Thirteen Hornsby Chapter members gathered for lunch at Serranos Cocina y Cantina, one of the restaurants in the chapter’s regular restaurant rotation, on Saturday, February 22. A total of nine teams were represented via shirt and/or cap by the 13 attendees including the Braves, Phillies, Dodgers, Yankees, Diamondbacks, Mets and Indians from the Major Leagues, the Durham Bulls of the International League and Naranjeros de Hermosillo of the Mexican Pacific League. Conspicuously absent was any representation for the Houston Astros.
Discussions centered upon the upcoming season in which various individuals expressed optimism for their team, cautious optimism, pessimism or, in some cases as previously coined by member Tom Wancho, cautious pessimism.
Also discussed were the Astros’ ongoing sign stealing saga, the performance of Commissioner Rob Manfred in his handling of said saga, proposed playoff changes and on the bright side, Monte Cely discussed his recent trip to Puerto Rico for the Serie del Caribe or Caribbean Series. Winners of the Series this year was the Toros del Este, champions of the Dominican Winter League.
With the 2020 Major League Season around the corner and thus plenty to talk about the February Hornsby Chapter lunch meeting will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 12:30pm at Serranos-Mopac at 5030 Highway 290 West, Austin, TX 78735 (near intersection of MoPac & 290). Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Thirteen chapter members and guests celebrated SABR Day on Saturday with a hearty Italian lunch and plenty of baseball talk.
We discussed the election of Derek Jeter and Larry Walker to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and noted that our own Hall of Fame vote at our winter meeting two weeks ago perfectly matched that of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced last week.
From left, Tom Melecki, Jan Larson and Jerry Miller work on their trivia quizzes.
Another major topic was the continuing fallout from the Houston Astros cheating scandal, which, so far, has claimed the jobs of a general manager and three managers. Meanwhile, the Astros reportedly have cast a wide net in search of a replacement skipper.
Thanks to the Larry Dierker Chapter, we tried our hand at one of their trivia quizzes about home run leaders by letters of the alphabet. Jerry Miller dominated the quiz, scoring 79 points with Ira Siegel in second with 63 points. For their acumen, they were given a hearty handshake and congratulations.
Mike Dillon, right, and guest Joe Gallagher review their answers on the trivia quiz.
Among the Major League ballclubs represented were the Chicago White Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. We also had a Round Rock Express cap, an Arizona spring training shirt, a SABR 44 (Houston) shirt and an El Paso Chihuahuas cap. I paired a National Baseball Hall of Fame shirt with a Nippon Professional Baseball Seibu Lions ballcap.
The lunch was part of the 11th Annual SABR Day, a coordinated international event to celebrate the organization and baseball. You can read more about other SABR Day events at this link: https://sabr.org/sabrday
The next monthly meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Serranos (MoPac and 290) in Southwest Austin. We’ll make a call for RSVPs on the email list in mid-February.
As per our usual custom we will gather at the Macaroni Grill in the Arboretum in Austin to celebrate SABR Day on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Former White Sox player and Astros coach Deacon Jones (pictured above) and founding editor of ESPN Magazine Jon Pessah highlighted a robust day of baseball at the 14th annual Bill Gilbert Winter Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 11.
In addition, more than 30 attendees got an update on the
Rogers Hornsby Chapter’s BasebALZ, a baseball-themed therapy program for
Central Texas residents with early stage Alzheimer’s, and heard from Round Rock
Express General Manager Tim Jackson and broadcaster Mike Capps.
The group also heard presentations about competitive balance throughout professional baseball history, new baseball rules in the upcoming season, Chinese players in independent baseball striving to improve their country’s chances in international play, and an ongoing scavenger hunt related to a curious card signed by several baseball greats.
Thanks to Mike McCroskey of the Larry Dierker Chapter, our
winter meeting included Deacon Jones, who played for the Chicago White Sox in
the 1960s and later served as a coach for the Houston Astros (1976-82) and San
Diego Padres (1984-87). He’s currently special assistant to the president of
the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League.
Jones shared several stories about his baseball career,
including reflections on meeting his idol Jackie Robinson. As an 18-year-old,
he recalled how thrilled he was to work out with the Brooklyn Dodgers. On the
third and final day of the workout, Jones said that Robinson told him, “You’re
going to play in the big leagues someday.” He also credited Robinson with
encouraging him to go to college.
Jones also recalled a highlight from one spring training when Ted Williams said, “Young man, you have a good swing.” They talked hitting and Williams gently offered suggestions for improvement.
As a young boy, Gilbert Martinez began his life-long fandom of the Astros when his parents took him to the Astrodome in 1977. Martinez shared the photo album, which featured Deacon Jones as hitting coach, and asked for his signature.
