Jim Tyrone- 1970's Cubs and A's

Jim Tyrone played for the Cubs in 1972, 1974, and 1975, and he played most of the 1977 season with Oakland. He sent a nice note recently.

He says that he really doesn't have a favorite team though he does follow the Rangers, as he lives in their area.

He tells me that Billy Williams will always be his favorite former player. He helped Jim with his hitting. He says Dick Williams is a close second.

He loves watching Mitch Moreland with the Rangers. He feels that Mitch will be a great player as he matures.

baseball Interactions

Hey, I stumbled over another cool blog recently that I thought others might enjoy. The blog's author has left a couple of comments here, and it looks like he is doing a fun job of documenting his correspondences with former players too!


Check out baseballinteractions.blogspot.com

Kim Andrew 1975 Red Sox

Kim Andrew played a couple of games for that great 1975 Boston Red Sox team!

Kim let me know a little bit about himself recently.

He says that, since he lives in the LA area, he usually gets the Dodgers games. He is pretty busy these days though, so it is hard to watch them. He usually sees the highlights on cable.

Right now he says that he has no favorite teams.

He did meet Ryan Braun a couple of years ago, and he has followed his career. He feels that Braun is putting up some good numbers and could eventually make it to Cooperstown.

Mr. Andrew spent some time playing in Italy and I asked him about this. He said it was a fun place to play and to visit, but it was not much of a challenge for him. Plus, the country's main sport is soccer.

Indianapolis Indians

I know, I have mentioned the Indianapolis Indians here a zillion times, but here I go again! I got to see my first game in Indy a few weeks ago. I really look forward to my visits in this town.

If you have never spent a weekend in Indianapolis, do it! Seriously, get a room downtown for the weekend, preferably a 3 day weekend, if not longer. Several museums are within walking distance, and the Circle Center Mall is just a great, cool place in my books. The Pacers, Colts, and Indians all play within walking distance of most of the downtown hotels. Indianapolis is a very alive town with music, theater, and restaurants too.

Victory Field (they have not sold the naming rights- a very classy move!) is one of my favorite parks. it is roomy, and the staff has always been friendly.

I love the skyline too. It seems have been in change over the last few years, but it looks right now. You can see the major hotels and other buildings from the park, including Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Eagles Nest rotating restaurant on top of the Hyatt Regency.

The team has fun promotions too. When I went in April, the entire team was signing autographs on the concourse!

One more thing. The Zooperstars were there too! I am starting to think that those guys are following me around! I don't mind though, they are always fun!

"The Bullpen Gospels" by Dirk Hayhurst

The "Bullpen Gospels" by Dirk Hayhurst is one of my new favorite baseball books. I think "Everything Happens in Chillicothe" is still my all time favorite baseball book, but this might be a close second.

Hayhurst writes a very fun and entertaining book about players having a good time in the minors, hoping to make their way up to the majors.

There are many, MANY fun stories in here. If you like reading a book simply for fun stories about baseball's minor leaguers, you can't go wrong with this book.

Dirk is open about his own personal flaws in the book. He even reveals some moments when he has been vain and a little uppity.

There is a fun story about Dirk, humbly volunteering at a soup kitchen. He thinks that some of the people coming in for food might enjoy having an autographed baseball card from him. Obviously, a signed baseball card is pretty meaningless to some of the folks coming in. Dirk ends up helping one of the people in need by trading his good shoes for the man's worn out footwear.

Another time, Dirk is dealing with his stresses in life (family problems, career choices,etc). He gives a baseball to a young disabled boy who actually can't even grasp the ball. He realizes that his problems do not seem so significant.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the Frontier League. Frontier League managing legend John Massarelli makes an appearance in this book, which is pretty cool with me. On an unrelated topic, why hasn't affiliated baseball given this guy a chance??

Oh, Yoda and the Baseball Grim Reaper show up too! Both are fun characters, but I am more impressed with Massarelli myself.

Anyway, this is a really nice book.

Bowling Green Hot Rods

I did swing by the Bowling Green Ballpark in 2009, before it was completed. I have tried to get back each season a time or two for a game, but I have not been able to mostly because of weather. Well, recently, I was finally able to catch a game there!

