Baseball is an incredible game
In their first home game since Tyler Skaggs' passing, the @Angels pay tribute to their teammate and friend. ❤ pic.twitter.com/8PniYKPjEn
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2019
On the night the @angels honoured the late Tyler Skaggs, Felix Pena and Taylor Cole combined to throw a no-hitter vs the @Mariners 😢
What a moment 👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/0juy4Q4Zsz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 13, 2019
45 and 45 combine for a no-hitter! pic.twitter.com/5er00MEjkD
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 13, 2019
UNBELIEVABLE.
In their first home game since Tyler Skaggs’ passing, the @Angels throw a combined no-hitter. pic.twitter.com/92aJIfC1S8
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2019
"We're going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going."
The Angels have offered numerous tributes to Tyler Skaggs tonight.https://t.co/wKGeZyEuo0
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) July 13, 2019
An incredible scene. pic.twitter.com/aBmIzVEfW1
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 13, 2019
For #45. pic.twitter.com/RkWyUIehj7
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 13, 2019
Los Angeles #Angels #45 throws no-hitter on night to honor Tyler Skaggs #RIP45 #WereNasty https://t.co/ZJtpQ88I15
— LA Angels Baseball News (@LAAngelsBB) July 13, 2019
On the night the entire roster wore 45 in honor of Tyler Skaggs, The Angels have thrown a combined no hitter. pic.twitter.com/KhE5rGO2EM
— ATS Sports (@AroundTheShowSp) July 13, 2019
Here's video of the moment (via @FoxSportsWest).pic.twitter.com/Y1bmpdkhmL
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) July 13, 2019
Absolutely incredible!! It is bigger than baseball. Meant to be. #skaggs45 #nohitter @Angels
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 13, 2019
That has to be the coolest thing I have ever, ever witnessed. Wow #45 #MoreThanAGame @MLB
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@LMcCullers43) July 13, 2019
Wow! Goosebumps! 👼 #45
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) July 13, 2019
Chills. For #45
— Tony Kemp (@tonykemp) July 13, 2019
For you #45
— Machete Maldonado (@Machete1224) July 13, 2019
#45
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) July 13, 2019
Amazing #45
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) July 13, 2019
Tonight's performance by the @Angels is another reason why, for 53 years now, the game of baseball has been my favorite sport. #TylerSkaggs shine brightly down on his family, teammates and fans.
— #1 Bill Freehan Fan. 🐯⚾️ John B. Sharp (@freehan11) July 13, 2019
An impossible tribute. Sometimes things are beyond comprehension and tonight is one of those things. Unbelievable. I'll never forget this baseball moment in the memory of Tyler Skaggs. https://t.co/HZDXwmnu6L
— Scott Heathcoat (@SHeathcoat) July 13, 2019
The Angels throwing a no hitter while honoring Tyler Skaggs on the day before what would’ve been his 28th birthday might be one of the most amazing/special things I have ever and will ever see in sports. Incredible. #RIP45
— Chris Manahan (@___cheeze____) July 13, 2019
so much love for tyler skaggs. And for trout and the entire angels org. I hope you and everyone who has lost someone gets to feel the love from that person everyday. i hope you feel it every single day
— katie tamola (@ktammm) July 13, 2019
Tyler Skaggs #45 was a baseball pitcher for the @Angels Today the Angels wore 45. The Angels scored 7 times in the first inning. Mike Trout hit a 454 foot home run. The Angels pitched a combined no hitter. The Angels won 13-0. The Angels all left their jerseys on the mound. pic.twitter.com/9Qm4IliY9i
— Michael O'Neill (@moneill2072) July 13, 2019
Just witnessed this combined no hitter by the Angels in person…and they were all wearing Tyler Skaggs #45 jerseys. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/z6UqCD4oZ8
— Andrew Jones (@Andrew_jones_19) July 13, 2019
All the love to Tyler Skaggs ❤️ #TheHaloWay #RIP45 pic.twitter.com/dehKY25fA6
— Nitrogen Sports (@NitrogenSports) July 13, 2019
Fun Cards: 1982 Fleer Mike Trout
Today is a league-wide day off in baseball. I wonder how many ballplayers are going fishing? I listened to the Baseball Beyond Batting Average Podcast over the weekend*, and the ‘casters made reference to a few players with fishy names. That got me to wondering if I could fill a team of players with fish-themed names. Sure enough, I came up with quite a roster that includes Hall of Famers, All-Stars, Gold Glovers, Silver Sluggers, Most Valuable Players, and even a Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately, I don’t have any lefties in the bullpen.
