…the maple kind
Kruk & Kuip really are funny. Funny how? You know funny when they talk about broken bats. Specifically, broken maple bats. The comedy starts when there’s a broken bat and Kuip asks Kruk, “What kind of wood was that bat?” And Kruk drops the line from one of the most watched and funniest videos on YouTube, “the maple kind.”
OK, if you’re one of the only nine people left on the planet who haven’t see the talking dog Kruk is quoting, here’s the YouTube link:
SAY HEY! Happy 81st Birthday Willie Mays!!
In honor of Willie Mays’ 81st Birthday today Punky G. is re-printing an excerpt from a piece written by Roger Angell in The New Yorker on May 27, 1991. The article came from his visit to the Giants Spring Training camp that year, and is titled “Homeric Tales.”
Hank Aaron 755
Babe Ruth 714
Willie Mays 660
Frank Robinson 586
Harmon Killebrew 573
Reggie Jackson 563
Mike Schmidt 548
Mickey Mantle 536
Jimmy Foxx 534
Ted Williams 521
Willie McCovey 521
Willie Mays, sole proprietor of the six hundred level on the distinguished list above, still looked loose when he once again came to Scottsdale for the spring semester as some kind of coach for the Giants. (One Giants official, asked by a visiting TV reporter for Mays’ job description, said, “Willie’s work here is to be Willie Mays.”) Some mornings you could hear Mays’ boyish, high-voiced, jabbering way of talking even before you got through the tunnel into the clubhouse, and you’d find him in there perhaps autographing boxes of team baseballs at a table while he agitated with the clubhouse man and anybody else around. Each day, he wore a faded pink polo shirt with “Say Hey” over the breast. He looked his age – he just turned sixty – but you could still see the thick muscles under the now softer skin in his forearms. He was a little impatient when I asked him to remember a home run for me – I hadn’t stopped to think what sort of catalogue selection this would entail – but then he said, “Home run against Claude Raymond, in the Astrodome. Somebody was on first, and it tied the game. Jim Davenport won it for us in the eleventh or twelfth inning. Raymond threw me thirteen fastballs, and I fouled them off. The ball went over the fence in left-center field. What year? You’d have to look it up. Ask Claude Raymond – he probably knows it better than I do. That was the only dramatic type of home run I ever hit.”
Tracking this one down took a while, but the trip was worth it. Lon Simmons, a handsome, deep-voiced veteran California broadcaster, vividly remembered the confrontation and its result, and said he thought that the blow had been Mays’ six-hundredth round-tripper. Not quite, it turned out. No. 600, on September 22, 1969, was in fact a game-winning pinch-hit job, down in San Diego, when Mays batted for George Foster and hit one out against a rookie pitcher named Mike Corkins.
“Why’d it have to be me?” Corkins said disconsolately to his manager Preston Gomez, after the game. (I found the tale in Charles Einstein’s book “Willie’s Time.”)
“Son,” Gomez said gently, “there’ve been five hundred and ninety-nine before you.”
I continued the quest over the telephone once I got home, helped immeasurably by a bulldog Giants media person at Candlestick Park. “What about this one?” she said, evidently consulting some thick Book of Willie out there by the bay. “August 29, 1965 – a three-run homer against Jack Fisher of the Mets, in the ninth inning. It was Willie’s seventeenth of the month.”
“Sorry,” I said. “It’s got to be in Houston.”
“Hmmmm. Well – Oops, how about June 13, 1967? Mays failed as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, in Houston, but stayed in the game and won it with a grand slam against Barry Latman. It was his first slam since ’62.”
“Wrong pitcher,” I said. “It sounds exciting, but who are we to say?”
