Just as Stephen Strasburg signs a record deal with the Nationals, two sure fire Hall of Famers seem near the end. One looks like he has accepted it, the other no. Whether it is the money or just the competitive juices, it is hard to know when it is time to say goodbye.
Tom Glavine has won over 300 games. He is a class act. He was not overpowering, just effective. Despite an injury he was attempting one last comeback with the Atlanta Braves. He pitched well in a minor league rehab start, but the Braves released him. To date he has not been picked up. This may mean a lack of interest, although I doubt that, or that Glavine has realized it is time to start running that five year clock on the Hall of Fame.
His former teammate, John Smoltz is not going so quietly into the night. A comeback with the Red Sox was a disaster, producing an E.R.A. of over 8.00. He was released and is apparently out there looking for another team to pitch for. Baseball being in desperate need of pitching, witness giving a college kid $15 million before he throws a professional pitch, I imagine someone will pick him up. What will be different? With a 2 or three week layoff will that fastball suddenly return to form? Will the slider remind us of the mid 1990s John Smoltz? Doubtful.
Knowing when to say goodbye is tough. The money seems to make it even harder. I remember Dave Winfield ending his career in a Twins or Indians uniform and Steve Carlton pitching middle relief for the Twins. Even before the really big money however, Babe Ruth suited up for the Boston Braves, Warren Spahn wound down with the mid 1960s Mets and Willie Mays stumbled in the outfield for the Mets.
Maybe Stephen Strasburg will be a Hall of Famer. With his signing bonus he should never have to worry about working again. Let's hope that whenever the times comes, he knows how to say goodbye.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
No Greater Joy
Obviously I love the game of baseball. I played it as a kid up through high school. Limited height, lack of speed, in other words reality; shut down the dreams of a major league career, but did not sour my love of the game.
I have now discovered an even greater thrill: watching my son play the game. This week my eight year old son attended a baseball camp. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time at the ballpark watching. There is nothing better.
I always worry about being one of those "Little League dads" we read about: obsessive about the development of my son's skills, pushing him and eventually taking all of the fun out of the game. I try really hard to make sure it stays fun. After camp I don't ask how he did, but whether he had fun. I also try to focus on whether he liked the coaches and the other kids. The answer to both questions is yes.
The high point of the week was his competitive pitching debut in the camp games. He wants to pitch. I think he is a middle infielder, but life is about trying things out, so he goes for it. Unexpectedly he took the mound to start the first camp game. I happened to stop by just in time.
I must admit my stomach was a little nervous. My son is hard on himself and I feared that not pitching well might spoil his whole week. No problem. He struck out two and retired the third on a comebacker with an easy flip to first base.
After the inning he came up to fill his water bottle and I tried to congratulate him with a high five or fist bump (I am at least smart enough to know a hug would be so uncool!). He barely acknowledged me (he is too cool), but I could tell he felt about six feet tall.
His later pitching performances were not as strong as the first outing, but his bat came around. The best part however, was the smiles and watching him interact with his fellow ballplayers. The kids seem to bond over the week and really form a ball club. The great things is it is a ball club with no big contracts, no holdouts and no prima donnas. Just a bunch of kids learning the game and loving it.
Who knows whether any of these kids will play pro ball, or even college ball. Who cares? The important thing is that they are out there for love of the game.
I don't need my son to pitch a perfect inning or get a big hit to validate me as a parent. I do need him to do what he loves to do, and if baseball is that wonderful. If it is something else, equally wonderful. For now, watching your own flesh and blood play the game you love, there is no greater joy.
I have now discovered an even greater thrill: watching my son play the game. This week my eight year old son attended a baseball camp. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time at the ballpark watching. There is nothing better.
I always worry about being one of those "Little League dads" we read about: obsessive about the development of my son's skills, pushing him and eventually taking all of the fun out of the game. I try really hard to make sure it stays fun. After camp I don't ask how he did, but whether he had fun. I also try to focus on whether he liked the coaches and the other kids. The answer to both questions is yes.
The high point of the week was his competitive pitching debut in the camp games. He wants to pitch. I think he is a middle infielder, but life is about trying things out, so he goes for it. Unexpectedly he took the mound to start the first camp game. I happened to stop by just in time.
