I was watching MLB Tv the other day and Bull Durham was on. It opens with Max Patkin doing his bit before a Bulls game. Immediately I realized that there are no more Max Patkin’s or Nick Altrock or Al Schact.
It seems to me that in their place, the team mascots have become the clowns. The first was the San Diego Chicken. The most popular right now is the Philly Phanatic. The Dodgers do not have a mascot, but back in Brooklyn, famous circus clown, Emmet Kelly, was the face of the Brooklyn Bum.
Altrock and Schact were the first and their antics delighted crowds into the 40’s. Max Patkin came along later and was doing his thing for 51 years. It all started when Patkin was in the Navy. He was pitching against DiMaggio and gave up a homer. In mock anger he threw his glove at Joe and followed him around the bases. The fans ate it up.
Patkin over the course of his run was called: “The Clown Prince of Baseball”. Max was born on January 10th, 1920, in Philadelphia. He played every type of baseball venue. 
His dad took him to a baseball game when he was eight and he saw Jimmy Foxx play. He fell in love with the game. From that point on he wanted to be a major leaguer. He would wear his cap all day and not take it off until he went to bed.
Max showed his funny side early in high school. He wrote in his autobiography that he may have been the only athlete at North Philadelphia High School who flunked gym. ” The gym teacher hated me; he once gave me a VVVP rating. That stood for very, very, very poor!”
He started out as an outfielder, but the coach turned him into a pitcher when he saw how high he could lift his leg when throwing. He hoped to get a college scholarship to play baseball, but his grades were too poor. 
He went to Brown Prep in the hopes it would improve his grades. Nope, he claimed he was the only guy who ever flunked study hall. He pitched at Brown for two years and only lost one game, but his grades did not improve, and he was not offered a scholarship.
Max pitched in amateur leagues trying hard to get noticed by an MLB team. Finally in 1940, the White Sox took a chance. But when Max arrived at spring training, he learned his contract had been sold for 100 dollars. He pitched at Class-D Wisconsin Rapids in 1941, winning 10, and losing 8. He once uncorked a wild pitch that went into the press box, bouncing off of the wall and then it hit the announcer in the back of his head, knocking him cold.
He went in the service soon after Pearl Harbor, joining the Navy. And as I said before, while pitching against the Army-Air Force team, featuring DiMaggio, he gave up the homer and followed Joe around the bases. Bobby Riggs was a member of his unit in the Navy. He and Riggs played ping pong for money, by the time they were ready to be transferred, Riggs owed him 5000 dollars.
After Max was discharged in 1945, he signed with the Cleveland Indians. While pitching in the minors in 46, he came down with tendonitis. That effectively ended his baseball career. But he began doing his comedy routine during games to entertain fans and distract the opposition.
During a game with the Philadelphia A’s, Connie Mack began laughing at Max’s antics in the coaching box. “That is when I knew I was funny.” he said, I made Connie Mack laugh.
After he was released, he was contacted by the owner of the Harrisburg Senators and offered 100 dollars to perform during an exhibition game with the Indians.
The show went well except Max tore a tendon in his leg. He was coaching at first and threw his leg so high the tendon tore. Indians’ owner, Bill Veeck got wind of his act, and wanted to hire him to perform with another former ballplayer turned clown, Jackie Price.
Indian’s manager, Lou Boudreau, convinced Veeck to let Patkin coach first for the first two innings of a game to drive the other team nuts. Max signed a contract with the Indians for 1 dollar, and then a personal services contract for 650.00 a month.
Veeck once said” Patkin looks like he was put together by someone who did not read the instructions.” Patkin stayed with the Indians until midway through the 1947 season when Veeck decided the Indians were competitive enough to not need someone to entertain the crowd.
The job with the Indians had given Max a lot of exposure. He joined a small group of men who did that for a living. Al Schact was still performing. As to not be confused with Schact, who always wore a formal coat, Max did his act in uniform.
While he still would do Indians games until Veeck sold the team in 49, he finally decided to start barnstorming around the US. He did baseball games, but he would perform for anyone willing to pay him.
He toured with the Harlem Globetrotters at one point. During one performance with the Trotters, he accidentally dropped his pants and mooned the audience. “They loved it” he said” I should keep it in the act.”
