Mike, you picked a great picture of Rickey. It took a few years for me to get used to him, but he became one of my favorites (except when he was on the Yankees, of course). I so loved how he could control an inning, even a game, with his ability to get on base and to steal. He disrupted everything. For a year or two, in my opinion, he was the very best player in all baseball. Not many players can reach that pinnacle. And the story of his birth -- in Chicago, in the back of a car, on Christmas Day -- is also the stuff of legends. Thanks for the column!
Thanks for your support, Mark. I didn't even consider another photo, that one says it all. As you mentioned, it also took me a bit to get used to him. I saw his ability and love of playing right away, but the rest wasn't as common back then. He could take over a game for sure. If Rickey was on base, he was going to take at least another; constant pressure on the battery mates and the rest of the defense. The story of his birth adds to his legend and is just so typical of his life. If you get the chance, check out the original post from July of '23, some great quotes / stories. I "borrowed" from myself for this follow-up, but still worth the read.
Mike, you picked a great picture of Rickey. It took a few years for me to get used to him, but he became one of my favorites (except when he was on the Yankees, of course). I so loved how he could control an inning, even a game, with his ability to get on base and to steal. He disrupted everything. For a year or two, in my opinion, he was the very best player in all baseball. Not many players can reach that pinnacle. And the story of his birth -- in Chicago, in the back of a car, on Christmas Day -- is also the stuff of legends. Thanks for the column!
Thanks for your support, Mark. I didn't even consider another photo, that one says it all. As you mentioned, it also took me a bit to get used to him. I saw his ability and love of playing right away, but the rest wasn't as common back then. He could take over a game for sure. If Rickey was on base, he was going to take at least another; constant pressure on the battery mates and the rest of the defense. The story of his birth adds to his legend and is just so typical of his life. If you get the chance, check out the original post from July of '23, some great quotes / stories. I "borrowed" from myself for this follow-up, but still worth the read.
Great story in memory of Ricky! R.I.P.
Thanks for the support. Rickey was one of a kind.
R. I. P. Ricky.
Thanks, John, for the support. Gone too soon...