Thursday, December 16, 2010

58 DAYS UNTIL PITCHERS & CATCHERS REPORT!!!!!!!!

What a week for the long suffering fan. The other night, when I was informed that it was being reported that Cliff Lee was going to sign with the Phillies, my first reaction was to dismiss the story as a cruel rumor made up by the dwarf Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal, as you know, has been known to make shit up. So, when he was identified as one of the sources of the story I ignored it. Well, even the proverbial broken clock is right twice a day and Rosenthal was finally involved in something that came true.

I was excited, like I was supposed to be as a loyal fan of the candystripers and, when it became apparent that Ruben wasn't going to trade one of the other guys, I almost allowed myself to be ebullient. I held back my joy until yesterday when I got to see the Lee announcement press conference with Lee in a Phillies jersey sporting #33. Seeing that, I knew it was for real, especially with the smug grin Ruben sported. Ruben does smug as well as anybody I have ever seen.

When he was asked if he had spoken to Werth, Ruben said that he had, but couldn't repeat most of what was said. Then Lee told of speaking to his friend Jayson and that he was good and pissed. My my, I can show the guy 126 million reasons for not being pissed, but what do I know about such things?

Amaro did indicate that he had told Werth that he could have stayed with the Phils had he accepted arbitration. (Werth's agent Scott Boras has never heard of that word.) Ruben was telling the truth on that one, and I'll bet he enjoyed telling Werth that more than Werth will enjoy batting against his former teammates in 2011. Werth does improve the Nats, and I believe that with him they might even contend for 4th place in the NL East. Have a good year asshole!

Making the rounds in his new town, Werth was seen at a Wizards game. Also at the game was Donny Boy McNabb who was booed lustily by the fans when his picture appeared on fanavision. It didn't take long for Redskin fans to learn to hate this career loser. Who would have ever thought that the Eagles would be contending for the NFC East lead with Mike Vick, who the other day said that he missed having a dog? Somebody needs to have a long conversation with Vick about that one.

I'm sure that most of you have been hearing various pundits proclaiming the 2011 Phillies staff as one of the best of all time. Here's a little cold water to dampen those thoughts. They haven't pitched a game yet. They certainly have the potential, but as John Smoltz said the other day - they have to do it on the field before claiming the best ever title. Smoltz, you might remember, pitched for a pretty good staff himself. All of the BS got me to thinking of the 1954 Cleveland Indians staff who have been mentioned as one of the greats. So, lets get out the Wayback Machine and travel back to the mistake by the lake (I lived there and can say that. When I lived there the Cuyahoga River caught fire).

The '54 edition of the Tribe won over 100 games and had a pitching foursome that created fear and dread throughout the AL. They also had a damn good line-up and ran away with the AL pennant only to lose the series to the NY Giants. More on the line-up & the series a bit later.

The staff was led by 3 future HOFers, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Bob Feller. Also in the starting rotation was Mike Garcia, and Art Houtteman.

Wynn: 23-11 2.73 era
Lemon: 23-7 2.72 era
Garcia: 19-8 2.64 era
Feller: 13-3 ( in 19 games)
Houtteman: 15-7 3.35era

In relief the team had Ray Narleski who led the AL in saves for 2 seasons and Don Mossi.

By the '54 season, Bob Feller was at the end of his career and didn't get a start in the series. This HOFer, who died yesterday pitched in his first ML game at the tender age of 17 after being signed out of Van Meter, Iowa. Despite serving 4 years aboard the U.S.S. Alabama as a gun crew chief, Rapid Robert was able to win 266 games. It is said that his fastball approached 100mph on a regular basis. He spent his entire career with the Tribe and was an AL all-star 8 times.

Bob Lemon had the distinction of both following and preceeding Billy Martin as New York Yankee (Blanton is available) manager. He had greater distinction as a pitcher for the Tribe. He played his entire career with Cleveland and featured a nasty fastball. Ted Williams called him one of the greatest pitchers he ever faced. At one time Lemon coached for the Phillies.

Mike Garcia was a husky Mexican-American who hailed from California. This 3 time all star first appeared at the end of the 1948 season and finished up in 1961 with the Washington Senators. He was a 2 time 20 game winner and was named to 3 all star teams.

Art Houtteman was a journeyman who had his best season with the '54 Tribe. He later pitched for the Tigers.

I've saved my favorite Indians hurler for last. I suppose when you are from Hartman Alabama, the name Early is considered normal. Maybe having the name Early pissed the guy off and gave him a nasty disposition, because he was extremely nasty when pitching. Early Wynn once said that if he were in a jam, with men on base and his mother was going to bat that he would knock her down. I don't even know if Bob Gibson was that cold.

Wynn began his career in 1939 for the Senators. His last appearance came in 1963. He had a blazing fastball and did indeed pitch with an attitude. By many accounts, Wynn hung around too long. He was determined to win 300 games and when he finally did it, it came 9 months after his 299th. After number 300 Wynn retired.

He appeared in several all star games and was elected to the HOF in 1976.

The '54 edition of the Cleveland Indians had several regular players worth mentioning. On that team was Lary Doby, a HOFer, who was the first black player in the AL, coming up a few months after Robinson. Vic Wertz, who had survived polio as a child, hit the ball that Willie Mays made "THE CATCH" of at the Polo Grounds during the '54 series. Dale Mitchell, a reserve on the '54 Tribe made history when he appeared as a left-handed catcher later in his career.

The '54 Indians had many connections to the greatest city in the world as well. Several players, including Hank Majeski, Joe Ginsberg, Wally Westlake, & Dave Philley, played with the A's and Philley played for both th A's and the Phillies.

I loved slugging 3B Al Rosen, because I had a Grand Pop & Grand Mom Rosen who I loved dearly.

The Wayback Machine is bringing me back to our time so I'll say so long for now.

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