The state department hired him to do tours for the GI’s. He also performed at ice shows and would change costumes to fit the act. Early in his career he was at a sports trade show with Jim Thorpe. Thorpe gave him a baseball glove that he used in his act until he retired.
Max did eventually marry. But he traveled so much, the whole thing eventually fell apart. They did not have any children, but the adopted a girl, Joy. She became bitter because her dad was gone so much. He would try and make it up to her when he was home.
One night, his wife Judy attacked him with a hammer, splitting his skull open. She went to the kitchen and got a knife, but Joy wrestled the knife away from her. Max gave everything in the divorce except custody of Joy. Eventually he got custody.
He and Joy moved in with his brother Eddie. Max’s biggest regret was that Joy never did see his act. Not once. By the mid 50’s, Max had perfected his act, wearing a baggy uniform with a question mark on the back, and his hat tilted sideways.
Although the fans always loved his act, some managers did not. Gene Mauch was the worst. Max said he would blow his top every time. He would always try to refuse to let Max perform. He succeeded four time. Max said, damn if he didn’t lose all four games.
Max said that his routine never affected the outcome of any game. He was accused of doing that several times. Once when he was doing his routine as the third base coach for the Blue Jays, Jim Palmer was pitching for the Orioles. With John Mayberry at bat, Max shouted “fastball”, just as Palmer was throwing the ball, sure enough, it was a fastball and Mayberry deposited it in the seats. Palmer just stared at Max.
Max never missed a performance, and he was quite proud of that. He would do different routines instead of just sticking to one act. As seen in Bull Durham, one of his favorites was showing coaches how to give signs from third while dancing to “Rock Around the Clock.” He would also drink a lot of water and then send it geyser like into the air.
He performed for as many as 80,000, in Cleveland, and according to him, as few as 4. He would arrive at the ballpark early so he could meet the players. He would go over his act with them so as not to make anyone look foolish except for himself.
He met many famous people along the way. In 1988, while performing in Denver, George H.W. Bush was the game. He was throwing a ball around the infield, and Max incorporated him into his act. They got a resounding round of applause.
Bull Durham gave Max an even larger audience when released in 1988. The director of the film, Ron Shelton, remembered seeing Patkin when he was in the minors. Not only did Max perform in the movie, but he also had one of the films more memorable lines. While speaking with Annie Savoy, she asks why do you keep doing it Max? His reply, “Annie, I love this game of baseball, I truly love this game.” With this sentiment, I wholeheartedly concur.
Late in his career, Max was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization, given to those who have helped make the world a happier place.
Max retired in 1993 when health issues forced him to at the age of 73. His brother Eddie passed in 1994, and Max suffered depression from the loss. Although he was retired, he stayed active. In 1999 while taping a video a TV spot, a panhandler stole 35.00 from him. Max asked the judge to grant the man leniency and gave him a copy of his autobiography to read. Max said that would be punishment enough.
Max Patkin passed away on October 30, 1999, from an aortic aneurysm. Max was summed up in this little poem.
His uniform was baggy
He had gigantic feet
His hat was always cock-eye
And he had but few teeth
And a schnozz as big as Baltimore
And a heart as big as Devon
Max Patkin made the children laugh
And now he’s gone to heaven
Max was truly one of a kind, and the last of the great baseball clowns. We have mascots now, and they entertain the crowds. They will be long remembered, but as long as Bull Durham airs on TV, or is seen in DVDs, Max will have new fans.
This was nice. Definitely evocative of a different era.
The Philly Phanatic is amazing.
The Chicken was funny too.
Which came first?
The Chicken, not the Fanatic….
Max Patinkin was certainly an original. It was great that Ron Shelton used him in Bull Durham.
I think another clown might be working for Baseball Prospectus….
It was NICE to read that BP is so high on Zyhir Hope and Josue De Paula, ranking them 8 and 9 in their annual BP 101 list of top prospects.
BP’s Jeffrey Pasternostro was interviewed by TrueblueLA.com;
“They’re both likely to be good defensive outfielders, with De Paula a better shot to stick in center overall.”
Say what?
