After being snubbed by the Chicago Cubs last month, Ryne Sandberg decided that if he wasn't good enough for their top managerial position, he wasn't going to be part of their organization.
So...the Hall of Famer returned to the team that originally drafted him back in 1978.
Ex-Chicago Cub great Ryne Sandberg, a former player in the Phillies minor league organization, was named Monday morning as the new manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Sandberg, 51, spent the last four seasons as a manager in the Cubs' minor league system. He is a Hall of Fame second baseman.
He replaces Dave Huppert, who managed the IronPigs — the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate — the first three years of their existence.
Sandberg has spent the last four years as a manager in the Cubs organization with stints with the Peoria Chiefs (2007-2008), Tennessee Smokies (2009) and Iowa Cubs (2010).
He beings to the Phillies organization a career mark of 284-277...a .506 winning percentage. Last season, he was named the Pacific Coast League's Manager of the Year after posting a career best 82-62 record.
As a player, the 1984 National League MVP had a .285 batting average and 2,386 hits over his 16-year career. He was a ten time All-Star, seven time Silver Slugger and won nine Gold Gloves at second base. He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2005.
Every so often you have one of those moments where you come across something or someone and you know that somehow, some way, you just have to make it work.
Such is the case with the following interview.
I’ve been a fan of Kato Kaelin since I first saw him dominate the O.J. Simpson trial more than 15 years ago, but I’ll be honest…I really knew nothing about him. And to be honest, I had no clue how I would ever make Kato Kaelin relevant to this website.
Until now.
You see, thanks to the internet, I found out that Kaelin didn’t originally go to Los Angeles to pursue acting…he actually left the Midwest to pursue a baseball career.
HOVG: I’ve read interviews where you talked about the circumstances the brought you to California…is it true you hit the West Coast in hopes of becoming a baseball player?
KATO: Yes, that is TRUE. I pitched at Nicolet (High School in Glendale, Wisconsin) and I made the Varsity my Freshman year and thought, “wow, I must be good”. We went to State my Junior year and were runner up. I went to Wisconsin Eau Claire (for college) and made the team, but my dream was Cal State Fullerton…where the best baseball players went. When I got to Cal State Fullerton, I saw that they did have the best players and hung up the glove. Plus, I started getting into theatre and emceeing gigs. I continued playing baseball in other California leagues just for fun.
HOVG: You were a pitcher. Did you have a specialty pitch? Where did you top out at on the radar gun?
KATO: My specialty pitch was a knuckle curve. I'm not kidding when I tell you that it would drop off at the plate and would strike out a lot of batters. Glory days! I topped off at 89mph….not bad. I was a right-handed Ron Guidry. After most pitches my body would be almost flat to the ground. Did I mention glory days?
HOVG: A quick Google search led me to a page on IMDB.com that listed you as the 43rd “Most Popular Person” born in Milwaukee…right between some guy named Jacob Latimore and after some chick named Sonia Sorel. Let’s talk about your beloved Brewers. Growing up a fan…who were your favorite ball players?
KATO: 43rd most popular? Wow…that is insulting. I thought I'd be higher. Damn that (Jeffrey) Dahmer. My favorite players were Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. I liked most of “Harvey's Wallbangers”. You’ve got to love a manager with one leg. I always thought it might be a good gimmick to have Gorman Thomas come to bat holding (manager) Harvey Kuenn's prosthetic leg.
HOVG: I grew up less than 90 minutes from County Stadium and some of my favorite memories were seeing a number of Brewers games every summer and the inevitable stories that would come with each visit. What’s your favorite County Stadium memory?
KATO: It isn't my favorite memory but it is a memory. I went to a game with my neighbor Bunky Parker one time and I must have eaten two full bags of peanuts in the shell. Yes, I ate the peanuts…shell and all. I missed most of the game because I had severe diarrhea for at least seven straight innings. Glory days.
HOVG: I’ve gotta ask, what is more likely to happen first…O.J. admits guilt or the Brewers win the World Series?
KATO: I don't think O.J. will ever admit guilt so it has to be a Brewers World Series. With that said, the owner, Mark Attanasio, MUST get some fricking pitching. How frustrating is it to see Brewer pitching suck year after year? We need to find a Tim Lincecum or go get Tim Lincecum. I would volunteer my services to get the team back to respectability.
HOVG: What’s next, man, what do you have in the pipeline?
KATO: The more things change the more things remain the same. I would love to get a radio show doing sports or entertainment in my beloved city of Milwaukee, but in the meantime look for me as the “Lopez Tonight Official Timekeeper of the Fifteen Minutes of Fame” on TBS (video below), and hosting comedy shows across America. Go Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Admirals, UWM, UW and Marquette! If I forgot your school I apologize. Oh…and go Nicolet Knights!
HOVG: Any chance that next time you hit Milwaukee…can we do a game at Miller Park?
