BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: First College Game Memorial Dugout

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

First College Game Memorial Dugout

Happy Birthday to Roger Connor and Ben Taylor.

Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 12:30 PM | 53 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dugout

Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:31 PM (#3238858)

College baseball stadiums you have attended:

Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State University
Hoglund Ballpark, University of Kansas

2. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:34 PM (#3238860)

Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State University
Schoonover Stadium, Kent State University

...although my trip to Bill Davis Stadium was for a high school game, so I'm not sure that counts.

3. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:46 PM (#3238871)

I've seen a handful of D-III games over the years, but they weren't in stadiums. They had maybe one or two sets of metal bleachers.

4. Bob Dernier Cri

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:07 PM (#3238880)

Clay Gould, Texas-Arlington
Olsen Field, Texas A & M

I have seen Disch-Falk at UT-Austin, but I haven't been to a game there. Ditto the (now replaced) "old" Boshamer Stadium at UNC-Chapel Hill.

I've been to games long ago at Rutgers, Princeton, Fordham, Rowan (then Glassboro State). None of these places had what you might call "stadiums" back when I went there; they might now.

5. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:19 PM (#3238886)

So can anyone think of a way to search for blown leads? I'm trying to think of the biggest single-game comeback and biggest single-game chokejob I've seen the Yankees pull, but I can't think of a way to rig BBRef to search for it.

6. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:26 PM (#3238889)

So can anyone think of a way to search for blown leads? I'm trying to think of the biggest single-game comeback and biggest single-game chokejob I've seen the Yankees pull, but I can't think of a way to rig BBRef to search for it.

Elias has that info, I think. Your best bet is probably to find games of those nature and look up the news stories on them and see if they mention some game in 1940 where King Kong Keller hit two grand slams in the late innings or some other dramatic event.

7. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:29 PM (#3238892)

Cross-posted from the lounge -

Gordon Beckham, last two weeks - .405/.488/.595.

Last six games - .588/.632/.765.

Hawk Harrelson actually said that Beckham has “the good face”. I laughed out loud when I heard that.

8. salvomania Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:31 PM (#3238893)

Right now there's only one player who has seen any action with the 2009 Cardinals who has an OPS+ above 99.

You'd think a reliever would have gotten a single or something, or some random bench guy could crack 100, but no.

9. Moneyball can't buy you love (Joey B.) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:35 PM (#3238895)

Speaking of below average hitters, it's looking more and more every day like it's the end of the line for Jason "Mendoza" Giambi.

10. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:36 PM (#3238896)

Is this the third or fourth time that Giambi's been done? Although I guess one of these times it's bound to be true.

11. salvomania Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:36 PM (#3238897)

Pujols batting averages:

.314

.327
.329
.330
.331
.331
.332

.357
.359

12. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:39 PM (#3238898)

Is this the third or fourth time that Giambi's been done? Although I guess one of these times it's bound to be true.

Thid, by my count. Once in 2005, and then again in 2007. That's impressive, although not as much as Paul Byrd, who was done like 12 times.

13. bunyon Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:45 PM (#3238901)

I've seen a handful of D-III games over the years, but they weren't in stadiums. They had maybe one or two sets of metal bleachers.

While a postdoc I used to walk over for games at Johns Hopkins. The field wasn't as nice, nor the stands as big, as the park I played Legion ball on. The quality of play was pretty wildly variable as well. It really did seem to come down to pitching. If the teams had good pitchers going, it would be a good game. But there were games where the 5th guy on a D-III staff would be going that were just brutal to watch.

EDIT: Schools, though I don't know park names: Oklahoma State, Kansas, SWOSU, SEOSU, NWOSU, OU, Tulsa, Duke, Wake Forest, UNC, Hopkins, New Mexico State, UNM, Hawaii

14. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:47 PM (#3238905)

Books!

The one about the might have been Continental League sounds interesing. I'll take a pass on Straw and Steiny.

15. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:49 PM (#3238907)

Speaking of below average hitters, it's looking more and more every day like it's the end of the line for Jason "Mendoza" Giambi.

Not to pick on you Joey, but you seem to take a lot of pleasure in announcing the end for formerly great players. What's up with that? Night will set on all of us.

16. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:52 PM (#3238911)

The one about the might have been Continental League sounds interesing. I'll take a pass on Straw and Steiny.

Damn, I have long considered writing a book on the Continental League. I wrote a pretty good 12-15 page paper on it in college.

Incidentally, I went to see the Newark Bears yesterday, and it was a distinctly bizarre experience. For one thing, stadium capacity is listed at 6200 and there were maybe--maybe--250 people in attendance, and about 50 by the end of the game. For another, it's just weird seeing all these ex-MLBers in a dead empty stadium in Newark. Jacque Jones, Carl Everett, Fat Tim Raines managing, there are no words.

