I finished writing a book about my dad’s life in baseball in May. Your article on Martini (love him and hope he’s back next season) reminded me of some of my dad’s story, as did Moonlight Graham.
My dad was MVP on UofI’s best ever baseball team. He signed with White Sox at end of 1954. He got married that summer. In 1955 he played in Madisonville KY for about a month when the Kitty League ( ball) went under. Rather than try and catch on with another team he gave up his dream and headed to Michigan with his very pregnant (me) wife to begin teaching teaching and coaching at high school.
And that could have been the end of his baseball playing story. But his last summer (1957) teaching in Benton Harbor MI he hooked up with a local semi pro team. Who happened to be playing an exhibition against the Chicago White Sox that July all star break. The Sox were supposed the play their stars for an inning or two. But the Auscos were beating the Sox and Coach Al Lopez was not having that.
So dad got his chance to play with the pros. He went 3 for 4 and was the hitting star of the game. After the game the Sox/Lopez offered dad a spot starting for their AA team (whose 3B had just broke his leg). His dream of playing in the bigs could continue.
But he’d just accepted an offer to teach and coach at Glenbard West HS outside Chicago. His wife and 2 kids were ready to move. So dad walked off the field and his playing days ended. He’d go on to be a HOF coach, win a state title and coach ~1000 young men the game of baseball.
But he still dreams of playing 3B for the Sox in Texas. That hunger to play. Martini, Moonlight, the Reds rookies, Joey Votto. It’s hard to see it end.
On the Reds front, if I had a vote for manager of the year our Mr. Bell would get my vote. To be in this position this late in the year having never had an intact or proven starting rotation, an exhausted bullpen, and rookies seemingly everywhere is a remarkable achievement.
You sure are a great writer- clever, funny and so interesting to us Cincinnati sports fans! I’ve enjoyed reading your columns for many years and are very happy that you continue to write them. Thanks!
I concur with all the positive reviews of today’s column. You at your best!
Months ago we booked 17 days next October in Sicily and Puglia with a small tour group. We’ll be thinking of you while we are there. But thanks for the invitation. Tuscany trip will be another time.
Great one Doc! Great to see when you write about a subject with your passion, it's like the old days! These guys are turning into one of my favorite Reds teams. PLEASE people, get off of David Bell! Amazing job that after Labor Day we are in the race! GO REDS!
Doc, thanks for your continued excellent writing. My dad played minor league ball in 1955. Too soon he had kids and had to get a real job. He did coach young men (HS Varsity ball/Legion) for 30 years. Mom passed a year ago and I started writing a book about dad’s baseball life. While not a perfect book, it is (besides my family) the thing I am most proud of. My dad has shared with former ball players. Dad turned 90 last month. The White Sox hosted us at a game. Dad was in heaven. My wish for dad when he passes is what Moonlight wished. That he get another chance to play competitive ball. Loved your article. Thanks. Sharing it with Dad. Scott Burns
I will romanticize baseball as much as the next guy, just not as effectively as Doc.
Okay, I'll be that guy. I'll be the one to say what others are thinking. First, I'm thrilled with last night's win. Now that that's out of the way... Elly's decision to swing at the 3-0 low and outside breaking ball was his most boneheaded moment since getting picked off second about 7 weeks ago when he was the winning run (NO OUTS) against the Giants. Thank God Elly's legs bailed him out this time, but my-oh-my that was egregious.
As I am at the airport eventually making my way to Missoula, but there’s always time to comment. The Reds are favored by schedule. If you look at the schedule of the other wild card contenders they’re mostly playing a really good team I.e.the Braves or each other. The Reds have none of that so based on that, the Reds should do better. Of course this is baseball , so none of that may matter. Now back to my plastic wrapped, chicken sandwich thingy
Just got back from the Navy/Notre Dame game in Dublin. First time in Ireland, and it was as wonderful as I imagined. Dublin was a little crazy with 40,000 of my American friends there, but we had a driver that took us all over for 5 days after the game, and that is definitely the way to go.
I couldn’t imagine driving those back roads as fast as they drive on the wrong side!
Read that wonderful book several years ago. Hits home, just like the movie.
You have written the quintessential “Field of Dreams” tale, localized to the Reds, today Doc. Not much anymore that I read gives me good goosebumps, but this did today. Excellence.
After the heroics from the rooks and long-forgotten journeymen over the past couple of games, it hit me — this team is reminding me more and more of the 2014 and 2015 KC Royals. Hustle, grit, small-ball, speed, criticism of the manager, etc. That 2014 Royals squad squeaked into a wild card, and eked out a miraculous comeback win in that wild card game against Oakland. Then they were on their way to the Series, though they ended up losing to SF.
Then the next year, they won the whole enchilada, with the same ethos from the year prior.
I’m seeing stirring echoes of the same thing with this club. As much as we love the BRM, and how they steamrolled clubs, this Reds team is probably the pluckiest I’ve ever seen.
Hope they get in, and hope they can make some noise.
I finished writing a book about my dad’s life in baseball in May. Your article on Martini (love him and hope he’s back next season) reminded me of some of my dad’s story, as did Moonlight Graham.
My dad was MVP on UofI’s best ever baseball team. He signed with White Sox at end of 1954. He got married that summer. In 1955 he played in Madisonville KY for about a month when the Kitty League ( ball) went under. Rather than try and catch on with another team he gave up his dream and headed to Michigan with his very pregnant (me) wife to begin teaching teaching and coaching at high school.
