Benjamin Grimm

Even if the World Series was to end a week earlier, the weather isn't going to be dramatically different over those seven days. And with global warming, fall isn't what it used to be anyway. Ten years from now it might be 65 degrees at night in Boston. So what's the deal with tonight's resumption of Game 5? Do fans who were there last night show their ticket stubs for reentry? I hope they all hung on to them! It's funny that they have to go back there, fight the traffic, juggle their plans, just to see what might be a three-inning game. They'll do it, in order to see a World Series victory, but hopefully that won't happen either.

I never learned the "guilt" part of being a Catholic. Maybe that's part of the reason it didn't' stick. Anyway, I loved Ghostbusters. Best fusion of comedy and horror since Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

I'm probably in the minority, but Field of Dreams was a letdown. I liked the book it was based on, Shoeless Joe, much better. I voted for Witness, even though it's not quite the popcorn movie that most of the other films in this tournament are.

Rays in 6 is looking pretty unlikely now, huh?

Yeah, that doesn't ring true to me either. If there's a rule on the books, then there's a rule. But I don't see why it matters if you're on the second base side of the bag or the home plate side before you tag. The only thing that should matter is that you have to have contact with third base at some point after the ball is caught. I'm curious, though, about what he means by "illegal retouching." I remember reading that there's a rule that says a runner can't steal first. (Once you reach second base safely you're not allowed to return to first.) Does that mean that you're not legally allowed to retreat to the other side of the bag, even by a few feet? The real problem with this Stanky maneuver is, I think, that it's probably close to impossible to time it so that you're touching third base on the run right as the ball is being caught. You'd have to leave a little leeway to make sure you don't touch too early, and that would likely eat up whatever advantage you gained from your running start.

I would park by the gate out past Gate E. (I can't relate to Citi Field references, at least not yet.) It's at the corner where the block with the chop shops meets the underpass, out near Flushing Bay. After leaving the lot, I'd make a right on, I think, Northern Blvd., then a left on Main Street in Flushing, and then from there I'd take the LIE home to Long Island. Later on, I'd skip the parking lot entirely and just park under the overpass. Now, coming from Pennsylvania, I've been leaving the car in Manhattan and I either take the 7 from Grand Central or the LIRR from Penn Station. Maybe, once Shea is gone and the parking lot is bigger again, I'll consider driving all the way into Queens. But the Manhattan thing has been working pretty well.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p276/umdb/Misc/askHal.jpg Hal's answer to Ted Whitcomb: ="Hal the Referee"] The runner must tag up and START FROM CONTACT WITH THE BASE AFTER THE BALL IS CAUGHT. Thus, what you described is illegal retouching and if the defense appeals, the runner should be called out. I never saw this attempted, but I understand Eddie Stanky did it in the majors. He would get behind third to obtain a running start. As a result of his clever footwork, the rule was changed, making it illegal. Here's a case where you must rev your motors while your brakes are still on. As I said earlier, I'll stop here, for now. When we get into November (if I remember!) I'll kick this off again.

But is it the Brooklyn Dodgers they're cursing, or the Los Angeles Dodgers? My impression is, and I could be wrong, that Hodges, Campanella, Reese, Robinson, Snider, etc. are still loved in Brooklyn, and so is that 1955 team. It's O'Malley that's hated, and the franchise that's currently located in Los Angeles. It would surprise me if those who actually remember the Brooklyn Dodgers are offended by a Jackie Robinson tribute. I have no problem with it, but I do think the whole Ebbets Field thing is a bit over the top. And they really ought to introduce, at some point, a statue of Tom Seaver. Or one of Jerry Koosman catching Jerry Grote in his arms. Or of Jesse Orosco on his knees with his arms up in the air.

Yeah, the Phillies really are a good team. They don't blow leads and they don't let you feel comfortable when you're ahead of them. It looks like we'll have to endure this World Championship, and Jimmy Rollins telling New York to "stick it" and hope that they don't continue to be this good next year and in years to come.

