Indy Indians game

The Indianapolis Indians are the Triple-A farm club for the Pittsburgh Pirates and have a beautiful ballpark to call home. I got a chance to see a game Monday night with the other Reeder family thanks to tickets from Uncle Ryan. The Indians beat the visiting Charlotte Knights (White Sox affiliate) 8-5.

Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis, you walk through the gates and enter in centerfield.

From right field, the scoreboard with brand new JW Marriott hotel in the background. The hotel is slated to open in February 2011 in preparation for the 2012's Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis!

We sat on the first base line in the second deck, but unfortunately no foul balls came close.

The foul pole down each line is 325 feet from home plate. Centerfield is expansive; 418 to left-center, 402 straight away, and 362 to right-center.

Here's the view upon entrance from the lawn which extends the length of the fence in the outfield. Perfect for enjoying picnics or catching a souvenir. For more great pictures (not taken by me) click here.

From Bob Costas:

It's a beautiful ballpark, and it's part of one of the best sports downtowns anywhere in America. I mean you've got the Colts stadium right there, the new arena for the Pacers is there, and Victory Field all within walking distance. I don't know of any other town in America where you can literally stroll from one to another.

--March 2000

Women in Baseball

This 13 year-old knuckleballer is undefeated in four years, has thrown two perfect games, and is arguably the best little league pitcher in America. Meet Chelsea Baker:

For more on Chelsea, click here. Her story first aired on ESPN's E:60 program July 20, watch the full segment here narrated by Geena Davis. And I'll bet Ms. Baker is a Reds fan! Plant City, FL is the former spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds.

Meet Eri Yoshida, a.k.a The Knuckle Princess (pictured right). Hailing from Japan, Yoshida became the first ever woman to sign a professional baseball contract in her home country. At the age of 16 she was drafted by the Kobe 9 Cruise of the Kansai Independent League. Yoshida, also a knuckleballer, was then signed by the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League and pitched in the Arizona Winter League at age 18 (read about her professional debut in America). She learned her sidearm knuckleball pitch by watching Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox.

By achieving her goal of pitching professionally in the US, Yoshida became the first woman to get paid to play since Ila Borders (pictured left). Borders was the first female to pitch in an NCAA or NAIA game in 1994 playing for Southern California College. In 1997 she made her professional debut with the St. Paul Saints of the Northern League. Her career ended in 2000 playing with the Zion Pioneerzz, which won the Western Baseball League championship that same season. Borders now makes speaking appearances across the country.

Other Notable Woman in Boys Baseball History:

--Cleveland's Alta Weiss could be considered baseball's First Lady. She pitched professionally in 1907 for the Vermillion Independents, drawing huge crowds before her father formed the Weiss All-Stars. The team traveled throughout the midwest to play different teams with Alta as the main attraction. In 1909 she went to medical school and became Dr. Alta Weiss (source).

--Jackie Mitchell of the Chattanooga Lookouts may be the most famous woman to ever pitch a baseball due to her accomplishment on April 2, 1931. This from website page Jackie Mitchell: The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth by Jean Patrick:

On March 28, 1931 17 year-old Jackie Mitchell signed a contract to play baseball for the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Class AA minor league team. Five days later, on April 2, 1931, Jackie pitched against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. In front of 4,000 fans, she struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

--The first female to ever pitch in the Negro Leagues was Mamie Johnson, who amassed a 33-8 record throwing for the Indianapolis Clowns from 1953-1955. She retired from baseball to become a nurse (source).

So the next time someone tells you this, don't take it so hard:

(You knew I HAD to get a Sandlot clip in there, right?!)

*Special thanks to Andie for inspiring this post

Hodge Podge

Here are a few things I found interesting and wanted to share:

--Yanks Goin' Yard!

• Brett Gardner got tossed in the Yankees 10-6 victory over the Angels Wednesday after arguing a called strike two, no worries though. The speedy center fielder knew exactly what he was doing. Rookie Collin Curtis promptly stepped up to the plate down 0-2, worked the count to 3-2, then parked one in the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, his first Major League round-tripper & first curtain call (watch here). Watch towards the end of the video as an employee gets the HR ball from the lucky fan who caught it... Yankees.com reported that in return for the souvenir, Curtis had to trade Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez autographs, each of which he had to get from the future Hall of Famers himself!

"It worked out perfect," Gardner said. "Shoot I was up there trying to get the guy in from third. He went up there and hit a three-run homer."

• Speaking of Jeter and A-Rod, the pair each went deep in the Bronx Bombers win over the Royals Thursday. The captain notched only his second inside-the-park homer in 16 seasons. Rodriguez, on the other hand, put his 599th home run over the right field fence. He'll turn 35 years-old on July 27 and if he hits another home run sometime in the next calendar year, he will become the youngest player ever to join the 600 HR club. Babe Ruth currently holds the record, he was 36 when he clubbed number 600. If A-Rod does it Saturday, he has a chance to go deep off the same guy who gave up his 500th home run back in August 2007, Kyle Davies. Deja vu all over again!

