Rico Brogna, Good Fit (Cont.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Len Dykstra, discouraging father.

Dykstra Cut from Same Mold

Ronnie Flores

CalHiSports Managing Editor

Note:

Check back on

StudentSportsBaseball.com

next week for complete Area Code Games wrap-ups and features, including the All-Area Code Games team.

Some of this year's Area Code participants are undoubtedly bound for stardom on the major league level. A few others, however, actually grew up with fathers that played in the Show and just might one day follow in their footsteps. It wouldn't be hard to believe that sons of former major league fathers are pushed into the game and are natural fits to excel because of dad's unique perspective and playing experience. The careers of prodigal sons of major leaguers such as Ken Griffey Jr. (Moeller, Cincinnati, OH) and Barry Bonds (Serra, San Mateo, CA) are well-chronicled, but not all sons of major leaguers immediately take to the game.

Cutter Dykstra (Westlake, Westlake Village, CA) of the Milwaukee Brewers Blue Area Code team actually was encouraged to play golf as a youngster by his father Lenny Dykstra, an outfielder who batted over .290 in five seasons of a playing career between 1985 and 1996. Although the former Garden Grove High standout won over the hearts of New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies fans with his hard nosed, take-no-prisoners style of play, it understandable why he wouldn't want to put undue pressure on his son to play a game that is not always kind.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/1113/520896.jpg Scott Kurtz Cutter Dykstra played golf as a youngster, but just finished his second tour of duty at Area Code in impressive fashion.

"I told Cutter I didn't want him to play baseball, I told him to be a golfer," his father recalled. "I grew up one of six kids and my whole life I was always was trying to get out of the middle, trying to separate myself. We live on a country club so naturally I thought it would be better for him."

The elder Dykstra was a three-time all-star in the major leagues, but it wasn't an easy road by any means. Ironically, it was at Blair Field, the home of the Area Code games, where a young Lenny first was noticed as a player who could potentially make an impact beyond starring for the Argonauts' varsity team.

"When I was a sophomore, I was playing Connie Mack ball, and it's funny because I was at Blair Field, too, when I first got looked at," Dykstra recalled. "John Herboldt, who was a legend over at Lakewood High School who ran a Connie Mack team, invited my to play with a group of older players when I was a sophomore. He was the type of guy that would take out a player right in the middle of a tryout, but he loved the way I played."

Two years later in 1981, Cutter's father was honored as the California's top baseball player, as Cal-Hi Sports named him its Mr. Baseball. Lenny singed a letter of intent with Arizona State, but chose to go pro after the Mets took him in the 13th round of the June Amateur Draft. A bonafide star in the Carolina League, Lenny eventually broke through with the big club in 1985, but was slated to serve as a platoon player for a team that won 98 games that year and 108 in 1986. Although "Nails" helped the Mets win a memorable World Series in 1986, it wasn't until he was traded to the Phillies in 1989 that he truly received the proper accolades he deserved as one of the best leadoff batters in the National League, if not all of baseball.

It's easy to see why the elder Dykstra wouldn't be overly eager to push his son into the game considering his experiences during his 16 years in pro ball. Even though his son was developing into a fine young golfer, eventually he told his father, "Dad, I don't want to golf, I want to play ball."

"I had played it (golf) ever since I was young, now it's all baseball," Cutter explained. "Watching my dad play through the league, I had always loved it. I don't know what I'd do without baseball."

"There was no pressure on him because his dad played baseball, he wanted to do it in his heart," Lenny proclaimed.

Cutter got his first taste of the Area Code experience in 2006 as one of the younger players on the Milwaukee Brewers' roster and admittedly, he didn't perform as he would have liked as the team's second baseman.

"I was a little nervous out there," Cutter explained about his first experience playing in front of 300 Major League scouts and a flock of college coaches.

"Cutter has done a 360 degree turn this year," his father added. "Area Code has the reputation of being the best players in the country and his inexperience showed last year. Cutter needs to understand at this level every time out there, your going to be judged. If you have a bad at-bat, you move on because the next on is coming fast, you have to keep your head up. Cutter was a young seventeen years old when he first played at Area Code, he's only reached half of his ability."

This year, Dykstra was determined to showcase his talents at shortstop. After a solid showing at batting practice last Sunday, the younger Dykstra showed improvement in his range and defensive abilities in the field all week and capped his performance with a leadoff home run on Friday. On top of that, it was evident Cutter was a completely different player as he was always smiling, fun to be around and full of enthusiasm. Those traits in his game were noticed by more than just the scouts and college coaches.

"I did play a little bit at short last year, but I put my mind to it that I was going to be a shortstop and this year I' real confident out there," Cutter explained. "This is a strong man's game and I was not pressing."

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/1113/520880.jpg Scott Kurtz Dykstra was impressive in the field at shortstop and displayed improved power with his bat last week.

To top it off, the younger Dykstra as recorded the highest SPARQ Rating* among all of this year's Area Code participants. The SPARQ Baseball Rating is a numeric value used to gauge a player's overall athleticism and Dykstra's hard work in the off-season obviously paid off. His 77.94 rating included a 3.65 30-yard dash (No. 1 overall), a 4.15 20-yard shuttle (No. 2), a 32.3 inch vertical jump (No. 9) and a 49-foot power ball toss. In the all important 60-yard dash, his 6.58 clocking was the second best overall.