KATO: Airline ticket to Milwaukee…$450.00. Car rental…$150.00. Tickets to game…$55.00. Sitting next to Shawn from The Hall of Very Good…PRICELESS.
You can keep up to date with all things Kato by visiting Kaelin’s website. And if you find yourself in the Scottsdale, Arizona area this New Year’s Eve…check him out at The Comedy Spot.
With November comes several certainties...Ichiro Suzuki will bring home another Gold Glove, bad Thanksgiving Day football and thousands of men across the country grow out their upper lip garments to help raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.
Now, you might be thinking..."I get the lame Ichiro and football references, but what's the deal with the 'lip garment' mention".
Last week, good friend of The Hall, Dr. Aaron Perlut of the esteemed American Mustache Institute caught up with Washington Nationals pitcher Collin Balester and shouted from the mountain top his Movember efforts.
Another big leaguer taking part in the annual celebration of the 'stache is former All Star Morgan Ensberg. The former Houston Astros third baseman laid out a proposition to his more than three thousand followers on Twitter.
Anyone who donates a $100 bucks or more gets a phone call! Any takers?
Within minutes, Ensberg had a taker. But who knows...drop by his Mo Space page and donate another Franklin and see what happens.
I mean, donating to a great cause and getting a call from a Morgan Ensberg has to be better than dropping money calling Jose Canseco and hearing him flex and name drop his girlfriend for twenty minutes.
It's November 5, 2010...and I am missing the daily nonsensical ramblings of one Jose Canseco via Twitter.
Well, tonight, Jose Canseco made his triumphant return to cyberspace to this tweet:
If you guys want to talk to me on the phone call me at 310 862 6309. We can talk about anything,find out what's really going on in basball
YES!
Now, I'm going to be honest here...I can probably only think of a few dozen things I would rather do than talk on the phone with Jose Canseco.
To name a few things from that theoretical "to do" list...but in no particular order or specifics:
Feline AIDs
Brain Cancer
Dave Matthews Concert
But I digress.
Seriously, what can a guy who has been out of professional baseball since October 2001 tell us about the game that he hasn't already tried to disclose?
We get it, Jose, your run on "The Apprentice" is obviously over and you need friends and attention...but I ain't calling.
Now, if you want to call me...drop me an email at hallofverygood@yahoo.com and I'll tell you about my job.
In 1995, when Hideo Nomo left Japan and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he actually did something pretty monumental.
Consider this...he became the first Japanese-born Major Leaguer since Masanori Murakami 30 years prior. He also became the first Japanese-born player to relocate permanently to the American Major Leagues considering Murakami played only two seasons with the San Francisco Giants before returning to Japan for the remainder of his career.
Oh...he also had those two no-hitters (he's the only Japanese-born pitcher to throw one, much less two) and he was the first Japanese-born player to win the Rookie of the Year award.
More than 15 years later...Hisashi Iwakuma is looking to follow in Nomo's footsteps.
Now, you've probably seen the "A's win the bidding for Japan's Iwakuma" headlines...but what does that mean exactly?
Okay, remember the whole Daisuke Matsuzaka ordeal from four years ago? The Boston Red Sox "won" the rights to talk to "Dice-K" . And by winning...I mean, spent $51 million to do so.
They still had to SIGN the 2006 World Baseball Classic MVP and that will end up costing them close to another $60 million. So all told, that's what...$110 million over six years.
Was it worth it?
That's what you've got going for you Oakland fans (all twelve of you?), your team has 30 days to sign the 29 year-old Iwakuma to a contract. If you don't...he's back on the free agent market and anyone can snag him. And to make matters worse, the A's bid (according to MLB.com) was "reported to have been for a higher sum than the (Tohoku Rakuten) Golden Eagles originally expected through the posting process".
I'm fearful as to what exactly a "higher sum than originally expected" means.
I could close this diatribe out with some sort of lame "looks like something something Moneyball, yuck, yuck, but instead...let's take a look at Iwakuma's career.
In ten seasons of pro ball in Japan, Iwakuma managed a 101-62 record, a 3.32 ERAand 1085 strikeouts. Last season, he went 10-9 with a 2.82 ERA and was 13-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 2009. In his best season, 2008, Iwakuma posted 21 wins and a 1.87 ERA in 28 starts.
So there you go, game on A's fans. Is this the start of a new pitching resurgence in Oaktown...or is this cat going to bankrupt you?
Last week was wicked crazy, so all apologies go out to The Moyer Foundation for not getting this up and on the site in a timely fashion.
But, hey, it's Monday (again) so, naturally, it time for the monthy Q&A with Jamie Moyer!
Unfortunately, given the news from this past weekend...this might be the last Moyer Monday with Jamie as a professional ballplayer. Keep in mind that these questions were asked BEFORE Moyer suffered what looks to be a career ending elbow injury.
Question: Are you enjoying Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic?