I have always thought that Bowling Green was a great town. Plus, it is so close to the cave area, and even has some cave's right in it (Lost River Cave, for example).

I think the town has taken some of the momentum that Owensboro once had. I think a minor league ballpark is a perfect example. I am very glad the Owensboro has the Owensboro Oilers now, but the town came close to see a professional team a few years back when the Frontier League thought about putting a team there. Well, Bowling Green finds a way to get an affiliated team to come to town!

Bowling Green has done a great job with this park, and with this team. The park is near the college campus, and a little ways off from the mall. It is close enough to the stuff you will want to see in town, but still in its own space.

So, we arrived at the ballpark about an hour before the start of the game. I asked at the ticket window for seats under a roof area as there was a drizzle going on. We got two great ones for $10 each behind home but covered! Perfect! And, in my books, a good value.

The guy running the gift shop seemed knowledgeable about baseball, the team, and the park. EVERYONE that I talked to at the park seemed proud of their association with the team and they acted happy to be there.

Bowling Green Ballpark is not a park with all of the bells and whistles you see at other parks, which, in many ways, is nice. Physically, I might even describe it as standard. Let me clarify how I feel a bit- it was pleasantly traditional. They have a very nice, spacious concourse area, a bar, and a nice gift shop. It doesn't have the loud, obnoxious, cluttered feel some parks can have.

Concessions were more than reasonable. We had two souvenir cup drinks, and two dogs (quality dogs too by the way, not the 6 in a pack kind). That was around $12.

I had heard that the park uses a lot of netting. Personally, I hate netting, but it is appropriate here as the park has a smaller feel, and the seats are close to the action. I did not mind the netting as much as I thought I might. There are some areas on the sides with no netting too.

As we left the park, a staff person thanked us for coming out. That was nice! Again, the staff seemed happy to have each fan out at the park. Other parks, take note!

Oh, there was a marriage proposal at the game I went to too! Very nice!

"I Told You I Wasn't Perfect" by Denny McLain

I recently pick up "I Told You I Wasn't Perfect" and read through it pretty quickly. Denny McLain is easily one of the more odd characters in recent baseball.

There is something very likable about him. He is interesting, he has dabbled in flying, business, gambling.... and baseball. In fact, he probably had one of the best seasons a pitcher could possibly have in 1968.

But... there is something very unlikable about him too. He spends time doing some bad things that hurt a lot of people. He spends time in jail. He associates with questionable characters.

He does come off as a family type of guy who loves his wife and kids. You hope Denny McLain, at some point, redeems himself.

In this book, Denny kind of does at the end, after leaving jail. He talks openly about his ego and his need for taking chances.

This book does make you feel some sympathy for Denny in a lot of ways. The death of his daughter is very tragic. The fact that he was such a superstar who takes such a fall is very sad. The fact that at one point he finds himself working at a convenient store is depressing. He was humble about it, but still, you feel bad for him. He was on the cover of every major magazine at one point just a couple of decades earlier.

I met Denny once at a card show in Detroit (see photo). He was very friendly, and seemed happy in general. He was kind to all of the fans. I remember telling him that it was good to see him there. He said that he was glad to be there!

I am all for giving someone a second chance, but Denny seems to get several second chances.

As far as baseball personalities go, Denny is a one of a kind. I like reading about him. I think, a decade from now, people will really be fascinated with him. I would love to chat with Denny about baseball and his life. I would not, however, go in to business with him.

Oh, Denny does talk in this book about his first professional baseball team, the Harlan Smokies! he is not very kind to the people of Harlan at that time (his descriptions of the area and people are not flattering), but it is still great hearing a little about Denny's brief time with that team. He says he throws a no-hitter in his very first game for the team. I like that Kentucky connection!

Willie Norwood 1977-1980 Twins

Willie Norwood spent some time playing for Minnesota in the later 70s mostly.

He took the time to answer some questions recently!

I asked him if he had a favorite team in the majors or minors. I also asked if he had a favorite player. He said, "no" to these questions.

He did mention that he remembered playing for one of my favorite teams, the Mud Hens.

He also said that he did not have any stories relating to baseball and Kentucky.

Thanks Willie!

Jack Baker- 1976-1977 Red Sox

Jack Baker spent some time with the Red Sox in 1976 and 1977.