In the afternoon, winter meeting coordinator Ryan Pollack
arranged a video conference with Jon Pessah, journalist and founding editor of
ESPN the Magazine. Author of “The Game: Inside the Secret World of Major League
Baseball’s Power Brokers,” Pessah shared stories about his interviews with
former baseball commissioner Bud Selig and union leader Donald Fehr. In a wide-ranging
interview, he talked about the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the steroids
era of baseball.
Author and founding editor of ESPN the Magazine Jon Pessah joined our winter meeting via FaceTime.
Pessah also talked about his upcoming book, “Yogi: A Life,” set to be published in April. When asked about Jackie Robinson’s steal of home in Game 1 of the 1955 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Yogi’s New York Yankees, Pessah said Yogi insisted that the safe call was wrong. In later years, whenever he saw Robinson, he would greet him simply with “out.”
Round Rock Express General Manager Tim Jackson.
Tim Jackson, general manager of the Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, discussed the ongoing negotiations between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball. While he said he agrees with some of MLB’s stated concerns about compensation for minor leaguers and the inadequate state of some minor league stadiums, Jackson said the negotiations and discussions with MLB have gotten tense and contentious ever since MLB floated a plan to eliminate 40 minor league clubs. Even though the Express isn’t one of the teams being considered for contraction, Jackson said he felt a responsibility to support the threatened clubs while also being a good partner with the Astros. During his talk, he made reference to this Baseball America article about Minor League Baseball’s response to the tension with MLB: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-baseball-issues-its-response-to-mlb-in-pba-spat/
The Voice of the Round Rock Express Mike Capps.
Longtime journalist and broadcaster Mike Capps gave his outlook for the Express and expects a highly competitive club with players that might soon make the big leagues.
Monte Cely dared to gaze into Rob Manfred’s crystal ball in his presentation about new baseball rules in the upcoming season.
Several Hornsby Chapter members contributed interesting presentations to fill out the program. Monte Cely updated the group about the new baseball rules and how they might impact the game. New rules to watch for in the upcoming season include expanding the active roster to 26 players; designating players as pitchers, position players or “two-way” players; and requiring relief pitchers to face at least three batters (or pitch to the end of the inning), unless an injury or incapacity occurs. In addition, Cely took a look at experimental rules in the independent league (such as the use of “robo-umps,” stealing first base and others) that may make it to the big leagues in the years to come.
Tom Thayer brought the math to examine competitive balance in baseball history.
Tom Thayer researched professional baseball history to examine the competitive balance of each season based on the total number of games teams were cumulatively over and under .500. He also considered whether attendance at games may have been related to competitive balance and found that, generally speaking, attendance tended to drop during noncompetitive seasons. He said competitive balance has ebbed and flowed through professional baseball and found that the most competitively balanced season occurred in 2006. In the three most recent seasons, the leagues have become less competitive, especially in 2019, with four teams winning more than 100 games (Astros, Dodgers, Twins and Yankees) and four teams losing more than 100 games (Marlins, Orioles, Royals and Tigers).
Peter Myers turned his Uncle Bob’s baseball memorabilia into a fun research project and scavenger hunt.
Peter Myers took a close look at Baseball Hall of Fame weekend in 1953, when Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons were inducted. His Uncle Bob worked at the Otesaga Hotel, the site of the Hall of Fame dinner, and took photos and secured signatures of most of the attendees on a hotel menu. Signatures on the menu include those of Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby and Connie Mack. There are other signatures Myers is investigating as he continues his research on the players who were at the dinner. Myers noted that his uncle, who gave him the photos and signature-filled menu, passed away last April.
Mike McNulty updated members about the chapter’s collaboration with Alzheimer’s Texas.
Mike McNulty shared an update on the Hornsby Chapter’s BasebALZ program, which kicked off its fifth year on Jan. 6 at Sun City Texas. This collaboration with Alzheimer’s Texas supports those with early stage Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. The program uses baseball memories to connect with these participants and talk about baseball players and seasons from early in their lives. McNulty noted that the group reached a milestone in April: they had their 100th meeting. He was also encouraged to see that BasebALZ is inspiring other SABR chapters to start their own programs, including the SABR Allan Roth Chapter in Los Angeles. McNulty also said that Jim Kenton, founder of the Hornsby Chapter’s BasebALZ program, promoted the program at the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball & American Culture last year.
Eric Robinson explained what brought Chinese baseball players to the independent-league Texas AirHogs.