I must admit my stomach was a little nervous. My son is hard on himself and I feared that not pitching well might spoil his whole week. No problem. He struck out two and retired the third on a comebacker with an easy flip to first base.
After the inning he came up to fill his water bottle and I tried to congratulate him with a high five or fist bump (I am at least smart enough to know a hug would be so uncool!). He barely acknowledged me (he is too cool), but I could tell he felt about six feet tall.
His later pitching performances were not as strong as the first outing, but his bat came around. The best part however, was the smiles and watching him interact with his fellow ballplayers. The kids seem to bond over the week and really form a ball club. The great things is it is a ball club with no big contracts, no holdouts and no prima donnas. Just a bunch of kids learning the game and loving it.
Who knows whether any of these kids will play pro ball, or even college ball. Who cares? The important thing is that they are out there for love of the game.
I don't need my son to pitch a perfect inning or get a big hit to validate me as a parent. I do need him to do what he loves to do, and if baseball is that wonderful. If it is something else, equally wonderful. For now, watching your own flesh and blood play the game you love, there is no greater joy.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Isn't it Time?
There was a story this week, quickly shot down by the Commissioner's office, that Pete Rose's reinstatement was imminent.
I say it's time and the Commissioner should do it.
It has been 20 years since Rose was banned "for life" from baseball. I don't think anyone really thought it would be a lifetime ban. Some stories were that he would be out one, maybe two years and then reinstated. Then Bart Giamatti, the Commissioner who imposed the ban, died. Many of his allies blamed the stress of the Rose situation for his fatal heart attack. It began to appear that only Giamatti had the power to reinstate Rose and with Giamatti gone...
Rose certainly has not helped himself over the past 20 years. First, his insistence on his innocence despite all evidence to the contrary. Second, he only made the admission of guilt in a book and gladly accepted the receipts from book sales. Third, he continued to taunt baseball by showing up and selling memorabilia near the Hall of Fame on induction weekend. Yes, Rose managed to make himself an unsympathetic figure.
But he has served more time for his "crime" than many have for far worse. Gambling on baseball is the unpardonable sin due to the 1919 White Sox fixing a World Series. There has never been a charge that Rose bet against his team or tried to fix games. It appears that he bet on his team, when he was a manager, to win. Yes, if he had money riding on the game he may have managed differently. He might go to his closer earlier than normal. He might adjust his strategy to try and get that win today without regard for the rest of the series or season. Still, it does not appear that he ever tried to throw games. I think that is a distinction worth noting.
By banning Rose however, baseball has tried to pretend he does not exist. Those 4256 hits make that impossible. Any highlight reel from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s has to include Rose. An All Star at five different positions, leader of the Big Red Machine and member of a Phillies championship team (and who can forget that memorable half season in Montreal?). He was baseball's biggest star for 20 years. Baseball cannot pretend it never happened.
The Hall of Fame voters, now limited to the Veteran's Committee, should have the chance to vote on Rose. Give him a limited reinstatement. Ban him from major league clubhouses. require him to do community service work on behalf of Major League baseball and include a notation on his Hall of Fame plaque (should he be voted in) about the 20 year ban for gambling.
That Rose broke baseball's cardinal rule should not be expunged from the history of the game, but neither should he. It has been 20 years. It is time.
I say it's time and the Commissioner should do it.
It has been 20 years since Rose was banned "for life" from baseball. I don't think anyone really thought it would be a lifetime ban. Some stories were that he would be out one, maybe two years and then reinstated. Then Bart Giamatti, the Commissioner who imposed the ban, died. Many of his allies blamed the stress of the Rose situation for his fatal heart attack. It began to appear that only Giamatti had the power to reinstate Rose and with Giamatti gone...
Rose certainly has not helped himself over the past 20 years. First, his insistence on his innocence despite all evidence to the contrary. Second, he only made the admission of guilt in a book and gladly accepted the receipts from book sales. Third, he continued to taunt baseball by showing up and selling memorabilia near the Hall of Fame on induction weekend. Yes, Rose managed to make himself an unsympathetic figure.
