Bleacher Report - Articles by Joey Corso

John Hiller: From Death's Doorstep to One of the Best

Joey Corso — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:22:03 -0400

Throughout our life time, we are all bound to face some sort of adversity. Whether it be trouble in school, recovering from an addiction,or coping with the loss of a loved one, it is never easy.

Now imagine the people you respect most in your life and think about what they have accomplished. Over their life time they have probably beaten the odds at least once and without possibly not even thinking about it until now, it is likely a key component of your admiration.

Yet as regular civilians we are blessed. We are allowed to deal with life’s obstacles in private, something we take for granted.

Professional athletes on the other hand are not so fortunate. Yes they get the fame and the fortune, but it comes with a steep price. You see, when their life gets messy, they must overcome it with everyone watching.

As strong willed as they might be, most simply cannot handle the pressure. Yet if they find a way to persevere through it all and come back, we anoint them as heroes.

This is the tale of a ball player who unintentionally came knocking on death’s doorstep. Against all odds he reemerged, becoming an inspiration for all.

After making some brief appearances for the Detroit Tigers during the previous two seasons, in 1967 the baseball world was formally introduced to southpaw relief pitcher John Hiller. During this pennant season for the Tiger’s he quickly became their go to guy, posting a solid 2.63 ERA in 65 innings pitched.

Over the next three seasons, Hiller blossomed into one of the better relievers in the game. From 1966-1968 he posted a highly respectable 2.99 ERA, serving as closer, middle reliever, and spot starter. Although he posted middling numbers the next two seasons, Hiller was only 27 and to many in baseball, his future looked bright.

On January 11th 1971, Hiller’s baseball career was put on hold. On that day, Hiller suffered a massive heart attack. Although he had been smoking since the age of 13, a good deal of other players had as well and none had ever suffered this fate.

“Incredibly painful, incredibly frightening” he said when asked about it in a recent interview. “I didn’t even know I was having a heart attack, first of all. A heart attack? I was 27-years-old.”

Hiller was an incredibly lucky man. Although there were two blockages in the valve of his heart, he was told he would suffer no permanent damage with the intestinal bypass surgery. Alive and on the road of recovery, the dream of returning some day began to creep in the back of his mind.

After sitting out the entire 1971 season, Hiller’s tests showed his cholesterol was nearly all the way down and the blockages were nearly gone. Although he would have to convince the Tiger’s he was 100 percent healthy, the dream was now a possibility.

That offseason, Hiller worked harder than he ever had in his entire life. For three hours a day, every day, from the first part of November to the first part of April, he made up for lost time by running, stretching, and lifting like he never had before.

“I hated running and working out, but every time things got tough, I’d squint, look at the guy ahead of me on the track, and think about getting back on the mound at Tigers Stadium.”

Although Hiller’s doctors had given him the okay, the Tiger’s were never quite on board with the idea and he failed the team’s physical. Still, they offered $7,500 dollars a year to be a minor league instructor starting in spring training. Not the $20,000 he was used to, but he hadn’t sniffed a paycheck in over a year and happily accepted.

From the moment Hiller arrived at camp, he had the look of a man on a mission. Hiller took every opportunity to throw batting practice, working hard on his fastball, changeup, and curve. Manager Billy Martin and Pitching Coach Art Folwer were impressed with what they saw, but the team wouldn’t even let him throw in an official spring training game and he was left behind with the A-league team when camp broke.

Those next few months, Hiller hit rock bottom.

“Those weren’t easy times” he said. “The club let me sleep on a mattress in the clubhouse. I saved up my Minor League meal money, $5 a day, and tried to find discount meals. I’ll never forget—

I’d go to a local restaurant and, when they weren’t looking, I’d try to take as many soda crackers as I could and save them up for lunch.”

As much as he wanted to give up at times, his family back in Minnesota kept encouraging him to work hard. A couple months later, all of Hiller’s hard work would finally pay off.

In July of 1972, Hiller finally got the call. Although he had made no rehab assignments and had strictly been pitching to minor leaguers since camp ended, Martin had remembered him from spring training and urged management to give him a chance.

Right from the get go, Hiller was thrown into the flames. The first batter he faced was slugger Dick Allen, who would go onto to win MVP that season. Although he let up a home run, he pitched well the rest of the night and had earned Martin’s confidence.

Hiller never looked back and finished the season with an incredible 2.03 ERA in 44 innings pitched. Not only did he return to the big leagues just a year and a half after his heart attack, he posted the best numbers of his career. To everyone’s surprise, Hiller was just getting started.

“I’d learned my lesson, I can tell you, from before. Once things had gone my way in ’72, I never stopped working.” In 1973, which happened to be the first year of the designated hitter, Hiller had what baseball statistician Bill James once called “the greatest season for a closer in the history of baseball.”

As the Tiger’s closer that season, Hiller posted an incredible 1.44 ERA and posted at the time a major league record 38 saves in 125 innings pitched.

The awards flew in at an incredible rate, as he was honored with AL Fireman of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and the Hutch Award, given to the player who best displays a fighting spirit and competitive desire.

Hiller never quite had another season like his magical 1973 campaign, but because of his strong work ethic, he continued to be one of the top relievers in the game. When the career Detroit Tiger retired for good during the 1980 season, he not only finished his career with a miraculous 2.83 ERA but held the club records for career appearances and saves.

Although, it’s been nearly 30 years since Hiller’s last game, his accomplishments are still celebrated by many. At the age of 66, he continues to be in great health and to this day Hiller is still very much committed to all the heart related charities he first became involved with during his playing days.

As you can see, going through adversity is never easy. Although your story might not end up being as well known as John Hiller’s, with a lot of hard work and dedication it can be overcome, and that’s all that matters.

Johnny Vander Meer- A Feat For The Ages

Joey Corso — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:51:00 -0400

The crowd was buzzing, the atmosphere electrifying. Many of the 38,748 who had piled into Ebbets Field for this regular season match-up between the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers were here to be a part of history.

On this fateful June 15th night during the 1938 season, the first game under lights was to be played at this historic ball park.

Yet a 23-old-southpaw ended up overshadowing it all. With a performance so rare, the likes of it happening again are damn near impossible.

Of all the unique paths taken by each individual player to reach the big leagues, Johnny Vander Meer’s stands out. At the age of 17 and not having thrown a professional pitch, he was selected to appear in a documentary film commissioned by the National League about a typical American boy getting his first tryout with a major league squad.

It was a perfect opportunity for Vander Meer. Not only would he be at the Dodger’s spring training camp to film the picture, but he would have an opportunity to impress the Dodgers as a prospect.

Vander Meer was erratic with his command and was sent home when the film was completed. Veteran left-handed pitcher Joe Shaute liked what he saw however, and convinced manger Max Carey to send him to a farm team in Dayton, Ohio. After posting a respectable 11-10 record, his improvement was obvious. Yet Dayton manager Ducky Holmes thought the kid was too wild to ever be successful and he was soon released.

Returning home to New Jersey with his confidence shaken, Vander Meer learned he had purchased by Scranton. At first this appeared to be very bizarre, because Scranton was in a higher minor league classification than Dayton. Yet on the club was his old friend Joe Shaute, who had urged management to take a chance with the kid.

Working with Shaute nearly every day, Vander Meer improved so much he was bought by Cincinnati’s general manger Larry McPhail for $4,000. Yet after posting a mediocre year in Scranton, he was sold to Boston.

In 1936, Vander Meer finally began scratching the tip of his massive potential. Not only did he strike out 295 batters for his Durham affiliate squad, he was named minor league player of the year. McPhail got him back to Cincinnati alright, but this time it took $10,000.

Vander Meer began the 1937 season in Syracuse and pitched well enough to earn a late season call-up where he posted a 3-5 record in 19 appearances for the Reds. Even with his poor record, manager Bill McKechnie thought high enough of the kid however to give him a shot as a starter the following season.

Vander Meer got off to a hot start, shutting out the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds a month into the season. Only three weeks later, he would put together possibly the best two game stretch ever for a starting pitcher.

On June 11th, 1938 Vander Meer took the mound at home against the Boston Braces. Even without his best stuff, he managed to pitch a no-hitter leading his squad to a 3-0 victory behind a home run from his Hall of Fame battery mate, Ernie Lombardi. Although the Bee’s were a pretty pitiful squad, it was quite the accomplishment, especially for a rookie pitcher.

On June 15th, Vander Meer was scheduled to take the ball for his next start against the Dodgers. Even with the possibility of potentially pitching another no hitter, which was deemed unfeasible, that was overshadowed by the fact it was to be the first game under the lights ever at Ebbets Field.

