Riley Connell was a batboy for the fabled 1952 Eau Claire Bears squad. In later years, Riley recounted a story of a time when he bought a hot dog for Henry Aaron but didn't get reimbursed. So when Aaron came back for the statue dedication at Carson Park, Riley said, he would see if he could collect. I need to do some digging to find the actual story, and I'll share it with you once I do. I'm sure there are a few items I'm leaving out.
I wrote to Riley a few years ago, hoping to meet up with him so he could share some of his stories from the Bears dugout. As with so many other people, it never came to be.
Sadly, Riley passed away this week at the way-too-young age of 67. Here is his obituary as it appeared in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
Riley E. Connell of Baraboo died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, at the age of 67, after a sudden illness.
He was born to Charles “Eddy” and Catherine (Prissel) Connell in Eau Claire on March 24, 1939. He graduated from Regis High School in 1957. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, he returned to Eau Claire and was employed by Peters Meats. He married Mary Kay Craemer in 1964. They had two children, Riley John and Claudine, both of Eau Claire. In 1972, he married Sandra (Hering) Berghand, and moved to Janesville where he was a salesman with Baraboo Sysco Foods. They had a daughter, Catherine, of La Crosse. He retired from Baraboo Sysco Foods in 2004.
In addition to his wife and children, Riley is survived by his stepchildren, Ron (Nancy) Bergh of East Grand Forks, Minn., Vicky (Ken) Wright and Cindy Bergh, both of Janesville; a half-sister, Jeanie (Bruce) Cameron of Tampa, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Riley was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dan Connell.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at the Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave., Baraboo, with Father Larry Bakke officiating.
Friends may call on Friday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until the time of services at the funeral home.
My deepest sympathies to Riley's family.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Grimes Article Update
I submitted the finished Burleigh Grimes article to Charles Clark several weeks ago, but haven't heard back. Now I'm going to go on the assumption that everything is okay, and will send it off for possible publication. I was thinking of sending it to Elysian Fields Quarterly first. Maybe I can submit it to both EFQ and SABR at the same time, and whoever says "yes" first gets it. I'll check on that and keep you posted.
There were some last-minute adjustments that needed to be made in the article. I'm very confused over Burleigh's father. I was told (and read) that he gave Burleigh money to head for Eau Claire and later on he would send slippery elm bark to his son in the majors. However, in other places I have found that Burleigh's father died while Burleigh was very young. Before submitting the piece, I need to either (1) verify the date of death or (2) not focus on his father too much.
There were some last-minute adjustments that needed to be made in the article. I'm very confused over Burleigh's father. I was told (and read) that he gave Burleigh money to head for Eau Claire and later on he would send slippery elm bark to his son in the majors. However, in other places I have found that Burleigh's father died while Burleigh was very young. Before submitting the piece, I need to either (1) verify the date of death or (2) not focus on his father too much.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Andrew and Camryn Christopherson's Christmas List
Dear Santa-
It was very cool seeing you yesterday. I got to sit in your lap and you knew my name. I've been good so far this year. Here's a list of stuff I would like for Christmas:
Zero gravity
Pirrana Panic
Buckaroo
Madden 07 for Playstation 2
Any Spongebob movie that I don't have
Video rocker
Cars game for Playstation 2
Spongebob games for Playstation 2
Bowling table
Criss Cross Crash
And that's about it.
And Camryn is here too. She wants:
Dora Cash Register
Dora Car
Dora or pony Castle
Dora Shirt
Ariel's Talking Kitchen
Puppy that wakes me up in the morning
Amazing Amanda and Allison
The baby that talks to you and says "I'm stinky".
Dora CD
Dora game for the computer
Dora pants
Dora ring
Stroller
I hope you come to my house on Christmas Eve. Camryn and I will leave some cookies and Coke for you by the fireplace.
Love,
Andrew (and Camryn, too)
It was very cool seeing you yesterday. I got to sit in your lap and you knew my name. I've been good so far this year. Here's a list of stuff I would like for Christmas:
Zero gravity
Pirrana Panic
Buckaroo
Madden 07 for Playstation 2
Any Spongebob movie that I don't have
Video rocker
Cars game for Playstation 2
Spongebob games for Playstation 2
Bowling table
Criss Cross Crash
And that's about it.
And Camryn is here too. She wants:
Dora Cash Register
Dora Car
Dora or pony Castle
Dora Shirt
Ariel's Talking Kitchen
Puppy that wakes me up in the morning
Amazing Amanda and Allison
The baby that talks to you and says "I'm stinky".
Dora CD
Dora game for the computer
Dora pants
Dora ring
Stroller
I hope you come to my house on Christmas Eve. Camryn and I will leave some cookies and Coke for you by the fireplace.
Love,
Andrew (and Camryn, too)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Injury Ends Ryan Klosterman's AFL Season
Some bad news for Ryan as he broke his knuckle on a bad hop and his Arizona Fall League season comes to an abrupt end. He was slated to play in the "Rising Stars Showcase" game and made the most of his opportunity. When I spoke with him he mentioned he would be splitting time with the Devil Rays' shortstop, Ben Zobrist. He didn't seem too concerned. He didn't have an extra base hit in his limited time there, but I think the experience was a good one for him and he'll be back and ready next season.
Link: http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=189&p=2&c=584069
Link: http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=189&p=2&c=584069
Silas Simmons
I have to admit that I didn't know who Silas Simmons was until a few weeks ago. Through SABR's Listserve, members were notified that Mr. Simmons would be celebrating a birthday and encouraged all to send cards. Lots of professional ballplayers have birthdays that come and go every single day. Silas was special, though, because he's had so many.
Earlier in October, Silas turned 111.
A peculiar habit of mine with the older generation is to imagine if they would have heard Babe Ruth play baseball (assuming they had any interest in the sport whatsoever). That's a bit of a laugh in Silas' case. Silas was born only a few months after Ruth, and he retired as a pro ball player seven years before The Bambino did.
When he was interviewed for a TV story, he certainly looked and sounded great. Here's a link to that story:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?s=search&storyid=41824
Sadly, there was a follow up story just a few days ago. Silas passed away on Sunday, October 29. Maybe the "sadly" part is just for us--he sounds like he was tired and ready to go, according to this report:
http://www.tampabays10.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=42726
Rest in peace, Silas.
Earlier in October, Silas turned 111.
A peculiar habit of mine with the older generation is to imagine if they would have heard Babe Ruth play baseball (assuming they had any interest in the sport whatsoever). That's a bit of a laugh in Silas' case. Silas was born only a few months after Ruth, and he retired as a pro ball player seven years before The Bambino did.
When he was interviewed for a TV story, he certainly looked and sounded great. Here's a link to that story:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?s=search&storyid=41824
Sadly, there was a follow up story just a few days ago. Silas passed away on Sunday, October 29. Maybe the "sadly" part is just for us--he sounds like he was tired and ready to go, according to this report:
http://www.tampabays10.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=42726
Rest in peace, Silas.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Al's Rambling Roundtable
My buddy Al has a wonderful website for Brewer fans (http://albethke.blogspot.com/). I've known Al since we worked together at Toys R Us back in the early 90's. He really, really knows his stuff about baseball. I was honored that he asked me to participate in his annual year-end "roundtable" discussing certain questions about the Brewers past season and future plans. I'm not a numbers guy, per se, but that's what Al was looking for, I guess. There are plenty of others in the rountable that ARE numbers guys, so I offer a possible different opinion. Keep checking Al's site for the final posting. I'll give you a sneak peak at my answers, though:
AL: It is my continued contention that a healthy Brewers' team that finished the season on the 25 man roster and the DL is more talented than the NL's World Series representative, the St. Louis Cardinals. What's your feeling on that view?
JASON: I know, Al, that you and many folks do not believe in intangibles, so let's just call it "luck" that the Cardinals are in the World Series in 2006. Your argument is entirely plausable. Let's go through by position.
Catcher: Edge-Milwaukee. The situation as is is just fine with me. Nothing spectacular either way, but the offensive productions of Miller and Rivera I feel more than offset the defensive advantage Molina brings. I'm not certain about the future, but that's not the question here.
1B: Edge-St. Louis. Pujols is my pick for best player in the game right now. While Prince couldn't have had a much better rookie season, Albert has to get the nod here.
2B: Edge-Milwaukee. A healthy Weeks makes a comparison to St. Louis' group laughable. Belliard was a nice pickup, but Weeks was really starting to put together his complete game.
SS: Edge-Milwaukee. This assume Hall would be/should be the starting SS all along. Hall was among the best shortstops PERIOD, and ranked right up there on historical levels for hitting as a SS, though Mr. Sutton might disagree as Eckstein's hustle makes him the best ever.
3B: Edge-St. Louis. Rolen is worth nowhere near his big contract, but I would take him over a healthy Koskie in a heartbeat if money isn't a consideration.
OF: Edge-Even. The OF situation really was thrown into a tizzy with injuries and the Lee trade. While overall I think the Cards may have a bit of an advantage, properly managing the players the Brewers had could have made a difference. This was perhaps my biggest knock on Yost this year. Platooning Mench and Jenks in right while giving Hart left and the healthy or hot stick between Clark/Gwynn/Nix in center could have optimized the situation.
SP: Edge-Milwaukee. The Cards have the bigger names, but the Brewer starters really did well and if completely healthy for the season I believe would have outperformed them. The overall pitching stats for the season are quite close (Brewers WHIP, I believe, was slightly better), and we know of the struggles many of the Brewer relievers had.
RP: Edge-St. Louis. Hands down. There are some bright spots for the Brewers (Shouse was one, and of course CoCo was as well), but the Cards seem to be much more consistent. So, overall, yes, I think the Brewers certainly were at least on par with the Cardinals.
AL: Do you see the Brewers as 2007 contenders or not?
JASON: I saw them as contenders for 2006, and there isn't a whole lot that is changing my mind about this team for next year. I'd like to see the outfield situation stabilized and the addition of a mid-level reliever or two. But if nothing changed from this moment on (I know, impossible with free agents, etc.) and everyone comes back healthy I would still believe the playoffs are well within reach.
AL:Jenkins/Turnbow/Ohka...what would you do with them if you were in charge?
JASON: I keep Jenkins as the outfield is a bit of a jumbled mess right now. Never, ever have him face a lefty starter and he will be set up to succeed. If that happens, the Brewers have the option of flipping him at the deadline depending on their situation.
I'm not ready to give up on Turnbow long term just yet. If another team wants him, fine, but I'm not actively shopping him. I keep him in a middle relief role until/if his confidence and slider return.
I like Ohka a lot, but he's going to command more money than I think he is worth. For a fraction of the price we could get probably lesser, but similar production from Villanueva or Jackson. Use the money savings to improve the bullpen.
AL: He's so good, he derserves his own question...what would you do with Bill Hall, and what will the Crew do?
JASON: I think it's important to keep Hall happy, and if I recall correctly he indicated he would like to have one position if possible. Does JJ Hardy have the ability to play third or second? I have this feeling that Koskie will not be back, and Hardy is a better fit of the typical "super-sub" type player. So, ideally I'd like to have Hall as my starting shortstop with Koskie at third and Hardy as my utility guy. I don't see Graffy back, so Hardy fills his role along with Cirillo. If Koskie doesn't come back, I put Hall at third and JJ at short.
AL: OK, what moves do you feel Doug and Gord will make this offseason?
JASON: I think we're going to see a relatively quiet offseason, as I think they are under the impression that injuries were the real downfall of this team last year. I alluded to it previously that I would like to see some relief help come in, but I'm torn between getting proven relievers or giving kids like Eveland, Sarfate, and Hendrickson a shot. Well, maybe the "shot" for those guys will be with another team as part of a trade. An outfielder with some thump would be nice, but I don't see the Brewers overpaying for one as much as they would a reliever or PERHAPS another starting pitcher if Okha goes. Can you imagine a Sheets/Cappy/Schmidt/Davis/Villy rotation?