"I did not have a lot of experience with SPARQ, but I've been working in the weight room on my power and agility and just did it," Cutter explained. "I'm kinda raw in some of the events, but I did everything as hard as I could. When we were leaving the field, everyone was showing what they got and I was like 'wow, I just might have the highest rating."'

"Cutter was working with his coaches all off-season and preparing hard for this year and it showed out on the field," Lenny added. " I'm a proud father that he finished first in the SPARQ Testing, too."

So what's next for Dykstra after his stellar showing at the Area Code games? He obviously wants to have a big senior season and he's already committed a college, but he just might follow in the footsteps of his father once again.

"I have committed to UCLA, but my ultimate goal is to play in the big leagues," Cutter remarked. "I Don't know how it'll happen but whatever comes next year, I'm not going to tone it down. I'm going to keep working hard and show what I can do."

Lenny is a supportive father but is quick to offer his son some important advice he learned along the way. On the other hand, Cutter doesn't feel there is added pressure or disadvantages of being a son of a former major leaguer. In fact, he relishes it and is proud of his father.

"I haven't thought about him going pro," Lenny said. "If it's a good situation, he wants to play pro baseball. That's his dream. But as soon as he or anyone else thinks they got it figured out, you haven't figured it out. Then you go...What happened to my career? That's reality right there."

"I like being the son of Lenny, I want people to say he plays just like his dad," Cutter said. "There isn't really a disadvantage (of being his son). He knows what everyone is looking for, knows the mental side of the game and the most important thing, he's always there for me."

*Baseball players can track the progress of their training, through occasional tests, and compare SPARQ Ratings with teammates, training partners and competitors. To learn more about the SPARQ Rating, go to

www.sparqtraining.com.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Sounds like Lenny has done a nice job of offering advice and then allowing his son, Cutter, find his own path. It sure beats the approach too often taken by pushy and demanding parents that are evident in a youth sports around the country.

Good job Lenny and keep up the good work Cutter.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Les Rohr, not bitter.

Hearing the Rohr of the crowd at Cobb Field

The historic Billings ball yard known as Cobb Field played host to its final American Legion state tournament last week, and memories were in the air.

And on the field.

We were sitting down the leftfield line on a beautiful summer night at Cobb, surrounded by friends who were having a few, when a foul ball zipped past us and went into the Billings Royals bullpen. A grey-haired gentleman in a baseball uniform retrieved the ball and walked it back to where we were sitting.

"Here ya go, boys," he said before returning to his post in the pen.

One of our pals said, to no one in particular, "So who's that nice old guy?"

Of course, there was a day when Les Rohr needed no introduction to the baseball fans at Cobb Field.

LES WAS BORN in 1946, in Lowestoft, England, to a World War II veteran named Norvin and his British bride. Norvin Rohr was a Billings native who favored his hometown, so soon the family was moving to Montana.

"My mom died 20 years years ago," said Les. "But she never lost her accent, which was kind of neat."

What was also cool was that Mr. Rohr loved baseball, and his little boy was lefthanded.

BY THE TIME he was a teenager, Les was a fireballing southpaw who reminded many at Cobb of Dave McNally.

McNally was four years older and led the local Legion baseball team to great heights in the late 1950s. Under legendary coach Ed Bayne, the boys from Billings twice earned spots in the American Legion World Series, once falling just one victory short of the championship.

McNally was unhittable in those days, known for a sharp breaking ball that was destined to earn 181 major-league victories with the Baltimore Orioles.

But he couldn't throw as hard as Les Rohr, who once in a Legion state tournament game struck out 23 hitters.

BIG-LEAGUE BIRD DOG scouts, already aware of McNally's Billings background, found themselves returning to Cobb to check out this Rohr kid. And in 1965, in the very first baseball amateur draft, the New York Mets tabbed Rohr second overall.

In the first round.

Rick Monday went No. 1 overall that year and the Mets, who would soon have young pitchers such as Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman in their system, decided that Rohr was just what they needed. Then in the 12th round, the Metropolitans took a flyer on another pitcher with some potential.

Fellow named Nolan Ryan.

ROHR GOT TO THE BIG LEAGUES in 1967 at age 21. He'd never been to New York City before traveling there to join the team.

On Sept. 19, 1967, the big lefty from Billings got the start for the Mets against the Los Angeles Dodgers and veteran pitcher Bill Singer. Rohr gave up two runs in the first, then shut down a Dodger club that included Willie Davis, Wes Parker, John Roseboro and Ron Fairly.

The Mets prevailed 6-3.

Rohr won only one more game in his big-league career before back problems surfaced. He doesn't know how or why, just that the pain was intense. In those days, back surgery wasn't as successful as it is now. And once Rohr went under the knife, he couldn't return to the mound.

So he returned to Billings.

LES, 61, IS RECENTLY RETIRED from the concrete business. But as anyone knows who truly love the game, one never really retires from baseball.

He's been a pitching coach for many years, and this summer worked with the Royals' pitchers for manager Greg Steffanich.

"He gets 'em ready and does a good job," said Steffanich. "And the kids really like him."