Night games were the design of Brooklyn and former Red’s executive McPhail, the same chap who had either purchased or sold Vander Meer on three separate occasions. Although nothing is said on record about this, it’s blatantly obvious Vander Meer had some extra motivation coming into this game.

At 8:35 P.M., the lights were turned on and the game finally began. The Red’s struck quickly, scoring four runs in the 3rd inning off Dodger’s starter Max Butcher. By the 4th inning fans had adjusted to the lighting, and were now focusing on Vander Meer, who had yet to allow a hit.

Unlike the previous game where Vander Meer had exhibited great command only walking three, tonight was a different story. Through 8 innings, he had already given out five free passes and was working deep counts on nearly everyone. Yet the Dodgers could not get good wood on the ball and behind solid defense, the no-no was still intact.

By the bottom of the 9th with the final outcome inevitable, everyone in the stands was at the edge of their seats waiting to see if Johnny Vander Meer could hurl his second consecutive no-hitter.

The first batter up for the Dodger’s was veteran first baseman Buddy Hasset who wasted no time swinging at the first pitch. As the ball trickled up the first base side of the pitcher’s mound, Vander Meer proceeded to snatch up the ball with his glove and in one motion, tag out Hasset who was racing by.

Two outs away from a second no-hitter, Vander Meer was showing signs of fatigue. To the disapproval of partisan Brooklyn fans and Vander Meer’s many relatives and friends from nearby New Jersey in attendance, he walked Babe Phelps, Cookie Lavagetto and Dolph Camilli consecutively loading up the bases.

Out trotted McKechnie, who the Dodger’s faithful greeted with a shower of boo’s, angry at the possibility that Vander Meer might be lifted. However, when he went out there all he said was, “Just relax, and throw naturally, John.” That was all Vander Meer needed.

Up next was Ernie Koy who took in a called strike one and hit a grounder to third baseman Lou Rigs. Rigs took his time and got the force out at home. Vander Meer was one out away from achieving the impossible.

Up next was Leo “the lip” Durocher. Durocher later became a Hall of Fame manager and was known in his playing days as a fiery competitor and clutch hitter. Leo took a first pitch ball as the groan moaned. Yet Vander Meer kept battling, throwing two straight strikes. With the crowd at its feet, Durocher ripped a liner down the right field line appearing to end the no-no. With a little luck, the ball hooked foul and the dream was still alive.

With nothing to lose, Vander Meer let loose on his next pitch firing with everything he had. Durocher hit a lazy fly to centerfielder Harry Craft who caught the ball easily. He had completed baseball’s first back-to-back no hitter, and if that wasn't enough, it was against McPhail on his historic night. Life was good for Johnny Vander Meer.

Yet it all became too much for Vander Meer, a small town kid from New Jersey. “All the publicity, the attention, the interviews, the photographs, were too much for me” Vander Meer told the A.P. during his injury plagued 1939 season. After hitting rock bottom in 1940, as he was banished to the minors for the majority of the season, Vander Meer retuned to Cincinnati and he recovered to win 49 games from 1941-1943. Vander Meer managed to win 17 games in 1948, his last good season before being run out of the big leagues for good in 1951.

As you look at Johnny Vander Meer’s complete body of work, he really did have a fine career contrary to popular belief. Yes, he lost more than he won, but he was a four- time all star and had a highly respectable 3.44 career ERA.

Yet when people look back and remember Vander Meer, it’s not for his overall solid career. Instead, we remember one two game stretch, a feat so magnificent and rare, it's doubtful any of us will be around to see it happen again.

The 2001 New York Yankees—Not the Champs, but First in My Heart

Joey Corso — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:03:00 -0400

We all have a special place in our heart for that one special team. One where when you think back about them, it will always put a smile on your face. As a fan of the New York Yankees, I love them all. Although I was not alive for a hefty portion of them, the stories I have read and the film I have watched have made me appreciate each and every single one.

Everyone has their reasons for their one particular team. A New York Yankees fan has quite a few options. Maybe it’s the 1927 Bombers because of their all around greatness. Or the 1961 team because of the home run race between teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Whatever your reasons are, no one can debate it as the choice is simply yours, a matter of opinion.

At 17 years old, I am part of the fan base’s younger generation. Many of the older generation call us spoiled, as we have witnessed four World Series and six pennants since 1996. Yet for those born when I was, we have not witnessed a Yankee’s title since the age of nine, just when most of us begin to gain memories that will last us a life time.

Although I know I followed baseball before this, my religious worship for the New York Yankees began during the 2001 season at the age of 10. As a young kid who had just witnessed the team win three straight titles, I had no reason to believe they could not do it again.

I knew early on that this team wasn’t as talented as some of the teams from a few years before. Yet who was? Even if they lacked that big bat in the middle of the order, they had that “it factor” something all of the previous championship team’s possessed under manager Joe Torre.

Man, did that team just grind out victories. The 95 wins they had during the regular season was quite an achievement, considering they hit only .267 and finished a mediocre fifth in the American League in runs scored. Yet the stalwarts seemed to always come through when it mattered.

With the exceptions of Jeter, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada, the rest of the hitters had mediocre seasons at best yet it seemed the likes of Paul O’Neil, Scott Brosius and Tino Martinez always found a way to get the job done, even if the stats did not show it.

If the team’s offensive production did not meet up to the team’s sky high standards, the same can definitely not be said about the pitching staff that season. Thirty-eight-year-old righty Roger Clemens finally pitched to his sky-high expectations and won 20 games.

His 3.51 ERA was nothing special, and although saber metrics freaks probably disagree with the selection, I’m here to give them a vote of confidence, whatever that’s worth. He didn’t always win pretty, but like the entire team he simply got the job done.

Yet the phenomenal pitching efforts the Yankees got that season extended beyond Clemens. Two other starting pitchers, newcomer Mike Mussina and holdover Andy Pettitte each were fantastic winning 17 and 15 games respectively while both posting ERA’s under 4.00. Although the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the rotation were a question all season, it really didn’t matter with those three workhorses pitching every day.

During this season, I truly began to appreciate the art of great relief pitching. Not only from the closer’s role, but from setup men who are just as vital to a team’s success. All season I was captivated by the way closer Mariano Rivera used literally one pitch, the cutter, on his way to posting possibly his best season to date with 50 saves.

I also began to realize how vital setup men Mike Stanton and Ramiro Mendoza were to the team’s success, as each came through with nine and eight wins, the fourth and fifth amount on this playoff team.

On September 11th, 2001, as the New York Yankees were fighting it out for a playoff birth, tragedy struck and baseball became the last thing on anyone’s mind.

I remember where I was. I’m sure you do to when you heard. I was in fourth grade and walking back from gym one day when all of sudden some kid mentioned he was getting picked up from school because two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center and another into the pentagon.

At the age of 10, it did not immediately register what a tragedy this was. Yet when I got home and began watching the news it all sank, and I feared my life would never be the same.

Yet because we live in the United States, the greatest nation in the world, we vowed to stand tall and recover. Baseball was only cancelled for a week, and it vowed to finish out the season. In a time of mourning, the game became an outlet to millions. And something amazing happened. For two unforgettable months, baseball’s “Evil Empire” truly became “America’s Team.”

The New York Yankee’s were no longer playing to win a World Series just for themselves or even for their city. They now carried the weight of the entire country.

The weight seemed like it would be too much for the team to bear. The Yankee’s were matched up the wild card winner Oakland Athletics, an exciting young 102-win team who had nothing to lose. In an emotional first two games in New York, the A’s won the first two games by scores of 5-3 and 2-0. If the Yank’s lost one more game they were gone.

The odds were bleak. Even with Mussina on the mound for Game Three, he was matched by ace Barry Zito. One run could win this game. And it did.

Zito had his A-game, baffling hitters with that deadly curve throwing a no-hitter through the first four innings. Moose had his too though matching Zito with zeros on the scoreboard. During the top of the fifth, the Yankee’s drew first blood. On a 1-0 count Jorge Posada launched a solo shot, first hit and run let up by Zito in the game. I and the rest of the Yankee faithful went nuts! However, the A’s got out of the inning only down one, far from over.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mussina was cruising with his 1-0 lead. With two outs, he let up a harmless single to Jeremy Giambi. What happened next is a play for the ages. On a 2-2 count Terrance Dye hit a double to short right. Right fielder Shane Spencer made a poor throw up the first base line and it looked like the game was going to be tied.

Out of nowhere came Jeter who scooped up the ball halfway past the first base line and back hand flipped it to Posada who tagged out a stunned Giambi at the plate. My jaw dropped. Never had I seen a shortstop run all the way to the first base line to record an assist. That cemented Jeter as my favorite player of all time, a guy who I still idolize to this day.

The momentum now belonged to the Yankees and they rode it not only to win the game, but complete the series comeback. They had the look of a team of destiny.