Maybe he got confused. At any rate, this was the first time I seen it suggested that De Paula is a high quality fielder–much less that he could “stick in center.”
Has he ever played CF in the Dodgers organization?
Well, I thought, maybe he’s confused. Or maybe I’m confuses. Hope has always been reported as a superior athlete, while De Paula is praised for his hitting–and practically nothing else.
I checked on Baseball Savant to try to find out if I was wrong about DePaula’s fielding.
Apparently not. While Savant gives DePaula a strong 60 rating for hitting, his fielding was graded at 40 in ’24, down from 45 in ’23. He is also has below-average speed, with a grade of 45.
Slow guys don’t play CF. Maybe he can play LF. Best to use him at DH–but not on the Dodgers.
What kind of low-ball offer could be made for Luis Robert?
Times have changed. Our society isn’t as light hearted as then. Our sense of humor has changed.
I agree with this Dave, the details of which should probably be avoided here.
Very true. How many comedians today do not use curse words in their bits? Red Skelton was my favorite. Loved the guy. I thought he was 10 times funnier than Bob Hope. But the comedy has changed. I still find many of them to be funny. Just in a lot different way than it used to be. I do love Gilbert Iglesias. He is hilarious.
The team’s first full-squad workout will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Only one month until bats hit balls once again.
Happy New Year all! I’ve been in Singapore/Malaysia the past 2 weeks, and although I read every day, I didn’t post. But everything was fun to read.
Hopefully Jeff and Bear are doing better with their ailments.
I landed last night, and was surprised that 1) I didn’t see any fire flames from the plane, and 2) I didn’t smell any smoke in the air as I drove up the 405.
Just saw that Baseball Prospectus has their Top 101 out, and the #8 and #9 prospects in the game are Hope and dePaula???
Morning guys, I had a meeting with the medical team working my case yesterday. I thought it amazing that the people who are working you case come together with the patient and have a meeting discussing your progress. Anyway, we all believe, me included, that I need at least two more weeks of rehab, three at the most, and then I can head home. My only real complaint is that the coffee is awful, and I don’t get enough! 99.9% of the staff here are pleasant and professional. Only had one bad nurse, and she was only here once. I will probably have to use a walker for a while before I can just walk without one. Maybe even a cane for a while after that. The VA here has done a great job in my opinion.
Good news Bear in todays environment one bad nurse is excellent always great to go home after hospital stay Best of luck and God Bless
Hey Bear. Glad to hear you are making progress and are feeling better. Great article about Max Patkin. And Red Skelton was much funnier than Bob Hope. LOL
Skelton wrote most of his own stuff. His jokes came from his vaudeville days. But all of his characters were from his own imagination. Gertrude and Heathcliffe, Freddie the Freeloader, Klem Kaddidlehopper, San Fernando Red. Hope had a team of writers and on some of his shows, had cue cards. Red had them too, but usually he adlibbed his lines, which generated mixed reactions from the actors who appeared on the show. One of my favorite John Wayne moments though was opposite Hope. Wayne was supposedly a football coach about to be fired. Hope was the guy replacing him. When Hope told him he was fired, Waynes’s reply, ” Your firing me? That is like replacing Air Force One with a skateboard.” Classic
Red Skelton was one of my Dad’s favorites. But the only comic I remember him busting out laughing at was Ernie Kovacs sketch comedy skit The Nairobi Trio. I’ll never forget that. My Dad, a WWII Marine Corps veteran didn’t laugh a lot. But that skit did it for him.
Kovacs starred with Wayne in North to Alaska.
I know where all the stupid clowns went: To San Diego!
Nice Jorge.
Sunday night baseball schedule has been announced, Dodgers have 4 games scheduled:
Chicago April 13 Dodgers
Dodgers May 04 Atlanta
Dodgers. May 25 Mets
Yankees Jun 01 Dodgers
C
I checked my schedule. I’m not busy on any of those Sunday nights.
Thus far the Dodgers have lost three of their top IFA targets.
Dominican shortstop Darell Morel – Signed with Pittsburgh for $1.8MM; LAD offer roughly half.
Venezuelan outfielder Oscar Patiño – Signed with CWS for $570K; LAD offer $400K.
