Who's On Third?

As winter rolls on my baseball withdrawal worsens.  I search the internet for the latest hot stove moves.  I surf for the most recent prospect highlights from the Caribbean, Mexico and Venezuela.  I keep an eye on the Japanese Professional League whose season starts about the same time as ours.  I have even been watching the Australian League scores and Jim Kaat’s work in New Zealand.  My wife periodically asks me “How many days?”.  I can usually give her the countdown to when pitchers and catchers report, opening day and this year the World Baseball Classic.  Bonus! 

But as I look forward to the coming season, I find myself looking back to my own playing days.  No, you never heard of me.  I was not a hot prospect.  I was a good high school player with a plus glove and arm but only an average bat and little power or speed, although I was an excellent bunter.  Those tools may get you a chance to walk on for a college team, but no one was handing me any offer letters.  Thankfully, I have come to terms with my talent and I am definitely not one of those guys who’s past gets better as they get older.  If I did that, by my age, I would be ready to enter the Hall of Fame.

When I mentioned I was looking back to my playing days, I am actually referring more to my early days.  Specifically, to my inspirations in the beginning. 

Where I grew up in Pennsylvania, I was located in a small miracle like area of sorts for the new sensation of cable television.  We had stations from several major markets and I could see a ball game almost any time during the season.  I had stations that were either from or broadcast games for Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Pittsburgh.  In the 70’s and early 80’s I was truly the proverbial kid in a candy store.

For those not as obsessed as myself, let me give you a little run down of the teams in those markets.  Pittsburgh was a powerhouse through the entire decade.  Even after the loss of Roberto Clemente, the Pirates, led by Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and a solid pitching staff were rivaled only by the Reds in the first half of the decade.  The Orioles had one of the greatest pitching staffs in the history of the game (only the second staff with four 20 game winners) and appeared in three series in the 70s and six in a seventeen-year span.  The Mets had the miracle ’69 season and another Series a few years later but were beginning to fade as the decade progressed.  The Yankees made three straight Series appearances and four in six years.  These were the days of Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Catfish Hunter.  The Phillies finally shook off twenty-five years in the doldrums with three straight division titles and their first ever world championship followed by another Series three years later.

 Needless to say, I had great games to watch at all times.  This was the fuel to my fire.  The spark however, that was my father.  My Dad grew up in Philadelphia, in the heart of the City.  He was a diehard A’s fan idolizing Connie Mack, always hoping he would find a way to bring back a string of championships like he had twice in the past.  It was not to be and the A’s joined the move west to Kansas City and eventually Oakland.  My father remained an A’s fan until he passed away.  Dad also loved the Phillies and knew every member of the Whiz Kids.  He made me the baseball fan I am today.  Even when I got older and we had our typical father son disagreements, we could always talk baseball.  (Yeah, I know, it sounds sappy but it’s true.) 

So, when I decided I wanted to start playing, dad asked me where I wanted to play.  Well, that was the easiest answer of my entire youth.  Third base, of course.  When I looked around at the men playing third, I knew where I wanted to play.  The Pirates had Bill Madlock and the Yankees had Graig Nettles.  But then there were two Hall of Famers in the Phillies Mike Schmidt and the Orioles Brooks Robinson.  Why look anywhere else?

When I started to play Little League, I begged the coach to play third and he gave me my chances, but he also moved me around to other positions.  I gave each one my best, but I always wanted to go to “my spot”.  Dad worked with me and the following year I moved up a division and my new coach put me at third and that is where I stayed for the next decade.    

Then one day as he was working with me in the back yard he mentioned a new name to me. He told me about another third baseman who grew up in Philadelphia and became an All-Star playing in Philly.  Judy Johnson.  Now, at this point I was about ten years old and the name stuck in my head for two reasons.  First, my father loved the game and he was telling me about an all-time great who came from and played in his hometown.  Second, my mother’s name is Judy, and his name stuck with me for obvious reasons.  He told me what he knew about him.  He explained he played in the Negro Leagues and that he retired before he had the chance to see him.  This prompted a whole new set of questions about the Negro Leagues and why these players could not play in the majors.  At ten, this was as difficult to grasp as it is for me today.  Dad even had an old book with two photos of Judy.  I wish I had that book today but I can still see both photos.  The next fall I went to the Library and found a book about the League and read it cover to cover.  I learned names and read stories I never knew existed.  A whole new part of game opened up for me.  I soaked in all I could about Johnson, Robinson and Schmidt and wanted to be just like them. 