But do they know who Les Rohr was and what he accomplished?

"He's got a scrapbook that's something pretty special," Steffanich said. "The places he's been and the people he's met are something."

WHEN YOU'VE BEEN in the majors, one wonders, what's so enjoyable about small-town ballparks and country folk? Because really, that's all Montana has to offer.

"I love working with the kids," said Les. "When they win, it's great. I never ever liked to lose, but you also have to learn how to do that. To do it gracefully. I try to teach the boys that, too."

He hopes to return to the Royals' bullpen next summer.

"You bet I'd like to be back," he said. "But we'll have to see."

IN THE LATE 1960S, the New York Mets took the baseball world by storm.

Les Rohr will never forget his experiences in the Big Apple.

"Nolan Ryan and I signed the same year, and Tug McGraw was there. You know who his kid is, don't you?" Les said, referring to the famed singer Tim. "Yogi Berra caught me in the bullpen and Warren Spahn was my pitching coach. Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges were my managers.

"I mean, holy mackerel."

Les is asked if he regrets anything, or if the back injury ever made him bitter.

"No, not really," he said. "I had the opportunity, I was there for awhile, and I just feel lucky to have met some of the old Yankees. Rube Walker, Yogi, Hodges, Casey Stengel ... golly Moses, I was in good company."

AND WHAT WERE those guys like?

"Casey, he could talk and talk and talk, and say nothing," Les said with a chuckle. "Yogi was really mild and mellow � never raised his voice at all, and Hodges was the same way. You didn't get any power speeches from those guys."

Before Les retired from the game, he spent a season pitching for the Memphis Blues in the Southern League. There was a pretty fair singer named Presley who lived there in those days.

"We saw Elvis once or twice," Les said. "Pulled up alongside of him in a limo when we were going to the ballpark."

When he did retire, Les knew right where he was headed.

"I didn't like it down south," he said. "Billings was home. I like the change of seasons. And the hunting and fishing."

THESE DAYS, Norvin Rohr is still enjoying the game of baseball. Turns out the WWII veteran was at Cobb Field for all his boy's games last week. Just like 45 years or so ago.

"Dad's 86," said Les (Norvin) Rohr. "He still runs his dogs down by the river. Still drives his truck and goes and has coffee. He still likes baseball."

And that's good. In fact it's great to know that at Cobb Field, which will be torn down next month to make room for a brand spanking new $12 million ballpark, some memories remain very much alive.

"Cobb Field is quite a place," Les Rohr said. "And it'll never quite be the same without it."

Scott Mansch is Tribune Assistant Sports Editor and a lifelong baseball fan. Mansch can be reached at 1-800-438-6600 or at smansch@greatfallstribune.com.

[Frayed Knot]

Which one is Lenny's kid?











"Les Rohr, not bitter"

About which, missing out on a baseball career or being named Leslie?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Lenny's other kids: Slider, Slurve and Screwgie.

[Willets Point]

10 Things I Didn�t Know about Rick Aguilera.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Backman done.

Again.

[soupcan]

Edgy DC wrote: Kissing Elaine Nardo.

'Nardo'was 'Taxi'

Seinfeld's Elaine was 'Benes'.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Benes.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Where are your 1987 Twins?

In 2007:

Juan Berenguer lives in Chanhassen, where he works as a car salesman. His son Chris opted for hockey instead of baseball and played in the United States Hockey League for the Sioux Falls Stampede.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Saturday will mark 40 years since ex-Met Jack Hamilton (actually only recently acquired from the Mets) derailed the flourishing career of Tony Conigliaro with a fourth inning pitch to the face.

Check out how retrosheet marks it.

Boston Red Sox 3, California Angels 2

CAL A    0  0  0    0  0  0    1  0  1  -   2  4  1
BOS A    0  0  0    2  0  1    0  0  x  -   3  6  0

BATTING

California Angels     AB   R   H RBI      BB  SO      PO   A
Cardenal cf            4   0   0   0       0   2       3   1
Fregosi ss             4   0   0   0       0   1       1   3
Hall rf                4   2   2   2       0   0       0   0
Mincher 1b             4   0   1   0       0   0       8   1
Reichardt lf           3   0   0   0       0   1       3   0
Rodgers c              2   0   0   0       1   0       5   1
Knoop 2b               3   0   1   0       0   0       1   3
Werhas 3b              2   0   0   0       0   1       2   0
  Repoz ph             1   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
  Held 3b              0   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
Hamilton p             1   0   0   0       0   0       1   0
  Satriano ph          1   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
  Kelso p              0   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
  Coates p             0   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
  Morton ph            1   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
  Cimino p             0   0   0   0       0   0       0   0
Totals                30   2   4   2       1   5      24   9

FIELDING - 
DP: 1. Rodgers-Knoop.
E: Fregosi (18).

BATTING - 
HR: Hall 2 (15,7th inning off Bell 0 on 1 out,9th inning off Bell 0 on 2 out).
Team LOB: 2.