Without further ado, here’s the fishiest team in major league history, complete with WAR and honors.
1B: Sid Bream 11.1 — No All-Star teams, but you remember the slide, right?
George “Catfish” Metkovich 4.9
2B: Johnny “Crab” Evers 47.7, MVP, HOF — Gonzalez-to-Evers-to-Chance doesn’t have quite the ring as the traditional Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance, does it?
Johnny Ray 24.2
Bob Fisher 6.8
3B: Melvin Mora 28.3, 2xAS, SS
Matt “Carp” Carpenter 26.2, 3xAS, SS — Is “Carp” really a nickname?
SS: Alex “Sea Bass” Gonzalez 9.2, 1xAS — I’ve never heard him called “Sea Bass,” but it’s on his Baseball-Reference page!
Bobby Sturgeon 1.3
LF: Jesse “Crab” Burkett 59.6, HOF
Ralph Garr 14.8 1xAS
Mike Carp 1.6
Showboat Fisher 1.4 — Low WAR, but what a name!
CF: Mike Trout 70.1, 8xAS, 2xMVP, ROY, 6xSS — Three Hall of Famers on the team, but this guy is by far the best and he’s not even done playing.
A.J. Pollock 19.5, 1xAS, GG
Lip Pike 14.3 — Could double as the team’s manager.
Snapper Kennedy -0.1
RF: Tim Salmon 40.6, ROY, SS — Never made an All-Star team. Unbelievable.
Oscar Gamble 22.9 — The ‘fro.
Kevin Bass 14.8, 1xAS
Oscar Mercado 0.8 — He’s the “Rated Rookie” of the bunch, the youngster is batting .281 in his first season with the Indians.
C: Oscar Stanage 4.0 — Catcher is truly the weakest position.
Ed Whiting 2.7
Hank Conger 2.1
Gus Fisher 0.4
RHP: Dizzy Trout 49.6, 2xAS
Jim “Catfish” Hunter 40.9, 8xAS, CY, HOF — If he didn’t already have a plaque in Cooperstown, I’m not positive I would support his induction. But I don’t go against the voters very often.
Ray Fisher 20.8
Cherokee Fisher 15.5
Jeff “Shark” Samardzija 12.6, 1xAS
George Haddock 9.9
Jack Fisher 4.4
LHP: Steve “Rainbow” Trout 13.3
Robbie Ray 8.9, 1xAS
Roger Salmon -0.4
RP: Eddie Fisher 10.1, 1xAS — He had a very good year in 1965 and finished 4th in AL MVP voting. Probably didn’t deserve quite that much support, though.
Art Herring 3.2
Brian Fisher 0.8
Brad Salmon 0.3
Anthony Bass 0.0
Down on the farm: Zander Clarke (1B, LF) — Currently in the Giants’ organization. He attended UCLA.
Zander Wiel (1B, LF) — A product of Vanderbilt, Wiel was a 12th round pick for the Twins and is currently in Rochester with the AAA Red Wings. He has a bit of pop in his bat; I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in Minnesota next year.
* If you don’t listen to the Baseball Beyond Batting Average Podcast, you’re missing out. A lot of great, entertaining baseball talk. They are currently doing some team “Mount Rushmore” themed shows, which is really fun to think about. The show is available on just about every podcast app, so search in whichever player you use.
Random Awesomeness (part 2019.13)
- PC Holy Grail Alert! When you find a card with a piece of your childhood inside it! [TanManBaseballFan.com]
- 1987 All Star Game Honorary Captains: Catfish Hunter & Billy Williams [Cards That Never Were]
- Respect for ’74 [Night Owl Cards]
- Vintage Base Ball [n j w v]
- The 80 Greatest Movies of the ’80s [Consequence of Sound]
- very rare 35mm scan of the original teaser trailer for THE GOONIES [Annapurna Pictures on Twitter]
- Literary Book Title Generator [Writers Write]
Purchase the soundtrack for Yesterday
featuring a bunch of Beatles songs performed by Himesh Patel!
