Topps Unveils World's Largest Baseball Card

Since he was 12 and crushing home runs deep into the stands at Tiger Stadium...we knew Prince Fielder was larger than life.

On Tuesday, the Topps Company proved it by unveiling what is said to be "the largest card ever created".

“It is truly an honor and a thrill for me to be featured not only on the 2013 Topps Series 1 box, but also on the largest baseball card the world has ever seen,” said Fielder. “Baseball is back.”

Helping the Detroit Tigers superstar unveil the card, which measured 90 feet by 60 feet, were nearly 100 youth baseball players from Lakeland City Baseball.

Spring training kicked off for Fielder and his Tigers teammates Monday.

Giants World Series Sweep Gets Animated!

It's a good thing that Pablo Sandoval got the World Series MVP or else the team at Next Media Animation would have had a re-write on their hands.

Just hours after the San Francisco Giants completed their sweep of the Detroit Tigers, the video of Sandoval, er, a giant panda literally sawing off the head of a tiger while Sergio Romo is cheering him on hit the interwebs.

Now, I might be going out on a limb here...but that might be my favorite four seconds of Taiwanese video history.

Comedian Visits Tigers...Hilarity Does Not Ensue

When George Lopez was dismissed from TBS last year prior to the Major League playoffs, I kinda figured we'd be void of the comedian this postseason as well.

I was wrong.

The former late night funnyman (and I use that term loosely), visited the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers Saturday and brought the, well, he brought his brand of comedy.

Dude even tried out some new material on MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera.

"I told him that a Latino winning the Triple Crown is as impressive as having a black president or potentially an orange one...and he started laughing," Lopez told reporters.  "Great guy. Great sense of humor."

At least his jokes were relatively timely.  I heard that "Tonght Show" host Jay Leno stopped by the Texas Rangers clubhouse last season and showered them with Monica Lewinsky anecdotes.

Alright, that last part might not be true.

Magglio Ordonez Set to Retire

Is it just me or are more and more teams getting this retirement thing right?
So far this season, we've seen Ivan Rodriguez throwing out the first "pitch" in Texas, Pat Burrell get celebrated in Philadelphia and, most recently, that emotion end to Kerry Wood's career in Chicago.

Next in line...Magglio Ordonez.

The six-time All-Star will make his return to Comerica Park Sunday and announce his retirement before the Detroit Tigers lose to the New York Yankees.

Okay, okay, the "lose" comment might be a little harsh, but the next sentiment isn't.

Ordonez is one of those players, like Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, that could prompt a pretty good watercooler discussion of whether or not they would get your Hall of Fame vote.

In eight of his 15 seasons, Ordonez had 20 or more home runs...seven seasons with 100 or more RBI (he actually knocked in 99 in 2003), is even more impressive when you consider he really only played ten full seasons.  Nagging injuries took their toll for a good chunk of dude's career.

But it isn't the MVP-caliber seasons (I'm looking your way 2002 and 2007) that impress me the most about the rightfielder, it's his place among his countrymen.  Of the 274 Venezuelan-born baseball players, Ordonez ranks second with a .309 career batting average and 294 home runs. He ranks third with 1236 RBIs, fourth with 426 doubles and sixth with 2156 hits. 

Not too shabby.

And last time I checked, being in the company of Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio, Bobby Abreu, Andres Galarraga, Dave Concepcion, Omar Vizquel and Miguel Cabrera isn't a terrible place to be.

A Justin Verlander High School Bobblehead?

It's that time of year, folks.  The time where baseball teams are releasing their promotional schedules.

By now, we've all seen that creepy, stuffed Don Zimmer bear that the Tampa Bay Rays are giving way, right?

Well, not to be outdone, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are doing a Justin Verlander bobblehead...and it will feature the reigning American League MVP and Cy Young award winner in his, wait for it, Goochland High School jersey.

Pretty cool, right?

What if I told you that the bobblehead of the Detroit Tigers hurler was going to be given away at the Double-A home of the San Francisco Giants?

Say what?!?  One can only hope that he's immortalized with his sweet 18-year-old dirtstache.

Some other dates of note...the Flying Squirrels are bringing in Dale Murphy (April 12), Bret "The Hitman" Hart (June 12) and midget wrestling (September 1).

