Category: Chicago White Sox (Page 11 of 24)
Sox
I got a surprise e-mail the other day and was pleased to find out that there are people who take the time to read what I write. There are indeed rewards to my ramblings other than just personal therapy.
“I came across your blog earlier today and wanted to drop you a note. Sherm Lollar was my grandfather. Much like you, I never met him but he’s a hero of mine. Guess I just want to say thanks for your kind words. And I need to know more about your Sherm Lollar t-shirt.”
When I first began writing a letter to the Baseball Hall of Fame regarding John Sherman Lollar, (See Post #5), I reached out to one of his sons through Messenger. Kevin was a career writer, so I felt he should review my first draft, offering some great suggestions. I was relieved that he didn’t write me off as some star-struck baseball lunatic.
“Kevin is my uncle. I forwarded your blog links to my dad as well. He loved your ‘Ode to Sherm’ (See Post #1189). I look forward to seeing pics of your memorabilia.”
Several years have now passed and I’ve written several tributes to my baseball hero as a component of my daily diary that covers running, sports, adoption, retirement, travel, poetry, and pets. It’s an important part of my retirement routine that anymore keeps me sane in these pandemic times.
It’s crazy how a person I’ve never met has become such a personal influence. The closest I’ve ever gotten to him was a seat at Comiskey Park, where I watched several White Sox games as a child. His #10 was barely visible from the cheap seats, let alone his face. His was the first card I usually searched for in a fresh pack of Topps cards. His jersey digits became mine in any sport I poorly played, and continues to be my lucky number.
I get daily memorabilia notifications from E-Bay and auction houses on items pertaining to Sherm’s career. I buy what I can afford and keep a scrapbook of his cards, photos, and accomplishments. I’m glad to have a contact with his family because my collection will mean little to my heirs.
It’s doubtful that Sherm will ever become a Hall-of-Famer, although the White Sox organization has honored him as one of their greatest. There are too many catchers that have been slighted by the Cooperstown committees that don’t seem to recognize defensive and leadership achievements. He was one of the best defenders in the game and a skilled field general. I would challenge modern-day players to be as effective using the cumbersome, heavy gear he was forced to wear, and the poorly padded mitt designs of yesteryear. Sherm indeed lives-on in my office and in the hearts of his family.
When I walked out the door at 7:45 this morning here in Palm Desert it was already 91 degrees. As I got back after a 45 run it was 95. I tried my best to stay in the shady areas of the asphalt, but they were often hard to find. I picked up a local radio station that was LGBTQ, an indication of the diversity of the area. It was uniquely branded “Channel Q” to distinguish it from traditional radio stations. I immediately thought of the Avenue Q musical, filled with a “bright mixture of quirky and queer characters.” The music was very upbeat and the personalities very proud of their sexuality. It was my introduction to life here in the desert.
The first thing that caught my eye as we drove into the city was the largest wind farm I’ve ever seen. It was magical watching thousands of giant, white pinwheels spin in the breeze, a sharp contrast to the stark, brown hills in the background. We came in from our last stop in Cambria, California, rudely greeted with 106 degree temperatures. There will be little to do here but sit in the pool. We’re at least surrounded by a plush, green golf course. I got in trouble for veering off on one of the cart paths even though it’s too hot for anyone to be out playing. The restaurants on the premises are closed due to the pandemic, so my wife ran to the grocery store last evening, while I watched White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito complete his no-hitter in the air conditioned comfort of our room. This morning was my first exposure to the grueling heat. It’s no wonder the population swells here when the temperatures are bearable from October through March.
One of the unusual sights along the drive yesterday were these huge cut-outs of actor James Dean along Highway 46. His last stop in life was apparently at Blackwell’s Corner in Lost Hills where he topped off the gas tank of his Spider. He had already gotten a speeding ticket (his last autograph) and was soon to die in a head-on crash. There’s a memorial near the spot of the collision, where tributes to his popularity are left by tourists. It was about the only memorable discovery we made in our five-hour drive, with the possible exception of driving on a brief stretch of Route 66. Today is a full day of rest for us and the car in the sizzling sun as we continue on our Coast-to-Coast adventure to Florida.
A friend sent me an early birthday present. It’s a custom mug made from a hollowed-out baseball bat and engraved, “Michael L Johnston #1 fan of John Sherman ‘Sherm’ Lollar, Jr.” It also has the Sox logo on the barrel. It’s made by Dugout Mugs, a division of the Thompson Mug Company. I don’t know if I’m Sherm’s biggest fan, especially since he still has family, but I continue to recognize his achievements when most people have forgotten.