Up next were the Seattle Mariners, the AL West winner. They had won an incredible 116 games in the regular season behind Japanese OF sensation Ichiro Suzuki and a rotation that had four 15 game winners. Yet nothing was going to stop the Yankee’s. The Bomber’s quickly quieted the Mariner faithful taking the first two games at Safeco and seizing control. Even after getting blown at home in Game Three, the end result was inevitable as the Yankee’s won the final two. Pettitte was brilliant in his MVP effort posting two wins and a 2.51 ERA.

The Yankee’s were heading back to their fourth straight World Series. I knew they were going to win. Not a chance in hell anything was going to happen. So I thought.

The Yankee’s were matched up with the National League winner, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yes, the Diamondbacks had arguably the two best pitchers in the game in Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling and on offense had outfielder Louis Gonzalez who had crushed a mind-boggling 57 home runs during the regular season. Yet they had not one quality starter behind their aces, and the offense was mediocre at best even with Gonzo. Even if they played their best, destiny did not appear to be on their side.

Game One was a horror show. The crowd at Chase Field was in full throttle, and, after the D-backs roughed up Mussina for four runs in the third, you could sense it was over. Schilling threw a gem and that was that. I remained calm. My Yankee’s just needed to take one game on the road and they would be set.

That unfortunately did not happen. Pettitte let up one run in the second inning but you could sense that was all the Big Unit was going to need. The Yankee’s were baffled by this power pitcher all night, evidenced by his 11 strikeouts and only three hits allowed.

The D-backs added three runs in the seventh on Danny Bautista home runs but even that was not needed. When Jeter lined out to second base to complete Johnson’s masterpiece, I still had faith. We were headed back to the Bronx.

The activities before Game Three were as inspiring as anything ever seen. The emotion in the air was unseen like anything before. President George W. Bush wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “FDNY” threw the ceremonial first pitch, right down the middle. The crowd roared. I cheered. This was going to be the Yankee’s night.

It sure was their night. The D-backs got a surprisingly awesome effort out of starting pitcher Brian Anderson who only allowed 2 runs. Yet after Brosius singled in the go ahead in the bottom of the sixth to put up the Yankee’s 2-1, it was over. The Rocket pitched brilliantly, allowing only one run in seven innings. Rivera, the greatest post season pitcher of all time closed the final two, and the Yankee’s had life.

Game Four did not look favorable. Schilling was back on the mound against starting pitcher Orlando Hernandez. El Duque had been a good postseason pitcher in the past, but his shaky regular season made him an uncertainty. I was not too confident, but just hoped we could rough up Schilling just enough to have a chance.

The Yankee’s drew first blood, but the D-backs responded right back to tie the game at one. In the bottom of the eighth, the D-backs took the lead scoring two off the normally reliable Stanton and Mendoza. The Yanks were three outs away from a 3-1 hole. Then the magic began.

Into the game for the visitors came their closer, all-star

Byung-Hyun Kim. He had vicious stuff from what I had seen of him before, and his sidearm motion could prove devastating, especially to hitters who had never faced him before. After Jeter had a bunt groundout, O’Neil singled but Williams struck out swinging. The Yankee’s were down to their final out. Kim looked like he was getting into a groove and it appeared over.

Tino Martinez came up to the plate. He had a decent year, but not up to his standards or to the fans that had come to expect so much from him. Yet this was a team of grinders, a group of guys who seemed to come through with a hit when it mattered most. On the first pitch, Martinez crushed a home run, tying the game. It was bedlam in the Bronx! I was cheering so loud I woke up the whole house who assumed the game was over! Kim was stunned, his confidence clearly gone. He got out of the inning but based on what happened next, I bet he wished the game had just ended there.

Mariano came in during the 10th and retired the side 1-2-3. Kim grudgingly came out again for another inning of work. After two quick outs, Jeter came to bat. I expected Jeter to get on base, but nothing more. Yet on the ninth pitch on a 3-2 count Jeter unloaded and the game was over. The Yankees win! The crowd went delirious and I howled for joy. My favorite player had just hit a walk off home run to win a World Series game! What more could a 10 year old kid ask for?!

The series was tied at two.

Johnson and Schilling were not starting. The momentum was with the Yank’s and they were playing Game Five in front of the home crowd. It was all set up perfectly.

Miguel Batista pitched the best game of his life. Given a two run lead in the fifth, he never looked back shutting out the Yankee’s through eight innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Kim came out again, looking to erase the nightmare from Game Four. I was carefully optimistic, knowing we could do it yet not getting ahead of myself. Posada hit a double and the Yankee faithful was on their feet. Yet Kim got the next two and again the Yanks were down to their final out once again.

Scott Brosius walked up to the plate. He was clearly declining, but had always seemed to answer to the bell. After two quick strikes, Brosius was in defense mode. I had a sick feeling in my stomach, knowing we would probably have to go back to Chase Field having to win two games. On the next pitch, he unloaded. Another home run in the bottom of the 9th! The game was tied!

It was déjà vu all over again! Kim was immediately removed and although the game remained tied, there was little doubt in my mind who would win.

The game dragged on with little drama until the bottom of the 12th, game still tied at two. Chuck Knoblauch got on with a single and after 9th inning hero Brosius’s sac bunt, the winning run was on second with one out. Up came Alfonso Soriano. Soriano was not yet the superstar he is today, but came through with at this point, the biggest hit of his life knocking in the game winning run with a single to RF.

The Yankees had done it again. With 10 runs scored in five games, they were ahead three games to two. Even with aces Johnson and Schilling set to go Game Six and Game Seven, the Yankees would easily steal one. They were on a magical ride and no one was going to stop them.

Game Six was flat-out ugly. The D-backs went up 12-0 by the 3rd inning and Johnson went on cruise control as the home team won a lopsided 15-2.

OK, I thought. Just where we want them I thought after the game trying to remain positive. In the back of my head I was kind of hoping for this anyways.

Since this unbelievable finale, nothing I have seen has since equaled this one. I’m slightly biased yes, but no one can deny it was one for the record books.

The Rocket vs. Schilling. Arguably the two best pitchers of their respective leagues, it had all the makings of a classic. Billed as one of the top pitching duels of the century, it lived up to the hype and more.

As many expected, there was zeros across the board through five innings. In the bottom of the sixth, the D-backs made the first strike. After a Steve Finley single, Bautista ripped a double scoring the base runner and the home team was up. The Yankees got out of the inning only down one. Still confident, I knew there was a lot of ball left to be played.

The Yankee’s wasted no time getting to work in the top of the seventh after getting an RBI single from Martinez. Schilling recovered, but now it was anyones ball game.

Soriano came up to the plate with no outs in the top of the eighth. He had already had a walk off hit this series, yet that was just a prelude to what he did next. On a 0-2 count, Soriano crushed a home run putting the Yanks up 2-1! “It’s over” I screamed running around the house! The Yankee’s did not do anything more but that was fine with me. Mo was coming in. Game over.

Rivera was usually not a two inning closer, but with the game on the line, who would Torre give the ball to? Rivera had never blown a post-season save before and had been perfect this season. If there ever was a safe bet in life, it was Mariano Rivera always converting his save opportunity in the playoffs.

Rivera struck out the first batter, allowed a weak single, then struck out the final two in the eighth. He’s got it tonight I remember thinking. The Yankee’s, facing Johnson who had come in for relief went quietly in the top of the ninth. One run was enough though. We all thought so.

The rest is history. Mark Grace hits a single. Rivera makes a fielding error on Damien Miller’s bunt, runners on first and second, no outs.

After a force-out at third by Jay Bell, this is where it gets painful to write. Tony Womack hits a double, scoring the runner on second. Tie game with one out and Bell on third.

I’m stricken with disbelief and shock. “Rivera” I kept saying, wondering what in the hell just happened. I knew it was over. It was tied, but they D-backs had the momentum. Still, I had to watch.

Counsel got hit by a pitch, so bases are loaded. Gonzalez walked up to the plate. I knew Gonzo was a slow runner, so maybe they could get out of it with a double play. On an 0-1 pitch, Mariano Rivera threw probably his best cutter of the game. Gonzo got a piece of it and although he broke his bat, the ball went over the reach of Jeter into center field.

The D-backs had won. Not the Yankees.

I turned off my TV right away. I was so accustomed to watch my team winning, I didn’t know how to lose. So I sat there. TV off. In complete and utter silence.

Joe Torre said after the game "There's no question what went on in New York inspired us a great deal.”We fell short." For a while, I believed him. The Yankee’s were expected to win every season and everything else is a failure.

Yet as I continue to grow in age and maturity, my appreciation for the team does as well. What they did after what happened, was against all odds. They were carrying the weight of a nation in mourning, and did so with dignity and class.