So, yeah, you've got that going for you, Richmond. 

Justin Verlander Wants to Throw Seven No-hitters

Typically, after a pitcher throws a gem of a game he's pretty humble.

Consider these quotes from Roy Halladay who, last year, threw two of baseball's best games.

After the perfect game in May:

"I don't know what to say.  Early in my bullpen I was hitting spots more than I have been. I felt like I just carried that out there."

And after the no-hitter in the Playoffs:

"It's surreal, it really is.  I just wanted to pitch here, to pitch in the postseason. To go out and have a game like that, it's a dream come true."

You'd maybe expect the same from Justin Verlander after he tossed his second career no-hitter, right?

Wrong.

"I feel like I'm coming into myself," the Detroit Tigers ace said following Saturday's game. "There is no secret where I want to be when I finish...I want to separate myself."

And when asked how many no-hitters he'd like to throw in his career?

"Seven," he quickly answered.

One can only hope that Verlander was responding with a smile on his face because, if not, it is one of those things that blurs the line between confidence and cocky.

Jim Leyland Wins 1500th Game

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland entered 2011 with 1493 victories and Friday night, he became the game’s 19th 1500 game winner.

Twenty five years and three days after his first victory and twelve years to the day after win number 1000.

“It was very nice,” Leyland told reporters following the game, “but it was more important to get a win for the team than me getting to 1500.”

With the win, the skipper now sits second among active managers…behind just St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa.

On the all-time list, 12 of the 18 managers ahead of Leyland are in the Hall of Fame.

The six that aren’t…LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Gene Mauch, Lou Piniella and Ralph Houk. The first three are locks to get into Cooperstown and Leyland, well…you could do a lot worse.

Jim Leyland Predicts 500 Homers for Miguel Cabrera

After a troubling off season, Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera entered 2011 just a couple of swings away from 250 career home runs.

And after a fifth inning shot againt Baltimore Wednesday night, he hit the milestone.  If you ask Tigers skipper Jim Leyland...there's plenty more to come.

"Well, he'll have 250 more, for sure," Leyland told reporters. "I hope I'm around to see them."

At just 27 (he'll be 28 later this month), Cabrera definitely has time on his side.  The bigger question is this...can dude push his demons aside and continue up the all-time ladder?

2011 Milestone Preview: American League Central

Last season, the Chicago White Sox honored one of their greats, Frank Thomas, by retiring his Number 35.

This July, they're set to unveil a bronze statue of the one-time Sox legend...the eighth to grace U.S. Cellular Field.

Coincidentally...I'm planning on being at that game. But that's neither here or there now is it?

So with that…here comes the AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL.


CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Team captain Paul Konerko is on the verge of two major milestones in this...his 13th year on the Southside.  Coming off, arguably, one of the best years of his career, Konerko is just 139 hits away from 2000 and 35 home runs away from 400 career blasts.

Also approaching 400 career bombs...the newly acquired Adam Dunn.

Sure, the "Big Donkey" is 46 home runs away from the milestone...but he's done it before.  And given that he had a five year stretch (2004-2008) where he hit 40 or more home runs...is 46 really out of the question?

The ageless Omar Vizquel enters his second season with the White Sox the active leader in games playes, at bats and plate appearances.  For his career...he's sitting at 2799 hits all-time.

And speaking of hits...outfielder Juan Pierre is 158 hits away from reaching 2000 for his career.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

As if the Indians signing journeyman Orlando Cabrera (who is 52 hits away from 2000 for his career), Cleveland has decided on making August 13 a date to circle on your calendar.

And what's going on August 13?

Well...it's none other than Mike Hargrove “Human Rain Delay” Bobble Head Day.  Great seats are still available.

DETROIT TIGERS

Last November, Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson succumbed to dementia.  This season, not only are the Tigers going to honor their former skipper with a patch on their sleeves...but they'll be retiring his number as well.

Pretty classy.

Current manager Jim Leyland enters the season second in wins among active managers trailing only Tony LaRussa.  With 1493 career victories, he's only 78 wins behind Hall of Famer Dick Williams on the all-time list.

