Happy Birthday Whitey!

Born in Tilden, Nebraska on this day in 1927... Don Richard Ashburn.

1986 Mike Schmidt Redux

In 1986, Mike Schmidt moved back to third base and back his old form. He led the league in homeruns, RBIs, and OPS and won his third career National League MVP Award. Houston Astros 1B Glenn Davis finished second in the MVP voting followed by a pair of Mets (Gary Carter & Keith Hernandez).

Happy St Patrick's Day 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I took this picture of Jim Thome on March 17th, 2005, it was a cold rainy St. Patricks Day in Clearwater. No particular reason I chose the 1973 Topps template,  it just looked right.

I like to think the Phils wear the green every year to honor Tug McGraw. Tug loved St Patrick's Day and proudly proclaimed it was his favorite holiday of the year. He always said the manager could use him any way he wanted on March 17... but that under no circumstances could he be expected to be in any condition to pitch the following day.

Happy Birthday Charles Hudson

Born on this day in 1959, Phillies 1983 playoff hero Charles Hudson. 

Called up to the majors in late May of 1983, less than one year after winning the 1982 "A" Carolina League Pitcher of the Year with the Peninsula Pilots. After the promotion Hudson started 26 games and went 8-8. He best remembered by Phillies fans for tossing a four hit complete Game 3 of the '83 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started World Series Games #2 and #5 against the Baltimore Orioles, losing both of those agonizing games.

1985 Mike Schmidt Redux

And yes... Mike Schmidt was primarily a first baseman in 1985. He started 105 games at first and, thanks to the Phillies high expectations of Rick Schu... he only started 49 at third.

World Baseball Classic 2013: Team USA

Watching baseball today with an unusual level of intensity (for March) as Team USA battles Team Canada in an elimination game at the World Baseball Classic. In the middle of the first inning I realized that over the last 10 years, I have photographed every player in the USA lineup. Here is a gallery of my pictures using a 2013 Topps template.

Of course, as I am creating this post... Team USA goes down 3-2 late in the game. Time to put up some runs boys! We can NOT lose to Canada in Olympic hockey AND WBC baseball!

Dick with Stick

Last night I discovered on eBay this previously unseen Malcom W Emmons image of Dick Allen, playing first base for the White Sox. The Yankee leading off is their future manager and GM, Gene "Stick" Michael. I attempted to pin-point the year & game, but I can't find anything on the image to narrow it down.

Happy Birthday Dick Allen!

Born on this day in 1942... Richard Anthony Allen

Happy Birthday Dick!!

Birthday cards

2013 Topps cards in honor of Willie Stargell's birthday yesterday and JR Richard's today.

Happy Birthday Pops!

Born on this day in 1940... Wilver Dornel Stargell.

"If he asked us to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge, we would ask him what kind of dive he wanted. That's how much respect we have for the man." 
- Pirate teammate Al Oliver

In April of 1971 the Phillies moved from old Connie Mack Stadium into their sparkling new home in south Philadelphia. The club was still very early in the rebuilding process that would eventually result in the 1980 world championship. But on June 25th 1971 the first place Pittsburgh Pirates had arrived at the Vet for a weekend series.

Jim Bunning was the Phillies starting pitcher and was on the downside of his hall-of-fame career. The Pirates scored three runs in the tops of the first inning, initiated by a Stargell RBI double. In the top of the second inning, Bunning's struggles continued as he had already given up home runs to shortstop Jackie Hernandez and third baseman Richie Hebner. Near the end of his rope, Bunning didn't want to give Stargell another fastball. Instead, catcher Tim McCarver called for an offspeed slider that Stargell crushed the longest and one of the most memorable home runs in Veterans Stadium history.

Bunning later stated it was "a high slider that I used to get Stargell out on, only I didn't throw it hard enough and didn't get it in. It got over the fat part of the plate. He couldn't hit it any further."

Larry Bowa was playing shortstop, but because of the overshift deployed against Stargell was playing on the right side of the infield added "That ball was still going up. As an infielder, when a guy hits one that you know is a home run, you give it a casual look. When he swung, you didn't take your eyes off it because you wanted to see where it was going. It was majestic. I couldn't believe how far that ball went. It would take me three swings to get one up there -- from second base."

Legend has it the ball is actually still flying, having only left a star in section 601 on its way into orbit. Willie Stargell was the last hitter Bunning would see that Friday night. Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi immediately went to the bullpen, replacing him with righthander Lowell Palmer. The Pirates won the game 14-4. Stargell would go on to win the NL HR crown. The Pirates would go on to win the World Series. Bunning would retire at the end of the season and the Phillies would lose 95 games.

Universally regarded as one of the best human beings in baseball, the Phillies had a special honor in store for Willie when made his final appearance at the Vet in September of 1982. The Phils, arch-rivals of his Pirates, had placed a star to hold the spot where the longest home run in stadium history was last seen before it ascended into orbit.

Willie died in 2001. The Phils mourned by painting the circle holding Willie's star in section 601 black. The star remained until the stadium's 2004 demolition.

1972 All Star Game

A big tip 'o the ear-flap-less batting helmet goes to my funky friend Dan Epstein. For those of you that don't know... Dan is the world-famous author of Big Hair & Plastic Grass. Yesterday he shared this 10 minute clip from the 1972 All Star Game played in Atlanta on the BHPG Facebook page. The clip was posted on YouTube by WADDTVCh15 and opens with Dick Allen batting against the Expos Bill Stoneman in the top of the 7th inning. I love the internet.

While he was the baddest motherf*cker on the planet and would eventually win the American League MVP award in 1972,  Dick Allen went hitless in this All Star Game.

Buy Dan's book here or here or here.

First baseball of the season

Spent the day today in Houston shooting the Astros College Classic at Minute Maid Park. It was great to shake the rust off of my shutter finger. Here a couple of my favorites.

Game #1: Baylor v California

Game #2: Rice v North Carolina

Game #3: Houston v Texas A&M