--Oswalt Offering has Odd Twist

• Roy Oswalt has wanted to be traded to a contender all season, however now he's only concentrating on winning another one for his Houston Astros. In ten seasons with the 'stros he has accumulated 143 wins, good for second best on the club's all-time wins list behind Joe Niekro who threw for the team from 1975-1985. Oswalt asked manager Brad Mills to get him two starts before the July 31 trade deadline, according to astros.com, in order to give him an extra outing to tie Niekro. He will go for victory number 144 Saturday vs. Cincinnati. In 33 career games against the NL Central rival Reds, Oswalt is 23-2 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.127 WHIP, .237 BA against, and a 3.13 K/BB ratio (source: baseball-reference.com). Rumors suggest Oswalt will be dealt to either the Cardinals or Phillies, I'm praying he leaves the Central for reasons listed previously. We're talking a .920 win pct. versus my boys!!

• Although there's never a deadline, trading in the fantasy world is also getting juicy around this time. Empathize with Yahoo!'s Andy Behrens about all your roto trade woes, I guarantee there's at least one of these guys in your league as well! (Thanks to Andy for the heads up on this entertaining article)

--Drawing Blood

• Bud Selig announced Major League Baseball will begin testing for human growth hormone, starting in the minors, by taking blood samples from players. This from nytimes.com:

  Olympic athletes have been subject to blood testing for many years, but baseball's decision marks the first time that a professional league in North America will test its players' blood for signs of doping.

--Record-Breaking Rose Bat Goes for $158,776

• The bat Pete used to finish his Major League career with 4,256 hits (most hits in MLB history) was sold at an online auction this month, seven bids were entered. Think it'll get X-rayed? Some people love to kick a guy when he's down, or make fun of his hat at a ballgame...

Lastly, I'll end on a happier note -- happier, that is, for everyone except these guys (found this vid via Mo Egger's blog, check it out):

The Strasburg Effect

Stephen Strasburg's ninth career start (5-2) Wednesday in Cincinnati was both a typical and unusual appearance by the rookie fireballer. The Nationals offense uncharacteristically produced runs, putting up eight in support of Strasburg's fifth win of the season, well above his average run support of 4.59. Similar to his past starts, however, was the size of the crowd; 37,868 fans were in attendance at Great American Ballpark, the first week night sellout in Cincinnati in four years according to USA Today. I call it 'The Strasburg Effect'. The kid has sold out the stadium in 44 percent of his starts, and it's no secret that when he takes the mound fans come to the yard to watch. Here are the numbers:

• Tues. June 8 @ PIT -- attendance = 40,315 (96.2% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 20,056, difference = 20,259
• Sun. June 13 @ CLE -- attendance = 32,876 (72.7% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 16,636, difference = 16,240
• Fri. June 18 vs. CWS -- attendance = 40,325 (96.3% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 23,426, difference = 16,899
• Wed. June 23 vs. KC -- attendance = 31,913 (76.2% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 23,426, difference = 8,487
• Mon. June 28 @ ATL -- attendance = 42,889 (86.2% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 30,551, difference = 12,338
• Sat. July 3 vs. NYM -- attendance = 39,214 (93.6 % full), avg. 2010 attendance = 23,426, difference = 15,788
• Fri. July 9 vs. SFG -- attendance = 34,723 (82.9% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 23,426, difference = 11,297
• Fri. July 16 @ FLA -- attendance = 27,037 (70.1% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 17,096, difference = 9,941
• Wed. July 21 @ CIN -- attendance = 37,868 (89.5% full), avg. 2010 attendance = 23,783, difference = 14,085

*AVG INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE WHEN STRASBURG PITCHES = 13,926

Source: ESPN.com

Sweet Lou

Lou Piniella, manager of the Chicago Cubs, will retire at the end of this season reports the Chicago Tribune. He has managed five teams since his debut in 1986 including the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, and former Devil Rays. Piniella won his only World Series title in his first season managing the Reds, however he arguably had more success in Seattle (with Griffey Jr., A-Rod, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, etc.). He was named AL Manager of the Year twice in '95 and '01, losing the American League Division Championship series in each despite winning 116 regular season games in 2001. In his four years managing the Cubs (307-271), Piniella took his club to the postseason only once in 2008 after winning the NL Central, but promptly lost three straight to the Dodgers in the NLDS. As of Monday, the Cubs were 42-52 and 10.5 games out of first place in the Central. His managerial record is 1826-1691 good for a .519 win pct.