Also bound to make some headlines in the Motor City is outfielder Magglio Ordonez.  Should "Maggs" be able to bounce back from last season's ankle injury, he'll get the eleven home runs it'll take to reach 300 for his career.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

A quick scan of the Royals' roster isn't going to excite a soul.  And of the four names you're likely to recognize...one of them is catcher Jason Kendall.

Yikes.

Currently, Kendall is fifth all-time in being hit by pitch having been plunked 254 times.  In order to surpass Don Baylor and move into fourth place...he'll need to get hit 14 times.  It's possible.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Up in Minnesota, Jim Thome is back swinging for the fences.  Currently, Thome is eighth all-time and just eleven home runs away from becoming the latest slugger to reach 600 for his career.

Conversely, Thome resides second all-time in strikeouts.  The designated hitter has struck out 2395 times in his 20 seasons as a pro and trails only Reggie Jackson and his 2597 Ks.

Lastly, Minnesota will honor Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven by retiring his number this July.  His Number 28 will join five former Twins and Jackie Robinson up on the facade at Target Field.

The National League Central is next. In the meantime, feel free to check out Milestone Previews of the American League East and National League East.

Miguel Cabrera Has Been Drinking. Again.

There are two sure signs that spring is on the way.

First...Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow. 

Check.

Second...Miguel Cabrera gets arrested for hitting the bottle.

Double check...and I'm guessing the Detroit Tigers brass and fans alike are hoping the yearly tradition of waking up to the "Miguel Cabrera Arrested" headlines ends soon.

Late Wednesday night, the Tigers first baseman was arrested in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and two counts of resisting an officer without violence.

Here's some details...courtesy of the Detroit Free Press:

(Cabrera) was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail at 12:20 a.m. (Thursday) and released at 7:45 a.m. after posting $1,350 bond, according to information provided by Mark Weinberg from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office

According to police report, a deputy spotted a car Cabrera was driving, smoking on the side of Okeechobee Road in Ft. Pierce, about 100 miles southeast of spring training in Lakeland. Cabrera had an odor of alcohol coming from his breath and his eyes were bloodshot and watery and his speech heavily slurred, according to the report.

Oh...that's just the beginning.

In an arrest affidavit, deputies said Cabrera repeated “Do you know who I am, you don’t know anything about my problems.” Cabrera then picked up a bottle of James Buchanan’s Scotch whiskey and started drinking, according to the report.

When asked to get into a patrol vehicle, police say Cabrera used an expletive. Police say he didn’t comply with several orders to get into the patrol vehicle. The arresting deputy said he lifted Cabrera’s left hand to gain pain compliance and Cabrera then “pushed off the vehicle into me,” according to the report.

The deputy then delivered 3-4 knee spikes into Cabrera’s left thigh muscle. Cabrera fell into the vehicle, according to police.

Now, if the past has showed us anything, when the slugger gets into trouble prior to the season...he's just getting ready for the season ahead.

Prior to last season, the 27-year-old spent three months in alcohol rehab and ended up putting up a .328 batting average, a career-high 38 HRs and 126 RBIs.  For his career, he has managed a .313 batting average, 247 home runs and 879 RBI.

Sparky Anderson...TV Star

I'm not sure about you, but I actually remember Sparky Anderson when he appeared on "WKRP in Cincinnati".

Now, admittedly, I didn't see the initial airing on December 24, 1979...but I do remember seeing it once it hit syndication.  That said, I know for a fact that I've never seen the 1980 episode of "The White Shadow" that featured the World Series winning skipper.

But enough about that.

The plot of the 12th episode of WKRP's second season is simple enough:

Mr. Carlson hires legendary baseball manager Sparky Anderson as the host of a new sports interview show. (courtesy of EPGuides.com)

Check out the show in its entirety below.  Good stuff.

Sparky Anderson (1934-2010)

Well...that didn't take long.

A day after it was announced that he was in hospice care, the world is saying goodbye to 2000 Hall of Fame inductee Sparky Anderson.

The outspoken former manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers died this afternoon in Thousand Oaks, California from complications from dementia.

Anderson retired from managing after the 1995 season, finishing with a lifetime record of 2194–1834 (good for a .545 winning percentage). While most of his career was spent in Detroit (1979-1995), his plaque in Cooperstown shows him donning the cap of the Reds, whom he managed from 1970 to 1978.

