I'm impressed by the research effort to identify the scoreboard photo date. It's the kind of rabbit hole I sometimes find myself in but more often than not it ends without an answer. Celebrate the victory!
The Marvin Miller story is great. I have to read his autobiography. Some day I'll make the transition to Audible, but for now I still prefer holding a book and turning the pages. It's not as time efficient but there's something therapeutic about it.
And Paul, thank you for the shout out regarding Mr. Rupert Mills. Truly a unique man, one to add to your "fun to hang" list. I look forward to whatever you end up writing about the man. Your research is surely going to uncover more than what I found.
I just couldn't believe stumbling across that photo (it's not from Miller's book), and saying "I know what this is about!" Miller is obviously an essential source, but it's interesting to see how many chips he was carrying around on his shoulder by the time he wrote that book. He clearly perceived some kind of "gratitude deficit" among many of the players, and names get named. He also waited to write his book after Bowie Kuhn wrote his so he could cite Kuhn word-for-word and then call him a liar. Popcorn stuff.
Loved all of these post scripts! That was real detective work in arriving at June 1, 1977. Couldn’t help noticing those dreaded lamb chop sideburns on Jim Colburn. That’s something that dates a photo. Thanks, Paul.
Billy Earle’s record is rather interesting to say the least. I think Ken Burns should make a documentary about him. Another 9 innings should cover his life.
As far as the stolen uniforms go I figure they would be put up for sale online or thru a dealer such as Steiner or some other channel. Stealing & just holding on to them is senseless.
Bobble heads… never saw one I liked. To me they’re so unrealistic. Finding one that actually resembles the guy is a rarity.
Lake Hopatcong drowning. A sad demise for a good guy. I’ve boated there for years & now live about 10 minutes away in Sparta. If you ever come to NJ let me know as there are nice restaurants on the water.
O’Malley going after the guys that support him…? I think that FD&C #3 green dye maybe gave him temporary brain damage. He comes off like a control freak. Much like my old Irish boss when I was a mechanic at his Ford dealership. He told everyone, “If you want your Christmas bonus you have to come to the party/breakfast 5AM.” Oh boy, $25 for Irish singing, cold eggs then to work at 8. Worth every penny with toothpicks keeping my eyes open.
I knew quite a bit about the Royals' uniforms being stolen, but I didn't know that AO asked for an Aaron jersey. Since they were both from Mobile and Aaron was 13 years older, I imagine that would have been a childhood dream for Otis. Nice try, Amos!
Otis ended up wearing a spare from the Brewers' manager, Alex Grammas. What a fall-off from ambition to reality there. If there's anything you know that we missed, please add it to the casefile. It's essential that different agencies cooperate in national cases like this one.
I'm impressed by the research effort to identify the scoreboard photo date. It's the kind of rabbit hole I sometimes find myself in but more often than not it ends without an answer. Celebrate the victory!
The Marvin Miller story is great. I have to read his autobiography. Some day I'll make the transition to Audible, but for now I still prefer holding a book and turning the pages. It's not as time efficient but there's something therapeutic about it.
And Paul, thank you for the shout out regarding Mr. Rupert Mills. Truly a unique man, one to add to your "fun to hang" list. I look forward to whatever you end up writing about the man. Your research is surely going to uncover more than what I found.
I just couldn't believe stumbling across that photo (it's not from Miller's book), and saying "I know what this is about!" Miller is obviously an essential source, but it's interesting to see how many chips he was carrying around on his shoulder by the time he wrote that book. He clearly perceived some kind of "gratitude deficit" among many of the players, and names get named. He also waited to write his book after Bowie Kuhn wrote his so he could cite Kuhn word-for-word and then call him a liar. Popcorn stuff.
Great read Paul! Sorry I did not make it to meet you at SABR 53 this year but hope to rectify that in 2026!
There's room for a Substacker subcommittee, I think.
Loved all of these post scripts! That was real detective work in arriving at June 1, 1977. Couldn’t help noticing those dreaded lamb chop sideburns on Jim Colburn. That’s something that dates a photo. Thanks, Paul.
Nice wrap-up, Paul. As Seuss stated so eloquently, “I will not drink green Scotch, I will not drink it, nor record a notch.”
"I do not like that Dodger man. I vote union, when I can."
Billy Earle’s record is rather interesting to say the least. I think Ken Burns should make a documentary about him. Another 9 innings should cover his life.
As far as the stolen uniforms go I figure they would be put up for sale online or thru a dealer such as Steiner or some other channel. Stealing & just holding on to them is senseless.
Bobble heads… never saw one I liked. To me they’re so unrealistic. Finding one that actually resembles the guy is a rarity.
Lake Hopatcong drowning. A sad demise for a good guy. I’ve boated there for years & now live about 10 minutes away in Sparta. If you ever come to NJ let me know as there are nice restaurants on the water.
O’Malley going after the guys that support him…? I think that FD&C #3 green dye maybe gave him temporary brain damage. He comes off like a control freak. Much like my old Irish boss when I was a mechanic at his Ford dealership. He told everyone, “If you want your Christmas bonus you have to come to the party/breakfast 5AM.” Oh boy, $25 for Irish singing, cold eggs then to work at 8. Worth every penny with toothpicks keeping my eyes open.
I knew quite a bit about the Royals' uniforms being stolen, but I didn't know that AO asked for an Aaron jersey. Since they were both from Mobile and Aaron was 13 years older, I imagine that would have been a childhood dream for Otis. Nice try, Amos!
Otis ended up wearing a spare from the Brewers' manager, Alex Grammas. What a fall-off from ambition to reality there. If there's anything you know that we missed, please add it to the casefile. It's essential that different agencies cooperate in national cases like this one.