal - winger6049@aol.com. Make sure it is for "goods and services" and include your name and address in the notes section. I'll rush your copy out that very day. Thanks and happy trails!
2022 Citi Field Cornucopia revealed!
Yes, for only $495 you too can attend all the high-end soiree's in true fashion! A smart look and oh, such good taste!
2015 AllStar Game at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark
This comes under the heading - Items you don't need and if you should buy them, you need to be watched.
However, Cincinnati isn't alone in this dastardly horse shit bastardization of our National Pastime. To wit:
Great Programs and Ads of Yester-year
Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA Royals) Come through!
All beef dog, beef brisket, onion rings, bar-b-que sauce and jalapenos....yowsa!
Mike Savage, well, he's done it again!
Way back when I lived in Lawrence, Kansas and managed a college watering hole, I hired a snot-nosed little kid named Mike Savage. I then hit the road and moved back East and never really thought of him again. Once again, the internet came to my rescue and I hooked up with a grown family man who has a thriving little art business in Kansas City.
Sav-Art is his business and he produces some wondrous watercolors of various things, all kinds of stuff, his site is worth a look. (Click Sav-Art above).
One of his most recent offerings is an African American ( Hilton Smith) posing from the long-ago "Negro Leagues", sporting his KC Monarchs jersey. Hilton was a right-handed pitcher who played on the Monarchs from 1932 to 1948. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 Mike has also done some great pictures of Royals Kaufman Stadium. An inspired artist and a good friend.
New York Gnomes
Move over Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom will be the first Met to be honored with a bobblehead garden gnome. May 2 will Jacob DeGnome Day and you can get your very own Jacob DeGrom garden gnome to do with what you will.
Shorts on Opening Day
The Chicago White Sox and Bill Veeck were not the 1st to sport shorts back in 1976. In 1950 the AAA affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, The Hollywood Stars sported shorts on opening day!
A Cornucopia of New Ballpark Tasty Treats
Ah, another season dawns and again I can smell the hot dogs, cold beer and warm peanuts as I enter the good ol' ballpark. But what's this? Who are the gelatinous cretins wallowing around the rotunda (an apt name for the rotund)? A cursory glance at some of the new menu items that our great American ballparks have awaiting our salivating appetites shows that the bar is indeed lowered.
First up on our gastrointestinal hit parade:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs - Pork Parfait - The “Pork Parfait” features layers of mashed potatoes, pulled pork and cheese sauce topped with green onions
Milwaukee Brewers - "Inside the Park Nachos" - Though it's called "Nachos on a Stick", it's really not nachos at all. It's a corn dog-like stick stuffed with taco beef and refried beans and rolled in crushed Doritos then deep-fried. Topped off with a drizzling of cheese and sour cream.
Milwaukee Brewers - "Down Wisconsin Avenue Brat" - 18-inch bratwurst topped with cheese curds, gravy (not sure what kind of gravy, hopefully not brown), sauerkraut, fried jalapenos, sour cream, and chives. Finish this and you'll be headed down "Wisconsin Avenue" at a fast trot looking for a loo.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Class A Carolina League) - "The Krispy Kreme Donut Dog" - Like something out of a fevered nightmare, this has to be the most interesting and indeed bizarre concoction in baseball land. The Blue Rocks teamed up with Krispy Kreme Donuts, placed a hot dog in their infamous glazed donut (sliced to insert said hot dog) and topped with raspberry jelly and BACON! I can hear the idiots on those "Diners, Dives" type TV shows now, reviewing it: "The snap of the casing of the hotdog mixed with the sweet of the raspberry jam and the creaminess of the donut is offset by the delectable savoriness of the bacon....Mmmmm, MAMA"
Battle Creek Bombers (Collegiate summer baseball team from Michigan that plays in the Northwoods League) - "Twinkie Dogs" - Yup, while the above took a little bit of thought, this one is just plain ridiculous. It doesn't take too much to figure out the ingredients: sliced Twinkee to form a bun, insert hot dog, top with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. You get 3 of these monstrosities per order (1 is 1 too many).