There was another pause, and then she had it. The homer, Willie’s No. 501, had indeed tied up the game, just as Mays told me, in the Astrodome on September 14, 1965 – a fearsome month in the National League, I recalled, when the Giants had fought off two or three closely pursuing clubs, only to fall to the Dodgers near the end. Mays, going for the fences in the ninth, had become “embroiled in a prolonged battle with reliever Claude Raymond,” my faraway researcher read aloud, and had fouled off four pitches before “sending the ball soaring four hundred feet over the center-field fence.” Davenport’s pinch-hit single then won the game, in the twelfth.
Four foul balls?” I went to Claude Raymond, just as Willie had told me to in the first place. Possibly the only Quebec-born right-hander yet to attain the majors (Denis Boucher, a habitant rookie twirler with the Blue Jays, throws left and bats right), Raymond had wound up his career, predictably enough, with the Montreal Expos in 1971, and had then stayed on as a color commentator for the club. I called him at home, and he remembered the moment at once.
“I threw Mays thirteen straight fastballs,” he said, even before I could ask. “And he fouled off thirteen. Jay Alou was the base runner on first, and Mays was up there to hit a home run. All those fouls were nicks or little ticks back to the screen – nothing close to a base hit. Then I threw one more, a little inside, and Willie bailed out but opened up on the ball at the same time, the way only he could do, and it went out. I remember Paul Richards, our general manager came up to me afterward and said how happy he was I’d gone fastball all the way. He said it was a great duel.”
I told Raymond that Mays had described it as the only dramatic home run of his career.
“Well it’s a great compliment,” Raymond said, in his pleasing North Gaul tones. “You can thank him for me.”
Willie was right about the thirteen fouls, after all, but perhaps we can quarrel with him just the same. David Bush covers the Athletics for the San Francisco Chronicle, and when I asked him to remember a homer for me he came up with a long standoff game he’d listened to at home, on the radio, back when he was a freshmen at U.C. Berkeley n 1963. “That game matched up Juan Marichal, of the Giants, against Warren Spahn, and it went on interminably,” Bush said. “No score after nine innings, no score after twelve. Both the starting pitchers stayed in there. I was a Giants fan, of course, but by this time I was rooting for Spahn, because of who he was and because he was just about at the end of his career. Willie beat him, 1-0, with a homer in the bottom of the sixteenth. I didn’t see it, but I still feel as if I almost saw it. It was that kind of hit.
David’s story reminded me of something, and when I got home I dug out my files of the SABR Bulletin, a useful newsletter published for members of the Society for American Baseball Research. There, in the February, 1991, issue, I reconfirmed the news: Willie Mays is the only major-league ballplayer to have hit a home run in every inning from the first through the sixteenth; moreover, he leads all comers with twenty-two lifetime extra-inning home runs. (Jack Clark is second, with seventeen.) Too bad none of them were dramatic.
Happy Birthday Willie Mays!
The Legendary Cabell Baseball Draft: Established 1970 – The Oldest Fantasy Baseball League In The United States…
Here’s the generally accepted version of history when it comes to the origin of fantasy baseball in the America:
The invention of fantasy baseball is commonly attributed to Daniel Okrent, the author and magazine editor, who devised a version in late 1979 or early 1980 and invited friends to begin a league in Manhattan. Participants in a Rotisserie league draft notional teams from the list of active Major League Baseball players and play out an entire imaginary season with game outcomes based on the players’ latest real-world statistics.
WHOA! HOLD IT! STOP THE PRESSES! REWRITE!
Here are the facts: The first fantasy baseball league was started on Friday, March 31, 1970 in a downtown office in San Francisco. It was organized by a dedicated group of baseball aficionados and became known as The Cabell Baseball Draft. This is first organized fantasy baseball league in the United States. And it’s still going strong!
Established March 31, 1970
The legendary Cabell Baseball Draft (the oldest Fantasy Baseball League in the United States) will hold it’s 43rd draft on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Plaza Suites Hotel in Santa Clara, California. First pitch (pick) is at 11:30am. Sharpen your spikes and pencils!