He let me know recently that he still follows the Red Sox and the Braves. Also, he follows the minor league teams in Pawtucket and Birmingham.

He mentions that his favorite players are Jim Rice, and now Kevin Youkilis.

As a kid he loved Mantle, and says that he has read most books on Mickey.

Ross Seaton- 2009 Lexington Legends

Former Legends pitcher and 2008 3rd round pick Ross Seaton sent a note recently.

Ross is not pitching for AA Corpus Christi in his home state of Texas.

He says that he loved playing in Lexington. He made a lot of friends at a local church!

He says that the league was great, except for the travel.

Right now he is happy to be playing back in Texas. With justified confidence, Ross says that he can only imagine how great it will be to play in his home town!

Tom Bruno- 1976-1979 MLB

Tom Bruno spent time in the late 70s playing for the Blue Jays, Royals, and Cardinals. Tom now spends time fishing and hunting professionally! My dad is jealous!

I asked him specifically about playing for the Mud Hens in Toledo. He says that he really doesn't remember a lot about that time (blogger's note: as much as this blogger enjoys Toledo- autographed hot dog buns, a great art museum, and strangely named sports teams, I understand that there are those who see the town as unremarkable).

I asked Tom about books, and he mentions Doug Gladstone's "A Bitter Cup of Coffee". That one is about former major leaguers who's playing time ended before 1980, and they lost out on some significant benefits.

Concerning Kentucky, Tom mentions that he has done some championship walleye fishing at Cumberland Lake!

Wild Pitches

It is a very interesting time for baseball right now.

I caught a report on NPR that Barry Bonds has offered to pay for the college educations of the children of Bryan Stow. Stow is the Giants fan who was attacked by a couple of fans at Dodger Stadium.

Personally, I am not a fan of Bonds. I can think of many reasons to not be a like him as a player. this act, however, is classy. I tip my hat to him on this one. In my opinion, acts like that can really help a guys image.

Randy Savage

I really hate to admit it but when I was a kid, I loved wrestling. I think all boys do.

I am not a fan these days. I cringe a little every time I am at a ballgame and they play the Ric Flair "Whoo!" over the PA. I think to myself this is baseball. The outcome is not pre-determined. I wish they would play a Vin Scully call instead, or maybe a John Fogerty song clip.

But, when I was very young, every kid I knew loved wrestling- including me.

I remember seeing Randy Savage and Austin Idol at the Sports Center in Owensboro beating each other red with a strap one night. Another time, Savage and his brother, Lanny Poffo wrestled Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. Savage tried to pile drive Morton on the announcers table. The crowd unloaded on Savage like he was Freddy Krueger. THEY HATED HIM. Savage convinced the fans that he wasn't just trying to win a match. He was trying to put someone in the hospital... or worse.

Savage ALWAYS looked wild eyed and ready to hurt someone. Especially someone that the fans loved. He looked like he had just had a couple of drinks and was ready for a bar fight if someone looked at him the wrong way. He had to be the most intense human alive.

You had no doubt that if Savage saw Ricky Morton at the mall, or at Wal-Mart, he would try to pile drive him there too. Savage truly sold his bad guy image in a way that no one could pull off today.

Later in his career, when he became more famous, his character was watered down. He dressed in colorful costumes and hung out with the comic book like Hulk Hogan (who, at the time, was literally copyrighted by Marvel Comics). Sadly Randy Savage became likable.

Before his career as a wrestler, he was a minor league baseball player. jimmy Piersall was one of his minor league team managers (I know their conversations were probably strictly about baseball, but it is fun to imagine those two guys sharing a dugout having strange conversations about running the bases backwards).

He never made it past low A, but by all accounts, he was very determined. Sports Illustrated has a nice write up on their site about his playing days. The local paper here in Lexington also had a very nice article, interviewing local baseball legend Doug Flynn about his friendship with Savage. Flynn knew him in baseball circles, AND officiated one of Savage's wrestling matches later.

I felt sad when I was told by a buddy that Savage died a couple of weeks ago. Some characters are very easily duplicated, but there will never be another one like Randy Savage.

Elmer Kelley Stadium- Madisonville Kentucky

Digitalballparks.com really deserves a lot of credit. It might be my favorite site these days.