Chicago White Sox - "Bacon, Mac Cheeseburger" - It seems that the poor pig is the big winner this year in terms of ballpark food. Mainstays, as well as deserts, have bacon, the new National food, it seems. While the 3 above are dessert offerings, where the hell is the all American burger? The White Sox have one for you, on steroids! 1/2 pound pure beef burger, grilled to perfection topped with a huge dollop of creamy decadent mac and cheese then sprinkled liberally with, what else, bacon! All on a toasted bun.
Cincinnati Reds - "Meat Lovers Hot Dog" - Not to be outdone by their neighbor to the North, the reds have erected a true colon cleaner. The poor hot dog is subjected to being deep-fried then topped with chili, pepper jack cheese and then the piece de resistance, fried salami. Oy!
New York Mets - Bacon on a stick - Leave it to the Mets to strip down the art of bizarre cuisine to it's bare bones. Deep-fried bacon a stick, no more, no less.
New York Mets - Angus Beef and Grilled Cheese Panini - Well maybe there is some class left at Citi Field. Short rib Angus Beef is married to grilled cheese and then pressed, panini-style, to complete this tasty offering. Just about anything goes with grilled cheese, right?
A Baseball Fans true "Man Cave"
To spend hours before I sleep and when I wake to study this collage would be exhilarating. Some of my fondest memories of childhood, like so many other guys, is collecting Topps Baseball cards. There was just one type of card to get, not the dizzying array of "Type I", "Type II", Early Season, Late Season, Retro Throwback, etc., etc. Just one card, Topps "The Real One"
The Old Professor
Baseball will never see another like him.
Retro Programs of the past
Some wonderfully retro programs from the old Houston Colt 45's (now the Astros). A great cover and only $.25, whoa!
Thanks to the great Twitter feed "Stirrups Now!" for these and many pics in the future.
1970 All-Star Game souvenir program!
The Ills of celebrating every time you win
I'm getting a bit tired of the incessant celebrating by baseball teams after every series win on their way to the series. Watching a team dance about on the mound and then popping champagne corks after winning the one-game Wild Card playoff is a bit premature. All the celebrating should be saved for the final prize, the Series. Everything else up to that point is just another step.
The never-ending champagne and Oysters has to weigh thin on a ballplayer until all of it seems a bit anti-climactic. Some of the league championship series have been real barn burners. So much so, that the winning team, upon winning, celebrates like mad and loses focus on the true prize. It happens.
And what is this crap of bringing out a box of t-shirts and ball caps each and every time a team wins? You know what it is? If you haven't already guessed by now perhaps you should look into buying some cheap swampland in Florida. Money! Moola, Cabbage, Clams, Loot, Scratch...yup, it's all about the Benjamins.
I wish baseball would take a page from professional ice hockey Stanley Cup etiquette. There are wins along the way on the quest for the cup and trophies are handed out, but there is NO celebrating nor skating around with a trophy until that trophy is the Stanley Cup.
And while I'm at it, one more thing might be nice. Each side lines up and shakes hands, then celebrates.
It Ain't Really Over When It's Over
No-sir-ee, there's the Arizona Fall League for all the MLB teams top prospects and you can visit the page here: Arizona Fall League
with teams like the Scottsdale Scorpions
So for nuts like me, it doesn't necessarily end after the last out of the World Series. Thank God for the internet!
10/8/2014
The following iconic scene is a picture of Don Larsen throwing the only perfect game in World Series history. It was game 5 of the 1956 World Series, Yankees VS. Brooklyn. The Yanks went on to win the series and Larsen, the MVP.
I love this pic for 2 reasons: 1) great capture of Don Larsen's form and 2) the Ballentine Ale and "No Betting" signs in the outfield.
10/5/2014
Should be an absolutely wild one at the "Big K" this evening! Oh to be a Royals fan after all these years of waiting. I was around the last time they won it all.
10/3/2014
Today, NOW, starts 4 continuous playoff games on Fox Sports and TBS. Naturally, of course, work calls me in. But, until I go, it's Baseball heaven! What the fuck is a football?