Since I no longer live in New York, I'll never know Citi Field the way I knew Shea. At most I'll go there 2 or 3 times a year. Back in the 80's, at my peak, I'd go to around 25 games per year. The analogy I make is to when I first got a place of my own. When I'd go to visit my parents, I'd still feel like I was going home. But they've since moved out of the house where I grew up. Now when I go to visit them, I'm in a comfortable and familiar place, but it doesn't have that feeling of home to me. I think I'll have the same feeling about Citi Field.

Well, he's almost 66 years old. I hope, for his sake, that he's happily retired by now.

My guess: Golf!

Probably hanging somewhere in the stadium in 1994 or 1995.

I guess they're not going to bother auctioning off a weather-beaten giant photograph of Tim Bogar.

Stone disappointed me. Rain Man made me laugh. And Dustin Hoffman was great.

I don't remember "Say Anything" at all. But I remember really enjoying Stand By Me, so it gets my vote.

My ideal statue of Jackie Robinson would have him sliding hard into home, in a cloud of dust. (And it takes a talented artist to sculpt a cloud of dust!)

I remember seeing a statue of Robinson in Stamford, CT. Is it the one where he's standing on the mushroom?

I'm not sure that I'll be voting against Bull Durham no matter what it's up against.

I also think the big blue 42 is pretty lame. That spot would be a good place for the Shea Stadium apple. And you could put a statue of Jackie Robinson in a more prominent spot.

I'm glad about that! One day I'll have my photo taken standing next to that apple. I think they should put it somewhere inside the stadium. Maybe not in the Jackie Robinson Cathedral, but somewhere. But it matters little. I'm just glad it's being preserved.

="AG/DC":y0ghyf2a]The Baseball Encyclopedia has his name as "Anthony Raymond," as the UMDB does also. [/quote:y0ghyf2a] No, the UMDB has it right. Until yesterday afternoon, it was simply "Ray Shines" which must have come from when I pasted the box score data. But yesterday I corrected it to "Anthony Razor." I never had it as "Anthony Raymond." seawolf17 Oct 24 2008 07:52 AM metirish Oct 24 2008 09:04 AM Razor was part of the White Sox fantasy camp in 08 http://chicagofantasybaseballcamp.com/photo_gallery.htm AG/DC Oct 24 2008 10:38 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1bigdur9]I'd have figured Manuel and Razor would have come across one another (not literally) in the Montreal system.[/quote:1bigdur9] Reports appear to be mixed. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 24 2008 10:45 AM Well, Indianapolis was a MTL affiliate throughout the 80s. The seriously, I just used a racist word when I really meant "Guardians" 86 roster shows they were teammates, and they probably would have encountered one another frequently though training camp,etc. They were both southern blacks and infielders, tho Manuel is 3 years older. MFS62 Oct 24 2008 04:07 PM Houston had two players in the minors during the 60's named Putz and Schmuck. They were teammates for a while. Back to Shines. Anthony? And all this time I thought his first name was ATRA. Later *62 Oct 24 2008 06:11 PM ="DocTee":3s43brbw]And there's always Antonio Bastardo and Pete LaCock.[/quote:3s43brbw] Pete LaCock, by the way, is the son of long time Hollywood Squares host, Peter Marshall. Guess which one changed their name. Edgy DC Feb 24 2009 07:36 AM Twelve rings. Johnnny, of course, is right about them meeting in the Montreal system.

I think I'd rather be a Triple A manager than a big league first base coach. You don't get to visit the nicer cities, but you do have more responsibility.

I just discovered that he was in the UMDB as "Ray" Shines. I was wondering where he got the nickname, but as it turns out, his given name is Anthony Razor Shines. Now I'm wondering where he got the middle name.