Dominican outfielder Teilon Serrano – Signed with Minnesota for approximately $1MM. No report as to what the Dodgers offer was.
There are no reports of either San Diego or Toronto losing any of their top IFA. None of the three teams have signed any IFA for more than $10K. All commitments are “pending” waiting on the Roki Sasaki signing.
San Diego still has pending commitments with SS David Coronil ($900K), and SS Jhoan De La Cruz ($2MM).
Toronto still has a pending commitments with SS Cristopher Polanco ($2.5MM), and SS Juan Sanchez ($1MM).
We do not know if the Dodgers have any of their other IFA “pending” until the Sasaki signing is official. Why is it that the three commitments that moved to other teams only came from LAD, and the top commitments for both Toronto and San Diego are still committed?
While there is no question about his talent, there is still concern as to how much help Sasaki can deliver this year, before he is shut down.
Sasaki’s NPB career has also been marred by a series of injuries, and 2024 featured the most concerning of the bunch. Sasaki’s career high in innings pitched is just 129-1/3 in 2022. In 2023, he only threw 91 frames, missing more than half the season due to an oblique injury. Sasaki threw 111 innings in 2024, missing more time due to a vague “right arm injury.” Unlike MLB, NPB teams don’t provide as much detail about specific ailments.
If everything goes according to Sasaki’s plan, he will become a free agent after his age 28 season, and should have plenty of opportunity to make the 9 figure salaries.
I agree with Badger. He knows where he wants to sign, just do it. Sometimes my conspiratorial mind works in convoluted ways. He can only sign a MiLB contract. WHAT IF, all three teams are concerned with his medicals, so much so they are not convinced he will be healthy enough to break camp with the MLB team. WHAT IF Sasaki and his agent, Joel Wolfe, are insisting that Sasaki gets added to the MLB roster, and the injury is then reported so that Sasaki cannot be optioned and is placed on the IL, and earns MLB service time so as not to delay his free agency.
The teams are not as concerned about losing him this year and some of next, because he will have 4-5 years to re-establish himself. Just something that my brain comes up with.
Am I wrong in assuming he will be given and must pass a team physical before money is agreed upon? Which begs the question, considering the injury history you just mentioned, why would ANY organization sign this kid without a detailed medical examination?
It occurs to me there are no thoroughbreds anymore. There are only quarter horses. Japanese pitchers are coming from a system where they pitch once a week. With that in mind, 4 starts a month times 6 months in a season is 24 starts times 6 innings per start is going to give 144 innings, not counting post season. 144 will be about two plus games of 6 innings too many, so how about 22 starts of 5.67 innings or 125 innings, then on to post season. And do that with 6 starters which leaves only 708 innings, plus extra innings games, your bullpen and spot starter, of which you will need quite a few, to finish the year. Once the year is finished, you then pray like crazy you have anyone still standing.
How’s my math? A footnote here, arithmetic wasn’t my best subject. I’m more of a liberal arts thinker.
You are right in your assumption that Free Agents are subject to physicals that they must pass. Some teams have different levels of risk exposure. A current year example, is Jeff Hoffman being ruled physically unfit to receive their previously agreed upon terms by both Batimore and Atlanta.
https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/injuries/jeff-hoffman-now-comes-with-major-red-flags-for-toronto-blue-jays-after-two-failed-physicals
Carlos Correa failed physicals with SFG and NYM before signing with Minnesota.
I do not know to what extent or level Sasaki’s physical will be. The bonus that LAD would pay Sasaki will be more than what the bonus to Walker Buehler was, but it will not be enough for the Dodgers to walk away from. The Dodgers knew that Buehler needed TJ surgery when they drafted him.
I do think the Dodgers would like another SP, so I do think they pivot to another option if Sasaki chooses San Diego. Toronto is not close to being able to compete, and they have zero history of developing MLB SP. IMO, no chance Sasaki chooses Toronto.
Other than Flaherty, what other options do you think they might consider as a replacement for Sasaki in the rotation, should he choose not to come here?
I know Flaherty is the favorite of many pundits for the Dodgers to pivot to, but if he agrees to 3 years with an opt out it will be at least $25MM. That is a $52.5MM including the luxury tax. I am not sure AF/BG would agree that would be a good use of the funds. There is no true way for the uninformed (like me) to understand who AF/BG could be thinking of.