But he has served more time for his "crime" than many have for far worse. Gambling on baseball is the unpardonable sin due to the 1919 White Sox fixing a World Series. There has never been a charge that Rose bet against his team or tried to fix games. It appears that he bet on his team, when he was a manager, to win. Yes, if he had money riding on the game he may have managed differently. He might go to his closer earlier than normal. He might adjust his strategy to try and get that win today without regard for the rest of the series or season. Still, it does not appear that he ever tried to throw games. I think that is a distinction worth noting.
By banning Rose however, baseball has tried to pretend he does not exist. Those 4256 hits make that impossible. Any highlight reel from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s has to include Rose. An All Star at five different positions, leader of the Big Red Machine and member of a Phillies championship team (and who can forget that memorable half season in Montreal?). He was baseball's biggest star for 20 years. Baseball cannot pretend it never happened.
The Hall of Fame voters, now limited to the Veteran's Committee, should have the chance to vote on Rose. Give him a limited reinstatement. Ban him from major league clubhouses. require him to do community service work on behalf of Major League baseball and include a notation on his Hall of Fame plaque (should he be voted in) about the 20 year ban for gambling.
That Rose broke baseball's cardinal rule should not be expunged from the history of the game, but neither should he. It has been 20 years. It is time.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Baseball Odds and Ends
As we near the end of July and the trading deadline approaches, a few thoughts on the 2009 season.
First, boy was I was off on the Oakland A's. I had them picked to go to the World Series. They are locked on last place in the A.L. West and just made the inevitable trade of their best player to a contender. I said it was an "odd hunch". Frankly it was just nuts.
I seem a little off on the A.L. Central where I had Minnesota. While not dead yet, this race looks like the Twins watching the Tigers and White Sox battle it out.
I seem to have the A.L. East and N.L. West right (Dodgers and Yankees). I clearly underestimated the Cardinals in the N.L. Central, but this is still a good four team race.
Now on to the trading deadline. The big players is Roy Halladay. As of tonight the Blue Jays G.M. says he is not going anywhere which means he'll be traded tomorrow. I don't like the idea of the Dodgers ripping apart their roster to get him. Minor leaguers, fine, but when I start hearing Billingsley, Martin or Loney, I get nervous. The Dodgers are in first place by eight games, don't try to reinvent your lineup and clubhouse in late July.
The Blue Jays however, may be overplaying their hand. Yes, they don't have to trade him. They can have this same auction next July and still do pretty well, but by waiting they risk injury to Halladay and a dropping price tag. A few years ago the Washington Nationals tried to gut several teams' farm system in a trade for Alfonso Soriano and ended up blowing all of their leverage. The Blue Jays might do that here.
Speaking of big time pitchers (well, former big time pitchers) Jason Schmidt returned to the mound for the Dodgers. Schmidt, with his $47 million contract, has not pitched in the majors since 2007. He had a reasonably effective start first time out, then got knocked around today.
I will say this for Schmidt, it would have been real easy to coast through rehabilitation and collect the checks. The guys has worked his way back and pitched at such outposts as San Bernardino and Albuquerque. I tip my hat to him for staying with it. He will never be the pitcher he was, but he did not just take the money and mail it in.
Finally, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice went into the Hall of Fame today. Two great players, one great quote machine (Rickey). Congratulations.
First, boy was I was off on the Oakland A's. I had them picked to go to the World Series. They are locked on last place in the A.L. West and just made the inevitable trade of their best player to a contender. I said it was an "odd hunch". Frankly it was just nuts.
I seem a little off on the A.L. Central where I had Minnesota. While not dead yet, this race looks like the Twins watching the Tigers and White Sox battle it out.
I seem to have the A.L. East and N.L. West right (Dodgers and Yankees). I clearly underestimated the Cardinals in the N.L. Central, but this is still a good four team race.
Now on to the trading deadline. The big players is Roy Halladay. As of tonight the Blue Jays G.M. says he is not going anywhere which means he'll be traded tomorrow. I don't like the idea of the Dodgers ripping apart their roster to get him. Minor leaguers, fine, but when I start hearing Billingsley, Martin or Loney, I get nervous. The Dodgers are in first place by eight games, don't try to reinvent your lineup and clubhouse in late July.
