Mr 3000

[Classicblast]

Derek Jeter added three to his 3k total today.

His hit number 3000 was a home run at home Yankees Stadium. It doesn't get better than that.

I know I could never compare to Jeter but I was always kind of partial to him as we are the same age and I have followed Jeter's career more than the majors or the Yankees over all.

There's no comparison I do not deserve to place myself in the company of a future Hall of Fame New York Yankee who is among the most accomplished of all ball players for playing in the minors.

But through my minor league career that's who I most wanted to be like.

My hero growing up was Mike Schmidt. He is mainly why I play 3rd Base. I wore #20 through my high school and rookie league days. I was assigned #8 when I joined my first AA team and wore it all of my AA career through three teams.

I didn't collect 3000 hits even in the minors though.

[Phil]

I have the movie of Bernie Mack as Mr 3000.

Don't compare yourself to Derek Jeter. I don't think Mr. NY Yankees could have moderated this forum as well for as long as you have.

[Classicblast]

Thanks Phil.

Home run derby tonight. I don't find that so thrilling. I do not mean to sound bitter like a career minor leaguer but the way the ball is being pitched Or I could say served to the players I could hit it out too. I never claim to have those guy's talent but thats not the best display of it.

[Jason O'Lewa]

i like jeter but im mostly a nl fan.

[Classicblast]

Jul 12, 2011 21:21:06 GMT -5 Jason O'Lewa said:

i like jeter but im mostly a nl fan.

Sure I'll bump this. I assume you like the National League because you prefer the pitcher batting. I see both sides of it. Its a business decision to have the designated hitter. It preserves the pitchers, and it gets another player in the lineup. Obviously it makes the game more offensive because the 9th batter is someone other than a pitcher.


Pitchers surprise us sometimes with good hits but for the most part they make an out and bunt. I'd bet the total batting average of the collective national league pitchers is below .200. I've never calculated it or looked it up but I am sure of it.

[Phil]

I don't need to be negative, and I am not dissing the great sport you made a living at, but is the DH a bit of a money thing? It preserves the pitcher like you said not making a pitcher bat or run reduces his chances of injury. It also allows an aging outfielder, catcher or 1stbaseman an opportunity to not have to play the field and therefore prolong his career.

I am not saying that's a bad reason but that's partially the reason I think.

I remember being a kid watching baseball. NBC's game of the week, there was discussion that the National League will likely be going to a DH. Some 30 odd years later that has not happened yet. The thought was for players like Willie Stargell *who is one of my all time favorites* but 'Pops' was aging and likely wanted to stay a Pirate. There were a few others. Johnny Bench was beginning to have knee trouble and catching was getting harder, but he didn't want to leave the Reds.

Pete Rose was aiming for the all time hit record but he managed to stay in the NL all his career. Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Montreal and back to the Reds.

Tony Perez was another.

The chance of bringing the DH to the NL.

Why though? So players who are known to sell tickets can continue to play. That's the impression I had. Shed more light on it please if theres more to the story.

[Classicblast]

You have a good memory Phil. You're a few years older than me, but I remember some of that.

That era of player felt a bit demoted to play DH. Contracts weren't what they are now though.

Even high name guys like Reggie Jackson, Lee May, and Willie Horton played DH.

Don Baylor later in his career became a DH and lasted quite a few more years. Carl Yasterzimski played some DH.

Cecil Fielder thrived at it, and David Ortiz does now. I think in Ortiz's lifetime the DH was always part of American League ball though.

I have never played in a league that did not use the DH. (Speaking of professional leagues that is) But I did play in a single a rookie league where it was mandatory to have ten starting players but the DH could bat in place of any member it did not have to be the pitcher.

I am not aware of any league other than the National League where the pitcher is required to bat.

Obviously I am not talking about high school baseball.

[eric2003]

whoo was your favrite basball player when you were a kid classicblast? and who is your favorite of all time?

[Classicblast]

Sept 25, 2011 13:44:10 GMT -5 eric2003 said:

whoo was your favrite basball player when you were a kid classicblast? and who is your favorite of all time?

Mike Schmidt was my inspiration. He is the reason I play 3rdbase.

I would say Derek Jeter is the best player in my lifetime. Obviously I wasn't born during the Babe Ruth and then the Joe DiMaggio era.

I do remember Reggie Jackson and how in his case it wasn't just that he could hit home-runs but he could play clutch in key games.

I'll still go with Mike Schmidt though.