They have done a great job of covering parks everywhere that have been used professionally at some point.

In fact, I found out about this park while visiting that site.

So, thanks to Digitalballparks.com, I spent a few moments visiting this former home of the Madisonville Miners.

I was there on a very rainy, muddy day. I hope to catch a game there at some point since the park is so nice, and so well preserved.

Sam Bowen- 1977-1980 Red Sox

Sam Bowen played for the Red Sox from 77-80 in a few games. He also spent a lot of time with the AAA Red Sox team, and he played EVERY inning of the 33 inning game between the Paw Sox and Rochester Red Wings!

He mentions that Dan Barry just released a great book about the game!

Sam tells me a great story about Kentucky. In his first year at AAA, 1977, he was in spring training and his team had no home. The previous year in Pawtucket, the owner bankrupted the team! Boston had to find a new AAA home quickly!

Well, Louisville was the leading choice, and the Red Sox had been there some time before. Sam says that right before the AAA Red Sox broke camp for Louisville, the AAA Pawtucket team was sold, and the new owner paid all debts!

Thanks for the great story Sam, and for the tip off about the new book about the longest game! I picked up a children's book about the longest game when I visited McCoy Stadium a few years back! I am glad a new one is out there!

Doug Clarey- 1976 Cardinals

Doug Clarey played for the Cardinals during 1976.

"although my major league career was relatively short, I cherish each and every memory. I am a very lucky and blessed person to have had the opportunity to play professional baseball" he tells me.

He mentions that he now lives in LA, and follows the Dodgers, though he doesn't stay up on all of the current players in baseball right now.

He mentions that the game now is very different from when he played in the 70s. He feels that change has been influenced by the huge salaries the players are paid now.

He feels that players in the 70s were more fundamentally sound than the players now.

I asked him about the Holyoke Millers in Massachusetts. He says that he remembers Matt Gilante was his manager, and the town was charming. He enjoyed playing there.

Doug mentions that he is one of the 13 players who had short but successful careers mentioned in the book, "A Glimpse of Fame" by Dennis Snelling.

Concerning Kentucky, he says that he doesn't remember playing in Kentucky.

Craig Cacek 1977 Houston Astros

Craig Cacek made it to the majors with the Houston Astros, playing in 7 games in 1977. He recently sent me a very nice note!

In his letter, he recommends reading Roger Kahn's "Good enough to Dream." He says that it is a fantastic book about the minors.

He also mentions that he loved reading "Ball Four" as a kid.

Craig says he is mentioned in 3 books- "One Hit Wonders" by George Rose, "The Portland Beavers" by Carlson and Andersen, and "Nearly the Greatest."

He mentions that he never had a major league baseball card, but he had some from the minors from 77-82.

Concerning his favorites, he says that he loved the 62-68 Yankees growing up. He especially loved Mantle. His other favorite players were Kaline and Rusty Staub.

I specifically asked Craig about playing for the Charleston Charlies. He says that he loved playing there, and the fans were great. His two favorite cities were Portland and Charleston.

About Kentucky, Craig says that he never played in the state. He also clarifies that he has never been here, but he would love to see the horse country and the Derby.

Mike Rogodzinski- 1973-1975 Phillies

Mike Rogodzinski sent me a very cool, and very honest note recently about his time in baseball.

If you read my blogs often, you know I love reading books about baseball, and baseball with a connection to Kentucky. Mike let me know that he was part of a book about Jim Bunning by Frank Dolson.

Mike said that he loved playing in Reading for the R-Phils. He hit one of the longest homers in Reading Municipal Stadium history. Mike said that, at the time, Maris was the only other player to hit the ball over the right field wall and into the street. Mike says that experience made him feel great!

I asked Mike about playing for the Mud Hens. Mike said that he didn't think much of playing in Toledo.

I also asked him his opinion about the way the game is played today.

"Players today can't do any of the things that make the game great."

He says that pitchers can't bunt, outfielders can't hit the cut off men, and defense is non-existent.

Hey Mike, thanks for the note!

Hensley Field- Lakeland Florida

I know, I picked a bad time to visit a park and get photos. Still, I got a couple of shots of the other Lakeland area park that has hosted the Tigers for spring training.

