Tagged: Minor League Baseball
Reaching Your Goal
Are you part of the nearly half of New Year’s Resolutioners that have given up? Or are you one of the less than 10% who will be successful? Life is hard, keep working towards your dreams. Ron Wright never gave up. He fought for what he wanted. All of his hard work eventually paid off.
Ron Wright was selected in the 7th Round of the 1994 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Washington. He played two and a half seasons in the Braves minor league system. Wright spent 1994 with the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Braves, 1995 with the Single A Macon Braves, and 1996 with the High A Durham Bulls and Double A Greenville Braves before an August trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wright now set his sights on the Steel City. He finished 1996 with the Double A Carolina Mudcats and spent 1997 with the Triple A Calgary Cannons. 1998 was a lost season as Wright appeared in only 20 Games, 17 with the Triple A Nashville Sounds and 3 with the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Pirates. 1999 was equally frustrating, playing only 24 Games for the Double A Altoona Curve. In October, the Cincinnati Reds selected Wright off waivers. His aim moved further down the Ohio River. Wright spent 2000 with the Double A Chattanooga Lookouts and Triple A Louisville RiverBats. In November, Wright signed as a Minor League free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He spent the season back with the Durham Bulls, now a Triple A team. Again a Minor League free agent, Wright signed with the Seattle Mariners for the 2002 season. He began the season with the Triple A Tacoma Rainiers. Ron Wright had played eight Minor League seasons with 12 different teams.
Heading into the 2002 season Wright had played in 666 Minor League games. He hit .261 with 121 Home Runs, 453 RBI, and 361 Runs scored in 2,729 Plate Appearances. Wright had played at every level, Rookie Ball to Triple A. He fought through injuries and the ups and downs of professional baseball. Wright remained one step away from the Majors. The trip from Cheney Stadium to Safeco Field is only 35 miles, but Wright kept fighting to make that drive.
The bad news in Seattle was future Hall of Fame Edgar Martinez was hurt running to First. Martinez’s injury put a damper on the Mariners early season success. Edgar’s injury was bad news for everyone except Minor League journeyman Ron Wright. He finally got the call to the Big Leagues. The years of toil had paid off. He was heading to the show.
It was a pleasant afternoon in Arlington, Texas. It was 76℉ and overcast. Ron Wright had made it to the Majors on Sunday, April 14, 2002. The Mariners were on the road, playing the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington. 32,866 fans watched as Seattle’s John Halama faced off against Texas’ Kenny Rogers. Ron Wright was the DH, batting 7th for the Mariners. All was right in the world.
In the Top of the 2nd, Ron Wright strolled to the plate. This was the moment he had worked so hard for, his first Major League At Bat. Ruben Sierra was standing on Second after a lead off Single and a John Olerud Walk. Wright stepped in the Right Handed Batters Box looking to add to the Mariners 1-0 lead. Kenny Rogers rocked and fired. In the blink of an eye, Wright was walking back to the dugout. Striking out looking on three pitches was not how Wright envisioned his first At Bat in the Big Leagues, but he had stamped his name in the record books as playing in a Major League game. There would be more chances.
The next opportunity for Wright came in the Top of the 4th. Seattle still clung to its 1-0 lead, and Wright could extend the lead. He again came up with Sierra and Olerud on base. Sierra led off with a Double and moved to Third on Olerud’s Single. Wright worked the count to 2-2. On the fifth pitch he swung. The ball bounced to Rogers on the mound who fired to Alex Rodriguez coming over from Shortstop to cover Second for the first Out. Rodriguez then threw home to Catcher Bill Haselman who chased Sierra back towards Third. He tossed the ball to Third Baseman Hank Blalock who chased Sierra back towards Home. Blalock tossed the ball to Rogers who tagged Sierra for the second Out. During the rundown Wright reached First and was advancing towards Second. He was never known for his speed, just nine Stolen Bases in the Minors. After tagging Sierra, Rogers threw to Second Baseman Michael Young who tagged Wright coming into Second for the third Out. The 1-6-2-5-1-4 Triple Play killed the rally, and made Wright’s debut memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Baseball is about dealing with failure. There are few failures like hitting into a Triple Play. Baseball does not give you long to dwell on your failures. In the Top of the 6th, Wright came up for the third time. He was patient in his first two At Bats, but not this time. The Mariners were trailing 2-1. Again Ruben Sierra was on Second and John Olerud on First. On the first pitch from Rogers, Wright hit the ball to Shortstop Alex Rodriguez to start a Double Play. Sierra moved to Third, but the rally was dead. The frustrating day continued.
Ron Wright never got that fourth At Bat. Manager Lou Piniella sent up Pinch Hitter Mark McLemore in the 7th Inning. His Major League debut was complete. Wright had three At Bats against Kenny Rogers. He saw nine pitches. Made six Outs. The Mariners won 9-7. The game took 3 hours and 39 minutes. Before the Mariners returned to the field on Monday Ron Wright was back in the Minors. He never returned to the Majors. Wright’s Major League career took less time than it takes to watch Gone With The Wind.
Was it worth it? Despite one of the worst possible debuts, Ron Wright can proudly say he was a Major League Baseball player. Only 18,039 players before him earned that title. While his career was not what he hoped, Wright made it to the top. He kept grinding. He kept going. The baseball gods rewarded his lifetime of work with one of the strangest days ever on a baseball field. Keep working towards your goals.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Tennessee
It seems inevitable that Major League Baseball will expand to 32 teams. When it does, Nashville has a good chance of landing one of the new teams. Tennessee’s baseball history runs deep and the addition of a MLB team would further that legacy. The Volunteer State has sent 405 players to the Major Leagues. The greatest pitcher born in Tennessee is Tommy Bridges. His 51.62 career WAR is the 27th highest among state and territory pitching leaders. The greatest position player from the Volunteer State is Todd Helton. His 61.78 career WAR is the 32nd highest among state and territory position player leaders. Combined Tennessee has 113.40 WAR, ranking the Volunteer State 32nd in the United States of Baseball.
