Rounding the Bases: Dec 6th, 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFiekJb2HLQ
Out. The Glenn Burke Story is an incredible documentary and I can not wait to own a copy of my own to share with friends. Regrettably, I missed the debut screening of this at the Castro theater here in SF a few weeks back but THIS youtube user has put up the entire documentary split up in 5 parts. Check it out, you wont regret it. It is a heartbreaking story but also very informative with lots of great interviews and takes on Burke’s life and career which both were unfortunately cut short. The Glenn Burke story is tragic and one can only hope that in time things can and will change in regards to the issue of homophobia in sports.
A few weeks ago it was announced that long time ESPN Sunday Night Baseball announcers Joe Morgan and Jon Miller will not be returning to the broadcast booth for the 2011 season after 21 years. I really cant stand Joe Morgan in the broadcast booth as he often infuriates me with his know-it-all outlook on the game when he is often wrong but in a weird twisted way I will miss the team of him and Miller. Sometimes Morgan is just so off his rocker that it offers comedic entertainment and Miller is one of the all time greats in my opinion. I have a feeling we wont be seeing the end of the Miller-Morgan duo.
On Wednesday, 48 year old Major League Pitcher Jamie Moyer had Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm after injuring his elbow in the Dominican Winter Leagues in November. Moyer is now Major League Baseball’s oldest Tommy John surgery patient. As of now he plans on taking the 2011 season off to rehab and be ready to pitch again by Spring Training 2012 at at age 49. Moyer made his MLB debut in June 1986 with the Cubs (a week after I finished kindergarten!) and is currently the only player left in the big leagues along with Omar Vizquel to also play in the 1980’s. I wish him the best of luck with the rehab and will be anxiously awaiting his return to the mound.
I just found out a few days ago (how did I miss this??) that 5 Weeks ago on Halloween that Artie Wilson passed away at the age of 90 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. During his career, Wilson played on the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, the Oakland Oaks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Rainiers, Portland Beavers, and Sacramento Solons of the PCL and spent some time with the New York Giants of the MLB in 1951. Wilson’s career was fascinating for various reasons and I strongly suggest doing some research on him as he had a remarkable career.
I wont get too deep into it, but everyone should know this: He hit .402 in 1948 as a Shortstop for the Black Barons (Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941) so in a sense he is the last true major leaguer to hit over .400 and don’t even try and tell me that the Negro Leagues were not the same caliber talent-wise with the Majors. Also, he took a young Willie Mays under his wing as his pupil in 1948 while both played on the Black Barons. 3 years later in 1951 in a strange twist of irony when Mays was called up to the New York Giants to make his MLB debut, it was Wilson who was sent back down to the minors to make room for the Say Hey Kid. Rest in Peace Artie, Baseball will miss you you.
(Warning: this one is a little personal) Today the Boston Red Sox successfully completed a trade with my San Diego Padres to acquire All-Star & Gold Glove First Basemen and San Diego native Adrian Gonzalez. In return the Padres received prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes and a player to be named later. None of the players are Major League ready and will not make an impact on the team for several years. It’s hard to see the positive in this trade as a life long Padre fan however, I understand why it had to happen but it still doesn’t soften the blow. This is Major League Baseball in this day and age and its unfortunate that bloated payroll teams such as the Yankees and Bosox can go after anyone they want with their deep pockets. I have 4 things I want to say about this trade:
1) Adrian will always be a Padre and there is already talk about him finishing his career in SD. Hypothetically, if he ever makes the HOF he better go in with that SD hat on.
2) I knew he was gonna have to go to somewhere that could afford what Adrian is worth but I really didn’t want to see him in with the Bosox. I guess it’s good that I will not have to see him playing the Padres in the NL.
3) This is 110% soon to be ex-owner John Moores fault for destroying this teams payroll due to his divorce and forced selling of the team. Thanks John, the city of SD and Padres fans everywhere thank you for collectively fucking this team for which will probably be half a decade due to you and your wife. Moorad and Hoyer better get this thing in gear as fan moral is easily at the lowest it has ever been since the early 90’s Werner fire sales.
4) As bitter as I am about the trade, I am happy that Adrian will get the money he easily deserves once his extension is completed. Congrats Gonz, no one deserves it more than you.
ninety feet of perfection. 