Alvin Dark 100 -- January 7, 2022

Great Giants shortstop and manager Alvin Dark was born 100 years ago today, on 07-January-1922. Willie Mays gave Dark and Eddie Stanky credit for helping him to adjust when he joined the Giants. When Dark managed the San Francisco Giants, some Latin players felt that he divided the team and did not respect them. Some racist fans called them "Alvin's Darkies." He was a veteran of the USMC and a vocal Christian.

Menko -- January 29, 2018

Many early Japanese baseball cards were printed on thick cardboard and used to play menko, a game where a player throws down a card to try to flip his opponent's card.

Menko -- July 15, 2018

Many early Japanese baseball cards were printed on thick cardboard and used to play menko, a game where a player throws down a card to try to flip his opponent's card.

Stu Miller, RIP -- January 7, 2015

I was sad to learn that Stu Miller, who pitched for the New York and San Francisco Giants has died.  He was an excellent right-handed relief pitcher who was Sporting News National League Reliever of the year in 1961.    No one remembers that.  People remember that the wind blew him off the mound at Candlestick Park during the first 1961 All Star Game.  Actually, the wind caused him to balk. 

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Yesterday in Fresno, Governor Jerry Brown broke groups for the California High Speed Rail Project. 

Alvin Dark, RIP -- November 15, 2014

I was sad to learn of the passing of great Giants shortstop and manager Alvin Dark.  Willie Mays gave Dark and Eddie Stanky credit for helping him to adjust when he joined the Giants.  When Dark managed the San Francisco Giants, some Latin players felt that he divided the team and did not respect them. 

Jerry Coleman RIP -- January 9, 2014

Jerry Coleman grew up in San Francisco.  He went to Lowell. 

Jerry Coleman flew fighters  in combat for the US Marine Corps in both World War II and Korea.  He won two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Jerry Coleman played second base for the Yankees during the 1950s. 

Jerry Coleman broadcast for the Padres since 1972 and for CBS Radio.  The Padres made him their manager in 1980.  I remember my father saying it wasn't going to work.  It didn't.  I always enjoyed his work on the Game of the Week and the post season. 

Jerry Coleman was famous for his unique command of the English language.  "Winfield goes back to the wall, he hits his head on the wall and it rolls off! It’s rolling all the way back to second base. This is a terrible thing for the Padres." "Rich Folkers is throwing up in the bullpen." "George Hendrick simply lost that sun-blown popup." " McCovey swings and misses, and it's fouled back." "There's a hard shot to LeMaster and he throws Madlock into the dugout."

I will miss his voice. 

Nickname #22 -- January 15, 2013

 

Charlie Hickman was a good hitter and an excellent base runner who somehow acquired the nickname "Piano Legs."  He played for the New York Giants in 1900-01 during his 12 year career in the major leagues.  

Barry Bonds Strikes Out -- January 9, 2013

The Baseball Writers' Association elected no one to the Hall of Fame this year.  Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have all been the subject of controversy because of accusations about the use of performance enhancing drugs.  I saw Bonds play many times before and after he was accused of cheating.  He was Hall of Fame worthy both ways. 

Baseball Card #1 -- April 14, 2011

Many early Japanese baseball cards were printed on thick cardboard and used to play menko, a game where a player throws down a card to try to flip his opponent's card.

Duke Snider RIP -- February 27, 2011

Duke Snider died. In the 1950s, he was one of three great New York area centerfielders, along with Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. The card is from 1963, when he played for the New York Mets. In 1964 he played for the San Francisco Giants.

Barry Bonds, 755 - August 4, 2007

Barry Bonds hit his 755th home run, to tie Hank Aaron's major league record. He hit it to left field in the new ballpark in San Diego, which is a tough place to hit a home run.

After he passes Aaron, next up is Sadaharu Oh's professional baseball record, 868. It may not happen. I guess he'll try for 3,000 hits first.

I don't know if he uses or used steroids or not. I know that baseball players have done many things over the years to get an edge, from drinking a lot of coffee to taking amphetamines, to throwing spitballs, shine balls, and burr balls, to holding onto the belt of the runner at third while the umpire wasn't watching.

I do know that steroids won't let someone who can't hit a baseball well hit a baseball well.