Bleacher Report - Articles by Lawrence Blanchard

Coach's Stupidity Knocks Papi Back Even More

Lawrence Blanchard — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:34:46 -0400

We all know that our beloved "Big Papi" David Ortiz has suffered through the worst slump in his career, but finally, when he starts to show a little bit of improvement, a stupid mistake by the third base coach knocks him off his game again.

I am sure every fan was thinking the same thing as me yesterday: "Why is Papi trying to steal second?"

Well, watching the replay it's obvious, it's because he was given the sign to steal.

Red Sox third base coach Demarlo Hale actually gave the steal sign, and like he was supposed to do, "Papi" took off, dead in the water from the start. He was out by 10 feet, then you saw the look of disgust on his face and you knew this was another setback.

This kind of mistake is unacceptable to me, and I hope there is no lingering effects.

George Kell, MLB Hall Of Famer, Passes Away at 86

Lawrence Blanchard — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:29:05 -0400

Hall of Famer George Kell passed away today at the ripe old age of 86. Mr. Kell will be remembered as one of the true ambassadors of baseball; he was loved by the fans and, in turn, loved every fan back.

I was lucky enough to talk with Kell on several occasions and will never forget him.

My story starts a couple of years back; I had sent him my prized Hall of Fame ball, so that he could add his signature, but the ball was misplaced. After writing to Kell to see what had happened, he immediately called me to apologize and promised to make it up to me.

He explained that he received up to 30 autograph requests every day and had an orderly system of signing things and getting them back to fans in their correct return envelopes. He remembered seeing my ball and told me that someone at the house had also been admiring it and picked it up to look at. This had messed up his system and it was lost.

We talked a couple times after that by phone and through mail correspondence, and he would always tell me how important his family was to him, how much God affected his life, how much every fan's opinion of him counted, and how great it was was to be a member of the Hall of Fame.

He was a proud but quiet man, and in the coming months, he sent me a new signed baseball, a 1988 Team USA signed baseball bat, a Duke Snider-signed Glove, and finally after a year, my Hall of Fame baseball was found by his son under a couch.

I asked him if he wanted all the stuff he had sent me back, and of course he said no, keep it for the trouble.

This is how Kell treated each and every fan. There are many stories about promoters trying to get him to speed up, and he would tell them "these people are paying for my signature, so I will take my time and make sure they are happy," all the while telling stories and posing for pictures.

He loved the game of baseball and spent six decades attached to it in one form or another, as a player, coach, and broadcaster.

George Kell was a true Hall of Famer in every way. I guess God needed a third baseman today and smartly chose the No. 1 man for the job.

Rest in peace, my friend, you will be missed.

MLB: Spring Training Brings Another Clean Slate For Fans

Lawrence Blanchard — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:07:42 -0500

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only does it bring in a sign of good weather to come, more importantly it signals the start of baseball season.

After a long winter of pondering what might have been, the new season gives every fan of every team a new hope. As a lifelong Red Sox Fan, I have met with disappointment many times in my life, but when pitchers and catchers report to their designated sites, the dreams of a World Series title begin anew.

By now most fans know who is new to the team, who has left, and who the most highly- touted prospects are. Most have checked the strength of the schedule and believe they know where and when the key series will be.

Most fans will try and project what their favorite players will do, and try to put a hex on the players they dislike in hopes of them playing poorly.

This is the time of the year where everyone has the right to trash talk, because nobody really knows what will happen until the season begins. But when it begins, watch out. As we all know, baseball brings out the best and worst out of all of us.

Here's to a great 2009 Season.

Florida Marlins Rebuilding?? Don't Think So

Lawrence Blanchard — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:45:09 -0400

Year after year you hear about the Florida Marlins rebuilding, yet year after year they are right there near the top of the division. It has become common for big market teams to foster young players in there farm systems and either move them to other teams to fill needs, or bring them up to the bigs at there discretion.

While most of the small market teams do not have this luxury and trade away there prospects to try and stay competitive, the Marlins have been the exception and maintain one of the finest minor league programs in either league and continue to move young talent through the levels and into the big leagues.

Look at the Double-A affiliate Carolina Mudcats, they are stacked with big league ready talent. John Raynor a speedy outfielder who leads the Southern League in steals, Gaby Sanchez the reigning Southern League MVP, and Cameron Maybin the uber prospect with five tool skills could all be starters if needed. Don't forget Chris Coghlan, Chris Mobley, and Brett Hayes who are a year or so away.

So next time you hear someone complain that the Marlins are "rebuilding" or having a "fire sale" just look back at past years and know that they are stocked from below and will be just fine.

MLB: Josh Willingham Remembers His Roots

Lawrence Blanchard — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:13:13 -0400

Josh Willingham, All Star outfielder for the Florida Marlins, played a three game rehab stint with my beloved Carolina Mudcats last weekend and acted like he had never left Double A ball. He was friendly, enthusiastic, and very humble.

I found it hard to believe that a big leaguer would remember so many people from the days he was in the minor leagues, but at first glance, Josh recognized me right away and immediately asked me how the kids and I were.

He talked to my daughter and signed her Mudcats bat, he smiled and posed for pictures, and best of all, he took the field for two very exciting games.

I watched the way he interacted with the younger guys like John Raynor and Cameron Maybin and the way they reacted to him and it brought back the reason I attend all the games, baseball is fun. A kids' game played by adults who want to be kids, and watched by fans who want to be ballplayers.

Thank you Josh for bringing back the fan in me.