The 10 Great Negro League Ballplayers That Have Gone Unsung

Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, were players that paved the way for future Hall of Famers who were able to take their talents from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues. Such HOFs were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, who was the last Negro league player to hold a regular position in Major League Baseball. With that said, what about other players that were productive in the Negro Leagues? There are players that had wonderful careers, who could have easily made the jump to the Majors but never had the opportunities. Here is my list of 10 Negro League ball players that have gone UNSUNG.

10. Larry Doby (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1998)

Mr. Doby, had a small stint in the Negro Leagues, playing second base for four seasons with the Newark Eagles. He help the Eagles to a Negro League championship in 1946. Bill Veeck made Larry Doby the first African-American to play in the American League, eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. In the 1948 World Series, he played center field for the Cleveland Indians, and was the first black to hit a World Series home run, and he also was the first to win a World Series title. He is one of only four players to play in both a Negro World Series and a major league World Series. Doby, was the first black to lead the league in homers. Larry Doby, came to the Majors and put up productive numbers helping other Negro League players get the opportunity reaching a dream in playing at the Major League level. Doby was a .283 career hitter with 253 HR and 970 RBI in 1,533 games.


9. Andrew "Rube" Foster (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1981)

Rube Foster, was known as the Father of Black Baseball! Rube was a pitcher, manager, owner, and founder of the Negro National League. Some baseball historians have given Rube credit with the invention of the screwball. As a player, he spent his first year pitching for the Chicago Union Giants in the dead-ball era where he compiled a record of 51 wins in a single season. The following year he came back and surpassed that with a 54 win season which put him as one of the best pitcher in the twentieth century. Between the years 1903-1906 Rube's presence on both the Cuban X-Giants and the Philadelphia Giants led to multiple championships. In 1907, he left the Philadelphia Giants to take over the Leland Giants (American Giants) as both player and manager. Rube managed Leland to 110-10 record, winning 48 in a row and took the Chicago City League pennant. After establishing the best black team in the league, he paved the way by organizing the first black baseball league called Negro National League in 1920. Andrew "Rube" Foster was the president and treasurer of the league while remaining owner and manager of the American Giants. As owner of the most successful black team in the Negro National League, his America Giants absolutely pulverized everyone they faced as they won 11 championships.

8.  Hilton Smith (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 2001)

Hilton Smith may have been the best pitcher on the Kansas City Monarchs if it wasn't for the flamboyant Satchel Paige. Though he was known as "Satchel's Shadow", Hilton still manage to become a 20 game winner all 12 seasons as a Monarch. He often came in after Paige had pitched the first 3 innings of a ballgame because of Satchel would draw fans to the stadium. Hilton, would finish off opponents in the same fashion as Paige started the game. Hilton Smith, was known as the best all-around pitcher throwing from both sidearm and overhand with unbelievable control. He had a devastating curve ball, high fastball, slider. In 1941, he posted a 25-1 record, losing his only game in a non-league contest. There was a streak where in 89 innings, he gave up 39 hits. Hilton helped lead the Monarch to 7 Negro American League titles and a championship in 1942.

7.Martin "El Maestro"Dihigo (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977)


Martin "El Mastro" Dihigo was the most versatile ball player, with his speed, and throwing arm ever the go through the Negro Leagues. He played in the Mexican, Cuban, and Negro Leagues where he earned election into each three Hall of Fame . He could play multiple positions including pitcher. According to Johnny Mize, "He was the only guy he ever saw play all nine positions skillfully, switch hit and manage." In 1938, El Maestro won a batting title with a .387 avg while going 18-2 with a 0.90 ERA. He was the first player in the Mexican league to throw a no-hitter. Dihigo won three home run crowns in the Negro Leagues and tied Josh Gibson for another. He also won over 250 games as a pitcher.

6. Reece "Goose" Tatum (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011)

Before there was a Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, Reece Tatum, better known as the "Goose" was the two sport athlete back in 1940s. He played in the Negro Leagues and on The Harlem Globetrotters. Goose was considered one of the top first basemen in Negro League. Tatum was 6'4", and said to have an arm span of about 84 inches long and could touch his kneecaps without bending. His length made him a prime fixture at first base with his long arms and legs helping him stretch on close plays. Reece Tatum was best known as the "Clown Prince", as he was a crowd pleaserMikan and the Minneapolis Lakers. Goose has been credited to inventing the hook shot (sky hook) that Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul Jabaar made famous in his playing career. Tatum also became owner of the Detroit Clowns in the late 50s.