Battle of the Division Series gastro-intestinal Delights
Detroit's hot dog thingy called the "Poutine Dog" (top) followed by some sort of pretzel hot dog concoction from Baltimore called the "Walk Off Pretzel Roll". Whatever happened to Beer and Peanuts?
Scenes from Game 1 ALDS
Baltimore vs. Detroit at Baltimore
And the afternoon slips into night
Meanwhile, on the "left coast, Anaheim vs. Kansas City in Anaheim. Some BP etc.
Pre Season Hockey Season Begins!
Devils vs. Islanders at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
Post Season Pics
Batting helmet Sundae
Most of you have probably seen 'em at the games. The mini batting helmet with the team's logo, filled with ice cream, hot fudge, etc., etc. Well, the Chicago White Sox, in an effort to make sure that no one leaves the stadium weighing less than 305, introduce the full size, pro batting helmet stuffed to overflowing with a gigantic banana split sundae. When you're done consuming this monstrosity you can then put on the helmet and go about your daily business of looking for the next ballpark pig out.
On Sandy Koufax:
"Trying to hit him was like trying to drink coffee with a fork" Willie Stargell
The story of the origin of Baseball
We've all heard the story, how Abner Doubleday, distinguished General Officer at the battle of Gettysburg and later a Major General in the Union Army, invented the game in 1839 in the small village of Cooperstown, NY. There is even a Minor League team in the Class A major league affiliate New York Penn League, the Auburn Doubledays, Class A farm team for the Washington Nationals. One of their on-field caps sports a Union soldier shouldering a bat at the ready:
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Here is a very good article discussing this old legend:
The Real Story of Baseball
Minor League Madness
I love everything about the minor leagues of baseball. From their great, unusual logos to their eclectic ballparks to their wild team mascots to their unique and outrageous food offerings to their overall way of approaching the game with the fan, and family, in mind.
Here are a series of different, unrelated pics from around the nation:
Some teams in the Frontier League
The Chicago Cubs AAA affiliate, The Des Moines, Iowa, Cubs. The Iowa Cubs recently made major headlines in the sports world when they hired ex-slugger, ex-juicer, Manny Ramirez as player-coach for the team. While the Major League Cubs have no intention of ever bringing him back to "the Bigs", they are interested to see if he can give guidance to young batters at the AAA level. After all, despite the juice, he was a hell of a slugger.
A Beautiful Sight
I spent many hours of sheer enjoyment at this ballpark in the '70s. Just hop on I-70 in Lawrence, Ks and head East to just past Kansas City, and there it was...The Big K!
A great friend of mine, Michael Savage painted this wonderful picture of the ballpark. You can visit his website of fine artwork here: Michael Savage Art
Back when Ball Players just played
Stan "The Man" Musial clerking at a grocery store during the offseason.
Back in the day, long before free agency, baseball players were just work-a-day mugs like the rest of us. During the offseason, they needed to continue to support their family. Stories of winter ball leagues in Latin America and players "barnstorming" across the U.S. in the offseason abound ('Barnstorming" was when players from different teams and even different leagues played small-town teams in exhibition games. It was the only time that Negro League players and Major League players (white) played with and against each other) and the pay was oft times very good.
Other players took part-time jobs in Grocery Stores, Bait and Tackle Shops, and some even caddied on Golf Courses. A few of the wealthier ones set up business ventures in the hopes of drawing with their name recognition.
Phil Rizzuto & Yogi Berra Bowling Alley in Clifton. NJ
The Dugout Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge owned by Mets players Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda. It was located on Long Island, NY
Mickey, Whitey, and Yogi endorsed Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Flavored Beverage. "Me-He for Yoo-Hoo"
I Miss Shea!
Beautiful, cookie-cutter, Shea with its original exterior
Going from the 7 line to the ol' ballgame!
Shea from high in the air....looks like from the "Baseball Like it Oughta be" era (the early 80's). Note the Twin Towers in the center background.
Shea in the '80s transformed to its neon age with players pictured doing various things in neon (Batting/swinging, Catcher, etc)
Way up behind the home plate
The view from high up on the right-field side.