The Blue Jays however, may be overplaying their hand. Yes, they don't have to trade him. They can have this same auction next July and still do pretty well, but by waiting they risk injury to Halladay and a dropping price tag. A few years ago the Washington Nationals tried to gut several teams' farm system in a trade for Alfonso Soriano and ended up blowing all of their leverage. The Blue Jays might do that here.
Speaking of big time pitchers (well, former big time pitchers) Jason Schmidt returned to the mound for the Dodgers. Schmidt, with his $47 million contract, has not pitched in the majors since 2007. He had a reasonably effective start first time out, then got knocked around today.
I will say this for Schmidt, it would have been real easy to coast through rehabilitation and collect the checks. The guys has worked his way back and pitched at such outposts as San Bernardino and Albuquerque. I tip my hat to him for staying with it. He will never be the pitcher he was, but he did not just take the money and mail it in.
Finally, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice went into the Hall of Fame today. Two great players, one great quote machine (Rickey). Congratulations.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
All Stars
The baseball All Star game is still the best of all professional all star games. The Pro Bowl in football is glorified touch football which mostly serves as an excuse to use the remaining nachos and beer left from Super Bowl Sunday. The N.B.A. all star game is certainly flashier, but the ridiculously high scores and lack of defense make it a dunk exhibition.
The baseball All Star game is real baseball. Yes, they probably don't go as hard into second base to break up the double play and, Pete Rose excepted, they don't take out the catcher on a play at the plate, but the pitches are real and the swings are true.
Last night baseball really scored. They got the President to throw out the first pitch. As an aside, I admire his willingness to wear his favorite team's (White Sox) colors. Some politicians seem to lose their allegiance in the name of "broadening their base". The President seems willing to lose the votes of Cubs fans to stay true to his team.
Baseball also got a tight 4-3 game played in two hours and thirty one minutes. Yes, some kids on the East Coast probably still had to go to bed before the final out, but I bet more kids across the country got to see the whole game. That is good for baseball.
The game also showcased a lot of good young talent. As we leave the steroids era, the shadows of Bonds, Clemens and Sosa seem to fade, at least from the All Star game. Also, while it is nice to see guys nearing the end of their careers get one last turn in the midsummer's classic, it is better to see the rising stars of the game and last night featured a lot of them. The vets who were there, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera come to mind, were there on merit. Otherwise, fans get to see Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Chad Billingsley, Ryan Braun and a host of others who should rule the game for the next 5-10 years.
The winning run scored in a fashion that a true fan loves. A triple by a speedy Curtis Granderson and a sacrifice fly to bring him home. Classic baseball. A game decided not by a 450 foot blast setting off fireworks, but by a guy doing what needed to be done to get the run across.
Baseball had a good night last night.
The baseball All Star game is real baseball. Yes, they probably don't go as hard into second base to break up the double play and, Pete Rose excepted, they don't take out the catcher on a play at the plate, but the pitches are real and the swings are true.
Last night baseball really scored. They got the President to throw out the first pitch. As an aside, I admire his willingness to wear his favorite team's (White Sox) colors. Some politicians seem to lose their allegiance in the name of "broadening their base". The President seems willing to lose the votes of Cubs fans to stay true to his team.
Baseball also got a tight 4-3 game played in two hours and thirty one minutes. Yes, some kids on the East Coast probably still had to go to bed before the final out, but I bet more kids across the country got to see the whole game. That is good for baseball.
The game also showcased a lot of good young talent. As we leave the steroids era, the shadows of Bonds, Clemens and Sosa seem to fade, at least from the All Star game. Also, while it is nice to see guys nearing the end of their careers get one last turn in the midsummer's classic, it is better to see the rising stars of the game and last night featured a lot of them. The vets who were there, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera come to mind, were there on merit. Otherwise, fans get to see Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Chad Billingsley, Ryan Braun and a host of others who should rule the game for the next 5-10 years.
The winning run scored in a fashion that a true fan loves. A triple by a speedy Curtis Granderson and a sacrifice fly to bring him home. Classic baseball. A game decided not by a 450 foot blast setting off fireworks, but by a guy doing what needed to be done to get the run across.