Tommy Bridges was born in Gordonsville and found baseball success in Detroit. The Right Hander attended the University of Tennessee, but left to pursue baseball. He played 16 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1930-1943, 1945-1946). Despite a small build, Bridges gave opposing batters stomach ulcers with his curveball and fastball combination. Making his Major League debut on August 13, 1930 at Yankee Stadium, Bridges was immediately put to the test. The first batter he faced was Babe Ruth, who popped out to Third. Next, Tony Lazzeri Singled. Bridges then struck out Lou Gehrig. Finally, Harry Rice grounded out to Second. The first three batters of his career were Hall of Famers, two of which are among the greatest ever. After escaping the Bronx, Bridges pitched in 424 career Games, made 362 Starts, with 47 Games Finished, 200 Complete Games, including 33 Shutouts, in 2,826.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 2,675 Hits, 1,321 Runs, 1,122 Earned Runs, 181 Home Runs, 1,192 Walks, 1,674 Strikeouts, posted a 194-138 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.368 WHIP, and 126 ERA+. He was a six time All Star.
Bridges fell one out short of a Perfect Game on August 5, 1932. The Tigers were dismantling the Washington Senators at Navin Field in Detroit. Leading 13 to 0 with two outs in the 9th Inning, Senators Manager Walter Johnson sent Dave Harris to Pinch Hit for Pitcher Bobby Burke. Harris Singled to break up the Perfecto. Bridges composed himself and induced a groundout from Sam Rice. He narrowly missed pitching the sixth Perfect Game in MLB history. It took nearly a quarter century until Don Larsen threw the next Perfect Game in the 1956 World Series.
Despite his success, Bridges’ number would have been better had he not spent the 1944 season in the Army during World War II. In 1949, he declined an offer from the Yankees choosing to continue pitching for the Minor League Portland Beavers.
The best season of Bridges’ career was 1936. He pitched in 39 Games for the Tigers, made 38 Starts, with 1 Game Finished, 26 Complete Games, including 5 Shutouts, in 294.2 Innings Pitched, allowed 289 Hits, 141 Runs, 118 Earned Runs, 21 Home Runs, 115 Walks, 175 Strikeouts, posted a 23-11 record, with a 3.60 ERA, 1.371 WHIP, and 137 ERA+. Bridges led the Junior Circuit in Starts, Wins, and Strikeouts. He set career bests in Games Pitched, Starts, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, Hits allowed, Runs, Earned Runs, Strikeouts, and Wins. He was an All Star and finished ninth in the American League MVP voting.
Detroit was excellent throughout Bridges’ career. The Tigers appeared in the Fall Classic four times: 1934, 1935, 1940, and 1945. They won twice, in 1935 and 1945. In the World Series, Bridges pitched in 7 Games, made 5 Starts, threw 4 Complete Games, in 46.0 Innings Pitched, allowed 52 Hits, 22 Runs, 18 Earned Runs, 2 Home Runs, 9 Walks, 27 Strikeouts, posted a 4-1 record, with a 3.52 ERA, and 1.326 WHIP. Bridges’ success in the Regular Season carried into October. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for seven years, peaking with 7.5% in 1964.
Todd Helton has lived every kid’s dream. The Knoxville native was drafted in the 2nd Round of the 1992 MLB Draft by the Padres, but chose to accept a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee and walked on the baseball team. Helton played 12 games for the Volunteers at Quarterback before an injury allowed Peyton Manning to replace him. Helton turned his attention to the diamond. He played Firstbase and was the Closer. He won the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy as the National Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. The same year, the Rockies selected Helton with the 8th overall pick in the MLB Draft.
After spending just two seasons in the Minor Leagues, Helton was called up. He spent his entire 17 season career with the Colorado Rockies (1997- 2013). He played in 2,247 career Games, scored 1,401 Runs, collected 2,519 Hits, including 592 Doubles, 37 Triples, 369 Home Runs, 1,406 RBI, 37 Stolen Bases, drew 1,335 Walks, 1,175 Strikeouts, with a .316 BA, .414 OBP, .539 SLG, .953 OPS, and 133 OPS+. Helton was a five time All Star, won three Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and the 2000 National League Batting Title. He finished second behind Kerry Wood for the 1998 National League Rookie of the Year Award. Helton is the first player to collect 100 extra base hits in back to back seasons, 2000 and 2001. He is also the first player to hit 35 Doubles in 10 consecutive seasons. He was inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame in 2003 and the University of Tennessee Hall of Fame in 2017. Helton is Colorado’s all time Home Run leader. He was the first Rockie to have his number retired, when Colorado retired his #17 in 2014. Helton has appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for five years. In 2023, he received 72.2% of the vote, falling just 11 votes short of induction. Helton appears headed to Cooperstown in 2024.
The best season of Helton’s career came in 2000. He played in 160 Games, scored 138 Runs, collected 216 Hits, including 59 Doubles, 2 Triples, 42 Home Runs, 147 RBI, with 5 Stolen Bases, 103 Walks, 61 Strikeouts, .372 BA, .463 OBP, .698 SLG, 1.162 OPS, and 163 OPS+. He led the National League in Hits, Doubles, RBI, Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Slugging, and OPS. His 59 Doubles were the most in the Senior Circuit since Joe Medwick’s record 64 Doubles in 1936. Helton’s 103 Extra Base Hits were the second highest single season total in National League history, and the fourth highest in MLB history. He set career bests in Games Played, Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, RBI, Batting Average, Slugging, and OPS. Helton flirted with hitting .400 into August. He was an All Star, won the Silver Slugger, the Hank Aaron Award, and finished fifth in the National League MVP voting.
It took 10 seasons before Helton reached the Postseason. They reached the 2007 Postseason after defeating the San Diego Padres in a winner take all play-in tiebreaker to determine the National League Wild Card. The Rockies then swept the Phillies and Diamondbacks to reach their first World Series. The quick work left Colorado ideal for over a week between clinching the National League pennant and the start of the World Series. The Red Sox swept the Rockies to win the Fall Classic. Helton returned to October in 2009 as the Rockies lost in the Divisional Series to the Phillies. In 15 Postseason Games, Helton scored 11 Runs, collected 12 Hits, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 4 RBI, 8 Walks, 11 Strikeouts, with a .211 BA, .303 OBP, .281 SLG, and .584 OPS. He did not play his best, but the Postseason is a small sample size even for great players.