I have a substantial collection of his memorabilia, including a 1955 game-worn jersey, catcher’s mask, cups, glassware, pins, postcards, ball, newspaper clippings, press photos, autographs, and baseball cards. Until somebody proves me wrong, I will continue to boast of the largest collection in the world. The new mug and “Sherm Freakin’ Lollar” t-shirt that I occasionally wear make my collection unique. I’ve also written a letter to the Hall of Fame committee on his behalf.
August 23rd would have been Sherm’s 96th birthday. He died at age 53. Sherm Lollar was behind the plate for 18 seasons with four different teams – Indians, Yankees, Browns, and White Sox. He was a member of the “Go-Go Sox” who played in the 1959 World Series. I became a fan as a young boy of eight, watching him hit a home run against the Dodgers on black & white TV. His number 10 became my lucky number. When I joined a baseball card club here in Portland about 5-years ago, the other members asked me what I wanted to collect. I said I would start by getting any items associated with Sherm Lollar. At least, it was an affordable hobby, unlike the pricey Mickey Mantle cards. I’m now known in those circles as the “Sherm Guy.” (See Post #1328).
Sherm was apparently a quiet, humble man. We shared big ears and little else. I never got to meet him, but saw him play many times in Chicago throughout the years. He always seemed to be upstaged by Berra from the minute that Yogi replaced him in the Yankee’s starting line-up back in 194 7. His on-base percentage was actually better than Yogi’s, and he was a much better defensive back-stop, but cavernous Comiskey Park where Lollar spent most of his career was not designed with hitters in mind, unlike the Yankee right field porch that favored the lefty Berra. Sherm earned 7 All-Star selections and was the first catcher to receive a Golden Glove. His lifetime .9921 fielding percentage is ranked 60th all-time for catchers, but he played more games with a primitive equipment handicap than anyone else on the list. I have some of that gear in my collection and it amazes me that he could maintain that level of play with little padding, a smaller mitt, and bulky, heavy body protection.
Sherm Lollar’s playing career ended with a fractured thumb in 1963. I have a ticket stub from that game on September 7th. He went on to coach for the World Champion Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics, plus managed the Iowa Oaks and Tucson Toro’s before retirement. He earned two World Series rings in the process. I maintain a scrapbook of his career, along with other White Sox greats. Lollar is buried in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. Happy Birthday – Sherm!
I got distracted this morning with my Hunt A Killer mystery game, originally a Father’s Day gift. There are 6 total episodes of the “Curtain Call” case surrounding the murder of a 1930s era stage actress. Each episode needs to be solved before moving on to the next. I just received the final episode in the mail and spent last evening through this morning trying to decipher the information. There are codes to break and an all important timeline of events to update. I think I know who did it, but there are unresolved details that still need to be sorted out.
I solved the cuff-link connection associated with the case on my run this morning, relating to a Bible passage. However, I can’t get to the bottom of the phrase, “When Vanity becomes Elegance, the truth can emerge.” This was a statement made by the victim, so it will not reveal the killer, but it may have significance in the circumstances. I hope to find all the answers today. In the meantime, it’s a mystery to me!
Sports will once again keep me entertained as I contemplate the “Curtain Call” case. We also have an extra dog for two days, as my wife’s daughter begins her recovery from surgery after breaking her leg. The Cubs split a double-header with the Cards, the Sox won, and the NBA Playoffs continue. Tonight, the Blazers meet the Lakers in game two. Tomorrow, we’ll start our long drive southeast. We’ll arrive in Florida twelve-days later, following visits with friends and family along the way.
The biggest mystery of all is what life has in store for us as we make this transition to Florida. What challenges will we incur over the next six months? I will certainly miss the friends that helped me celebrate an upcoming birthday yesterday. The time will pass quickly while we make decorating plans, start the building process, and make at least two more trips to Florida. We also have a family trip to Hawaii, and a spring cruise planned that will probably not happen. What could go wrong? It’s a mystery to me.
Two days and counting until we start our cross-country journey. I will make every effort to take-in the sights around me rather than wish it was over. We have a lot to look forward to over the next year, but my tendency is always to get to the finish line. Will I ever learn to relish the moment I am in? I was certainly looking forward to finishing my run this morning, another sluggish effort. The weather was beautiful as it has been here in Portland for the past few months.
I’ve been drinking water rather than habitual Diet Coke by day and wine by night, hoping to get a better night’s sleep of fewer bladder interruptions. I don’t think it’s working, so I set-up a doctor’s appointment when we get back from Florida. I’m still getting up at least five times a night. This afternoon I’ll step off the wagon for a couple of beers at our “Leadership” luncheon. The Cubs and Cards will be on TV, and life will seem normal with my friends and live sports. We’re celebrating my birthday a week or so early, as another year has come and gone.
