For the love of the game

Here's a story that will inspire.  Enjoy!
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/06/a_senior_on_the_mound/?page=1

And the young shall lead us

Here's a fantastic story about a couple of 10 year old brothers who have embarked on an impressive project regarding the Negro Baseball League. It's great to read a story in which our young people take an active interest in learning about the injustices suffered by preceding generations. These two young boys are teaching us all an important lesson. A nice way to start the New Year. http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/brookline/2010/01/brookline_twins_10_reach_out_t.html

50 Years Ago: Congratulations Pumpsie

A long time coming -- wicked long. In fact, 12 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, in 1959 Elijah "Pumpsie" Green joined the Boston Red Sox. Here's an interview with Pumpsie reflecting on his experience: http://www.nesn.com/2009/07/pumpsie-green-content-with-his-red-sox-legacy.html?ccrm

I wonder whether Jed Lowrey knows the significance of the number he wears as the current Red Sox shortshop. In my mind, #12 for the Sox belongs to a shortstop from 50 years ago -- Pumpsie Green.

An American Hero

Here's a fascinating interview conducted in 1964 with Jackie Robinson. http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/15914/

Between the "white lines"

This History of Baseball and Bigotry outlines the struggles of our national past time. http://jellomarx.livejournal.com/88038.html#cutid1

Was this what Cousy had to deal with on the playground?

As a 10 year old playing organized baseball, it was pretty easy to identify the really talented ballplayers. Everyone knew that kids with nicknames like "Bunkie" and "Moose" had that something extra that the rest of us -- try as we might -- couldn't duplicate. The kids, the coaches and the parents paid particular attention when B and/or M were on the field. With each succeeding year, B and M distinguished themselves on the diamond. The talent they displayed at the age of 10, 11 and 12 manifested itself over the next half dozen years to the point where Bunkie was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and Moose made it to the major leagues with the California Angels.

I wonder how the turbulence surrounding the young phenom in Connecticut who was banned from playing with his peers will pan out. http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/08/31/news/a1youthball.txt

How many kids will miss the opportunity to play on the team with this special player? I had a hard time matching my skills with Bunkie and Moose when we played against one another. But I look back and remember the benefits that I obtained simply by being able to play the game -- even though they were in a league of their own.

Care to share a similar experience?

First Game Memories

I saw my first professional baseball game in 1959 at Pynchon Park on the banks of the Connecticut River in Springfield Massachusetts. The home team, Springfield Giants, were a Double A farm team of the San Francisco Giants. As I recall, the pitcher that day was Juan Marichal. The team was distinguished in that several prominent future major leaguers played for that club: Tom Haller, Jose Pagan, Felipe Alou. The park has since been torn down -- replaced by urban blight -- not too far from the current site of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Springfield has produced a number of famous athletes (not to mention Dr. Seuss) including: Leo Durocher, Allie Reynolds and Nick Buoniconti. Maybe someday another minor league will take root on the banks of the CT River in Springfield.