Baseball had a good night last night.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Ditching work, Part 2
And the other shoe fell.
Turns out Governor Sanford was not just playing hooky, he was off visiting a "dear friend" i.e. girlfriend in Argentina. He and his wife are sort of separated, although it is hard to tell from their public statements where things stand. We seem to have another of those ironic situations where the Governor has moved out of the Governor's mansion. He may not be back until his successor unveils the official portrait.
Running for President is out of the question. The question I have is: did he think he could break it off with the mistress, reconcile with the wife and then run for President of the United States and nobody would notice? I do not know whether that is arrogance of the highest degree or sheer cluelessness. Either way, those "Sanford for President" buttons are now officially collector's items.
Turns out Governor Sanford was not just playing hooky, he was off visiting a "dear friend" i.e. girlfriend in Argentina. He and his wife are sort of separated, although it is hard to tell from their public statements where things stand. We seem to have another of those ironic situations where the Governor has moved out of the Governor's mansion. He may not be back until his successor unveils the official portrait.
Running for President is out of the question. The question I have is: did he think he could break it off with the mistress, reconcile with the wife and then run for President of the United States and nobody would notice? I do not know whether that is arrogance of the highest degree or sheer cluelessness. Either way, those "Sanford for President" buttons are now officially collector's items.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ditching Work
I admit it: I have occasionally slipped out of the office to go play golf or maybe just hang out with the kids. When I do that however, I still have my cell phone with me and I usually check for messages a couple of times. The really important thing is however: I am not the governor of an entire state (or any part of one for that matter).
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford apparently took a five day "break" from his duties to go to South America this week. He did not tell anyone where he was going. His wife and family apparently did not know where he was, nor did his staff or security detail. Poof, the Governor was gone.
Most states have provisions for the temporary transfer of power when the governor is out of the state. Usually the Lieutenant Governor can exercise power and run the show, but what if nobody really knows the governor is gone? In South Carolina the trip became a story when people started to realize that they had not seen the Governor in a few days. His staff initially said he was hiking here in the U.S., but that has turned out to be untrue. His wife said she did not know where he was.
Stories started to emerge that he likes to "get away" at the end of the legislative session. Fair enough, but it is not too much to ask that the Governor let his staff and security detail know where he is going. Just disappearing is a little strange at best, erratic at worst.
Governor Sanford has been talked up as a potential presidential candidate in 2012. Before he runs, somebody better explain that the President doesn't get to just ditch work for a few days at a time. He cannot go off to clear his head and leave the Vice President in charge. He cannot hop on a commercial flight to South America to hang out for a few days.
Public service is admirable and I am certain it is trying at times. Having reporters follow you around 24/7 has got to be stressful. Still, it is no secret when you run for office that this is the way it is. You don't get to ditch work for a few days.
Next time I take off to play golf however, I might leave the cell phone behind.
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford apparently took a five day "break" from his duties to go to South America this week. He did not tell anyone where he was going. His wife and family apparently did not know where he was, nor did his staff or security detail. Poof, the Governor was gone.
Most states have provisions for the temporary transfer of power when the governor is out of the state. Usually the Lieutenant Governor can exercise power and run the show, but what if nobody really knows the governor is gone? In South Carolina the trip became a story when people started to realize that they had not seen the Governor in a few days. His staff initially said he was hiking here in the U.S., but that has turned out to be untrue. His wife said she did not know where he was.
Stories started to emerge that he likes to "get away" at the end of the legislative session. Fair enough, but it is not too much to ask that the Governor let his staff and security detail know where he is going. Just disappearing is a little strange at best, erratic at worst.
Governor Sanford has been talked up as a potential presidential candidate in 2012. Before he runs, somebody better explain that the President doesn't get to just ditch work for a few days at a time. He cannot go off to clear his head and leave the Vice President in charge. He cannot hop on a commercial flight to South America to hang out for a few days.
Public service is admirable and I am certain it is trying at times. Having reporters follow you around 24/7 has got to be stressful. Still, it is no secret when you run for office that this is the way it is. You don't get to ditch work for a few days.
Next time I take off to play golf however, I might leave the cell phone behind.
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