Scott Simkus

Does Lou Brock fit in with this group? Not sure how the metrics grade him

And the second guy is the tall, thin, silver-haired 68-year-old recent retiree. Always a big smile from clean living. He’s an associate pastor at the evangelical church and even though he’s never even sipped a beer he DOES spend a LOT of time with his model train set in the basement, sniffing glue

Two guys running the craft beer booth at the old ball yard. First one is the sweaty, leathery 44-year-old dude, divorced, affable and quick-witted, but dying to get home for a double-vodka soda and a couple bong rips. His mother is sending $450 to his apartment, to help him “get out of a jam.” 1/2

Random: All-time pitching great Walter Johnson started 5 games in center field during his career.

It’s in Pooperstown

Bluesky Baseball Bookclub (Triple-B): Reading suggestion, this biography of Oscar Charleston is excellent. Jeremy Beer has done an amazing job bringing this legend to life.

Compared to how we view spring training today. If you have any ?s, feel free to ask. But bottom line, before WWII, teams played to win in spring training. They had to, the results mattered and were part of the public relations leading into the season. Looking forward to 2026! Who will make history?

For many years, the St Louis Cardinals and Browns would lock horns in a short series at home, right before the season. The ballpark would be packed, the regular starting lineup was used, as were the starting pitchers. The papers treated these games like the World Series. It’s jarring, (contd).

Start mixing in games with other MLB teams. Because several cities had two big league teams, there would often be a matchup or series between crosstown rivals just prior to the start of the regular season. Although largely forgotten now, these preseason matchups were a big deal…(contd)

In 1909, the Chicago Cubs went 15-1-1 in their spring season, while the crosstown White Sox went 22-5-1. The Sox started their spring season two weeks earlier by setting up base camp in San Francisco. The Cubs set up shop in Hot Springs, Arkansas. On the long train ride home, the teams would (contd)

If a club lost 2 or 3 in a row to a Pacific Coast League team, the hometown sportswriters traveling with the team would turn apoplectic. Losing was cause for alarm, it did not bode well for the upcoming season. But as one could imagine, big league clubs won most of their spring training games..contd

How the spring training schedules were structured. Most of the games were played against minor league teams, with a handful against college or even industrial teams. On extremely rare occasions MLB clubs would take on a high school team. Given the schedule, obviously they were expected to win! Contd

Even second tier stars, such as HOFer Enos Slaughter, remembered having to give it his all in spring training, because “there were a bunch of guys there who wanted to take my job.” So he had to bust ass, just like a rookie, to keep his spot with the Cardinals. But the biggest difference was…contd.

First off, yes: star players sometimes “held out,” or delayed their arrivals at spring camp. Before Curt Flood, this was one of the very few negotiating tactics at their disposal. But for most, they had full-time jobs during the winter and needed to fight for their spot on the team. Contd.

Spring Training is just around the corner. It’s an exciting time for us baseball weirdos, even though the games themselves don’t matter very much. But before World War II, the spring games were much different than today. Starters played most of the time, and winning mattered. I have details…

Big fan of Herman Franks over here

NBA thoughts: Trying to find a comp for Cooper Flagg. It’s tough, he’s so uniquely talented. Best I can come up with is Bobby Jones, IF BJ had crazy handles and could shoot. It’s not an insult. CF is amazing. Tied with LBJ and Moses Malone for best teen ever. He could surpass them if he stays hot

Never seen that one before! Cool

I’ve lost track, who is Jamie Moyer pitching for this season?

Wild stuff in the NBA last night, three shutouts. Doesn’t happen often.

When I see T-206 cards I’m grateful for all the chain-smoking men (and children) from 100+ years ago who made this all possible.

Bubblegum Bludgeon: The Topps Card Caper

I would purchase this book, Rob. The specialty cards, too! My goodness what a fun idea. We just need to uncover an old, unsolved murder mystery at the vacant Topps factory in Duryea, PA to wrap the story around.

The oddity is the Red Sox were infamously the last of 16 teams to integrate after Jackie Robinson, but actually the second team to have a former Negro Leaguer on their roster (1925), 34 years before Pumpsie Green.

You’ve forgotten Mike Herrera, who started in the Negro Leagues, went to the American League (Red Sox), then went BACK to the Negro Leagues!

I cracked slabbed cards like a muthaf*ckr during Covid. Low grade 1933 Goudey Hack Wilson? Had to be able to hold it. No regrets. They’ll all be dust again anyway in good time

Topps. Something regal about the pose, like a Roman bust of a young man poised for greatness. And indeed, he achieved it, however briefly. The injuries and illness would curtail his career, but those of us of a certain age remember. He was, albeit briefly, as good as Willie Mays.

Was not aware Strat-O-Matic included a card for Moonlight Graham on their special 1905 NY Giants team set. Terrific #fieldofdreams

The Baseball Hall of Fame is a very cool museum. Every fan should visit Cooperstown at least once in their lifetimes. Just know that many of the best players (especially those of recent vintage) are not included and may never be included as official members, and that’s just the way it goes.

Love how we have people who apparently don’t even *like* the game of baseball voting for Cooperstown candidates. Great system.