We've all seen Lou get tossed from a game or two arguing a questionable call for one of his players, but how about a video of the man himself getting tossed AS a player with the New York Yankees... Piniella's playing career: 1964-84, playing for the Yankees, Royals, Indians, and Orioles. Career stats: 1747 games played, 1705 hits, 102 HR, 766 RBI, .291 BA, .333 OBP

Glen Donnellan

Warning: Today's post will be black and white, but mostly Reds all over... sorry if that's not your thing. However, driving home from Chicago I remembered this guy: Introducing musician and mad scientist Glen Donnellan.

It's kind of like Jimi Hendrix meets the symphony meets a Louisville Slugger. Three words come to mind, God Bless America! Donnellan plays in the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. and hand made an electric violin out of an ash baseball bat (see image below)

Reds Rant:

--Jason Isringhausen might throw a bullpen at GABP? Seriously Walt? Do we really need a washed up former Cardinal when available pitchers include Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Leake, Volquez, Bailey, Wood, Maloney, and Owings. It's doubtful as to whether he can help the bullpen, Jordan Smith, Logan Ondrusek, and Arthur Rhodes have been pretty solid lately and here's what Homer told Enquirer beat writer John Fay Monday:

"Whatever they want me to do," he said. "You've got to learn to make adjustments. I'll do whatever they want me to."

--Jay Bruce is bad and people are starting to notice. RedReporter reports (redundant, I know) Bruce is batting .140/.189/.220 for the month of July, with ZERO RBI.

--The combination of Edinson's first start, a Hall of Fame Inductee ceremony, Chris Sabo bobblehead night, and two performances by MC Hammer proved to be a perfect storm as the Reds sold out the ballpark by the Ohio. Attendance was 41,300.

--Unfortunately the Reds 1-0 loss Sunday, their third 1-0 loss in five games dating back to before the break reported John Fay. The cards won and took a half-game lead in the Central.

--The visiting Washington Nationals will send Stephen Strasburg to the hill Wednesday night, I'm trying to go but counting on buying walk-up same day tickets which probably won't be available at the box office. I heard on a local radio station today that since his start was announced, the Reds have sold 1,000 tickets per day and sold 3,000 Monday alone. Get your tickets online here.

Bengie Molina hits grand slam & gets the cycle

--More on Molina from baseball-reference.

Rangers newly aquired catcher Bengie Molina hit for the cycle Friday night in Boston, hitting a single, double, triple, and a grand slam (only the eighth player in MLB history to hit a GS home run while completing a cycle, and the first catcher to do it since 1900). Molina's fifth inning 4-run home run and eighth inning triple powered Texas to an 8-4 win, and according to MLB.com it was the team's second win in eight games with Bengie behind the dish. From that article:

Molina became the fifth Rangers player in that exclusive club, when his four hits included both the fifth grand slam and sixth triple of his career...

Also from MLB.com, here's a list of the other seven players to also hit grand slams home runs during a cycle:

• Nap Lajoie -- Philadelphia A's -- July 30, 1901
• Bill Terry -- New York Giants -- May 29, 1928
• Tony Lazzeri -- New York Yankees -- June 3, 1932
• Jimmie Foxx -- Philadelphia A's -- August 14, 1933
• Jay Buhner -- Seattle Mariners -- June 23, 1993
• Miguel Tejada -- Oakland A's -- September 29, 2001
• Jason Kubel -- Twins -- April 17, 2009

Reds Rant:

--Edinson Volquez will debut tonight in his first MLB start of 2010 since having Tommy John surgery. Reds face the Rockies at home at 7:30 p.m. Rolen is out of the lineup due to the flu. All this from John Fay's Reds Blog.

--This according to MLB Pro Blog 'Better Off Red';

In 5 relief appearances beginning 7/2, Louisville's Aroldis Chapman allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 10 batters (6 walks)...in 8 relief appearances overall, he's 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA (10.2ip, 6er).

"His role has changed. The handcuffs have been taken off my hands. Before I was restricted on what I could and could not do with him... I will use him now in any situation I dictate that will make us a better baseball team. He's happy with that." -Bats Manager Rick Sweet on Aroldis Chapman (Louisville Courier-Journal)

Also check out Better Off Red for some excellent photos of the Reds first contest of the second half, 1990 World Series celebration, and MC Hammer concert pictures!

***CHRIS SABO BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY TONIGHT!!!! First 30,000 fans get one of these babies, photo from omgreds.com.

The Wrigley Experience

I'm in Chicago this weekend on a family vacation and my eldest brother was kind enough to get all the guys tickets to a day game at Wrigley Field. It was my first trip to the hallowed grounds north of the city and I enjoyed the experience immensely! The Cubs beat the Phillies 4-3, Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard each went deep before Aramis Ramirez hit a game-winning bomb onto the street in left field in the bottom of the eighth. Carlos Marmol shut the door in the ninth as the baby bears recorded their second straight win of the second half.