It's fun to dream, but I think outside of some minor moves it's going to be silent.
AL: Finally, are you as optimistic as I am about the next few years? I feel this team is on the brink of a half-decade long run of success.
JASON: I never thought I would be compelled to follow the "Minor League" forum on Brewerfan.net more than I do the "Major League" forum, but that's exactly what has happened over the last couple of years. The true stars of the major league squad are young, and the talent is still bubbling up from the minors. It's amazing to think about how good this team could be for a decent amount of time if the injury bug doesn't take it all away. We begin to change realistic expectations (like if Yo gives up a run or two in a start), and that's when optimism takes a back seat to all-out excitement. Fans of this team have suffered for a long time, but that makes the reward that much sweeter.
AL: It is my continued contention that a healthy Brewers' team that finished the season on the 25 man roster and the DL is more talented than the NL's World Series representative, the St. Louis Cardinals. What's your feeling on that view?
JASON: I know, Al, that you and many folks do not believe in intangibles, so let's just call it "luck" that the Cardinals are in the World Series in 2006. Your argument is entirely plausable. Let's go through by position.
Catcher: Edge-Milwaukee. The situation as is is just fine with me. Nothing spectacular either way, but the offensive productions of Miller and Rivera I feel more than offset the defensive advantage Molina brings. I'm not certain about the future, but that's not the question here.
1B: Edge-St. Louis. Pujols is my pick for best player in the game right now. While Prince couldn't have had a much better rookie season, Albert has to get the nod here.
2B: Edge-Milwaukee. A healthy Weeks makes a comparison to St. Louis' group laughable. Belliard was a nice pickup, but Weeks was really starting to put together his complete game.
SS: Edge-Milwaukee. This assume Hall would be/should be the starting SS all along. Hall was among the best shortstops PERIOD, and ranked right up there on historical levels for hitting as a SS, though Mr. Sutton might disagree as Eckstein's hustle makes him the best ever.
3B: Edge-St. Louis. Rolen is worth nowhere near his big contract, but I would take him over a healthy Koskie in a heartbeat if money isn't a consideration.
OF: Edge-Even. The OF situation really was thrown into a tizzy with injuries and the Lee trade. While overall I think the Cards may have a bit of an advantage, properly managing the players the Brewers had could have made a difference. This was perhaps my biggest knock on Yost this year. Platooning Mench and Jenks in right while giving Hart left and the healthy or hot stick between Clark/Gwynn/Nix in center could have optimized the situation.
SP: Edge-Milwaukee. The Cards have the bigger names, but the Brewer starters really did well and if completely healthy for the season I believe would have outperformed them. The overall pitching stats for the season are quite close (Brewers WHIP, I believe, was slightly better), and we know of the struggles many of the Brewer relievers had.
RP: Edge-St. Louis. Hands down. There are some bright spots for the Brewers (Shouse was one, and of course CoCo was as well), but the Cards seem to be much more consistent. So, overall, yes, I think the Brewers certainly were at least on par with the Cardinals.
AL: Do you see the Brewers as 2007 contenders or not?
JASON: I saw them as contenders for 2006, and there isn't a whole lot that is changing my mind about this team for next year. I'd like to see the outfield situation stabilized and the addition of a mid-level reliever or two. But if nothing changed from this moment on (I know, impossible with free agents, etc.) and everyone comes back healthy I would still believe the playoffs are well within reach.
AL:Jenkins/Turnbow/Ohka...what would you do with them if you were in charge?
JASON: I keep Jenkins as the outfield is a bit of a jumbled mess right now. Never, ever have him face a lefty starter and he will be set up to succeed. If that happens, the Brewers have the option of flipping him at the deadline depending on their situation.
I'm not ready to give up on Turnbow long term just yet. If another team wants him, fine, but I'm not actively shopping him. I keep him in a middle relief role until/if his confidence and slider return.
I like Ohka a lot, but he's going to command more money than I think he is worth. For a fraction of the price we could get probably lesser, but similar production from Villanueva or Jackson. Use the money savings to improve the bullpen.
AL: He's so good, he derserves his own question...what would you do with Bill Hall, and what will the Crew do?
JASON: I think it's important to keep Hall happy, and if I recall correctly he indicated he would like to have one position if possible. Does JJ Hardy have the ability to play third or second? I have this feeling that Koskie will not be back, and Hardy is a better fit of the typical "super-sub" type player. So, ideally I'd like to have Hall as my starting shortstop with Koskie at third and Hardy as my utility guy. I don't see Graffy back, so Hardy fills his role along with Cirillo. If Koskie doesn't come back, I put Hall at third and JJ at short.
AL: OK, what moves do you feel Doug and Gord will make this offseason?
JASON: I think we're going to see a relatively quiet offseason, as I think they are under the impression that injuries were the real downfall of this team last year. I alluded to it previously that I would like to see some relief help come in, but I'm torn between getting proven relievers or giving kids like Eveland, Sarfate, and Hendrickson a shot. Well, maybe the "shot" for those guys will be with another team as part of a trade. An outfielder with some thump would be nice, but I don't see the Brewers overpaying for one as much as they would a reliever or PERHAPS another starting pitcher if Okha goes. Can you imagine a Sheets/Cappy/Schmidt/Davis/Villy rotation?
It's fun to dream, but I think outside of some minor moves it's going to be silent.
AL: Finally, are you as optimistic as I am about the next few years? I feel this team is on the brink of a half-decade long run of success.
JASON: I never thought I would be compelled to follow the "Minor League" forum on Brewerfan.net more than I do the "Major League" forum, but that's exactly what has happened over the last couple of years. The true stars of the major league squad are young, and the talent is still bubbling up from the minors. It's amazing to think about how good this team could be for a decent amount of time if the injury bug doesn't take it all away. We begin to change realistic expectations (like if Yo gives up a run or two in a start), and that's when optimism takes a back seat to all-out excitement. Fans of this team have suffered for a long time, but that makes the reward that much sweeter.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Aaron in Eau Claire-Back Home Again
Henry Aaron was in town today campaigning for Gov. Jim Doyle. The scheduled start time was 12:15, and I was nervous when I left at 11:30 or so from work that I wouldn't get a parking spot.
Maybe because it's political in nature, or maybe because it's a Thursday in the middle of the day with school in session, or maybe because it was WAY too cold for October, the parking lot was nearly empty. Here we are, about a half hour before Wisconsin's governor and the All-Time Home Run King (and by "all-time", I mean ALL time, Barry) were about to speak, and hardly anyone was there. I stood on the outside of one of those signs they use when they block off traffic, no more than 20 feet from the Aaron statue. I started to wonder if I was allowed to be there. Slowly, people filled in. I come to find out later that a radio station reported the duo was running about an hour late. That would explain the lack of crowd, I guess. As we waited, more and more people showed up and in the end I would say several hundred were there.
Anyway, the report was dead-on and at 1:15 the program started. I told a friend of mine a few minutes earlier that if it didn't start by then, I just had to get back to work. I was very glad it did, though. State Senator Ron Kind, who did a wise thing by hob-nobbing with the crowd rather than his compadres who stayed behind the barriers apparently congratulating themselves, opened the event with a few fine remarks with humor built right in. He concluded in maybe a little more than five minutes, and he intoduced Doyle's son, Doyle, and Aaron.
Doyle's son took the mike for just a moment or two before turning it over to his dad. Gov. Doyle entertained us with a light-hearted talk that seemed to focus more on the event that day rather than the election. He turned things over to Henry after no more than 6-7 minutes. Henry mainly spoke of how proud he was to get his start here and giving back to the community, which was a smooth segue to his pitch for Doyle. Again, I didn't feel overwhelmed with political speak and I really appreciated the fact that he made the trip here. Doyle then closed the short program with a "get out and vote" chat.
After the applause died down, it was apparent that we would even be able to get closer to the two. The barricades were no more, basically, and people began streaming toward Aaron and Doyle. I figured security would put an end to it quickly, but much to my surprise they almost welcomed it. It was almost like they were glad the formal stuff was done so they could meet the public. Rather than a nice line, though, it was chaotic. But I think Henry made every effort to shake everyone's hand. He seemed a little overwhelmed, but nothing that kept him from smiling. After only a few moments, he shook my extended hand. I thanked him for coming back, and he thanked me for coming out. It was a great moment for me, and something I wasn't expecting. I almost felt sorry for our Governor, who didn't have near the mob that Aaron had. I went over and thanked him, too.
I sure am glad RCU is such a great company to work for. I'm sure the fact that many other companies aren't nearly as flexible with their employees certainly kept the crowd low today.
Maybe because it's political in nature, or maybe because it's a Thursday in the middle of the day with school in session, or maybe because it was WAY too cold for October, the parking lot was nearly empty. Here we are, about a half hour before Wisconsin's governor and the All-Time Home Run King (and by "all-time", I mean ALL time, Barry) were about to speak, and hardly anyone was there. I stood on the outside of one of those signs they use when they block off traffic, no more than 20 feet from the Aaron statue. I started to wonder if I was allowed to be there. Slowly, people filled in. I come to find out later that a radio station reported the duo was running about an hour late. That would explain the lack of crowd, I guess. As we waited, more and more people showed up and in the end I would say several hundred were there.
Anyway, the report was dead-on and at 1:15 the program started. I told a friend of mine a few minutes earlier that if it didn't start by then, I just had to get back to work. I was very glad it did, though. State Senator Ron Kind, who did a wise thing by hob-nobbing with the crowd rather than his compadres who stayed behind the barriers apparently congratulating themselves, opened the event with a few fine remarks with humor built right in. He concluded in maybe a little more than five minutes, and he intoduced Doyle's son, Doyle, and Aaron.
Doyle's son took the mike for just a moment or two before turning it over to his dad. Gov. Doyle entertained us with a light-hearted talk that seemed to focus more on the event that day rather than the election. He turned things over to Henry after no more than 6-7 minutes. Henry mainly spoke of how proud he was to get his start here and giving back to the community, which was a smooth segue to his pitch for Doyle. Again, I didn't feel overwhelmed with political speak and I really appreciated the fact that he made the trip here. Doyle then closed the short program with a "get out and vote" chat.
After the applause died down, it was apparent that we would even be able to get closer to the two. The barricades were no more, basically, and people began streaming toward Aaron and Doyle. I figured security would put an end to it quickly, but much to my surprise they almost welcomed it. It was almost like they were glad the formal stuff was done so they could meet the public. Rather than a nice line, though, it was chaotic. But I think Henry made every effort to shake everyone's hand. He seemed a little overwhelmed, but nothing that kept him from smiling. After only a few moments, he shook my extended hand. I thanked him for coming back, and he thanked me for coming out. It was a great moment for me, and something I wasn't expecting. I almost felt sorry for our Governor, who didn't have near the mob that Aaron had. I went over and thanked him, too.
I sure am glad RCU is such a great company to work for. I'm sure the fact that many other companies aren't nearly as flexible with their employees certainly kept the crowd low today.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Best Seller? Eh, Not So Much...
Oh, yeah. I almost forgot another component to make that Monday a great day. I received a royalty check from Arcadia Publishing. For a reason I can only assume was a mistake, we sold an amazing 119 copies of "Baseball in Eau Claire" during the first six months of 2006. If my estimations are correct, I would guess that puts the overall number of books sold at somewhere around 1,000-1,100. I was told at one time that 1,200 copies were printed, so we're getting close to selling out. I would doubt a reprinting will be in order, but if we keep going at a 20 book per month pace (3 years after release), I suppose it could happen. In any case, my dreams of having a basement full of unsold books seems to be coming less and less likely.