I joined the league 10 years ago, in 2002. But these guys are the true pioneers of fantasy baseball. Their first draft date (03-31-1970) pre-dates all other fantasy baseball and rotisserie leagues by at least 10 years! It’s time to rewrite the history of fantasy and rotisserie baseball and give credit where credit is due. The Cabell Baseball Draft is the granddaddy of them all! Roger Cabell (Commissioner), Robert DeBarr (Secretary to Commissioner), and Phil Johnson are three of the original owners (and are still active in the league). All three deserve to be enshrined in the Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame!
I think a similar rewrite of history occurred with Christopher Columbus, whom for centuries was credited with discovering America. Until they unearthed a Viking’s helmet and realized they’d been playing football in Minnesota long before Columbus reached our shores.
The Cabell Baseball Draft is a story filled with tradition, joy, sadness, family, friends, but above all else a love of baseball. In 1970, there were only 9 franchises. Over the years, the number of franchises has grown to 16 and includes a rich legacy of fathers, sons, and even grandsons. Franchise owners have come from a variety of fields, banking, advertising, law, technology, produce, wine sales, and real estate spanning more than four decades!
The Cabell Baseball Draft Owners Meeting in Santa Clara April 4, 2009
Several owners have retired, some have vanished, and six have passed on to the big draft board in the sky. RIP – Walt Anderson, Mort Herrmann, Gene Linehan, Jim Farley and Tim Farley-RIP. But the Cabell Baseball Draft just keeps rolling along! Over the decades, the annual Cabell drafts have been held in San Francisco, Brisbane, Los Gatos, Dana Point, Santa Clara, Portola Valley, San Jose and even on Catalina Island!
Hey why is the picture Of The Cabell Draft Owners from Catalina so fuzzy? Oh yeah, what happens on Catalina stays on Catalina!
Just like real baseball, the rules have changed a little over the years. But the Cabell Baseball Draft is basically a keeper league with players drafted to fill all nine positions, with five starting pitchers, one closer, one designated hitter and six bench players. This adds up to 21 players on each roster. Each year, players drafted in the first two rounds (and the DH) along with all bench players must be released at the end of the season. Starting in the third round all players drafted are considered keepers. In addition, owners are only allowed to retain 10 players and must voluntarily release two other players, before the start of the next season.
What’s great about the Cabell Baseball Draft is you don’t need a computer or calculator to keep track. All you need is a box score. The scoring is based on just three player statistics listed in every box score.
Home Runs = 1 point
Wins = 2 points
Saves = 1 point
The challenge of the Cabell Baseball Draft is to find position players who hit the long ball, pitchers who know how to win, and closers who can seal the deal. BA, RBI, SB, BB, for hitters, and OBP, ERA, WHIP, Ks for pitchers don’t really add up to anything in this league. It may sound simple, but just like real baseball it’s damn hard to build a winning franchise and move up in the standings!
I got the call to join the Cabell Baseball Draft in the spring of 2002 from my life-long friend Danny DeBarr. My brothers and I had grown up on the same block with Danny in San Jose playing street baseball, trading cards, and going to Giants’ games. He was just a couple years younger than me. When Danny called me I noticed he was coughing every few seconds. What I didn’t know was that Danny (at just age 43) had somehow contracted lung cancer. Even though he never smoked a day in his life. Sadly, Danny passed away that August leaving behind two young daughters and a wife. Just like baseball, there a moments that can break your heart.
Oh Danny Boy... 1958-2002
But life and baseball go on. And so does the Cabell Baseball Draft. I’m looking forward to draft day next Saturday. I’m also looking for couple power hitting outfielders and two starting pitchers who can rack up the W’s.
You can judge a season by a magazine cover: BEAT LA!
Here’s my current roster with scouting reports:
OF – Giancarlo Stanton (MIA) The Miami masher! Where’s Mikey?
OF – (OPEN)
OF – (OPEN)
1B – Eric Hosmer (KC) Last name should be Homer?
