Category: Baseball Books
LA Times Book Club “Boys of Summer” Event at UCLA
This weekend I will be in San Diego but if I was not, I would definitely go to this event. From the back of the sport section of the LA Times:
LA Times Book Club names ‘Boys of Summer’ as its next selection
To celebrate this book, the joy of baseball, and our own Dodgers, we will be hosting an event at Jackie Robinson’s alma mater, UCLA, in their prestigious Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 26. Author Roger Kahn, Dodger great Maury Wills, LA Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke and Dodger alumni will be there in person for a great conversation about baseball in our community. Mickey Kantor, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and avid baseball fan, will moderate the conversation.
It looks to be a great event. Roger Kahn’s book about the Brooklyn Dodgers back when he covered the team was the second baseball book I read. It is one of my favorites
The Soul of Baseball book Review
I had purchased the book “The Soul of Baseball. A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s america” some time ago but only recently I started reading it. I knew about the book from other friends that have read it before so it came highly recommended.
Like so many people, I had seen Buck O’Neil from Ken Burns Documentary series titled “Baseball.” Buck O’Neil captivated me there. I fell in love with his humanity, his humbleness, his positive attiture, his passion for the game and his devotion supporting the Negro League museum making sure that we did not forget the contribution by the Negro Leagues players. His voice made me feel that all was OK with the world.
Reading Joe Posnanski’s book traveling for more than a year with Mr. O’Neil was like taking a ride with them. It brought me joy, some laughs but also some tears. Mr. O’Neil was 93 when Joe Posnanski traveled with him. Buck had a lot of energy. He was truly an inspiring person. You can’t help but feel his positive attitude.
Buck O’Neil’s quotes when he did not make it into the HOf:
“Don’t shed any tears. You think about this: Here I am, the grandson of a slave. And here the whole world was excited about whether I was going into the Hall of Fame or not. We’ve come a long ways.”
I regret that I did get to shake Buck O’Neil’s hand. I would have worn a red dress in his honor (mind you, I don’t like to wear red).
In New York, Buck had told Joe “Son, in this life, you never walk by a red dress.”
Joe Posnanski quote on his interpretation of this quote “I think Buck meant that we should never pass up the opportunity to live life. We should not rush by the red dresses, the baseball games, the street musicians, or the sweet smell of dessert. We should not stifle or smother our craziest dreams.”
Buck O’Neil when he was the starting first baseman of the 1946-47 Almendares team that swept Habana, Cuba.
I’ll Take You There: Dock Ellis and Baseball in the Swinging ‘70s,” at the Burbank Central Library
If any of you want a break from the playoff, head over to the Burbank Library. Here is what Terry Cannon of the Baseball Reliquary posted about the event:
MUDCAT ON DECK: Need a break from the baseball playoffs? If so, the Baseball Reliquary might have just what the doctor ordered – unless, of course, you’re a Detroit Tigers fan, which would mean you are likely in need of some psychotropics right about now. For all others, we invite you to beautiful downtown Burbank this Tuesday evening, October 7, at 7:00 p.m., where the Reliquary will host a panel discussion in conjunction with its exhibition, “I’ll Take You There: Dock Ell…is and Baseball in the Swinging ‘70s,” at the Burbank Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Panelists will include former big leaguer Jim “Mudcat” Grant, who roomed with Dock Ellis during the 1971 season in Pittsburgh; Jeffrey Radice, co-producer and director of “No No: A Dockumentary”; and historian and journalist Dan Epstein. Following the panel, Mudcat will sign copies of “The Black Aces” and Epstein will sign copies of “Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging ‘70s” and “Stars and Strikes: Baseball and America in the Bicentennial Summer of ’76.” More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/710151262394199/. (Photo: A couple of great dudes and Shrine of the Eternals inductees, Dock Ellis and Jim “Mudcat” Grant, in Bradenton, Florida for the Pirates’ spring training, 1971.)
“42” Movie Review
I have been so busy that I have not updated my blog in a long time. I had part of this short review of the movie “42” in draft so I finally had a chance to finish it
A group of us (Lorena, Amanda Rosie, Josie, Elisa, my brother Vic and I) went to see the movie “42” on Saturday April 13. We went to a theater in Pasadena . I loved the movie but I was left with “is that the end?” It could have been longer as far as I was concern. It was too short.
Harrison Ford does an excellent job of portraying Branch Rickey. Ben Chapman got under my skin so he was doing his part acting. Chadwick Boseman portrays a quiet dignity like his character, Jackie while at the same time showing that he is controlling his anger. Nicole Behaire was delightful as Rachel Robinson. Boseman and Behaire played a cute on-screen couple.