="Adam Rubin":2xgadno4]Razor Shines and Randy Niemann are headed to the Mets� coaching staff, the Daily News has learned. Shines, a longtime minor-league manager and former third base coach with the White Sox, more recently had managed in the Phillies organization at Clearwater. He will coach third base. Clearly, he goes back to the Sox days with Jerry Manuel. Shines, 52, appeared in 68 major-league games with Expos from 1983-87, primarily at first base. Niemann has served as the rehab coordinator for pitchers in Port St. Lucie. He will succeed Guy Conti as bullpen coach. Conti, among the longest-tenured Mets employees, will remain with the organization. In addition to Howard Johnson, Dan Warthen and Sandy Alomar Sr. staying in their current roles, Sandy Alomar Jr. will remain in the bullpen and work with the catchers. Ken Oberkfell and Luis Aguayo have been re-assigned within the organization. Oberkfell is expected to manage Triple-A Buffalo. The first base coach position is the lone vacancy remaining.[/quote:2xgadno4] Frayed Knot Oct 23 2008 02:24 PM Razor Shines is in my all-time baseball names Hall of Fame -- great to have him abordick. AG/DC Oct 23 2008 02:41 PM Give him a lifetime contract. Anybody want to visit a White Sox forum and find out what his rep was in Chi-town? John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 23 2008 02:58 PM Razor Shines! This is better than Don Hahn coming back to be outfield coach, probably RealityChuck Oct 23 2008 05:29 PM ="Frayed Knot":2j1f4sag]Razor Shines is in my all-time baseball names Hall of Fame -- great to have him abordick.[/quote:2j1f4sag]We definitely need a sharp, bright coach at third base. Benjamin Grimm Oct 23 2008 05:32 PM I just discovered that he was in the UMDB as "Ray" Shines. I was wondering where he got the nickname, but as it turns out, his given name is Anthony Razor Shines. Now I'm wondering where he got the middle name. metsguyinmichigan Oct 23 2008 06:03 PM Anybody else surprised that Oberkfell got shipped back? Benjamin Grimm Oct 23 2008 06:12 PM I think I'd rather be a Triple A manager than a big league first base coach. You don't get to visit the nicer cities, but you do have more responsibility. metirish Oct 23 2008 06:19 PM Yeah I think if he were to stay with the Mets then I would have hoped he would be the bench coach , I think as an in season replacement it was OK to have him of first but I can't imagine it was the track he wanted. metirish Oct 24 2008 07:35 AM Randy Niemann in 2007. Benjamin Grimm Nov 14 2008 02:01 PM ="Mets press release":3kcfdzka]FLUSHING -- Manager Jerry Manuel completed the New York Mets' coaching staff today by naming Luis Alicea the team's first base coach. For the last two years, Alicea was the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Luis also was a manager in the Red Sox Minor League system for three seasons. He directed Lowell (A) of the New York-Penn League from 2004-2005, Greenville (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2006 and Peoria of the Arizona (A) Fall League, also in 2006 Luis, 43, a native of Santurce, PR, played in the Major Leagues for 13 years with the St. Louis Cardinals (1988, 1991-1994 and 1996), Boston Red Sox (1995), Anaheim Angels (1997), Texas Rangers (1998-2000) and the Kansas City Royals (2001-2002). He compiled a .260 batting average with 47 home runs and 422 RBI in 1,341 games. Primarily a second baseman, he also saw action at the other three infield spots and in the outfield during his big league career. Luis, a switch hitter, experienced his best season in the majors with the Rangers in 2000, establishing career highs with a .294 bating average, 139 games, 85 runs, 159 hits and 63 RBI. In 1992 with the Cardinals, he ranked fourth in the National League with 11 triples. In 1995, Alicea hit .270 and was the Red Sox regular second baseman, helping them capture the American League East Division crown. Luis was St. Louis' first round pick in the 1986 First Year Player Draft. He earned first team All-America honors at Florida State University in 1986. Alicea joins Dan Warthen (pitching), Howard Johnson (hitting), Sandy Alomar, Sr. (bench); Razor Shines (third base), Randy Niemann (bullpen) and Sandy Alomar, Jr. (catching instructor) on the Mets coaching staff.[/quote:3kcfdzka] John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 14 2008 02:25 PM Jerry's obviously been reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's TEAM OF LIGHT HITTING INFIELDERS