Duke Snider
September 19, 1926-February 27th, 2011.
Minggu, 27 Februari 2011
Rest in Peace Duke Snider
Duke Snider, the legendary Brooklyn Dodger center fielder, has passed away, at the age of 84.
Snider hot 407 big league home runs, 389 as a Dodger, and still a franchise record.
Snider hot 407 big league home runs, 389 as a Dodger, and still a franchise record.
Rabu, 23 Februari 2011
Countdown to Opening Day, by the Numbers...Big #6
We continue our countdown toward opening day in big league baseball with a look back at the number 6.
Six...#6, the shortstop on your scorecard.
The number six is 6 innings, now a "quality start" in big league baseball.
Six is Yankee manager Joe Torre, outfielder Roy White, and the great Tony Lazzeri of the 1927 "Murder's Row."
#6 is Dodgers 1st baseman Steve Garvey, the cornerstone of the best infield in the 1970s...Garvey, Lopes, Russell, and Cey.
Six is "Big Six," the legendary Christy Mathewson of the old New York Giants, who died of tuberculosis at the young age of just 45.
Six is the best right fielder in baseball in the 1960's, Al Kaline, the Hall of Famer of the Detroit Tigers.
Six is the number of Cy Young Awards for "Rocket" Roger Clemens, the most All-Time for any big league hurler.
#6 is Johnny Callison of the Phillies, Melvin Mora of the Orioles, Johnny Pesky, and the "Pesky Pole" in Fenway Park.
#6 is the sweet swing of the great Stan "The Man" Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals, and the power of Phillies star 1st baseman Ryan Howard.
#6 is Tony Oliva of the Twins, and Wally Backman, 2nd baseman of the 1986 New York Mets.
Six...#6, the shortstop on your scorecard.
The number six is 6 innings, now a "quality start" in big league baseball.
#6 is Dodgers 1st baseman Steve Garvey, the cornerstone of the best infield in the 1970s...Garvey, Lopes, Russell, and Cey.
Six is "Big Six," the legendary Christy Mathewson of the old New York Giants, who died of tuberculosis at the young age of just 45.
Six is the number of Cy Young Awards for "Rocket" Roger Clemens, the most All-Time for any big league hurler.
#6 is Tony Oliva of the Twins, and Wally Backman, 2nd baseman of the 1986 New York Mets.
Bobby Cox, who managed to get himself tossed out of RECORD 158 big league games, wore #6 as Manager of the Atlanta Braves, guiding the team to 14 consecutive N.L. East Titles, 5 N.L. Pennants, and 1 World Series Title, in 1995.
Do you have a favorite #6?
What #6 did I miss?
Comment below on what #6 and baseball means to you.
Selasa, 08 Februari 2011
Countdown to Opening Day, by the Numbers...#5
And now, it's time for baseball.
The Super Bowl ends the football season, and gives us pause, and awaiting the arrival of pitchers and catchers in Florida and Arizona.
#5 is the best catcher who ever squatted behind Home Plate, a kid from Binger, Oklahoma named Johhny Bench.
#5 is the Tampa Bay Rays Rocco Baldelli, Hall of Fame Indians short stop Lou Boudreau, and the power of the Astros slugging 1st baseman Jeff Bagwell.
#5 is for the Florida Marlins Carl Barger, their 1st ever President, who passed away before the team ever played a game. The Marlins retired #5 on April 5th, 1993, the teams 1st game, in his memory.
#5 is the first player to ever win an MVP Award at two different positions, the Detroit Tigers Hank Greenberg won the awards at 1st base and left field.
The Super Bowl ends the football season, and gives us pause, and awaiting the arrival of pitchers and catchers in Florida and Arizona.
Our countdown to Opening Day 2011 continues with a look at our National Pastime and the #5, the slider, and 3rd base on your scorecard.
Five is the number of consecutive World Series Titles for the 1949-53 Bronx Bombers.
#5 is Tigers OF Jim Northrup, and Dodgers 1st Baseman Mike Marshall.
#5 is the great Albert Pujols, the best 1st baseman, and the best hitter in baseball.
#5 is the slick fielding, power combination of Mr. Royal, George Brett, pine tar and all.
Five is the best 3rd baseman during my childhood, #5, Brooks Robinson, the "Human Vacuum."
5 is the number of consecutive Gold Gloves won by Tigers catcher Bill Freehan from 1965-69, the 1st big league catcher to accomplish the feat.
Number 5 is the grandeur of Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper, who was born to play Center Field at Yankee Stadium.
Five is the number of consecutive World Series Titles for the 1949-53 Bronx Bombers.
#5 is Tigers OF Jim Northrup, and Dodgers 1st Baseman Mike Marshall.
#5 is the great Albert Pujols, the best 1st baseman, and the best hitter in baseball.
#5 is the slick fielding, power combination of Mr. Royal, George Brett, pine tar and all.
Five is the best 3rd baseman during my childhood, #5, Brooks Robinson, the "Human Vacuum."
