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.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
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.
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