5. Walter Fenner "Buck" Leonard (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1972)

While the New York Yankees had Ruth & Gehrig, the Homestead Grays had Leonard & Gibson, better known as the "Thunder Twins! That would be Buck Leonard, who had the hand-eye coordination of Ted Williams and the home run power of Hank Aaron. He was considered one of the best hitters baseball ever seen. Also known as Mr. Clutch, Buck was the clean-up hitter, protecting Josh Gibson for over a decade. The Grays first basement was the captain and fixture for the best Negro team in history for seventeen year. Pitchers feared pitching to him as much as they did Josh Gibson because of his tremendous power. The Black Lou Gehrig, average over 40 home runs and batting average of .350 in his prime. His glove was also a huge weapon as he was so sophisticated at first base, being compared to the greatest defensive first baseman of all time, George Sisler. He always made the right play and had a very strong throwing arm.

4. John Henry "Pop" Lloyd (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1977)

When Babe Ruth reportedly believed Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever to play the game, and Honus Wagner said "It's an honor to be compared to him.", we can say that John Lloyd was the greatest shortstop the Negro Leagues had ever witnessed. For over two decades, Pop was cerebral, an exceptional shortstop with good hands and great range. Early on, he would study his opponents, positioning himself in the field where he was able to get a good jump on the ball. Pop on the offensive front had a lifetime batting average of .343 and display extreme speed on the base paths. Playing in the dead-ball era, Pop Lloyd used the bunt as a way of getting on base and with his speed he would often be in scoring position that would lead to a run scored. He played on numerous teams but had most of his success was when he played on Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants.

3. James "Cool Papa" Bell (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1974)

James "Cool Papa" Bell was a legendary lead-off switch-hitting center fielder, known as the fastest man to ever play the game of baseball. It has been told that he could circle the bases in an astounding twelve seconds! Cool Papa quickness allowed him to go from first to third on an infield single. This man was so fast that 1936 Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, who would race anyone prior to the ball games refused to race the speedy Bell. Cool Papa used his blazing speed to make up for his lack of power, stoled 175 bases in a 200 game season. His speed going from home to first is described by a former teammate, "If he bunts and it bounces twice, put it in your pocket," says "Double Duty" Radcliffe. In his illustrious 20 year career, Bell played on numerous of championship teams such as the St. Louis Stars, Pittsburgh Crawfords, and the Homestead Grays. He never batted under .300 in his career and against competition such as future Hall-of-Famers Dizzy Dean, Bob Feller, and Bob Lemon, Bell hit .391 in 58 exhibition games. Cool Papa Bell's defense was so superb, he would be compared to Hall of Fame greats Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays as the best center fielders ever to play the position. After retiring from the game he made a strong impact on players making the transition to the major league baseball, influencing such greats as Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Lou Brock.

2. Oscar "The Hoosier Comet" Charleston (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1976)

In 1921, the left-handed Oscar "The Hoosier Comet" Charleston, led the Negro Leagues in doubles, triples, home runs while batting a whooping .426 for the season drawing comparison to Ty Cobb. In nine consecutive seasons, he hit over .350, twice over .400. His career batting average was .348. "The Hoosier Comet" was known for his speed on the bases and one of the finest defensive outfielders of all-time. His career in the Negro Leagues, lasted four decades as a player and manager. It was rare to see Hall of Fame player such as Frank Robinson and MLB all-time hits leader Pete Rose, managed and played the game at the same time. In 1932, Oscar, managed and played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords who were said to be the greatest Negro baseball team ever. The Hoosier Comet also excelled against the major leaguers in 53 exhibition games with a career avg .358 and 11 HR. Aft)er his playing career he continued to coach where he managed the Pittsburgh Crawfords to a National Negro Championship. He was a tough, demanding manager that had the respect from all players that played under him.