Yes, these Yankee’s don’t have one of those 26 banners you see at the New Yankee Stadium. Yet to me and to millions of others, they did so much more.

Steve Dalkowski: Baseball's Ultimate Flamethrower

Joey Corso — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:00:33 -0400

Nolan Ryan. Bob Feller. Smokey Joe Wood. What did all these onetime phenomenal pitchers have in common?

They could throw a baseball fast. Really fast...

Hall of Famer Ryan, baseball’s all-time strikeout king, was clocked officially with the fastest pitch of all time, at 100.9 miles per hour in a game played on Aug. 20, 1974 against the Chicago White Sox.

Negro League pitching legend Satchel Paige said of fellow Hall of Famer Feller, “If anybody threw that ball any harder than Rapid Robert, then the human eye couldn't follow it."

Wood, a very good pitcher in the early 1910’s, got the endorsement of arguably the best pitcher of all-time, Walter Johnson, who remarked, “Mister, no man alive can throw a baseball harder than Smokey Joe Wood."

No one can dispute these men brought the heat in a huge way. However, no one in the history of the game could quite bring it like a career minor leaguer who was known simply as “White Lightning.”

Steve Dalkowki signed with the Baltimore Orioles during 1957, at the ripe age of 21. At 5’11" and weighing 170 pounds, he did not exactly fit the stereotype of a power pitcher, especially one who, in his prime, experts claimed could throw at least 105 mph.

He had the typical control issues like a lot of young power pitchers, but the Orioles believed this southpaw was young enough to fix them and fulfill his superstar potential.

Dalkowski never ended up making it to the majors and finished with a lifetime won-loss record of 46-80 and an ERA of 5.59 in nine minor league seasons, striking out 1,396... and walking 1,354... in 995 innings.

However, as is the case with a lot of the memorable characters throughout the history of the game, his stats only represent a small part of his legend.

Dalkowski’s unparelled velocity throughout history cannot be questioned, simply because so many back up the claim.

Cal Ripken Sr., recalling his favorite Dalkowki tale (and everyone had one), said, “Steve Dalkowski was the hardest thrower I ever, ever saw." In 1958, Dalkowski threw a pitch through the backstop of the Wilson, N.C., grandstand. I was back in Wilson in 1975 scouting for the Orioles. First thing I did was check to see if the hole was still there. It was."

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver reiterated the fact, saying that he threw faster than anyone he ever saw, even faster than Nolan Ryan.

If that does not convince you, this should. Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams, who many experts consider one of the best hitters of all-time, was never one to back down from anyone, not even from the likes of Feller.

Yet during spring training, one season Williams once stood in a spring training batting cage and took one pitch from Dalkowski. Williams swore he never saw the ball and was quoted as saying, “Fastest ever. I never want to face him again."

The memorable stories go on and on. Here lies some of the more well-known ones (This list comes from a 1999 Sportings News Piece called "Minor League Legends: Steve Dalkkowski):

In a high school game, Dalkowski threw a no-hit, no-run game with 18 strikeouts and 18 walks.

At Kingsport on Aug. 31, 1957, he struck out 24 Bluefield hitters in a single minor league game—and lost, 8-4! He also issued 18 walks in that game, hit four very unlucky guys and threw six wild pitches.

He pitched a total of 62 innings in 1957, fanned 121 (averaging 18 strikeouts per game) but won only once, because he walked 129 (eight more than he struck out) and threw 39 wild pitches.

One night at Kingsport, Dalkowski threw a pitch that tore off part of a batter's ear. "It made me so scared, I didn't even want to look at it," said Dalkowski.

Dalkowski won a $5 bet with teammate Herman Starrette, who said Dalkowski couldn't throw a baseball through a wall. Dalkowski warmed up and then moved 15 feet away from the wooden outfield fence. His first pitch went right through the boards.

In one minor league game, Dalkowski threw three pitches that penetrated the backstop and sent fans scattering.

At Aberdeen in the Northern League, Dalkowski threw a one-hitter and lost 9-8.

In 1959, Dalkowski set a Northern League record with 21 strikeouts in a game.

In 1960 at Class A Stockton, Dalkowski threw a pitch that broke an umpire's mask in three places, knocking him 18 feet back and sending him to a hospital for three days with a concussion.

In 1960, pitching a game for Stockton in the California League, Dalkowski struck out 19 and limited Reno to four hits but walked nine and lost 8-3.

In 1965 with Kennewick, Wash., Dalkowski fanned Rick Monday—who had signed a then-record bonus of $104,000—four times. Each time Monday fanned, Dalkowski was heard to mutter, "$104,000, my ass."

Notice a common theme throughout the story? Yes, a few of them ended going Dalkowski’s way, but usually not.

Every spring, O’s manager Paul Richards would work countless hours with Dalkowski praying he would finally learn a way to learn how to throw strikes.

Right as Dalkowski just began to scratch the tip of his massive potential, it all ended in a flash.

On March 23,1963, the date of the final spring training games for the O’s, he was fitted for his Orioles uniform, finally on the verge of becoming a major leaguer.

His manager at the time, Weaver, told him late in the previous season to simply "throw strikes," and that approach seemed to work. During one 52-inning stretch in 1962, Dalkowski struck out 110, walked 11 and gave up only one earned run. It appeared as though the Orioles were going to be rewarded for their patience.

That night, he was called in to pitch in relief against the Yankees in the sixth inning. He blew away all-stars Roger Maris and Elston Howard. Then Hector Lopez singled. Facing Phil Linz, Dalkowski felt something pop in his elbow. He had severely strained a tendon in his left elbow.

That was the beginning of the end for Dalkowski, who ended up missing the entire season. He returned in 1964, but had lost his trademark velocity and retained his infamous control. Dalkowski was out of baseball for good by 1966.

For someone who did not throw one pitch in the big leagues, Dalkowski left quite a mark on the sport and on his peers. His legend even made it to Hollywood, where he was the inspiration for the character Nuke in the movie Bull Durham.

Dalkowski is not remembered as one of the greats like the others I mentioned earlier and rightfully so. Yet as the game’s ultimate flamethrower, this career minor leaguer will always be remembered, deservedly or not.

Mel Stottlemyre- Great Coach, Better Pitcher

Joey Corso — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:51:50 -0400

You probably remember him as being one of the league’s top pitching coaches on baseball’s last dynasty. Yet as marvelous a job he did, during the darkest years in New York Yankee’s history he was one of the league’s top hurlers.

Mel Stottlemyre joined the New York Yankees coaching staff following the 1995 season alongside new manager Joe Torre. Expectations as always in New York were sky high, yet he and the Yankee’s delivered winning the 1996 World Series.

Stottlemyre immediately lowered the teams ERA from the previous season from 4.65 to 3.84 and played an instrumental part in churning out the teams first 20 game winner, Andy Pettitte, since Ron Guidry did it back in 1985.

With Stottlemyre at the helm from 1996-2005, the Yankee’s won an incredible four world series and six pennants. During his reign the team produced a 4.23 team ERA, a remarkable feat for a team that not only played in the American League, but in the East nonetheless.

Not only did he help produce two 35 years and older 20 game winners, David Cone and Roger Clemens, but under him, Mariano Rivera became one of the best closers of all time.

Stottlemyre left the Yankee’s following the 2005 season citing personal disagreements with principal owner George Steinbrenner. It was a decision that deeply saddened all Yankee’s fans who knew they were losing one of the top instructors in the game.

During the 1964 stretch run, the Yankee’s called up 22-year-old pitcher Melvin Leon Stottlemyre Sr. Mel as he was come to known by, was a roaring success going 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA in 96 innings of work. Not only did he throw five complete games in just 12 starts, two of them were shutouts!

Although the Yankee’s fell in the World Series in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals, no one can blame the rookie. In his three starts including game seven in which he lost, he posted a solid 3.15 ERA and even out-dueled Cardinal’s Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson in game three.

Yes, the team was getting older, but with a new ace in Stottlemyre on board surely he would get another chance at a title. They were still the Yankee’s, right?

From 1965-1974, a dozen seasons the Yankee’s were not themselves. During this Dark Age, they compiled an overall record of 805-804. This is acceptable for some teams but it was nowhere close to meeting Yankee’s standards.

By 1965, many of the old stalwarts from the early 1960’s dynasty were either in sharp decline (Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford) or completely gone (Roger Marris and Ralph Terry). The Yankee’s had historically done a fine job finding good young talent to replace washed up veterans, yet this time the minor league system was bare.

As mediocre as the Yankee’s were during this time, they had one of the top arms in the game in Stottlemyre. During his stretch of brilliance from 1965-1973 Mel was a certified workhorse, never pitching less than 251 innings in a season and only once posting an ERA higher than 3.22.

