Screwballs, Curveballs, and Nicknames

Many things have changed over the years in Major League Baseball. Some changes have been for the better while others are questionable, in my opinion.

The things I miss most about baseball of yesteryear may surprise you.

I miss the colorful nicknames and most of all I miss the "screwballs" of baseball.

I'm not sure when the nicknames disappeared, but they sure were colorful back then. There were the nicknames we all knew, The Babe, The Iron Horse, The Splendid Splinter. But I always liked the more colorful nicknames like Blue Moon Odom, Wilmer Vinegar Bend Mizell, Oil Can Boyd, Catfish Hunter, Bill Spaceman Lee, and let's not forget Mark the Bird Fidrych. I can't think of one nickname for today's players that catch my imagination.

Now we come to my favorite and most missed; the "screwballs" of baseball. These guys were kind of heroes to me; not because they were baseball players but because they dared to be different or better yet dared to be themselves. There may have been a few who were downright crazy; but most were fun-loving, superstitious, practical jokers who needed attention.

We can start with the guy they say was certifiable and whose life was portrayed in the movie "Fear Strikes Out". Jimmy Piersall spent some time in a mental institution. His antics sometimes overshadow his tremendous talent on the field. I remember watching Jimmy hiding behind the monuments at Yankee Stadium and delaying the game while they tried to get him to come out. He later told reporters he was back there chatting with Babe Ruth. Of course, the Babe had been dead for over ten years. Then while playing for the Mets, Jimmy was approaching a milestone; his 100th career home run. Jimmy didn't disappoint us. When he hit that home run, he ran the bases backward and the crowd roared as he rounded first heading for home. Unfortunately, Met's management didn't have the same sense of humor that I did, and that antic ended Jimmy's career.

In later years we remember Mark the Bird Fidrych. Mark got his name because of his resemblance to Big Bird of Sesame Street fame. His tall lanky build and unkempt red hair made him a sight to see with his herky-jerky delivery to the plate. What made Mark different however was the conversation he had before each pitch with the ball. He would scold the ball, congratulate it, and tell it where he wanted it to go when he threw it. Mark is now a farmer in Mass. (since killed in a tragic accident).

Rumor has it that left-handed pitchers are flakey and a little strange.

Bill Spaceman Lee was a guy who didn't let us, left-handed pitchers, down in the category of flakey and a little strange. Bill has been quoted as saying, " I'm mad at Henry Aaron for deciding to play another year. I threw him the last home run ball and thought I'd be remembered forever. Now, I'll have to throw him another one." When Bill arrived at Boston's Fenway Park and observed the famous Green Monster wall in left field he asked, "Do they leave it there during the game." And lastly, Bill is quoted as telling a manager, " baseball is a very simple game. All you have to do is sit on your butt, spit tobacco, and nod at the stupid things your managers say."

Well, you get the picture, thus the nickname Spaceman.

Bill entertained us for 14 seasons in the Major Leagues. When he signs his autograph these days, he writes his # next to his name along with the name of a planet. We just need more Bill Lee's today.

These are the things I miss from the days of yesteryear.

Yes, there are a few characters today but none as colorful as those from the past. It seems that no one wants to be labeled a screwball these days because it could cost them a few million when their contract comes up.

Too bad for baseball and its fans.