To some extent I emulated the three of them.  As I mentioned I had a plus glove and arm.  I was very good in the field and could throw out anyone from deep behind the bag.  Unfortunately, that never carried over to the bat.  So, my professional career ended long before it started.  Even though I never made the show, I do have a few memories of my playing days I will always cherish.  As a twelve-year-old, I played in Howard J. Lamade Stadium, the home of Little League Baseball.  I played third base that day.  I went 4 for 5 with 4 doubles and 4 RBI.  It was and still is my favorite day playing the game.  Earlier that same year, I also had the chance to play on the home field of the Original League in Williamsport.  This was not my home league, but the man who was my second father was an officer of the league and he made the arrangements.  He also introduced me to Carl Stotz.  A man I firmly believe belongs in Cooperstown.  How many professional ball players would never have had the chance without Little League Baseball?

In the coming years, I would find new and better information about the trio who drove me.  I learned that Judy Johnson was not actually from Philadelphia but nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Years later, I lived in Wilmington and was able to see how the city now appreciates and celebrates the man.  Through events, I was able to meet and shake the hand of both Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson.  I never had the opportunity with Judy Johnson.  They say never meet your heroes.  I met two of the three and I have to say I am glad for it.  From everything I have read about the third, I would not have been disappointed. 

Recently, I stumbled upon a gentleman on Twitter.  He happens to be the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City.  After following him and seeing the wealth of information that he and his connections share, I was reminded of Judy Johnson.  That is what brought back all of these memories.  Thank you, Mr. Kendrick. 

Judy Johnson played his first professional season 98 years ago.  I am so glad my father introduced me to him so I could have the perfect man to round out the trio that I tried to emulate on the field.

If you are as obsessed with the game as I am and would like to discuss more about any facet of baseball history, please look me up on Twitter.  I am @TWR_Individual.  I may not have all the answers, but I will have a great time finding them with you.  I would also like to hear about who your on the field influences were.  Who did you want to play like?

Extra Innings with a Seamhead

I have many obsessions. But I have only one addiction, baseball.  Well, two if you count coffee.  Baseball is certainly an obsession of mine, but like anything you are fascinated with you can put it away for a while.  I call baseball an addiction because I cannot put it away for the winter.  The first embers of the hot stove are heating up.  My twitter feed is filled with teams, networks, writers, leagues, anything that will feed my need.  I surf websites regularly to keep up on the trade rumors, free agent news, history of the game, or any other nugget of information that will satisfy me.  I am a Seamhead.

Baseball people have a unique way of looking at their sport.  You have camps.  In other sports, the measuring sticks are the same throughout most of their history.  Yes, stats evolve, but the arguments remain the same.  Baseball has old school traditionalists and new age Sabermatricians.  I find myself somewhere in the middle.  I understand and find value in the cold hard numbers, but I believe there is more to the sport than just stats.  I see value in the intangibles a player brings to a team.  But intangibles do not win championships.  I favor a healthy blend of both worlds.  This approach comes in handy when watching the sport at other levels.

As a devotee of the sport, I love more than just Major League Baseball, and I am endlessly enthralled by every level of the game.  I pay close attention to both the Little League and College World Series.  I am very happy now that the MLB Network carries the Caribbean Series and I am looking forward to the return of the World Baseball Classic this Spring.  I constantly read about the history of the game reaching as far back as the true early days in the late nineteenth century.  I feel great joy in seeing where the game is going.  Australia and Europe are experiencing a surge in the popularity of baseball. New players are introduced to the game at the youth level.  The game is as strong as ever in Latin America and East Asia. I would love to see games on MLB from here also.

As for me, I spent my youth playing America’s pastime.  When I went as far as my talent would allow, I coached Little League in the Senior division for six years.  Then I moved into umpiring.  I called thousands of games.  I started at the Little League level and worked my way up through high school and then into college.  I became pretty good.  I was asked to work in a summer wooden bat league for talented college players.  I also tried my hand at administration for several years.  I was the umpire consultant for my local league and was on the district board as the administrator for the Big-League level (16-18-year-old players). 

All of this background was to establish a foundation for the point of my essay.  I, like most other fans have hopes and wishes for the game we love.  I want to share a few of mine with you.  You may not agree with my suggestions.  That is perfectly okay with me.  This is just how I feel.

1.      Start games earlier.  This is a popular battle cry.  I happen to agree, especially when it comes to the post season.  Isn’t it better for the west coast to miss the beginning of a game than the east coast to miss the end?  The arguments are plentiful on this one, so I will leave it at that.

2.      Let the All-Star Game be what it is supposed to be.  The All-Star Game was meant to be an exhibition to showcase the best players in the league.  Because we had one tie, we lost our collective minds.  I still believe, as I did when it happened, Commissioner Selig made the right call.  But let’s get our heads back on straight.  We stopped that game to prevent player injuries that could impact the remainder of the season.  So, in reaction, we said “This time it counts”.  Now we have ruined the Mid-Summer Classic to affect change to the Fall Classic.  Stop already.  Leave the All-Star game as a fun, fan friendly exhibition and find a better way to determine home field advantage.  I have heard many good suggestions.  Among them; simply use the best record, best inter-league record (either for the individual team or the league as a whole), or just go back to alternating. 