Tomato/Cabbage patch in the right-field bullpen
Placed a bat to stake the tomatoes. In those days it was a far better use of the bat by the lowly Mets
Earl Weaver, manager of the Baltimore Orioles, had a patch at Municipal Stadium as well.
...and the super cool, dandy, give-away during the last season.
There is just a plaque in the parking lot of the new Citi Field designating where home plate was....that's it. ALL of my baseball memories, save my KC days, were in that stadium. While I did visit the old Polo grounds during the Mets inaugural years (1962,63), the memories are far too distant.
Unfortunately, since the construction of Citi Field, the Mets have returned to their lowly status having not achieved a .500 season since play started there. Oh, woe is me.
For my story on early memories of Shea go here Baseball
For my story on early memories of Shea go here Baseball
My friend, Susan, is doing an admirable job on her ballpark bucket list. Earlier this season she visited Wrigley Field, Chicago (featured below) and she recently spent an evening at the beautiful PNC Park in Pittsburgh. I can attest to the beauty of this park. Pittsburgh is, indeed, a great place to view a ballgame!
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What trip to Pittsburgh would be complete without a trip to the legendary Primanti Bros. delicious deli...home of the giant sandwich w/ fries on the bottom and a bottle of Yeungling?
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Bobble Head Mania
One of the greatest fan giveaways is the Bobble-head which celebrates players, managers, legends and even broadcasting favorites. One being offered is from the Fresno Giants, minor league affiliate of the SF Giants. It features "Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval when he played with Fresno. It sports a bobble-head Pablo blowing a huge bubble and is aptly named "Kung Fu Bubble".
Wrigley Field Visit
A good friend of mine was lucky enough to be visiting Chicago and got to go to a Cubs day game. After all, the only real-time to visit Wrigley is the afternoon, right?
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The Little Book of Yankee Evil
My old buddy and fellow Mets supporter, Brook Zelcer, has written a book and it is published and available here: Little Book of Yankee Evil
I am honored to have been asked to write the forward to his new updated version, keep an eye out for its publication. Scroll down to find out more!!
Referring to Keeping Score
Some great pics of Scorecards from yesteryear, back when they cost a dime AND you got a pencil. Well, NOW they cost $10 and even though you still get a pencil, it is small and rarely keeps a point.
Thank goodness there is almost always an exception to every rule. When visiting PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, several years ago, to my amazement their scorecard was FREE! Unreal!
"Food Fight" The Beshttp://www.milb.com/milb/fans/food_fight/y2014/leaderboard_full.jspt Food in the Minors
Opening Day in the Grapefruit League Mets vs. Nationals
Ike Davis homers in the opener!
The Final Jewel in the Triple Crown
Could the Mets, very soon, have the most elite, talented young pitching staff in all of baseball? If Noah Syndergaard lives up to expectations he just might help make this team a contender in the very near future.
Noah is the final "jewel" in the R.A Dickey trade with Toronto and the Mets have been nurturing him like they did with Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey. Nicknamed "Thor" by those who have played with him, the tall, lanky Texan has a drop off the table curve or "hook" ball and a sizzling heater clocked upwards of 97 MPH. He is able to constantly pound the strike zone and seems in control of his emotions which is key to any ace hitting the "Bigs". One just to think "Pelfry" to be reminded how disastrous self-doubt and not being able to keep your cool can be to a young hopeful pitcher.
His first inter-squad game of the 2014 season he pitched 2 innings and struck out 5. It remains to be seen how he can adjust to the big sticks up in "The Show" when he surely gets called up in June.
Required Reading
There is no shortage of books about the great players, the great teams and the different great eras of baseball. But, when was the last time you saw a book about The Worst?
Yes, this is required reading during those long rainouts, a book to be kept at your side all season long. Jam-packed with stories and stats of the worst and most pathetic players and teams to ever walk on a baseball diamond. However, even the worst of the worst are still heroes to me. To be allowed to don a pro uniform and participate in even one game is an honor few get to experience.
2/26/2014
MLB Network will televise the 1st spring training games of the season! It's here! It's here!