5 is the number of consecutive Gold Gloves won by Tigers catcher Bill Freehan from 1965-69, the 1st big league catcher to accomplish the feat.
Number 5 is the grandeur of Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper, who was born to play Center Field at Yankee Stadium.
#5 is the best catcher who ever squatted behind Home Plate, a kid from Binger, Oklahoma named Johhny Bench.
#5 is the Tampa Bay Rays Rocco Baldelli, Hall of Fame Indians short stop Lou Boudreau, and the power of the Astros slugging 1st baseman Jeff Bagwell.
#5 is for the Florida Marlins Carl Barger, their 1st ever President, who passed away before the team ever played a game. The Marlins retired #5 on April 5th, 1993, the teams 1st game, in his memory.
#5 is the first player to ever win an MVP Award at two different positions, the Detroit Tigers Hank Greenberg won the awards at 1st base and left field.
Senin, 07 Februari 2011
Sabtu, 05 Februari 2011
Countdown to Opening Day, by the Numbers, #4
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We arrive at the number four on our countdown to opening day, by looking back at the best and most memorable players, teams, terms, and happenings in baseball and the #4.
It is impossible to talk about #4 and not mention the original #4, the Yankees Lou Gehrig.
Why Gehrig?
When the Yankees were putting numbers on the players uniforms for the 1st time, they decided to go by the order in the batting lineup.
And because of that decision, the Yankees created the two most famous uniform #s in big league history, #3, Babe Ruth, and #4, Lou Gehrig.
Why did the Yankees win so many games?
#3 and #4 in the lineup, that's why
Lou Gehrig's #4 is the 1st uniform number to ever be retired, by any team, in any sport.
Ball 4 gets you to 1st base with a walk, and is also "Ball Four," the tell all book about life as a New York Yankee.
#4 the power of Ralph Kiner of the Pirates, Rusty Staub as a Met, and Charlie, "Paw Paw" Maxwell, who delighted Tigers fans by seemingly always hitting HRS on Sundays.
We arrive at the number four on our countdown to opening day, by looking back at the best and most memorable players, teams, terms, and happenings in baseball and the #4.
It is impossible to talk about #4 and not mention the original #4, the Yankees Lou Gehrig.
Why Gehrig?
When the Yankees were putting numbers on the players uniforms for the 1st time, they decided to go by the order in the batting lineup.
And because of that decision, the Yankees created the two most famous uniform #s in big league history, #3, Babe Ruth, and #4, Lou Gehrig.
Why did the Yankees win so many games?
#3 and #4 in the lineup, that's why
Lou Gehrig's #4 is the 1st uniform number to ever be retired, by any team, in any sport.
Ball 4 gets you to 1st base with a walk, and is also "Ball Four," the tell all book about life as a New York Yankee.
#4 is the slick fielding Aurelio Rodriguez and the hard charging Bobby Higginson of the Detroit Tigers.
#4 is the home run, the four bagger, and #4 is a Grand Slam HR, the "grand salami."
#4 is The Duke, Duke Snider and his 407 HRS in Brooklyn and L.A.
#4 is the legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver getting thrown out of 97 big league games.
Four is also the number of pitchers who won 20+ games for Weaver and the O's in 1971, Jim Palmer, Pat Dobson, Mike Cuellar, and Dave McNally.
Four is also the number of pitchers who won 20+ games for Weaver and the O's in 1971, Jim Palmer, Pat Dobson, Mike Cuellar, and Dave McNally.
Four is the "Core Four" of the Yankees, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera, who won five World Series as teammates in the Bronx.
Four is 4 dingers, 4 long balls, 4 HRS in a game, done fifteen times in big league history...and yes, once by #4, Lou Gehrig.
#4 is Joe Cronin of the Red Sox, and the ChiSox Luke Appling, wearing #4 as he homered in an Old Timers game, at age 75.
#4 is Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, and his five hits in Game 1 of the 1982 World Series.
#4 is Jackie Jensen, Jim Hegan, Shane Halter, and Bobby Allison.
Four is the 4-seam fastball, and 4 free tosses for an intentional walk to the batter.
Larvell Blanks, Tony Phillips, Hal McRae, Tommy Hutton, and Chris Spier all wore the number 4.
The #4 is "Nails," Lenny Dykstra, and Ernie Lombardi, and his "snooze" at home plate.
Four is how many names are attached to "The Corner" in Detroit, Michigan and Trumbull, Bennett Park, Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, and Tiger Stadium, from 19895-1999.
So, did I forget someone?
Let me know what #4 means to you.
The #4 is "Nails," Lenny Dykstra, and Ernie Lombardi, and his "snooze" at home plate.
Four is how many names are attached to "The Corner" in Detroit, Michigan and Trumbull, Bennett Park, Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, and Tiger Stadium, from 19895-1999.
So, did I forget someone?
Let me know what #4 means to you.
Kamis, 03 Februari 2011
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