Ozzie Virgil, Sr. Was a Baseball Pioneer

 

Former MLB player and coach Ozzie Virgil, Sr. passed away on September 29th at the age of 92. 

Virgil's passing would be overshadowed by that of Pete Rose the following day. Yet Virgil was a baseball pioneer becoming the first Dominican born player in MLB history when he took the field for the New York Giants in 1956. Two years later, Virgil would make history again as the first player of color to wear a Detroit Tigers uniform although he would lament not being accepted by Detroit's African-American community. The Tigers were the second last in MLB to integrate. Only the Boston Red Sox held out until Pumpsie Green joined the team in 1959. 

Virgil would play parts of 9 seasons primarily as a utility player in MLB also wearing a Kansas City A's, Baltimore Orioles and a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform before returning to the Giants who by this time were in San Francisco. Finishing his playing career in 1969, Virgil played in 324 games collecting 174 hits for a lifetime batting average of. 231 with 14 HR and 73 RBI. 

My first memory of Virgil was as the third base coach for the Montreal Expos in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Virgil was manager Dick Williams' right hand man and would follow him to San Diego where he was part of the Padres' 1984 NL pennant winning team before moving onto the Seattle Mariners. 

I also remember Virgil's son Ozzie, Jr. who was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays and played in the 1983 World Series with the NL champion Phillies alongside the late Pete Rose. 

In Ozzie, Sr.'s later years, he worked for the New York Mets in the Dominican Summer League. In September 2018, when he was 86, the Mets made Virgil an honorary coach for one game in honor of his service to the team and to baseball. 

Baseball might have once been the American national pastime. But the game is far more revered in the Dominican Republic. If one sees baseball on TV in a business establishment which is not a bar there's a very good chance that establishment is Dominican owned. Ozzie Virgil, Sr. is the lynchpin of that passion and reverence.

Last year, the Negro League Baseball Museum held a traveling exhibit called "Breaking Barriers - From Jackie to Pumpsie: 1947-1959" and, in Ozzie Virgil, Sr.'s memory, I have highlighted the picture I took of exhibit. R.I.P.

My Thoughts on the Vance-Walz VP Debate

 

I just finished watching the lone VP debate between Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz.

Here is what I wrote about Governor Walz last night:

Even if Walz comes across as less of a policy expert than Vance, he will come across as a warm, decent human being who cares about the well-being of people. This would hopefully go a long way with the independent voters who will likely decide this election. 

From where I sit not only did Walz come across as a warm, decent human being who cares about the well-being of people, but more than held his own with Vance on policy questions in his capacity as Governor of Minnesota. He also made a point of engaging Vance on points of agreement but mainly addressed his commentary to the millions of people watching at home. Walz exceeded expectations and I think makes him the winner of this debate. No doubt Pete Buttigieg prepared him well, but Walz demonstrated he has plenty of knowledge.

This isn't to say that Vance didn't stay on message about blaming the country ills on migrants both legal and illegal and Kamala Harris for inflicting those ills. No doubt this was music to Donald Trump's ears. But I think Vance's words sounded sour too many voters who haven't yet made up their minds. Vance's claims that Trump saved Obamacare when he did everything to kill it, and that Trump would do everything to regain the trust of voters on reproductive freedom when it was Trump who violated that trust and brags about doing so.

The fact that Vance couldn't answer Walz as to who won the 2020 election and tried to claim Facebook censorship was a greater threat to democracy than the violence of January 6th tells us he is bound to Trump, not to us. Walz adroitly pointed out the fact the former VP Mike Pence's decision to certify the results of the 2020 election was the reason he was not on stage with him tonight asking, "Do we honor democracy or Donald Trump?"

The 2024 presidential election is exactly five weeks from today. Tonight's debate might be a mere footnote by then depending on a litany of things such a wider war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and dockworkers strike not to mention any number of calamitous events which could arise in the interim. 

But as with the debate between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Trump three weeks ago, it was a good night for the Democratic candidate. We will know so should Republicans again complain about CBS debate moderators Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan as when they complained about ABC debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis last month.

There were a number of Democrats who were worried that Tim Walz wouldn't be able to rise to the occasion this evening. I believe he has put those fears to rest.

Thoughts on Former President Carter Turning 100

Today marks former President Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday. 

Carter becomes the first U.S. President to live that long.

It is remarkable that he has come this far given what he has gone through over the past decade. 

Carter was diagnosed with liver and brain cancer in 2015 and survived it.

Carter sustained injuries from several falls in his home in 2019 and survived it.

Carter has been in hospice care since February 2023 and has survived it up to and including the death of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in November 2023 to whom he was married for 77 years. 

However, frail Carter's body has become, his spirit and his will are still strong.

He is determined to live long enough to cast an absentee ballot for Kamala Harris.