1. Joe "Smokey" Williams (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame 1999)

There has never been a pitcher at the professional level to strikeout more than 20 batter in a game. On Aug. 2, 1930, Smokey Joe Williams of the Homestead Grays, struck out 27 Kansas City Monarchs and threw a one-hitter in a 1-0, 12-inning victory. He was 44 freaking years old! The strikeout king was a modern-day Nolan Ryan as he pitched 27 years in the Negro Leagues. Joe Williams was also known as the "Cyclone", because of his untouchable fastball that led to record-breaking strikeout performances and numerous no-hitters. His lifetime exhibition record against major league competition was 20-7. He posted barnstorming victories over the 1912 pennant-winning New York Giants and 1915 Philadelphia Phillies shutting out both teams. Smokey's memorable moment occurred in 1917, when he struck out 20 batters while no-hitting the New York Giants, although he lost the game, 1-0, on an error. The Giants were the representatives in the World Series that year. The Cyclone defeated five Hall of Fame pitchers (Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson and Rube Marquard) in exhibitions. He must have been a bad boy if Ty Cobb thinks he could have 30 games in the Major Leagues. Smokey Joe Williams has one up on the great Satchel Paige as their only encounter, Old man Williams outgunned the young Paige sensation 1-0.

LeBron.......It's TIME!

Hey "Chosen One" it's me again, your Conscious. I am here to remind you of what day it is. It's a significant day in our short history as a Miami Heat. I know, I know, today is game one of the 2012 NBA FINALS, against our new foe of the future, #35. But hold up, not so fast, we will discuss game one in a moment. Before we are able to move on, we must attack the past head on. June 12, 2011, exactly one year ago, was game six of NBA FINALS, where Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks celebrated a NBA Championship on our home floor. LeBron, do you recall that series, where everyone was wondering where the hell we went? I know it didn't feel right when Dirk was the MVP of the Finals, holding our Larry O'Brien trophy in our house. We finally made it through a strike, a shortened season and playoff battles against both Indiana and Boston. Once again we come back to the promise land.

IT'S TIME, this whole series is about us. It's time to shine and carry the Miami Heat Organization on our back. We didn't come to Miami for second place, if so we could have stayed in Cleveland. Remember 5,6,7? "I know we ran off our mouth, but that's partly my fault because I wanted some of the spotlight as well!"  There is nothing wrong with a little pressure on us. Our nucleus is better than last year. Heck, we aren't even favored to win.



IT'S TIME, OKC is ready, ready to take what is ours. #35 on the Thunder is the foe that has the potential to take everything from us. The question is, who is hungrier? #35 can't get enough on his plate, in fact he and his squad have been going for seconds! After we join forces with DWade and Bosh, who would have thought there would be a team more talented than us? OKC is younger, they play exciting team ball and they believe it's their time.

IT'S TIME, LeBron, I want that ring! Do you know how sick and tired I am of the "Conscious of Kobe Bryant"? It's getting old, all that damn laughing and snickering in my face, with his bling, bling! I wish I could knock the %^&* out of him! This is for all the marbles. Kobe AIN'T even the issue anymore. What I am trying to tell you is, #35 is our adversary. We are very similar to him. We both are freakish by nature, no one on the court can stop us and we both want the same thing, a championship. #35 is a three-time NBA scoring leader who is going after our, our fame and our 5,6, and 7 championships! The three-time scoring leader for the Thunder is trying to write our history. Starting tonight, we put an end to his premature thoughts. We waited all year for this, we will go out there and play our game and who knows, celebrating in Oklahoma City won't be so bad. Last I checked, LeBron, we are the three time MVP!


KCMAC38, A FAN'S POINT OF VIEW

Hey Commissioner Stern, Show Me the Car Fax!

Hey Commissioner Stern, Show Me the Car Fax!

Hey Commissioner Stern, Show Me the Car Fax!

The NBA draft on television has been a fixture in many households since its inception in 1985.   The big fish in the draft that year was Georgetown Hoyas center, Patrick Ewing.  The New York Knicks was a struggling franchise at the time with a 14% chance of winning the first ever NBA draft lottery.  We all know what transpired next.  The Knicks became relevant!  However, their were speculations all over the the league that the NBA's sticky fingers had something to do with the Knicks getting the first pick of the draft.  Back then the league used envelope as their lottery system. 

In 1990, the league decided to change its format to a lottery system because franchises were losing games on purpose to receive the higher draft pick.  The lottery system consist of 14 numbered ping-pong balls that would be drawn to determine who would win the lottery by non-playoff teams.


Through the years we watch this silly drama during the halftime show of an important playoff game and it always crosses my mind when the number two pick is revealed.  "How in the world did this team get the first pick of the draft?" 


