With Talent and Motivation, Kevin Hooper ‘Without Concern’ As Wichita Powerhouse Readies for Playoffs
August 30, 2013 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
“To be honest, there is no concern.” How often does a manager talk in such confident terms? Never might be too soon, right? Yet, that was exactly what Wichita (KS) Wingnuts Manager Kevin Hooper said this week when I asked him what his biggest concern was heading into next week’s American Association playoffs. Let me […]
Hitters Fail the Quiz
April 13, 2013 by Matt Nadel · Leave a Comment
Hey baseball fans! Sorry I haven’t posted in about five days. Anyway, I have a one question “quiz” for you. Who has the best mustache in Royals relief history, other than Al Hrabosky? The answer is, of course, Dan Quisenberry! Quisenberry played for the Royals, Cardinals, and Giants from 1979-1990. As a reliever, he was feared throughout […]
What Irony If Chris Colabello and Curt Smith End Up Competing for Same Job With Twins
March 21, 2013 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It was only a week ago in this space that I found myself praising the WBC performances of Chris Colabello and Curt Smith. I hope that cruel irony does not step in for this pair. Minnesota gave Colabello, the longtime Can-Am League standout (Worcester, MA and Nashua, NH) only two at-bats after Team Italy was […]
Negro Leagues DB Update: 1908 & 1909 Negro Leagues
May 18, 2012 by Gary Ashwill · Leave a Comment
The 1908 season saw the emergence of a national scene in black professional baseball. Two important eastern teams, the Philadelphia Giants and the Cuban Giants of New York, made trips to the Midwest, their most notable opponent being Rube Foster‘s new powerhouse, the Chicago Leland Giants. The Cuban Stars of Havana spent significant time in […]
Catching Up With Former Yankee Johnny James
December 9, 2011 by Andrew Martin · Leave a Comment
If there is anything more difficult in baseball than making it to the major leagues, it is making the roster of a successful team. Thus imagine the upward climb that pitcher Johnny James had as he worked his way through the New York Yankees farm system in the 1950’s, the golden age of the game’s […]
Northern League Making Attendance Statement
August 19, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
The Northern League made a major move in 2010 when it got back to a more attractive eight-team operation, and now it is making a challenge that might not have been easy to forecast. In its 18th season, the Northern is chasing the Atlantic League for the highest average attendance for every time the turnstiles […]
