Speaking of mysteries ... today would have been the 91st birthday of the late Choo-Choo Coleman, author of perhaps the most beautifully magical play in the history of the Major Leagues, a rundown conducted between home plate and the dugout. From his SABR biography:
"Coleman’s signature play happened one day when he missed the tag on a runner trying to score. Since the runner also missed the plate the umpire made no call. Under 1962 rules, the run would count unless the Mets tagged the runner before the next pitch was thrown. By the time a teammate pointed this out to Coleman, the runner had retreated to the visitors’ dugout. Dutifully, the catcher took the ball trundled to the dugout intent on making the necessary tag.
It was a long way to the dugout in the Polo Grounds [the Mets’ home field]. By the time Coleman got there he could no longer remember who he was supposed to tag. No problem. He started down the bench tagging everyone wearing a uniform. The base runner figured out what was happening and, with nothing to lose, burst out of the dugout and made a mad dash for the plate. Coleman had to throw the ball to a teammate to complete the out.
That was probably the only time in baseball history that a rundown play occurred between home and the dugout."
Thank you for sharing. Visited Toledo & Madrid over the summer. Spain is an old and unique place in Europe. The crossroads of five entirely separate ancient cultures; Celts, Romans, Muslim, Hebrew and Christianity. Each with their own values, mysteries & myths. Each leaving fingerprints on Spain visible to this day. What a fantastic intersection to learn magic.
I don't know if this is a compliment or not, but to me, some of JoeP's best writing is in his obituaries. He consistently finds a way to capture something - ahem - magical and yet humanizing about his subjects be they sporting figures or not.
One never knows what 'magic' will show up in a JoeBlogs column. Thanks so much for opening up the world of Juan Tamariz, whom I had not heard of before, to me. I love The Seven Veils and will be thinking of them in my life and art, moving forward. Dan
Speaking of mysteries ... today would have been the 91st birthday of the late Choo-Choo Coleman, author of perhaps the most beautifully magical play in the history of the Major Leagues, a rundown conducted between home plate and the dugout. From his SABR biography:
"Coleman’s signature play happened one day when he missed the tag on a runner trying to score. Since the runner also missed the plate the umpire made no call. Under 1962 rules, the run would count unless the Mets tagged the runner before the next pitch was thrown. By the time a teammate pointed this out to Coleman, the runner had retreated to the visitors’ dugout. Dutifully, the catcher took the ball trundled to the dugout intent on making the necessary tag.
It was a long way to the dugout in the Polo Grounds [the Mets’ home field]. By the time Coleman got there he could no longer remember who he was supposed to tag. No problem. He started down the bench tagging everyone wearing a uniform. The base runner figured out what was happening and, with nothing to lose, burst out of the dugout and made a mad dash for the plate. Coleman had to throw the ball to a teammate to complete the out.
That was probably the only time in baseball history that a rundown play occurred between home and the dugout."
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Choo-Choo-Coleman/
The 7 mysteries of magic as explained by Joe and Juan could also be incorporated into what makes a good coach or teacher.
Moving and brilliant insights. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing. Visited Toledo & Madrid over the summer. Spain is an old and unique place in Europe. The crossroads of five entirely separate ancient cultures; Celts, Romans, Muslim, Hebrew and Christianity. Each with their own values, mysteries & myths. Each leaving fingerprints on Spain visible to this day. What a fantastic intersection to learn magic.
RIP to a legend, I hope Dani DaOrtiz is doing alright now, he was very close to Juan.
Pos stretching his "magic" writing muscles is always a joy. Challenge yourself young man.
I don't know if this is a compliment or not, but to me, some of JoeP's best writing is in his obituaries. He consistently finds a way to capture something - ahem - magical and yet humanizing about his subjects be they sporting figures or not.
One never knows what 'magic' will show up in a JoeBlogs column. Thanks so much for opening up the world of Juan Tamariz, whom I had not heard of before, to me. I love The Seven Veils and will be thinking of them in my life and art, moving forward. Dan