Conspiracy #1 Orlando Magic

1992 Orlando Magic, an expansion team lands Shaquille O'Neil.  I won't question that, the house that Mickey Mouse built needs to thrive down there in Orlando. The Magic won 41 games Shaq's first year in the league.   The next draft, Orlando had less than a 2% chance of getting the first pick, and they used MAGIC to get it again!  Back to back years.  Commissioner Stern, something fishy is going on.


Conspiracy #2 San Antonio Spurs

Between the years of 1989-1996 the San Antonio Spurs average 54 wins a year.  Never finished lower than second in their division.  In 1997, David Robinson hurt his back and broke his foot. The Spurs won 20 games that year and landed the Player of the Year, Tim Duncan with a 14% chance.  The Boston Celtics had two chances of getting Duncan.  They ended up with Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer. San Antonio Spurs have won four NBA Championships with Tim Duncan leading the way.  Boston had two opportunities to get the first pick of the draft and failed both times. Commissioner Stern!  Really!


Conspiracy #3 Cleveland Cavaliers exhibit A & B

A
The 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers were tied with the worst record in the NBA with Memphis Grizzlies.  Memphis had to give up their pick to the Detroit Pistons that year.  This draft is probably one of the greatest drafts in some time.  The prize was a can't miss Le Bron James.  All you heard was Le Bron will go to Cleveland, even before the lottery system took place.  When the pick was revealed, Cleveland won and received the first pick.  All I could say is "IMAGINE THAT!"

B

We all remember when Le Bron took his talents to South Beach, it was WOE IS ME!  The city of Cleveland thought the sky was falling.  Fans making threats against Le Bron, even the Cavaliers owner was threatening this man for leaving.  June comes, the lottery happens, and what do you know, Cleveland gets the first pick again and draft the Rookie of The Year, Kyrie Irving.  Commissioner Stern, this is becoming a habit!

Conspiracy #4 Chicago Bulls
Deja Vu! The Chicago Bulls in 2008 was the ninth worst team in the NBA with a 1.7% chance of landing the first pick.  The Bulls mysteriously won the pick and drafted the home town kid Derrick Rose. He also won the Rookie of the Year and won the 2011 Most Valuable Player.

Conspiracy #5 New Orleans Hornets

First off, I don't know who owns this team, is it David Stern or Tom Benson? The Hornets have been a lame duck team the past few seasons.  Instead of "SAVE FERRIS", the NBA wants to save the New Orleans Hornets from losing their franchise.  David Stern, vetoed a blockbuster deal that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers. LA may still be playing in the playoffs today if it wasn't for the Commissioner.  The New Orleans Saints owner, Tom Benson, came in and purchased the team, ensuring the community that the Hornets will stay in New Orleans. After Wednesday night, the Hornets got a great parting gift by landing the number one with the opportunity to draft Anthony Davis in this summer's draft.  History has shown that the number one pick will make drastic improvements for the organization.  Anyone feel sorry for MJ and the Bobcats?  I can't believe Commissioner Stern wouldn't help his old foe Mike, then again it seems he had an invested interest in New Orleans. There will be plenty of time to help #23,  like next year!


To the Commish

We are well into the twenty-first century and I don't understand why all the secrecy. This is a society where privacy does not exist.  The NBA has been pulling this lottery stunt for years.  We the fans, demand the right to see the lottery LIVE.  I don't know what is more covered up, The NBA Lottery or the mystery death of Jack the Ripper!  So, Commish lets cut to the chase, SHOW ME THE CAR FAX!

 


KCMAC38, A FAN'S POINT OF VIEW

Top 5 Non Traditional Grand Slams

With the recent walk-off grand slam home runs by Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Votto, I was taken back by some of the wackiest grand slams in Major League Baseball history. The intriguing part about walking to the plate with the bases loaded is getting a good pitch to hit. Grand slams have no names on them, it's about being in the right place at the right time. Some ballplayers such as Lou Gehrig have a history of hitting grand slams. Til this day, he is still the all-time leader in total grand slams with 23, one more than Alex Rodriguez. Travis Hafner and Don Mattingly are the all-time leaders in grand slams in a season with 6. After throwing a mistake pitch, I wonder how many pitchers would have considered intentional walking some of those multiple offenders. It's better to give up one run than four! Here are my top 5 wackiest grand slam home runs, major league pitchers wish they have never thrown.