Fun Cards: 1990 Topps All-Star Jack Armstrong
I love the All-Star Game. To see the game’s brightest stars and the surprising stars and the soon-to-be has-beens all together on the field, it is one of the greatest spectacles in all of baseball.
My beloved Cincinnati Reds (who are absolutely killing me this year and I refuse to even wear my Reds hat until they get back to at least .500) have two All-Stars on the roster this year, pitchers Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray. I am of the opinion that Castillo should be starting the game, but that honor is going to Dodgers hurler Hyun-Jin Ryu tomorrow night. I hope that Castillo and Gray see some time on the mound, especially since the game is again simply an exhibition and not the decider of home-field advantage for the World Series.
The Reds have had a number of pitchers on All-Star rosters through the years, but it has been 29 years since a Reds pitcher started the game. Not Jose Rijo or Tom Browning or Danny Jackson, but Jack Armstrong was the starting pitcher for the 1990 National League All-Stars at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Armstrong had an insane first half with 11 victories and a 2.28 ERA.
He finished the year with 12 wins.
You read that right. In the second half of 1990, the All-Star starter won only one more game.
1990 was Armstrong’s only winning season, and his only full season with an ERA lower than 4.00. He finished his career with only 40 wins and a 4.58 ERA. But in the first half of 1990, he was one of the baseball’s top pitchers.
For more 1990 Topps All-Star goodness (or nonsense, if that is your opinion of the design), check out the latest post on The List of Fisk.
Goodbye, Jared Lorenzen
(February 14, 1981 – July 3, 2019)
Former University of Kentucky and New York Giants quarterback Jared Lorenzen passed away today from an acute infection complicated by heart and kidney problems. He was 38. He was also a graduate of Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, a few years after me. The card above was created by TWJ contributor Patrick several years ago.
Our hearts our heavy with the news of the passing of Jared Lorenzen. pic.twitter.com/rqIHrTKAQI
— Fort Thomas Schools (@FTSchools) July 3, 2019
Statement from #NYGiants:
Jared was a special person, and a beloved Giant. He was an important member of our 2007 team, one that created its own destiny. Our thoughts are with Jared’s family and friends who loved and appreciated him so much, just as our organization and fans did. pic.twitter.com/z6TLw8WeO2— New York Giants (@Giants) July 3, 2019
“Jared was a great teammate and friend. We competed against each other in college and came to the Giants together. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will always remember his competitive spirit and his good nature. Jared has left us all way too soon.”
-Eli Manning pic.twitter.com/OdgZYZ4xvL— New York Giants (@Giants) July 3, 2019
Tom Coughlin on Jared Lorenzen (1/2): "I’m shocked to learn of Jared’s passing. Jared had a fun-loving, yet serious attitude. He was a good athlete, he had touch and versatility, and he was serious about trying to get his weight under control… pic.twitter.com/FxBCre6K8Y
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 3, 2019
Coughlin (2/2): "Jared got along well with his teammates, and he contributed a lot in his hometown. He worked with young kids in teaching them the game of football. My thoughts are with Jared’s family and the Giants family. It’s sad to lose a kid who tried so hard to play again." pic.twitter.com/AcRhnMaj5a
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 3, 2019
We lost a great one too soon today. Our hearts are with the Lorenzen family.
We love you, 22. pic.twitter.com/btPrpk8knO
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 3, 2019
Thanks for the memories, J Lo. #22 pic.twitter.com/5gmEe3Bq4p
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 3, 2019
Man. RIP Jared Lorenzen. One of the most unique and kind-hearted teammates I ever had. Very very sad to see you go.
— Jacob Tamme (@JacobTamme) July 3, 2019
Rest in Peace to a college legend.
Jared Lorenzen was a baller. pic.twitter.com/iHpnv2B9ER
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 3, 2019
Former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen has died at the age of 38. pic.twitter.com/XM68HKQsph
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 3, 2019
I had crummy camera equipment during his time at UK. But I always liked this one of Jared Lorenzen watching Artose Pinner cross the goal line, circa 2001. pic.twitter.com/obOTzZkMjz
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) July 3, 2019
Here is a statement from the family of Jared Lorenzen pic.twitter.com/vTJn2gdNU5
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) July 3, 2019
In his senior season (‘98) at Highlands, Jared Lorenzen completed one of the greatest seasons of any QB to have ever played in Kentucky.
