“The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round.” ~ Gaylord Perry
If you’re a long-time reader of “Comments” you are familiar with the theme of this titled post. But if you are a new subscriber (welcome) or reader, it’s little snippets of baseball “stuff” and quotes that I took note of but didn’t feel I could use for a full article which I eventually put into a compilation like this. Sit back and enjoy the read.
Joe Niekro hit exactly one home run in his 22-year MLB career. The pitcher? His brother, Phil Niekro.
“I only had a high school education, and believe me, I had to cheat to get that.” ~ Sparky Anderson
Martin Dihigo, who pitched and played at some at all other 8 positions while playing in year-round leagues across the Americas. He is the only player inducted to the Baseball Halls of Fame in the United States, Cuba, and Mexico.
“Coach told me to use a lighter bat. Not to get around on fastballs, but so it wouldn’t be as heavy when I carried it back to the dugout.” ~ Bob Uecker
One morning in the training room, Ichiro told the coaches about a text he got from a number he didn’t recognize. The guy said he had gotten Ichiro’s number from Alex Rodriguez and wanted to come and meet him and study his stretching system.
“What’s the guy’s name?” one of the coaches asked.
“Some guy named Tom Brady.” Ichiro responded. “Who the f--- is Tom Brady?”
“Nobody talked about my defense or that I used to steal bases, too.” ~ Tony Gwynn
When Montreal’s Jarry Park Stadium opened in 1969, 6,000 folding chairs were used because the ball club ran out of time to bolt in the permanent seating.
“When I knock a guy down, there was no second part to the story.” ~ Bob Gibson
“Marvelous” Marv Throneberry of the expansion NY Mets hit a ball into the gap against the Chicago Cubs and ended up at third base. Ernie Bank, the first baseman for the Cubs appealed, saying he had missed tagging first base. The first base ump, Dusty Boggess agreed and called him out. Casey Stengel, the Mets manager came out of the dugout to argue the call. Then Boggess said, “Don’t bother, Casey. Marv missed second base too.”
“I don’t know if it’s good for baseball, but it sure beats the hell out of rooming with Phil Rizzuto.” ~ Yogi Berra talking about Joe DiMaggio’s marriage to Marilyn Monroe
Dizzy Dean bet he could strike out Vince DiMaggio (Joe’s brother) four times in a game. Dizzy fanned him in the first three at bats. In his fourth at bat, Vince hit a very catchable foul pop-up behind home plate. Dean yelled to his catcher to drop it, which he did. He then proceeded to strike DiMaggio out for the fourth time.
“The resurgence of the Yankees as winners was due to one man’s efforts in particular, and that man was Thurman Munson.” ~ Calton Fisk. Although they were fierce rivals and got into it a few times on the field, they respected one another. It has been said that after Munson’s death in the accidental plane crash, Fisk admitted to crying. Fisk also sent Diana Munson, Thurman’s wife a heart-felt letter after his death, she was very vocal about that.
Babe Ruth remains the lone member of the 100 Complete Games, 100 Stolen Bases, 100 Triples, 700 Home Runs and 2200 RBI Club.
“I was good, but I was a left-hander who didn’t throw hard. If they used a radar gun like they do today, they would have to take the batteries out. They would think it’s broken.” ~ “Spaceman” Bill Lee
Minnie Minosa singled as the DH for the Chicago White Sox. At age 53 he became the oldest player to get a hit in a regulation game, September 12, 1976.
“They told me you were a good shortstop, but you’ve shown me nothing, no spirit, no aggressiveness. I played the position for 17 years. On double plays, don’t be a nice guy and throw the ball over their heads. Fire that ball right at the eyes of the incoming runner. I did it all my life and never hit anybody. They’ll get out of the way.” ~ Leo Durocher to Don Kissinger
Reporter: “I understand you had an audience with the Pope.”
Yogi: “No, but I saw him.”
Reporter: "Did you get to talk to him?”
Yogi: "I sure did. We had a nice little chat.”
Reporter: “What did he say?”
Yogi: “Hello, Yogi.”
Reporter: "And what did you say?”
Yogi: "Hello, Pope.”
When Yogi met Pope John XXIII, in 1959.
“This kid (Mickey Mantle) runs so fast in the outfield; he doesn’t bend a blade of grass.” ~ Casey Stengel
Ricky Henderson was asked if he had the Garth Brooks album with “Friends in Low Places” on it and Henderson responded, “Rickey doesn’t have albums. Rickey has CDs.”
“I hated to bat against Drysdale. After he hit you, he’d come around, look at the bruise on your arm and say, “Do you want me to sign it?” ~ Mickey Mantle
No disrespect to Shohei Ohtani, but in 1916, Babe Ruth led the American League with a 1.75 ERA, had 9 shutouts and didn’t give a up a home run in 323 innings pitched (granted the home run wasn’t as prevalent or as “worshiped” as it is in today’s game). Then five years later, he became the All-Time Home Run Leader at the tender age of 26.
“I never wanted them to forget Babe Ruth, I just wanted them to remember Henry Aaron.” ~ Hank Aaron
Joe and Phil Niekro pitched a career total of 539 Wins and 8,988 MLB innings between them.
“I took the two most expensive aspirins in history.” ~ Wally Pipp speaking on the headache that he was suffering from when he took himself out of the Yankee lineup and then was permanently replace by a player named Lou Gehrig who went on to play in 2,130 consecutive games setting the record. It was broken by Cal Ripken, Jr in 1995.
Vin Scully called a game managed by Connie Mack (born in 1862).
Vin Scully called a game pitched by Julio Urias (born in 1996)
That’s 134 years of separation.
“I wish more coaches had the guts in Little League to teach more fundamentals and correctness than the sheer ability to win at all costs.” ~ John Smoltz, Hall of Fame pitcher.
Hank Aarron and his brother Tommy Aaron both played in MLB. They hit 768 career home runs together. Hank had 755 and Tommy had 13.
“One by one, Lou (Boudreau, the manager) introduced me to each player. All the guys put their hand out, all but three. As soon as he could, Bill Veeck (the owner) got rid of those three.” ~ Larry Doby, speaking of his experience in Cleveland when he integrated the American League in 1947
On April 13, 2009, Paul Konerko, and Jermaine Dye (of the Chicago White Sox) hit their 300th career home runs in back-to-back at bats.
If you are new to “Comments” feel free to browse the Archives for past articles. If you enjoyed this one, please click on the previous posts of this theme, “Hits and Runs”, “Hits and Runs II”, “Hits and Runs III”, “Hits and Runs IV” “Hits and Runs V”. “Hits and Runs VI”, “Hits and Runs VII”, “Hits and Runs VIII”, “Hits and Runs IX”, “Hits and Runs X”, and “Hits and Runs XI”.
Thanks for reading.
~ Coach Mike
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Likewise!! I was able to sneak down to Florida and play in the Roy Hobbs Sunshine Classic two weeks ago. Ton of fun!!
Great stuff, thanks, Mike! I'm looking forward to seeing you on the field this summer!