Not that that's a bad thing...
Not that that's a bad thing...
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Back to Back Great Days!
So on Sunday the first of October I had a great baseball day. Monday, October 2 proved to be nearly as good.
My wife's grandfather's brother's grandson (I've been told that's a second cousin) is Ryan Klosterman, an up and coming shortstop in the Blue Jays organization. I have been following his progress since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 04 draft. He is moving up the ladder and finished this season in double A ball and was selected to go to the Arizona Fall League!
Earlier in the season, just after his promotion to double a, I wrote him a note congratulating him. He apparently enjoyed this letter, as he talked with his grandfather the same day he got it. His grandfather, a guy affectionately known for years as "Uncle Eddie" to me, is just as nice of a person as Ryan is. In fact, before the season even started I got to talk with Ryan thanks to Uncle Eddie. It kind of took me by surprise, but it was wonderful that Uncle Eddie thought of me when Ryan was in town.
Anyway, back to the story. Uncle Eddie stops by my house on Monday, the 2nd, with a bag. He said Ryan sent him some stuff that he wanted me to have. "Cool," I thought. Eddie pulls out a team set of baseball cards with Ryan in it. Amazingly, I didn't have this particular card of him. I believe I have a copy of every card that had a circulation of at least 25 of Ryan so far. The next item was even better. He gave me a team-issued cap with his signature on it! But even that didn't prepare me for the last item. Ryan gave me one of his game-used gloves. I have several hundred gloves, but none that are more important than this one. Not one of those other gloves was ever used in a pro game, to my knowledge. Ryan signed the glove beautifully. It is now displayed prominantly in my den downstairs.
And amazingly enough, I don't think Charles Clark has one!
Ryan, if you are reading this, thanks so much, buddy!
My wife's grandfather's brother's grandson (I've been told that's a second cousin) is Ryan Klosterman, an up and coming shortstop in the Blue Jays organization. I have been following his progress since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 04 draft. He is moving up the ladder and finished this season in double A ball and was selected to go to the Arizona Fall League!
Earlier in the season, just after his promotion to double a, I wrote him a note congratulating him. He apparently enjoyed this letter, as he talked with his grandfather the same day he got it. His grandfather, a guy affectionately known for years as "Uncle Eddie" to me, is just as nice of a person as Ryan is. In fact, before the season even started I got to talk with Ryan thanks to Uncle Eddie. It kind of took me by surprise, but it was wonderful that Uncle Eddie thought of me when Ryan was in town.
Anyway, back to the story. Uncle Eddie stops by my house on Monday, the 2nd, with a bag. He said Ryan sent him some stuff that he wanted me to have. "Cool," I thought. Eddie pulls out a team set of baseball cards with Ryan in it. Amazingly, I didn't have this particular card of him. I believe I have a copy of every card that had a circulation of at least 25 of Ryan so far. The next item was even better. He gave me a team-issued cap with his signature on it! But even that didn't prepare me for the last item. Ryan gave me one of his game-used gloves. I have several hundred gloves, but none that are more important than this one. Not one of those other gloves was ever used in a pro game, to my knowledge. Ryan signed the glove beautifully. It is now displayed prominantly in my den downstairs.
And amazingly enough, I don't think Charles Clark has one!
Ryan, if you are reading this, thanks so much, buddy!
Charles Clark
Wow. Has it really been since the All-Star break or so since my last post? I thought I'd get into this a little more. Maybe I will now that I know I have at least one reader (Hi Art!).
Hopefully this story will somewhat make up for the lack of posts. This is a description of my incredible baseball day on October 1, 2006. But first, let's get a little background.
After the 1912 research was completed, I turned in the results to a few folks in the baseball research field. The work was very well received and appreciated, which made me feel like a "contributor" to baseball research again, rather than the normal "consumer". Anyway, the bug to get something else published and relatively soon struck again, and I thought maybe I should expand on this 1912 Minnesota-Wisconsin League season to give everyone a solid background on Burleigh Grimes' first professional experience. All the copies of newspapers were already printed off. It was just a matter of filling in some blanks on Burleigh's young life.
Enter Charles Clark.
Now, it's 2006, so you don't normally expect the best friends of baseball players who got their start in 1912 to still be alive. Charles is the special and wonderful exception. Still seemingly in his prime in his early 70's, Charles befriended the ex-ballplayer Grimes in the mid 1950's. Both were from the tiny town of Clear Lake, WI. Charles was a huge baseball fan, so the match was perfect. Eventually, Charles became Burleigh's agent, but he was always, ALWAYS, a friend first. I first heard of Charles in Jerry Poling's superb book "A Summer Up North", and meant to write to him for years. It finally happened this summer. Charles called back and said it would probably be best if I visited with him in person to get the answers to the questions I sent about Burleigh's early life. Clear Lake is about ninety minutes away, so on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (soon made even more beautiful after the Vikings lost to lowly Buffalo) I drove to Charles' house to spend maybe an hour.
Heh. Yeah. An hour.
Charles met me before I could even get in the door. He said, "Let's get in your vehicle". Hmm. Okay. So we drove out to the new high school, built near the grounds where Burleigh first played baseball as a child. A newly erected plaque detailing Burleigh's contributions to baseball and the community was there. Obviously, and rightfully, proud, Charles told me the money all came in from private funding. Another plaque honoring Clear Lake's other famous resident, Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, was on the horizon, Charles informed me.
We then set off for the cemetary where we visited Burleigh's grave site. Burleigh once asked Charles if he should put something on the headstone about his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Charles emphatically stated it needed to be done, so a small logo is there. Later on at Charles' house he showed me the only picture of Burleigh standing next to the headstone. I must admit, I was a little creeped out by this. Oh, and Burleigh's wife passed away exactly one month after Burleigh's election to the Hall. Charles' friendship meant more than ever after that. Every year after Burleigh's election in 1964 until his death in 1985, Charles accompanied him to the ceremonies. But more on that in a bit.
Our next stop was the museum, a place I had stopped by two years prior. Back then, I truly felt I was stepping back in time. The lovely husband and wife who opened the museum for me that day were just as sweet as can be. I would be looking at something and the wife kept looking for things I could purchase (I had mentioned I was a collector). She would come out with a plate, or a pin, or a poster, or a picture and ask if a dollar or two was too much to ask. I paid more than that, and later sent them a copy of my book. This time around, the museum was in a much more organized state. One room is devoted to Burleigh and one to Nelson. Again through private donations, Charles informed me they had made some major structural improvements to the old school building that now served as the museum, and they were now using monies to improve the displays.
Well, the hour I had planned was almost already up and I hadn't even set foot in Charles' house. Charles didn't seem to mind. We got back to his place and he showed me around a bit. It is the ultimate room for a person like me--a baseball history buff who also collects. Every square inch of wall space was covered with photographs of Charles with different baseball immortals. Joe DiMaggio. Ted Williams. Bob Feller. Basically name a Hall of Famer and there was a picture of Charles and/or his wife Ardyth with him. And nearly every photo was autographed. Again, he attended many Cooperstown weekends, and these people became his friends. Bob Feller even sent him a bronze cast statue of his hand--one of only ten made!
Books. There were hundreds of baseball books. Now, my book collection matched up pretty well with his. Except when you consider the vast majority of his books were signed by the players who were mentioned in it. He might have an "All Time Best..." book and each chapter is signed by the player. Absolutely remarkable! His den also had Burleigh's 1931 World Series ring in it, as well as his glove from that season, neatly bronzed as the base of a most unique lamp! Charles also brought me out to a work area around his garage--more signed books and other memorabilia. He would pull our a drawer and out would fall signed clippings, or a couple of baseballs--all signed. He honestly didn't even really know what he had. But the best part of all that was what he told me. He said he wouldn't take a million dollars for it all (I quickly thought that perhaps a million would be shortchanging him, considering the amazing pieces he had. But I understood what he was saying.). He said it might as well be worth nothing, because he would never think of selling it. What a great attitude!
If the memorabilia wasn't great enough, the stories he was able to tell were positively priceless. Writing about it won't help me explain it. You just had to be there. He called up Andy Pafko while we were there, and Bob Feller wasn't home or I would have gotten to say "hello" to him like a fellow would if he ran into a buddy at the grocery store. Was Charles just showing off his connections? Yeah, maybe, but who cares--it was AWESOME!
I strongly encouraged Charles to start getting his stories recorded. Whenever he would think of one, I suggested he get a recorder our and tape it. I would be honored to be able to compile these stories for him. I think it would make for a true best-seller of a book.
When I finally left nearly four hours later, Charles bade me farewell with a signed Burleigh Grimes index card and an extremely rare Grimes set made in the 1970s. He even signed one of the cards in that set for me. He said I should come back anytime and we could talk some more. He told me to bring a friend, too, if I wanted.
So, who's going with me?
Hopefully this story will somewhat make up for the lack of posts. This is a description of my incredible baseball day on October 1, 2006. But first, let's get a little background.
After the 1912 research was completed, I turned in the results to a few folks in the baseball research field. The work was very well received and appreciated, which made me feel like a "contributor" to baseball research again, rather than the normal "consumer". Anyway, the bug to get something else published and relatively soon struck again, and I thought maybe I should expand on this 1912 Minnesota-Wisconsin League season to give everyone a solid background on Burleigh Grimes' first professional experience. All the copies of newspapers were already printed off. It was just a matter of filling in some blanks on Burleigh's young life.
Enter Charles Clark.
Now, it's 2006, so you don't normally expect the best friends of baseball players who got their start in 1912 to still be alive. Charles is the special and wonderful exception. Still seemingly in his prime in his early 70's, Charles befriended the ex-ballplayer Grimes in the mid 1950's. Both were from the tiny town of Clear Lake, WI. Charles was a huge baseball fan, so the match was perfect. Eventually, Charles became Burleigh's agent, but he was always, ALWAYS, a friend first. I first heard of Charles in Jerry Poling's superb book "A Summer Up North", and meant to write to him for years. It finally happened this summer. Charles called back and said it would probably be best if I visited with him in person to get the answers to the questions I sent about Burleigh's early life. Clear Lake is about ninety minutes away, so on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (soon made even more beautiful after the Vikings lost to lowly Buffalo) I drove to Charles' house to spend maybe an hour.
Heh. Yeah. An hour.
Charles met me before I could even get in the door. He said, "Let's get in your vehicle". Hmm. Okay. So we drove out to the new high school, built near the grounds where Burleigh first played baseball as a child. A newly erected plaque detailing Burleigh's contributions to baseball and the community was there. Obviously, and rightfully, proud, Charles told me the money all came in from private funding. Another plaque honoring Clear Lake's other famous resident, Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, was on the horizon, Charles informed me.
We then set off for the cemetary where we visited Burleigh's grave site. Burleigh once asked Charles if he should put something on the headstone about his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Charles emphatically stated it needed to be done, so a small logo is there. Later on at Charles' house he showed me the only picture of Burleigh standing next to the headstone. I must admit, I was a little creeped out by this. Oh, and Burleigh's wife passed away exactly one month after Burleigh's election to the Hall. Charles' friendship meant more than ever after that. Every year after Burleigh's election in 1964 until his death in 1985, Charles accompanied him to the ceremonies. But more on that in a bit.
Our next stop was the museum, a place I had stopped by two years prior. Back then, I truly felt I was stepping back in time. The lovely husband and wife who opened the museum for me that day were just as sweet as can be. I would be looking at something and the wife kept looking for things I could purchase (I had mentioned I was a collector). She would come out with a plate, or a pin, or a poster, or a picture and ask if a dollar or two was too much to ask. I paid more than that, and later sent them a copy of my book. This time around, the museum was in a much more organized state. One room is devoted to Burleigh and one to Nelson. Again through private donations, Charles informed me they had made some major structural improvements to the old school building that now served as the museum, and they were now using monies to improve the displays.