1:05 PM Detroit vs. Atlanta
1:05 PM Yankees vs. Pittsburgh
1:05 PM Toronto vs. Philadelphia
3:05 PM Cincinnati vs. Cleveland
3:05 PM Oakland vs. San Francisco
3:10 PM Dodgers vs. Arizona
Baseball 2014 ~ A new beginning or the same old stale crap?
The Mets, on the other hand, have really nowhere to go but up. With the addition of Bartolo Colon and Curtis Granderson (both ex Yanks), the future might be a bit brighter.
Catch up with all things Mets via their blog: Mets Blog
Omaha Storm Chasers
Minor League Baseball, especially AAA Minor League Baseball is a wonderful way to pass an afternoon, the seats are cheap and the level of play is usually top-notch as the players are only one step from "The Show" and could be called up at any time if they produce. The big market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox can usually buy whom they need in the free-agent market, but small market teams, like the Kansas City Royals, are all about having a great farm system and nurturing their prospects into the hopefully big league and even superstar material.
Thus it is this way with the Omaha Storm Chasers, the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Storm Chasers were known as the Omaha Royals for many years until this season when they moved into their brand new stadium and changed their name.
I was able to make the last game of the homestand vs. the New Orleans Zephyrs, the AAA affiliate of the Florida Marlins. It was beyond hot, not a cloud in the sky for the 2:30 PM start. Before I even bought a seat I was drenched in sweat. I grabbed a $5 seat and sat in a great location on the 3rd base side, the only problem was that I would melt if I stayed too long in the sun.
It was now time for the 7th inning stretch daily race between the nondescriptive beer bottle, the ear of corn, and the sausage. These poor bastards had to be sweating their tits off in those dopey costumes, but a job I guess and they trotted from the left-field bullpen area down the 3rd base side to home plate.
Looking very wilted, the corn cob took the day. At this point, I did notice that they sold hot corn on the cob on a stick...I mean you're in Nebraska, what the hell else is a better snack at the ballpark? I looked high and low but could not find the kiosk so I had another beer and sat on the 1st base side for the remainder of the game.
New Jersey Minor League Ballparks
The tolls for the bridge and tunnel crossings into New York are going up to $12 ($9 for EZ Pass). If you are going to Citi Park then you have another $12 toll at the Whitestone Bridge or at the RFK Bridge. So before you are even seated you could be looking at $24 spent. So, it will be far more worthwhile to start taking in the various venues NJ has to offer.
Trenton Thunder - AA affiliate of the Yankees in the Eastern League. Waterfront Park, Camden
Rockland Boulders - Unaffiliated, Canadian-American League. Provident Bank Park, Pomona, NY (Just north of Jersey, no river crossing)
New York Federals - Unaffiliated, the "travel team"* of the Canadian-American League.
*The "New York State League is an unaffiliated league composed of 4 teams which are kind of like the "Cape Cod League", that is, an instructional league. 2011 marked the first season that the "NYSL" joined up with the "Can-Am" League by having a "traveling team" in the league composed of NYSL players. They have no home field in the Can-Am League, they are to be nurtured to ascend to the Can-Am League. To read more about the NYSL click here: http://www.nystateleague.com/league_history.html The players in this league consist of non-drafted college players and young men who were released from a pro contract and are looking to work their way back up.
This is the beauty of the minor leagues, a lot of hungry kids trying to play the game the "right" way.
Somerset Patriots - Unaffiliated, Atlantic League. TD Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater.
Lakewood Blue Claws - Single "A" affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. First Energy Park, Lakewood Township.
2012 Season
February is here and the new season is only months away. Look to these pages as I make my way around Jersey and visit the different ballparks. It's gonna be a "Jersey Baseball Summer"!
Pocket Schedules
It's official, the new schedules for the 2012 Omaha Storm Chasers season are out and available now! Not long now!
Pitchers and Catchers Report!
The faintest hint of spring is now here. The pitchers and catchers start as early as tomorrow, 2/20/12. Below is one of my favorite managers, Clint Hurdle. Now in his 2nd season with the Pirates, I knew Clint when he broke into the BIGS with the KC Royals. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do with this woebegone team.
Great MLB sign.....says it all!