Relying heavily on a dominant sinker ball and pinpoint control, Stottlemyre put up stats numerous seasons that you can realistically compare with those of Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax. However, even with five all star appearances to his name, he was consistently overlooked for a lack of strikeouts, posting a less than stellar career mark of 4.3 K/9.

Stottlemyre was released by the Yankees and never played again after hurting his rotator cuff during the 1974 season. At the time of his retirement he was only 32, allowing many to wonder what type of numbers he could of finished with even if he only played another couple seasons.

When historians and fans are debating about the best New York Yankee’s starting pitchers of all time, Stottlemyre usually garners little to no consideration. People remember your contributions to World Series titles in this town and that’s where he falls short to the likes of Whitey Ford, Waite Hoyt or Catfish Hunter.

Yet his body of work cannot be overlooked. With 164 wins and a career 2.98 ERA, it’s not his fault the Yankee’s were so average during his time. If anything, he saved them from being the laughingstock of baseball. For that, he should get some credit.

Very few had success like Stottlemyre as both a pitcher and a coach. Many however only remember him for the later, a start, but not enough. So come out Mel, and take a bow. You most certainly have earned applause.

Wilcy Moore: Baseball's Forgotten Pioneer

Joey Corso — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:13:49 -0400

Ask anyone who has ever been associated with Major League Baseball what the greatest team of all time is, and you’re likely to hear a common answer.

The 1927 New York Yankees.

“They just beat our brains out,” said Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons after absorbing one of the Yankees' 110 wins that season. The Murderers' Row Yankees featured, count 'em, four Hall of Fame players in their lineup, including two of the top hitters all time, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

To this day, most experts still recognize the 1927 Yankee offense as the best of all time, justifying its well-documented nickname.

They could pitch as well, evidenced by their league-leading 3.20 team ERA. The rotation was anchored by another pair of Hall of Fame players in Waite Hoyt and Herb Pennock, who were each in the prime of their careers. Even their back-end guys, Urban Shocker, George Pipgras, and Dutch Reuther, were so good they could have been No. 1 or No. 2 starters on nearly any other team in the league.

As great as all of these players were, no player was arguably more indispensable than a 30-year-old pitcher named Wilcy Moore.

During the 1927 spring training, Moore was easily the Yankees' most effective pitcher. However, the rotation was already rock solid, which forced yet another Hall of Famer, manager Miller Huggins, to get creative.

Huggins came up with the first "fireman." The job wasn't a one-inning closer, but a far more valuable commodity whose job usually called for coming into a game with men on base, getting out of the jam, and then closing the game.

From the beginning of the season until the end, it was a match made in heaven. One writer noted Moore “specializes in treating ailing ball games and putting them back in healthy condition,” which led to the nickname “Doc.”

What made Moore so unbelievable? After breaking his arm two years earlier, he was forced to throw sidearm. As a result, he developed a deadly sinker that moved down and away on lefties and up and in on righties. Hitters were flummoxed by the pitch all year as Moore went on to finish the regular season with a league-leading 2.28 ERA and 13 saves in 213 innings over 50 appearances (including 12 spot starts).

Well, Moore was not exactly the first of his kind, but a close second. Washington Manager Bucky Harris had employed relief ace Firpo Marburry in a similar role that helped the Senators win back-to-back pennants in 1924 and 1925. Yet neither of those seasons were as remarkable as Moore’s, as his came about on the most legendary team in baseball history.

Moore continued dominating in his unusual but highly effective role during the World Series against the Pirates, picking up a complete-game win in a rare start and a save in a Yankees’ sweep.

Although nearly all the press went toward Ruth and Gehrig, who continued to mash during the entire series, it's clear Moore had an enormous effect on the team's success.

Even if few noticed what a historical season Moore was having, you can count the Babe, who hit a well-documented 60 home runs during the season, as one who did.

"I don't know where Moore was when all the scouts were gum-shoeing around those parts, because he was just about the best pitcher in our league in 1927,” Ruth said at the time.

More than 80 years later, the role Moore once dominated is quite frankly nonexistent. We are in an era of specialists and one-inning closers, surely a sight that makes some old-timers cringe.

Yet for a long stretch in time after that trailblazer season, truly remarkable fireman emerged, including Hoyt Wilhem and Goose Gossage, who each now have a plaque in Cooperstown.

Moore never duplicated his 1927 success and was out of the majors for good after the 1933 season.

In retrospect, Moore’s season not only pushed his team over the top to legendary status, but you could say it was the birth of the modern relief pitcher as we know it.

Yes, the job has evolved over the years, but the original purpose is the same: Put in a fresh arm to get out of a jam in a close game and then go finish out the victory.

Ask the casual baseball fan about what made the 1927 New York Yankees so magnificent and they will probably mention the hitting of Ruth and Gehrig.

A Yankee fan who knows his history would mention the majority of Murderers' Row from the season and could then rattle off a starting pitcher or two.

Yet only those very knowledgeable few would mention Moore, a one-year fireman wonder.

Forever, though, Moore will have a place in baseball lore—the pioneer of the relievers.

What The Yankees Truly Need Is Another Paul O'Neil

Joey Corso — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:30:45 -0400

In this great game of baseball we have nearly every imaginable stat at the tip of our finger so we can best determine a player’s worth. However, there are certain intangibles you could never measure statistically that go a long way from separating the mediocre players from the great.

Heart. Passion. Intensity.

These are some of the traits that make an average ball player good and a good one great. No player in the history of the game better exemplified these intangibles like former major league outfielder, Paul O’Neil.

Statistically speaking he was a solid, yet unspectacular player. Take a moment to look past the numbers, and only then can you justify his true impact.

During the New York Yankee’s dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s, they had it all. Not only did their players posses superior baseball skills to the rest of the league, but the team took on the personality of its stars.

They played with the calm of Mariano Rivera and the poise of Derek Jeter. With all that being said, nothing can compare from what the team adopted from Paul O’Neil.

Nicknamed “The Warrior” by Yankees' principal owner George Steinbrenner, O’Neil is the true face of the team during those dynasty seasons.

He was a talented ball player, yes, but nothing worth getting all excited about. However, the competitive zeal and intensity he played with was incomparable, except in the case of legendary outfielder Ty Cobb.

No, O’Neil was not some fringe player who just played with heart and passion. He was a four-time All Star and a deadly hitter, who batted smack dab in the middle of those potent Yankee lineups.

The guy even won a batting title in 1994, batting .359! However, it would be a great disservice to his legacy, if we only measured it by numbers in a box score.

So am I saying everything O’Neil did for his team was beneficial? Absolutely not.

He was known for letting his emotions get the better of him at some critical moments, just ask the numerous busted water coolers and bats. With that being said, he was a managers dream and a perfect role model for the younger players.

Yes, he had some quirks, but O’Neil always played so hard and with such a passion to win, it was impossible as a teammate to try not to replicate it.

October 7, 2001: Not only did this game mark the end of the New York Yankee’s dynasty, but it was the final game played by O’Neil. Since then, nothing in the Bronx has been the same.

Yes, the post-season appearances have been consistent with the exception of last season, but in a city where rings sum up the success of a season, there has been none since he departed.

Gone are the likes of O’Neil, Bernie Williams, and Tino Martinez, and in are the glossy stars such as Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and most recently, Mark Teixeira.

Superior statistical players to those who they are preceding, yes, but guy’s that have yet to show the immeasurable intangibles that are necessary in order to be champions.

Having Paul O’Neil in his prime would do wonders for this Yankees team now. Along with holdovers Jeter, Rivera, and catcher Jorge Posada, arguably the four most vital players from that now distant dynasty would still be playing.

Yes, stick O’Neil in right field and you would probably see offensive production similar to the likes of current Yankees outfielders Hideki Matsui or Xavier Nady at worst.

That small statistical jump however, would very unlikely take this current team from merely good to great. Now take into account the intangibles he played with.

Assuming his passion, intensity and will to win rubs off on these current players just like it did for those teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s, there would be no stopping this immensely talented team.

Sadly, this scenario will never unfold. O’Neil has not played a game in more than eight seasons, and it’s safe to assume he will stay retired.

Players that played as hard and passionately as he did are almost unheard of, and as a fan of the game, I’m sad to say, we will likely never see someone quite like him again.

History will be and has so far been unkind to him. Hall of Fame-wise, he is considered an afterthought, a guy with solid numbers but undeserving of baseball’s most exclusive honor.

Yes, even considering all the non-measurable factors he brought to the table, O’Neil still might be undeserving. Yet to all those knowledgeable baseball fans out there, you know as well as I do that the Yankees without Paulie, would probably still be stuck on World Series ring No. 22.