Well, the hour I had planned was almost already up and I hadn't even set foot in Charles' house. Charles didn't seem to mind. We got back to his place and he showed me around a bit. It is the ultimate room for a person like me--a baseball history buff who also collects. Every square inch of wall space was covered with photographs of Charles with different baseball immortals. Joe DiMaggio. Ted Williams. Bob Feller. Basically name a Hall of Famer and there was a picture of Charles and/or his wife Ardyth with him. And nearly every photo was autographed. Again, he attended many Cooperstown weekends, and these people became his friends. Bob Feller even sent him a bronze cast statue of his hand--one of only ten made!
Books. There were hundreds of baseball books. Now, my book collection matched up pretty well with his. Except when you consider the vast majority of his books were signed by the players who were mentioned in it. He might have an "All Time Best..." book and each chapter is signed by the player. Absolutely remarkable! His den also had Burleigh's 1931 World Series ring in it, as well as his glove from that season, neatly bronzed as the base of a most unique lamp! Charles also brought me out to a work area around his garage--more signed books and other memorabilia. He would pull our a drawer and out would fall signed clippings, or a couple of baseballs--all signed. He honestly didn't even really know what he had. But the best part of all that was what he told me. He said he wouldn't take a million dollars for it all (I quickly thought that perhaps a million would be shortchanging him, considering the amazing pieces he had. But I understood what he was saying.). He said it might as well be worth nothing, because he would never think of selling it. What a great attitude!
If the memorabilia wasn't great enough, the stories he was able to tell were positively priceless. Writing about it won't help me explain it. You just had to be there. He called up Andy Pafko while we were there, and Bob Feller wasn't home or I would have gotten to say "hello" to him like a fellow would if he ran into a buddy at the grocery store. Was Charles just showing off his connections? Yeah, maybe, but who cares--it was AWESOME!
I strongly encouraged Charles to start getting his stories recorded. Whenever he would think of one, I suggested he get a recorder our and tape it. I would be honored to be able to compile these stories for him. I think it would make for a true best-seller of a book.
When I finally left nearly four hours later, Charles bade me farewell with a signed Burleigh Grimes index card and an extremely rare Grimes set made in the 1970s. He even signed one of the cards in that set for me. He said I should come back anytime and we could talk some more. He told me to bring a friend, too, if I wanted.
So, who's going with me?
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Send Cappy to Pitt!
Wow. Chris Capuano with another gem of an outing. Six hitter, no walks. Game just a shade over two hours long. Cappy cruised and was never really in trouble all night to get his 10th win of the year. If he doesn't replace Pedro on the All Star team, something is seriously wrong.
Where would this Brewer team be without Capuano right now? When Sheets went down, Cappy stepped up to take over the role as "ace".
How excited can we get over the Brewers right now? They are above .500 and did it without their #1 and #5 pitcher and their starting shortstop for the majority of the season. And all three, barring setbacks, should be coming back within the next couple of weeks. What other team could improve by adding 40% of their rotation and a solid shortstop at the trade deadline? St. Louis is reeling, as is Cincy. The NL Central has become mediocre. And the Brewers are potentially just hitting their stride.
I say again. Wow.
Where would this Brewer team be without Capuano right now? When Sheets went down, Cappy stepped up to take over the role as "ace".
How excited can we get over the Brewers right now? They are above .500 and did it without their #1 and #5 pitcher and their starting shortstop for the majority of the season. And all three, barring setbacks, should be coming back within the next couple of weeks. What other team could improve by adding 40% of their rotation and a solid shortstop at the trade deadline? St. Louis is reeling, as is Cincy. The NL Central has become mediocre. And the Brewers are potentially just hitting their stride.
I say again. Wow.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Canseco Comeback!
For the first time in five years, I'll be checking out of town boxscores a little more closely.
But, it won't be National or American League boxscores. In fact, I bet the boxes from the league I want will be tough to find them outside of your friend and mine, the internet.
It's the Golden Baseball League! I was seriously fired up when I heard that Jose Canseco had signed with the San Diego Surf Dawgs. He apparently has been playing some "semi-pro" (read: not really semi-pro, unless you define semi pro as someone who was once paid. I highly doubt anyone in the league he was playing in was actually paid. Semi-pro is a term thrown around way too loosely, if you ask me. But now I'm way off topic) and hitting some huge home runs. Of course, only after doing some digging do we find out the league uses aluminum bats. But all that doesn't matter. Jose is playing pro ball again!
Immediately, I purchased not one, but both of the brand spanking new San Diego Surf Dawgs t-shirts with "Canseco 33" on the back. They will be shipped on Friday or shortly thereafter.
Of course, by the time I type this, he's already demanded (and received) a trade--to the Long Beach Armada. I wonder if the shirts will magically change?
Still, this doesn't matter. I was a high school baseball player in the late 1980s, and my idol was Jose Canseco. I collected his cards, his posters, his t-shirts--everything Jose. I even tried to mock his batting stance and mannerisms. I developed a nervous twitch. Okay, not really. But I would move my head back and forth to "crack my neck" between pitches every once in a while. I loved watching "Baseball Tonight" or whatever "Sportscenter" was on to watch the latest titanic blast from #33's bat. I remember being positively crushed when I found out he was traded. I know exactly where I was when I heard it--probably like folks know where they were when JFK was shot.
Then the down years came. I stood by Jose, continuing my fandom. I was irked when he wasn't given a shot out of Spring Training in, I believe, 2002. I truly believed he had been blacklisted. But then the steriods issue came full boil. People mocked Jose for his pronouncements of all these players using. He threatened to write a book--people laughed more (one writer penned an admittedly funny line by saying you should be required to READ a book first before writing one). I was in O'Hare last winter, awaiting a flight with Shelley to the ProBowl in Hawaii, when I spotted his book at the airport. It wasn't supposed to come out until the following week, but there it was. I bought it and read it on the flight. While there are some idiocies in the book (like we all should be using steriods because they are "healthy"), the main point of the book was that it dropped names. Even then, there was a lot of people doubting Jose. I thought he was a hero again. Even moreso when Congress stepped in. Now, there are those that say it would have happened anyway--but would it have? Maybe, but perhaps Jose saved some lives by speeding up the process.
I have probably 2,500 total and 1,500 different Canseco cards in my collection. The t-shirts were sewn together to form one of the coolest quilts you could ever see. The posters, well, I did grow up a little bit and they are still rolled up. Except for one which has him and several other juicers, I mean, ballplayers of the era that is tacked up in the weight room.
Jose is back. Now, I wonder how those Surf Dawgs shirts would look as pillows...
But, it won't be National or American League boxscores. In fact, I bet the boxes from the league I want will be tough to find them outside of your friend and mine, the internet.
It's the Golden Baseball League! I was seriously fired up when I heard that Jose Canseco had signed with the San Diego Surf Dawgs. He apparently has been playing some "semi-pro" (read: not really semi-pro, unless you define semi pro as someone who was once paid. I highly doubt anyone in the league he was playing in was actually paid. Semi-pro is a term thrown around way too loosely, if you ask me. But now I'm way off topic) and hitting some huge home runs. Of course, only after doing some digging do we find out the league uses aluminum bats. But all that doesn't matter. Jose is playing pro ball again!
Immediately, I purchased not one, but both of the brand spanking new San Diego Surf Dawgs t-shirts with "Canseco 33" on the back. They will be shipped on Friday or shortly thereafter.
Of course, by the time I type this, he's already demanded (and received) a trade--to the Long Beach Armada. I wonder if the shirts will magically change?
Still, this doesn't matter. I was a high school baseball player in the late 1980s, and my idol was Jose Canseco. I collected his cards, his posters, his t-shirts--everything Jose. I even tried to mock his batting stance and mannerisms. I developed a nervous twitch. Okay, not really. But I would move my head back and forth to "crack my neck" between pitches every once in a while. I loved watching "Baseball Tonight" or whatever "Sportscenter" was on to watch the latest titanic blast from #33's bat. I remember being positively crushed when I found out he was traded. I know exactly where I was when I heard it--probably like folks know where they were when JFK was shot.
Then the down years came. I stood by Jose, continuing my fandom. I was irked when he wasn't given a shot out of Spring Training in, I believe, 2002. I truly believed he had been blacklisted. But then the steriods issue came full boil. People mocked Jose for his pronouncements of all these players using. He threatened to write a book--people laughed more (one writer penned an admittedly funny line by saying you should be required to READ a book first before writing one). I was in O'Hare last winter, awaiting a flight with Shelley to the ProBowl in Hawaii, when I spotted his book at the airport. It wasn't supposed to come out until the following week, but there it was. I bought it and read it on the flight. While there are some idiocies in the book (like we all should be using steriods because they are "healthy"), the main point of the book was that it dropped names. Even then, there was a lot of people doubting Jose. I thought he was a hero again. Even moreso when Congress stepped in. Now, there are those that say it would have happened anyway--but would it have? Maybe, but perhaps Jose saved some lives by speeding up the process.
I have probably 2,500 total and 1,500 different Canseco cards in my collection. The t-shirts were sewn together to form one of the coolest quilts you could ever see. The posters, well, I did grow up a little bit and they are still rolled up. Except for one which has him and several other juicers, I mean, ballplayers of the era that is tacked up in the weight room.
Jose is back. Now, I wonder how those Surf Dawgs shirts would look as pillows...
Friday, June 30, 2006
Gas Prices
Okay, it's easy to just sit and complain about the price of gas. But honestly, as long as the pricing makes sense, I have no problem with it.
Of course, it makes no sense whatsoever.
For the last month or so, I loosely tracked the WHOLESALE price of a gallon of gas. I began when it traded for $2.22 a gallon and the stations around here were selling it for $2.95. For approximately three weeks, the price of gas (and oil, for that matter) fell rather steadily. I can't remember if it was an intra-day price or if it closed here, but one time I recall the wholesale price of a gallon of unleaded fell to $1.99. And yet, the signs in Eau Claire and my hometown of Osseo remained the same at $2.95. Fine, I figured. We are looking very short term so maybe the oil companies are looking at more of a long-term picture (because that's EXACTLY what they did post 9/11 and Katrina--suddenly the gas in the tanks was going to be sold for quite a bit more). As long as wholesale trades in that general range, I figured price at the pump should remain constant. This week, oil and gas "rallied". Yesterday, wholesale gas hit $2.23--one penny higher than it was when I started this little survey. And the signs all around the Chippewa Valley changed, moving up 4-5 cents. So, for three weeks the cost of gas to the stations goes down around 10% and the price remains unchanged. The price essentially returns to the level it started at and the price to us goes up.
Stay mad, people.
Of course, it makes no sense whatsoever.
For the last month or so, I loosely tracked the WHOLESALE price of a gallon of gas. I began when it traded for $2.22 a gallon and the stations around here were selling it for $2.95. For approximately three weeks, the price of gas (and oil, for that matter) fell rather steadily. I can't remember if it was an intra-day price or if it closed here, but one time I recall the wholesale price of a gallon of unleaded fell to $1.99. And yet, the signs in Eau Claire and my hometown of Osseo remained the same at $2.95. Fine, I figured. We are looking very short term so maybe the oil companies are looking at more of a long-term picture (because that's EXACTLY what they did post 9/11 and Katrina--suddenly the gas in the tanks was going to be sold for quite a bit more). As long as wholesale trades in that general range, I figured price at the pump should remain constant. This week, oil and gas "rallied". Yesterday, wholesale gas hit $2.23--one penny higher than it was when I started this little survey. And the signs all around the Chippewa Valley changed, moving up 4-5 cents. So, for three weeks the cost of gas to the stations goes down around 10% and the price remains unchanged. The price essentially returns to the level it started at and the price to us goes up.