And that could have been the end of his baseball playing story. But his last summer (1957) teaching in Benton Harbor MI he hooked up with a local semi pro team. Who happened to be playing an exhibition against the Chicago White Sox that July all star break. The Sox were supposed the play their stars for an inning or two. But the Auscos were beating the Sox and Coach Al Lopez was not having that.
So dad got his chance to play with the pros. He went 3 for 4 and was the hitting star of the game. After the game the Sox/Lopez offered dad a spot starting for their AA team (whose 3B had just broke his leg). His dream of playing in the bigs could continue.
But he’d just accepted an offer to teach and coach at Glenbard West HS outside Chicago. His wife and 2 kids were ready to move. So dad walked off the field and his playing days ended. He’d go on to be a HOF coach, win a state title and coach ~1000 young men the game of baseball.
But he still dreams of playing 3B for the Sox in Texas. That hunger to play. Martini, Moonlight, the Reds rookies, Joey Votto. It’s hard to see it end.
Wonder if you can get Morgan Freedman to record that homage to Field of Dreams?? That would be classic!
A great read, Doc! Thank you!
On the Reds front, if I had a vote for manager of the year our Mr. Bell would get my vote. To be in this position this late in the year having never had an intact or proven starting rotation, an exhausted bullpen, and rookies seemingly everywhere is a remarkable achievement.
You sure are a great writer- clever, funny and so interesting to us Cincinnati sports fans! I’ve enjoyed reading your columns for many years and are very happy that you continue to write them. Thanks!
Great, well written piece, Doc! Killed it with King Harvest. Great tune
I concur with all the positive reviews of today’s column. You at your best!
Months ago we booked 17 days next October in Sicily and Puglia with a small tour group. We’ll be thinking of you while we are there. But thanks for the invitation. Tuscany trip will be another time.
When is your Poetry collection book released?
Fun read, fun finish! Fun Reds! How can you not love those guys when you see their love for each other!
Three things: I'm already signed up for Italy. I'm interested in Ireland. In my humble opinion, this might be your best post ever. I thank you.
Great one Doc! Great to see when you write about a subject with your passion, it's like the old days! These guys are turning into one of my favorite Reds teams. PLEASE people, get off of David Bell! Amazing job that after Labor Day we are in the race! GO REDS!
Doc, thanks for your continued excellent writing. My dad played minor league ball in 1955. Too soon he had kids and had to get a real job. He did coach young men (HS Varsity ball/Legion) for 30 years. Mom passed a year ago and I started writing a book about dad’s baseball life. While not a perfect book, it is (besides my family) the thing I am most proud of. My dad has shared with former ball players. Dad turned 90 last month. The White Sox hosted us at a game. Dad was in heaven. My wish for dad when he passes is what Moonlight wished. That he get another chance to play competitive ball. Loved your article. Thanks. Sharing it with Dad. Scott Burns
I will romanticize baseball as much as the next guy, just not as effectively as Doc.
Okay, I'll be that guy. I'll be the one to say what others are thinking. First, I'm thrilled with last night's win. Now that that's out of the way... Elly's decision to swing at the 3-0 low and outside breaking ball was his most boneheaded moment since getting picked off second about 7 weeks ago when he was the winning run (NO OUTS) against the Giants. Thank God Elly's legs bailed him out this time, but my-oh-my that was egregious.
Let's keep it rolling, Redlegs!
As I am at the airport eventually making my way to Missoula, but there’s always time to comment. The Reds are favored by schedule. If you look at the schedule of the other wild card contenders they’re mostly playing a really good team I.e.the Braves or each other. The Reds have none of that so based on that, the Reds should do better. Of course this is baseball , so none of that may matter. Now back to my plastic wrapped, chicken sandwich thingy
These pages of 2023 Reds “feel good” stories are starting to turn into chapters. Could there be enough content left for a full novel in a few weeks?
Fantastic article today, you’ve outdone yourself.
Just got back from the Navy/Notre Dame game in Dublin. First time in Ireland, and it was as wonderful as I imagined. Dublin was a little crazy with 40,000 of my American friends there, but we had a driver that took us all over for 5 days after the game, and that is definitely the way to go.
I couldn’t imagine driving those back roads as fast as they drive on the wrong side!
Next up Italy…
Read that wonderful book several years ago. Hits home, just like the movie.
You have written the quintessential “Field of Dreams” tale, localized to the Reds, today Doc. Not much anymore that I read gives me good goosebumps, but this did today. Excellence.
After the heroics from the rooks and long-forgotten journeymen over the past couple of games, it hit me — this team is reminding me more and more of the 2014 and 2015 KC Royals. Hustle, grit, small-ball, speed, criticism of the manager, etc. That 2014 Royals squad squeaked into a wild card, and eked out a miraculous comeback win in that wild card game against Oakland. Then they were on their way to the Series, though they ended up losing to SF.
Then the next year, they won the whole enchilada, with the same ethos from the year prior.
I’m seeing stirring echoes of the same thing with this club. As much as we love the BRM, and how they steamrolled clubs, this Reds team is probably the pluckiest I’ve ever seen.
Hope they get in, and hope they can make some noise.