AL & NL East teams trade shortstops

Just a day after Brian McCann, catcher for the NL East leading Atlanta Braves, was named MVP of the All-Star Game, Bobby Cox's boys decided to deal 27 year-old Yunel Escobar for 33 year-old Alex Gonzalez in a five player swap. The Blue Jays will also receive minor league pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes while the Braves get minor leaguers Tim Collins, pitcher, and Tyler Pastornicky, shortstop. Escobar, a 2nd round draft pick by Atlanta in 2005, was only batting .238 with 0 HR and 19 RBI at the break and was getting heat for his lackadaisical play in the field after having a promising season in 2009 (.299 BA, 14 HR, 76 RBI, 89 R). Gonzalez, a 1999 All-Star selection, is batting .259 with 50 RBI and 17 HR at the break. In his 13th season, Gonzalez will have played for six different Major League teams, having served two stints with the Red Sox in 2006 and 2009.

Being a Reds fan and having suffered through watching Gonzalez up the middle and at the plate for Cincinnati from 2007-09, I know there is no way he can keep up his offensive pace in the second half. I understand riding the aging shortstop while he's hot, and I think in the short term, this deal might seem good and may possibly just be a push to get a good Braves team in the World Series one last time before manager Bobby Cox retires. However, I think in the long term Atlanta will miss having Escobar and probably didn't get full value for him in this trade.

What are your thoughts?

ALSO:

--ESPN.com ranks the top 300 fantasy baseball players for the second half (I have 7 of the top 30 on my team).

&

This guy lost some of my respect, Votto gained a whole bunch of it. That's how baseball should be. The Cubs aren't your friends. He writes of Votto:

What a leech -- and a sorry excuse for an All-Star.

Well done bud, rip the best player in the National League by questioning his All-Star status just because he's a competitor.

&

--The wonderfully exciting All-Star game last night garnered an all-time low television rating. How could the greatest all-star exhibition in professional sports receive such a terrible rating?? Deadliest Catch

RIP

Capt. Phil Harris

(photo from thefastertimes.com)

NL takes All-Star game win, home field advantage

The National Leaguers bested the boys from the American League 3-1 tonight, mainly in part to a two-out, three-run double by Brian McCann in the top of the seventh inning off White Sox reliever Matt Thornton. McCann was earned the MVP award and gave the future NL pennant winner home field advantage in this year's World Series.

--It was the NL's first win since the 1996 Midsummer Classic which ended 6-0. Mike Piazza, also a catcher, was awarded MVP honors in that game.

--That game was also the last of fifteen All-Star appearances for Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.

--This was future Hall of Fame SS Derek Jeter's first loss as a member of an MLB All-Star team in the 11 seasons he's made the team. His record is now 9-1-1.

And, this post came courtesy of...

My NEW MacBook! :)

George Steinbrenner, 1930-2010

(photo from http://www.cbc.ca/)

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner passed away today at his home in Tampa due to a massive heart attack, he was 80 years-old. The media has been flooded with coverage so here's a list of highlights from some of those stories and articles. Enjoy:

• Owner of the New York Yankees since 1973
• Longest tenured owner in MLB history
• Amassed 11 AL Pennants and 7 World Series titles
• Known as "The Boss"
• Bought the Yanks from CBS for $10 million
• Yankee franchise's current net worth = $1.6 billion (third highest behind Manchester United, $1.8 billion, and the Dallas Cowboys, $1.65 billion)
• Served as an assistant football coach at Northwestern and Purdue in the mid-1950's
• Changed Yankees managers 20 times in first 23 seasons with the team
• Suspended from MLB for 2 years in 1974 after felony and misdemeanor charges were brought against him due to illegal contributions to Richard Nixon
• Banned from baseball for life in 1990 after paying a gambler $40,000 to dig up dirt on outfielder Dave Winfield (whom he later granted the largest free agent contract in history, $18.2 million over 10 years). He was reinstated in 1993.
• Was once quoted as saying he was against free agency as it might "ruin baseball". Also quoted saying he would be a mostly hands-off owner, and compared owning the Yankees to owning the Mona Lisa
• Has a high school named after him in Lutz, Florida due to his philanthropic efforts in that community
• Only stepped foot in New Yankee Stadium four times

(Sources: MLB.com, The New York Times, CNN.com, ESPN)

All-Star Game tonight at 8 p.m. on Fox

The ultimate All-Star snub...

Did you see this last night?

**Hopefully my next post will be from a new MacBook Pro! Also heading to Chicago this weekend and catching a Cubs/Phillies game, be sure to check the blog for pics/video of my first Wrigley Field experience!

Canseco, Hammer, and Ice, OH MY!