Stay mad, people.
Auction Item--Near Miss
An auction on Father's Day in Chippewa Falls caught my eye. The bill in the paper said simply "1929 Cubs Program". I inquired a little more about it and found out they had pictures available online. So I checked them out--it was slightly more than just a Cubs program. It was a 1929 Cubs World Series program. Judging by the picture, it appeared as though you could shave with the pages. Absolutely gem mint. But wait, there's more! As part of the lot, also included was a ticket stub to game 2 of the World Series in Wrigley!
I contemplated what my absentee bid would be, as I just didn't really have the time to go to the auction in person. After changing my mind three times, I finally settled on $150. I found out that there were two other absentee bids, and of those mine was the highest. This I figured was a very good sign. I was hopeful that this being a local auction with a less-than-stellar write up in the auction bill that I had an excellent chance of winning the item if I beat out other absentee bids. Well, I was wrong. It ended up going to a bidder at the auction for $195. But wait, there's more: upon opening the program that morning, the auctioneer noticed a black and white photograph. It was a team photograph of the Cubs. Signed.
Wow.
Since I'm not that big of a Cubs fan, my thought was to buy this and then consign it to a major auction house where it would get proper attention of the collectibles world. Even without the picture, I figured it would draw at minimum $1500. I would then use the proceeds to purchase a Henry Aaron 1952 Eau Claire ball I've had my eyes on for a while. But I'm hopeful that was bad karma and the item got in the hands of a true Cubs collector who will cherish it.
I contemplated what my absentee bid would be, as I just didn't really have the time to go to the auction in person. After changing my mind three times, I finally settled on $150. I found out that there were two other absentee bids, and of those mine was the highest. This I figured was a very good sign. I was hopeful that this being a local auction with a less-than-stellar write up in the auction bill that I had an excellent chance of winning the item if I beat out other absentee bids. Well, I was wrong. It ended up going to a bidder at the auction for $195. But wait, there's more: upon opening the program that morning, the auctioneer noticed a black and white photograph. It was a team photograph of the Cubs. Signed.
Wow.
Since I'm not that big of a Cubs fan, my thought was to buy this and then consign it to a major auction house where it would get proper attention of the collectibles world. Even without the picture, I figured it would draw at minimum $1500. I would then use the proceeds to purchase a Henry Aaron 1952 Eau Claire ball I've had my eyes on for a while. But I'm hopeful that was bad karma and the item got in the hands of a true Cubs collector who will cherish it.
It's Been Way Too Long
While I'm sure there is no one out there on the ledge because I haven't posted for a while, it sure is nice to get a chance to post again. I think I'll just fire off some random thoughts and updates:
**I finished the boxscores for the 1912 Eau Claire Commissioners. To my knowledge, it is the first time this information has been made available. It holds interest to the general baseball public since it also includes the stats for future HOFer Burleigh Grimes. Getting exact pitching data wasn't possible, but by my best guess he had a 4-4 record, logging 69 innings and giving up 35 runs (27 earned), 57 hits, 15 walks, and 47 strikeouts to give him an ERA of 3.52. Again, some of that information is estimated, but I'd be surprised if I was more than .25 off either way on the ERA. Like the 1911 season, the 1912 season, game by game, is available on an Excel spreadsheet for anyone who wants it.
**My next project may very well be tackling the game-by-game stats for 1910. I know that virtually complete stats are available, but I'm learning a lot by going through the seasons one game at a time.
**Inspired by Rex Hamman's excellent booklet on the Milwaukee Brewers' all-time minor league roster, I believe I have figured out a nice format for my book. One year at a time, with all the statistics listed first. Then I'll get into writing about the season. Again, this is where going through the games one by one helps out a great deal. Yes, this will be a comprehensive history of baseball in Eau Claire. More information than, well, probably anyone else would care to know.
**Ah, let's just do separate posts rather than cram everything into one. It doesn't cost extra!
**I finished the boxscores for the 1912 Eau Claire Commissioners. To my knowledge, it is the first time this information has been made available. It holds interest to the general baseball public since it also includes the stats for future HOFer Burleigh Grimes. Getting exact pitching data wasn't possible, but by my best guess he had a 4-4 record, logging 69 innings and giving up 35 runs (27 earned), 57 hits, 15 walks, and 47 strikeouts to give him an ERA of 3.52. Again, some of that information is estimated, but I'd be surprised if I was more than .25 off either way on the ERA. Like the 1911 season, the 1912 season, game by game, is available on an Excel spreadsheet for anyone who wants it.
**My next project may very well be tackling the game-by-game stats for 1910. I know that virtually complete stats are available, but I'm learning a lot by going through the seasons one game at a time.
**Inspired by Rex Hamman's excellent booklet on the Milwaukee Brewers' all-time minor league roster, I believe I have figured out a nice format for my book. One year at a time, with all the statistics listed first. Then I'll get into writing about the season. Again, this is where going through the games one by one helps out a great deal. Yes, this will be a comprehensive history of baseball in Eau Claire. More information than, well, probably anyone else would care to know.
**Ah, let's just do separate posts rather than cram everything into one. It doesn't cost extra!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Nevin Ashley
Congratulations to Express catcher Nevin Ashley on being selected on 6-6-06, in the Sixth Round, by, of course, the Devil Rays.
I didn't know a whole lot about him when I first saw him play Saturday night, but I was impressed enough that evening to do some digging about him. Still, I don't think even he would have projected himself to go in the 6th round. I was hoping the catching-depleted Brewer system would take a shot at him somewhere in the 10-13 rounds.
I e-mail the Express and asked if they could get a baseball signed by Nevin for me with the inscription "6th round, 6-6-06, Devil Rays". It would immediately shoot to the top of my favorite autographed baseball list!
The Express bats were once again silent last night and they were shut out by Madison, 3-0. Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. I'm very impressed with the Mallards all around. Bond at short has soft hands and a decent arm. The entire team seemed to be able to put a sting into the ball. Message boards say they have been "lucky" so far, but this team is not far off from being dominating. Plus they have GREAT uniforms and what appears to be a loyal fan base. If we didn't have the Express, I'm sure I'd be rooting hard for them!
I didn't know a whole lot about him when I first saw him play Saturday night, but I was impressed enough that evening to do some digging about him. Still, I don't think even he would have projected himself to go in the 6th round. I was hoping the catching-depleted Brewer system would take a shot at him somewhere in the 10-13 rounds.
I e-mail the Express and asked if they could get a baseball signed by Nevin for me with the inscription "6th round, 6-6-06, Devil Rays". It would immediately shoot to the top of my favorite autographed baseball list!
The Express bats were once again silent last night and they were shut out by Madison, 3-0. Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. I'm very impressed with the Mallards all around. Bond at short has soft hands and a decent arm. The entire team seemed to be able to put a sting into the ball. Message boards say they have been "lucky" so far, but this team is not far off from being dominating. Plus they have GREAT uniforms and what appears to be a loyal fan base. If we didn't have the Express, I'm sure I'd be rooting hard for them!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Happy Anniversary!
Though my wife will probably never, ever read this, just in case you stumble on it sometime, Shelley, I want to wish you a happy anniversary today! It's been a wonderful 13 years and you are still my dream come true.
Express Opener
Thanks to my wonderful employer, RCU, I was given some great seats for the EC Express home opener on Saturday night. Not that there are a whole lot of bad seats in Carson Park (except for the "Fan Deck", which seems like a complete waste if you are truly in to baseball as you will spend half the game staring at the sun and the other half trying to get the sun spots out of your eyes). These were in the third row, just to the third base side of home plate. My season tickets are GA, and I usually sit on the first base side of the grandstand, maybe the equivalent of 15 "rows" back. Although I was disappointed in the wait staff (we were never approached to order anything--last year when I was given seats by the President/CEO of RCU the wait staff was there every other inning it seemed. Granted, more people for opening night, but still--not once??), the treat was the game itself. Jon Bjelland was lights out, with 14 punchouts in eight innings. The eighth was a little dicey, as a clearly spent Bjelland walked the bases loaded. According to the paper, he yelled something at the dugout to the effect that he wanted to stay in, and Coach Varsho obliged. The hitter smashed a grounder to third that Hollick handled cleanly to preserve the lead. It seems to me that Varsho has an extremely long leash with his starters. I don't think I would have let Bjelland more than two base runners in the eight. The strategy backfired the night before as Wausau tacked on four or five runs to take a late lead. It almost seems like the starter might be set up to fail a bit (pitch until you are completely out of gas), but Varsho knows his players and I guess as long as the players buy in to the philosophy then it's okay.
I didn't go to Sunday's game and am skipping tonight as well. Hope to be back in the park for the second game against Madison on Tuesday night.
I didn't go to Sunday's game and am skipping tonight as well. Hope to be back in the park for the second game against Madison on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Rochester
Almost forgot to update on the first Gold Rush of the season in Rochester last Saturday (May 13). It was a miserable, dreary day and that meant probably 90% of the outdoor vendors weren't there. One that was, though, was clearly insane anyway so what did it matter they were outside in the slop? He had a couple of bats. The first, he proclaimed, was a game used Harmon Killebrew bat. Sure, it was a 125 H&B (or was it LS? I can't remember). However, the bat length was carved in the bottom of the handle--the surefire sign a bat isn't a gamer. He wanted $300 for that one, I think. Then he had a similar Roberto Clemente "game used" bat. This thing had electrical tape on it, for goodness sake! The length again was carved in the bottom. This one had a price of "ask". I would have LOVED to explained while "asking" that they have these little things called "retail stores" where people can spend their hard earned money and buy stuff they like. One of the offerings at these "retail stores" are bats, and some of them have player names on them.
I did pick up a couple of nice catcher's mitts, though I guess they are both common. One is a Clint Courtney in great shape. I've never really seen a glove with the guy's nickname on it. It's printed right on the heel of the mitt--Scrap Iron Courtney. This is in addition to the normal endorsement. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway. The second one was a buckle back with the buckle, and the entire glove, in wonderful shape. The endorsement was a little hard to read due to some fading, but I did figure it out to be HOFer Gabby Hartnett. It's a beauty. A couple of nice ladies had a ton of newer baseball stuff, and I bought a Brewer plastic batting helmet as well as four newer gloves in tremendous shape. No, they probably aren't what you would call rare, but they are looking great with no markings on them. Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, one other player (I want to say a Nolan Ryan lefty in amazing shape), and a Rochester Honkers "glove day" giveaway for $5 each. I also bought a Tony the Tiger baseball from them for $1. Shelley always gives me grief because we see them all the time at flea markets for $10-20. I got one when she and I were first dating and we played with it to the point that it mushed beyond recognition. Well, now she can't let me have it any more as it was a good deal and we HAVE one now.
That was about it. I went only because I thought one of the people who exhibits at the St. Paul show was going to be there. I found out after I got home from St. Paul that a couple of cards I passed up on are extremely rare and probably worth 20 times the $10 each he had on them. Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up in the near future, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen.
I did pick up a couple of nice catcher's mitts, though I guess they are both common. One is a Clint Courtney in great shape. I've never really seen a glove with the guy's nickname on it. It's printed right on the heel of the mitt--Scrap Iron Courtney. This is in addition to the normal endorsement. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway. The second one was a buckle back with the buckle, and the entire glove, in wonderful shape. The endorsement was a little hard to read due to some fading, but I did figure it out to be HOFer Gabby Hartnett. It's a beauty. A couple of nice ladies had a ton of newer baseball stuff, and I bought a Brewer plastic batting helmet as well as four newer gloves in tremendous shape. No, they probably aren't what you would call rare, but they are looking great with no markings on them. Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, one other player (I want to say a Nolan Ryan lefty in amazing shape), and a Rochester Honkers "glove day" giveaway for $5 each. I also bought a Tony the Tiger baseball from them for $1. Shelley always gives me grief because we see them all the time at flea markets for $10-20. I got one when she and I were first dating and we played with it to the point that it mushed beyond recognition. Well, now she can't let me have it any more as it was a good deal and we HAVE one now.