Greetings From Washington, by Adam Dunn

Joey Corso — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:10:09 -0400

What's cookin', fellas? Shoot, the ball we playin' now just ain't cuttin' it.

Honestly, I'm fit to be tied. Personally, I'm playin' real well, still jackin' a ton of bombs and all that, but this damn team can’t stop losin'.

We're 4-15, geez, that’s even worse than when I was playin in Cinci!

Don’t get me wrong, the guys here seem like fine folks. Ryan, Nick, Austin, and the rest are all great guys, but I still get the feelin' they look at me as some crazy maverick.

Yeah, maybe I don’t fit in real well, but I'm carryin' this team right now. Even Manny told me the boys gotta start treatin' me with more respect. Shoot, you tell 'em, skip!

I'll fess up: I only came here for the money. I thought I'd be gettin' more for all the bombs I've hit over the years, but nah. Seems like teams thought I was whiffin' too much, so it took me a while to sign.

But hey, I still got 20 mill for two seasons, and I even got myself a brand-new place back in Houston! Yeah, maybe life ain’t so bad after all.

I'll swan if skip ain't tellin the truth, but he just came over here and told me I'll prolly be playin' in the All-Star game! He said it was like in St. Louis or somethin', and I heard the fans out there real friendly.

I think I'm goin' to ask the commish if I can hit in the Derby. To hear all that cheerin' will be nice.

Gotta mention this new park we're all playin' in. Man, it’s a looker. I got my own laptop, TV, Xbox, you name it. They even get me DVDs so I can watch my home runs again!

I mean, yeah, they told me I gotta watch some fieldin' videos first before I watch those, but man, I'm a slugger! As long as I keep sluggin' away, no chance skip takes me out.

Plus, I play left, so it’s not like anyone notices, right?

Ah man, this has been fun. I gotta go get some truck right now, gotta keep big you know?

Scratch that, Manny just asked me to show these four new relief pitchers around the park. It feels like I'm doin' this every week, but whatever.

Alright, y'all, I'm out, and until next time, go Nats!

A Late-Career Power Surge by New York Yankees' Derek Jeter? You Never Know

Joey Corso — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:04:49 -0400

.300 AVG, .360 OBP, and .410 SLG.

That stat line represents what experts and fans alike almost certainly would have predicted for Derek Jeter this current season. Solid numbers, no doubt.

But at this point in his Hall of Fame career, it is obvious we were classifying him as a singles hitter.

As the season hits the 20-game mark, we may be underestimating him.

Jeter seems to be right where we pegged him with a .294 BA and .355 OBP. What’s strange is his hefty .482 SLG.

He has already hit four home runs. It took Jeter until June 13 last season to hit No. 4.

Back to Jeter’s SLG.

Since 2006, when Jeter posted nearly career numbers all around, including a .483 SLG, the number has gradually gone. For the past two seasons he was at a measly .408.

Take away the 2006 season and his highest mark since 2002 was a .471.

Jeter turns 35 in June. He is no longer the youngster from the Yankee dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Late career power surges are known to happen, but not to 35-year-old shortstops.

Yes, the new Yankee Stadium is playing like Coors Field of the East. This has probably contributed to Jeter’s eruption. He has a monster .600 SLG at home this season. However, his .446 SLG on the road shows he’s swinging with a bit more pop everywhere.

Twenty games into the 2009 season we're seeing some things we never imagined:

The Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in baseball.
Zach Greinke has yet to allow a run.
Derek Jeter is becoming a slugger at the tender age of 35.

I hardly ever make anything of these first few games, as several of the players are still working their way back into player shape. However, unthinkable happenings come about every season.

Maybe, this will one of them.

Gil Meche Is Showing Experts What a Bargain He Has Become

Joey Corso — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:02:55 -0400

Admit it. You were shocked. I mean, how could you not be?

When the Kansas City Royals signed starting pitcher Gil Meche to a five-year deal worth $55 million dollars for the upcoming 2007 season, jaws around the entire sport dropped.

"We were proud to be a part of the process and delighted that Gil Meche made the decision to join the Royals," general manager Dayton Moore said at the time of the signing. "He is an impact pitching talent who fits in with our plan for long term success. At 28, he is entering the prime of his career."

Like nearly everyone else, I laughed when I read this.

Meche was an average pitcher, who posted a very average 4.48 ERA and 1.43 WHIP during his contract season. Throw in the fact that he would be leaving Safeco Field, a pitchers haven, and it was easy to mock the Royals for throwing too much money at an incredibly run-of-the-mill pitcher in Meche.

Then something strange happened.

Meche became good.

In fact, he became really good.

During the 2007 season Meche not only led all of baseball in games started with 34, but he posted a very respectable 3.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Although he finished with a 9-13 record, that should not factor into the equation when analyzing his season. The Royals gave him little support, finishing a measly 27th in runs scored that season with only 706 in total.

Many called the season a fluke, citing his poor strikeout numbers and above average batting average on balls put into play (BABIP). No way would he post those types of numbers again.

Or would he?

Not only did Meche pitch as well in 2008, he may have been better.

Although his ERA and WHIP increased slightly, his strikeout total improved from 156 to 183, and he decreased his home run against total from 22 to 19. Once again he showed his rubber arm, leading all of baseball in starts with 34 for the second straight season.

Clearly, Nate Silver and the rest of those “so called experts” who were all calling for a major slip in performance were wrong on Meche once again.

So why did it take Meche so long to reach the level he is currently pitching at?

In truth, no one knows. Although you can look for statistical trends and other data to find out why he has developed into one of the top 15 pitchers in the game these past few seasons, the simple reality is some guys are just late bloomers.

Meche just happens to be one of them.

The 2009 season is now underway, and it is clear the Royals are the dark horse to win the AL Central.

With a young emerging offensive led by 3B Alex Gordon, 1B/DH Billy Butler and SS Mike Aviles, plus star closer Joakim Soria, it is easy to see why people all over baseball are falling in love with this team.

However, their rotation might be their principal strength.

Although Kyle Davies and Sidney Ponson are uncertain at best, the one-two punch of rising superstar Zach Greinke and Meche, who is off to another solid start, could be the best in all of baseball. In a five game playoff series, where their top three could pitch every game, the Royals have more than a puncher's chance.

But was it dumb luck or complete brilliance by the Royals front office in signing Meche?

If you ask me, it was probably both.

The Royal’s obviously did their homework and saw some traits they liked well enough to invest $55 million in the guy. Yet you're probably asking, how many other teams, if any, would have paid that much for him at the time?

I can’t speak for those organizations, but if the contracts signed by fellow pitchers Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Vicente Padilla and Jeff Suppan are any indication; I am sure some other teams would have paid him that type of money as well.

At one point, fans and experts alike heavily ridiculed the Royals for awarding what many thought was the most absurd contract during the 2007 offseason.

Well, look who’s having the last laugh now.

Like Fine Wine, Rivera Continues To Age Beautifully

Joey Corso — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:34:52 -0400

Enter Sandman by Metallica starts blasting through the Yankee Stadium loud speakers at the top of the ninth inning. If there ever was a song opposing players of any team wished they would never have to listen to, this would be their choice.

The crowd gets up and roars its approval as the inevitable is about to happen. The Yankees have the lead and are about to give the ball to their 39 year old one pitch closer. Just so happens, Mariano Rivera is as dominating as ever.

Not to bad a career put together by a one-time failed starter whose rookie ERA was 5.51 huh? After a shaky opening season in which the Yankees were still experimenting in where to put their future Hall of Fame star, Rivera’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. With 486 regular season saves and counting, plus a career .77 post season ERA, it is easy to see why many call him the greatest closer ever.

Goose Gossage once said about him, "When Rivera takes the mound, the other team “is sitting in the dugout thinking, ‘We’ve got no chance. It’s over.’ This guy walks into the game, and they are done.”

Of all the worthy praise Rivera has received over his career, nothing stands out more than his consistency on a year to year basis. Since 1997 when Rivera took over as the Yankee’s full time closer, only once has he posted less than 30 saves or an ERA over 3. Incredibly, he has been even more dominant in the post season.

Although many remember him from his infamous blown save against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, Rivera’s 34 saves are top in post season history.

Current teammate and fellow star player Alex Rodriguez summed him up perfectly saying “To me, he's the greatest modern day weapon I have seen or played against. He has been the heart and soul of the New York Yankees dynasty."

What makes Rivera’s success even more insane to fathom, is that he really only uses one pitch. Last season, posting typical Rivera numbers (1.40 ERA, .65 WHIP, 12.8 SO/BB) he threw his fastball only 18 percent of the time, less than any pitcher except famed knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

The other 82 percent of the time, he threw his cutter, which many describe as the single best pitch in the game. Like his fastball, Rivera’s cutter is clocked between 92-94 mph. However, it darts in and out a good 3-4 inches either way and vertically moves in a half foot range.

