The Chicago History Museum (full disclosure: I lead tours for them on occasion) has created a blog, mainly for kids, for “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.
The first entry from April 1, 2013: “I know what everyone has said about me for years. This is the chance to tell my story.”
Check it out.
Former broadcaster Fred White succumbed Wednesday to complications from melanoma. His death came one day after he officially retired from the Royals following a 40-year association with the club. He was 76.
White was lead broadcaster in the TV booth from 1973 until 1998.
In honor of the dearly departed Dr. Joyce Brothers, here’s the baseball bloopers scene from “The Naked Gun” - you can see her left shoulder and part of her hair next to Dick Enberg.
Wade Boggs, 1976.
“Would take about $20-$25,000 to keep him out of college. Not worth that much.”
The Red Sox would draft him in the 7th round. Don’t know how much it cost. Worth every penny.
Roger Maris’ scouting report while a minor leaguer in 1955.
“I believe this boy has the ability to go all the way. Has been the clean up hitter but I think he would do a better job in the third position where a little of the pressure is off.”
In 1961, when he hit 61 home runs, Maris batted 3rd in front of Mickey Mantle. Maris had 0 intentional walks that season.
During the games today head over to Diamond Mines, an archive of scouting reports from the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s amazing.
| — | Dennis Eckersley did not take kindly to Jack Morris accusing Clay Buchholz of throwing spitballs. |
Angels 110 040 100 000 001 000 0
A’s 000 101 041 000 001 000 2
WP - Jerry Blevins LP- Barry Enright
Brandon Moss hit a walk-off 2-run homer in the bottom of the 19th.
Interesting stats
At-bats: Angels, 70; A’s, 71
Worst night: Angels - Josh Hamilton, 0-8, 3 Ks
A’s - Yoenis Cespedes, 1-8, 4 Ks
Pitchers used: Angels, 8; A’s 8
Time of game: 6:32 (longest game in A’s history)
The game ended at 1:42 PDT. And the A’s still had a post-game show.
Random fact: The Mets and Marlins played a 15-inning game that lasted 5:32. The Marlins won 4-3 on a sacrifice fly.
Random, depressing fact: The Angels are off to their worst start in history, 9-16.
This is definitely the most dangerous selfie ever taken.
Tampa Bay Rays reporter in the Green Monster seats during batting practice.
![thepittsburghhistoryjournal:
Pittsburgh Crawfords, 1932 (via)
On This Day in Pittsburgh History: April 29, 1932
The first Negro League ballpark in the world is constructed by Gus Greenlee. The Pittsburgh Crawfords will call Greenlee Field home until they disband in 1938. Today’s Josh Gibson Field carries on the field’s legacy. [Wikipedia]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m32ih7rUnn1qakblyo1_1280.jpg)
Pittsburgh Crawfords, 1932 (via)
On This Day in Pittsburgh History: April 29, 1932
The first Negro League ballpark in the world is constructed by Gus Greenlee. The Pittsburgh Crawfords will call Greenlee Field home until they disband in 1938. Today’s Josh Gibson Field carries on the field’s legacy. [Wikipedia]
The Braves lost one to the Phillies.
The Reds lost one to the Nats and one to the Marlins.
The Rockies are 3-0.
Fun random stat for today.
This weekend, after Boston Police captured the second Marathon bomber, belonged to the Red Sox. And rightly so.
On Saturday, David Oritz gave us the quote of the year: “This is our fucking city.”
Surprisingly, the FCC was completely fine with it. Not surprisingly, you can already order a number of tee-shirts with the phrase on it.
Jonny Gomes also played with one hell of a bat:
And around the rest of the league:
Through 19 games, the Marlins are historically bad. Which isn’t really all that shocking when you think about it.
Rangers fan robs home run catch from Franklin Gutierrez, does Gangnam Style dance. Also, pretty much ends Gangnam Style, does it not?
Jean Segura steals second and then, kind of, steals first. Just…watch it. It will make more sense. Kind of.
Pedro Alvarez doesn’t make a lick of sense. Not one.
Carl Crawford in trouble for wearing blue and white shoes (note, one blue and one white) on Jackie Robinson Day. You know, as baseball struggles to find a younger audience, doing things like strictly limiting footwear options, even when they are team colors, seems like a great way to alienate that fanbase.
Lance Berkman takes on Wrigley Field. In the process, he has officially become Baseball’s Heel. I love it.
Rob Neyer on the villains in ‘42’.Confession: I still haven’t seen it. No, I don’t have a good excuse, I don’t really know what I’m doing with my time.
Hot new draft slot amounts, we’ve got your hot new draft pick slot amounts right here!
The FCC link isn’t working. Here’s the quote to which OTFB refers.
Two games postponed today (Twins at White Sox, weather & Royals at Red Sox, reasons). Let’s get to it:
1) Nationals at Mets, 7:10 EDT - Like last night’s Marlins-Reds game which was featuring some young talent this game has Stephen Strasburg facing Matt Harvey.