That was about it. I went only because I thought one of the people who exhibits at the St. Paul show was going to be there. I found out after I got home from St. Paul that a couple of cards I passed up on are extremely rare and probably worth 20 times the $10 each he had on them. Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up in the near future, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen.
Uncle Jason
On Sunday night, my brother called. Now, I love my brother and we're best of friends, but dang--it was Survivor Finale time! He left a message and I figured on calling him back Monday night since I don't like using the phone past 8 or 9 at night (though I forgot about softball). So, I'm out playing softball and he calls again and talks to Shelley. I get home around 10:00 and Shelley says I need to call Travis. It turns out he has some news for me. I'm going to be a "blood uncle", as he called it. That's really cool news. I figured they would try and have kids relatively soon after they got married, and they were successful! I'm very happy for them, and hope I can help out any way I can.
Speaking of children, we started Andrew and Camryn in a new daycare yesterday. However, today was the first "normal" day as Shelley and I rode together and dropped the kids off. I wasn't expecting the level of difficulty. Andrew is so painfully shy that he was really getting nervous about the whole situation. They have always been taken care of in a private home, so going to an official daycare is a new experience for them. I think once the shyness starts to wear off they will both have a great time there. I hope so, anyway.
Speaking of children, we started Andrew and Camryn in a new daycare yesterday. However, today was the first "normal" day as Shelley and I rode together and dropped the kids off. I wasn't expecting the level of difficulty. Andrew is so painfully shy that he was really getting nervous about the whole situation. They have always been taken care of in a private home, so going to an official daycare is a new experience for them. I think once the shyness starts to wear off they will both have a great time there. I hope so, anyway.
Softball Begins
Last night, the Valley Blues co ed softball team debuted the 2006 version of badness with a loss to a new team, 22-6. Seriously, though, it's not that bad. I think for the most part we have a great time playing, and that's the most important thing. It's not like any of us are looking to be drafted into some sort of Professional slowpitch league or anything like that. The point is to have fun, and if that is the measuring stick we have had a very successful run.
Personally, I played left field for the first time since breaking my finger out there in the first game three years ago. After I got back from that break, I played first base for a game or two. I sat out in 2004 in protest to me being let go by Blue Cross, then last season I was at first for all of the games. I was rusty out there, to say the least. Anything that hit the ground I tended to bobble, too, which was really, really weird. I've lost my nerve maybe. There were a couple of flys I could have taken a dive for but didn't--one cost me as it resulted in me taking a poor angle and since I didn't dive the ball skipped all the way to the fence. Maybe it just took a game to get my bearings and I'll be back at it next time. Batting, I saw one pitch. I popped it up but got my typical doink hit because outfielders seem to think I have power. Tom walked me to third and I scored the first run of the season on a ground out to the pitcher. After that, I offered a new guy that had come to the game late the chance to play. I could have went out there again, but why not let this guy get some playing time.
Personally, I played left field for the first time since breaking my finger out there in the first game three years ago. After I got back from that break, I played first base for a game or two. I sat out in 2004 in protest to me being let go by Blue Cross, then last season I was at first for all of the games. I was rusty out there, to say the least. Anything that hit the ground I tended to bobble, too, which was really, really weird. I've lost my nerve maybe. There were a couple of flys I could have taken a dive for but didn't--one cost me as it resulted in me taking a poor angle and since I didn't dive the ball skipped all the way to the fence. Maybe it just took a game to get my bearings and I'll be back at it next time. Batting, I saw one pitch. I popped it up but got my typical doink hit because outfielders seem to think I have power. Tom walked me to third and I scored the first run of the season on a ground out to the pitcher. After that, I offered a new guy that had come to the game late the chance to play. I could have went out there again, but why not let this guy get some playing time.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Bill Hall Thread
Brewerfan.net, the best source of Brewers information on the major and minor league level, has a thread about Bill Hall. It has morphed into one of the funniest threads I have read in a long time. It is based on the "Chuck Norris" jokes. You know, like "Chuck Norris can't be shot. Bullets stop and sidestep him to show respect." I was reading at work and had to stop because I had too many "fake cough to cover laughter" moments.
Linkage: http://p092.ezboard.com/fbrewersfandemoniumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=11691.topic
Linkage: http://p092.ezboard.com/fbrewersfandemoniumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=11691.topic
1911 and 1912 Updates
I'm happy to report that the 1911 Eau Claire season stats are complete, so anyone who reads this (there's anyone who reads this) and is interested can just drop me an e-mail and I will share them.
I have begun working on 1912, the season that was shortened to 41 games due to finances. I tell you, I think the newspapers (at least the Eau Claire paper) might have had something to do with the general lack of interest in the team. It was amazing how little the team was covered in 1912 as compared to 1911, which was the year after they captured the championship. In fact, I needed to go to other newspapers just to get full box scores on a handful of the the games. And sadly, one of the box scores just doesn't appear to exist. I've gotten some advice from minor league research experts that I should go ahead and compile as best I can, so that's what I'll do. But still, to me it's like being one card short of having a complete baseball card set, and still calling it a complete set.
I think I'll go ahead and try to compile the stats from 1909 and 1910 as well, even though they already apparently exist somewhere. They may exist in some form, but I would like to go through it anyway to see if there are some "one game wonders" out there. I'll try 1906 as well, but I'm thinking the box scores might be fairly limited. 1886 and 87? Love to, but I doubt I have enough info.
I have begun working on 1912, the season that was shortened to 41 games due to finances. I tell you, I think the newspapers (at least the Eau Claire paper) might have had something to do with the general lack of interest in the team. It was amazing how little the team was covered in 1912 as compared to 1911, which was the year after they captured the championship. In fact, I needed to go to other newspapers just to get full box scores on a handful of the the games. And sadly, one of the box scores just doesn't appear to exist. I've gotten some advice from minor league research experts that I should go ahead and compile as best I can, so that's what I'll do. But still, to me it's like being one card short of having a complete baseball card set, and still calling it a complete set.
I think I'll go ahead and try to compile the stats from 1909 and 1910 as well, even though they already apparently exist somewhere. They may exist in some form, but I would like to go through it anyway to see if there are some "one game wonders" out there. I'll try 1906 as well, but I'm thinking the box scores might be fairly limited. 1886 and 87? Love to, but I doubt I have enough info.
Jim Delsing
Jim Delsing, former Eau Claire Bear and major league ballplayer died of cancer last week at the age of 80 in his home in Chesterfield, MO.
Born and raised in Rudolph, WI, Delsing is probably most famous for his role in one of the most bizarre moments in modern baseball history. He pinch ran for Eddie Gaedel, the midget who walked on four pitches from the Tigers' Bob Cain in 1951. He was also a fantastic outfielder and steady hitter. He smashed the ball at a .377 clip for Eau Claire in 1946--one of the highest averages in Eau Claire's Northern League history. The minor league Milwaukee Brewers called him up at the end of July, and by 1948 he was in the majors.
One of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I was hoping to bring him up this summer for the Cavaliers' "Old Timers" night, but he had a fishing trip to Canada already planned.
Jim's son, Jay, is a professional golfer. One of his grandsons, Taylor Twellman, was the MVP in Major League Soccer last year.
My deepest condolences to all of Mr. Delsing's family and friends.
Born and raised in Rudolph, WI, Delsing is probably most famous for his role in one of the most bizarre moments in modern baseball history. He pinch ran for Eddie Gaedel, the midget who walked on four pitches from the Tigers' Bob Cain in 1951. He was also a fantastic outfielder and steady hitter. He smashed the ball at a .377 clip for Eau Claire in 1946--one of the highest averages in Eau Claire's Northern League history. The minor league Milwaukee Brewers called him up at the end of July, and by 1948 he was in the majors.
One of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I was hoping to bring him up this summer for the Cavaliers' "Old Timers" night, but he had a fishing trip to Canada already planned.
Jim's son, Jay, is a professional golfer. One of his grandsons, Taylor Twellman, was the MVP in Major League Soccer last year.
My deepest condolences to all of Mr. Delsing's family and friends.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
AJ a Packer
Although a Vernon Davis would have been a popular pick, the Packers selection of AJ Hawk is exactly what they needed. AJ will be a nice impact player on defense, though I guess I could argue that they wouldn't have needed Hawk had they been able to sign Arrington. Nonetheless, I'm very happy with Hawk and look forward to him teaming with Barnett to form a good young linebacking corps.
In the second round, I'd like to see the Packers go for guard, with my preference being Taitusi Lutui of USC. Might be a bit of a reach, but he's a solid player and would be an immediate upgrade. Rumor was earlier today the Broncos would send the Packers a second rounder for Walker. As long as it was pick 37, I think I would have done that deal. I'd like to get a WR, but maybe a decent deep threat would be available in round 3.
Meanwhile, the Brewers are up 10-0 with six homers. And it's my daughter's fourth birthday. It's been a great day!
I'd also like to see if Calhoun lasts until the fourth if the Packers would take a flyer on him. He's got Westbrook-like potential, but may need some time to develop. My hunch is that TT will be trading a mid round pick somewhere to get more late rounders. We'll see.
In the second round, I'd like to see the Packers go for guard, with my preference being Taitusi Lutui of USC. Might be a bit of a reach, but he's a solid player and would be an immediate upgrade. Rumor was earlier today the Broncos would send the Packers a second rounder for Walker. As long as it was pick 37, I think I would have done that deal. I'd like to get a WR, but maybe a decent deep threat would be available in round 3.
Meanwhile, the Brewers are up 10-0 with six homers. And it's my daughter's fourth birthday. It's been a great day!
I'd also like to see if Calhoun lasts until the fourth if the Packers would take a flyer on him. He's got Westbrook-like potential, but may need some time to develop. My hunch is that TT will be trading a mid round pick somewhere to get more late rounders. We'll see.
Steve Howe
My condolences to the family and friends of Steve Howe, the ex-pitcher who passed away way too young at the age of 48 yesterday.
Still, isn't there a part of you that thinks Howe will somehow get reinstated to baseball despite this?
Still, isn't there a part of you that thinks Howe will somehow get reinstated to baseball despite this?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
1911 Eau Claire Commissioners
I have been working for the past few months on a project to get the stats for the 1911 Eau Claire Commissioners in the Minnesota-Wisconsin League. The "Minny" League had some problems that year, and two teams, Red Wing and Wausau, actually dropped out before the season ended. Other teams had money issues. One of those teams was Duluth. In fact, Duluth didn't even have the money to pay their official scorekeeper. In defiance, the scorekeeper decided to hold on to the stats. Thus, the league was unable to issue final statistics.
Because I'm on the Eau Claire Baseball Memorabilia Committee, and because this committee is considering re-vamping Carson Park and paying tribute to all the former Major Leaguers that played for Eau Claire, I decided I needed a full roster of those 1911 players. And as long as I was getting a roster together, I figured I may as well see if I can piece together the season in stats from the boxscores listed in the paper. Well, there were only a couple times where the game had to be re-constructed to figure out the stats, but by and large all the information was there.
Although the work was a bit tedious, it was actually sort of fun. I found myself rooting for the team and complaining about the players. I couldn't understand why this guy named Kick just had to bat leadoff, despite the fact he couldn't hit and wasn't all that fast. Another guy was the hottest hitter on the team before being benched for a new arrival. And another guy was a late season pickup who, if you combined his fielding percentage and batting average you still couldn't come up with 1.000. In fact, you take his slugging percentage plus fielding and you still don't get there (.946). He played 13 games at 2B and had 18 errors. That's Rickie Weeks-like! This guy's name is Foss, and I bet you won't see him in any baseball encyclopedia. Oh, plus there was the race for the hitting crown--the chase for 100 hits (in 109 games, there were four that made it). All good stuff. And yesterday, I finished the project!