Innings eater as a #6 – Jose Quintana? Kyle Gibson?
Hybrid Pitchers – Jakob Junis? Spencer Turnbull?
Quality Relievers – Kirby Yates? Carlos Estevez? David Robertson?
Elite Reliever – Tanner Scott?
A remote trade for a #6?
I assume the Dodgers will try to get more IFA bonus $$$, but that would also allow San Diego to do so as well.
STB, bottom line? I have no bleeping clue as to where they will go if they cannot sign Sasaki.
I think I’d rather go with the guys already in house until Shohei is ready (I’m guessing about a month) and Kershaw is back (maybe sometime in June.
I’d rather have Gonsolin, Wrobleski, Knack and Miller to choose from instead of any of the starters you mentioned.
With regard to the relievers, I’d be happy to add Scott, Yates, Estevez or Robertson, probably in that order.
Sonja Chen wrote about this:
https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-2025-rotation-options
Lots, LOTS, of internal (read: cheaper) solutions.
I do not disagree with you on the starters, but does AF/BG?
John Smoltz thinks Ohtani is a better pitcher than hitter. High praise for his pitching ability, Can he4 continue after his 2nd TJ surgery?
I am the eternal optimist when it comes to #22. I think he will come back (when he does) and absolutely shove. Everything will be set up for him to peak in October when he can pitch in the playoffs, including the WS, and go out as a WS Champion.
The key point here, for me and me only, is the Sasaki is not a Cy Young candidate right now. He needs development, this is why he’s looking for teams that have good pitching development, and he needs time. He’s not gonna be as good as Yamamoto was his first year at the very least.
It was never mentioned which players met with Sasaki yesterday. If development is key for Sasaki, having pitchers on the Dodgers, like Banda, discuss face to face how the Dodgers changed his career who seem logical.
Banda? Why not Hurt, Gonsolin, May, Ryan, Sheehan, Miller, Stone, or Graterol.
Banda recently spoke about how the Dodgers helped him but yes any of those as well would be good.
They are all injured using Dodger training methods.
Tommy Brown, the last living member of the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers, the team that brought Jackie Robinson into the game, passed away today at the age of 97. Brown was 16 when he joined the Dodgers in 1944. He played SS and the outfield. He spent part of 7 seasons with the Dodgers. He also played for the Phillies and the Cubs. He played his last game in 1953. He was 25 years old. RIP.
The first pitcher to win a game for a team and then beat them after being traded that same week was Jon Garland. He won a game for the D-Backs in Arizona on Luis Gonzalez day. He was traded to the Dodgers shortly after and beat Az at Dodger Stadium.
Per Jack Harris ($$$)
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-01-15/dodgers-roki-sasaki-international-signing-period
In addition to letting aforementioned prospects signed elsewhere….
I’m thinking that Andrew and Preller are probably lining up a potential trade or trades but are waiting to hear from Sasaki and then only the team he chooses will need to get the extra money.
What the hell would Andrew do with 8 mil to spend this year now that most of the guys at the top of his international list have gone with other teams.
STB – firstly I sincerely hope you are still managing to avoid the terrible situation in the LA area. I hadn’t realised that you were so close. A very scary situation!
So Roki is gonna let us all know his decision soon. Been considering this and it appears to be an absolute no brainer. If you play baseball for a living, and you acknowledge that your primary earning potential is not now, but in the future, and you are going to earn more than enough money to ever have to worry again, then surely it all comes down to enjoyment.
Not many of us are fortunate enough to be able to choose our workplace, it is a case of being prepared to compromise. In Roki’s case he is in control of his own destiny. If you are going to play MLB then you have a crazy schedule, flying backwards and forwards across the US so surely it makes sense to do so while playing for a contender, or better still a perennial contender who has made it abundantly clear that it intends by its actions and investments, to continue in such a way.
Its also gotta be better doing this feeling comfortable with your teammates, and coming from a foreign country and a very different culture and speaking a different tongue, some friendly faces to hang with must be appealing.
It has been said that Roki’s idol is Yu Darvish. Well he’s 38 and is very much in the twilight of his career. Shohei and Yamamoto are Dodgers for the next decade.
