|
|
Post by rizzuto on Nov 9, 2023 20:25:39 GMT -5
Regarding Phil Masi: For some reason he is a dim memory to me, but it seems he was quite a good player, especially as a catcher. There is an interesting story connected with the first game of the 1948 World Series. Masi was inserted for a pinch runner for the starting slow-footed catcher. He got to second base. Bob Feller tried to pick him off second and his throw to Boudreau and subsequent tag seemed to get him, but he was called safe. A base hit brought him home to score the only run of the game in a 1-0 Braves victory. The game was a great pitching duel between Feller and Johnny Sain. There was a lot of controversy because photos show Masi being clearly out. Years later, when his will was read after his death, it was found that Masi had inserted a statement revealing that he was really out. A wonderful story about a deathbed confession. That play you mentioned was a Bob Feller to Lou Boudreau timed pick off attempt. Rather than insist he was safe when retelling the tale Masi simply would say, “It was close. Real close.” The only things I “know” about Masi are what I get from his BR pages. He was in MLB for 14 years, a decent length for a career. He only got into 100 or more games in four of those seasons, so he spent most of the time as a back up. He had a lifetime OPS of 97, slightly below the average player, but also better than the average catcher, especially as a back up. When Masi did get to start, he showed well. He was a 4 time all-star, and in 1947 his .304 average was 10th in the NL. His defense wax well-respected and he was known for doing all the “little things” that contribute to winning, and a hustler (as much as a catcher can hustle). He had a range factor per 9 innings lower than the league average, meaning that he made fewer plays than other catchers, though his fielding percentage was slightly better than average. I I simply said that he threw out 40% of base stealing attempts he would sound better than he was due to lack of context. The average catcher in his days threw out 44%. He was certainly no slacker to stick around so long, so I’d say that yes, he was a “pretty good” player. We tend to worship the big states and too easily dismiss the backups, without whom the game would not be possible… Texas is fine, but worship is probably going too far. Back-up state? Like Guam or Puerto Rico? |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 9, 2023 21:16:01 GMT -5
A wonderful story about a deathbed confession. That play you mentioned was a Bob Feller to Lou Boudreau timed pick off attempt. Rather than insist he was safe when retelling the tale Masi simply would say, “It was close. Real close.” The only things I “know” about Masi are what I get from his BR pages. He was in MLB for 14 years, a decent length for a career. He only got into 100 or more games in four of those seasons, so he spent most of the time as a back up. He had a lifetime OPS of 97, slightly below the average player, but also better than the average catcher, especially as a back up. When Masi did get to start, he showed well. He was a 4 time all-star, and in 1947 his .304 average was 10th in the NL. His defense wax well-respected and he was known for doing all the “little things” that contribute to winning, and a hustler (as much as a catcher can hustle). He had a range factor per 9 innings lower than the league average, meaning that he made fewer plays than other catchers, though his fielding percentage was slightly better than average. I I simply said that he threw out 40% of base stealing attempts he would sound better than he was due to lack of context. The average catcher in his days threw out 44%. He was certainly no slacker to stick around so long, so I’d say that yes, he was a “pretty good” player. We tend to worship the big states and too easily dismiss the backups, without whom the game would not be possible… Texas is fine, but worship is probably going too far. Back-up state? Like Guam or Puerto Rico? Methinks me meant stars… |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 9, 2023 21:16:55 GMT -5
Regarding Phil Masi: For some reason he is a dim memory to me, but it seems he was quite a good player, especially as a catcher. There is an interesting story connected with the first game of the 1948 World Series. Masi was inserted for a pinch runner for the starting slow-footed catcher. He got to second base. Bob Feller tried to pick him off second and his throw to Boudreau and subsequent tag seemed to get him, but he was called safe. A base hit brought him home to score the only run of the game in a 1-0 Braves victory. The game was a great pitching duel between Feller and Johnny Sain. There was a lot of controversy because photos show Masi being clearly out. Years later, when his will was read after his death, it was found that Masi had inserted a statement revealing that he was really out. Like Inger, I have no first-hand recollection of Masi. But I love that story, which I had never heard before. Just looking over his career, he seemed to have the misfortune of being stuck behind some very good catchers. First with the Braves, playing for Casey Stengel, he had Al Lopez and then Ernie Lombardi in front of him. Then he got his chance and became a four-time All Star. Then as he got a little older the Braves had Del Crandall coming along, so they traded him to the White Sox, where a young Sherman Lollar was just breaking in. So he did well when given an opportunity Do you have any recollection of seeing this Series on TV? More likely you recall those highlight films they showed in movie theaters narrated by former major leaguer Lou Fonseca. Those things were classics. Anyway, thanks to you, I've put more thought on the 1948 Boston Braves over the past few weeks than I probably did in the rest of my life. You have some outstanding recollections. I was -6 years old in 1948… 🤓 |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 10, 2023 12:59:26 GMT -5
Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.