Next up is 1912, though I know I'm missing at least two Eau Claire games from that season. Burleigh Grimes made his professional debut for EC that season, but even he was not enough to keep the league going. They folded early--there were only four teams to begin with--due to lack of money. Again, no stats were officially sent in to League offices.
One thing I learned from doing this is that you cannot trust the newspaper for accuracy in those days. Rarely would a day go by where I wouldn't find some sort of math error. Even the sanctity of the League Standings was compromised most of the time. With a week left in the season, the paper reported something like one fewer win and two more losses than the team actually had. They offered no explanation as to why it was mixed up. For weeks at a time it would be off, the magically someone must have reconciled it. It's a good lesson for researchers--don't take everything to be correct just because it was in a paper.
Because I'm on the Eau Claire Baseball Memorabilia Committee, and because this committee is considering re-vamping Carson Park and paying tribute to all the former Major Leaguers that played for Eau Claire, I decided I needed a full roster of those 1911 players. And as long as I was getting a roster together, I figured I may as well see if I can piece together the season in stats from the boxscores listed in the paper. Well, there were only a couple times where the game had to be re-constructed to figure out the stats, but by and large all the information was there.
Although the work was a bit tedious, it was actually sort of fun. I found myself rooting for the team and complaining about the players. I couldn't understand why this guy named Kick just had to bat leadoff, despite the fact he couldn't hit and wasn't all that fast. Another guy was the hottest hitter on the team before being benched for a new arrival. And another guy was a late season pickup who, if you combined his fielding percentage and batting average you still couldn't come up with 1.000. In fact, you take his slugging percentage plus fielding and you still don't get there (.946). He played 13 games at 2B and had 18 errors. That's Rickie Weeks-like! This guy's name is Foss, and I bet you won't see him in any baseball encyclopedia. Oh, plus there was the race for the hitting crown--the chase for 100 hits (in 109 games, there were four that made it). All good stuff. And yesterday, I finished the project!
Next up is 1912, though I know I'm missing at least two Eau Claire games from that season. Burleigh Grimes made his professional debut for EC that season, but even he was not enough to keep the league going. They folded early--there were only four teams to begin with--due to lack of money. Again, no stats were officially sent in to League offices.
One thing I learned from doing this is that you cannot trust the newspaper for accuracy in those days. Rarely would a day go by where I wouldn't find some sort of math error. Even the sanctity of the League Standings was compromised most of the time. With a week left in the season, the paper reported something like one fewer win and two more losses than the team actually had. They offered no explanation as to why it was mixed up. For weeks at a time it would be off, the magically someone must have reconciled it. It's a good lesson for researchers--don't take everything to be correct just because it was in a paper.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Best Burger?
I gotta point out, too, that eating lunch at Fuddruckers could very well have been the highlight of the trip. Does any chain make a better burger than Fudd's? Please, point me to it if they do.
Hello Summer!
Summer officially begins today as far as I'm concerned. My wife Shelley and I went to our first flea market of the year: The Antique Spectacular at the Fairgrounds in St. Paul, MN. The show takes over the inside of the grandstand and spills out on to the racing track. I would guess up to 500 dealers at the show. Shelley and I agree that the dealers who are located outside provide for the best deals. True again this year.
I spend my entire flea marketing time looking for baseball items. Gloves and bats mostly, but autographs, programs, cards, or anything baseball piques my interest. In general, I would say I was happy with the show because it hit right in my wheelhouse in terms of collecting--cheap. Not a lot of high end baseball stuff was to be found. I enjoy looking at that stuff anyway, even if I rarely buy that sort of item. Actually, there wasn't a lot of baseball items period, but the gloves I did find were generally inexpensive. Nothing makes me more mad than some dealer who has no idea what a glove is worth just marking it "Old Glove--$75". It could be a well-used, beaten up Jim Rice model from the 80s, but because it's baseball related they figure it's a gold mine. And you would think they would learn if the glove hasn't sold in a year. Or two. Or more. I've been doing this flea market stuff for many years, and I can still pretty much tell you the inventory of some dealers because it's the same every year. If this is what you do for a living, I suggest you take a few less rests swigging coffee from a lawn chair and study the types of things you sell. Nobody's an expert at everything, but to be completely clueless on things just shows a person to either be incredibly ignorant or just plain lazy. End of soapbox.
We began outside and I quickly found a Jack Brandt model glove. I think I have one in my collection, but I take a $10 flyer on it anyway because of the "USMC" marking on the wrist strap. This was Marine issue, which makes it a little more rare than the garden variety store model. The glove should clean up nicely, but it has it's problems. Another fellow had a large box filled with boxes of football cards. Three bucks a pop--seemed like a pretty decent deal for some Action Packed unopened packs. Football or not, I thought, this is nice. Well, later on I looked a little closer to each of the three boxes I bought and found that all the packs had already been opened, then re-inserted (I assume sans any stars). No biggie, though. I still could probably get that for them at a garage sale sometime. Or I just keep them.
Another beaten up glove caught my eye a moment later. For $10, I am now an owner of a Pete Ward model glove. Listed as "Very Rare" according to the most recent glove guide, the off-condition was still good enough for me to own one of the few known to have surfaced. Again, it should clean up nicely, but the insides are ripped a bit and the patch is missing.
The most I paid for a glove today was a Grady Hatton pre-war for $15 in great shape. Flexible, readable, and it has the sharpest Draper Maynard button of any D&M glove I own. A nice Wilson 2830 Eddie Waitkus first baseman mitt, probably from 1955, was sold to me by a nice gentleman for $10. Good silver, nice stamping, soft leather--couldn't go wrong for the price. My last spending of the day brought in some oddball baseball cards (Colla Collection, Mother's Cookies) and some vintage stuff. One of those cards was a 1952 Henry Majeski. "Heeney", as he was known, was a 35-year-old vet toiling for the A's when this picture was taken. It was a long way from the fresh-faced kid who played for the Eau Claire Bears in 1935 and 1936. I also bought a 1968 Tigers Rookie Stars card featuring Fred Lasher. Fred lives just a few miles from my home and I was lucky enough to be honored along his side a few years back at a local baseball game.
I spend my entire flea marketing time looking for baseball items. Gloves and bats mostly, but autographs, programs, cards, or anything baseball piques my interest. In general, I would say I was happy with the show because it hit right in my wheelhouse in terms of collecting--cheap. Not a lot of high end baseball stuff was to be found. I enjoy looking at that stuff anyway, even if I rarely buy that sort of item. Actually, there wasn't a lot of baseball items period, but the gloves I did find were generally inexpensive. Nothing makes me more mad than some dealer who has no idea what a glove is worth just marking it "Old Glove--$75". It could be a well-used, beaten up Jim Rice model from the 80s, but because it's baseball related they figure it's a gold mine. And you would think they would learn if the glove hasn't sold in a year. Or two. Or more. I've been doing this flea market stuff for many years, and I can still pretty much tell you the inventory of some dealers because it's the same every year. If this is what you do for a living, I suggest you take a few less rests swigging coffee from a lawn chair and study the types of things you sell. Nobody's an expert at everything, but to be completely clueless on things just shows a person to either be incredibly ignorant or just plain lazy. End of soapbox.
We began outside and I quickly found a Jack Brandt model glove. I think I have one in my collection, but I take a $10 flyer on it anyway because of the "USMC" marking on the wrist strap. This was Marine issue, which makes it a little more rare than the garden variety store model. The glove should clean up nicely, but it has it's problems. Another fellow had a large box filled with boxes of football cards. Three bucks a pop--seemed like a pretty decent deal for some Action Packed unopened packs. Football or not, I thought, this is nice. Well, later on I looked a little closer to each of the three boxes I bought and found that all the packs had already been opened, then re-inserted (I assume sans any stars). No biggie, though. I still could probably get that for them at a garage sale sometime. Or I just keep them.
Another beaten up glove caught my eye a moment later. For $10, I am now an owner of a Pete Ward model glove. Listed as "Very Rare" according to the most recent glove guide, the off-condition was still good enough for me to own one of the few known to have surfaced. Again, it should clean up nicely, but the insides are ripped a bit and the patch is missing.
The most I paid for a glove today was a Grady Hatton pre-war for $15 in great shape. Flexible, readable, and it has the sharpest Draper Maynard button of any D&M glove I own. A nice Wilson 2830 Eddie Waitkus first baseman mitt, probably from 1955, was sold to me by a nice gentleman for $10. Good silver, nice stamping, soft leather--couldn't go wrong for the price. My last spending of the day brought in some oddball baseball cards (Colla Collection, Mother's Cookies) and some vintage stuff. One of those cards was a 1952 Henry Majeski. "Heeney", as he was known, was a 35-year-old vet toiling for the A's when this picture was taken. It was a long way from the fresh-faced kid who played for the Eau Claire Bears in 1935 and 1936. I also bought a 1968 Tigers Rookie Stars card featuring Fred Lasher. Fred lives just a few miles from my home and I was lucky enough to be honored along his side a few years back at a local baseball game.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Carl Beilke
I wrote this piece about a month ago. The book I'm referring to is the book I tried to link to the right (and failed). "Baseball in Eau Claire" is a photographic history of, well, baseball in Eau Claire. It is my first and only book. And here is one of my favorite stories as a result of the book:
Carl Beilke is in my book.
At least, his picture is.
All sources listed his last name as “Bielke”. The notation on the back of the vintage picture I own says the same. So, my book has it spelled that way.
Interesting story about the picture. I picked it up on eBay several years ago. I had no aspirations of writing a book on baseball in Eau Claire. Certainly not a photographic history. I was in the infant stages of my Eau Claire baseball fandom, and I just thought the pictures would be neat.
I had no idea just how neat they were. Carl’s picture in particular.
As I page through the book now, I see a bunch of typos. I cringe at each and every one, wondering how in the world I could have missed THAT one. But Carl Beilke likely wouldn’t have even come to my attention were it not for a bizarre e-mail I received a few years ago. It was from one Art Pennington from outside of Chicago. He said he had been up to Hayward, Wisconsin and had picked up my book when he saw it. He knew his father-in-law had played baseball in Eau Claire, and was shocked to see his picture.
He informed me I misspelled Carl’s name.
But that wasn’t the good part of the e-mail. As it turns out, Carl, at the time, was in his 90’s but still active as can be and sharp as a tack. Golfed 18 holes three times a week. Carried his own bag. Said carts are for the invalids. This man, who played on Eau Claire’s 1934 Northern League squad, was a living link to baseball history.
After exchanging several e-mails, Art taped an interview he had with Carl. Carl remembered minute details as if that happened a minute ago. He told me about his teammates. He told me about the road trips. He told me just about everything I would want to know. And he didn’t know it. See, Art had secretly taped this conversation. Art also sent me some photos of some of Carl’s mementos, including a bat he received from H and B for his hitting prowess in 1934—which turned out to be his only season in professional baseball. An article in the Sporting News said doctors told him to quit playing baseball due to a heart condition. In truth, it was a thyroid that wreaked havoc with his body.
Art and I remained in fleeting contact with an occasional e-mail here and there. We exchanged cards at Christmas. But when I sent an invitation to Carl to come up to Eau Claire for a reunion event slated for the summer of 2006, I got the news that Carl wasn’t doing nearly as well any more. Time had finally remembered Carl. Art asked if there was a chance the reunion could be moved to Chicago. It couldn’t. Art then mentioned one of those things that a person will remember for the rest of their life. Art asked me to come to Chicago—to meet Carl before it was too late.