A good friend of mine has an extra ticket for the Washington Nationals home opener in their ballpark. 8th row center behind home plate. All the food and drinks you can handle included, waiter service and the joy of watching an emerging powerhouse ball club with future hall of famers on the field! So all I need is $300 for the ticket and train fare to DC. It's to the bodega for me to try my hand at "scratch-offs"!
Two weeks til opening day!
Next up are the silly sausages at Miller Ball Park in Milwaukee, Home of the Brewers. I'm not sure exactly what's what, but the one in the sombrero I think is a red hot sausage. There is a chef sandwiched in there too.
Last but by far not least are the Presidents at the Washington Nationals Ball Park. George, Abe, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt, otherwise known as the Mt. Rushmore Crew, race at every home game of the Nationals. Now for some reason, for the few years, they have been doing this, Roosevelt has NEVER won. Finally, this past season he won a race and it was all over the media...this is the important news of the day for Christ sake!
Let me know about any I missed and I will cram them in here!
April 12, 2013
Well, the season is underway and is thus far fairly enjoyable. Inter league play is ridiculous and I can see where this is heading: One league with different conferences and within each conference, different divisions...all leading to the biggest fuck-up of all, the universal adaptation of the DH. Woe is me!
The Mets have lost Santana for the season and probably forever but Jon Neise and Matt Harvey have filled the front part of the rotation nicely. The big surprise, thus far, has been John Buck, the veteran catcher. He had a good season with Toronto in 2010 hitting .281 with 20 HR and 66 RBI's in 118 games. Not what you would call HOF numbers but decent. He spent 2011 and 2012 with Miami where he did little to excite anyone. So we find him in 2013 with the Mets, a backup catcher as we await the phenom Travis d'Naraud who was acquired from the Blue Jays as part of the R.A. Dickey deal.
John Buck, however, seems not to be content with sitting around waiting for d'Naraud to get seasoned in the
minors. He is setting the world on fire with a show of hitting the likes the Mets have not seen from a catcher since Carter and Deluca. Last nights Grand Salami in Minnesota seemed to place an exclamation mark on his "I'm here to play!" statement. I hope the rest of the season goes well for him.
July 25,2013
Since Memorial Day the Mets have one of the best records in the Eastern Division. They are above .500 on the road thus far and more importantly, they are beginning to win at home.
First and foremost is the pitching. Matt Harvey has been nothing short of stellar and living up to everything that was expected of him. Zack Wheeler is a work in progress but shows enormous potential. Dillon Gee is coming along very nicely and Bobby Parnell is settling into his role as a closer and doing a fine job.
Acquiring Eric Young Jr, from the Rockies for a leadoff hitter and a left fielder fills the need in two places and Eric is making the most of the situation. His base-stealing and heads up running has resulted in 10 steals with only 3 caught stealings. He is performing the best he ever has in the majors.
Juan Lagares, fresh from the minors after being signed in the free-agent draft in 2010 may really be a solution for their center field slot which has been a shambles since the exit of Angel Pagan to the Giants. Fast and gracefull, he patrols center field with ease it seems and is contributing with the bat as well.
Josh satin, called up when Ike Davis was sent down to AAA, has contributed mightily with his bat and been above average at first base. Hard to play Ike now that he is back when he has done so well and deserves playing time.
The above is all fine and dandy but what remains to be seen are how these "new" guys going to stand up to a grueling 160 + game season. Therein lies the rub. But, hey, it's fun again to watch them, I may just have to go to Citi this year and a .500 season is not out of the realm.
Sandy Alderson? Could I have been wrong? I sure hope so would rather come to praise him than bury him!
Great MLB sign.....says it all!
Will I Get My Shit Together in 2013?
...and actually, report on some ball games, go to some minor league games. Last year was a wash, watched a lot on TV but hardly went to any games.
I did, however, go to the final home game of the season to watch R.A. Dickey become a 20 game-winner. I attended the festivities with "The 7 Line Army", a group of fanatical fans. We filled an entire section by the rising apple and had a wonderful afternoon.
He later went on to win the Cy Young for the National League and promptly got shipped off to Toronto. Now I realize that in terms of baseball common sense, his age is a major factor, his trade value was at the highest it will probably ever be.