Honorary Hornsby Chapter member Eric Robinson, who hails
from the Ernie Banks-Bobby Bragen DFW Chapter, told the story of the Chinese
baseball players who came to play for the Texas AirHogs of the American
Association of Independent Professional Baseball. With a three-year partnership
that began in 2018, the team includes Chinese players to help them improve
their baseball skills and contribute to Team China’s efforts in international
competition. Though the team has had a rough go in the early going, Robinson
noted it improved from year one to year two and expects that the players will
continue to improve this coming season. He said that China making the 2020
Summer Olympics is possible but unlikely, and with baseball academies getting
started in China, he thinks prospects and players from China reaching MLB are
on the horizon.
At the beginning of the meeting, we remembered and paid
tribute to Bill Gilbert, the founder of the Hornsby Chapter and the Dierker
Chapter in Houston, as well as the creator of the Hornsby Chapter’s first
winter meeting in 2005. Gilbert, who passed away in 2018, would’ve enjoyed the
broad diversity of baseball topics at this winter meeting.
Another tradition in our winter meetings is to take a stab
at the Hall of Fame ballot. We anoint ourselves as the Baseball Writers’
Association of America and vote our hearts’ desires. As a group, we have often
been less generous than the actual body of sports writers, so it’s always interesting
to see how we vote as a group and what it might portend for the HOF vote. The class
of 2020 is scheduled to be announced by the real BBWAA on Jan. 21.
Jan Larson, who prepares the ballot and counts votes with
Raeanne Martinez, announced our results. With 31 ballots, players needed 24
votes (or 75%) to trigger selection in our mock election. Only two achieved
that threshold – Derek Jeter with 93.5% and Larry Walker with 80.6%. In fact,
only three more players reached higher than 50%: Roger Clemens and Curt
Schilling tied at 61%, and Barry Bonds had 55%.
Many thanks to all the attendees and presenters at the
winter meeting.
Our next meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at
Romano’s Macaroni Grill (9828 Great Hills Trail at the Arboretum in Austin) to
celebrate SABR Day. A call for RSVPs will be forthcoming.
On Saturday, January 11th 2020 we’ll gather at Old Main Building on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos, TX for our 14th annual Winter Meeting, the second to be named in honor of chapter founder Bill Gilbert.
We cordially invite all SABR members and their guests to join us.
Keynote: Jon Pessah
Jon Pessah was a founding editor of ESPN the Magazine. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, managed the sports departments for Newsday and the Hartford Courant, and edited, wrote, and ran the investigative team for ESPN the Magazine.
Jon is the author of two baseball books:
The Game — an insider’s account of the run-up to 1994 player’s strike that cancelled the World Series and set the tone for future labor/owner relations in MLB. Featuring Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and current MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as well as a supporting cast of owners and players.
Featured Speakers: Tim Jackson & Mike Capps, Round Rock Express
Tim Jackson is the General Manager of the Round Rock Express. He joined the Express staff in March of 2010. He was promoted to General Manager in October 2015 after serving as assistant GM, baseball operations for one season. Tim oversees the day-to-day business and baseball operations of the team.
Mike Capps serves as the Director of Broadcasting for the Round Rock Express and has been the voice of the Express since day one. An author, reporter and T.V. anchor, Mike brings over 25 years of news experience to the Express. He has been broadcasting baseball for the last 19 years, including three major league games with ESPN Radio, one in 2005 and two in 1998.
Tim and Mike will discuss all things Astros, major and minor leagues, and provide commentary on the ongoing Professional Baseball Agreement negotiations.
Member Presentations
In addition to our keynote and featured speakers, our agenda includes the following:
Eric Robinson will talk about the Chinese national baseball team’s experience with the Texas AirHogs
Monte Cely will discuss the new rules that apply to the 2020 season
Tom Thayer will present on competitive balance throughout baseball history
Mike McNulty will update us on the BasebALZ group
Peter Myers will talk about the 1953 Hall of Fame Game
And as always we will have quizzes, trivia, mock HOF voting, a baseball book exchange, memorabilia show and tell, and more!
Remember to Bring
$12 cash for lunch from Which Which. Exact change is preferred. Checks are not accepted.
Any memorabilia you’d like to share or discuss. We’ll have a table for display and have scheduled time for people to present their items to the group.
Any baseball-related books you’d like to exchange.
Timeframe
We plan to begin at 9:30 AM and envision ending around 4:30 PM. There will be a 45-minute break for lunch as well as a 15-minute afternoon break.
Directions
From I-35, take exit 206 (Aquarena Springs Dr.)
Travel west on Aquarena Springs Drive, which turns into University Drive.
After crossing the San Marcos River, you will come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Sessom Drive.