3.      Figure out the designated hitter. I must admit I struggle a bit with this one, but we need to figure it out so fans will not have to endure hours of announcers, commentators and reporters droning on about the differences between the leagues.  Personally, I love pitchers that hit.  I love the strategy involved and managers having to think innings ahead.  Teams also get a big boost with a pitcher who can handle a bat.  I feel if you only want to see balls mashed over the fence, go watch beer league softball.  Even in the American League, small ball still works.  Thank you, Tito!  I know the DH will never go away, but let’s find common ground so we can talk about more interesting things.

4.      It is time for MLB to move into new territory.  I fully realize this is years, maybe even decades away, but I would love to see teams in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico and eventually Japan.  Yes, I know there are economic and political barriers to overcome.  Why can’t baseball help pave the way?  Looking past those barriers, I do have a concern that this could, in turn, hurt the existing leagues that have been thriving in those countries for the better part of a century.  I think it is worth exploring.

5.      Hall of Fame, figure it out already.  I think the Hall has made progress in the election of new members.  However, we still face the inevitable steroid discussion every winter and at the ceremony when Hall talk is in the news.  My personal feeling is, it happened, move on.  Put Bonds, Clemens, Palmeiro and anyone else deemed worthy in the hall.  Let’s face it, with the number of reprobates currently in the Hall, are we truly hurting the aura of membership?  Bob Costas suggested putting a sign at the entrance stating essentially that the era happened and you can make up your own mind.  I agree. 

6.      It is time to help the Umpires out.  As I mentioned above, I was an umpire. I understand how good they are.  I was also privileged to have been mentored by a former Major League Umpire, so I have insight.  Knowing how difficult it is to call a 90-something mile per hour pitch on the corner of the plate, I can tell you they do an amazing job.  If you have not seen a baseball moving in the mid-80s break about two feet, you should try it.  I could not have more respect for what these men do.  That said, they face constant scrutiny over every pitch.  I have seen a number of systems and I think they could be close to helping on balls and strikes without slowing down the game.  I know the men in blue don’t want to give up the control, but we have proven that replay works and your reputations are only helped, not hurt.  Let’s give it a try.  Side note to the fans at every level, give them a break.  Most umpires do it for the love of the game, not to sway an outcome.  Mistakes happen.

7.      College Baseball deserves more respect.  College baseball is gaining popularity and MLB teams are now looking at top players differently than they had several decades ago.  We should too.  I am glued to ESPN every June to watch the sport’s pinnacle in Omaha.  There are future Major Leaguers on almost every team.  The games are beautiful to watch.  For a baseball fan, this is every bit as great as March Madness.  If all you know of the college game is the piercing “ping” of the bats, times have changed.  While the bats are still aluminum, new technology has reduced the flight of the ball and dampened the sound considerably.  Gone are the slugfests.  The game now closely resembles the pros.  If you have not watched a college game, I encourage you to try one.  I am sure you will love it.

8.      The Majors should take a page from the minors.  Have you been to a minor league baseball game any time, ever?  It is one big party.  In between watching the game’s rising stars, most all minor league games feature mid inning games, entertainment and just plain silliness. Let’s keep in mind, it is still a game.  Now, a few major league teams get it to a lesser extent, but why can’t we have more fan participation at the highest level of the game?  No sport anywhere appreciates their fans more than baseball.  I believe that.  We have interactive fun throughout the minors.  Games in Latin America feature constant music, live music, during the games.  Japanese games are more fan inclusive.  But when we get to the highest level of the sport we want fans to watch and be entertained.  Forget that, let’s have fun!  (Just not the wave.  I hate the wave.)

9.      Patience is a virtue, ask a Cubs fan.  Indians fans, just wait, it will come.  I can say this as a lifelong fan of a team that waited 97 years (76 if you only count the modern game) for their first championship and another 28 for the second.  I am watching the rebuilding process now in hopes of number three.  Keep in mind you do have a pennant to look at in the outfield.  There are eight teams led by the Rangers who have not won their first series.  Washington as a city is now on their third team with no championship since 1924.  While no team should have to wait 108 years, with 30 teams, a drought is inevitable. 

10.  To casual fans and Seamheads alike, I say expand your horizons.  I am not going to go into great detail here.  I will instead give you something to explore if you wish.  Here is a list of teams who have won championships this year.  If you want to grow your love of the game, google some of these teams to discover where they are from and what they are about. 

a.      Chicago Cubs

b.      Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

c.      Venados de Mazatlan

d.      Maine-Endwell

e.      Netherlands

f.       Santurce

g.      Brisbane Bandits

h.      Doosan Bears

i.       Coastal Carolina University

j.       McGill University

k.      Pericos de Puebla

l.       Ciego de Avila

m.    Leones de Escogido

n.      Tigres de Aragua

o.      EDA Rhinos

I would love to hear from all baseball fans no matter your level of interest.  I would like to know what you love about our game.