Before a minor league baseball game between the Arkansas Travelers (Angels Double-A farm club) and the Midland Rockhounds (A's Double-A affiliate) of the Texas League, fans were treated to a four-round exhibition boxing match between former MLB slugger Jose Canseco and University of Arkansas-Little Rock Associate Athletic Director Gary Hogan. Hogan, 60, beat his 46 year-old opponent from Havana, Cuba 39-37. As embarassing as it sounds (Canseco had nearly 50 pounds & 15 years on Hogan), Canseco's reputation may have actually got a little boost as proceeds from the fight benefited a gym and boxing program in Little Rock.

Canseco's career baseball stats:

• 17 seasons (1887 games), 1877 hits, 462 HR, 1407 RBI, 1186 R 200 SB, .266BA

Career boxing stats:

• record: 1-1-1, KO'd by Vai Sikahema (former NFL player) in first round; draw vs. Danny Bonaduce, 3 rounds; defeated Todd Poulton by decision, Celebrity Boxing Federation

Career MMA stats:

• 0-1-0, lost by submission to Hong Man Choi in Round 1, 5/26/09

More Awfully Interesting Promotional Nights:

In an earlier blog post I mentioned a minor league team's "Nothing Night," a promotion where nothing happened at the ballpark except the game. The following promotions might actually be worse...

As part of a Summer Concert Series, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted Vanilla Ice last Friday. He performed after the game and threw out the first pitch. The Rays will also host Los Lobos July 30, The Village People August 13, and Brett Michaels September 25. And that's supposed to boost attendance...

In Celebration of the Reds' 1990 World Series Championship, MC Hammer will perform before and after a July 16 game at GABP against the Rockies, and YES he will be dancing!

Don't Forget:
State Farm Home Run Derby tonight @ 8:00 p.m. on ESPN and MLB.com.
Ortiz, Wells, Cabrera, & Swisher

vs.

Holliday, C. Young, Hart, & H. Ramirez

Books for the break

As the Midsummer Classic approaches, players and fans alike will have a three day break from the greatest game ever invented, so in between watching the HR Derby (six confirmed participants) and witnessing the National League beat their American League conterparts, get your baseball fix by glancing at a few of these titles (also check out this video, thanks to Andie).

Drew's recommended reading:

• Moneyball by Michael Lewis -- Around 2004 or 2005 I was visiting with my Aunt Robyn during some holiday and she asked if I had ever read this book. She had heard a lot of buzz about an excellent baseball book written by an author better-known for writing about financial issues than sports. She promised to find the book and mail it to me so long as I held up my end of the bargain and actually read it. The deal turned out to be a win-win for me. This book is an excellent look at how A's manager turned around his club in Oakland by combining some Bill James sabermetrics with hands-on knowledge of the game he himself played. Definitely pick this book up if you haven't already and be ready to share with friends because once you finish it (and you'll get through it pretty quick) you won't be able to stop talking about it.
• Did Babe Ruth Call His Shot? and Other Unsolved Mysteries of Baseball by Paul Aaron -- Another wonderful title you'll want to share with friends. This book is filled with interesting facts even some die hard fans might not have known. I picked this book up at the library and have been quoting it ever since. Great for all ages, I recommend putting this book next to the night stand. It is broken up into chapters of complete short non-fiction stories and trivia, perfect for picking up and putting down at your own leisure. Don't miss out on this sleeper, I guarantee you won't find it on any other suggested reading lists!
• The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence S. Ritter -- This book is kind of like the Holy Grail of baseball literature. Author Lawrence Ritter basically interviewed every ballplayer still living from the earliest days of the game (guys who played in the very early 1900's) and transcribed those interviews to put together this book. Twenty-six players, including guys like Edd Roush, Rube Marquard, Joe Wood, and even the infamous Fred Snodgrass (who some believe cost the NY Giants the 1912 World Series... hear it from HIS perspective!), tell their experiences in early baseball history. Hear about players hopping trains just to make try-outs, fans interfering and heckling, and much more. Baseball purists and history buffs will enjoy this book immensely. I was lucky enough to find a 1966 fourth printing copy of this at Half Price Books for $7.00.
• Baseball: A History of America's Game by Benjamin G. Rader -- Learn the everything from the origins of baseball in America all the way up through the recent troubles the game has had with performance enhancing drugs. I bought this as the textbook for my History of Baseball class at OU and I continue to pick it up now and again just to double check facts. The book has a large scope but is by no mean overwhelming, highlighting major points and periods in the games' vast history. Each period is separated into chapters, so it's easy to skip around to different eras if you'd like.
• The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance by H.A. Dorfman -- Although I have never read this book, friends and teammates of mine who've read it told me after finishing it they thought about the game in ways they'd never imagined and subsequently were better ballplayers because of it. If you are a coach, have a son or daughter, pass this book along and let them thank you later.
• Wiffle Ball: The Ultimate Guide by Michael Hermann -- An absolute blast to read about the game that took hold of America in the 1950's and hasn't let go since. In the interest of full disclosure, this book was written by an employee of the toy company, but that only goes to make this history of the little yellow plastic bat and ball with holes on the top that much better. Also included in the book are tips for throwing the meanest pitches possible, a look at guys who play Wiffle Ball professionally, pictures of replica Wrigley Field and Fenway Park Wiffle fields, and interviews from celebrities reminiscing about their childhood memories of the backyard classic. Did you know the game was invented by an out-of-work father and former UCONN baseball player after watching his son and friends unsuccessfully try to play baseball in America's earliest version of the suburbs? Definitely a summer time must read!