The Portland Trailblazers put together a great effort last night to defeat the Lakers in game one of the playoffs. I was watching three games at once on phone, computer, and TV. All my teams won – Cubs, Sox and Blazers, once again proving that this year in nowhere near normal. Mad Men is our latest “together” TV, interrupted by all this sporting activity last night. There are seven seasons and 92 episodes that will have to wait until we get back from Florida in about three weeks. I did take time to cook some steaks for dinner, fulfilling my weekly cooking responsibilities that will also be put on hiatus. It will be hotel living and dining out that will probably lead to some weight gain. I wonder if I’ll be making the traditional stops at McDonald’s for Diet Cokes?
After all the Coronavirus quarantines the St. Louis Cardinals went through this season, I suppose they earned a break or two. They had only played 5 games when most teams were approaching twenty in this shortened baseball season. The White Sox had no worries about anything contagious, they couldn’t catch anything. The Cardinal hitting was pathetic after all this time off with little dribblers in the infield that the Sox couldn’t handle. If the Sox actually got an out, it was quickly reversed by replay. Apparently, the Pale Hose gift wrapped the double header as a welcome back gift to the Red Birds.
The Cubs, on the other hand, made several spectacular catches against the Brewers. They were however jinxed by the announcers who pointed out that the team hadn’t gotten off to such a winning start since 1907. Two losses to the Brewers later, they were back to their normal selves. I haven’t seen a team strike out more with runners on base than these last two days at Wrigley. Naturally, Christian Yelich single-handedly beat them in Friday’s game with a 3-run homer. Poor relief pitching proved disastrous in yesterday’s match-up. The Cubs can at least even the series today, while the White Sox can only salvage some dignity. The Cubs go on to play both the Cards and Sox next week, perhaps adding to my frustration.
The Portland Trailblazers and Damian Lillard continued their winning ways yesterday by clinching the final playoff seed in the Western Conference. They are one of the hottest bubble teams, and the LeBron Lakers will be in for an unexpected challenge in the first round. There is no home court advantage and no fans as unprecedented times persist in the NBA. The same circumstances allowed the Portland Timbers to prevail in their Orlando bubble. Can a Portland team do it again?
Indy 500 qualifying went off without a hitch yesterday, but Conor Daly couldn’t find the speed he showed in Friday’s practice session. Marco Andretti won the day, while Conor failed to make the “Fast Nine.” It’s fun to watch the second and third generation drivers like these two speedsters. Rossi, Herta, and Rahal also came from famous fathers of the Speedway that were part of my generation. Owners like Andretti, Penske, Rahal/Letterman, Ganassi, Coyne, and Foyt have been familiar names in Indianapolis since I can remember. However, seeing the empty stands for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was all new to me.
Today’s “Fast Nine” action will determine the coveted Pole for next Sunday’s race. I’m glad there are plenty of live sports on TV to keep me entertained on weekend afternoons. Baseball, hockey, soccer, and racing have all managed to continue their virus-disrupted seasons. College football appears to be the biggest casualty as more and more schools push towards spring. Once winter comes, it may be back to the doldrums of nothing fresh to watch. I’m concerned about the fate of my favorite sport, college basketball. It was hard enough to deal with the loss of the tournament early this year.
The Cubs couldn’t catch a break and the Sox couldn’t catch anything. No one could catch Marco Andretti yesterday. Who will catch the biggest NBA prize? Hopefully, nobody will catch or spread the bug, causing further delays to these competitions that relieve the boredom of self-isolation.
After a restless night, I’ve decided to drink nothing but water today. There were too many sleep interruptions last night by my bladder. I’ve got to make some consumption changes, including Diet Coke and wine. Citrus foods, chocolate, spicy foods, sugar, tomato products, processed meats, aged cheese, and nuts are also recommended foods to avoid. Yesterday, I had two Diet Cokes, two glasses of wine, a banana, a cheeseburger salad with tomatoes, two cookies, half a chocolate turtle, sausage/egg casserole, ice cream, and assorted snacks. With a morning run, I burn most of this off and maintain my weight. However, it’s not exactly a healthy diet – it’s whatever I can get my hands on.
I’ll definitely stay away from alcohol and Diet Coke these next few days. I’ll do some experimentation and see if it results in fewer wake-up calls. Friday, I plan to have a couple of beers at the “Leadership Meeting.” I’m just not that disciplined, but I can start to make some changes. I must have gotten up ten times last night – a new record. Fortunately, I don’t have issues getting back to sleep, but obviously I’m not getting any deep, restful stretches. I’m looking for change.
