Three little gems from HoraceClarke66's book.
3. In the summer of 1869, the barnstorming Cincinnati Red Stockings crossed America. When they reached a new town, each player sang. The team's official went like this...
We are a band of baseball players
From Cincinnati city,
We come to toss the ball around
And sing to you our ditty...
2. John McGraw, the great NY Giants manager and scion, grew up in tiny Truxton, NY, a 25-minute drive from the big city of - gulp - Cortland. He never forgot his roots. He named his dogs Truxton and told them each night, "Truxton against the world!" After his died, the NY Giants came to Truxton to play a team of locals. They celebrated a memorial to McGraw, erected in the exact spot where he ran away from home, after a beating by his alcoholic father.
1. In his late years, Bat Masterson - the legendary pal of Wyatt Earp - left the wild west and became a sportswriter for the NY Telegraph. He died at his desk. His last typed words: "There are those who argue that everything breaks evenly in this old dump of a world of ours. I suppose these ginks who argue that way hold because a rich man gets ice in the summer and a poor man gets it in the winter, things are breaking even for both. Maybe so, but I'll swear that I can't see it that way."
What a line. There are gems on every page. Read it with a whisk broom.
As Lawrence Welk might have said about Kevin's book, it's "wunnerful, wunnerful." I'm looking forward to reading it again after a little more time passes. It's that good, and there are so many great stories in it that I can't possibly remember them all.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, back in the present...why do I have this overwhelming feeling that if Solo played last night, we would have won? Because it's true? You could see how the increased pressure on Stanton cracked the glass. He's so much better when he doesn't think he has to be any kind of hero.
Silver lining: Poteet looked great. The shakiest bullpen lugnuts actually did just fine.
But we need Soto. He's the spark that lights the fuse that sets off the explosions that make the straw stir the drink. Or maybe I've got that wrong...
JM, that would make Stanton the Randle of the Yankees!
ReplyDeleteI just got my copy of Hoss’ book!
ReplyDeleteJM, that was my thought exactly…if only Soto were olaying! Amazing how one player can add so much. We simply cannot depend on the Over The Hill Gang - Rizzo, Stanton, LeMahieu - for anything.
Pocano -
ReplyDeleteI know you meant in terms of fragility but at least Randle makes All Star teams and I'm not a fan of his or his style of play.
Stanton won't see another All Star team for the rest of his career.
Read a blog today that suggested that instead of trying to find a first baseman to replace Rizzo (this year) they find a third baseman freeing up DJ to cover for Rizzo more.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't say about the possibility of the specific trade he suggests but it was an interesting solution. Certainly something the Yankees might want to think about.
https://yanksgoyard.com/posts/this-rockies-trade-could-creatively-solve-yankees-anthony-rizzo-issues-01hz7g7fkbhb
Giancarlo Stanton. Mr. February.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good idea, Doug.
ReplyDeleteSo...creativity, thinking outside the box, doing anything to get that one guy who might take our Yankees over the top.
Nah, that ain't our Brian Cashman.
That yanksgoyard piece reads like fantasy baseball. Two guys sitting around in winter talking about trades that will never happen.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is also the very real possibility that The Intern will, as usual, manage to screw the pooch come the TD. Maybe another CF with a bum foot? A 3B with a big mouth and a dead bat?
Be afraid of Yankees trades with the man least capable of judging talent. He'll likely trade a serviceable pitcher for your aunt's support hose.
Thanks so much for the kind words, guys. I'm ferklempt! Really, it's so great.
ReplyDeleteBy the by, the old Cincinnati Red Stockings used to sing that before each one—each on, mind you!—came forward to introduce themselves individually, with another little musical verse.
Who sez baseball was easier then? You had to sing and dance! That alone would've disabled Stanton!
I also loved discovering that, when they had their big showdown game in Brooklyn, a Brooklyn fan jumped on a Red Stocking outfielder trying to field a flyball. The fan was arrested—but the play was allowed to stand!
ReplyDeleteDoubt that Rockettes would take that trade offer, but I'd do it if they did.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what's wrong with Oz at 3rd (and rotate Gleyber/Rizzo/DJ at 1st & 2nd). Did he bang Boonie's ex? Shouldn't he get extra points for that? 🤔
Dick speaks the frightening truth.
ReplyDeleteNowhere in Part 2 - Chapter 22 - The Great Brain is Brian Cashman ever mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThank You Kevin Baker - wherever you are . . . .
Thanks, Kevin. It’s an excellent book! Very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteTurned on the london game. Before I turned off the sound because of the idiotic in game interviews, the announcers were praising Harper for always wanting the big situation/game/at bat, liking the spotlight, and producing under it.
ReplyDeleteI thought, if only we had a GM/owner that thought getting him was a better idea than getting Glassman, who has the opposite qualities.
Jeter is still a little tarnished in my opinion for pulling that on Ca$hole. Can't really blame him for paying back Ca$hole's contract negotiations, but it obviously hurt the franchise (and he knew it would).
Methinks that Jeter gets too much credit for pulling one over on Cashman. Stanton was the reigning MVP having just hit 59 home runs. And let's not forget that he turned 28 when he joined the Yankees. No, The Brain shouldn't be roasted with hindsight (I've certainly roasted The Brain enough that I'm not a fan). Deals go bad.
ReplyDeleteKevin, I've bought your book, it's been in a holding pattern behind multiple books, but I can't wait to start on it. That story about Bat Masterson I'd never heard, and his last words really blew me away. I'm starting on your book tonight, can't wait!