Tennessee has two Hall of Famers in Lee MacPhail (Executive) and Turkey Stearnes. Todd Helton should join them in 2024. He will not be the last from the Volunteer State to reach Cooperstown. Next, the United States of Baseball heads west to the Lone Star State. Texas is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- South Carolina
The relaxed pace of life in South Carolina mirrors baseball’s leisurely pace. The Palmetto State has sent 241 players to the Major Leagues. South Carolina is a hub for Minor League Baseball with five professional teams spread across the state. The greatest pitcher born in South Carolina is Bobo Newsom. His 51.25 career WAR is the 28th highest for a state or territory pitching leader. The greatest position player from the Palmetto State is Willie Randolph. His 65.90 is the 30th highest for a state or territory position player leader. Combined, South Carolina has 117.15 WAR, the 31st highest in the United States of Baseball.
Bobo Newsom had more terms in Washington than President Franklin Roosevelt, so the joke went. Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom was born in Hartsville. The Right Hander pitched for nine teams during his 20 season career: Brooklyn Robins/ Dodgers (1929-1930, 1942-1943), Chicago Cubs (1932), St. Louis Browns (1934-1935, 1938-1939, 1943), Washington Senators (1935-1937, 1942, 1943, 1946-1947, 1952), Boston Red Sox (1937), Detroit Tigers (1939-1941), Philadelphia Athletics (1944-1946, 1952-1953), New York Yankees (1947), and New York Giants (1948). The journeyman often sought his release so he could negotiate new contracts with other teams. Seeking his release and being traded five times meant Newsom’s longest stint with any team was two and a half seasons.
Baseball history is filled with superstitious players. Newsom was among the most superstitious. He would not pitch if there was paper on the dirt mound. Newsom meticulously picked up every tiny piece of paper, often left by the opposing team, before pitching. Opponents felt this could get Newsom out of rhythm and give them a chance. Newsom pitched in 600 career Games, made 483 Starts, Finished 71 Games, threw 246 Complete Games, including 31 Shutouts, 3,759.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 3,769 Hits, 1,908 Runs, 1,664 Earned Runs, 206 Home Runs, 1,732 Walks, 2,082 Strikeouts, posted a 211-222 record, with a 3.98 ERA, 1.463 WHIP, and 107 ERA+. He was a four time All Star. Newsom won the 1947 World Series with the Yankees. He pitched a 9 inning No Hitter against the Red Sox on September 18, 1934, but lost 2-1 after surrendering a game winning Single in the 10th. Newsom is one of two pitchers, Jack Powell, to win 200 games and post a career losing record.
The best season of Newsom’s career came with the 1940 Detroit Tigers. He pitched in 36 Games, made 34 Starts, Finished 1 Game, threw 20 Complete Games, including 3 Shutouts, 264 Innings Pitched, allowed 235 Hits, 110 Runs, 83 Earned Runs, 19 Home Runs, 100 Walks, 164 Strikeouts, posted a 21-5 record, with a 2.83 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, and 168 ERA+. Newsom led the Junior Circuit in ERA+. Detroit won the American League Pennant by a single game over Cleveland before losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games.
Newsom pitched in the Fall Classic twice, 1940 with the Tigers and 1947 with the Yankees. He pitched in 5 World Series Games, made 4 Starts, threw 3 Complete Games, including 1 Shutout, 28.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 24 Hits, 9 Runs, 9 Earned Runs, 0 Home Runs, 6 Walks, 17 Strikeouts, posted a 2-2 record, with a 2.86 ERA, and 1.059 WHIP. Winning the 1947 World Series was a reward for a long career on bad teams. Newsom was an odd but solid Major League pitcher.
Willie Randolph never gets the respect he deserves from New York fans. The Holy Hill native grew up in Brownsville Brooklyn before escaping poverty to reach the Majors. Randolph was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Draft. He moved quickly through the Minor Leagues to reach Pittsburgh in 1975. The Pirates played their young Second Baseman sparingly in his lone season at Three Rivers Stadium. He was traded to the Yankees with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis for Doc Medich in December 1975. Randolph played for six teams during his 18 seasons career: Pittsburgh Pirates (1975), New York Yankees (1976-1988), Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-1990), Oakland Athletics (1990), Milwaukee Brewers (1991), and New York Mets (1992).
After changing teams Willie Randolph had a long and productive career. He played in 2,202 career Games, scored 1,239 Runs, collected 2,210 Hits, 316 Doubles, 65 Triples, 54 Home Runs, 687 RBI, 271 Stolen Bases, 1,243 Walks, 675 Strikeouts, with a .276 BA, .373 OBP, .351 SLG, .724 OPS, and 104 OPS+. He won a Silver Slugger and was a six time All Star.
Randolph’s best season came with the 1980 Yankees. He played in 138 Games, scored 99 Runs, collected 151 Hits, 23 Doubles, 7 Triples, 7 Home Runs, 46 RBI, 30 Stolen Bases, drew 119 Walks, 45 Strikeouts, posted a .294 BA, .427 OBP, .407 SLG, .834 OPS, and 133 OPS+. He led the American League in Walks. Randolph set a career high in Runs scored and tied his career highs in Home Runs, Walks, OBP, OPS, and OPS+. He was an All Star, won a Silver Slugger, and finished 15th for the American League MVP.
Randolph made it to the Fall Classic four times, but only the 1977 Yankees came away victorious. In 47 Postseason Games, he scored 19 Runs, collected 36 Hits, 6 Doubles, 1 Triple, 4 Home Runs, 14 RBI, 3 Stolen Bases, drew 20 Walks, 15 Strikeouts, with a .222 BA, .304 OBP, .346 SLG, and .650 OPS. On defense, Randolph never committed a Postseason error. He played on several good teams, but never found much success with the bat in October.