When asked how to describe Rivera’s cutter, Tony Womack said “When he throws it, you think it’s straight, and the next thing you know, it’s on your thumbs.”

When major league players usually hit the age of 39, the majority are either retired or fighting for a spot on a big league club, not one of the biggest star’s on baseball’s glamour teams.

Coming off elbow surgery this past off-season, Rivera looks headed towards another fantastic season posting a 2.16 ERA and 11.9 SO/9 ratio at the time of this writing. The cutter again appears to be sharp and his velocity remains intact.

As spectactular as Rivera is, he will not pitch forever. The likelihood of a similar pitcher coming around, ever, is beyond rare . Even for those non-Yankee fans out there, you should savor every brilliant moment this once in a lifetime closer provides us. That does not include of course, when he slams the door on your favorite team once again.

An Inaugural Penn Relay Experience: Gone in 11 Seconds

Joey Corso — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:10:38 -0400

“FIRE…STICK!” I yelled, out of breath, as I handed off the baton to Eric, and he was off.

As our blue and white Flint Hill short bus rumbled down I-95 to Philadelphia, we knew, as a team that keeps our expectations realistic, that we wanted to win our heat and that expecting more was going to be difficult to accomplish.

This was the 115th edition of the Penn Relays held at Franklin Field. With a seating capacity of 52,000, the crowd had the potential to get enormous and it did.

Reading through the program, you'd find that the Penn Relays have had gold medalists at every Olympics except the U.S. boycotted 1980 Moscow games. These alumni include the legendary Jesse Owens and current superstar Usain Bolt.

If that is not enough motivation to run fast, I don’t know what is.

Our 4x100 team that competed is an interesting bunch. What we may lack in speed, we make up for in discipline, dedication, and heart.

Alex, our third leg, is a senior headed off to St. Louis University next year. It is apparent to everyone who knows him that he has wonderful leadership skills and a knack for saying things to lighten the air before a big race.

Atif, a senior off to Virginia Tech, was the anchor. Although quiet, he is a great guy who pushes everyone to their limits during practice, especially when I am not working my hardest.

Finally there is Eric, our second leg and best overall runner. He is also a senior and is headed off to UCLA on track. He is widely regarded as the best runner in the conference. He is what I aspire to be at some point.

I had the responsibility of starter or lead off runner.

The only non-senior on the relay team, my only job is to run fast and open a lead. Although not the most naturally gifted of runners, I’d like to think my intensity and will to win somewhat makes up for my lack of grace.

We arrived in Philadelphia around 10:00 that morning, still a little groggy from waking up so early. I was a nervous wreck, as the magnitude of the whole spectacle seemed to hit me before anyone else.

Walking into the warm-up area, a small torn up park within spitting distance of the legendary Franklin Field, Coach Savage met us.

Regarded as one of the best sprinting coaches this side of the Mississippi, it was clear that Coach Savage just wanted us to relax as our apprehension was obvious from our deathly silent warm-up.

We practiced our hand offs, which had steadily improved from our Disney debacle.

The handoff is the most critical element of the 4x100, as having a slightly early or late one can be the difference between first and last place.

Although we had problems in the past, I was handing off to Eric in his left hand, which is luckily his dominant one.

“Let’s do that in the race,” I said after completing a perfect practice exchange, our final one. “Yea that was real good. Let’s go out and win this race,” we said to each other.

It was obvious Eric was in his usual pre-race zone. From that time just before the race and lasting until it was over, nothing else mattered to him. We are all competitors, but the tunnel vision and concentration Eric shows before races is second to none.

As we finished warm-ups, I could not stop thinking about the Penn Relays' significance as it drew the best runners from across America.

Like my teammates, this was my first time running at this venue. I had a pretty good idea about what we were about to go through as I had read numerous stories from past runners recounting their personal experiences.

As we prepared to head off towards the stadium, Coach McCloud told us, “I know you have been laughing at Joey, about how he said you will remember this your entire life, but he’s right. Before the race, just take two, three seconds to look up at the crowd and take it all in.”

We all nodded in approval, as we were about to embark on an experience we would never forget.

Walking down the street toward the race entrance, all we could really concentrate on was not getting separated.

The streets we were trying to make our way through were filled with hundreds of people, the majority of them from other relay teams from high schools and colleges all over the country.

After receiving some last parting words from Coaches McCloud and Savage, we gave them all our gear as they headed off to find seats in the jam-packed Franklin Field.

It was now just the four of us, about to run a race we would never forget.

Section 110 HSB. That stands for the race section our team was in along with the other independent prep school teams. Although we had no idea which other schools we were about to run against, we figured we had as good a shot as any other team.

“Section 110!” we heard a race official shout, implying it was our turn to step up. We walked past the gate, made a left, and got our first glance at the crowd.

The crowd was roaring, 30,000 strong, screaming at the top of their lungs as one of the fast heats of the high school 4x100 unfolded.

It was a beautiful day to run, and Alex who always seems to say the right thing at the perfect time chirped, “It’s always sunny in Philadelphia." Allowing each of us to laugh and loosen up.

Along with being known as an excellent runner, Eric has gained nearly equal notice for the blue “Jeremy Wariner-esque” sunglasses he wears during his races.

The first time he wore them we were stopped by an race official and asked if they were prescription for his vision, to which he replied no. He proceeded to tell the official he had sensitive eyes, which seemed to please the man enough, and we were allowed to move on.

Seconds later, we were stopped by another race official, who proceeded to ask the same question as the first man. Eric replied with the same answer and before asking anything else, she snatched the glasses from Eric’s face and tried them on.

“Are these for the sun?” she asked after taking them off almost as quickly as she tried them on. Eric nodded his head and we were off, all of us smiling, knowing that he really just likes looking as intimidating as possible at the starting line.

“We were being herded like cattle,” Atif said, as he described how they were organizing us before the race. The organizers were clearly not in the best of moods, giving short answers to other runners in our section, who were as confused as our team was.

As the starter gun went off for heat one-of-two for section 110, Eric, Alex, and Atif were marched off to their starting ends of the track, leaving me alone. As the other race ended, I was given my starting point for lane seven and handed a blue and red baton.

The baton seemed heavy, but all I could concentrate on was the crowd of people watching. Instead of taking the “two-to-three seconds” like Coach McCloud suggested, I found myself mesmerized by the crowd for a good 10 to 12 seconds. After that, it was time to go to work.

As the starting official cried out “On your marks…Set” I was in my crouch, ready to roll.

The gun sounded and I was off running around the curve, trying to make up ground on the stagger. It all happened so fast, with a perfect hand off.

By the time I had caught my breath and was able to look up and see what was unfolding, we were on the final leg and in solid possession of third place—not exactly what we wanted, but nothing to hang our heads over.

After the race we met up and embraced. Alex and Eric were talking about a small miscue they had over their hand off, but I was quick to point out that we did all we could and there was no changing what happened.

It was a proud moment. I had an opportunity to be a part of the charter Flint Hill boy’s 4x100 with three other wonderful guys who had each contributed so much to the track program over the last four years.

Being a sophomore, the feeling of exhaustion left me craving more. Next year and hopefully the year after, I’ll have further opportunities to be a part of this glorious team experience.

One thing is for sure: The memories I brought back from Philadelphia created a drive inside of me to make more.

Major League Baseball's Popularity During WWII

Joey Corso — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:15:48 -0400

In thinking about the events of World War II, the impact of Major League Baseball on American society during the war is probably not one of the first topics that come to mind.

Unlike major leaders or battles, the sport may not have directly impacted the outcome on the battlefield, yet it made a valuable contribution on the home front and American morale that cannot be overlooked.

During this grim period, when young Americans went off to war and all citizens were required to make sacrifices, one constant remained—Major League Baseball. It allowed Americans to enjoy sense of normalcy and of entertainment for citizens of every age.

Thanks to President Roosevelt’s Green Light Letter, which gave baseball a much needed an endorsement, the game continued to be played throughout the war.

Despite the fact that Major League Baseball’s level of play was statistically lower during the war, the game’s popularity increased, reflecting the country’s embrace of baseball as the true national pastime.

President Roosevelt said, “I honestly feel that it would be best for the country to keep baseball going. There will be fewer people unemployed and everybody will work longer hours and harder than ever before.

"And that means that they ought to have a chance for recreation and for taking their minds off their work even more than before.”

That quote from President Roosevelt’s “Green Light Letter” written January 15, 1942 to the then Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Keensaw Mountain Landis, sums up Roosevelt’s position on the importance of baseball.