The skipper guided the "Big Red Machine" to World Series championships in 1975 and 1976 and then led Detroit to the 1984 title.

"Sparky is one of the nicest persons you could ever know. (He's a) dedicated family man and he loves baseball," former Tigers pitcher Milt Wilcox (who played for Anderson from 1980-1985) told The Hall exclusively. "I was lucky to get to see and talk to him earlier this year in Detroit!"

On May 28, 2005, during pre-game ceremonies in Cincinnati, Anderson's number 10, was retired by the Reds.  His number with the Detroit Tigers, (number 11), has been inactive since he retired in 1995, but has not been formally retired. 

Something tells me that will be remedied soon.

Sparky Anderson was 76.

For an excellent, comprehensive look back at the Hall of Famer's career...check out The Baseball Page.

Sparky Anderson Placed in Hospice Care

When I read today that Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson was placed in hospice care...my heart sunk.

Here's what the Associated Press had to say:

Former Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care at his Thousand Oaks, Calif. home for complications resulting from dementia. No further details were released.

Sure, I knew nothing of his current state and know nothing about dementia, but the guy was one of the best managers around (he sits sixth all-time with 2194 wins) and when, years ago, I saw him amid a sea of fans prior to a Detroit Tigers-Milwaukee Brewers game...I had to get something signed.

The 76-year-old Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues (Tony LaRussa is the other) and is the only skipper to lead two franchises in career wins.

Courtesy of Tom Weir of the USA Today...here are some classic "Sparkyisms".

On the aftermath of a 16-4 loss, in 1990: "The only reason I'm coming out here tomorrow is the schedule says I have to."

On Bowie Kuhn's time as MLB commissioner: "If I hear him say just once more he's doing something for the betterment of baseball, I'm going to throw up."

On the designated hitter: "I've changed my mind about it. Instead of being bad, it stinks."

On managing: "A baseball manager is a necessary evil."

And his line of admiration about Willie Stargell: "He's got power enough to hit home runs in any park, including Yellowstone."

Anderson led the "Big Red Machine" to back-to-back World Series wins in 1975 and 1976 and directed the Tigers to a ring in 1984. Twice named the American League Manager of the Year (1984 and 1987), he retired from baseball in 1995.

Johnny Damon...Back to BeanTown?

Six weeks ago, the talk here at The Hall of Very Good was whether or not Johnny Damon was a Hall of Fame caliber player.

Today...there is word that he might be heading back to the Boston Red Sox.

Here's the skinny. The current Detroit Tiger outfielder was placed on waivers by the team. Boston, one of the teams from which Damon has no-trade protection, put in a claim for the one-time BeanTown hero.

"At this moment, I'm not sure I want to leave Detroit for (the Red Sox)," Damon said, according to tigers.com. "I enjoy playing here. But obviously, (Red Sox manager) Terry Francona is amazing...it's something that I'm going to have think long and hard over."

Currently, the famous formerly Bearded One is batting .270 for the Tigers, with just seven homers and 40 RBI.

For his career, he is sixth among active players with 2536 hits. Recently Damon surpassed Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Heinie Manush on the all-time hits list.

He has has until Wednesday to decide whether he would waive his no-trade clause to return to Fenway Park.

Johnny Damon...Hall of Famer?

Alright...don't let the title fool you. Even though I am a huge Johnny Damon fan (it's true), I am not about to reserve him a place in Cooperstown.

But here's the deal...it isn't THAT far fetched to think he might have an outside shot at being enshrined. With a third inning single Tuesday night against the Orioles, the Tigers outfielder reached 2500 hits for his career.


In the 11th...he added to his career total with a walk-off homer.

Should he stay injury-free, 3000 hits (which, to this point, has guaranteed an invitation to the Hall of Fame) is within reach.

Consider this..Damon hasn't had less than 144 hits since his second full year in the bigs (1997) and this season, he is on pace for 148. Should he get to 148, he would end the season with 2573 and put him at 3000 by averaging 143 in three more seasons.

He needs 25 more hits to pass Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Heinie Manush.

