(06-23-2021, 01:35 PM)divmenow Wrote:Hard to predict five more high level seasons but JR was the real deal. A ton of complete games. Just fearless and pitching like tomorrow didn't matter. This time it didn't.(06-23-2021, 12:52 PM)Otter Wrote: Fenway is on my list. Have friends in Seattle, and have been meaning to catch a game at T-Mobile Park.
JR Richard was a little before my time, but my dad speaks fondly of him. He actually attended Colt .45s games before the renaming to the Astros. His original team was the Cardinals, as there were no Texas-based MLB franchises when he was growing up, and local radio carried Cardinals games.
The one guys who would have been a HOF if not for that horrific injury. He was fun to watch. Just like Kerry Wood. 2 careers that were cut short.
I also like the Toy Cannon Jimmy Wynn. And of course Bagwell and Biggio. The Killer B's were fun but we could never get past the Braves and that pitching staff with Smoltz, Glavin and Maddux lol
On a side note I did the math on one of the first ultra high dollar pitching contracts. Always thought Justin Verlander was a stud. He'd throw 120 competitive pitches when most were lucky to throw 95. Manager had to drag him off the mound even before he was making big bucks. I did the math on his first big contract. Assume he pitched spring training and game warmup for free. No kidding he made $5K per in game pitch on that contract. Intentional walk equals $20K lol. The contract was signed and he'd pitch 11 innings if you would let him. He really was a true competitor.
My first baseball heroes were Johnny Bench and Pete Rose. Pete played every inning with his hair on fire and it crushed my baseball soul when he messed up. I watched a lot of games in person. He was baseball done right on the field. I'll die wishing he had done things differently. Not that it matters but he was the first non HR hitter to be paid $100K for a season. He negotiated hard to get it and it sounds outrageous today. Back then they pimped their fame in the offseason for car dealerships to boost their annual wage. Things have changed for sure.