2) D’backs at Rockies, 6:40 MDT - The Rockies are a surprise with 11 wins, the 2nd most in baseball. and Jhoulys Chacin is one of the reasons - opposing hitters have a .211 BA. Paul Goldschmidt has a 15-game hitting streak to start the season, only the 4th longest in D’backs history.
3) Cardinals at Phillies, 7:05 EDT - The Roy Halladay Watch continues. Will he get back to form? Is he done? On the flip side, Jaime Garcia is ready to kill the St. Louis bullpen who have given up 10 9th-inning runs in his starts.
4) Dodgers at Orioles, 7:05 EDT - The O’s and Dodgers are a combined 53 games under .500 in interleague play. Also a re-match of the 1966 World Series which Baltimore swept.
5) Mariners at Rangers, 7:05 CDT - The Mariners are on game five of 16 game set, and play 30 games in 31 days. The Rangers have Yu Darvish. Doesn’t seem fair on its face.
6) TIE
A’s at Rays, 7:10 EDT - Hey it rhymes! Anyway, the Oakland A’s have the most wins in the AL and a 3-game lead in the AL West. The Rays? A .333 winning percentage. But Alex Cobb is pitching so added excitement.
Braves at Pirates, 7:05 EDT - The Braves have the best record in baseball. The Pirates have the second worst offense in the NL. Not a great matchup on paper.
8) Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:05 EDT - Brandon Marrow is 3-1 with a 1.30 ERA in four starts in the Bronx. Andy Pettitte is creeping up on 250 wins.
9) Tigers at Angels, 7:05 PDT - This game should be higher up the list but the Angels are just not doing well. Why? MLB Ranking: Hitting, 5th; Pitching, 30th; Defense, 27th.
10) Cubs at Brewers, 7:10 CDT - Cubs are so happy to be in a dome tonight. And WTW still hopes that one day this will be a important rivalry. One day.
11) Padres at Giants, 7:15 PDT - Madison Bumgarner can go 4-0 with a win. He’d be the first to do so in MLB.
12) Indians at Astros, 7:10 EDT - I can’t help but wish that Len Barker pitched against Mike Scott. But instead we have Brett Myers and Lucas Harrell. The Astros are on a 5-game losing streak.
13) Marlins at Reds, 7:10 EDT - Giancarlo Stanton is back!
Apologies for missing WTW yesterday but things happen. Today, from rain-drenched Chicagoland, here are today’s games from best to worst:
1) Tigers at Mariners, 1:40 PDT - This may be the pitching matchup of the day with Justin Verlander facing Hisashi Iwakuma (Iwakuma is holding opponents to a .129 BA and has only one walk in 20 2/3 innings). The bullpens would like the starters to pitch deep into the game since last night they played 14 innings.
2) Red Sox at Indians, 7:05 EDT - The second best pitching matchup for Thursday sees Jon Lester facing Zach McAllister. McAllister has 9 Ks and no walks in 12 1/3 innings over two starts.
3) Rays at Orioles, 7:05 EDT - David Price is 3-0 with a 2.54 ERA in his career at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis has the highest home batting average in the majors - .635 (!).
4) Marlins at Reds, 7:10 EDT - One of the Marlins’ bright spots, Jose Fernandez, gets the start tonight. Although in classic Miami fashion he has a 0.82 ERA - and no wins. He’s facing Tony Cingrani in his first MLB start. He’s struck out 26 in 14+ innings in AAA. Future stars move this up the list.
5) Cardinals at Phillies, 7:05 EDT - This should be the best mound pairing tonight but Cole Hamels has been less-than-stellar, to be polite.
6) TIE
Mets at Rockies, 1:10 MDT - The Mets’ have had 3 of their last 4 games snowed out. Carlos Gonzalez is on fire for the Rockies: 9 of 15 (HR, 3B, 3-2B, 3 RBI, 5 BB) over the last four games.
D’backs at Yankees, 7:05 EDT - The Yankees are 7-1 in their last eight. D’backs starter Patrick Corbin grew up as a Yankees fan. His favorite player was Tino Martinez.
8) TIE
Giants at Brewers, 12:10 CDT - Brewers’ ace Yovani Gallardo was picked up on Tuesday for DWI. He’s listed as today’s starter. Btw, Kung Fu Panda has a 10-game hitting streak.
Rangers at Cubs, 1:20 CDT - There’s a chance for a second consecutive rainout today. Although reports say they may even move the game to the evening to avoid making up two. Alexi Ogando takes the mound for Texas with an absurd 1.08 ERA. The Cubs have the 4th worst BA and 5th worst OPS.
10) White Sox at Blue Jays, 7:07 EDT - R.A. Dickey tries again. He won his last time out. Slugger Jose Bautista is still not back in the lineup…now with an ear infection to accompany a sore back.
11) Braves at Pirates, 7:05 EDT - The Braves are in the middle of a one-game losing streak. They are also only on pace for 139 wins. They continue to disappoint.