“You play the game long enough and you put yourself in pretty good company,” the 36 year-old Damon said following the game. “We can look at my numbers before I turn 40 and see what kind of career I’ve had.

As it stands right now, he's the 92nd player to reach the 2500 milestone and sits seventh among active players.

Ernie Harwell Signs Off

92 year-old Ernie Harwell succumbed to bile duct cancer Tuesday at his home in Novi, Michigan with his wife Lulu by his side. Now, I apologize for not being a little more creative with my lead, but a lot is going to be written about the passing of Harwell and, frankly, it should.

You're going to read headlines about "the voice of the Tigers" being "silenced" or as I put it in my headline..."signing off".

You see, Harwell was a lot of things to a lot of different people. He was a broadcaster, a Hall of Famer...a legend. He did, as one writer I stumbled upon tonight "painted pictures for the fans".

But also, he was, apparently, a "good guy".

No, seriously...my Grandfather told me that once and he didn't come to that conclusion via Facebook, Twitter or even by watching old Tigers broadcasts.

He went fishing with the man.

Probably 15 years ago, my Grandfather had a chance to go fishing with Harwell through a friend of his from church...former Major Leaguer Andy McGaffigan.

Shortly after I got a letter in the mail.

It simply said: "Went fishing with Ernie Harwell. Good guy. Grandpa"

I immediately called him and grilled him about his meeting with the legendary broadcaster.

I asked him up and down about what they talked about...hoping that the stories I would have wanted to hear were shared to my Grandfather that day in McGaffigan's boat.

I was told they talked fishing and church...that was it.

It does make sense though, considering that the last thing I want to talk about when I am out spending a relaxing weekend with friends is work. But still...you have to wonder about the stories that could have been told.

A lot is going to be said about Harwell now that he's gone, but regardless of how many tributes are aired on TV and radio or pop up in print or on the internet...I'll know him simply as a "good guy".

My Grandfather said so.

Baseball Road Trip of a Lifetime: Detroit

I never had the chance to go to many baseball games with my Dad. The one time we did hit a game was a Spring Training affair between the Blue Jays and Phillies down in Clearwater, Florida.

I don't remember anything from the game other than walking up to the park, finding it out it was sold out and going back to the car only to see that the guys who parked us on their lawn conveniently packed so many other vehicles in...we couldn't get out.

So we went back to the park, pleaded our case...and was let in.

In the second installment of his "Baseball Road Trip of a Lifetime", fried of The Hall Navin Vaswani and his Dad hit Comerica Park in Detroit and, thankfully, brought home with them more memories.

I made the trek down to Detroit Tuesday morning, bright and early, with my father. I needed a ride to the Motor City and he - pardon the pun - stepped up to the plate. It was, in a way, fitting that The Baseball Road Trip Of A Lifetime began with my Dad and I taking in the matinee between the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park; I'm glad it worked out that way.

Read the rest of Navin’s adventure in Toronto

HERE.

You can follow his exploits on Twitter at @eyebleaf or visit his piece of the interwebs over at Sports and the City.

2010 Milestone Preview: American League Central

Growing up listening to Chicago radio and TV…I have been inundated with Cubs and White Sox talk all my life.  And it made me sick to my stomach.

Maybe it was because of that I’ve never had much of an affinity for either team.

You see, because of other influences (family, vacations, etc.), I have always been more of an East Coast fan. And that’s why it is bittersweet that, finally, the division that always bored/bothered me is finally getting some national attention.

It doesn’t matter what side of the Ozzie Guillen Twitter war you’re on or whether or not you think Joe Mauer’s new contract is a good deal for the Twins (it is)…Minnesota and Chicago have made the baseball world stand up and take notice.

So with that…here comes the AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL.


CHICAGO WHITE SOX

The White Sox are a little difficult to get a handle on lately. A few years back, they win the World Series…and let go of the best player to pull up the palehose since the Eisenhower administration all in the name of “diminished skills” and getting younger.

And who do they bring in…35 year-old Jim Thome.

Last season, four years following their supposed youth movement, they trade Thome to whoever will take him. They get rid of the equally ancient Jose Contreras and look to get younger again.