Boston Red Sox        AB   R   H RBI      BB  SO      PO   A
Andrews 2b             3   0   0   0       1   0       2   3
Adair 3b               3   0   1   0       1   0       1   0
Yastrzemski lf         3   0   0   0       1   1       0   0
Scott 1b               4   0   1   0       0   1       9   0
Smith cf               4   0   0   0       0   1       4   0
Conigliaro rf          1   0   1   0       0   0       2   0
  Tartabull pr,rf      1   1   0   0       1   0       0   0
Petrocelli ss          3   2   1   1       1   2       2   6
Howard c               3   0   0   0       0   0       6   0
Bell p                 3   0   2   1       0   0       1   0
Totals                28   3   6   2       5   5      27   9

FIELDING - 
DP: 1. Andrews-Petrocelli-Scott.

BATTING - 
2B: Bell (2,off Hamilton).
3B: Petrocelli (1,off Hamilton).
HBP: Conigliaro (5,by Hamilton).
IBB: Yastrzemski (7,by Hamilton).
Team LOB: 7.

BASERUNNING - 
CS: Adair (5,2nd base by Coates/Rodgers).

PITCHING

California Angels     IP     H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR
Hamilton L(6-3)        5     4   2   1   3   2   0
Kelso                  0.2   1   1   1   2   0   0
Coates                 1.1   1   0   0   0   1   0
Cimino                 1     0   0   0   0   2   0
Totals                 8     6   3   2   5   5   0

HBP: Hamilton (1,Conigliaro).
IBB: Hamilton (3,Yastrzemski).

Boston Red Sox        IP     H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR
Bell W(8-10)           9     4   2   2   1   5   2

Umpires: Bill Valentine, Bill Kinnamon, Larry Napp, Frank Umont
Time of Game: 2:16   Attendance: 31027
Starting Lineups:

   California Angels             Boston Red Sox           
1. Cardenal            cf        Andrews             2b
2. Fregosi             ss        Adair               3b
3. Hall                rf        Yastrzemski         lf
4. Mincher             1b        Scott               1b
5. Reichardt           lf        Smith               cf
6. Rodgers             c         Conigliaro          rf
7. Knoop               2b        Petrocelli          ss
8. Werhas              3b        Howard              c
9. Hamilton            p         Bell                p

ANGELS 1ST: Cardenal struck out; Fregosi struck out; Hall
grounded out (shortstop to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels
0, Red Sox 0.

RED SOX 1ST: Andrews walked; Adair grounded out (second to
first) [Andrews to second]; Yastrzemski struck out; Scott
grounded out (second to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Angels 0,
Red Sox 0.

ANGELS 2ND: Mincher flied out to center; Reichardt flied out to
right; Rodgers made an out to third; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. 
Angels 0, Red Sox 0.

RED SOX 2ND: Smith flied out to left; Conigliaro singled to
center; Petrocelli struck out; Howard grounded out (second to
first); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 0.

ANGELS 3RD: Knoop flied out to center; Werhas flied out to
center; Hamilton grounded out (shortstop to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0
E, 0 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 0.

RED SOX 3RD: Bell flied out to center; Andrews grounded out
(shortstop to first); Adair walked; Yastrzemski grounded out
(first unassisted); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 0.

ANGELS 4TH: Cardenal made an out to catcher; Fregosi flied out
to right; Hall lined to second; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels 0,
Red Sox 0.

RED SOX 4TH: Scott singled to center [scott out at second
(center to shortstop)]; Smith flied out to center; Conigliaro
was hit by a pitch; The Beaning; TARTABULL RAN FOR
CONIGLIARO; Petrocelli tripled to center [Tartabull scored,
Petrocelli scored (error by Fregosi) (unearned) (no RBI)];
Howard grounded out (shortstop to first); 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 1 E,
0 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 2.

ANGELS 5TH: TARTABULL STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING RF); Mincher
grounded out (first unassisted); Reichardt grounded out
(shortstop to first); Rodgers walked; Knoop forced Rodgers
(shortstop to second); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox
2.

RED SOX 5TH: Bell doubled to center; Andrews grounded out
(shortstop to first); Adair grounded out (first to pitcher)
[bell to third]; Yastrzemski was walked intentionally; Scott
flied out to center; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 2.

ANGELS 6TH: Werhas struck out; SATRIANO BATTED FOR HAMILTON;
Satriano made an out to shortstop; Cardenal struck out; 0 R, 0
H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 2.

RED SOX 6TH: KELSO REPLACED SATRIANO (PITCHING); Smith flied out
to left; Tartabull walked; Petrocelli walked [Tartabull to
second]; Howard forced Tartabull (third unassisted) [Petrocelli
to second]; Bell singled to center [Petrocelli scored, Howard to
second]; COATES REPLACED KELSO (PITCHING); Andrews flied out to
left; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Angels 0, Red Sox 3.

ANGELS 7TH: Fregosi grounded out (second to first); Hall
homered; Mincher singled to center; Reichardt struck out;
Rodgers flied out to center; 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Angels 1,
Red Sox 3.

RED SOX 7TH: Adair singled to center; Yastrzemski made an out to
third; Scott struck out while Adair was caught stealing second
(catcher to second); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels 1, Red Sox 3.

ANGELS 8TH: Knoop singled to center; REPOZ BATTED FOR WERHAS;
Repoz made an out to first; MORTON BATTED FOR COATES; Morton
grounded into a double play (second to shortstop to first)
[Knoop out at second]; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels 1, Red Sox
3.