Kal Segrist 1952 Yankees, and 1955 Orioles

Kal Segrist played in 20 games during 2 years in the majors. Kal sent a note and answered some questions for me recently.

He lets me know that he played for the Kansas City Blues in Louisville for his first series in professional baseball. He would visit Louisville often over the next four years in baseball.

He started out playing shortstop. He was moved all over, and finally ended up at third.

He says that he really doesn't care for professional baseball now, feeling that it is about the money and not about team spirit.

Kal recently had his 80th birthday, and I really appreciate his taking the time to send a note!

Butch Wynegar 1976-1988 Major leaguer

Butch Wynegar spend most of his career with the Twins, then he spent the mid 80s with the Yankees. he finished his career with the Angels in 1987 and 1988.

He had a great career, and he is one of those great characters in the game who could probably retire and be happy, but he is still around the sport as a coach in AAA!

I asked Butch about his career. "I am starting my 5th year as AAA hitting coach for the NY Yankees this year. It is nice being back with the Yankees as a coach!"

Cy Buker- 1945 Brooklyn Dodgers

Cy Buker played in the majors 65 years ago! During WWII he was able to spend some time with the Brooklyn Dodgers!

Cy VERY kindly sent a great note to me recently.

I asked Cy about other players, playing in Kentucky, and some other things.

He told me that his memory is faint these days. He says that he remembers playing in Louisville, but he can't remember the name of the hotel his team stayed in.

He says that he had all sorts of records relating to his career but they were stored in an attic. He rented the house out, and the renters cleaned out the attic.

Concerning playing in Louisville, he says that he remembers flooding. He tells me that, as the teams train would come approach Louisville, all you could see was water.

Also, when his team was scheduled during Derby- things would get wild.

He spent four years in the old American Association, and he says that he enjoyed every minute of it.

He says that Louisville always had a good ballpark with long fences, and well maintained grounds. He says there weren't any parks better. He enjoyed pitching there.

He mentions some of the other parks he pitched in. He mentions Minneapolis was brutal for pitchers. He says you could almost spit over the right field fence from home plate!

He says that Columbus, Indianapolis, and Kansas City were OK.

Cy, thanks for the letter, and all of the info! I appreciate your taking the time to write!

Gary Wheelock- Angels and Mariners

Gary Wheelock played some games for the Angels in 1976, and he played for the Mariners in 1977 and 1980. He kindly took the time to send me a brief note recently!

He let me know that Sandy Koufax was his favorite player.

I asked him about playing for the Spokane Indians specifically, and he said that it was a pretty city with good fans.

He also mentioned that his favorite baseball movies were "Field of Dreams" and "Damn Yankees".

Bruce Von Hoff

Bruce Von Hoff played for that very early Astros team between 1965 and 1967.

He sent a nice note about his playing days, and answered some questions.

He says that he loved playing, but now he does not follow any teams.

I asked him if he had a favorite baseball book, and he mentions Willie Mays' "The Life, The Legend."

I also asked him about playing for the legendary Asheville Tourists in 1969. He said that he "had a blast" in Asheville. He mentions that he loved the drinking water and the cool evenings. He also says that he had some great teammates who were a bunch of cut- ups.

I asked Bruce if he had any good baseball stories relating to Kentucky. He said that he did not, but he did go to the same high school (Batavia, IL.) as basketball legend Dan Issel!

Jim Strickland 1971-1973 Twins

Jim Strickland pitched for the Twins in the early 70s, and he briefly joined the Cleveland Indians in 1975. Jim sent me a great note recently.

I asked him about stories relating to my state. "No Kentucky stories" he tells me.

He goes on with a great story about playing for the Pocatello Chiefs in Idaho. His manager at the time was Tom Lasorda! Well, the future Dodgers manager started a brawl against Idaho Falls. It was the 25 players from Jim's team, against the 42 with Idaho Falls. Jim was pitching that day. The fight lasted 20 minutes, and Jim stresses that everyone fought.

Jim fought the pitcher for the other team. Jim says that after the fight ended, he was the first hitter- hitting against the guy he was just fighting! Jim hit a line drive between the pitchers legs and drove in two runs.

This was Lasorda's first year managing. Jim says he knew Tommy for a long time- he was the scout that had signed Jim!