2B – Kelly Johnson (TOR) Good pop for a two-bagger.
SS – J.J. Hardy (BAL) Another 30 HR season?
3B – Mike Moustakas (KC) This kid can rake!
C – Matt Wieters (BAL) Finally living up to hype…
DH – (OPEN)
SP – Josh Johnson (MIA) Stay healthy ace!
SP – Dan Haren (LAA) 16 W’s possible with Pujols?
SP – Mat Latos (CIN) Better team = more W’s?
SP – (OPEN)
SP – (OPEN)
CL – J.J. Putz (ARI) 40 save formula: 3 Ks in the 9th
Hey, how did I end up with two J.J.’s on my squad?
The key to success in the Cabell Baseball Draft is to always be on the lookout for young up and coming talent! Baseball skills help too.
Anyway, it’s going to be a great season… B. J., Rick & Jeff, Phil & Bob Day, Mike & Brent, Tom, Don, Young Bob, Jim & Kev, Tony, Bull, Joey, Rog, Ray & Dan, and Old Bob… Play ball! 
Crashing The Cottonwoods… what a steal!
Punky G’s Scottsdale Spring Training Scouting Report continues… Currently crashing The Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort & Suites (6160 N. Scottsdale Road) just 3.5 miles from Scottsdale Stadium… So far staff and junior management have totally bought into our promise of unlimited free pub on the Punky G. blog site in exchange for a nice little suite with poolside amenities. Sweet!
On the baseball front, I can report the Giants are looking to steal, steal, and steal more bases in 2012. Punky G. likes this idea! My sources heard Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan were working on sliding drills. Remember, it’s only stealing if you get caught. For those keeping score at home, it looks like this on your scorecard: CS2(2-6) runner caught stealing 2B (catcher to shortstop)
Other items to report before the first Spring Training game at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday include a Willie Mays sighting! He was holding court with a group of younger players and they appeared to be hanging on his every word. They better be if they expect to hang around the SHOW. Something else worth noting is that in addition to Melky Cabrera adding more speed to the top of the Giants order he also has an above average arm in the outfield, and that could mean more put outs on runners trying to advance.
Other baseball related items of import include an email from the Office of The Commissioner of the Cabell Baseball Draft informing me the 2012 draft will be held on Saturday, March 31st (either in Santa Clara or Los Gatos). Exciting! Time to put down the SI swimsuit edition and start crunching the pre-season MLB mags…
I’ll tell you more about this legendary baseball fantasy league in my next report. For the record, the Cabell Baseball Draft is now heading into its 43rd season as the oldest and most continuous baseball fantasy league in the United States! It’s a keeper league and only three baseball statistics are counted: home runs, wins, and saves. It may sound easy, but like baseball it’s damn hard! Stay tuned…
Punky G.’s Spring Training Schedule for Scottsdale Stadium:
Sat. Mar 3 vs. Diamondbacks at Scottsdale Stadium
Mon. Mar 5 vs. Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium
Wed. Mar 7 vs. Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium
Fri. Mar 9 vs. Reds at Scottsdale Stadium
Cactus League Dispatches From The Pink Pony…
Punky G. will be posting Giant Spring Training updates from the legendary Pink Pony in Scottsdale Arizona for the next week or so… at least until they ask us to pay the tab. You can only get so much swag, gratis, and “on-the-house” before the promise of free online publicity in the Punky G. blog starts to seem like a bad trade. And speaking of bad trades, many involving the Giants were hatched right here at The Pink Pony (affectionately known as the Pony to regulars) over a double on the rocks. All Giant fans should have a little understanding of the role this famed establishment has played in the team’s history, both good and bad.