RED SOX 8TH: HELD REPLACED REPOZ (PLAYING 3B); CIMINO REPLACED
MORTON (PITCHING); Smith struck out; Tartabull grounded out
(first unassisted); Petrocelli struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.
 Angels 1, Red Sox 3.

ANGELS 9TH: Cardenal grounded out (shortstop to first); Fregosi
grounded out (second to first); Hall homered; Mincher lined to
pitcher; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Angels 2, Red Sox 3.

Final Totals      R   H   E  LOB
 Angels           2   4   1    2
 Red Sox          3   6   0    7

[Gwreck]

Bring it full circle:

Rico was featured this past week on Mets Weekly. He's an East Coast scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks, covering AA, AAA and the Majors.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jeff Reardon, with a reason to smile.

Twins honor Reardon

Team gives $100K to foundation

By Carol Sliwa, Special to The Eagle

Article Last Updated: 08/19/2007 03:45:39 PM EDT

Sunday, August 19

MINNEAPOLIS � Noted for his toughness, quiet demeanor and intimidating stare during his playing days, Jeff Reardon did not shed any tears of joy after he pitched the final out of the seventh game to live out his boyhood dream of winning the World Series.

But the normally stoic Berkshire native became so overcome with emotion Friday night at the Metrodome, where that precious moment took place, that he had to wipe moisture from his eyes and cheeks during a pre-game ceremony opening a weekend of festivities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Minnesota Twins' World Series victory in October 1987.

The Twins had just stunned their former ace reliever and his family with a check for $100,000 to benefit the charitable foundation set up in honor of his son, Shane, who died of a drug overdose in February 2004.

A photograph of Shane posing with his favorite player, Kirby Puckett, who died of a stroke last year, flashed on the stadium screen during the on-field, pre-game presentation ceremony.

One of Reardon's greatest fears is public speaking, yet he motioned for a microphone from a Twins representative, so that he could thank the team and the 30,000 fans in the cavernous stadium for what he would later characterize as an "overwhelming" gesture of generosity.

Reardon's wife, Phebe, looking equally shocked and teary-eyed, turned to Jeff and their children, 26-year-old Jay and 20-year-old Kristi, who were also on the field, and said, "Oh my God. That's unbelievable. Did you see it?"

Phebe was referring to the oversized check that her husband's 1987 championship teammates had presented to him.

Proceeds from bobbleheads

Before leaving their Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., home, the Reardons knew that the Twins planned to present a check from the proceeds of the sale of 1,000 limited edition sets of bobblehead dolls made in the likenesses of the entire roster of '87 Twins players. Team management told the family to expect at least $10,000 for the foundation.

Reardon learned last week that the check might be "substantial."

The Twins promoted the Aug. 9 sale on their radio and television broadcasts, and the 1,000 sets, priced at $387 each, sold in a mere 12 minutes over the Internet, according to Kevin Smith, executive director of public affairs. Reardon figured that might mean a doubling of the contribution, to perhaps $20,000.

"They said they were going to make a donation, but Jesus, I can't believe that. That was," Reardon said, pausing for emphasis, "the nicest thing that's ever been done."

Between the sixth and seventh innings of Friday's game, Reardon stepped outside the luxury suite where the '87 team watched last night's game to telephone his mother, Mrs. Marion Cavanaugh, and her husband, Larry, who were back in his boyhood hometown of Dalton. He also told his mother that he delivered a speech in the stadium. His mother told him, "Shane was looking down on you."

Road to recovery

Yesterday morning, while sipping a cup of coffee, Reardon said he thinks that moment might help him on his long road to recovery.

"It shows me how much people do really care," he said. "It's been hard, because people ignore the subject."

The severity of Reardon's depression became news in late 2005. On the day after Christmas, he handed a childishly scribbled note, claiming he had a gun and using the words "please" and "thank you" in his demand for cash, to a clerk at a mall jewelry store near his Palm Beach Gardens home. Authorities later charged Reardon with armed robbery.

But the public soon learned about the death of Reardon's son and the cocktail of prescription drugs he'd been taking for depression and a heart ailment. He would later receive electroshock therapy as part of his treatment plan.

A year ago this month, a Palm Beach County judge ruled that Reardon was not guilty by reason of insanity.

"I just said, 'That's not Jeff,' " said former teammate Greg Gagne, the shortshop on the '87 Twins, who had not seen Reardon for at least 10 years. He greeted the fellow Massachusetts native with a big bear hug to let him know, "I'm pulling for you. I'm behind you."

Former teammate Randy Bush, now an assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs, said it has been difficult, because you "don't want to say something that makes them feel terrible."

"None of us can imagine what it's like to lose a child. When that happens, who knows how any of us deal with that?" Bush said. He added, "I'm sure that he has a lot of mixed emotions being here, and I hope that at the end of the weekend, it will have been a good thing for him and his family."

During last night's pre-game recreation of the Twins' 1987 victory celebration, former Twins second baseman Steve Lombardozzi pulled Reardon aside next to the Twins' dugout, patted him on the arm, and told him, "I just wanted you to know I'm glad you're back here."

'To help other kids'

Reardon said he doesn't know yet how the foundation will spend the money. He said the family hadn't made any specific plans, since with just $18,000 in the coffers, the family couldn't "help too many people out with that."