Still, in all, he was their ace and once again they are relying on the minors to supply them with a miracle. Not to mention the fact that they have NO outfield at this point. It seems to me that this is "Money Ball" going horribly wrong.
So 2013 is upon us and Spring Training will start soon enough. May God keep and protect our National Pastime.
Sunday, 2/24/13
Spring training is now in full swing and it is just beginning to hit me that the season is back upon me. Starting to watch the MLB Network with increasing regularity and am interested in a variety of teams, most noteworthy, the Toronto Blues Jays, who are now stocked with Mets and Marlins. It will be interesting to see how the AL East pans out.
Meanwhile, in Metsville, Johann Santana is bring pushed back and back from actually starting a game. I think his days are numbered as it will soon come to pass that he was yet another pitcher who was brought aboard just a bit past his prime. I have it in my mind, finally, that it is all about rebuilding and the new pitching, new phenom catcher and the re-signing of David Wright for the long term will make the season somewhat exciting. The outfield scares the shit outta me though, we'll see.
New Spring Training hats....not sure how I feel about the Mets one.
A great reason to collect Base Ball cards:
Wednesday, 2/27/13
Today at 1PM...this guy pitches! A bright spot for the lowly Metsies!
Two weeks til opening day!
David Wright named Mets 4th Captain
David Wright joins an incredibly select list of Mets who were named Captain of the team. That list includes Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco and now David Wright. Although he has been unofficial Captain for awhile now, it is a good idea to make it official. Let's see if he's up to the task The team is extremely frail this year with Johann Santana already on the DL for the beginning of the season, Daniel Murphy sidelined and even David, himself, is being affected with sore ribs from playing in the Base Ball World games. And so it goes...
Opening Day Menu
Thanks go to Johnny "Mags" for bringing me this idea for those of us staying at home but want to get that ballpark feel for the home opener:
Peanuts in the Shell (guess I better not throw the shells on the rug)
Soft Pretzels ~ There is a good brand you can buy and bake and even add how much salt you would like.
Hot Dogs ~ I'm Nathan's guy. I own a Procter Silex dog griller, it cooks the dogs while the long round bars beneath rotate grilling the dogs evenly.
Bun Steamer ~ The buns need to be good hot dog potato buns. Just a simple rack that fits into a pot, semi filled with water. When boiling set the buns on the rack and put on the lid. There is space to add hot dogs in case you want the street vendor "dirty water" type dog.
Saurkraut ~ Any brand will do
Spicy Brown Mustard ~ I like the type that comes with horse radish in it. I also like the mustard/relish combo in a jar.
Domestic Cold Beer Here! ~ Bud, Coors, Miller. The usual suspects served in a plastic cup.
There you have it. What more can you really ask for except for somebody to clean up the mess after the game is over.
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yea.
Between Innings Hi-jinks
It's all the rage! Food, Condiments, even past Presidents racing around the warning track between innings for your entertainment and delight! I've been unfortunate enough to witness this travesty on a few occasions and all I can really wonder is "What's Next?"
Pittsburgh has it's pirogi's...that delicious pastry stuffed with a multitude of different things, traditionally potato. Think of a Chinese dumpling, but the Polish version...they are about the same size and make a ridiculous spectacle at the Pirates PNC Ball Park.
Last but by far not least are the Presidents at the Washington Nationals Ball Park. George, Abe, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt, otherwise known as the Mt. Rushmore Crew, race at every home game of the Nationals. Now for some reason, for the few years, they have been doing this, Roosevelt has NEVER won. Finally, this past season he won a race and it was all over the media...this is the important news of the day for Christ sake!
Let me know about any I missed and I will cram them in here!
April 12, 2013
Well, the season is underway and is thus far fairly enjoyable. Inter league play is ridiculous and I can see where this is heading: One league with different conferences and within each conference, different divisions...all leading to the biggest fuck-up of all, the universal adaptation of the DH. Woe is me!