--Didn't see anything you liked? Check out baseball journalist Rob Neyer's Essential Baseball Library.

--Still couldn't find anything? Try choosing one of Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports Books of All Time. Below I've plucked all the baseball titles from the list:

2. The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn (1971)
3. Ball Four by Jim Bouton (1970)
5. You Know Me Al by Ring Lardner (1914)
14. Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris (1956)
18. The Summer Game by Roger Angell (1972)
19. The Long Season by Jim Brosnan (1960)
24. The Natural by Bernard Malamud (1952)
27. Babe: The Legend Comes to Life by Robert Creamer (1974)
31. Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life by Richard Ben Cramer (2000)
33. Veeck as in Wreck by Bill Veeck and Ed Linn (1962)
37. A False Spring by Pat Jordan (1975)
41. The Unforgettable Season by Gordon H. Fleming (1981)
42. The Celebrant by Eric Rolfe Greenberg (1983)
44. The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract by Bill James (1985)
47. Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella (1982)
49. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof (1963)
50. Baseball's Great Experiment by Jules Tygiel (1983)
52. Dollar Sign on the Muscle by Kevin Kerrane (1984)
53. The Bronx Zoo by Sparky Lyle and Peter Golenbock (1979)
55. The Baseball Encyclopedia by MacMillan (Publisher) (1969)
57. The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter (1966)
58. The Complete Armchair Book of Baseball Edited by John Thorn (1999)
60. Lords of the Realm by John Helyar (1994)
61. The Universal Baseball Association, Inc. by Robert Coover (1968)
74. Only the Ball Was White by Robert Peterson (1970)
78. The Great American Novel by Philip Roth (1973)
84. Can't Anybody Here Play This Game? by Jimmy Breslin (1963)
86. The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams And John Underwood(1970)
98. The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings by William Brashler (1973)

Congrats to Joey Votto & Nick Swisher

Just announced on MLB Network, Reds 1B Joey Votto and Yankees OF Nick Swisher were voted to the NL and AL All-Star teams respectively. It is each players' first All-Star appearance. Swisher was born in Columbus, OH and played college baseball at Ohio State University.

Fan falls from second deck

A fan reaching for a foul ball fell from the second deck of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Wednesday during the Indians/Rangers game. Nelson Cruz hit a foul ball near the upper deck in the bottom of the fifth inning when a 25 year-old off-duty firefighter leaned over to catch a souvenir, falling some 30 feet onto the row beneath, mildly injuring four people below. The man who fell is in the hospital, but doing ok. Play was stopped for 16 minutes as players and people in the stands stood shocked (pictures here).

It's not the first time a Rangers fan has fallen from the stands in Arlington and apparently it is not uncommon at other MLB parks. Around this time last year, a Cardinals fan fell from the upper deck at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. This quote from dallasnews.com:

At least three people have been killed since 2000 in falls from the upper decks of stadiums and arenas, and at least eight others survived similar falls, often with serious injuries, according to a September 2009 article in Athletic Business magazine.

Around the NL Central:

• A Houston Astros pitcher has reason to complain and I'm not talking about Roy Oswalt. Sophomore pitcher Bud Norris found his car parked in center field at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, complete with a bullseye on the windshield and a 'For-Sale' sign made from shaving cream carrying a $100 price tag. Check out pictures and videos here at Big League Stew.
• How'd the rest of the former Colt .45's respond? By sweeping the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, who continue to dwell in the basement of the central division. Oswalt threw a one-hit shutout. The Bucs wrap up the first half of the season at Miller Park for a three game series with the Brewers. Trade rumors are swirling around All-Star outfielder Corey Hart, Hart says he wants to stay.
• The second place St. Louis Cardinals blew back-to-back ninth inning leads Tuesday and Wednesday night, then proceeded to drop another game today to the Colorado Rockies (although this time not in walk-off fashion). The Cardinals have signed right-hander Mike MacDougal and southpaw Renyel Pinto to minor league contracts in order to bolster their woeful bullpen.
• The Reds have won 12 of their last 16 games dating back to June 21. They head into the series with the Phillies leading the central by three games. A friend of mine at work was telling me he went to a bar Wednesday night and when Cardinals/Rockies highlights came on ESPN people started cheering as if the Reds had won on a walk-off HR. I was at the grocery store wearing my Reds cap and someone came up to me asking for both the Cincinnati and St. Louis scores! This is a fun town to be in during the summer when the Reds are winning.
  