Endorsements have been mentioned. He’s gonna earn whatever, I don’t believe that will be much of a factor.
Plus The Padres are going the wrong way. They are shedding payroll which would be a huge red flag to me.
Mark Prior is probably the best Pitching Coach if he wants to improve.
So, I cannot see any logical explanation as to why he won’t be a a Dodger real soon.
Thanks WD. Appreciate the concern.
First off, I have no idea what Sasaki is looking for or how he is going to decide which team he picks. But by waiting so long he has hurt the Dodgers’ because of these other lost international players,especially if he doesn’t pick LA.
I would think that he and his agent have had months to look at teams, instead they might wait until its too late for any team to sign any other international player.
I agree Dave and this whole charade is just so MLB doesn’t accuse the Dodgers and Sasaki of having a preconceived deal.
Prompted by the Harris link I just looked up Hyun-Seok Jang stats.
Holy Ricky Vaughn Pitchman (substituted Batman with Pitchman. Seemed appropriate at the time, in review? Meh)
Who is this kid?
Jang, 20 years old (21 in March), 6’4”, 200 pounds, threw 36 innings last year between outings at Rancho and the ACL. His K/9 was 16.7, his BB/9 was 6.6. Somewhat miraculously his WHIP was only 1.336. Having never read a thing about him I’m assuming his stuff is way beyond A ball hitters and he has them chasing stuff feet from the strike zone. If I’m attempting to instruct him I would say whatever it is you’re spinning up there aim it right down the middle and see what AA hitters can do with it.
Yea, his stuff and Eric Swan’s stuff are considered premium. It is, as you say building up their control.
Hyun-Seok Jang could turn out to be one of the prizes of the 2023 IFA signing. Jang has three pitches that grade out at 60: Fastball, curveball, slider. And his 4th pitch, a changeup, grades out at 55. He grades out with extreme risk because of his control, or lack thereof.
The cost for Jang? Aldrin Batista and Maximo Martinez traded for $1MM in IFA bonus $$$ to sign Jang for $900K.
As Badger reported, his kryptonite is his control. Jeffrey Paternostro reports it as “a bit of spray and pray command in the pros”. Still way to early to tell, but he does come with high reliever risk. Baseball Savant considers him to be a mid-rotation starter, and perhaps more.
Jang turns 21 this year. He averaged just about 2.0 IP per his 18 games pitched. After his August 8 start last year, his next four games were excellent. 11.0 IP, 0 runs, 2 hits, 6 BB, 16 K. All four games were with Rancho Cucamonga. He will undoubtedly start back at RC and then move to Great Lakes. If he can manage his control, maybe a late season move to AA. His “stuff” should be good enough at that level. Per MLB Pipeline: “He has battled his control throughout his pro debut after having no trouble throwing strikes as an amateur, but Los Angeles believes in his athleticism and thinks his walks this summer are more of a targeting issue than anything”.
Jang is now considered the 6th best pitching prospect in the organization, ranked higher than Maddux Bruns and 8 others in the MLB Pipeline Top 30.
It must be a joy to stand in the batters box against him.
He doesn’t seok.
Well done!
Yeah, good one Fred.
…..shucks guys
Ah…..
One of the truly funny men in baseball passed away last night. The Brewers announced this morning that Bob Uecker had passed away at the age of 90. He will truly be missed. RIP Bob. Just a bit outside.
Sad News – Bob Uecker (Mr. Baseball) has passed away at 90. Maybe not a clown, but one of the biggest characters ever to don a MLB uniform.
One of baseball’s all time best. He made the game better for all of us.
RIP, Ueck.
Just a wee bit outside
Must be in the front row!
Uecker was the modern-day clown. He had a career, however modest in the bigs. Don’t know anyone who didn’t love him. Wonder if he knew he’d ever be a movie star?
One of my favorite Uecker stories that he told happened in the 1964 World Series when he was with the Cardinals. There was a band in foul territory playing during batting practice and Uecker decided to commandeer the tuba and try to catch fly balls with it in left field. It was apparently dented up pretty badly and he had to pay the tuba player for a new horn. I wish I could have seen that!