And who do they bring in? An over-the-hill designated hitter (Andruw Jones), an equally as seasoned left fielder (Juan Pierre) and one of the few players in the Majors who could tell you where he was when man landed on the moon (Omar Vizquel).

Jones is seemingly a lifetime (and a few pants sizes) away from the wide grinned 19 year-old who, in 1996, became the game’s youngest ever to go deep in a World Series game. But all kidding aside, he is 12 home runs away from reaching 400 for his career and still has the pop to, if healthy, accomplish the feat by the All-Star break.

While the acquisition of Jones is a little bit of a puzzler, Vizquel actually makes some sense considering his 11 Gold Gloves fits nicely on Chicago’s bench as a mentor to some of their younger players.

Unfortunately that’s about all he can do. Well…that and pad his Cooperstown caliber stats.

The all-time leader among Venezuelan born players in a number of categories, the Sox actually issued Vizquel the retired number of countrymate (and Hall of Famer) Luis Aparicio.

And speaking of retired numbers (note the shameless segue), the Southsiders are planning on retiring Thomas’ number on August 29. It’s the least they can do for their team leader in runs scored, total bases, doubles, home runs and RBI.


CLEVELAND INDIANS

Now that Kerry Wood is already in mid-season form (out at least two months with a back injury)…enter new closer Chris Perez. Perez, if you’re keeping track, is one save away from TEN for his career.

You guessed it Tribe fans…not many milestones to choose from in 2010.


DETROIT TIGERS

Raise your hand if you knew that new Tiger Johnny Damon is the active triples leader with 95.

Nice work.

Give yourself another pat on the back if you knew that he is sitting ninth among active players…75 hits shy of 2500 for his career.

On the other side of the outfield, rightfielder Magglio Ordonez is quietly putting up, yes I’ll say it, a terrific career. Mags is 26 hits away from 2000 for his career and 23 home runs away from 300.

And I know it isn’t really a “milestone” per se, but Detroit reliever Fu-Te Ni has the shortest last name in the Majors this season. At six letters, he is one of a slew of players to have the second shortest full name ever.

The shortest…former Pittsburgh Pirate catcher Ed Ott.


KANSAS CITY ROYALS

And from one of the game’s shortest names…to one of the league’s longest. Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt is only two letters (18) behind Texas catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (20).

Unfortunately, that’s about all Kansas City has going for it outside of Jason Kendall climbing up the all-time hit by pitch list.

It’s true.

Kendall is sitting at fifth all-time with 248…just 39 behind all-time leader, Hall of Famer Hughie Jennings.


MINNESOTA TWINS

Let’s all make each other a promise. When Joe Mauer’s contract is up following the 2018 season…we’ll meet back up and talk about how the American League’s best hitter is a steal at just $23 million a season.

As it is, the Twins will open their new stadium with future Hall of Famer Jim Thome on the bench. While he isn’t likely to hit the milestone, Thome is 36 home runs away from 600 for his storied career.

Also within shouting distance for Thome (provided he plays another two seasons), is the all-time strikeout record. With 2313 to his credit(?), the five-time All-Star is 284 shy of Reggie Jackson’s record 2597 whiffs.

The American League West is next. In the meantime, feel free to check out Milestone Previews of the American League East, National League East and National League Central.

Ernie Harwell is a good guy

Aparently Ernie Harwell is a "good guy".

No, seriously...my Grandfather told me that once and he didn't come to that conclusion via Facebook, Twitter or even by watching old Tigers broadcasts.

He went fishing with the man.

Probably 15 years ago, my Grandfather had a chance to go fishing with Harwell through a friend of his from church...former Major Leaguer Andy McGaffigan. Shortly after I got a letter in the mail.

It simply said: "Went fishing with Ernie Harwell. Good guy. Grandpa"

I immediately called him and grilled him about his meeting with the Hall of Fame broadcaster. I asked him up and down about what they talked about...hoping that the stories I would have wanted to hear were shared to my Grandfather that day in McGaffigan's boat.

I was told they talked fishing and church...that was it.

It does make sense though considering that the last thing I want to talk about when I am out spending a relaxing weekend with friends is work. But still...you have to wonder about the stories that could have been told.

