Take Me Out To The Ball Game

[Raspbernie]

Legends game proves a hit for most

By BRANT JAMES

Rose saga impacts day, which is highlighted by former stars, football players, entertainers and a Bob Feller protest.

The ovation began to rise even before the player introductions were concluded Saturday at Florida Power Park.

Chants of "Pete, Pete" beckoned Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hit leader, from the third-base dugout for a rousing welcome before he threw out a ceremonial first pitch at the ninth annual Legends of Baseball Game.

The benefit for All Children's Hospital and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association drew about 3,000 fans and a cross section of players from before, during and after Rose's 24-year career. It was a career polished with Hall of Fame accomplishments, but tarnished by gambling allegations that eventually led to his banishment.

Most of the nearly 50 players applauded with the crowd. A notable abstention was Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller.

The Cleveland Indians legend stood with his hands in pockets, not merely boycotting, but shaking his head in disgust at the scene.

"It wasn't by accident," Feller said of his display. "I think the commissioner is right and (Rose) should be kept out (of the Hall of Fame). I don't agree with (commissioner Bud) Selig and (chief executive officer Paul) Beeston with letting him be here, though."

Rose was an honorary coach on Saturday, but whisked in from a card show with Tom Seaver and did not appear again after pregame ceremonies.

"He's making big money," Feller said of Rose. "He's making a career out of being a victim. Maybe he helped make money for the event. Is that money that important?"

Rose's presence at recent spring training games has elicited vocal sentiment from fans who believe he should be allowed into the Hall of Fame.

"He's trying to sneak in the back door," Feller said. "The game doesn't need him. It doesn't need me and it didn't need Babe Ruth. It'll go on."

Pitcher Tug McGraw, wearing a uniform that was half-Phillies and half-Mets, meted out much of the typical old-timers' game chicanery. McGraw popped the prerequisite shaving-cream pie in the face of actor Jon Lovitz, who welcomed the initiation.

"I guess I'm a real player now," Lovitz said. "That's okay though. It's still unbelievable I get to be out on a field with all these players I grew up watching."

McGraw clearly enjoyed his role in the proceedings.

"All baseball players want to be Hollywood, and all actors want to be athletes, so it's fun for everybody," he said.

McGraw also dogged the Buccaneers' Shaun King and Damien Robinson about tucking in their black Devil Rays jerseys.

Even all tucked in, Robinson apparently has a lot more trouble chasing airborne baseballs than footballs, and had an adventurous afternoon in leftfield. Robinson and King hit singles, Robinson's on a bloop off Bert Blyleven after a strikeout was allowed to slide by the home plate umpire.

The Buccaneer connection helped the National League beat the American League 8-5.

Both squads were sprinkled with entertainers — Lovitz, Casey Sander, Jonathan Silverman and Eric Carmen — and local personalities.

Radio disc jockey Bubba the Love Sponge Clem earned the unfortunate task of pinch hitting just as Goose Gossage entered the game. Gossage, the intimidating former reliever, still can throw hard and sent several pitches buzzing over Clem's back.

Kevin and Roger Maris Jr. lent their family name to charity although neither played in the major leagues. Kevin, a baseball coach at Oak Hall School in Gainesville, wore his father's No. 9, and bore a striking resemblance to the man who set a then-major-league record with 61 home runs for the New York Yankees in 1961.

"It's a real joy for me just to be able to represent Dad," Kevin said. "He enjoyed the game of baseball and being in uniform and coming out and playing, and for us to be able to be around his teammates and competitors is an honor."

—Tampa Bay Times, Mar. 19, 2000

[susie b]

How cool was that?

Tug McGraw, who was my favorite pitcher, EC & Bob "the Heater from Van Meter" Feller all at the same event!!!!

I do agree with Feller on the Pete Rose debacle.  Pete had no business being there.

Glad you used large watermarks on these images.  They belong to you!

Thanks for sharing.  I think everyone is ready for Spring.

🧢⚾

[Lew Bundles]

Feller and EC lived near each other in Gates Mills...

At one of the meet and greets, I mentioned to Eric that I collect autographed baseballs and he has a little collection as well...When the name Bob Feller was brought up, he mentioned this game and that Feller was a cantankerous sort who had a really filthy mouth and never even tempered it when women were around...

A while later, I met Feller and told him that we have a mutual acquaintance...

After he asked me “who”...I told him “Eric Carmen”...
 

He looked at me for a few moments and I said, ”Do you know him”?

Feller’s reply” The singer?  Yes...Really nice gentleman and his wife is not to bad looking either”...

[Lew Bundles]

Bern, didn’t EC sing the National Anthem at a game?...I remember seeing a picture of him in an Indians uniform...(I probably should have checked Marathon Man first, before I get taken “ behind the woodshed “again...)

[susie b]

Jon Lovitz was great in A League of Their Own.

Great film to start spring training.

 

 

[Raspbernie]

1 hour ago, susie b said:

Glad you used large watermarks on these images. They belong to you!

Sign of the times, Susie. Most of the best Raspberries/Eric Carmen photos, videos and audio recordings on the internet came from me and this website—a great deal of it have no attribution. Live and learn.

[Helen G]

Love baseball! Of course, I'm likely to offend all the Clevelanders on this site 😉 when I say that I'm a 4th gen Chicago Cubs fan (i.e. Cubs beating Cleveland in the 2016 World "Serious" as my dad used to call it)! I'd be curious as to how EC got invited to play in this charity baseball event. (Too bad the stands weren't totally full?!)

RaspBernie - any details?