He just knows the resources will be used for some cause that will honor Shane.

"He always cared about the other person," said Reardon, "so I'm glad we can do this to help other kids."

[Willets Point]

I just read Jim Bouton's Foul Ball. The Berkshire Eagle is a major villain in that book.

[G-Fafif]

The good folks of Milwaukee honor Felix Mantilla and some of his pre-1962 teammates for something that surprisingly had nothing to do with the Mets:

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/57bravesreunite.html

[nymr83]

Art Shamsky is managing in Israel!

[Valadius]

The Orioles bought Victor Zambrano from Pittsburgh and are recalling him from AAA Norfolk in time for him to join them today. He takes the roster spot of O's ace Erik Bedard, who goes on the 60-day DL.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jimmy Piersall, not keen on Yankees or fags.

Piersall at Dusk: Still Candid, Combative, Colorful

By Don Harrison

Article Last Updated: 09/21/2007 11:54:26 AM EDT

WESTPORT - An eight-year-old boy extends his hand with reluctance. The elderly man sitting on the other side of the table envelopes the boy's hand in his and offers a warm smile.

"Shake hands like a man," Jim Piersall tells the boy as he pumps his hand.

The boy manages a shy smile, accepts an autographed photo from one of the game's greatest defensive centerfielders and ambles off.

This was a frequent scene at Legends of the Game, a sports memorabilia shop in the Compo Shopping Center, on a Sunday afternoon in early September. Boys, men of varying ages and a few women queued up to meet the outfielder who transformed defensive play into an art form.

"I used to deliver papers to your house," said a man named Tom Griffin, who made the trek from Waterbury to Westport to see Piersall.

The old outfielder smiles at their connection. "Well, that must have been a long time ago," he tells Griffin before signing.

If you followed baseball during the 1950s and '60s, you knew Jim Piersall. From his clashes with fans, umpires and opposing players to his backward trot around the bases to mark his 100th career home run, Piersall brought a rainbow of color and a bit of zaniness to the field. Across 17 seasons, he hit .272 and 104 homers with five clubs and was selected to two All-Star teams.

On and off the field, Piersall often couldn't control himself, which nearly led to his early exit from baseball and, in 1952, his commitment to a mental hospital. His comeback the following season provided the impetus for his autobiography, Fears Strikes Out, written with the late Al Hirshberg. A biopic with the same title followed in 1957, starring the miscast Anthony Perkins as Piersall and the talented Karl Malden as his overbearing father.

Piersall has disowned the film. "They had a fag playing me," he wailed. "I didn't climb no screen. My father wasn't as tough as they made him out to be."

For this appearance in Westport, a speaking engagement at the Hartford World Series Club the following night and a couple of other stops, Piersall had flown from Chicago to Boston. He and his third wife, Jan, share a home in suburban Wheaton and winter in Scottsdale, Ariz.

On this trip, there would be no visit to his native Waterbury, a once-flourishing city of 107,000 in the Naugatuck Valley.

"I was there five years ago. It's really a crime what they've done to that city. It makes me sick," Piersall said. "I said to the mayor, 'If I give you a $1,000 bucks, will you fix it up?' He told me 'Don't bother. It'll only get dirty again.'"

James Anthony Piersall, born Nov. 14, 1929, rose from the sandlots of Waterbury to wearing the uniform of the team he rooted for as a youngster - the Boston Red Sox. He was just 20 years old when he joined the club in September of 1950. This was the powerful team of Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio, Vern Stephens, Johnny Pesky, Walt Dropo, Billy Goodman, Mel Parnell and Ellis Kinder.

"All the Italians in Waterbury were Yankee fans. I hated the Yankees from the time I left my mother's womb," he recalled. "I loved the Red Sox Jimmie Foxx, Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams How many kids grow up rooting for a team and then get to play for them?

"Dom DiMaggio," he said, "was one of the really great players, one of the five best leadoff hitters of all time. It's a crime he isn't in the Hall of Fame."

Piersall's earliest acclaim came in another sport - basketball. An energetic forward with quick moves, he led Leavenworth High School (the forerunner of J.F. Kennedy High) to the 1947 New England scholastic championship, scoring 29 points in the title game against Durfee (Mass.) High in Boston Garden.

So the story goes, a Red Sox scout was in the Garden that evening. "Can he play baseball?" the scout asked somebody in the Waterbury contingent. "He's even better in baseball," the scout was told.

Piersall signed a free-agent contract with the Red Sox after high school and began the climb up the minor league ladder. In 1948, he played for Boston's Class-A affiliate at Scranton, Pa., where he met Mary Teevan. They were married in October of 1949, following his first season at Triple-A Louisville. By the time he was 31 years old, the Piersalls were the parents of nine children.

He claims to have no recollections of the 1952 season with Boston, when he displayed signs of mental illness that had plagued his mother. He fought with the Yankees' combative second baseman, Billy Martin, and even a teammate, Mickey McDermott, and antagonized fans and umpires.

His erratic behavior led to his being demoted to Double-A Birmingham. Three weeks later, Piersall entered a Massachusetts state hospital for psychiatric treatment. He was diagnosed with manic depression, treated with electroshock therapy and released after six weeks.