(#5) June 12, 2010 - Rookie Daniel Nava first ever pitch, grand slam! Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox

Daniel Nava was called up from the minor leagues to replace a depleted Boston outfield. On his first at-bat, Nava faced Philadelphia Phillies starter Joe Blanton with the bases full of Red Sox. The first major league pitch Nava saw was a fastball that ended up in the bullpen, over the right field wall, for a grand slam homerun. Since that day, he has been in and out of the majors.

Daniel Nava surfaced amongst the major league as a Red Sox again. On May 14, 2012, he was called back to the Majors, where he wasted no time belting a 2 run shot against the Seattle Mariners in Fenway Park. That hit was the second big league home run of his career and first since the grand slam he hit against Joe Blanton.

(#4) July 3, 1966 - Tony Cloninger 2 grand slams in a game! Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

Can you imagine what kind of stories Tony Cloninger has told his family about his time playing professional baseball? Well there is one story that happened in the Major Leagues that was true. The night before the 4th of July, Tony Cloninger decided to set off his own fireworks at Candlestick Park in San Francisco by hitting two grand slam home runs in one game. Cloninger mastered that task in front of Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Oh, did I forget to mention that he was a pitcher? He also added another hit that scored an additional run. Cloninger's nine RBIs is still a record for pitchers. On the same day, he threw a complete game against the Giants as his team won 17-3. Since setting the record of two grand slams in 1966, only 12 other MLB players have accomplished the such a feat, none of whom have been pitchers.

(#3) August 25, 2011 - once, twice, three times grand slam! Oakland A's vs New York Yankees

Never in the history of the New York Yankees have the "Bronx Bombers" hit two grand slams in front of their home crowd. After being behind 7-2 in the third inning, Robinson Cano quickly erased a five run deficit on one swing as he hit a grand slam off Oakland A's pitcher Rich Harden. In the sixth inning, Russell Martin took Fautino de Los Santos yard for the second grand slam of the game as his ball barely cleared the right field wall. Martin's grand slam was his second home run of the day, and gave the Yankees the outright lead 10-6. Curtis Granderson stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and an eight run lead. Bruce Billings was on the mound adding to the A's misery as Granderson pulled a line drive over the right field wall to make it a historical day at the new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees became the first team in major league history to hit three grand slams in a game, on the way to a 22-9 win.

(#2) April 23, 1999 - Fernando Tatis hits 2 grand slams in one inning! St. Louis Cardinals vs LA Dodgers

In 1999, there was a guy name Fernando Tatis, batting cleanup for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was protecting Mark McGwire, who batted third at the time. Fernando faced Dodger pitcher, Chan Ho Park, who is known for giving up the long ball (ask any Texas Ranger fan). Heading into the top of the third inning with a 2-0 lead, little did Park know, this was going to be the longest inning of his career. He started the inning off by giving up two singles and he hit a man. Fernando came to the plate and drilled his first grand slam over the left field bullpen. Later that same inning the bases were loaded again, Chan Ho still on the mound, and guess who was up at the plate! Park threw a hanging slider and that was all she wrote. Fernando Tatis is the first, and only Major League ballplayer, to ever hit two grand slams and have eight RBIs in one inning.

(#1) July 25, 1956 - Roberto Clemente inside the park grand slam! Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs

Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates walked up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, down 8-5, with the bases loaded and no outs. At the mound stood Chicago Cubs reliever, Jim Brosnan, whose first pitch to Clemente, was smacked off the left field light tower at Forbes Field. As the bases were emptying full of Pirates, Clemente rounded third base, bypassing the stop sign from his third base coach, determined to score that winning run. He originally missed the plate on a routine slide but was savvy enough to touch the plate before Ernie Banks was able to make the tag. Pittsburgh won the game 9-8 in front of 12,000 happy fans. It was Roberto Clemente's first grand slam home run. He is the only player to hit a walk-off grand slam inside the park home run.

The Ryan Express!