I was excited for the Portland Timbers’ championship last night and enjoyed the final episode of Perry Mason. The pandemic continues to favor my teams with the White Sox, Cubs, and Trailblazers claiming victory yesterday, in addition to the Timbers. That is a rare day in sports. All that winning should have led to sweet dreams, not an up-and-down nightmare. I’m reading the Luckiest Man, the Lou Gehrig story. This should not be disturbing my sleep, despite the Yankee connection. I haven’t been a Yankees’ fan since childhood and somehow grew to hate them as an adult. To help relieve myself of this silly anger, I’ve explored the life of Mickey Mantle and now Gehrig, who was slightly before my time. Is all this Yankee nonsense upsetting my bladder or is it the food and drink?
With the kids in town for a few days, our living room is now the office, since they now have the flexibility to work from home. I haven’t worked for nearly four years, so it’s hard to imagine trying to make a living in these pandemic times. I have two non-paying jobs each day – this blog and my run. Sitting down to write means the 3.1 mile jog is over with and the relaxation can start with a few typed words of wisdom.
Yesterday, I watched the Trailblazers beat the 76ers and the White Sox lose to the Indians. It was the first time in seven years that the Sox had been on nationally televised Sunday Night Baseball, an indication of the sorry state of the team. It was at the expense of the postponed Cubs vs. Cards game due to COVID-19. The invisible virus has won more games than anybody else this year, starting with the cancellation of Spring Training. The Cardinals have yet to play in August. The Cubs will be back on the field tomorrow against the Indians.
It was the beginning of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel last night. Mike Tyson actually tamed a shark while scientists used creative lures to entice Great Whites to breach. This is how desperate we all are for fresh programming. We’ll watch the final Perry Mason episode once the family goes back to San Francisco. In the meantime, I’ll continue with my Friday Night Lights marathon. The Pacers play the Heat this evening, as live professional sports continue to survive, while college football appears to be in jeopardy. A decision is expected in the next few days regarding the future of all fall intercollegiate competition. I’m anticipating a delay until the spring, Too bad these athletes can’t work from home like the rest of America.
The really strange thing about this whole pandemic is that my teams are winning. The last few days, I’ve seen the Cubs, Sox, Pacers, Trailblazers, and Timbers all claim multiple victories. This tells me that life is no longer normal. In the real world, I consistently pick the wrong teams to root for on game day. Could this mean that I.U. will start claiming BIG 10 wins and that the Bears and Colts will play once again in the Super Bowl? It all now seems possible.
The Sox have won 6 straight road games, a feat last equaled in April 2017. Unfortunately in the process, Oregon State alum Nick Madrigal injured his shoulder during a slide. Tim Anderson is also on the disabled list. The Cubs have won five straight and the Trailblazers are making a playoff move with a promising start in the Disney bubble. IU alum Victor Oladipo is beginning to show his old form for the Pacers in their third straight win. These are all signs of the Apocalypse!
Can you imagine an NBA championship between the Pacers and Trailblazers, or a Cubs vs. White Sox World Series? I’m beginning to like these shortened seasons with each game having more significance and no fan interference. T.J. Warren of the Pacers just tied Jermaine O’Neil’s franchise record for the most in a three-game span. These things just don’t happen under normal circumstances. It takes a pandemic to bring out the best in my teams.
Will the magic last? I have my doubts. The Cubs don’t have a closer. Craig Kimbrel failed to preserve a three-run cushion last night and had to be benched by new manager David Ross once again. The Cubbies could easily return to last year’s mediocrity after a 9-2 start. At least they’re staying healthy, unlike the rival St. Louis Cardinals who can’t seem to stay out of the way of the virus. The White Sox are helping the Cubs with a chance to take a 3-game sweep from the Brewers. The Cubs are returning the favor by pounding the Royals. I like this Chicago tag-team approach.
The Portland Timbers are in the soccer final four with a match against Philadelphia tonight that could send them into the finals of the MLS is Back tournament. The bubble approach in sports seems to be working much better than the home fields used in baseball. We’re all hoping that sports can survive outside the bubble, especially football fans that are holding their breath for a chance to start the season.
The Indy 500 will now be held later this month without fans. New track owner Roger Penske reversed his plan to drop the flag in front of a full house. Instead, it will be strictly a television event that will undoubtedly continue in all sports into 2021. Buying a ticket to any event will be a rarity, having a devastating affect on the business. I’m just glad to be a fan and not an owner. Many tough financial decisions have been made this year, with no end in sight. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the rare winning moments of my favorite teams. Fly the W.