Here's a quick clip of the former centerpiece of The Big Red Machine, Johnny Bench. Bench was probably one of the best catchers in the past 50 years.

One of my favorite players from the ‘60s–my favorite baseball era–is Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs. Banks was the man who allegedly said, “Let’s play two,” symbolizing his love and passion for the game. Ernie played in a day in which players lasted with one team an entire career and is a living legend (along with Ron Santo) for Cub fans around the world.

This clip was shot at the Futures Game. A few days later, we saw him in the sushi bar at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh (where most of the players stayed). It is impossible to believe he is 75 years old.

Not to play second fiddle to any league, the AAA All-Star game in Toledo had it’s share (if not more) of color with a parade of mascots led by Muddy and Madonna, the mascots of the home Toledo Mud Hens.

Part of the fun for us at the Major League Baseball All-Star game in Pittsburgh was seeing the mascots up close and personal. We got to shake hands (so to speak) with Billy (the Marlins mascot) and Louseal (the Giants mascot). Lots of others (Redbird, Mr. Met, Philly Fanatic…) are also featured.

Minor league mascots to come!

For Arizona Diamonbacks’ prized rookie Stephen Drew, it was a week to remember–and we were there to enjoy it.

As this clip shows, Drew played the in the Futures Game preceding All-Star Sunday in Pittsburgh. He then trekked west to Toledo to take part in the AAA All-Star Game. And then, as I read in the paper, he was called up to the Diamondbacks a few days ago.

The coolest part, for us, was during the player introduction ceremony in Toledo. Each player tossed an autographed plush baseball into the stands after he was into. In a heavy drizzle, as Drew came out of the dugout, my producer yelled “Go Stephen!” at which point he tuned toward us (9 rows above the dugout) and threw the ball right at me!

It was a great week for all of us.

To bring the fans closer to the All Star players, there was a red carpet procession that took the players over the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Adoring fans lined the bridge to cheer the All Stars as they tossed cards and Baby Ruth candy bars and assorted other souvenirs.

We found a prime spot at the foot of the bridge and caught the players as they disembarked their buses and snaked their way to Fort Duquesne Road to their Chevrolet chariots. A few feet in front of us, Alex Rodriguez and his wife got out of an escorted van and searched for the Chevy.

He came up last in the first round of the derby. He had lots of ground to make up. He barely made it into the second round. But, when all was said and done, it was Ryan Howard’s night.

David Wright ran out of gas. Big Popi ran out of gas. Jermaine Dye didn’t have the legs. Miguel Cabrera choked. Ryan rose to the event and won

We first saw Ryan Howard in Arizona Fall League two years ago, and we knew he was destined for greatness. We knew he’d win rookie of the year. Tuesday night, we knew he’d win the home run derby. He has yet to disappoint.

In today's installment, we go over Allen's run-ins with YouTube regarding his postings to the site. Before listening, note that ALL OF ALLEN'S FOOTAGE USED IN THE VIDEOS WAS PERSONALLY SHOT BY ALLEN WITH A STANDARD VIDEO CAMERA AVAILABLE IN VIRTUALLY ANY CONSUMER ELECTRONICS STORE. This was not video captured via TV-tuner card or stream ripper. The video was edited using standard editing tools available in many general-purpose consumer software packages.

After listening to Mike and Allen's drivel, consider the following: Will media companies and major "entertainment" brands e.g. Major League Baseball ever fully leverage the explosion in consumer-generated content and commentary if they continue to rely on extending copyright laws created for an analog era?

Respectfully, we say NO!

 

Jeremy Jeffress, the Milwaukee Brewers #1 pick in the 2006 draft is the real thing. He’s 18 years old, but on the mound, he looks like a veteran with real command of a 98-mile-an-hour fast ball. He had his teammates, sitting in the stands behind us, shaking their heads in disbelief and admiration.

After his two innings, Jeffress sat behind us and I had him autograph his draft picture in Baseball America. Needless to say, his buddies thought it was rather amusing. And, for the record, he is an absolute dead ringer for Dwight (Doc) Gooden. Let’s hope he pitches as well but fares better in off the field matters.

What better way to spend the 4th of July than taking in the Great American Pastime. Today, the Giants hosted the (Maryvale) Brewers in an Arizona Rookie League game. Not only did we get to see the Brewers top two picks, we walked away with a baseball. With exactly one week to go before the All-Star Game, we a primed for the action.

Among the future stars we saw were Matt Downs (Giants, 36th round pick, 2006); Ivan Herrera-Rusova (Giants, pitcher) ; Matt Klimas (Giants, 8th round pick, 2006); Mike Goetz (Brewers, 25th round, 2006); Jeremy Jeffress (Brewers, 1st round pick) and Brent Brewer (Brewers, 2nd round pick). Jeffress will have a video clip all to himself.

He won’t be on our flight to Pittsburgh, but Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb will be joining us in the Steel City for the upcoming All-Star Game. Webb is, without question, one of the best if not best right-handers in the National League. He has nine wins (he slumped a bit after winning his first eight), and has a 2.72 ERA as of this writing. He does lead the league in number of innings thrown (132.1) which is both good and bad; good in that he pitches well into the game, but bad if it causes him to run out of steam later in year.

Webb will have at least two fans at PNC Park. Maybe he’ll be the one to calm down those hot AL bats.

Difficult to imagine that it was just a few months ago that we saw Team USA play South Africa in the World Baseball Classic live at Scottsdale Stadium. And now, on a 100-plus degree day we’re back (with about 20 others) to watch The Giants host the Mariners in Arizona Rookie League play. Rookie League is officially known as a Short Season A league for recent draftees and others with less than two years of playing experience.

The Giants have moved their Rookie League venue from the rather scruffy park on the corner of Hayden & Camelback to Scottsdale Stadium, one of the crown jewels of the Cactus League (spring training).

Among the players featured in the clip are: GIANTS– Jose Valdez (pitcher); Robert Davis (catcher); Allen Balmer (infield) and Joe Roundy (outfielder); MARINERS-Stan Posulszny (outfielder); Matt Vogel (infield) Alex Liddi (infield) and Aric Van Gaalen (pitcher).

We’ll probably catch another game before we leave for the big event–THE MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.