OT: Couple of local kids leading their teams in post season

[tbob]

Benton, Arkansas and North Little Rock, Arkansas are the homes of Cliff Lee and AJ Burnett. Both pitchers are doing extremely well in the postseason and are leading to a lot of state pride as we watch them. In compiling an all time Arkansas list from Lou Brock to Bill Dickey to George Kell to Brooks Robinson etc. the one position that has come up a little short is on the mound. Sure we have Dizzy Dean but no other HOFs despite some pretty good pitchers like Johnny Sain, Preacher Roe, Ellis Kinder, Lon Warneke, etc.
Nice to see some local kids doing well.

[Scott L.]

I like to call him Cy Lee here in Philly. My god can that kid pitch! I am hopeful that we can keep him beyond next year but I'm not optimistic. The Phillies are reluctant to give pitchers deals beyond 3 years and Cliff will no doubt get paid. Hopefully he enjoys his time here and that plays into it.

PS. I was at the game last night and I doubt I'll ever be at a more exciting game, just incredible.

[tedzan]

Leaving the National this summer, I got a cab to the airport. The cab driver asked me where I was heading ?
I told him back to Pennsylvania. He asked me if I root for the Phillies and I said....yes.
Well, he said...."this is your lucky day....we (Cleveland) just handed you the NL pennant."

"How's that ?"....I asked him. He replied, "Cliff Lee", and he couldn't say enough good things about Lee.

My 1st thoughts were....how will he do in the NL ? Well, Cliff has lived up to all the expectations that my
astute cab driver, that day in August, said he would.

Thanks, Arkansas


TED Z

[Dustanh1]

While I did not grow up in the town in which I currently reside, I am about a 45 second drive from JA Happ's high school. Although I'm not a Phillies fan, it is pretty nice to see him doing so well.

[Orioles1954]

TBOB,

I think we call now call Cliff Lee as the "greatest Razorback ever". For such a small southern state, Arkansas has produced some great talent. Don't forget that Torii Hunter of Pine Bluff is also in the ALCS. Some other talent Arkansans ommitted from your list is Sherm Lollar, Travis Jackson and Floyd "Arky" Vaughan. Unfortunately, my birthplace of Jacksonville has only produced a Football HOFer in Dan Hampton.

Wooo Pig Sooiee Razorback!

James

[tbob]

Hi James! Don't forget pre-war guys like Aaron Ward of the NY Highlanders and Yankees, Detroit's Boss Schmidt of Coal Hill, Arkansas and lots of more recent players like Rick Monday, Sherm Lollar, Wally Moon, Don Kessinger, Alex Johnson, Tommy McCraw, Ellis Valentine, Kevin McReynolds, etc.

[vintagebaseball]

Being that my Alma Mater is the Razorbacks it makes me proud for the state to be represented in the way that Lee is playing and also the fact I was born in the same home town of Benton as Lee. Also lets not forget Scottie Pippen and Corliss Williamson. I will second you James in saying
Wooo Pig Sooiee Razorbacks!