But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.
A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said."
We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized...
|
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 10, 2023 15:16:34 GMT -5
Sally Field is 77 today…
|
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Nov 12, 2023 1:18:42 GMT -5
Beautiful series on Netflix (four one hour segments) entitled, "All The Light We Cannot See." Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie are the actors most are likely to recognize. If you are a fan of radio (I know Pipps is) pippsheadache, this has a poignant thread throughout that is just remarkable. I recommend it. |
|
|
|
Post by pippsheadache on Nov 12, 2023 19:27:07 GMT -5
Beautiful series on Netflix (four one hour segments) entitled, "All The Light We Cannot See." Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie are the actors most are likely to recognize. If you are a fan of radio (I know Pipps is) pippsheadache , this has a poignant thread throughout that is just remarkable. I recommend it. Thank you so much Rizz. Forgive the delayed response, a lot of to-ing and fro-ing this weekend. It definitely sounds like something I would enjoy and I will look into it. |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 12, 2023 22:45:40 GMT -5
Beautiful series on Netflix (four one hour segments) entitled, "All The Light We Cannot See." Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie are the actors most are likely to recognize. If you are a fan of radio (I know Pipps is) pippsheadache, this has a poignant thread throughout that is just remarkable. I recommend it. No Netflix here. Maybe someday in a future year when it’s on Freevee or Roku… Since I’ve not followed many series or watched that many newly releases movies and neither had Ruthie, five years later everything is new again… 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 13, 2023 18:42:34 GMT -5
I’m making spaghetti for dinner. I have a question for our Italian faction. Why don’t they make spaghetti shorter so it will fit in my pan before it softens? Should I break my spaghetti before I cook it? … rizzuto |
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Nov 13, 2023 19:31:23 GMT -5
I’m making spaghetti for dinner. I have a question for our Italian faction. Why don’t they make spaghetti shorter so it will fit in my pan before it softens? Should I break my spaghetti before I cook it? … rizzuto I prefer to leave it the original length. |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 13, 2023 20:08:34 GMT -5
I’m making spaghetti for dinner. I have a question for our Italian faction. Why don’t they make spaghetti shorter so it will fit in my pan before it softens? Should I break my spaghetti before I cook it? … rizzuto I prefer to leave it the original length. Me too. More to wind around the fork… |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 13, 2023 22:47:41 GMT -5
If at first you don’t succeed, I don’t recommend skydiving for you…
|
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Nov 13, 2023 23:09:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by pippsheadache on Nov 14, 2023 6:26:47 GMT -5
Interesting clip Rizz. With each bat he seemed to adapt after a few swings. In fact I believe his longest shot and highest exit velo was with the Babe Ruth bat, which is precisely why The Colossus of Clout used a heavy weapon. I also have no doubt that Mick and Babe and Honus and Joe were stronger than this guy, who is obviously a decent athlete himself. While I don't have any doubt that in general more pitchers are throwing harder today -- in part because they know they aren't pitching as many innings -- there's a lot more to pitching than speed. He is seriously underestimating Walter Johnson by putting him at 90 MPH. When some stat geeks -- I believe it was from the documentary "Fastball" -- went over measurements done on Johnson at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in the World War I era and extrapolated them to current conditions they came up with something in the upper nineties, and even that is by necessity still a guess. And we know Feller was topping 100. But this is a fun clip and kudos to the guy for doing it. If you go to the Hillerich and Bradsby facility in Louisville you can swing some of these bats, but you won't face live pitching. For the record, Honus Wagner's first name is pronounced "Hahness", a derivative of Johannes, the German equivalent of his given name John. |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Nov 14, 2023 10:36:22 GMT -5
I loved my old Mantle 34/34… I swung it recently and I believe my game would now be better suited to swinging a #2 pencil ✏️… 🤓 |
|