"Mr. (Tom) Yawkey (the Red Sox's owner) sent me to Florida for the whole winter and picked up the tab," Piersall recalled.

Rejoining the Red Sox in 1953, a recovered Piersall became an integral part of the club for six seasons, at first playing right field and then moving to center, where he was flanked by the great Williams in left and Jackie Jensen in right. "A complete player," he says of Jensen.

In the opener of a 1953 doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns, Piersall went 6-for-6 at bat, tying the American League record for hits in a nine-inning game. He hit .272 that year.

In 1954, he was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time. His second All-Star selection, in 1956, came during his finest all-round season when he batted .293, drove in 87 runs, scored 91 runs and collected 14 home runs and a league-leading 40 doubles.

Piersall was voted the Red Sox's 1956 Most Valuable Player, no mean feat considering that Williams - the consummate hitter and a two-time American League Most Valuable Player - and Jensen, who would win the 1958 AL MVP award, were among his teammates.

In the outfield, Piersall become renowned for his acrobatic, leaping catches. Twice, in 1958 and in 1961 with the Cleveland Indians, he won the Gold Glove Award. For statistical proof, the Piersall career fielding percentage, .990, ranks among the highest of all-time.

Casey Stengel, who managed championship Yankee teams from 1949 through 1960, once called Piersall the most natural defensive outfielder he'd ever seen. As player and manager, Stengel was associated with the game for more the 50 years - he managed DiMaggio and Mantle, he saw Mays and Snider - so that statement carries considerable weight.

Stengel was Piersall's manager with the Mets in 1963 when, on June 23 in the Polo Grounds, he hit the 100th home run of his career against the Philadelphia Phillies. He celebrated the occasion by circling the bases backward - albeit in the right direction.

How would Jim Piersall compare today's players with those from his era?

"We were better trained how to think the game, how to execute," he responded. "Today, a lot of times you see a player get picked off with the score seven-nothing."

He gets up from his chair and assumes the stance of an outfielder.

"The centerfielder has to know how to move the other outfielders. Never stand directly behind second base. Play to the right side or the left side so you can see the plate."

After his playing career ended with the Los Angeles Angels in 1967, Piersall remained in the game in many capacities. He was director of group sales for the Oakland Athletics under Charley Finley. In 1975, he was hired by his former sparring partner, Martin, to tutor the Texas Rangers outfielders.

Two years later, the Chicago White Sox made the always-candid Piersall a broadcaster and teamed him with Harry Caray. In 1983, he was dismissed for being too critical of White Sox management. A second book, The Truth Hurts, published in 1985, discusses his ouster and also addresses his struggles with bipolar disorder.

Then, as a roving minor league outfield instructor with the Chicago Cubs, Piersall shared his expertise with prospects and would-be prospects from 1986-99.

They could not have asked for a more knowledgeable - or entertaining - instructor.

Don Harrison, the founding editor of the

Greenwich Citizen

, is devoting some of his infrequent spare time to a book about Connecticut's Major League baseball players.

[metirish]

Look who sponsors Bannister's page....

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bannibr01.shtml

[Benjamin Grimm]

metirish wrote: Look who sponsors Bannister's page.... http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bannibr01.shtml

I was expecting to see that it was Iramets.

[soupcan]

I thought it was gonna be Rick Peterson.

[MFS62]

Yesterday I saw a short blurb in the NY Daily News. It said that China will be entering a team in the upcoming Arizona Fall League. It then went on to say that "Duffy Dyer will be an instructor for the team".

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Pete Harnisch, realtor to the swells.

MLB Enterprises Selects Diane Turton, Realtors as New Community�s Listing Agent

RISMEDIA, Sept. 28, 2007-Diane Turton, Realtors was selected to represent the new Estates at Metedeconk National community in Jackson, N. J. According to the company, for the first time, qualified home buyers can purchase two acres of beautiful rolling countryside and build their home next to one of the nation�s most prestigious golf courses. From their homes at the new Estates at Metedeconk National community in Jackson, N. J., residents, who are club members, will have private access to this challenging, fabled and magnificent 27-hole golf course.

Diane Turton, Realtors, one of the most prominent real estate companies in the Garden State, is marketing The Estates at Metedeconk National as a new, gated community with 23 building sites and each provides sweeping views of the course�s tree-lined fairways, water hazards and greens. This distinctive, private and non-age restricted development is set in the middle of secluded, gently rolling fields.

The 50-acre parcel of land is owned by MLB Enterprises, a partnership that includes former, Houston Astros all-star Pete Harnisch, who later played for the New York Mets, and Jeff Bagwell who earned the Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove and MVP honors, while playing with the Astros.

Together, MLB and Diane Turton, Realtors will host a special introduction for real estate brokers at this magnificent setting on Wednesday, October 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include presentations by Morris Flancbaum of MLB Enterprises, a skilled builder of estate homes, Cristina Gage, the listing agent for Diane Turton, Realtors, and representatives from the golf club as well as an appearance by Harnisch.