🏈3,392 Passing Yards
🏈904 Rushing Yards
🏈45 Passing TD
🏈15 Rushing TD
🏈15-0 Perfect Season
🏈1998 Mr. Football— KY HIGH FOOTBALL 🏈 (@KYHighFootball) July 3, 2019
Fun Cards: 1988 All-Star Managers
Tom Kelly and Whitey Herzog led their teams to the World Series in 1987, but 1988 was not as kind to either manager. Kelly did get mentioned in the AL Manager of the Year voting, but the Cardinals’ 5th place finish in 1988 ensured that Herzog would be ignored at the end of the season. Kelly was at the beginning of his managerial career; he stayed with the Twins through the end of the 2001 season. Herzog was nearing the end in 1988; he was dismissed after 80 games in 1990 and never managed in the big leagues again.
I have enjoyed making these “fun cards” and researching the players that appeared in the 1988 All-Star Game, one of the first I remember and one of the most fun because of how close it was to me.
Fun Cards: 1988 National League All-Star Pitchers
The National League was absolutely loaded with starting pitchers in 1988. At the end of the year, it was a three-man race for the Cy Young Award, but at mid-season the field was wide open. Dwight Gooden got the starting nod. You would not have convinced me in 1988 that he would never be on another All-Star team.
Next up was Houston’s Bob Knepper, the only Astro on the team. I shook his hand during the All-Star workout the night before. I didn’t have anything to get signed with me, and he was the only one that acknowledged my existence.
David Cone is another one of the borderline Hall of Fame cases. I wouldn’t vote for him, but there are a lot of Coneheads who believe he was snubbed by the voters.
I never would have guessed that Kevin Gross was an All-Star. He did have 10 wins at the break, though, and 2.47 is a pretty good ERA. He just doesn’t register as an All-Star in my brain.
Mark Davis got a hefty raise after his 1989 Cy Young season, but he never pitched like he did in 1988 and 1989 again.
As names go, “Walk” may be one of the worst for a pitcher. “Homer” beats it, but “Walk” is not far behind. Fortunately, Bob Walk never appeared in the top ten for walks.
Orel Hershiser spent 18 years in the majors, winning 204 games for the Dodgers, Indians, Mets, and Giants. 1988 was his greatest season, winning the Cy Young Award, the NLCS MVP, and the World Series MVP.
Just as Tom Kelly chose his closer for the American League roster, Whitey Herzog named his closer Todd Worrell to the National League team. Worrel actually got into the game and retired the side in the top of the 9th: George Brett, Cal Ripken Jr., and Don Mattingly.
Greg Maddux made his first of eight All-Star teams in 1988, but didn’t pitch in the game. Am I the only one who thinks eight is way too low of a number for one of the greatest pitchers ever?
Danny Jackson was one of three Reds on the roster, but didn’t get to play in the game. There should be a rule that all players from the host city get to play. Jackson only made one more All-Star roster; while with the Phillies in 1994, he faced Scott Cooper, Kenny Lofton, and Will Clark without getting an out. He allowed two inherited runners and one of his own to score.
Thirty-five Years Ago Today: Dio avoids the “sophomore slump”
In 1983, Ronnie James Dio released an epic debut album called Holy Diver. In 1984, he recorded with the same core lineup of Vivian Campbell, Jimmy Bain, and Vinny Appice, adding keyboardist Claude Schnell to the mix, and unleashed The Last In Line. The album reached #23 on the Billboard 200 charts, and three singles—“Mystery,” “We Rock,” and the title track—received a lot of attention from rock radio stations in the United States. The album was certified platinum in 1987.
Campbell, Bain, Schnell, and Appice used the name of this album to form a new band in 2012, teaming up with vocalist Andrew Freeman to perform Dio classics and write new material. The group has released two albums so far, Heavy Crown in 2016 and II in 2019. Sadly, Bain passed away in 2016; Phil Soussan took over bass guitar duties.
Goodbye, Tyler Skaggs
(July 13, 1991 – July 1, 2019)
Tyler Skaggs passed away in his hotel room in Texas this morning. Police are investigating but report that foul play is not suspected. Skaggs began his major league career with the Diamondbacks before joining the Angels after the 2013 season via the Dan Haren trade.
