Pat Burrell retires

"I don't really like it. I guess it rhymes." - on his "Pat the Bat" nickname

Mickey Harris

Born on today's date, Mickey Harris.

Think of the shadows in that place!

Branch Rickey

On this date in 1967, Branch Rickey is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"It occurred to me that if I let myself get trapped in a room with Rickey, there was a strong possibility that he would still have the players I wanted, as well as my promissory note, and I would end up with two guys I have never heard of." - Bill Veeck

Max Carey

On this date in 1961, Max Carey is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"Never run the bases with your head down. Keep your head up and see what is going on."

Roy Campanella

On this date in 1958, Roy Campanella suffers a broken neck in an auto accident which leaves him paralyzed for the rest of his life.

"People look at me and get the feeling that if a guy in a wheelchair can have such a good time, they can't be too bad after all."

Steve Sax

Born on today's date, Steve Sax.

"First I think, 'I hope they don't hit it to me!' Then I think, 'I hope they don't hit it to Sax!'" - Pedro Guerrero

Billy Evans

On this date in 1973, umpire Billy Evans is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"Don't work your thumb overtime, pointing the way to the clubhouse. Baseball is played on the field, not under the showers."

Sam Thompson

On this date in 1974, Sam Thompson is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"Thompson is from the rutty class of slugging batsmen, who think of nothing else when they go to the bat but that of gaining applause of the 'groundlings' by the novice's hit to the outfield for a 'homer', one of the least difficult hits known to hitting in baseball, as it needs only muscle and not brains to make it." - 1896 Spalding Guide

Curt Blefary

On this date in 2000, Curt Blefary passed away at age 57.

"I am a damn ballplayer. And I will go to my grave that way."

I would sue if I was Youkilis!

Or at the very least take it up with the Players Union!

You think the designers of that toy are saying, "Yes, we made a nice quality product."?

No way!

They are saying, "HA HA HA HA! Look what we did! Nothing he can do about it! Let's see what we can do with Jar Jar Binks next! Lovin' this job!"

They need to learn!

Jocko Conlan

On this date in 1974, umpire Jocko Conlan is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"No, I wanted to dedicate it to Bill Klem, the greatest umpire who ever lived. What the hell does my wife know about baseball?" - when asked if he was going to dedicate his autobiogrpahy to his wife

Miguel Cabrera

"Cabrera wants to play the field; when I asked him last week what he wanted to improve most this off-season, he said he has a goal of winning a Gold Glove." - Michael Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press

Personally, I am expecting more "goalie" than "third baseman" from him, but that's just me.

Bill White

Born on today's date, Bill White.

"Because (as a hitter), I liked to go out and get the ball, he said 'You can't do that on me'" - Bob Gibson advising that he pitches inside

Another reason baseball is better

Did you know that when they broke ground for the Astrodome they used guns?

EAT LEAD EARTH!