Rube Waddell T206, 1909
“Waddell was unpredictable, and had a habit of leaving the dugout in the middle of games to follow passing fire trucks to fires. He performed as an alligator wrestler in the offseason. He was easily distracted by opposing team fans who used to hold up puppies and shiny objects, which seemed to put him in a trance on the mound.”
Bert Blyleven makes quite the fashion statement while hanging out in the Indians locker room prior to a 1984 game. (Ron Kuntz/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Classic Photos of Bert Blyleven
“The players were anonymous, the level of play was profoundly low, and MLB Network’s broadcast was charmingly inept. The game had been stripped to its essence—geometric perfection on shabby artificial turf. It took me about fifteen seconds to fall in love.”
The New York Times: “Edith Houghton, Rare Woman Among Baseball Scouts, Dies at 100,” by Paul Vitello.
The New York Times: “Failed Baseball Union Helped Pave Way for Success,” by Robert Weintraub. Click photo to jump to article.
The New York Times: “Marvin Miller, Union Leader Who Changed Baseball, Dies at 95,” by Richard Goldstein. Photo of Mr. Miller, addressing members of the Phillies and Red Sox during spring training 1977, by Barton Silverman. Click photo to jump to obit.
“MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins released Tsuyoshi Nishioka on Friday, ending their experiment with the Japanese middle infielder after two rough seasons.
The move, which the Twins said came at Nishioka’s request and was supported by the club, wasn’t much of a surprise. But the way the 28-year-old went out was unique.
Accepting blame for his failure to produce at the plate or play capable defense at shortstop and second base, the Twins said Nishioka waived his right to his $3 million salary for the 2013 season and a $250,000 buyout.
So they don’t owe him any more money, and Nishioka is now a free agent. With guaranteed contracts, major league teams rarely are able to get off the payroll hook like this for players no longer in their plans. But Nishioka, in a statement released by the Twins, was nothing but graceful and generous.
“I would like to thank the Twins organization for helping me fulfill my dream of playing in Major League Baseball,” Nishioka said. “I take full responsibility for my performance which was below my own expectations. At this time, I have made the decision that it is time to part ways. I have no regrets and know that only through struggle can a person grow stronger. I appreciate all the support the team and the fans in Minnesota and Rochester have shown me.”
Nishioka spent most of 2012 with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, batting .258 with two home runs and 34 RBIs in 392 at-bats. He played in only three games for the Twins this summer, making two errors plus several other mistakes in the field and going 0 for 12 with one sacrifice fly.
Signed to a three-year, $9.25 million contract before the 2011 season after the Twins bid more than $5.3 million to his Japanese team to gain negotiating rights, Nishioka broke his lower left leg just five games into his rookie year when he stayed too close to the base while trying to turn a double play and New York Yankees slugger Nick Swisher slid into him.
Nishioka returned from the injury that June but never found a rhythm, finishing with a .226 average and just five extra-base hits in 221 at-bats. He made 12 errors in 68 games in 2011.
This was a far cry from Nishioka’s performance in Japan, where he was the Nippon Professional Baseball batting champion in 2010, hitting .346 for the Chiba Lotte Marines and winning the equivalent of a Gold Glove award for his defense.”