More on All-Stars & Nothing Night

I read this in the sports section of today's print edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer and thought it was cool (source credited to Baseball-Reference.com):

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward could be the 12th-youngest player to appear in the All-Star Game after being voted onto the National League team. Heyward, who is on the disabled list but says he may be available, will be 20 years, 338 days when the game is played July 13.

The Enquirer goes on to list the other 11 youngest before Heyward as well as their first-half stats. That list as follows:

1. Dwight Gooden (Mets) -- 1984 -- 19 yrs, 237 days -- 8-5, 2.84 ERA, 111 IP, 133 K
2. Butch Wynegar (Twins) -- 1976 -- 20 yrs, 121 days -- 6 HR, 37 RBI, .294 AVG, .828 OPS
3. Jerry Walker (Orioles) -- 1959 -- 20 yrs, 172 days -- 6-3, 2.90 ERA, 1 SAVE
4. *Al Kaline (Tigers) -- 1955 -- 20 yrs, 205 days -- 19 HR, 67 RBI, .371 AVG, 1.067 OPS
5. *Johnny Bench (Reds) -- 1968 -- 20 yrs, 215 days -- 7 HR, 44 RBI, .267 AVG
6. Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers) -- 1992 -- 20 yrs, 230 days -- 8 HR, 28 RBI, .278 AVG
7. Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners) -- 1990 -- 20 yrs, 231 days -- 12 HR, 40 RBI, 11 SB, .331 AVG, .907 OPS
8. *Bob Feller (Indians) -- 1939 -- 20 yrs, 250 days -- 14-3, 2.60 ERA, 149 IP, 118 K
9. Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers) -- 1981 -- 20 yrs, 281 days -- 9-4, 2.45 ERA, 110 IP, 103 K
10. *Frank Robinson (Reds) -- 1956 -- 20 yrs, 314 days -- 18 HR, 39 RBI, .313 AVG, .991 OPS
11. Claudell Washington (Athletics) -- 1975 -- 20 yrs, 318 days -- 8 HR, 47 RBI, 32 SB, .317 AVG

* Indicates Hall of Fame members. Junior and Pudge have a shot at making the Hall too.

Votto leads all NL candidates for the 34th spot on the All-Star roster. Here's Hal McCoy's take on the situation.

AND... here's what this guy became inspired to produce due to Votto's predicament (Thanks Gabe).

There's a new documentary film about Pete Rose.

San Diego Padres' high A farm team, the Lake Elsinore Storm, hosted Nothing Night July 5, a promotional night dedicated to doing absolutely nothing but playing a baseball game. The Storm beat the Visalia Rawhide (D-backs affiliate) 12-6 on a night where not even the scoreboard was turned on! This from MinorLeagueBaseball.com:

The Lake Elsinore Storm originated "Nothing Night," and the clubs remains willing to take the concept to extreme lengths. Fans aren't charged anything to attend and advised to bring their own food, because once inside the stadium they will find an atmosphere devoid of the usual Minor League accoutrements -- no concessions, no music, no between-inning contests and no PA announcer. All that will take place is a baseball game -- nothing less and nothing more. This exercise in asceticism will be all the more pronounced considering that it comes just one day after the All-American baseball blowout that is the Fourth of July, making this the Minor League equivalent of Neil Young following up Harvest with On the Beach.

Votto "dissapointed," All-Star selections biased

In reality, the All-Star Game means absolutely nothing. I compare them to high school senior superlatives; Most Likely to Succeed, Best Smile, Cutest Couple. All 100% popularity contests, and who's to say those kids in the yearbook club counting votes aren't just picking their best buds to win each category. Having said that, it's still nice to be rightfully recognized when your pearly whites shine the brightest of anyone's and the same applies for Major Leaguers whose stats speak for themselves.

Joey Votto:
.312 BA (5th best)
19 HR (2nd)
57 RBI (t 5th)
Ryan Howard:
.296 BA (16th)
15 HR (10th)
58 RBI (4th)
Adrian Gonzalez:
.295 BA (17th)
16 HR (8th)
51 RBI (t 10th)
Albert Pujols:
.306 BA (t 9th)
20 HR (1st)
60 RBI (2nd)
[Full comparison here]

This from Lance McAlister:

Votto perspective...from Mark Wagner: since 1952 there hasn't been a National League player to rank in the top 5 in Batting, HR, and RBI and NOT make the All-Star team.