This took me aback. First of all, I’m not accustomed to making a big impact in a whole lot of lives. At least, outside of my family. Based on what Art wrote, which was based on his conversations with his family and his father in law, that’s exactly what I had done. My book had one picture and maybe a 75-word caption regarding Carl. But Carl didn’t look at it that way. He wondered why anyone would be interested enough in his brief baseball career to even mention him in a book. And with all of my follow up, he seems genuinely moved that I could take such an interest.
I mentioned the roads can get a little tricky in Wisconsin in the late winter/early spring, but I would arrange to come down in the summer some time. Art replied that he would gladly pay for a plane ticket and hotel, plus drive me around wherever I wanted to go. My taken aback went further…aback. I had the feeling the Carl was a little worse off than Art had let on. And suddenly, I had a decision to make.
I’m not a poor man, but I don’t really have the extra cash to go flying off to Chicago for a weekend. That said, I couldn’t expect Art to pay my way down there. He said he felt guilty because the cost was an absolute steal for him. He said me coming down to talk with Carl for just a little while was worth well more than the cost to get me there.
Instead of making a decision (I knew what I had to do), I just backed away for a bit. A month or so later, Art and I e-mailed again. He said Carl had some more problems. There was just no way I can wait much longer, I thought. I found a cheap flight for the weekend of April 15. Then later I found out the reason it was so cheap—that would be Easter. There was a chance I could drive down the week prior. We had made plans.
This is my “Tuesday’s With Morrie”. This is my link. This is my ultimate story. This is living history, but probably not for too much longer. To not go—I could never forgive myself. Art says I’m the important one. Touching, but untrue. Carl is the important one. This is a trip I have to take. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Something that can’t be missed. I’ve beaten myself up for ten years now because I didn’t interview Bill Bruton even through the mail before he passed away. I’m nervous about going. I don’t think I can live up to the level they have put me on. But I’m putting that aside. It’s a selfish attitude on my part, but I’m going on this trip for ME. I pray that it means even half as much to Carl as it does to me.
That's where my writing ended. Sadly, the trip was never made. The week before the hoped-for trip, I found out that Carl had taken a turn for the worse. There was a lot of hope that he would recover, so I rescheduled for the first weekend in May. The trip won't happen. Carl passed away on April 5th.
While getting published was always a dream of mine, I had no idea just how great the time AFTER the book has been. I've met so many wonderful people as a result--something I just didn't foresee. Baseball is a thread that binds all of us, my friends.
Carl Beilke is in my book.
At least, his picture is.
All sources listed his last name as “Bielke”. The notation on the back of the vintage picture I own says the same. So, my book has it spelled that way.
Interesting story about the picture. I picked it up on eBay several years ago. I had no aspirations of writing a book on baseball in Eau Claire. Certainly not a photographic history. I was in the infant stages of my Eau Claire baseball fandom, and I just thought the pictures would be neat.
I had no idea just how neat they were. Carl’s picture in particular.
As I page through the book now, I see a bunch of typos. I cringe at each and every one, wondering how in the world I could have missed THAT one. But Carl Beilke likely wouldn’t have even come to my attention were it not for a bizarre e-mail I received a few years ago. It was from one Art Pennington from outside of Chicago. He said he had been up to Hayward, Wisconsin and had picked up my book when he saw it. He knew his father-in-law had played baseball in Eau Claire, and was shocked to see his picture.
He informed me I misspelled Carl’s name.
But that wasn’t the good part of the e-mail. As it turns out, Carl, at the time, was in his 90’s but still active as can be and sharp as a tack. Golfed 18 holes three times a week. Carried his own bag. Said carts are for the invalids. This man, who played on Eau Claire’s 1934 Northern League squad, was a living link to baseball history.
After exchanging several e-mails, Art taped an interview he had with Carl. Carl remembered minute details as if that happened a minute ago. He told me about his teammates. He told me about the road trips. He told me just about everything I would want to know. And he didn’t know it. See, Art had secretly taped this conversation. Art also sent me some photos of some of Carl’s mementos, including a bat he received from H and B for his hitting prowess in 1934—which turned out to be his only season in professional baseball. An article in the Sporting News said doctors told him to quit playing baseball due to a heart condition. In truth, it was a thyroid that wreaked havoc with his body.
Art and I remained in fleeting contact with an occasional e-mail here and there. We exchanged cards at Christmas. But when I sent an invitation to Carl to come up to Eau Claire for a reunion event slated for the summer of 2006, I got the news that Carl wasn’t doing nearly as well any more. Time had finally remembered Carl. Art asked if there was a chance the reunion could be moved to Chicago. It couldn’t. Art then mentioned one of those things that a person will remember for the rest of their life. Art asked me to come to Chicago—to meet Carl before it was too late.
This took me aback. First of all, I’m not accustomed to making a big impact in a whole lot of lives. At least, outside of my family. Based on what Art wrote, which was based on his conversations with his family and his father in law, that’s exactly what I had done. My book had one picture and maybe a 75-word caption regarding Carl. But Carl didn’t look at it that way. He wondered why anyone would be interested enough in his brief baseball career to even mention him in a book. And with all of my follow up, he seems genuinely moved that I could take such an interest.
I mentioned the roads can get a little tricky in Wisconsin in the late winter/early spring, but I would arrange to come down in the summer some time. Art replied that he would gladly pay for a plane ticket and hotel, plus drive me around wherever I wanted to go. My taken aback went further…aback. I had the feeling the Carl was a little worse off than Art had let on. And suddenly, I had a decision to make.
I’m not a poor man, but I don’t really have the extra cash to go flying off to Chicago for a weekend. That said, I couldn’t expect Art to pay my way down there. He said he felt guilty because the cost was an absolute steal for him. He said me coming down to talk with Carl for just a little while was worth well more than the cost to get me there.
Instead of making a decision (I knew what I had to do), I just backed away for a bit. A month or so later, Art and I e-mailed again. He said Carl had some more problems. There was just no way I can wait much longer, I thought. I found a cheap flight for the weekend of April 15. Then later I found out the reason it was so cheap—that would be Easter. There was a chance I could drive down the week prior. We had made plans.
This is my “Tuesday’s With Morrie”. This is my link. This is my ultimate story. This is living history, but probably not for too much longer. To not go—I could never forgive myself. Art says I’m the important one. Touching, but untrue. Carl is the important one. This is a trip I have to take. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Something that can’t be missed. I’ve beaten myself up for ten years now because I didn’t interview Bill Bruton even through the mail before he passed away. I’m nervous about going. I don’t think I can live up to the level they have put me on. But I’m putting that aside. It’s a selfish attitude on my part, but I’m going on this trip for ME. I pray that it means even half as much to Carl as it does to me.
That's where my writing ended. Sadly, the trip was never made. The week before the hoped-for trip, I found out that Carl had taken a turn for the worse. There was a lot of hope that he would recover, so I rescheduled for the first weekend in May. The trip won't happen. Carl passed away on April 5th.
While getting published was always a dream of mine, I had no idea just how great the time AFTER the book has been. I've met so many wonderful people as a result--something I just didn't foresee. Baseball is a thread that binds all of us, my friends.
Brewers/Mets 4/14
Brewers are trying to come back against the talented Mets. Thank God Glavine had to throw 100+ pitches through 6--he was absolutely dealing tonight. How many times do you see Brewer hitters make other pitchers look great? Not to say Glavine isn't great, but I will say he seems a little past his prime. One short of his career high in strikeouts. Tip of the cap to Tom, but I'm not offended he's out of this game. Crew has scored one against Heiliman, who is struggling mightily.
I'd love to know how many pitchers have their career high in k's coming against a Brewer team.
I'd love to know how many pitchers have their career high in k's coming against a Brewer team.
Hello Everybody
First law of blogging, I am finding out, appears to be that the first post is the toughest. I wanted to start out with something jaw dropping and awe-inspiring. This one won't do it. I figured maybe I'll use this one as sort of a "table of contents" of what will be coming on this blog.
Soon I will be posting a story about Carl Beilke, a man who played on the 1934 Eau Claire baseball team. Why he's so special, though, is the reason for the story. I can't give you much more than that without ruining it. Stay tuned.
As we are now well into Spring, we are also entering flea market season in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I try to go to as many as I can, even when I know exactly what the dealers have and where they are located. Next weekend is the first show at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. A few weeks after that will be Rochester (MN)'s "Gold Rush". If you have never been to Gold Rush, and you enjoy antiquing or collecting, you really, really need to hit this show. It's phenominal. Both those shows will repeat at least one (maybe two, I'm not sure) times later on this summer. Add in the Orinoco (MN) "Gold Rush", too. Orinoco and Rochester are maybe ten miles apart, and between them on one weekend you can see somewhere around 3,000 dealers. Great fun. Let me know if you need more information, or keep checking back here. As you can probably imagine, I collect baseball relics, autographs, etc. These flea markets are where I find most of them.
Speaking of collections, I'm sure we'll spend a few posts talking about collecting baseball stuff. From cards to bats to gloves to autographs, there's a niche for everyone. I'll share my experiences with you and will look for feedback as well.
I'll be discussing my ongoing research to compile a complete record of professional baseball in Eau Claire, WI. It will likely be released to the public in the form of a self-published book within the next few years (if I stay on track). My current project: compiling Eau Claire's stats from the 1911 season. One boxscore at a time. See, the Duluth team that season had some monetary issues and had trouble paying certain people in the organization. One of those people just happened to be the offical scorekeeper. So, he decided to not release the statistics to the league office. Therefore, no league statistics were ever published. I'm not motivated to get any other stats besides ECs right now, but maybe someday.
Brewers, Packers, EC Express...they'll all be part of the blog. And so will you. Please drop me a line if you would like to discuss anything about the topics above. Thanks for reading this. I hope you find it enjoyable.
Soon I will be posting a story about Carl Beilke, a man who played on the 1934 Eau Claire baseball team. Why he's so special, though, is the reason for the story. I can't give you much more than that without ruining it. Stay tuned.
As we are now well into Spring, we are also entering flea market season in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I try to go to as many as I can, even when I know exactly what the dealers have and where they are located. Next weekend is the first show at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. A few weeks after that will be Rochester (MN)'s "Gold Rush". If you have never been to Gold Rush, and you enjoy antiquing or collecting, you really, really need to hit this show. It's phenominal. Both those shows will repeat at least one (maybe two, I'm not sure) times later on this summer. Add in the Orinoco (MN) "Gold Rush", too. Orinoco and Rochester are maybe ten miles apart, and between them on one weekend you can see somewhere around 3,000 dealers. Great fun. Let me know if you need more information, or keep checking back here. As you can probably imagine, I collect baseball relics, autographs, etc. These flea markets are where I find most of them.
Speaking of collections, I'm sure we'll spend a few posts talking about collecting baseball stuff. From cards to bats to gloves to autographs, there's a niche for everyone. I'll share my experiences with you and will look for feedback as well.
I'll be discussing my ongoing research to compile a complete record of professional baseball in Eau Claire, WI. It will likely be released to the public in the form of a self-published book within the next few years (if I stay on track). My current project: compiling Eau Claire's stats from the 1911 season. One boxscore at a time. See, the Duluth team that season had some monetary issues and had trouble paying certain people in the organization. One of those people just happened to be the offical scorekeeper. So, he decided to not release the statistics to the league office. Therefore, no league statistics were ever published. I'm not motivated to get any other stats besides ECs right now, but maybe someday.
Brewers, Packers, EC Express...they'll all be part of the blog. And so will you. Please drop me a line if you would like to discuss anything about the topics above. Thanks for reading this. I hope you find it enjoyable.
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