Just before the first light, turn left on State Street and go up a steep road toward Old Main.
Go through a gate (the gate should be up) and continue up the hill.
At the top of the hill, make a sharp left turn and drive up to Old Main.
Look for parking on this road that winds around the side and back of Old Main.
You can find additional parking at the Pleasant Street Garage, located at the corner of N. LBJ and Pleasant Street. To reach this garage, after you pass through the gate, continue up the hill, then down the hill to the stop sign on Pleasant Street. Turn left; the entrance to the parking garage will be on your left.
You do not need a parking pass to park on campus – however, do not park in spaces not marked as parking spaces or in handicapped parking (unless you have the appropriate tag displayed). The meeting room is on the third floor in Room 320. There is an elevator on the first floor, or you can take the stairs.
Fourteen chapter members and guests enjoyed delicious baked goods from Linda and Monte Cely with healthy side portions of barbecue and hot stove topics on Sunday.
As has become a holiday tradition anticipated all year, the
Celys brought platters of cookies and treats to share with the group. They also
brought holiday baggies so that we could each take an assortment of goodies home
with us. Many thanks to Linda and Monte!
One of the main topics of discussion that day was the reported
trade of two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians to the
Texas Rangers. When Tribe fan Tom M. joined us for lunch, we didn’t know if he
had heard the morning news and were hesitant to share it with him. He revealed that
he had heard and said, dejectedly, that he half-jokingly hoped that the owner’s
next move isn’t to move the team. Several of us thought that the Rangers picked
up a quality arm for relatively little. Time will tell.
We also talked about the commissioner’s office’s ongoing investigation of the Houston Astros and the alleged use of live cameras to steal signs in 2017 and beyond. Many of us agreed that the charges – if true – do considerable damage to the Astros and their remarkable run the last three seasons. Some of us expect that fines imposed on the team and suspensions in the Astros’ front office are the likely outcomes.
Perhaps in relation to the investigation, this was the first
meeting in recent memory in which Astros gear – a cap, shirt, etc. – was not
represented among the monthly meeting participants. Instead, we saw gear
representing the Nationals, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Indians and Rangers.
Also represented were the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St.
Louis Cardinals, Shea Stadium, George Washington University and UCLA’s baseball
national championship in 2013. Jerry paired the UCLA shirt with a cool Santa
ballcap. I wore a Seibu Lions ballcap and a Japan World Baseball Classic
champions shirt from 2006.
We also discussed Gerrit Cole’s record-breaking deal with the Yankees, making them the early favorites for next season.
This was our 157th consecutive month with a meeting, a streak
that started this month 13 years ago.
We hope you join us for next month’s Bill
Gilbert Winter Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Texas State University.
More information to come. In the meantime, best wishes for a great holiday and
New Year!
The December meeting of the Rogers Hornsby Chapter will be held at the birthplace of the Chapter – the County Line BBQ located at 5204 Ranch Road 2222 in Austin (a short distance east of Hwy 360 on 2222) at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 15. Linda Cely will be bringing her annual holiday treats so combined with the BBQ, attendees are encouraged to arrive hungry. Members, guests and baseball fans in general are welcome to attend.
A wide range of baseball teams and players were represented at the November chapter meeting yesterday, from the suddenly suspect Astros to Rangers, Dodgers, Indians and San Antonio Missions.
We also saw Josh Gibson’s No. 20 jersey for the Washington Homestead Grays, sported by Jerry. Monte wore the jersey and cap for Cardenales de Lara of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. I wore a shirt featuring Ichiro Suzuki.
A dozen chapter members and guests enjoyed a Tex-Mex lunch in southwest Austin. It was the 156th consecutive month with a meeting for the chapter. We also welcomed Chuck, a Rangers fan, to the lunch. He’s a friend and a former coworker of Tom Wancho.
Topics during the lunch included the MLB awards announced earlier in the week. We also discussed the runner interference call in World Series Game 6 that loomed large at the time but probably did not change the outcome of the series. Some of us thought that the interference call was the correct call but wondered if MLB might review this rule in the off-season.
We also considered new rules for next season, including the 26-man roster through most of the season (expands to 28 in September). We also talked about the new rule requiring relief pitchers to face at least three batters or pitch to the end of an inning.
Mark your calendars for the December chapter meeting, which will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at County Line on the Lake (FM 2222 and Loop 360). Linda Cely plans to bring her annual holiday treats, so bring your appetites!
With the 2019 Major League season now in the books, the November Hornsby Chapter lunch meeting will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 12:30pm at Serranos-Mopac at 5030 Highway 290 West, Austin, TX 78735 (near intersection of MoPac & 290). Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
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