�MLB Enterprises and our real estate company have much in common,� said Ms. Turton, owner of Diane Turton, Realtors and the firm�s broker of record. �Customer satisfaction, attention to detail and personal service are the key elements of each firm�s successful business models. We are very enthusiastic to be working with Mr. Flancbaum and others at MLB on their project that brings together the best of everything in luxury homes.�

According to Turton, people purchasing land and building homes at the Estates at Metedeconk National can work closely with Flancbaum, who has decades of experience that includes building a five-star resort in the Caribbean and many manor-style homes in affluent and desirable communities. During each phase of the design and construction, home buyers can provide input, so that the homes are constructed to meet their specifications. Individuals who purchase building lots also have the option to retain their own architects and contractors.

Boasting amenities that meet the needs of today�s upscale families, the homes will range in size from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet. Each home will be designed, constructed and landscaped to complement and enhance the beauty of the natural surroundings. While building lots start at $379,000, the price for fully built homes begin at $1,200,000.

�We are creating a unique community in a spectacular location that adjoins one of the world�s most magnificent golf courses,� said Mr. Flancbaum. �Our goal is to set a new standard for excellence, comfort and relaxed, yet elegant, living in each home that we design and build. This will be a landmark, cosmopolitan community attracting residents from across the nation.�

For more information, visit www.dianeturton.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

[Valadius]

Following up on Art Shamsky, he manages the Modi'in Miracle. Their team colors are orange and blue.

Miracle... orange and blue... I think we have a team to root for in Israel now.

[MFS62]

Thanks for the explanations.
Now, back to the original intent of the threat, catching up with former Mets:

] http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20071017/NEWS/71017005/1011 Former Mets pitcher among 3 arrested in connection with copper thefts in Muscle Shoals By Tom Smith Senior Staff Writer Last Updated:October 17. 2007 5:06PM Published: October 17. 2007 5:00PM Last Modified: October 17. 2007 5:06PM Three Colbert County men, including a former Major League baseball pitcher, have been arrested in Muscle Shoals in connection with separate cases of copper theft, police said today. Police investigators said Randall Lee �Randy� Tate, 55, 106 King St., Muscle Shoals, has been charged with first-degree theft of property. He is accused of stealing more than $20,000 worth of copper from Occidental Chemical Corp. in Muscle Shoals. Tate, who was born in Florence, was drafted by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the amateur draft in 1972. He pitched one season for the Mets, posting a 5-13 record with a 4.45 earned run average. Police said arrests have been made in connection with copper thefts at the Norfolk Southern rail yard on Wilson Dam Road and the Plumbers and Steamfitters union hall on East Avalon Avenue. Reports indicate 21-year-old Zachary Jean Clos, 1107 Hemlock St., Tuscumbia, is charged with first-degree theft of property in connection with the theft of $3,000 worth of copper from Norfolk Southern. Authorities said Clos and his 33-year-old brother, Laury �Buddy� King Weaver IV, 404 Annapolis Ave., Sheffield, have been charged with second-degree receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of copper from the Plumbers and Steamfitters office, which occurred Oct. 10.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Two things I know about Randy Tate:

1. He spent one season in the Puerto Rican Winter League and is a legend to this day for how well he performed.


2. He has or had the worst career o-fer in the history of big-league batsmen.

[Benjamin Grimm]

3. He got arrested for stealing $20,000 worth of copper.


Let's see if that puts him in Jeff Reardon territory for UMDB hits. I'm guessing it won't.

[Guest Edgy DC]

We should pass the hat and bail him out.

[Benjamin Grimm]

We should try to collect 2,000,000 pennies.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jeff Bittiger, not in jail:

Rascals Hire Director Of Player Procurement

http://www.oursportscentral.com/images/teams/flrcrascals2.gif

O'Fallon, MO - The River City Rascals are proud to announce the hiring of Jeffery Bittiger as their new Director of Player Procurement for the 2008 season.

Bittiger has had overwhelming success working for the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in the Independent Northern League as the Assistant of Player Personnel. With the franchise since 1993, Bittiger has helped put together teams that have made the NL playoffs 14 times, appeared in eight league championship finals and won four league championship crowns.

Bittiger was awarded the honor of Independent Player of the Decade in the 1990's when he played, coached and assisted with player personnel for Fargo.

"This is going to really pay big dividends for us," Rascal President Steve Malliet said. "Jeff knows how to win in Independent baseball. The Rascal fans deserve a winner and we believe Jeff can help us with that."

A former seventh round draft pick back in 1980 by the New York Mets, Bittiger made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986. Bittiger is the owner of a World Series ring with the 1987 Minnesota Twins and has 100 AAA victories to his credit.

"Jeff brings credibility to this organization," Rascal manager Toby Rumfield said. "He's won and he's going to help us win a Frontier League Championship in the near future."

Along with his new duties as Director of Player Procurement, Bittiger still works with the Redhawks in their player personnel department as well as working with the Oakland Athletics as a scout.

Bittiger currently lives in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania with his wife Alicia and their four children Amber, 18, Brett, 15, Bria, 10 and Jamie, 6.

Already joining the Rascals field staff this season was former pitcher Steve Brook who will take over the reigns as pitching coach. Both Brook and Bittiger will work closely with the returning Rumfield for his season as manager.

Season tickets for the upcoming season are now available by calling 636-240-BATS or by visiting www.rivercityrascals.com. The "Early Bird" special to save on 2008 season tickets ends November 16.