After a year in the Front Office, Randolph returned to the field as a coach for the Yankees and Brewers. He won three more World Series in the Bronx before the opportunity to manage his favorite team from childhood, the Mets, arrived in 2005. Randolph led the Amazins from 2005 to 2008, posting a 302-253 record. His .554 winning % is the second best in franchise history behind Davey Johnson’s .588. Ultimately, Randolph, Pitching Coach Rick Peterson, and First Base Coach Tom Nieto were fired while in California on a road trip at 3:15 AM EST. The fires happened following a Mets victory, and winning three of their last four games. The dismissal was strange then and remains so a decade and a half later. Willie Randolph has not received another opportunity to manage despite his success in Queens.
The Palmetto State has sent three players to the Hall of Fame: Larry Doby, Jim Rice, and Ben Taylor. There should be a fourth in Shoeless Joe Jackson, but that is an argument for another day. Next, the United States of Baseball heads west to the Mount Rushmore State. South Dakota is next.
DJ
Be My Valentine
Montreal is not known for its warm weather in early April. However, for the first time the Expos were not concerned about the weather. Instead of fighting the elements at Jerry Park, the ball club was warm and dry inside Olympic Stadium. Montreal had hosted the Summer Olympics the previous summer and now Olympic Stadium was the Expos’ new home. After splitting their first four games on the road, Montreal came home to christen their new ballpark on April 15, 1977. 57,592 fans greeted the Expos as they faced eventual Cy Young winner Steve Carlton. In the Bottom of the 3rd Inning, the Phillies had given Carlton a 3-0 lead. The excitement of Opening Day in a new ballpark was fading. After retiring the first two batters, Montreal’s starting Right Fielder Ellis Valentine stepped to the plate and drove Carlton’s pitch over the high outfield wall. Valentine cut into the lead and gave the fans something to cheer about with the first Home Run in Olympic Stadium.
Ellis Valentine was born on July 30, 1954 in Helena, Arkansas. His family did not stay in the South long, moving to Los Angeles when Ellis was 3 years old. A natural athlete that garnered plenty of attention, Valentine broke his leg and needed surgery to insert a metal rod during the summer before his senior year at Crenshaw High School, the same school that later produced Darryl Strawberry. The injury limited him to playing only First Base. Despite the setback, the Montreal Expos drafted Valentine in the Second Round with the 29th overall pick of the 1972 MLB Draft. He was selected one round before Montreal selected another high schooler from California, Gary Carter.
It did not take long for Valentine to reach Montreal. He debuted for the Expos on September 3, 1975 at just 21 years old. His talents led to a successful 10 season career with four different teams: Montreal Expos (1975-1981), New York Mets (1981-1982), California Angels (1983), and Texas Rangers (1985). Valentine played in 894 career Games, scored 380 Runs, collected 881 Hits, 169 Doubles, 15 Triples, 123 Home Runs, 474 RBI, 59 Stolen Bases, 180 Walks, 462 Strikeouts, posted a .278 BA, .315 OBP, .458 SLG, .773 OPS, and 113 OPS+. He was the lone Expos All Star in 1977.
The best season of Valentine’s career came with the 1978 Expos. He played in 151 Games, scored 75 Runs, collected 165 Hits, 35 Doubles, 2 Triples, 25 Home Runs, 76 RBI, 13 Stolen Bases, 35 Walks, 88 Strikeouts, posted a .289 BA, .330 OBP, .489 SLG, .820 OPS, and 129 OPS+. Valentine set career highs in Games Played, Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, Walks, Strikeouts, and Total Bases. He also tied his career high in Home Runs. On defense, Valentine won his only Gold Glove.
Despite having the best season of his career, Valentine created controversy. In addition to hitting the first Home Run at Olympic Stadium, he was also the first Expo to be suspended. On September 19 against the Phillies, Valentine led off the Bottom of the 4th inning. He drove a ball to left-center. Valentine watched as the ball bounced off the top of the wall and stayed in play. He took off, hustling into Second Base while the fans booed. As Dick Ruthven settled in to face the next batter, Tony Perez, he wheeled around and threw to Second, starting a rundown. Valentine was eventually tagged out. Showered by jeers while leaving the field, Valentine shrugged his shoulders. He repeated the act in a mock curtain call. Expos Manager Dick Williams pulled Valentine from the game, suspended him for the next game, and fined him $500.
The highs and lows of Valentine’s career continued. In May 1980, his cheek was shattered by a pitch to the face. The trauma was more than physical. How could it not? You are not human if a bone breaking baseball to the face does not give you pause as you step into the batter’s box. Beyond the physical toll of playing baseball on Montreal’s hard turf, Valentine’s alcohol and drug use took a toll on his career.
Eventually Valentine needed a fresh start and was traded to the Mets for Dan Norman and Jeff Reardon in May 1981. His stay in Queens lasted a season and a half before he was granted free agency. Valentine signed with the California Angels for the 1983 season. Injuries plagued Valentine, allowing him to play only two Minor League games in 1984. He was released after the season. He played 11 games with the Texas Rangers in 1985 before calling it a career.
Ellis Valentine fought his demons and won in retirement, getting sober in 1986. A victory far greater than any he could ever achieve on the diamond. Valentine has worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, helping others fight their addictions. In 1991, Ellis Valentine appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot. He received a single vote, 0.2%, far below the necessary 5% to remain on the ballot. Ellis Valentine had plenty of talent, but the grind of baseball, injuries, and addiction took their toll on his career. He found sobriety off the diamond after contributing to the game.
DJ
Lessons Learned from Umpiring 1,000 Games
It took seven seasons, but I have umpired 1,000 games. That is a lot of baseball. I have seen the good, the bad, the amazing, and the ridiculous. There is plenty more to see. I have learned a lot along the way. My season normally starts in the middle of March and lasts through Halloween. This year I am working college baseball and my season began in January.
I am too old to chase umpiring in the Major Leagues. Married with kids does not help either. If I started umpiring a decade earlier, maybe there was a chance. There is plenty of other great baseball in high school, college, and the summer to umpire. Plus the travel schedule for professional umpires is ridiculous.