OK, for starters this is the new Pink Pony, the old Pony closed in 2009. After original owner/host Charlie Briley passed away in 2002, he left the restaurant to his wife Gwen who oversaw operations and ran the place before eventually putting the Pony up for sale in 2008. In 2009, the Pony closed and remained dark for a couple of years. The site was purchased by new owners in 2010 for $1.1 million and re-opened in 2011. They tried to keep the look and vibe of the old Pony and on the surface have done a pretty good job. Is the food as good? Are the drinks as strong? Are the stories any better? You’ll have to judge for yourself. Punky G. is not one to be criticize when working on an “open tab” However, I can share a little bit of history with you.
Those were the days…
Over the years, the Pony was a hangout for baseball greats, their fans and longtime locals. The establishment received widespread acclaim. Baseball writer Roger Angell with The New Yorker touted it as “the best baseball restaurant in the land” and in 1986 Sports Illustrated declared it “the most popular hangout for baseball people in the civilized world.”
The old Pony was a sort of Mecca: Giants memorabilia covered the walls behind the bar and you can almost hear Frank Robinson ordering a beer with his steak and see Chub Feeney puffing on a big, smelly cigar while sitting on a stool at the end of the bar. The Pink Pony was as much to Arizona baseball as was Mays, McCovey and Marichal were to the Giants in the 60s.
Here’s a short dispatch on the old Pony by Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle on March 1, 2008:
A jovial Billy Martin had his spot at a corner table, approached only by friends. The literary set met baseball royalty when Roger Angell and Ron Fimrite joined Bill Rigney and Chub Feeney. There was a night in the early ’80s when the bar-side patrons included Eddie Mathews, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Willie McCovey and Ernie Banks – five Hall of Famers.
That was the Pink Pony, jewel of the southwest, in its prime. It remains one of the great baseball establishments in America, always at its best during spring training, a place to gather and talk the game and gaze upon priceless memorabilia collected by its late, great host, Charlie Briley.
Things aren’t quite the same around the Pink Pony these days. Charlie’s widow, Gwen, has put the place up for sale, lending an air of melancholy to those aware of the development. There hasn’t been as much interest as Gwen would prefer, but it’s only a matter of time before someone steps up with the cash.
To whomever that person or group may be, a plea on behalf of everyone who passed through those doors: Take good care. Don’t turn the place into a trinket shop, a hair salon or an ice-cream parlor. Keep the Pink Pony’s good name and leave those walls untouched.
This marks the 60th year of the Pink Pony in the greater Phoenix area, and the 38th at its Scottsdale Road location. Over the years, it was a haven for managers, general managers, former players, even some active guys grabbing a steak dinner. Trades were made on the pay phone, writers’ stories outlined on cocktail napkins. A bunch of us got an unexpected trip to Arizona during the 1989 World Series, when the Loma Prieta earthquake forced the A’s to set up an emergency training camp, and I set up my computer right on the bar one evening to hammer out a story.
When I dropped in late Thursday afternoon, to the backdrop of a gorgeous Arizona sunset, I was drawn to a photo of the young Ted Williams alongside Babe Ruth, retired but wearing the Yankee uniform, around 1939 or ’40. Briley’s collection of bats, mostly wooden commemoratives from past World Series, lines up handsomely behind the bar. With a little imagination, you can hear Martin, Gene Autry, Harry Caray, Bob Uecker and so many others whose voices rang out through clouds of cigarette and cigar smoke.
In these health-conscious times, it’s OK to have lost the smoke. The rest of the Pink Pony’s aura should be nurtured and preserved as long as pitchers and catchers report to the Arizona desert, christening the arrival of spring. This “For Sale” sign carries a prerequisite.
And now a glimpse to the future…
First up… The G-Men launch their 2012 Cactus League play next Saturday (March 3) against the D-Backs at Scottsdale Stadium. This little gem of a desert ball park is actually celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year (Opened in 1992). Which was almost the Giants last season in San Francisco (remember when we thought they might be headed to Tampa?) Seems like ages ago… Hey bartender! Hit me again with another story from the old days…
