Christmas Day, 1989. 26-years ago the wild ride that was the life of Billy Martin came to end in a deadly car accident. The New York Yankees highly volatile skipper — known more for his off the field antics than many of his accomplishments on the diamond — saw his life end at the age of 61 well before it should have.
Tag Archives: MLB
The Oakland As and other thoughts from the MLB Winter Meetings
I have been trying to stay afloat with the goings on in Nashville the past few days. There have been some good trades, and some head scratchers and now the MLB Winter Meetings are coming to an end. Let’s take a look at some last impressions we haven’t covered yet at good ol’ Wayniac Nation.
High hopes for Kansas City Royals Kyle Zimmer in 2016
The Kansas City Royals are the reigning World Series champions. Pretty crazy, huh? They made their second consecutive run to the Fall Classic behind a lot of home grown parts. The scary thing is that they may be waiting on one of their best home grown products of the whole lot.
Pirates, Astros and Mets have big days, while Yankees confuse in Nashville
These Winter Meetings have been fun, haven’t they? There have been a lot of big names swapping jerseys, but that isn’t so unusual compared to years past. What is exciting is that many of the big moves aren’t merely trading names, they are making already strong teams stronger… and scarier.
Some moves that caught my eye at the MLB Winter Meetings Wednesday!
Yankees and Royals prospects highlight the Rule 5 Draft
Most casual baseball fans don’t even know what the Rule 5 Draft is. That’s because over the decades since its inception there hasn’t been many players that have made a huge difference in the annals of baseball history. But that doesn’t make it any less important.
The Yankees, Braves and Cubs stake their claim at MLB Winter Meetings
There is nothing like the MLB Winter Meetings. Rumors fly around all day long and then when nightfall hits, you are blind sided by the most astounding trades you can imagine. It’s not a coincidence they put the Winter Meetings right near Christmas.
Yesterday, three big moves went down that left three teams big winners. Brace yourselves…
The Boston Red Sox: Winning at any Price
We all know the deal by now. It is absolutely stupendous. Seven years, $217-million. The Boston Red Sox landed a left-handed ace that solidifies their rotation and immediately changes the complexion of a squad that was questionably put together last season.
New York Yankees fans aren’t going to like this, but this was a great deal.
MiLB legend Mike Hessman — the real life Crash Davis — retires
The casual baseball fan probably doesn’t even know who Mike Hessman is. The Minor League Baseball junkie that I am thinks he’s one of the greatest stories of his generation.
Hessman didn’t have a luxurious Major League Career to tell his grandkids about one day. No, Hessman grinded away for 19-years in the Minor Leagues. Tagged the real life Crash Davis, since being drafted by the Braves in 1996, Hessman got his cup of tea in the bigs on five different occasions, but would later become a mentor to bright-eyed, young prospects pursuing the same dream he had years earlier.
This past July, Hessman became the American Minor League home run king, blasting a grand slam for his record-setting 433 home run. He would finish the season, but never hit another blast.
At 37-years old, Hessman decided to hang it up this past weekend and pursue his next endeavor… coaching. I’m sure he will be a welcomed addition to any organization, especially the Detroit Tigers who he played for both in the Majors and Minors.
Hessman lived the dream. He didn’t hang it up when he realized that he wasn’t ever going to be the next Frank Thomas. No, he kept on grinding and playing the sport he loved. Say what you will about a 19-year Minor League career, but you can never take that away from him.
I recently recapped his illustrious career at minorleagueball.com. The link below will take you to his story:
The Miami Marlins and Barry Bonds: to hire or not to hire
When news broke that the Miami Marlins were interested in bringing one of baseball’s most prolific home run hitters in as their new hitting coach, you could be sure that the ol’ information highway exploded. Some people are completely disgusted, others think it’s time. So, should Major League Baseball welcome back Barry Bonds?
Are the Marlins prepared for the ensuing chaos of hiring Bonds?
The Red Sox Mookie Betts heading to the World Series… of bowling?
Deion Sanders. Bo Jackson. Drew Henson. Mookie Betts?
Major League Baseball has a rich history of two sport stars. Some were as big as Neon Deion and Bo Jack, others — like Brian Jordan — didn’t steal the spotlight, but were still impressive. Since Henson hung up the baseball cleats back in 2004, the art of the two-sport superstar has all but disappeared.
Until now.
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