If you could choose any Major League pitcher, retired or active, to pitch in game seven of the World Series during the dead-ball era or the steroid era with success, who would you choose?  Without any hesitation I would choose Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. He was the most intimidating power pitcher in his era, for more than a quarter of a century. He pitched 27 years in the majors to be exact.  In fact, his last major league pitch registered at 98mph.  Mr. Ryan was a bulldog of a pitcher, who never fraternized with any opposing players because he wanted to keep his edge.  He amazingly pitched in the major league in four different decades. Nolan Ryan is the only major league ballplayer outside of Jackie Robinson to have his number retired by three different teams (Anaheim Angels, Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers).  It's hard to believe that the Ryan Express has been away from the game since 1993.  It seems like he would put up legendary stats each time he appeared in a game. I would like to share with you my top 5 most memorable moments in Nolan Ryan's career.


(#5) July 15, 1973 - NO HITTER!  California Angels vs Detroit Tigers

Nolan Ryan gets his second NO HITTER of the season at Tiger Stadium.  He struck out 17 Detroit Tigers that day which at the time was two shy of the Major League record of 19. That year was golden for The Ryan Express as he won 21 games with a 2.87 ERA, broke the single season strike out record (383) by one held by Sandy Koufax, and after almost 40 years, that record still stands today.  As puzzling as it sounds, Nolan did not win the Cy Young Award that year, (losing to Jim Palmer who had one victory more than Nolan) in fact, in all of his 27 years playing he never brought home the trophy.  Nolan ended up with seven no hitters, three more than his closest rival (Sandy Koufax).


(#4) August 22, 1989 - #5000! Texas Rangers vs Oakland A's 

Who better to be at the plate than The Greatest!  Not Ali, but this individual was the greatest lead-off hitter of all time in Ricky Henderson.   The Ryan Express at the age of 42 threw a 3-2 pitch fastball down the pipe......and a WHIFF by Mr. Henderson! Ricky graciously quoted, "If you haven't been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you're nobody." Although Nolan Ryan is in elite company, he is the only pitcher to top 5,000 strikeouts in a career (5,714total).  He has 938 more strikeouts than second place Randy Johnson, a record that probably will never be beaten.


(#3) July 31, 1990 - 300th Win!  Texas Rangers vs Milwaukee Brewers

After failing to win number 300 at home in Arlington, Texas, Nolan travelled to Milwaukee where he went out and pitched 7 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, one earned run, and eight strikeouts, to record his 300 career victory.  That was one month after recording no hitter number six.  Nolan is the fourth oldest player behind Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro and Early Wynn to have won 300 games.   He finished his career with 324.


(#2) August 4, 1993 - Don't Mess With Texas! (The Lesson) Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox

After five years in Texas, Nolan had recorded his 300th victory, 5000th strikeout, and his sixth and seventh no-hitter as a Texas Ranger.  In the final season of Nolan Ryan's illustrious career, he showed why you "Don't Mess With Texas"!  The 46 year old Ryan hit Robin Ventura's backside with the ball.  Like most ballplayers, they take exception to getting hit by the ball and he charged the mound.  Nolan is 20 years older Robin. I am sure when Ventura ran toward the old timer, his plans were to even the score. This is when keeping it real goes wrong!  Robin learned a valuable lesson that day.  Little did he know, Nolan, who placed the young Ventura in the same head-lock he used on steers, struck Robin in the head six times before Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez pulled Robin away!  After the brawl happened, Robin Ventura was ejected from the game, and somehow Nolan dusted off his cap and remained pitching.  Why was he allowed to remain in the game you might ask?  After the can of whoopin  he gave Robin, who's going to tell him he can't pitch!  By the way, Ryan didn't give up another hit the rest of the way.


(#1) August 5, 2010 - Nolan Ryan delivers the Texas Rangers

Not many people can stack the credentials next to the legend Nolan Ryan. He can literally be compared to the stories you hear of Babe Ruth. 5714 strikeouts, 324 victories and 7 no hitters are marks that may never be reached. He won a World Series in 1969 with the New York Mets. He has had a full career pitching in the Major League. There is no other ballplayer in the history of the game that has made such a significant impact on the field, and now he is calling shots as an owner. A little bit past midnight on August 5, 2010, Nolan Ryan and his investment group swooped in and saved the Texas Rangers franchise by purchasing a team that had filed Chapter 7 under owner Tom Hicks. Since Ryan's arrival as president and owner of the Texas Rangers organization, the atmosphere of the last place team has changed full circle.  No longer are the Texas Rangers the laughing stock of the American League West. His presence has made pitchers tougher, and their endurance to pitch deeper in the games has increased the team chances at victories. With shrewd business moves in free agency, building up the farm system that is the best in baseball, the Texas Rangers have enjoyed success in the last two years by winning the back to back pennants for the first time in Texas history and a trip to two World Series. Although the franchise has yet to win the World Series, the future of the Texas Rangers baseball is positive. 

