Did anyone else stop getting emails or alerts from Substack when Joe posts? I haven’t gotten anything since 6/29 and I can’t see where any of my subscriptions or settings have been changed.
Joe I’m still waiting for you to post about those amazing scenes in Atlanta where the England fans adopted Michael Harris and serenaded him with the full suite of English football songs throughout and after the game
Isn’t that designed for your moments of joy project
Can we get both books? Kidding (sort of). Excited for this!
Is there a better spot to pre-order from? I always like supporting whatever local book store you highlight, but this link has mostly big online/box stores.
Love that Joe found room for a guy like Matt Alexander - who played a unique role very well on a team with a bunch of big personalities to win the World Series. And he seemed to play with joy - if I remember he would sometimes do this sort of backpedal / dance across home plate when scoring a big run. A pinch runner (mostly) with a 1.231 OPS with 16 runs, 13 for 14 in SB, and 7-13 at the plate in 1979. And I think scouted by Buck O’Neil?
Would love to see more of those kinds of guys in the game today and fewer middle relievers.
Pinch runners, defensive specialists, platoon bats ... the move from a 10-man staff (or sometimes as few as 8 for Earl Weaver!) to 12 or 13 has replaced position player optionality for one inning relievers with the accompanying shorter outing from starters. I can't say it has made the game objectively worse, but for my entertainment value, it has made it aesthetically worse.
My favorite was when the A's basically pinch hit for their 2Bmen all season rather than let them hit (1974?). We will never have that kind of managerial flexibility again. I would add to your comment that another way that it has "worsened" the game is that it put a premium on having utility players who can play multiple positions adequately rather than players who can specialize at doing one thing really, really well.
Perfectly said, dlf. I miss having more position players, less up-and-down movement in the minors, and fewer weirdos (on the position player side) makes the game aesthetically worse. I am quite certain that a Matt Alexander, Herb Washington - even a Lenny Harris or a Matt Stairs - could not REALLY have a Major League career at this point... all so we can have a parade of relievers whose names we never learn and who flame out after Tommy John within four years. It makes me a little sad. I really don't think a rule limiting the number of rostered pitchers would be a bad move. At some point, you have to do something to improve the game aesthetically, or the fans will leave... though I'm sure a bunch of middle relievers in the Union would strongly oppose such action. I would propose a gradual winding-down of the number of rostered pitchers: no more than 12 by 2028, down to 11 by 2030 (with different rules for the 40-man, obviously... but I haven't done the math on what the optimal number is). With 26-man rosters, having 15 position players and 11 pitchers "feels" right to me. But then my formative, teenage years watching baseball were like 1996-2006, in which those smaller staffs were just starting to expand. So I can understand someone who thinks we should force things down to 10 or even 9.
Just finished listening to Big Fan... I am indeed a big fan. What a glorious amount of fun to engage with all of those words and both of you this way. Like no book ever and such amazing stuff!
I don't hate O'Neill *just* because he was a Yankee. I also disliked him because of his approach. He engaged the game with his anger setting turned to 11 on the dial. I prefer players who remember that it is 'play ball' not 'work ball.'
he made a comeback in single A, carolina league. i was in law school in chapel hill and a bunch of us went to durham for the game, not knowing he was playing. we sang the song at the top of our lungs, over and over.. he kept looking at us, gave us the finger, and hit an epic HR that left all of durham athletic park. oh, to be young and drinking $1 schlitz malt liquors, 16 oz (bull, get it?) again.
He edged out Dave Stapleton for ROY honors....Stape hit over .320 but without much power or crazy charisma. Should've been at 1st base sox years later in Game 6 of the World Serious!!!
It’s a real shame that all the goodwill generated by the American people and small business was ruined by your inept, corrupt administration. It’s been an incredible World Cup, now that’s all we’ll remember.
"Go Joe Charboneau"---novelty song--is what I [tongue in cheek] listed as my favorite song in my 1986 hgh school yearbook profile. Looking forward to that part. And of course, The Bird! My bro has a new podcast on him---"The Bird: The Spirit of '76" that I think Pos readers will dig.
Thanks for the mention of the Fidrych podcast. It’s a great listen and I’ve already shared it with some of my friends who watched that magical ‘76 season with me.
And boy is this start of his a fun watch even now:
Did anyone else stop getting emails or alerts from Substack when Joe posts? I haven’t gotten anything since 6/29 and I can’t see where any of my subscriptions or settings have been changed.
I am deliriously excited about this book.
Congratulations!
May we preorder 50 Seasons from Rainy Day Books?
Joe I’m still waiting for you to post about those amazing scenes in Atlanta where the England fans adopted Michael Harris and serenaded him with the full suite of English football songs throughout and after the game
Isn’t that designed for your moments of joy project
Can we get both books? Kidding (sort of). Excited for this!
Is there a better spot to pre-order from? I always like supporting whatever local book store you highlight, but this link has mostly big online/box stores.
Mike O’Malley will always be “The Rick” to me.