Check out the story on Harwell's current battle over at MLB.com. But better yet, do yourself a favor and read J. Ellet Lambie's account of when he met the legend and know that regardless of how this latest chapter plays out...Ernie's a good guy.

My Grandfather said so.

"24!"

***In a span of just a few short hours, Major League Baseball lost two of its most colorful characters. One was the voice of the City of Brotherly Love, the other...a goofball who spoke in a thick New England accent. Here is JB's take on the latter.***

My advanced apologies to those of you who think this article will happen between the hours of 11:00am and 12:00pm.

Sorry, Jack Bauer fans. Go rent Season One, put on your Snuggie and stop reading this article.

Right.

Now.

Ornithophobia aside, I was happy to see last week’s mention of the greatest-non-title-winning wrassler of all time Koko B. Ware here at The Hall. I loved the “Ghostbuster” and always broke it out on various home furnishings.

And even though I feared feathered-friends (still do…hate it when they are “free” in PetSmart), I even had a thing for the worthless bird, Frankie that he brought ringside with him.

Suffice it to say, Koko always “smelled” like a Hall of Famer to me.

Whether it was irony or something like the Mothman Prophecies (terribly horrible film, by the way), I felt compelled to write something about a bigger “Bird” that captivated our country, even before Koko was on the top ropes flapping his arms.

No, not the eight-foot tall, yellow S.O.B. from our favorite Street growing up.

You know…the one with the sexual identity issue.

Not him.

I am talking about a bigger “Bird,” one that transcended professional sports and made a country smile during a difficult economic time.

Mark “The Bird” Fidrych died Monday at the age of 54 in an apparent accident on the farm he retired to when injuries cut short his brief, spectacular career.

In 1976 when the United States was finally overcoming the division of the populace over a foreign war and facing struggling economic times (sound familiar?), “The Bird” gave us the opportunity to turn on the TV and not have to watch the doom and gloom of the world around us. Comedic actions aside (i.e. talking to the baseball, hand-grooming the mound and all apologies to college softball teams…starting the congratulatory handshake with an infielder after a run/game saving play), the guy could flat out pitch.

Fidrych brought a mid-90’s heater to the table along with a slider that fell off of one.

Granted, he is remembered for what he did on the mound and not the numbers he put up on it…but the man had talent that does not come around overnight.

As a 21-year-old rookie in 1976 (he would turn 22 later in the year), Fidrych put up numbers as insane as his actions. How does 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA and a .218 average against sound?

Good enough for the AL Rookie of the Year.

He should have won the Cy, but that was awarded to the prima donna in Jockey briefs that year. Sorry Mr. Palmer, but you shouldn’t have gotten the chicks AND the hardware that year.

All jokes aside, Fidrych threw 24 complete games that year.

24!

He was second in the Majors to Randy Jones 25 for the Padres, who in fact, DID receive the National League Cy Young Award. Only one pitcher has topped it since (Rick Langford had 28 for the A’s in 1980) and one other has reached that mark. Bert Blyleven had 24 in 1985 for the Indians and Twins.

Can you imagine Cito Gaston asking Roy Halladay (last year’s leader last year with nine) to finish another 15 games?

I know I can’t.

Point is, all the articles you will read on Fidrych in the next couple of days will be about his quirks, the kind of guy he was (outstanding, I have read) and the magical 1976 season he turned in.

Remember him, if you would, as a guy who helped people forget the tough times they faced each and every day and made people smile with his fastball as much as his mound-grooming antics did.

Try to picture Manny Ramirez (cue the reprehensible “I’m Back!!!!!” soundbite) or T.O. doing something to make you smile and not seethe. How about “Pacman” Jones making it rain at a Boys/Girls club rather than a strip club?

I know athletes donate to this or that all the time, set-up their own charities, etc…but can you say “tax write-off”?

Ask yourself as you watch highlights tonight the last time a pro athlete genuinely made you smile with his personality and not a charitable photo op.

I will leave you with a quote below from “The Bird,” as I go back to the doom and gloom of today’s world. Hoping and praying for the next Mark Fidrych to give us something to all smile about again.

"That ball has a hit in it, so I want to get back in the ball bag and goof around with the other balls in there. Maybe it'll learn some sense and come out as a pop-up next time."