One of the best things to happen to the Yankees in the mid-1980s - the 14-year barf - was Don Baylor. He came over from California, where he'd killed us for six years. He batted behind Dave Winfield (and in front of, ugh, Steve Kemp.) These were the Yankees of Mumphrey and Smalley, after Dale Murray had been obtained for Jay Buhner. There wasn't much to cheer. But Baylor always carried himself like a star.I remember Bill White telling how when the Yankees were visiting Texas, Baylor's old stomping grounds, he'd made calls to old friends, and the clubhouse was stocked with barbecued ribs - the best Phil Rizzuto ever tasted. Those were the days. And that was a great teammate.
He died today at age 68. Twilight of the gods, folks. Twilight of the gods...
IT WAS FUN TO SEE "GROOVE" COME TO THE PLATE.
ReplyDeleteNUMBER #25 WITH US.
HE WAS THE ONLY GUY I EVER REMEMBER THAT WHEN HE GOT HIT BY THE PITCH, HE LOOKED TOTALLY UNFAZED AS HE HAPPILY FLIPPED HIS BAT, AND TROTTED TO FIRST BASE.
ReplyDelete...after Dale Murray had been obtained for Jay Buhner.
Murray for Buhner? It was Phelps, man. Ken Phelps.
Oddly I always thought of Baylor as a Red Sox. I got into baseball in 1986 during the Mets Craze and of course he was part of villainous Sux! I don't remember him as a Yankee or anything prior to that.
ReplyDeleteMy baseball people kept saying Ken Phelps, Ken Phelps...
ReplyDeleteRemember Scooter saying "He will not rub!" When Baylor got hit? Twilight of the Gods, indeed.
You're right LBJ. I stand corrected. I was Murray for Fred McGriff.
ReplyDeleteMcGee for Sykes.
ReplyDeleteMcGriff for Murray.
Buhner for Phelps.
The unholy trinity of the 1980s.
WOW, I FORGOT MCGEE FOR SYKES.
ReplyDeleteWHAT DISASTERS.
Okay historians; how did we get Chuck Knoblauch?
ReplyDeleteFor Eric Milton and Cristian Guzman, right, that shortstop? And somebody else, maybe a pitcher who didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteI remember Milton pitched a no-hitter, but he was never great shakes.
ReplyDeleteI really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.