Given the fact that former President Trump, rather than congratulate Carter on his birthday, speaks of him as “the happiest man because Carter is considered a brilliant president by comparison" to President Biden.

A small statement from a small man with small hands.

While I have my share of disagreements with the 39th President, I admire Jimmy Carter for his strong constitution which is far more than what I can say about Trump.

I can only hope Carter lives long enough not only to vote for Kamala Harris, but to see her inaugurated.

My Thoughts on the 2024 MLB Post-Season

I want to say a few words about the forthcoming 2024 MLB post-season although a pall has now been cast by the passing of Pete Rose. 

The sad news notwithstanding, the game must go on.

This year's edition of the post-season is a mixture of the old and the new.

American League

AL East - New York Yankees

AL Central - Cleveland Guardians

AL West - Houston Astros

AL Wild Card Teams - Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals & Detroit Tigers

After missing the post-season a year ago, the Yankees rebounded with an MVP season from a healthy Aaron Judge. The Guardians also missed the post-season last year but regained their form under new manager Stephen Vogt. After a slow start under new skipper Joe Espada, the Astros rebounded and overtook the Seattle Mariners shortly after the All-Star Break. It is Astros' 8th consecutive post-season appearance and 9th in 10 seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles make the post-season for the second consecutive year albeit settling for the first AL Wild Card berth after winning the AL East a year ago. The Kansas City Royals make their first post-season appearance since winning the World Series in 2015. A year ago, Matt Quatraro's squad lost 106 games and now play October baseball. Equally improbable are the rise of the Tigers who are making their first post-season appearance since 2014. On August 10th, the Tigers were 55-63 and 10 games in the AL Wild Card standings. The Tigers roared back going 33-13 over the past seven weeks overtaking the Minnesota Twins to earn the third and final Wild Card berth.

The Yankees and Guardians earn byes in the first round. The Wild Card round will see the Orioles host the Royals while the Astros host the Tigers. The latter series is particularly interesting because Tigers manager A.J. Hinch will face the team he managed to the 2017 World Series and from whom he would earn a yearlong suspension for his role in the team's sign stealing scandal. A triumph for the Tigers against the Astros would represent something of a redemption for Hinch. The winner of the Tigers-Astros series will face the Guardians while the winner of the Orioles-Royals will face the Yankees in the ALDS matchups. 

National League

NL East - Philadelphia Phillies

NL Central - Milwaukee Brewers

NL West - Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Wild Card Teams - San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves & New York Mets

This is the Phillies' third consecutive post-season appearance under manager Rob Thomson, but their first NL East title since 2011. Meanwhile, the Brewers have earned back-to-back NL Central titles and three division crowns in the past four seasons. However, it is the first title under new skipper Pat Murphy after Craig Counsell jumped ship to the Chicago Cubs in the off-season. The Dodgers continue to win division titles with or without Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have won 12 NL West titles in the past 13 seasons and also represents their 9th consecutive post-season appearance under skipper Dave Roberts. 

After a disappointing 2023, the San Diego Padres have returned to the post-season this time under manager Mike Shildt who was abruptly jilted by the St. Louis Cardinals following the 2021 season after making three consecutive post-season appearances in four years. Both the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves punched their way to the post-season today after splitting a doubleheader in Atlanta which was delayed as a result of Hurricane Helene. Unfortunately, this left the defending NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks as the odd team out. It is the Braves 7th consecutive post-season appearance under manager Brian Snitker although the first time they haven't won the division since 2017. Like the Padres, the Mets had a disappointing 2023 season but rebounded this year under new skipper Carlos Mendoza. 

The Phillies and Dodgers have earned byes. The NL Wild Card matchups will see Brew Crew host the Mets while the Padres host the Braves. The winner of the Brewers-Mets matchup will face the Phillies while the winner of the Padres-Braves matchup will face the Dodgers in the NLDS matchups. 

Finally, let's take a look at some potential World Series rematches with the year the two teams last faced each other in brackets.

Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2022)

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves (2021)

Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2017)

Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets (2015)

New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2009)

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets (2000)

New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves (1999)

New York Yankees vs. San Diego Padres (1998)

Cleveland Indians vs. Atlanta Braves (1995)

Detroit Tigers vs. San Diego Padres (1984)

Baltimore Orioles vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1983)

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (1981)

Kansas City Royals vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1980)

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Mets (1969)

Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (1966)

Cleveland Indians vs. Brooklyn Robins (1920)

Of course, some of these matchups have occurred more than once all involving the Yankees. The Yankees have faced the Phillies twice (1950 and 2009), the Braves in the World Series four times (1957, 1958, 1996 and 1999), and the Dodgers 11 times (1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1978 and 1981). FOX must be salivating at the thought of a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. I think they will be considerably less enthusiastic about a first time matchup like the Tigers-Brewers although the Harris and Trump campaigns might like it because Michigan and Wisconsin are crucial swing states. 