By getting a vote of confidence from President Roosevelt, any lingering doubts about whether or not the sport was an acceptable war-time activity was eliminated. Not only was the President concerned with the morale of the country, but was eager to provide an activity for working-class people to take their minds off the war’s hardships.

In addition, Roosevelt’s suggestion of more night games was a big reason attendance did not suffer as the number of people able to attend day games decreased as a result of citizens having to work more to support the war effort.

Another key factor underlying President Roosevelt’s support of Major League Baseball was that baseball in the 1940s was the only national sport in the U.S. Unlike today, where people have a choice of watching many professional sports to as entertainment, the only mainstream sport in the U.S. during WWII was baseball.

Professional football and basketball did not appear nationally until the 1950s while hockey was looked at as “Canada’s Past Time.”

Horse racing and boxing were widely popular at the time, yet these sports did not bring the excitement baseball brought as it was the only team sport and more appropriate for youngsters.

Although the quality of play was considerably lower during the time and many of the league’s stars were off at war, it only had a small impact on popularity showing America’s love of the game.

Before WWII began, Major League Baseball enjoyed record popularity. Ted Williams batted a record-setting .406, Joe DiMaggio, set a record with hits in 56 consecutive games, 41-year-old Lefty Grove won his 300th career win, and the New York Yankees collected an unprecedented ninth World Series championship.(Baseball in Wartime)

Following Pearl Harbor, overwhelming patriotism spread throughout the nation, causing many young men to enlist including future Hall of Fame players Hank Greenburg and Bob Feller who gave up the prime their careers to be a part of the war effort.

Greenburg summed up what all players at the time were feeling, telling the Sporting News that “If there's any last message to be given to the public, let it be that I'm going to be a good soldier.”

Although a small minority of Americans expressed displeasure towards apparently fit men participating in sports and shirking military duties, Private John E Stevenson, expressed the more widely held view that, "baseball is part of the American way of life. Remove it and you remove something from the lives of American citizens, soldiers and sailors."

Along with future Hall of Famers, many other quality major league players enlisted or were drafted, significantly lowering the quality of play. Average players were now stars, and scrubs who were destined to be career minor leaguers received opportunities to play significant roles on big league clubs.

Using David Finoli’s highly embraced statistical formula, as seen in For the Good of the Country: World War II Baseball in the Major and Minor Leagues, a list of the top 64 ball players during the war seasons (1942-1945) was developed, headed by a Roy Sanders.

Although a fine player, it was clear a somewhat obscure player today, benefited playing against lesser competition. This can be seen by comparing his statistics during and after the war.

The list contains several other fine players, but does not include a future Hall of Fame player until the 14th player on the list, Cleveland Indians shortstop Lou Boudreau. Four highly productive seasons along with six to eight above average ones can usually make a player’s case for entry into the Hall of Fame.

Yet none of the top 13 players during the war made the Hall, proving that these players were unable to perform at the same level when up against the best and that statistically speaking the level of play during the time was lower.

It is a common belief that Major League Baseball’s attendance suffered greatly during the war, despite an endorsement from President Roosevelt and the addition of more night games. In 1941, the last season prior to America’s entry into the war, Major League Baseball enjoyed its fifth highest attendance total of all time with 9,689,603 spectators.

Although attendance decreased by about one million during 1942 and 1943 seasons to 7,465,911, the 1944 season saw a return to pre-war attendance levels and by 1945, the last war season, the league had an all time high attendance of 10,841,123.

If you compare league attendance numbers between the first two war seasons and the last two, you will find that attendance increased 22 percent, proving that American’s need for baseball increased as the war dragged on.

These numbers prove that during the early war years Americans were distracted but as the war went on, more people turned to the sport as a form of escape and entertainment.

It is evident from these statistics that America started taking the view of majority of the soldiers, including Private Clifford P Mansfield who reiterated, "For the morale of the soldier and the morale of America itself, 'keep 'em playing'."

What many thought was a questionable decision by President Roosevelt to allow baseball to continue during the war, the decision clearly turned out to be a wise move. When the original series of doubts set in about if the game should continue, Roosevelt’s “Green Light Letter” silenced many of the critics.

Many came to realize that without baseball there would be no national sport for Americans to rally around and distract themselves from the war’s needed sacrifices, clearly lowering the morale of its citizens and soldiers.

While the level of play during these war-times years was considerably lower, due to over 500 major league players doing service, baseball’s popularity increased and attendance soared.

After surviving WWII, baseball’s status kept increasing to the level of popularity it enjoys today at a frantic rate up to where it is today. Thanks to President Roosevelt and baseball’s loyal fan base, not only did the sport survive, but it helped America out in its own little way even if it does not show up in the history books.

If the Nationals are serious, sign Strasburg… No Matter the Price

Joey Corso — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:34:25 -0400

The best I've ever seen," says a longtime scout. "And it's not even close." These are the words of a longtime scout to Buster Olney, ESPN’s Acclaimed MLB senior writer, after watching the game’s future star. With the velocity of strikeout king Nolan Ryan and the pinpoint control of future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, Steven Strasburg is being touted by many in baseball as the greatest pitching prospect ever. Our Washington Nationals, who finished dead last in the entire league last season, have the first pick in this year’s MLB draft. Strasburg is there for the taking… if the Nationals are willing to pay the price.

The last twelve months have not been kind to the Nationals. After opening a beautiful new ballpark, the Nationals deeply disappointed the home fans, posting a 59-102 record. Although the injury bug hit them harder than most teams, including a large absence by stud 3B Ryan Zimmerman, by the end of the season it appeared that they had just completely thrown in the towel finishing the season 1-9 in their final 10 games. On top of that, the Nationals failed to sign their top pick in the draft, pitcher Aaron Crowe leaving many in baseball wondering how serious the organization was in building a serious contender.

Heading into the offseason, no one expected much from the Nationals in free agency as they are notoriously cheap when it comes to offering to big time players. In a sign by ownership that showed they genuinely cared about the product they were putting on the field, the Nationals made an enormous offer to Mark Teixeira, considered by nearly everyone to be the top FA batter. Although they lost out to the New York Yankees on the sweepstakes, fans were generally pleased as they saw an effort was clearly made. They proceeded to do nothing in free agency, reverting back to their old ways until signing OF Adam Dunn to a two year deal, worth $20 million. Although one of the top home run hitters in baseball, Dunn is also a strike out machine and a liability on defense. Dunn would be General Manager Jim Bowden’s last major acquisition.

On March 1^st, Bowden resigned under the cloud of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to Latin American prospects. The franchise has been in a state of uncertainty ever since, and the new season, which always bring optimism to every club, has nearly been lost as the Nationals have started once again with the worst record in the league.

Although the Nationals are quite frugal, especially during this economic crisis, the team has money to spend, as evidenced by signing Ryan Zimmerman to a $45 million dollar contract extension. Although Zimmerman is the face of the franchise, the willingness to spend on just one key player will not win championships. That’s where Strasburg comes in. The same scout says about him, "You could put him in a rotation right now, and he could be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Right now, he's better than A.J. Burnett." For those of you who are unfamiliar with Burnett, he is currently the New York Yankees number two starter who just signed a contract this past winter worth $82.5 million dollars.

Although there are no guarantees, he clearly is a once in a lifetime talent with limitless potential. The Nationals know this very well. The problem is, of course, the money. Strasburg is represented by super agent Scott Boras, loved by his clients and hated by the teams for his fierce negotiating style. Boras is known to get everything and more for his clients, as seen when looking at the deals of his two most famous clients Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez. Boras is said to be looking for a signing bonus worth 50 million dollars, an unheard of sum for a player who has never pitched in a major league game. Compare that to the 8 million the Tampa Bay Rays gave to the their top pick pitcher, David Price, two drafts ago, an incredible talent in his own right, and you see the bind the Nationals are in.

For a pitcher, this kid is as close to a sure thing as it gets. The triple digits on the radar gun, although impressive, are not what impress me the most. Through 63 innings this season, Strasburg has 121 strikeouts to only 12 walks. This 12 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio is simply unheard of. Many flamethrower pitchers can achieve similar strike out numbers, but usually are wild and walk batters at a near similar rate. Strasburg first gained national attention with his signature 23 strikeout game. What is most incredible about his performance was how he let only four men come to base and only one was by a walk. Truly incredible and likely the first of many unforgettable games he pitches both collegiately and professionally.

If you are the Nationals you sign this guy no matter what. The money he is likely to be asking for is going to be an inconceivable sum but as an organization, they owe it to the fans. Strasburg will not be the answer to all the team’s many problems, but he will be an ace in the rotation, if he lives up to his ability. If he does not live up to his potential, it is a huge financial loss at the worst time. However, all the signs point to this kid being a star. Even if he ends up mediocre at best, at least the team won’t be asking five seasons from now, “Where would we be if we had this guy?”