It Was a Hall of a Day for Chicago Baseball

July 28, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Sunday was a great day for Chicago baseball. Well, if you don’t count the Cubs and White Sox games. Let me rephrase: Sunday was a great day for Chicago baseball at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Among the inducted were former Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux and former White Sox manager Tony La Russa. Neither went in with a team-specific cap (in part because the greatest success for each occurred elsewhere. But Chicago still can claim them (if so inclined — depending on fan loyalty, etc.)

Video below of Natalia Baccino

* The lack of a logo on Maddux’s cap on his plaque did upset some folks. Mainly in Atlanta, where he pitched 11 seasons (to 10 for the Cubs). One would think Braves fans would be satisfied with the lines in his acceptance speech in which Maddux explains leaving Chicago for Atlanta: I picked Atlanta because I finally wanted to get a World Series ring and start a family [Laughter]. All right, sorry, Chicago, but yeah.

* Thomas, whose induction included a three-minute, taped introduction by Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, did have a Sox logo on his cap on his plaque. If nothing else, Thomas did lead the six inductees with the number of people thanked. Thanks to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. here is a list of former teammates Thomas thanked during his acceptance speech. And a few quotes, too. To view, you can click here.

Video below of Maria Cedar (for those so inclined — even for those who aren’t).

* Still speaking of thanks, La Russa — whose game preparation was as good as anyone’s during his career — did not read from a prepared script; the others did. In doing so, La Russa admitted and apologized for not including two people who played important roles in his success: former White Sox general manager Roland Hemond and former St. Louis Cardinals player/coach/manager Red Schoendienst.

* Speaking of thanks and omissions and apologies, Torre somehow gave only passing mention of George Steinbrenner, the late Yankees owner, in his speech. After his speech, Torre told media of regretting to include more during his 28-minute speech (longest of the afternoon): “That would have made me feel better,” Torre said. “He’d have yelled at me. ‘You ungrateful such and such and such!'”

* Speaking of Torre, the St. Louis Cardinals can claim him as one of their own for Hall of Fame purposes. He played there (1971 National League Most Valuable Player) and managed there (1990-95) before achieving great success with the Yankees. Meaning the Cardinals had two former managers (La Russa being the other) inducted Sunday.

* Speaking of the Cardinals, they defeated the Cubs 1-0 at Wrigley Field. Meaning the Cardinals are unbeaten since signing former Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who had a double in going 1-for-4 as his batting average fell to .500. And, yes 2-0 and 4-for-8 is a small sample size. Something says the Cards will take it.

* Speaking of losing close games, the White Sox fell 4-3 to the host Minnesota Twins as the bullpen faltered (gee, where have we heard that one before?). Minnesota scored three seventh-inning runs for a 4-2 lead after Sox starter Scott Carroll had limited the Twins to four hits and one run in six innings. Before anyone blisters Sox manager Robin Ventura with criticism for relieving Carroll, let the record show he did so because Carroll had a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. That might minimize the number of non-blistered middle fingers that some Sox fans were going to fling.

***

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the effervescent efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):