I thought I knew the rules of baseball. When I began umpiring, I realized I knew almost nothing. There are so many rules an umpire must know the moment a situation occurs. Umpiring is more than balls and strikes, fair or foul. Some of the greatest umpiring goes unnoticed. Too often the average baseball fan only focuses on the umpires when they believe a call is wrong, which at the Major League level is rare. The use of replay has corrected wrong calls, but it has also confirmed the amazing work the best umpires do every game.
The more I learn about baseball the less I know. It is impossible to know everything, but I have learned many lessons from my 1,000 games on the field, but here are the nine most important.
- Self preservation is rule #1.
You do not get extra pay for getting hit by the baseball. Pay attention and be ready to move, especially if you are on the infield. Batters will smoke a baseball at you and if you are not paying attention, you will get crushed. Often you only have time to react. Save yourself and then worry about making a call. You are your top priority.
- Hustle gives you a better opportunity to make the right call.
When I began umpiring I was terrible. The only thing I did right was hustle, everything else was wrong. I knew I was missing calls and so did the players, but rarely was anything said because I was running as fast as I could to get the best view I could. In reality I was over hustling and was not ready for the play. I gave myself a chance and with time I learned how to turn opportunities into correct calls.
Sometimes you get to umpire on professional fields. (The Winning Run/ DJ)
- Go slow. Fast calls lead to mistakes.
Making a call too quickly will get you into trouble. Call an out too fast and the fielder will drop the ball. Call a base stealer safe, they will over slide the bag and be tagged out. Call a pitch a strike, the bottom will fall out and it will hit the ground. Your internal clock is running a million miles a minute. Slow down. When you think you have waited long enough, wait some more. No one is watching you, their focus is on the play. Slow down. Simply slowing down allows you to watch the entire play. It is a necessary skill every umpire must master. Watch and hear the play. Did the ball beat the runner, did the fielder maintain possession of the ball, was the fielder in contact with the base, was there interference or obstruction, and other factors an umpire must determine before making a call. Go slow and then even slower. Going slow reduces mistakes.
- Learn from other umpires, good and bad.
Every game is an opportunity to learn. The best resource is often other umpires. People often focus solely on the good things they can learn and ignore the things they can learn not to do. I am constantly learning from other umpires. How to handle certain calls, how to speak to coaches and players, how to present themselves, and so much more. The reverse is also true. I continue to learn what not to do. Poor mechanics, poor professionalism, bad rules knowledge, and many bad ideas. Plenty of calls and situations have piqued my interest and made me dive into the rule book to learn if the call was correct. Learning by doing and seeing is a great tool. You either learn the good, how to properly handle and call a play or situation, or the bad, how to not handle or call it. Either way you become a better umpire.
- Do not take grief. Let people vent but know where the line is.
Every close call makes half of the people involved in the game happy and the other half upset. You cannot please everyone, so do not try. Some coaches understand they are there to educate their players, but many think they are in the Majors and they live and die on each pitch. I will answer a question. Is that pitch outside? Yes. I am not going to do it every pitch, but from time to time sure. I do not tolerate anyone questioning my integrity. Violating the three P’s means they are gone. Anyone who is Profane while they dispute my calls, the discussion is Prolonged, or get Personal will not see the end of the game. Profane meaning you cuss at me. Prolonged meaning to delay the game. Personal meaning you talk about me or using “You” or “You’re” as in “You suck” or “You’re terrible”. I do not look for ejections, but I do eject when necessary.
- Never care who wins the game.
More times than I can count I have been asked where I am from. Coaches trying to be buddy buddy with me or gather information to blame me if their team has a tough game. Fortunately I umpire games far from my hometown so my standard response is “some place you have never heard of.” If they persist I tell them where I am from. No coach has ever known where I am from. Despite what some people claim I never care who wins. The outcome of the game is irrelevant. My focus is on ensuring the game is played by the rules. You can be friendly with players and coaches, but that never gets them calls. I have never cared who wins and never will.
Never a bad day for baseball. (The Winning Run/JJ)
- Players and coaches do not know what they do not know.
“Why is he out?”
“The pitch was a strike and it was strike three.”
“But he didn’t swing. You can’t strike out without swinging, everyone knows that.”
The things players, coaches, and fans say can baffle you as an umpire. After the above exchange, I had to walk away. There was no point in engaging with a coach who was so certain and yet so wrong. The Infield Fly Rule is a favorite of those who believe they understand the rules and yet are clueless. If a coach or player comes to you about a call, be prepared for anything. It is your job to know the rules, it is not your job to educate them. Umpires enforce the rules, they are not guest lecturers.
- No one notices you until you make a mistake, or they think you did.
One of the hardest things as an umpire is to catch grief for making the correct call. Often players, coaches, and fans do not know the rules or lack the view to make your call. Umpires are nearly invisible until a call goes against their team, even if it is correct. Self doubt can creep in. Umpires can never make everyone happy, but sometimes you are right and people still scream. Know when to ignore, warn, and eject.
- Shade is underrated.
Baseball fields can feel like the surface of the sun. It is even worse on turf. During the Summer it is not uncommon to umpire four to six games in a day, eight to twelve hours on your feet in the heat. Finding shade, even for a minute, can save you. Briefly shutting your eyes, relaxing, and cooling off gives you a chance to focus for the next game. Shade is your best friend.
I have learned a million lessons about baseball and life on a baseball field. Each has been invaluable in my continued development as a person and umpire. No one has all the answers. Anyone who claims they do should be avoided. I continue to learn as the games and years go by. Life and baseball are a never ending classroom. When you pay attention you give yourself the opportunity to learn. It is best to listen and watch twice as much as you speak, and when you do speak, you should respond, not react. Maintaining control on the field is as important as maintaining your curiosity in life. Umpiring can teach you many things, but it is up to you to learn.
DJ
Riverfront Remembered
We all have that one ballpark we grew up going to. It may be a Major League, a Minor League or Independent League ballpark, or the local diamond. No matter our age, when we think about it we can feel and smell the ballpark like we were transported back in time. For Cam Miller the love and devotion to Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium leaps off the screen. In Riverfront Remembered, Miller allows the ballpark to do the talking. There are few spoken words in the film. Rather the pictures, sounds, and film from the inception to the demolition of the ballpark do the talking. If you love baseball you understand, deep in your soul, what Miller lays before you.
