Love these older stories. Especially the WWII ones you have had in the past. This one had some choice names: Wheezer Dell and Heinie Zimmerman. Although no alliteration, or even any assonance! Paul, I know I’ve told you this before, but your turn of phrase descriptions, and your writing in general, are such fun to read.
I always appreciate hearing when you are having fun fun, Meg. In return, I will tell you that we don't know much about Wheezer Dell's nickname, but we do know that he was the first MLB player born in the state of Nevada and he was born in a ghost town. Now THAT'S a detail.
I have seen it and I think somebody needs to talk to this guy. I don't want to be that crusty baseball fan that predicts he's going to get drilled for this, so instead I'll be the modern fan who worries that he's going to hurt himself somehow. Pitchers have enough hazards to navigate!
Thanks Bill. I don't get to the Cubs as often as my heart wants but it's nice to visit the old park. Now that the umpires (or at least one, the crew chief, I think) are wearing microphones a la NFL referees, the golden age of the singing umpire may be closer than ever.
I know Billy Martin definitely wouldn’t have survived those days. He didn’t take any guff from the umps. It was always pleasurable watching him kick dirt all over the ump’s shoes his face turning red from the loss of blood.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they shared a T bone after the game.
Very interesting thought experiment. How would Billy Martin have fared in these early years? I tend to think he would have done better in an era when the manager had absolute power over the team, no free agents, reserve clause controlling salaries. Better fit for his personality. He might have been like another John McGraw in an era when the iron fist and the upraised hand were both more tolerable (and at the least the fines were cheaper).
I read a book about Mickey Mantle years ago which was interesting to say the least. He & Billy knew which hotel & when the airline stewardesses were 'in town' & they took advantage of it. Every town the Yanks traveled to they had their 'little blue' book of numbers & connections.
Love these older stories. Especially the WWII ones you have had in the past. This one had some choice names: Wheezer Dell and Heinie Zimmerman. Although no alliteration, or even any assonance! Paul, I know I’ve told you this before, but your turn of phrase descriptions, and your writing in general, are such fun to read.
I always appreciate hearing when you are having fun fun, Meg. In return, I will tell you that we don't know much about Wheezer Dell's nickname, but we do know that he was the first MLB player born in the state of Nevada and he was born in a ghost town. Now THAT'S a detail.
Hey, Paul, have you seen the way that Mets’ pitcher Jefry Yan celebrates after a K? Priceless!
https://x.com/JomboyMedia/status/2085167536060899662/video/1
Not sure that link worked. Here’s another:
https://x.com/SNYtv/status/2085162236905963596/video/1
I have seen it and I think somebody needs to talk to this guy. I don't want to be that crusty baseball fan that predicts he's going to get drilled for this, so instead I'll be the modern fan who worries that he's going to hurt himself somehow. Pitchers have enough hazards to navigate!
Can’t get enough of old-time Cubs stories, Paul. And, a singing umpire? Man, that just might get me back out to the ballpark.
Thanks Bill. I don't get to the Cubs as often as my heart wants but it's nice to visit the old park. Now that the umpires (or at least one, the crew chief, I think) are wearing microphones a la NFL referees, the golden age of the singing umpire may be closer than ever.
I know Billy Martin definitely wouldn’t have survived those days. He didn’t take any guff from the umps. It was always pleasurable watching him kick dirt all over the ump’s shoes his face turning red from the loss of blood.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they shared a T bone after the game.
Very interesting thought experiment. How would Billy Martin have fared in these early years? I tend to think he would have done better in an era when the manager had absolute power over the team, no free agents, reserve clause controlling salaries. Better fit for his personality. He might have been like another John McGraw in an era when the iron fist and the upraised hand were both more tolerable (and at the least the fines were cheaper).
I read a book about Mickey Mantle years ago which was interesting to say the least. He & Billy knew which hotel & when the airline stewardesses were 'in town' & they took advantage of it. Every town the Yanks traveled to they had their 'little blue' book of numbers & connections.
They surely got around.
PS-what happened to vacation Paul?
GEE! I'm shocked!