Change of decades

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Robextend

Rob, who was a bigger star on your Diablos team...Sheffield or Greg Vaughn?

Rob,

That's a question I used to get asked a lot. I think the majority opinion was Sheffield, based simply on raw ability. They both had strong seasons, and without looking it up, my sense is that Vaughn probably had better numbers that year. But Sheffield had more tools. Vaughn, with that long swing he had, benefited greatly from playing in the Texas League's Western Division, which had the best hitter's parks (by far). To his credit, he made the necessary adjustments as he rose up the ladder and ended up having some great seasons in the majors.

As a side note, I always thought Vaughn begrudged all of the publicity that Sheffield received, and honestly, he couldn't be blamed for that.

[Robextend]

That's very interesting; Vaughn and Sheff were close:

Vaughn hit 28HR and batted 301 in 505abs

Sheffield hit 19HR and batted 314 in 296abs

This is around the time I seriously started to follow baseball (I am 28) and I see some familiar names on that roster including Bill Spiers, Doug Henry, George Canale and Randy Veres.

Thanks for responding Rob...

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Robextend

That's very interesting; Vaughn and Sheff were close:

Vaughn hit 28HR and batted 301 in 505abs

Sheffield hit 19HR and batted 314 in 296abs

This is around the time I seriously started to follow baseball (I am 28) and I see some familiar names on that roster including Bill Spiers, Doug Henry, George Canale and Randy Veres.

Thanks for responding Rob...

Here's a tidbit about George Canale: He and I golfed together a lot (he was a very good golfer). In baseball, he hit left-handed, and he golfed right-handed. I golf left-handed, and one day on the course we were messing around, and he asked to borrow one of my clubs.

He took three swings left-handed and whiffed every time. And looked bad doing it. I was amazed. How could someone who was a really good left-handed hitter, plus a really good golfer, not be able to hit a golf ball left-handed?

George also was the best fielding first baseman I ever saw up close.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Great stories, Rob. Do you think Sheffield just didn't like the "begging" aspect of passing the hat, or was his so-called snub just that? I honestly wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to take the fans' money.

By the way, I'm glad you got over your Tom Hume phase.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by JBirkholm

Great stories, Rob. Do you think Sheffield just didn't like the "begging" aspect of passing the hat, or was his so-called snub just that? I honestly wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to take the fans' money.

By the way, I'm glad you got over your Tom Hume phase.

I think he didn't do it because of the "begging" aspect. It's funny, because as players came up through Milwaukee's system, all the hitters couldn't wait until they got to El Paso so they could "pass the hat." But like I said, you really, really felt awkward doing it the first couple of times. It's like nothing you've ever done. So, given how the spotlight always was on Sheffield anyway, I could understand why he chose not to do it the first time the opportunity arose. Don't get me wrong: He never was above snubbing someone, that just wasn't the case this time.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I always had this picture of the early Sheffield as a brat. The fact that he had his initials inlaid in silver on his front teeth was just too much. You're either a ballplayer or you're Flavor Flav. Had he had that procedure at the time you were in El Paso with him?

[Joe_G.]

Deacon White is a near-miss on that list. If only the National Association would have begun two years previous. White played against the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings and would finish with the 1890 Buffalo Bisons of the Player's League.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Here's a tidbit about George Canale: He and I golfed together a lot (he was a very good golfer). In baseball, he hit left-handed, and he golfed right-handed. I golf left-handed, and one day on the course we were messing around, and he asked to borrow one of my clubs.

He took three swings left-handed and whiffed every time. And looked bad doing it. I was amazed. How could someone who was a really good left-handed hitter, plus a really good golfer, not be able to hit a golf ball left-handed?

George also was the best fielding first baseman I ever saw up close.

When I entered Kindergarten they had no idea what hand I was because I didn't favor one over the other...they forced me into a righty, but I still do a lot of things left handed that I can't do right handed...and some things I do with both hands just depending on how I feel. I sometimes even switch the mouse on the computer to the left side.

[Jim VB]

One of my best friends is left-handed in everything he does EXCEPT golf. He swings righty.

As a kid growing up, his family couldn't afford to buy him clubs so he always played with borrowed, hand-me-down, or rented clubs. Righty clubs were available. Lefty, not so much.

[slidekellyslide]

I play pool left handed and didn't even realize it until I was playing against a buddy and he said "I didn't know you were left-handed." I can bowl from both sides, but am better from the right side. Never even tried to golf left handed.