Riverfront Stadium was gone before I moved to the Queen City. However, the memories I have from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium allow me to understand the importance of a demolished ballpark. The progress of a city and sport all but demanded Riverfront’s replacement, as it too replaced Crosley Field. Ballparks help to tell the history of a city. They are like every other building, they either give way to progress or stay long enough to become historic. Riverfront Stadium was not Wrigley Field. It served its purpose for Cincinnati, but it was far from elegant. It was utilitarian as the Reds and Bengals played on the thin astroturf, destroying player’s bodies one game at a time.
The ghosts of the past still linger. (Cam Miller)
Miller notes the various locations around Cincinnati where Riverfront Stadium could have been built. One of the possible locations would have meant my century old home would no longer be standing. It would have been knocked down for the ballpark or a surrounding parking lot. Amazing how a decision by Cincinnati City Council altered my life, decades before I was born.
Riverfront lived a great life, but it was time to move on. Progress came to the banks of the Ohio River. Progress from astroturf to natural grass, from the cookie cutter ballparks to the modern ballpark. Ballparks with character and soul that are beautiful to look at. Yet for all of the progress, there is a nostalgia for the times gone by. You went to the ballpark to watch a baseball game, not to be bombarded with noise, lights, and endless promotions. Going to a ball game is no longer simply about baseball.
Remembering Riverfront is a terrific trip down memory lane. It helps if you are familiar with Cincinnati and the Reds, but the film tells a universal story about the connection between ballparks and fans. The stadiums may not be comfortable or aesthetically pleasing, but with the distance created by time every ballpark becomes magical. Riverfront Stadium is gone, but the memories are shared by baseball fans everywhere. Nothing can ever replace the love you have for your home ballpark.
Remembering Riverfront is full of nostalgia. It has the ability to tell a story that every baseball fan understands deep in their soul with only a few words. The pictures and sounds of the ballpark do the talking. Cam Miller understands how to stay out of the way while honoring an old ballpark in Remembering Riverfront. The film earns a 9 out of 10, a Grand Slam.
DJ
Support Your Local Baseball Team
MLB gets the lion’s share of attention. The best players are on these teams, thus the best baseball to watch is at an MLB game. Below this top level is the Minor Leagues, Independent Leagues, College, High School, and youth amatuer baseball. There is no wrong way to consume baseball, but expanding your horizons allows for more consumption.
The experience of going to an MLB game is different from a local little league game. The play on the field and the facilities are vastly different, yet the entertainment can be equal. Baseball is a game, and games entertain.
College Summer Leagues are fantastic. The Cape Cod League is the dominant league, drawing the best players from around college baseball. A who’s who of college baseball. The Northwoods League is another terrific College Summer League. These types of leagues are spread out across the country, it only takes little effort to find the schedule for your local team. The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League is my local league. The teams run from southern Ohio up Interstate 75 into Michigan. The players mostly come from local colleges, but some play their college ball far away. All of these players are working on their craft and competing at a high level.
A few weeks ago, my brother in law, daughter, and I watched the Cincinnati Steam host the Xenia Scouts at the Cincinnati Reds Urban Youth Academy. There was nothing grand about the facilities, just a turf field under the lights. A Public Address Announcer playing music as batters walked to the plate, but otherwise it was a no frills operation. The play on the field was great. Solid pitching, hitting, and fielding. College baseball looks and feels different than even the best high school games. There are no easy outs. No watching a pitcher warm up and knowing the batters are about the feast. You get an honest baseball game as the players compete and use their skills to win.
Some of the players on the Steam and Scouts will play professionally. A handful of alumni from the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League have reached the Majors. For others, this is the highest they will go. Regardless how far a player goes, a lifetime of dedication to baseball is on display. You can sit right on the fence and watch them ply their craft. It was a great night of baseball. The Steam emerged victorious. I do not remember the score, but what I enjoyed most was watching good baseball and enjoying the company. Baseball is a game and it is supposed to entertain. Instead of giving MLB all of your time and money, spread your love for baseball around to those working towards the highest level. It will give you a greater love for the game. Baseball gives you what you give it.
DJ
Back to School
Baseball is more than MLB. There is high level baseball played in leagues not currently locked out. Over the weekend I went to a college game and it was just as exciting as MLB, honestly maybe more so. The University of Cincinnati Bearcats hosted the Northwestern University Wildcats. This was a NCAA Division 1 matchup between the American Athletic Conference and the Big Ten Conference. Due to impending bad weather Sunday the teams played a Doubleheader on Friday and another on Saturday. We caught the second game of the Saturday Doubleheader. My brother in law, my oldest daughter, and I sat as far down the Left Field line as we could. No one needs to take a foul ball off the dome, especially a toddler.
Admittedly I knew little about either team before the game, so I did a little research. The University of Cincinnati has had 50 players drafted and seven make it to the Majors. The most successful alumni is Kevin Youkilis and his 32.4 career WAR. The recent other notable alumni for the Bearcats are Josh Harrison and Ian Happ. Northwestern has had 133 Wildcats drafted and 29 reached the Majors. The highest profile alumni is current Phillies manager Joe Girardi. Other former Wildcat players include J.A. Happ and Mark Loretta. Undoubtedly there are other great players who for various reasons never reached or achieved success in the Majors.
One of the biggest complaints about MLB is the cost of attending a game. Tickets, parking, food, and drinks can quickly run over $100. It would have taken quite an effort to reach the $100 plateau at this game. Tickets were $5 for the adults and free for my daughter. Parking was also $5, even this could have been reduced if we found street parking and walked to the field. There was no sticker shock at the concession stand either. Two beers, two hot dogs, and popcorn for less than $25. The food was solid, some of the best hot dogs I have had at a ballpark in a while.
