My father in-law gave his Topps baseball card collection to my son. Like most boys did at the time, the cards were taped on to loose leaf paper. Here are the “Boys of Summer” 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers: Roe, Snider, Gilliam and Robinson.

Edgar’s final at bat

Edgar Martinez was overlooked by the Baseball Writers of America again yesterday. Total shame.
The DH rule has been in place for 40 years this season. Ironically, the rule is older than the Mariners.
The statistics are real and even more impressive given the steroid fueled era in which he played.
He lead teams by example: 7 All Star Games, 2 batting titles and 4 playoff appearances. It is time for a truly great DH to be honored at Cooperstown.

As is often said in baseball, “Wait ’til next year.”

First perfect game in Mariners history. Leading the AL in strikeouts. Perfect game. Cy Young contender. A memorable season.

Here are two fans who are excited to be a part of the next King’s Court!

Boston Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky passed away today at 92. We shared a brief moment at Fenway’s 100th celebration. Thanks again to my Dad for incredible seats right behind the “X” on the Red Sox dugout. I noticed Bobby Doerr and Johnny Pesky sitting by the dugout an pulled out my camera. After a few clicks, he turned, looked at me and pointed. Then he gave me the thumbs up! I never saw him play, but I know what he meant to my dad, the team and the legion of Red Sox Nation. Godspeed, Mr. Pesky.

By far and away the most exciting baseball player, I have ever seen play is Ichiro Suzuki. Traded from my Mariners yesterday. As a fan, thank you for 12 exciting seasons.

I have been fortunate to attend some amazing baseball games. Fenway’s 100th anniversary game last Friday will join that list — not for the Red Sox play, but for the amazing pre-game celebration. Nearly all living, former Red Sox players took the field.

The best seats I have ever been in put the game over the top. Right on top of the “X” on the Red Sox dugout. The game and the players were so close you caught every word. Plus it allowed me to capture this great shot of legends Johnny Pesky and Bobby Doerr. Thanks for the thumbs up, Mr. Pesky!

I clipped this article from Forbes in 2001 thinking that someday, I would get a new glove or have to break in a glove for my future kids. The future came to be the other day. I tried this one second hot water dunk on my son’s glove in preparation for the upcoming t-ball season. It worked amazingly. The glove broke-in nicely and he even stands a chance of catching a ball.

Forbes: Breaking in a New Glove

As thoughts turn to the rites of Spring, two excellent baseball reads from the early 20th century.
1) The Unforgettable Season by GH Fleming
The National League Championship Season of 1908 was one of the greatest ever. The Cubs, Giants and Pirates battled down to the wire. This is one of Sports Illustrated’s top 100 sports books of all-time which brought it back into print. Copies are much easier to find today than they were when I first learned of the book about 15 years ago.

2) You Know Me Al by Ring Lardner
My brother gave me a copy of this book about 20 years ago. It is a great and fun read as a hayseed pitcher tires to make it with the White Sox in 1916. Copies on Amazon or on the Internet at the link above.

Ron Santo was finally elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame today. It should have happened a long time ago. Growing up in Chicago, Santo’s legacy loomed large over the very unremarkable Chicago Cubs teams of the late ’70′s. Now with Ernie Banks and Billy Williams, he will be a part of Cooperstown. He was a workhorse playing the hot corner and hitting with power. He was an All Star nine times.

Santo also has the distinction of being the best player ever from Seattle.

I never got to see him play and I never met him. When he passed away around this time last year, this article was the best read on the man.

Also worth reading is Larry Stone’s fine article.

Bob Feller passed last week and so did a little of baseball history. Richard Goldstein’s NY Times article is the best write up on the pitching legend.

In my youth, my father and I bonded over baseball like so many Americans. We had a different twist in that we also collected autographed baseballs from Hall of Famers. From the ages of 10-12, I was able to collect every living member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bob Feller was one of the first and the first autograph I paid for. It was at a baseball card show at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Mr. Feller was sitting at a folding table with several different 8×10 photos purchase and he would autograph for an extra dollar. Yes, $1. I am pretty sure the photo and the signature totaled $5. I remember my dad explaining on the way home that players from his era did not make what they did today (this was in 1983 or 84). They did not have a pension or any of those other benefits. What I really remember was how personal he made each signature. He talked to me and wanted to know my name and what position I played. He spent a good 4-5 minutes with everyone who wanted his signature. I remember it so well because I would come to learn that experience was the exception, like Bob Feller was most of his life, rather than the rule.

With the latest of the steroid revelations, I was glad to see Fisk blast McGwire, Clemens and other PED users. Fisk was a household name in my house even before he joined the White Sox (the parents are from Boston). PEDs are a real problem with the sport and will continue to dog the MLB until there is real transparency. As I stated in a previous post, the PED issue has impacted the best in the game. I hope that more Hall of Famers like Fisk come forward and denounce the frauds and cheaters.

Chicago Tribune Carlton Fisk blasts Mark McGwire