True story. I also liked the photo of him and Bob Gibson, who could never be accused of having a sense of humor, holding hands in the Cardinals team photo.
I like this Laker Warrior trade that puts James and Curry together in SF
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/article-14286199/steph-curry-lebron-james-golden-state-warriors.html
Fascinating that the article you quote is from a UK newspaper.
What if Pelinka turns the tables on everyone and adds Curry to LBJ and AD by trading the rest of the Laker roster plus all of their draft choices through 2050?
That still might not be enough but they could always add Muncy.
Muncy? I can hear the crowd now. AIRRRRRR BALLLLLLLL or the coach yelling: should have taken the shot.
Mets re-sign Jesse Winker to a one-year deal. Alonso expected to sign elsewhere.
Uecker was a national treasure. Definitely in the front row. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Mr. Uecker.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Bob Uecker. He was a joy and self-deprecating lines were classic. Wasn’t he at the top of the list for apperences with Johnny Carsonon the Tonight Show? I also like his broadcasts. One of the best and a loss for MLB.
And good to hear of your progress Bear. Keep up the good work.
Lots of talk, of course, about Roki Sasaki as everyone awaits his decision. It will be interesting to see how Roki does in his physicals. Is he an Ace or damaged goods?
I took the liberty to pluck some information from an article on Sasaki in “The Athletic”. We have all read about Japanese baseball and their once a week pitching schedules. But arm injuries are on the rise there in youth leagues and colleges. They are starting to covet velocity and spin more then finesse. They also have a history of sevrely overusing young arms.
As a child, “Sasaki drew inspiration from watching Masahiro Tanaka, the Rakuten Eagles ace. The next Murakami heard of Sasaki, he was a middle schooler with a fastball pushing 88 mph and a lower-back injury threatening to end his pitching career. But Sasaki healed and grew into a tall, rail-thin teenage sensation as a high schooler.
At 18, Sasaki turned down a chance to sign with a major-league club as an amateur to take a final run at Summer Koshien, a national high school baseball tournament that is the largest amateur sporting event in Japan. Sasaki had thrown 435 pitches over eight days, including a 194-pitch outing in which he hit 101 mph — breaking Ohtani’s record for hardest pitch thrown by a high schooler — and struck out 21 in a complete game he won with a home run in the 12th inning.”
“Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said he first met Sasaki a few years ago when they were connected by another client, former major leaguer Yoshi Tsutsugo. It was immediately evident that Sasaki intended to pitch in the majors sooner than later. “He wanted to make sure that I was up for the challenge with him,” Wolfe said at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas last month.”
“It was going to be very difficult. He knew he was going to be subject to a lot of criticism in the media.”
Sasaki was an ace in Japan. he had just thrown the first perfect game in the Japanese majors since 1994 and then followed in his next start, with eight perfect innings — running his total of consecutive outs to 52 — before his manager pulled him to save his arm. (why do I find that humorous?)
“But there has been criticism. That criticism has come, much of it aired by former NPB players who feel Sasaki has not earned the right to walk away early. By 23, Ohtani had won hardware and a Japan Series title. Sasaki has not. He did not pitch particularly well last season, missing time with shoulder fatigue as his velocity and stuff dipped. He has not yet pitched a full NPB season, won a title or contended for a Sawamura Award, the Japanese equivalent to the Cy Young. So, why now?”
Pretty ineresting information; potential Ace or damaged goods. We shall see.
But signing him for what International pool money that’s available is a worthwhile gamble. And a potential huge bargain.
But let’s get this done in the next 5 days.
We do know that Tyler Glasnow spoke with Roki Sasaki.
Many tributes to Uecker on MLB.TV. Players and managers, owners and the former commissioner. He was a classic. They replayed his Hall of Fame speech. One of the best ever.
Alonso turned down a 3-year offer from the Mets. They seem to be pivoting from resigning him. Sasaki supposedly will make his decision sometime on the 17th, Tokyo time.
If I’ve figured correctly, that would be sometime before 7:00 AM Los Angeles time tomorrow (Friday). Of course, that information was given out by a Japanese sports newspaper and they could be wrong.
I haven’t had this much excitement since LeBron told me he was taking his talents to South Beach.