MLB open thread
Friday, Feb 26, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Henry Haupt at the SoS office…
Rich,
In honor of spring training kicking off this weekend, thought I would share a couple of photos of Secretary White when he played AAA ball for the Salt Lake City Bees. He played for the Bees in 1963 and 1964.
Attachments…
If I was fully vaccinated, I’d probably already be blogging from Arizona.
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:28 am:
This is the time of year when I always re-watch the original X-Files episode “The Unnatural”.
It’s such a great episode that really captures the innocence of baseball, no matter what is happening in the rest of the world.
- RegularJoe - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:31 am:
Arenado fitting in really well with best baseball team and town in the country.
- don the legend - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:32 am:
==If I was fully vaccinated, I’d probably already be blogging from Arizona.==
That may be a better line than W.C. Fields’:
“On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.”
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:35 am:
Trying to not get too excited about the Redbirds, but with a new bat in lineup, I’m starting to think happy thoughts.
- Not the Dude - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:39 am:
“If I was fully vaccinated, I’d probably already be blogging from Arizona.” But the Cardinals are playing in Florida!
- "Old Timer Dem" - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:40 am:
I played some 16 inch softball with Secy White at Lakeshore Park when he was in his early 60s. He was one of the best players on the field. Remarkable!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:42 am:
I’ve missed baseball something awful.
The ritual of spring training and preparing the big club to “head north”… best time of year
- Responsa - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:43 am:
Man, Jesse’s face hasn’t changed a bit in 55 years. Ageless. Remarkable. (Wish I could say the same for my face.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:45 am:
The White Sox have made a lot of personnel moves, especially pitching, and I’m looking forward to a winning season. Fingers crossed I’ll even get to attend a few games.
- clec dcn - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:47 am:
Having played college baseball and facing a few pro players before they were in the Major Leagues, I can say the AAA baseball is pretty close to being as good a player as any. My hats off to Secretary White he must have been a fantastic baseball player. Yes lets talk baseball and get things moving to better stuff!
- Tommydanger - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:51 am:
Its good to know that pot sales are going well in St. Louis and the fan base is smoking as much of it as can be had.
- JS Mill - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:54 am:
Although I am a fan, which implies fanatic, I am usually pretty level headed about the prospects for the upcoming season and never get too wound up. But for the last two seasons I have been as giddy as a little school boy over my Sox (banned puntuation).
I just cannot help myself. A healthy YoYo Moncada, an experienced Roberts, and the entire rest of the team, I have to breath into a paper bag occasionally.
If the pitching rises to its potential, we are going to be really good and a heck of a lot of fun to watch again.
GO SOX
- Levois J - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:08 am:
Will there be any fans allowed at MLB venues. I still want to do a Cubs game at Wrigley.
- Huh? - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:13 am:
Best radio play by play team are Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer. Not because they are the cubs announcers, because they seem to genuinely like each other and they make a smooth team.
- OneMan - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:13 am:
Really hope that the decision to treat the Negro Leagues as Major League will get Minnie Minoso into the HOF. It is long overdue.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:15 am:
I’d prefer the Cards add another starter like hometown guy Odorizzi, but even if they do they are just challenging for 5th best in the NL behind LA, SD, ATL, and the Mets. Sox should be fun to watch this year.
- Responsa - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:35 am:
I and my three Sox buddies have talked about this and are ready to attend a few games (well spaced limited seating) and are willing to pay a reasonable extra premium amount for individual tickets in order to be able to enjoy real baseball this summer in the real atmosphere of an open air stadium.
- ChrisB - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:04 pm:
Is there anything Sec. White hasn’t done?
- park - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:05 pm:
Arizona in March sounds great. So does the prospect of a June game at Sox park (whatever they call it now). Hope I can again watch a game, get a polish with the fried onions, couple overpriced beers in the stands. Larussa was an odd pick, but hope he works out. He’s got a lot of talent to manage. As a one time St. Louis resident, also hope the Cards can pull off another miracle. Nothing against the Cubs, but they sure seem to be going backwards.
- Loop Lady - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
Not a Sox fan…but I love watching Giolitto pitch…
Awesome…
- JS Mill - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:17 pm:
Jesse “the new most interesting man in the world” White.
Somebody needs to write a book about this man.
- Essential State Employee - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:22 pm:
Anyone care to predict how many wins the NL Central champion will end up with this season? From what it sounds like it may be the worst MLB division this year. Methinks whoever wins it only has between 85-89 wins.
- North Park - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:35 pm:
==If I was fully vaccinated, I’d probably already be blogging from Arizona.==
Spring training was the last trip I took last year, and we nearly canceled it at that. This year is the first I’ve missed in almost a decade.
The Cubs do have a weekend series vs. the D-Backs in mid-July, which is a wonderful time of year to visit Phoenix. At least the martinis at Durant’s will still be ice cold.
- Justin - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:42 pm:
Really hope to see Arenado, Goldschmidt, and co. run the table in the NL Central for the Cards. This could be the last year we see Yadi and Waino together.
- Interim Retiree - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
Jesse White has been incredible. I selfishly am glad he wasn’t able to play major league baseball - he might never have gotten into government service. Just a great & caring human being.
- Responsa - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
==Sox park (whatever they call it now)==
Heh. Sox Park or Comiskey will do just fine.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 1:21 pm:
=Best radio play by play team are Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer=
Agreed. And apparently Pat is going to be an occasional fill-in on the telly too. That’ll be fun
- Facts Matter - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 1:40 pm:
According to baseballreference.com Secretary White was a .291 lifetime hitter over 7 years in the minors. His statistics look like another Cubs outfielder from that area by the name of Lou Brock, with less power. He also played some third base, but he was blocked in the big leagues by a guy named Santo.
- Senate Softballer - Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 3:55 pm:
Secretary/then Representative White was a GREAT player vs. the Senate in the annual Illinois House Senate Softball games. The Senate’s third basemen and shortstop essentially moved to the outfield grass for fear Jesse would hit a shot at them and do dental damage! He was the House Captain in many ways. And, oh what a throwing arm from deep short stop or short center field!! Too bad films from the Illinois Channel were not around from those days.