The game itself was great. It was close early before Cincinnati pulled away thanks to a three Home Run game from JP Sponseller. The Bearcats cruised to a 16-5 victory. There were plenty of opportunities to cheer, which my daughter was more than happy to do for both teams. The game’s outcome did not matter to me. It was about spending time at the ballpark with my brother in law and daughter. We watched and talked baseball while she colored, ate hot dogs, and walked up and down the aisle. She liked looking down at the Cincinnati bullpen and cheering when something happened. Three hours of entertainment for everyone. I was in my happy place.
One of the great things about watching college baseball is not being blasted with advertisements or unnecessarily noise. One of the biggest takeaways from the 30 in 30 roadtrip is how MLB never allows fans to simply enjoy the pause between innings. There is always something in your face or ears. Yes there was a race between a cow and a hot dog, the hot dog won, but this felt like the entertainment from Minor League Baseball, not the overstimulation at a Major League game.
It was great going to the game just the three of us. Ultimately going to the ballpark is about watching the game and spending time with your friends and family. The game itself is secondary to the time you set aside to ignore the real world, relax in the sun, and watch a children’s game. I will take my daughter back to many more college baseball games. There is nothing better than some quality time together with baseball.
DJ
Burning It Down
Major League Baseball does not know how to get out of its own way. Instead of a buzz around pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, everyone is wondering how long the lockout will last. MLB took a hit when it trimmed and reorganized the Minor Leagues. Now it is proposing reducing the number of minor leaguers from the remaining teams. This comes after the reduction of rounds in the draft, thus fewer opportunities to play professional baseball. This with the ongoing saga of how poorly minor leaguers are paid and taken care of by a multibillion dollar sport.
This infighting is horrible. This is not what Bart Giamatti meant by “It is designed to break your heart” in The Greenfields of the Mind. For three decades baseball had labor peace while the only major American sports tried to tear themselves apart. The lessons from 1994 have been forgotten. Compromise is a four letter word in today’s world. Giving an inch is treated as a treasonous act. Compromise is how things get done. Agreeing where you can and work towards each other where you differ. No agreement is perfect, but burning the house down because you don’t like the drapes is not how you redecorate.
Baseball will not come through this unscathed. This goes beyond MLB, the game itself will be hurt. Stars like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr, Corey Seager, or Aaron Judge are not promoted on the national level like the stars in other sports. Once again MLB missed the boat. Baseball is losing ground and the lack of leadership is leading the game into the abyss. Baseball is becoming boxing. Boxing lost its way when people’s greed overtook their love of the sport. The future of boxing be damned, I’m taking every last penny. The owners and players both want as much of baseball’s profits as possible. They should, it is a business. However, the owners seem willing to let it burn if the players do not relent. Are the players justified in every demand? That is debatable. What is not up for debate is the unwillingness of the owners to actually negotiate. We are not in the room, but going from a proposal to a counter proposal to seeking mediation seems like bad faith negotiating. It’s convenient that the owners, people and companies, run to the government now but do their best to keep the government away when it comes to taxes and ensuring they follow the law.
This labor dust up is dumb. It is hopefully a strange silver lining for those MLB has sidelined or hindered in recent years. MLB and the Players Association seem worlds apart and the only baseball on the horizon is College, Independent, and MiLB. These teams, players, coaches, and organizations are promoting and growing the game. When a coach, who played professionally, speaks, players listen. Giving back to baseball is not reserved for Major Leaguers. It is a high school coach who never played beyond high school. It is the former minor leaguer who is an assistant at the local junior college. It is the 12 year Major League veteran managing in independent ball. Impacting the game is everyone’s job. It is a sad time for baseball’s highest level, but we should focus on promoting the teams and leagues below MLB that impact every community, big and small.
DJ
United States of Baseball- North Dakota
North Dakota has the fourth smallest population and is the least visited state in America. The winters can be brutal on the Great Plains, yet the Peace Garden State has sent 20 players to the Majors. The greatest pitcher born in North Dakota is Rick Helling. His 20.95 career WAR ranks 50th among state and territory leaders. The greatest position player from North Dakota is Darin Erstad. His 32.29 career WAR ranks 45th. Combined, North Dakota has a 53.24 WAR, ranking it 49th in the United States of Baseball.
There are many ways someone can be involved with baseball and Rick Helling was not afraid to branch out. The Devils Lake native was pitching for Kishwaukee College when the New York Mets selected him in the 50th round of the 1990 MLB Draft. He did not sign. Two years later, Helling was taken in the 1st round, 22nd overall, out of Stanford University by the Texas Rangers. The Righthanded Pitcher pitched for 12 seasons with five teams: Texas Rangers (1994-1996, 1997-2001), Florida Marlins (1996-1997, 2003), Arizona Diamondbacks (2002), Baltimore Orioles (2003) and Milwaukee Brewers (2005-2006). He pitched in 301 career Games, made 234 Starts, with 22 Games Finished, 10 Complete Games, 4 Shutouts, 1,526.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 1,540 Hits, 842 Runs, 793 Earned Runs, 247 Home Runs, 562 Walks, 1,058 Strikeouts, posted a 93-81 record, 4.68 ERA, 1.377 WHIP, and 101 ERA+.
Helling was a solid pitcher regardless where he pitched. On August 13, 1996, Helling threw a Perfect Game for the Rangers Triple A team, the Oklahoma City 89ers, against the Nashville Sounds. Back in the Majors, Helling set a Major League record by allowing 66 Doubles in 2000 and then surpassing his record with 68 in 2001. No pitcher wants such a record, but Helling could still retire batters when needed. Injuries are part of baseball. Helling missed the 2004 Major League season after breaking his leg during Spring Training with the Twins. He decided to leave the Minnesota organization in late May, becoming frustrated pitching in the Minors. Everyone needs a mental break and Helling was back on a professional mound in 2005. Injuries continued to follow him. Helling was impaled in his forearm by a broken bat while pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers Triple A team, Nashville Sounds, against the New Orleans Zephyrs on May 27, 2005. He recovered and returned to the Majors later that season. In his final season, Helling pitched an Immaculate Inning on June 20, 2006 against the Detroit Tigers. He threw nine pitches, recorded nine strikes for three strikeouts. It was the 40th Immaculate Inning in Major League history. He joined an elite club, as there have been fewer Immaculate Innings than No Hitters.