Several teams and players have posted condolences and memories on Twitter.
Angels statement on the passing of Tyler Skaggs. pic.twitter.com/6XA2Vu1uWV
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 1, 2019
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 1, 2019
Rest in peace, Tyler. You will be missed dearly. pic.twitter.com/4DDTMZssNo
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 1, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that Tyler Skaggs, 27, passed away this morning. https://t.co/q150hyH01J pic.twitter.com/y1X5ctlWDl
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2019
We are shocked and saddened by the passing of @Angels and @Dbacks pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/jectqKShJA
— MLBPAA (@MLBPAA) July 1, 2019
We join the baseball world in mourning the passing of Tyler Skaggs. pic.twitter.com/2gsMbpOcZ5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 1, 2019
We came up together. We won together. We laughed and celebrated together. Today, we all lose and mourn together. Your memory, your love for life, everything that made you, you, will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew you. Rest In Peace brother. We love you. pic.twitter.com/n30eXspS4N
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) July 1, 2019
I am devastated about the passing of my close friend @TylerSkaggs37… what a great kid and ultimate competitor. He always wanted to get better and it was awesome being apart of his development! My heart is w his wife Carli and his mom Debbie 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Jered Weaver (@Weave1036) July 1, 2019
I just had lunch with Tyler a couple weeks ago. We talked pitching, life. He was so excited about the season. Absolutely gutted. I’m sick
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) July 1, 2019
My thoughts are with Tyler Skaggs’ loves ones. I have no words. I’m so sorry. Rest In Peace brother.
— Trevor “IamTrevorMay” May (@IamTrevorMay) July 1, 2019
Truly cannot believe this is real. Thoughts and prayers with his family, the Angels and all my former teammates. https://t.co/4RsRpWv3Am
— Chris Iannetta (@Chris_Iannetta) July 1, 2019
Big blow to the baseball community. All the prayers to his family and friends. RIP Tyler 🙏🏼 https://t.co/aHwq7lxrAy
— Ryon Healy (@rchealy25) July 1, 2019
Prayers go out to the family of @Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs.
Gone way too soon. #RIP https://t.co/rkEMcF9oRF— Rex Hudler (@RexHudler1) July 1, 2019
This sucks. Just a huge gut punch. RIP, my friend. https://t.co/QagLkNhQ59
— Brad Ziegler (@BradZiegler) July 1, 2019
So sad, so young. RIP lefty https://t.co/9DonGGTnZW
— greg swindell (@GregSwindell) July 1, 2019
Fun Cards: 1988 American League All-Star Pitchers
“Sweet Music” Frank Viola was 14-2 at the All-Star break in 1988, making him the easy choice to start the game for the American League. He pitched two innings and earned the victory.
“The Rocket” Roger Clemens was next up for the AL, and retired all three batters he faced.
Mark Gubicza was the first American League pitcher to enter the game that didn’t have a cool nickname. He was also the first (and only) to let the National League score; Vince Coleman came home on a wild pitch in the 4th.
Should Dave Stieb be in the Hall of Fame? I think not, but there are a lot of Stieb stumpers out there. He appeared in seven ASGs in his career, but only tallied 176 victories over 16 seasons.
Jeff Russell was the “player to be named later” in the 1985 Reds-Rangers trade that saw Buddy Bell come to Cincinnati.
Doug Jones had a breakout season in 1988; it was the first of five seasons in which he saved at least 30 games, and his first of five All-Star Games.
When I started collecting baseball cards, Dan Plesac seemed to be in every discount store box set. He had a solid 18-year career, but nothing that would have warranted his inclusion in so many “Young Superstar” and “Hottest Players”-type sets.
Dennis Eckersley was the only Hall of Fame pitcher on the American League roster. Of course, Clemens would have been enshrined long ago if he hadn’t derailed his chances by getting caught using performance enhancers.
Two pitchers were on the American League roster but didn’t get into the game. The first is the manager’s own closer, Jeff Reardon. I wonder if players get mad when they don’t get to play, or if the experience of being there is enough.
Doyle Alexander started his big league career in 1971 and was named an All-Star for the first time in 1988. He did not get an opportunity to take the mound.