Moyer: It’s an enlightening experience. Caribbean baseball is very entertaining and fun. The Dominican people are very happy, it’s unbelievable. I’m pitching tomorrow. So far so good!
Question: I am a teacher in Philly with summers available. How can I help with camp?
Moyer: There are lots of ways to help with Camp Erin other than volunteering for camp weekend. Host a teddy bear drive, do a fundraiser, or volunteer with the local Camp Erin group to help with year round support. Visit the foundation’s website to find a camp close to you.
Question: Have you thought about what you might like to do after baseball? Does being on TV or radio interest you?
Moyer: I’m going to keep all doors open and will see what opportunities arise.
Question: It’s obvious you enjoy playing the great game of baseball. Are there any goals you have yet to achieve for yourself?
Moyer: I enjoy playing! I’m living a dream that I’ve always had and that’s to play baseball. As we speak, I’m devoted to doing so.
Question: As a fellow Souderton Area High School grad, what is your most vivid memory of your high school years?
Moyer: My fondest high school memories were the Friday night football games and the great friends I hung out with.
Remember, you can follow The Moyer Foundation on Twitter at @moyerfoundation. To learn more about the foundation or make a donation to support one of their programs, please visit them online at The Moyer Foundation.
Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking...who the heck is Jerry McKune?
I'll tell you after I ask YOU a question...have you heard about the Facebook campaign to get San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson to host "Saturday Night Live"?
Yes?!?
Well, Jerry McKune started that original movement, folks (there have been others pop up since)...and recently, I had the privilege to catch up with the Fresno, California native to find out why.
HOVG: Clearly you have a love for Wilson...is this a recent infatuation with the bearded one or one that has been cultivated over the years?
McKUNE: I was fortunate enough to have watched Wilson a few times during his stay with Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. I remember him being very kind and affable to the fans even back then, and taking lots of time to talk with kids and sign autographs. This was all before the tats, before the Mohawk, before the beard. In this day and age of the high-priced, egomaniacal world that is professional sports, baseball is the last bastion for the gentleman-athlete. That’s not to say baseball doesn’t have its share of dirt-bags, but pound-for-pound, baseball has more nice guys than any other sport. And there is no nicer guy than Wilson.
HOVG: Alright, we've seen "B-Weezy" in some pretty entertaining interviews with Chris Rose, Jim Rome and, most recently Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show"...why the effort to get Wilson on as the host of "Saturday Night Live"?
McKUNE: First off, pro athletes and SNL go back a long way. In 1977, former Minnesota Viking QB Fran Tarkenton was the first athlete to host. Most recently, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps hosted. There have been some winners, there have been some losers, but I think anyone who has seen Wilson’s extensive collection of on-camera work, he’s comedic gold waiting to happen. After watching his interview on “Rome is Burning” it hit me. Brian Wilson has a similar comedic delivery to SNL All-Star Christopher Walken.
HOVG: Do you think it will happen?
McKUNE: I will admit, I think this is a long shot. Wilson doesn’t have the mass-appeal of Betty White. Nor does he have the shock value of being an octogenarian playing a prison gangster. Although some might argue rolling out an obscure reference (“The Machine”) from a fringe film ("8mm") is shockingly entertaining in it’s own right. I also think you have to win over the support of the head honcho at SNL, Lorne Michaels. Ultimately it’s his call, and I get the impression he’s not the kind of guy who will sway to the masses. But my hope is this Facebook campaign gets enough people to notice, and enough people talking about it, and perhaps gets his attention, at least for consideration.
HOVG: Obviously, your grassroots effort has turned some heads. Virtually overnight you went from a few hundred followers last week to close to 35,000 today. Why do you think people are joining the movement?
McKUNE: Brian Wilson is a nice guy, who is drop-dead hilarious and also, a World Champion. If that isn’t a recipe for a shot at hosting SNL, I’m not sure what is. Underneath the sideshow that is the beard, and snazzy retro clothing lays a true comedic genius.
McKune's efforts have been chronicled by a number of major media outlets (MLB.com and ESPN to name a few) in the last few days and by the looks of the number of Facebook users that have been clicking "Like"...he might have struck a nerve.
So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the Facebooks and join the movement!
Less than two weeks shy of his 48th birthday...pitcher Jamie Moyer looks to be done after injuring his elbow while pitching winter ball in the Dominican.
Moises Alou, general manager for Escogido, Moyer's Dominican team, told reporter Dionisio Soldevila that Moyer "probably won't pitch again in his career" after re-injuring his elbow. If that's true, it's a sad end to a great career.
Moyer started 19 games for the Philadelphia Phillies this past season, but didn't pitch after July 20 due to elbow problems. The lefty was rehabbing this winter in hopes of landing a job somewhere next year for his 24th Major League season.
For his career, Moyer has a 267-204 record (good for a .567 winning percentage), a 4.24 ERA and 2405 strikeouts. This past June, he surpassed Hall of Famer Robin Roberts on the all-time list when he gave up his 506th home run.