Mind you, I don't think I'll watch any of it. But I'll keep my eye on proceedings from a distance and acknowledge them for posterity's sake.

Pete Rose is a Hall of Famer, Plaque or No Plaque

A short time ago, I learned that MLB's all-time hits leader Pete Rose passed away today at the age of 83. 

No cause of death has been released at this time.

His passing was announced on ESPN by Eduardo Perez whose father Tony Perez was Rose's longtime teammate with the Cincinnati Reds and later with the Philadelphia Phillies. The younger Perez was informed of the news by his father, and he confirmed it with Rose's son, Pete, Jr. 

In 23 MLB seasons with the Reds, Phillies and briefly with the Montreal Expos, Rose played more games, had more plate appearances, more at bats and more hits than any other player in MLB history. "Charlie Hustle" collected 200 or more hits ten times (leading the NL in hits seven times), won three NL batting titles, was named to 17 NL All-Star Teams and earned three World Series rings (two with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and one with the Phillies in 1980). Rose was also the only player in MLB history to collect at least 500 hits at five different positions - first base, second base, third base, left field and right field. 

Unfortunately, because Rose bet on baseball while managing the Reds during the late 1980's, he was banned from MLB and rendered ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Yet, following my visit to Cooperstown in 2012, I noted that Pete Rose is there if you look close enough:

I also didn’t realize that Pete Rose is in the Hall of Fame. Oh, you won’t find him in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery on the main floor. But you will find Charlie Hustle on the 3rd Floor where he is acknowledged as Major League Baseball’s all-time hit leader. Rose has also played more big league games than any other player who stepped onto the field. This fact is acknowledged with a cap he wore during his half-season with the Montreal Expos in 1984. Yet I am under no illusions that Rose will ever have a plaque on the main floor.

I don't think this state of affairs will ever change. If baseball is not prepared forgive "Shoeless" Joe Jackson of his transgressions more than a century after the fact, Charlie Hustle stands no chance. 

But in my book, and that of a lot of other baseball fans, Pete Rose is a Hall of Famer, plaque or no plaque. 

Lastly, on a personal note, Pete Rose came into the world on April 14, 1941 - the same day my Dad was born. 

As one might understand, I cannot help but think of Rose's passing without thinking of my father's mortality. Dad had a brush with death nearly a decade ago with his quadruple bypass and is making the most of his life. But I harbor no illusions that all things must come to an end. I can only hope that end doesn't come anytime soon.

With that, I wish my Dad an early L'Shana Tovah.

R.I.P. Charlie Hustle.

Walz Just Needs to be Himself in Tomorrow's VP Debate with Vance

 

In just over 24 hours from now, the VP debate between Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance will take place in New York City.

While I think that Walz's debate prep with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will be of help, I think Walz will be more than fine if he is just himself. And if people see fit to underestimate him then so much the better.

I don't question Vance's intellect, and I have no doubt he will be much more focused and disciplined than Trump. 

But Vance isn't going to be on stage to persuade the American people, he will be there to persuade Donald Trump.

If that is the case Vance is going to come across as the phony asshole he's been since hitching himself to the Trump train. Even if Walz comes across as less of a policy expert than Vance, he will come across as a warm, decent human being who cares about the well-being of people. This would hopefully go a long way with the independent voters who will likely decide this election. 

Marlins Part Ways with Schumaker But He Won't Be Unemployed for Long

 

After only two seasons at the helm of the Miami Marlins, Skip Schumaker has been dismissed as the team's manager.

Although Schumaker guided the Marlins to a post-season appearance a year ago earning him NL Manager of the Year honors, they regressed this year losing 100 games. 

However, the writing was on the wall for Schumaker as soon as Kim Ng abruptly exited as team president last October. Schumaker was not pleased with this development and the club subsequently removed his option to remain in the dugout in 2025. 

In the grand scheme of things leaving Miami will likely be a good thing for Schumaker because several teams are interested in his managerial services namely the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. 

There is one other potentially in the mix - the St. Louis Cardinals. OK, I'm aware the Redbirds are brining back Oli Marmol for 2025. But the Cardinals are a team in transition. John Mozeliak will be out as team President after next season and be replaced by former Boston Red Sox CEO Chaim Bloom who joined the Cardinals organization back in January.

In the event Schumaker doesn't have a big-league managerial job at the beginning of the 2025 season and the Cardinals struggle out of the gate don't be surprised if the team reaches out to Schumaker who spent 8 of his 11 big league seasons in a Redbirds uniform. Schumaker also played for two seasons with the Reds.

Whatever Schumaker's future holds he will be given another chance to manage a big league ballclub in the not-too-distant future.