Love that Joe found room for a guy like Matt Alexander - who played a unique role very well on a team with a bunch of big personalities to win the World Series. And he seemed to play with joy - if I remember he would sometimes do this sort of backpedal / dance across home plate when scoring a big run. A pinch runner (mostly) with a 1.231 OPS with 16 runs, 13 for 14 in SB, and 7-13 at the plate in 1979. And I think scouted by Buck O’Neil?
Would love to see more of those kinds of guys in the game today and fewer middle relievers.
Pinch runners, defensive specialists, platoon bats ... the move from a 10-man staff (or sometimes as few as 8 for Earl Weaver!) to 12 or 13 has replaced position player optionality for one inning relievers with the accompanying shorter outing from starters. I can't say it has made the game objectively worse, but for my entertainment value, it has made it aesthetically worse.
My favorite was when the A's basically pinch hit for their 2Bmen all season rather than let them hit (1974?). We will never have that kind of managerial flexibility again. I would add to your comment that another way that it has "worsened" the game is that it put a premium on having utility players who can play multiple positions adequately rather than players who can specialize at doing one thing really, really well.
Perfectly said, dlf. I miss having more position players, less up-and-down movement in the minors, and fewer weirdos (on the position player side) makes the game aesthetically worse. I am quite certain that a Matt Alexander, Herb Washington - even a Lenny Harris or a Matt Stairs - could not REALLY have a Major League career at this point... all so we can have a parade of relievers whose names we never learn and who flame out after Tommy John within four years. It makes me a little sad. I really don't think a rule limiting the number of rostered pitchers would be a bad move. At some point, you have to do something to improve the game aesthetically, or the fans will leave... though I'm sure a bunch of middle relievers in the Union would strongly oppose such action. I would propose a gradual winding-down of the number of rostered pitchers: no more than 12 by 2028, down to 11 by 2030 (with different rules for the 40-man, obviously... but I haven't done the math on what the optimal number is). With 26-man rosters, having 15 position players and 11 pitchers "feels" right to me. But then my formative, teenage years watching baseball were like 1996-2006, in which those smaller staffs were just starting to expand. So I can understand someone who thinks we should force things down to 10 or even 9.
Congrats! Very exciting!
Just finished listening to Big Fan... I am indeed a big fan. What a glorious amount of fun to engage with all of those words and both of you this way. Like no book ever and such amazing stuff!
Unrelated to anything, but...
I know Joe hates Paul O'Neill for being a Yankee. But it's World Cup time, and yesterday was the 27th anniversary of this play:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mIqBJqPV0o
And anything that combines baseball and soccer... it's gotta be good.
I don't hate O'Neill *just* because he was a Yankee. I also disliked him because of his approach. He engaged the game with his anger setting turned to 11 on the dial. I prefer players who remember that it is 'play ball' not 'work ball.'
But being a Yankee certainly didn't help!
Thank you Doctor!
Time passes & this play has slipped way back in my memory bank. It was great to read your reminder.
Bonus points for hitting the cutoff man.
Fittingly, after an intentional walk to the next hitter to load the bases, Steve Jeltz scored on a passed ball on the next pitch.
Bats: Left; Hits: Left; Kicks: Left
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/o'neipa01.shtml
And sadly it's the 37th anniversary
:D
Yes, that's how I found that! Hilarious.
Also: if you are a Poscast listener... it's been twenty-seven years. Like how the RePoscars counted. 27, and not one year more.
Hahahaha, yes, I missed the joke
If Matt "The Scat" is in, I'm in.
I do not remember any of Joe Charboneau’s stats but I’ll never forget that he could open a beer bottle with his eye socket.
he made a comeback in single A, carolina league. i was in law school in chapel hill and a bunch of us went to durham for the game, not knowing he was playing. we sang the song at the top of our lungs, over and over.. he kept looking at us, gave us the finger, and hit an epic HR that left all of durham athletic park. oh, to be young and drinking $1 schlitz malt liquors, 16 oz (bull, get it?) again.
He edged out Dave Stapleton for ROY honors....Stape hit over .320 but without much power or crazy charisma. Should've been at 1st base sox years later in Game 6 of the World Serious!!!
It’s a real shame that all the goodwill generated by the American people and small business was ruined by your inept, corrupt administration. It’s been an incredible World Cup, now that’s all we’ll remember.
We? You speak for yourself, Mark, and no one else.
"Go Joe Charboneau"---novelty song--is what I [tongue in cheek] listed as my favorite song in my 1986 hgh school yearbook profile. Looking forward to that part. And of course, The Bird! My bro has a new podcast on him---"The Bird: The Spirit of '76" that I think Pos readers will dig.
Thanks for the mention of the Fidrych podcast. It’s a great listen and I’ve already shared it with some of my friends who watched that magical ‘76 season with me.
And boy is this start of his a fun watch even now:
https://youtu.be/I6RuoLWxC_o?is=Qkis1GjH76Yu3d_T
Thanks, David! A labor of love for Andy! He's gotten some terrific Boston media coverage, including a column by Chad Finn in the Boston Globe.
I’ve really enjoyed the 3 episodes released so far. You know you are on to something good when you are eagerly awaiting the next episode!