If the movie makes you read more about this era, about Jackie Robinson who died so young, about Baseball pioneer, Branch Rickey then is doing its job. I for one, pulled two books I had purchased from libraries that were marked “discarded” They are “Opening Day the story of Jackie Robinson first season”
and “The Story of Branch Rickey”
Another book is
from Branch Rickey’s Little Blue Book:
Luck Is the Residue of Design – Branch Rickey.
I took my brother to see the plaque in front where Jackie Robinson’s mom moved with her kids in Pasadena. The house is no longer there but there is a plaque there.
I also took my brother to see the sculptures in front of the Pasadena City Hall of Jackie and his brother.
Jackie Robinson sculpture in front of the Pasadena City Hall. You can see Mack Robinson sculpture in the picture too. Mack is facing the City Hall, while Jackie is facing Brooklyn.
I hope that you too went out to the library or bookstore to read more about Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey and about this era in Baseball history.
Mike Piazza’s signing at Vroman’s
So since I already had the book I decided to go to the Mike Piazza signing. I drove to work so that I could start work earlier and get out earlier. I told my boss before I left that if I did not show up on Thursday is because I might be in jail. haha.
I found Cindy and her husband were the first two people in line in letter. I don’t know how far the letters went but I saw the group for D. I was probably the 10th person in line for letter A. When I got there I think there were about 50 people there.
I waited until Mike signed my book.
Then I leaned over and told him “Maybe you were misunderstood in the book, but I think you should apologize to Vin Scully”
He listened to me and he said “oh… It wasn’t bad” I wished that Mike would have elaborated but by this time, I already had to move. There was this big guy to my left there making sure the people were moving right after they signed the book.
I do collect baseball books. I ordered them online, or buy them from SABR, at bookstores, thrift stores or at Friends of the Library bookstores. I do need another bookshelf.
Back to taking the train tomorrow. I do prefer to take the train than to drive to work. It also gives me a chance to do some reading.
John Schulian, Scott Akasaki, Wes Parker and Jim Colburn
Last Saturday I went to see John Schulian speak at the Allendale library. Terry Cashman of the Baseball Reliquary introduced him. He talked about Boxing, Basketball, Football and baseball. He read from his columns in the book “Sometimes They Even Shook Your Hand.” I immediately liked his quick-witted style and good nature sarcasm.
Terry did a word association with Schulian. On Pete Rose, John said “so-so gambler. Should be in the Hall of Fame.” Billy Martin “A mouse waiting to be a rat.” (great line) Howard Cossell “Not my favorite guy.” Others who he think should be in the Hall of Fame: Barry Bonds, yes. Roger Clement, yes. Mark McGuire, no. Of Kobe Bryan he said “Is going to be fascinating to watch him grow old.”
Afterwards I got in line to buy his book “Sometimes They Even Shook Your Hands.” When it got to be my turn, Terry told John that I am a big Dodger fan. John wrote in my book “For Emma, the Queen of Dodger Stadium -John Schulian 11/10/12” 😉
Terry usually sets other baseball books related to the speaker or topic at the library. I checked out “The Sporting World of Jim Murray” by Jim Murray, and “What A Time It Was The Best of W.C. Heintz on Sports”
Discussion on “The Business of Baseball” Claremont, CA
Char Ham posted the following on the Baseball Reliquary page:
This Tuesday, November 20, there is a free discussion on “The Business of Baseball” at Claremont McKenna College’s Athenaeum at 6:45 p.m. Speakers include host Dodger Scott Akasaki, Claremont College alum and Dodger alum Wes Parker, and Cub alum Jim Colburn.
Address is 385 E. Eighth St. In Claremont.When I was 12, I wrote a snail mail to Wes Parker with questions for a career assignment, and he replied. I lost the pink index sized postcard, but the answers were neatly typed. I have never met him so when I go, I will tell him about it.
Dodgers Bowling Extravaganza & Bad Moon Rising
Dodgers are off today. They got swept by the hated Giants at home. It was sad being at Dodger Stadium and watching this. Dodgers never led in any of the three games.
So what are some Dodgers doing tonight?
The Eighth Annual Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza is taking place tonight, Thursday, august 23, 2012 at Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE . James Loney has been hosting the event for the last few years. Here is more information from the Dodgers website:
NATURAL BALANCE PET FOODS
Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE
Thursday, August 23, 2012
6:00 PM – Registration
7:00 PM – Bowling & Dinner Medley
10:00 PM – Awards
Think Blue Lane – $7,500
Individual Bowler – $850
Bad Moon Rising: Baseball and the Summer of ’68
Dodger Blue World 