I am pretty sure at age 64, Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. passion's for baseball still exist. If by chance the Texas Rangers need an out with the bases loaded, a 3-2 count and a one run lead,  I bet he would deliver a strikeout to win the game.  Who is going to say he can't take the mound?  He owns the team now!

PARDON MY INTERRUPTION!

Each day at 5 pm I tend to turn on the four letter network to get my sports fix, but it seems that I may as well be watching the local news instead.  Lately, the sports show starts off with some sort of breaking news, or the top story of today, and it has nothing to do with sports.  I just want to see scores, highlights and previews for tonight's games.  What do I get instead........ a bunch of bullshit!


There are so many exciting things going on in world of sports.  In football, we have the much anticipated NFL draft, but as soon as the weekend is up, all the attention will go back to "As The New Orleans Saints Turn"!  The beginning of baseball has begun and baseball fans all over the country are optimistic about their team's success.  Baseball was running smoothly until the morning of April 27, 2012 when Delmon Young involves himself in a racial hate crime which leads to an arrest.  The regular season in the NBA has come to an end and now the world can finally watch some good playoff basketball.  Leading up to the playoffs, last Sunday in the Staple Center, Metta World Peace's altar ego was at it again.  After having much success in recent weeks, he was shown celebrating after a made dunk.  Metta, who was pounding his chest, purposely woke up Big Bad Ron and what do you know....... he maliciously elbowed James Harden of the OKC Thunder in the back of the head/neck area, knocking him silly to a standing eight count. 


Breaking News:


Athletes, at every level, have to be accountable for all their actions.  There is no excuse for a player such as Delmon Young to exercise his right to be out in public at 2:40 in the morning.  He was intoxicated, and allegedly shoving a man to the ground and making anti-Semitic remarks.  What is the old saying? "Nothing good happens after midnight".  We all have heard that saying, and I have to believe it's a true statement.  I don't want to hear the apology written by Delmon's entourage because I know good and well he doesn't mean it, and the damage is done.  Delmon Young, look in the mirror son!  You are a black man in Major League Baseball that currently has only 8% African American in the sport.  Earlier this month the league just celebrated Jackie Robinson's Day.  What does that day mean to you, Delmon? Jackie Robinson was the man!  He was a pioneer, withstood  insults, and racism, while still having to compete in a league where no one looked like him, and certainly didn't want him there in the first place.  He is the reason why you and other minorities have gotten that slim chance of being a professional ballplayer.  You have been on notice since the day you reached the majors and you can ill-afford any negative publicity.  The Detroit Tigers cannot afford the racist remarks you've made; heck didn't you learn anything from the Ozzie Guillen fiasco?  Think son, THINK!


My last Rant goes to Mr. World Peace.  Fine time to bring out your evil twin.  As I said earlier, the worse thing you could have done Metta, is beat your chest because Ron Artest couldn't wait to come out and play!  Ron, you threw a vicious elbow to the back of James Harden's neck, and you even had the nerve to run down the court and act as if you did nothing wrong.  I guess I have to believe you were the last to realize you actually hurt this man.  As the great Charlie Murphy  would say, "You are a habitual line crosser"! Ron, you will lose over $350,000 in this latest suspension for swinging your elbow.  You have been suspended over 118 games in your career.  You apologized, but I am sick of them.  I don't want to hear it, sincere or not.  If it was an accident, you should have gone to him while he was lying on the ground immediately after the incident happened.  You are a buffoon. The league kind to you, and I don't understand why you are not appreciative of being a part of the game.   The LA Lakers have to do damage control as did Indiana back in 2004 with your altercation among players and fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons.  If there is talk of bounties in sports, you are it Ron!  There will be a time when you have played your last game, and don't be surprise if it's real soon.  My prediction for you, Ron, is you will be black balled from the league, and you will only have yourself to blame.  Come to think of it, you are better fit throwing your hat in the ring as a professional boxer.  Once again, America is salivating for an new Heavy Weight Champ. You would be perfect for the sport and without a doubt be loved by everybody once you became the champ!  Oh well, just a thought.


Now back to your regular scheduled sports program.


KCMAC38 A FAN'S POINT OF VIEW