But it's still not too late! Vote for Votto @MLB.com to be the NL's 34th man.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2010/fv/ballot_pop.html?tcid=cp_fm2010_ballot&cmpid=458015&cme=364594

MORE REDS RANTING:
Reds win 14-3 on Independence Day at Wrigley Field. Unfortunately it wasn't a home game for the Redlegs, otherwise the boys from the Queen City would have provided the fireworks for the holiday! Seven HR's hit, Stubbs hit three (two out of the ballpark... Literally OUT of the park), and one each from Johnny Gomes, Corky Miller, Brandon Phillips, and Paul Janish who filled in for Joey Votto after he got tossed arguing a called-strike three.

All-Star Teams

All-Star teams were announced live on Fox today @ noon for the July 13 game in Los Angeles (or Anaheim?). Joe Mauer took home the most votes overall, Albert Pujols was the leading vote-getter in the National League. Here's how the rosters round out:

AL starters

C Joe Mauer - MIN

1B Justin Morneau - MIN

2B Robinson Cano - NYY

3B Evan Longoria - TB

SS Derek Jeter - NYY
OF Ichiro Suzuki - SEA
OF Josh Hamilton - TEX
OF Carl Crawford - TB
DH Vlad Guerrero - TEX


AL reserves
Ty Wigginton - OAK
Adrian Beltre - BOS
David Ortiz - BOS
Miguel Cabrera - DET
Torii Hunter - LAA
Alex Rodriguez - NYY
Elvis Andrus - TEX
Ian Kinsler - TEX
Jose Bautista - TOR
*John Buck - TOR
Vernon Wells - TOR

*Buck replaces Victor Martinez

NL starters
C Yadier Molina - STL
1B Albert Pujols - STL
2B *Martin Prado - ATL
3B David Wright - NYM
SS Hanley Ramirez - FLA
OF Ryan Braun - MIL
OF **Jason Heyward - ATL
OF Andre Ethier - LAD


NL reserves
Chris Young - ARI
Omar Infante - ATL
Brian McCann - ATL
Martin Prado - ATL
Marlon Byrd - CHC
Brandon Phillips - CIN
Scott Rolen - CIN
Michael Bourn - HOU
Corey Hart - MIL
***Jose Reyes - NYM
Ryan Howard - PHI
Matt Holiday - STL
Adrian Gonzalez - SD

*Prado replaces Chase Utley

**Heyward injured wrist

***Reyes replaces Troy Tulowitzki

Pitchers:
AL
CC Sabathia - NYY
Clay Buchholz - BOS
Fausto Carmona - CLE
David Price - TB
Neftali Feliz - TEX
Phil Hughes - NYY
Mariano Rivera - NYY
Jon Lester - BOS
Matt Thornton - CWS
Jose Valverde - DET
Cliff Lee - SEA


NL
Roy Halladay - PHI
Josh Johnson - FLA
Tim Lincecum - SF
Tim Hudson - ATL
Jonathan Broxton - LAD
Arthur Rhodes - CIN
Adam Wainwright - STL
Brian Wilson - SF
Chris Carpenter - STL
Evan Meek - PIT
Ubaldo Jimenez - COL
Matt Capps - WSH
Yovani Gallardo - MIL


Major League Baseball allows the fans to vote in the 34th man on each roster. Here are those candidates:


AL
Paul Konerko - CWS
Nick Swisher - NYY
Delmon Young - MIN
Michael Young - TEX
Kevin Youkilis - BOS


NL
Heath Bell - SD
Carlos Gonzalez - COL
Joey Votto - CIN
Billy Wagner - ATL
Ryan Zimmerman - WSH


Did You Know?
From MLB.com,

In his final year on the ballot, Griffey, MLB's all-time leader in All-Star balloting, earned 1,070,862 votes. Griffey, who retired from baseball on June 2nd, entered the season with 48,973,314 votes, giving him a total of 50,044,176 in his 22-year Major League career. Griffey also holds the single-season record (6,079,688 votes in 1994).

• Rosters expanded to 34 players (13 pitchers, 21 position players)
• Pitchers who start Sunday before the break are ineligible
• Both teams will use the DH
• One position player will be designated for re-entry if need be due to an injury.

Thoughts:

• Stephen Stasburg didn't get in. I don't think it had anything to do with his last start against the Mets and I also don't think he deserved to make it.
• There is some internet clamoring for Miguel Olivo.
• I'm happy for 40 year-old Arthur Rhodes, making his first All-Star appearance as well as Brandon Phillips, also a Midsummer Classic newbie.
• Six Yankees make the team (42 appearances between them, Jeter 11, Rivera 11, & A-Rod 13), five Rangers, five Cardinals, five Braves, four Red Sox, three Blue Jays, and for the first time two Rays were selected to start the game.
• Andy Pettitte got snubbed, but he may replace teammate Sabathia if CC starts Sunday before the break.
• I think Roy Halladay and David Price deserve to start.
• I think all NL first basemen not named Pujols have it rough...

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