The Mets have lost Santana for the season and probably forever but Jon Neise and Matt Harvey have filled the front part of the rotation nicely. The big surprise, thus far, has been John Buck, the veteran catcher. He had a good season with Toronto in 2010 hitting .281 with 20 HR and 66 RBI's in 118 games. Not what you would call HOF numbers but decent. He spent 2011 and 2012 with Miami where he did little to excite anyone. So we find him in 2013 with the Mets, a backup catcher as we await the phenom Travis d'Naraud who was acquired from the Blue Jays as part of the R.A. Dickey deal.
minors. He is setting the world on fire with a show of hitting the likes the Mets have not seen from a catcher since Carter and Deluca. Last nights Grand Salami in Minnesota seemed to place an exclamation mark on his "I'm here to play!" statement. I hope the rest of the season goes well for him.
July 25,2013
Since Memorial Day the Mets have one of the best records in the Eastern Division. They are above .500 on the road thus far and more importantly, they are beginning to win at home.
First and foremost is the pitching. Matt Harvey has been nothing short of stellar and living up to everything that was expected of him. Zack Wheeler is a work in progress but shows enormous potential. Dillon Gee is coming along very nicely and Bobby Parnell is settling into his role as a closer and doing a fine job.
Acquiring Eric Young Jr, from the Rockies for a leadoff hitter and a left fielder fills the need in two places and Eric is making the most of the situation. His base-stealing and heads up running has resulted in 10 steals with only 3 caught stealings. He is performing the best he ever has in the majors.
Juan Lagares, fresh from the minors after being signed in the free-agent draft in 2010 may really be a solution for their center field slot which has been a shambles since the exit of Angel Pagan to the Giants. Fast and gracefull, he patrols center field with ease it seems and is contributing with the bat as well.
Josh satin, called up when Ike Davis was sent down to AAA, has contributed mightily with his bat and been above average at first base. Hard to play Ike now that he is back when he has done so well and deserves playing time.
The above is all fine and dandy but what remains to be seen are how these "new" guys going to stand up to a grueling 160 + game season. Therein lies the rub. But, hey, it's fun again to watch them, I may just have to go to Citi this year and a .500 season is not out of the realm.
Sandy Alderson? Could I have been wrong? I sure hope so would rather come to praise him than bury him!
One of the coolest giveaways of the year, The San Fran. Giants and their grateful Dead bobble head!
July 27, 2013 - Reminiscing about a trip to Omaha
Sunset at The Storm Chasers Park in Omaha
Give away's a plenty!
Omaha Steaks! It don't get too much tastier than that!
Old school throwbacks, back when they were known as the Omaha Royals
And they're off! Hebrew National in the lead, with Hunt's tomato ketchup close behind...Orville Redenbacher closing in fast with some poor taco kid bringing up the rear.
Omaha dressed in their weekend black "vest" jerseys.
Bobbleheads!
I only own a couple but I crave more! Might even be a type of "Bucket List" thing. If I win the lottery I will invest in Bobblehead art, big time!
Baseball was so much better when:
1) The World Series were day games
2) Fans went to the park and actually watched the games
3) You weren't lost in a sea of food choices, there were dogs, peanuts, pop corn and drinks, period.
4) You could buy a scorecard and ONLY a scorecard rather an encyclopedia of ads.
5) People actually kept score and knew how to do it.
6) It was a great family and friends night and not a drunken brawl.
Click here:
How to Score a Baseball Game
Baseball was so much better when:
1) The World Series were day games
2) Fans went to the park and actually watched the games
3) You weren't lost in a sea of food choices, there were dogs, peanuts, pop corn and drinks, period.
4) You could buy a scorecard and ONLY a scorecard rather an encyclopedia of ads.
5) People actually kept score and knew how to do it.
6) It was a great family and friends night and not a drunken brawl.
Click here:
How to Score a Baseball Game
When men were men and pitchers went shopping for scalps
Your New York Mets 2019 All-Stars! Please, no tomato sandwiches!
When Baseball players were just heads.....
With the All-Star game being played this evening I thought I'd dredge this beauty up from 1964. The tomatoes at that time were fresh and succulent!
Your New York Mets 2019 All-Stars! Please, no tomato sandwiches!
When Baseball players were just heads.....
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