Off the mound, Helling served as a Player’s Union Executive Board Member from 1999 to 2007. He was an early critic of the lack of testing and punishment for those artificially enhancing their skills during the Steroid Era. After retiring, He was named a Special Assistant to Donald Fehr, head of the MLBPA, in 2009. Helling served the game on the diamond and at the negotiating table.
Helling’s best season was with the 1998 Texas Rangers. He made 33 Starts, threw 4 Complete Games, including 2 Shutouts, 216.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 209 Hits, 109 Runs, 106 Earned Runs, 27 Home Runs, 78 Walks, 164 Strikeouts, posted a 20-7 record, 4.41 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, and 109 ERA+. Helling tied for the American League lead in Wins with David Cone and Roger Clemens. He set a then Rangers record with 11 Wins on the road. He also set career highs in Wins, Complete Games, Shutouts, and Strikeouts. Helling finished 21st for the American League MVP.
Helling pitched in the Postseason four times. He appeared in 8 Games, made 2 Starts, with 1 Game Finished, 25.0 Innings Pitched, allowed 25 Hits, 13 Runs, 12 Earned Runs, 5 Home Runs, 8 Walks, 26 Strikeouts, posted a 0-2 record, 4.32 ERA, and 1.320 WHIP. Helling’s former Marlins teammates awarded him a 1997 World Series ring for his early season efforts despite a midseason trade. He earned a second ring after a late season trade back to South Florida with the 2003 Marlins. Being a good teammate has its benefits.
Darin Erstad is a true athlete. His high school in Jamestown did not have a baseball team, so he played American Legion. He was named the AP North Dakota Athlete of the Year in 1992. Erstad earned a scholarship to the University of Nebraska. Once at Nebraska he shined on the diamond and the gridiron. Erstad was the Starting Punter for Nebraska’s 1994 National Championship winning football team. He played in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1993 and 1994 with the Falmouth Commodores, winning the league MVP in 1994. Erstad was inducted into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2001. At Nebraska he set the career record for Hits, 261, was a First Team All American, and a Golden Spikes Award finalist in 1995. Erstad was inducted into the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Drafted in high school, but not signed, by the New York Mets in the 13th round of the 1992 MLB Draft, Erstad was selected 1st overall by the California Angels in 1995. He played 14 seasons with three teams: California/ Anaheim/ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1996-2006), Chicago White Sox (2007), and Houston Astros (2008-2009). In 1,654 Career Games, Erstad collected 1,697 Hits, 316 Doubles, 33 Triples, 124 Home Runs, 699 RBI, scored 913 Runs, 179 Stolen Bases, 475 Walks, 939 Strikeouts, .282 BA, .336 OBP, .407 SLG, .743 OPS, and 93 OPS+. He was twice an All Star, won a Silver Slugger, and three Gold Gloves. Erstad won two Gold Gloves in the outfield. He then moved to First Base and won a third, becoming the first player ever to win a Gold Glove in the outfield and on the infield. In 2000, he became one of five players to hit a lead off and walk off Home Run in the same game.
The hitting abilities of a player often gain the most attention, however Erstad was one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball history. Patrolling the outfield in Anaheim, Erstad played in 887 Games, 7,219.2 Innings, had 2,239 Chances, made 2,179 Putouts, 50 Assists, committed just 10 Errors, turned 13 Double Plays, posted a .996 FLD%, 127 Rtot, 2.78 RF/9, and 2.51 RF/G. His FLD% was 0.011 above league average. His Range meant he made 0.46 more plays per nine innings and 0.22 more plays per game. As a Center Fielder, Erstad’s .9968 FLD% is the best since 1901. His .9955 FLD% in the outfield overall is second best, trailing Jon Jay by 0.0003%. When the Angels moved Erstad to First, his defense remained solid. He played 627 Games, 5,021.1 Innings, had 5,127 Chances, made 4,784 Putouts, 320 Assists, committed 23 Errors, turned 435 Double Plays, posted an identical .996 FLD%, 20 Rtot, 9.15 RF/9, and 8.14 RF/G. Erstad earned 10.8 career dWAR. He was a solid, all around player. He appeared on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, earning 0.2% of the vote.
Less than a year after retiring, Erstad was back on the baseball field as a volunteer hitting coach for the University of Nebraska’s. He became the Head Coach in 2011. Erstad coached the Cornhuskers for 8 seasons. He led the team to the 2017 Big Ten Regular Season title, earning the Big Ten Coach of the Year award.
The best season of Erstad’s career was with the 2000 Anaheim Angels. He played in 157 Games, collected 240 Hits, 39 Doubles, 6 Triples, 25 Home Runs, 100 RBI, scored 121 Runs, 28 Stolen Bases, 64 Walks, 82 Strikeouts, .355 BA, .409 OBP, .541 SLG, .951 OPS, and 137 OPS+. Erstad became the first lead off hitter in Major League history with 100 RBI in a season. He won the Silver Slugger, finished second for the American League Batting Title, and eighth for the MVP. He led the Junior Circuit in Plate Appearances, At Bats, Hits, and Singles. Erstad set career highs in Games, Plate Appearances, At Bats, Runs scored, Hits, Triples, Home Runs, RBI, Stolen Bases, Walks, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, and OPS+. He also tied his career high in Doubles.
Erstad played in the Postseason three times with the Angels, elevating his play in October. In 29 Postseason Games, he collected 40 Hits, 9 Doubles, 3 Home Runs, 12 RBI, scored 18 Runs, 4 Stolen Bases, 5 Walks, 17 Strikeouts, .339 BA, .368 OBP, .492 SLG, and .860 OPS. He helped lead the Angels to the 2002 World Series, catching the final out to crown the Angels World Series champions. Erstad became the second North Dakotan to win a World Series after Roger Maris.
There are no North Dakotans in the Hall of Fame. Roger Maris is among the greatest players not enshrined, with many believing he should join his fellow legends in Cooperstown. Maybe one of the Hall of Fame’s committees will eventually agree. Next week the United States of Baseball heads to the Midwest and the Buckeye State. Ohio is next.
DJ
The Winning Run 