It's kind of like going to a zoo in, well, Newark and seeing they have a Red Wolf or some similarly rare creature.

On the plus side, my mother got a free t-shirt and I got a ball. (Thrown to me by, wait for it, the trainer!)

17. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:54 PM (#3238913)

The one about the might have been Continental League sounds interesing.

I communicated a bit with the author. He wanted to do a book on Billy Southworth and his son. For a couple of reasons, he wound up doing this project instead.

18. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:56 PM (#3238917)

Not to pick on you Joey, but you seem to take a lot of pleasure in announcing the end for formerly great players. What's up with that? Night will set on all of us.

Joey has a small dick.

19. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 02:57 PM (#3238918)

I communicated a bit with the author. He wanted to do a book on Billy Southworth and his son. For a couple of reasons, he wound up doing this project instead.

Very cool. Honestly, I had never heard of the Continental League before. A weird gap in my baseball history knowledge.

edit: So the Continental League book and Jaffe's manager book. I also need the California League book from McFarland. Anything else?

20. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:01 PM (#3238922)

It's okay, Shooty. For all that I know, I have significant gaps.

21. Moneyball can't buy you love (Joey B.) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:04 PM (#3238925)

Not to pick on you Joey, but you seem to take a lot of pleasure in announcing the end for formerly great players. What's up with that? Night will set on all of us.

I'm simply trying to help spread sabermetric wisdom, which is supposedly one of the purposes of this site. Generally speaking, old guys tend to not be good investments, more so than ever now in the era of drug testing.

I'm surprised that a GM of Billy Beane's towering intellect didn't realize this.

22. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:05 PM (#3238926)

I'm surprised that a GM of Billy Beane's towering intellect didn't realize this.

If your snark were confined to players the A's have signed I would take this at face value.

23. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:08 PM (#3238929)

edit: So the Continental League book and Jaffe's manager book. I also need the California League book from McFarland. Anything else?

McFarland has one by Tim Fleitz on the Irish in the early days of baseball, but it is $40. Maybe I can get it at a discount at the SABR convention. Essentially, I have a theory or two about the difference between how the Irish played ball and the WASPS did and am curious if he explored it.

24. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:08 PM (#3238930)

For all that I know, I have significant gaps.

And that's just your known unknowns. Doesn't even begin to address the unknown unknowns.

Without giving away anything private, GGC, can you say why he decided to go for the Continental League book? Personally that seems like a more interesting topic than Southworth to me, but I'm wondering what the thought process was.

25. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:09 PM (#3238931)

I have a theory or two about the difference between how the Irish played ball and the WASPS did and am curious if he explored it.

Drunk vs. sober?

Wokka wokka!

26. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:15 PM (#3238934)

RB, I think Southworth's story is tough to turn into a lengthy enough book. That was one factor.

27. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:16 PM (#3238935)

I have a theory or two about the difference between how the Irish played ball and the WASPS did and am curious if he explored it.

Drunk vs. sober?

Early Baseball? Drunk on whiskey vs. Drunk on gin

HiYo!

28. esseff Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:25 PM (#3238944)

I don't know how much material is available, but I'd read a book on Southworth (and son). Craps out as a (player/)manager at an early age. Fights his way back. Wins three consecutive pennants. Son is his pride and joy and a budding ballplayer who enlists in the Army Air Corps, has a sterling WWII record and then is killed in an air crash, devastating his dad. Southworth then asks out of his two-year Cardinal contract so he can sign for more bucks with Lou Perini. And wins one more pennant with the Braves.

Do a few interviews with those who still remember him and there ya go.

29. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:28 PM (#3238945)

Not only was he killed in a crash, it was after he returned stateside and supposedly out of harm's way. I think that I figured out how to weave this into a larger work, but time will tell.

30. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:44 PM (#3238959)

I think that I figured out how to weave this into a larger work, but time will tell.

I like hearing about GGC's Chinese Democracy

31. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:55 PM (#3238963)

I've been to maybe 40-some games at Mark Light Field (University of Miami).

Now known as Alex Rodriguez Field at Mark Light Stadium, I believe.

The atmosphere is much more Coral Gables Hurricanes than University of Miami Hurricanes. An older local crowd with its own traditions. Older gents keeping score. Bright lights, palm trees beyond the outfield, the Category 5-rated freshmen towers out in the distance, the football practice field over left-center. I like it.

The one thing it lacks is Sebastian the Ibis. The baseball team uses an older and more generic mascot, the Miami Maniac.

32. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:58 PM (#3238966)

I like hearing about GGC's Chinese Democracy

I actually started work on this one, though. Most of my previous works that I started but never finished were mysteries or thrillers that never went anywhere. I always ahd a problem finishing a plot. With noon-fiction, OTOH, I don't have to worry about figuring out how the story ends.

33. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:07 PM (#3238972)

I actually started work on this one, though

I kid. And Axel did evantually get CD out there, to good reviews as I recall. I expect nothing less from you.

34. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:27 PM (#3239190)

Random baseball question (NOT a trivia one, looking for info myself) for the dugout:

Has anyone ever heard that Christy Mathewson didn't like to pitch on Sunday?

35. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:35 PM (#3239208)

Has anyone ever heard that Christy Mathewson didn't like to pitch on Sunday?

Yes, I read a Mathewson biography that made reference to this.

36. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:36 PM (#3239211)

And I found the reference in Google Books, Page 36

37. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:45 PM (#3239233)

I kid. And Axel did evantually get CD out there, to good reviews as I recall. I expect nothing less from you.

I don't think that I have anywhere near the popularity of G'nR. Maybe Tom Verducci does. I'm the equivalent of one of those indie bands bandied about here; but not Pavement.

38. Dr Love Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:46 PM (#3239236)

Martin Prado named starting 2B for the Braves until further notice.

So an enterprising journalist (blush) asked the manager: Is Prado your starting second baseman?

Said Cox: “Right now, yes. He’s too hot to take out, unless his groin flares up."

link

Nice knowing you Kelly Johnson.

39. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3239249)

but not Pavement.

But you could be the Silver Jews!

40. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:52 PM (#3239254)

He’s too hot to take out, unless his groin flares up

That's what she said

41. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 06:53 PM (#3239258)

But you could be the Silver Jews!

Sure. I've never heard of them and I assume the average Borders customer has never heard of me.

42. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: July 01, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3239282)

Cool. Thanks, RB. Yesterday I figured out that he never started a Sunday game in his life, and apparently that has already been noted.

43. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 07:03 PM (#3239286)

Yesterday I figured out that he never started a Sunday game in his life, and apparently that has already been noted.

Doesn't surprise me, even before I read that I knew Matty was a famously devout guy.

Oh, and no worries, always happy to help.

44. kthejoker Posted: July 01, 2009 at 07:39 PM (#3239370)

Just throwing it out there: RIP Karl Malden.

45. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 07:42 PM (#3239384)

Just throwing it out there: RIP Karl Malden.

I enjoyed his work, and I don't mean to disrespect him, but he's one of those celebrities I just assumed was already dead.

46. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 01, 2009 at 07:44 PM (#3239389)

I enjoyed his work, and I don't mean to disrespect him, but he's one of those celebrities I just assumed was already dead.

he kinda looked like he was, at that...

47. salvomania Posted: July 01, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3239528)

Hanley Ramirez uses 2-for-3 day to wrest NL batting lead from David Wright, whose 0-for-4 (3 Ks) drops him to .340...

48. Bob Dernier Cri

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 08:33 PM (#3239548)

Malden had a baseball connection, of course, playing Jimmy Piersall's father in Fear Strikes Out. The role was almost impossible for anyone to bring off (hideously overbearing), but Malden tried pretty hard to make it interesting.

49. esseff Posted: July 01, 2009 at 09:01 PM (#3239631)

Joe Mauer: 3-for-3, .392

50. Mike Emeigh

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 09:25 PM (#3239678)

College Baseball:

Hooks Stadium (Wake Forest) - they have since moved back to Ernie Shore Field
Boshamer Stadium (UNC)
Doak Field (NCSt)

Have not been to Duke or ECU yet.

-- MWE

51. Mike Emeigh

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 09:28 PM (#3239687)

Funny comment to the link posted in #38:

Brooks Conrad plays 2B for AAA Gwinnett. He is probably the 2B of the future.

Brooks Conrad is almost four years older than Martin Prado.

-- MWE

52. bunyon Posted: July 01, 2009 at 09:30 PM (#3239691)

Mike, you should come see a game at Ernie Shore. You can sit whereever you like. Even in the dugout, probably. Expect the ticket sellers to be surprised when you walk up.

53. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: July 02, 2009 at 03:58 AM (#3239984)

college-only: unc, gt, uncg + several parks that also host(ed) pro/other ball (also ernie shore, but not for wfu - no doubt the same is true for mike).

cle's jose osoria is really 20 year old wally bryan. link

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

First College Game Memorial Dugout

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

Bookmarks

Hot Topics