The M & M Boys

-

Thinking a lot about baseball these days.

Sadly I'm considering retired Yankees.

Jeter is going after Rivera, Andy and Jorge have gone recently. O'Neill left after 2001 and that one is still tough. As was Bernie leaving and Donnie Baseball before that.

All tough to watch the sport after each of them left.

And in my mind's eye I still see them as they were on the field. Big, fast, strong and able to handle the 95 MPH heater.

Nice shot of Mantle and Maris, huh? That photo was from 1961.

I wasn't even here yet, but I remember those days because I've read about them, watched movies and listened to stories.

Everyone liked Mantle better.

Yet I think Maris is a real figure in the history of baseball.

He was a Yankee power who was being rooted against in his own park. People were okay with Mantle breaking Ruth's record, but Maris wasn't considered worthy.

He did it anyway.

And then the commish put the kabash on it saying that they'd add an asterisk because he did it in 8 more games.

Maris was never really the same. His cigarette habit killed him. The Yanks sort of dumped him.

And then the ultimate slap in the face was when stupid Mark McGwire and Big Dope Sammy Sosa attacked his record. The fact that McGwire stood with his family and accepted the congratulations is still the lowest point of the steroid problem to me.

Yeah...even lower than A-Rod.

And then big-headed Bonds broke it too.

It should still be Roger's record.

Put the asterisk on those cheating bastards marks.

The thing about the photo is that Maris has hit the homer and Mantle is shaking his hand. They said they didn't shake hands much. They were friends, but they didn't showboat.

Maris also has his head down. He was always sort of ashamed of what he was doing.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The single-season Home Run Leader...

...Maris, 61.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more