New York Mets Get Big Bat

 2:48 pm: A deal between the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers has been made official, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.

   Mets Receive:                                                           Detroit Receives:

   Big bat that can be fit into                                              Two unknown minor league pitchers.
the middle of their ((Mets') lineup.

An offensive edge and upgrade over bats like
Juan Lagares and Wilmer Flores.

Photo Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

My Predictions for the Rest of the Regular MLB Season

Division Predictions for 2015

American League

   AL East:

1:  Baltimore Orioles

2: New York Yankees

3: Toronto Blue-Jays

4: Tampa-Bay Rays

5: Boston Red Sox

  AL Central:

1: Kansas City Royals

2: Detroit Tigers

3: Minnesota Twins

4: Cleveland Indians

5: Chicago White Sox

AL West:

1: LA Angels

2: Houston Atros

3: Oakland Athletics

4: Texas Rangers

5: Seattle Mariners

National League

NL East:

1: New York Mets

2: Washington Nationals

3: Atlanta Braves

4: Miami Marlins

5: Philadelphia Phillies - My guess for team that

                                         will get the #1 overall pick in next years draft.

NL Central:

1: St. Louis Cardinals

2: Chicago Cubs

3: Pittsburgh Pirates

4: Cincinnati Reds

5: Milwaukee Brewers

NL West:

1: San Francisco Giants

2: LA Dodgers

3: San Diego Padres

4: Colorado Rockies

5:Arizona Diamondbacks

Zack Hample: The Ball-Hawk

   Now how, out of all the people, did ballhawk, Zack Hample catch Alex Rodriguez's 3000th home-run  ball? That is a question even I am asking, as Hample seems to be a magnet for baseballs.

   Zack Hample, a baseball enthusiast, caught A-Rod's 3000th hit earlier this week, but declined to give it back. " I have never sold a ball in my life," Hample states in an interview, " and i'm not prepared to give one up now."  If you don't know Zack Hample, get to know him, as you will be hearing a lot about this guy in the future. Hample is what we call, in the modern day, a " ballhawk." One who attends a baseball game and does whatever it takes to get a souvenir baseball. Helping his cause to support why he has so many baseballs,  Hample has attended hundreds of MLB games since the 1990s.

    Hample, a season ticket holder for the NY Yankees, for all long as he can remember, has written best-seller books about how to snag your first MLB ball. Which includes countless tips, such as speaking the basics of other languages to communicate with players of different nationalities. Hample has earned a enormous reputation for the MLB, that has helped him gain much needed popularity for him to continue doing what he loves, ball-hawking. 

   In the picture above, Hample poses with one of the many piles of baseballs he has collected from games, whether they be a foul ball, a home-run ball, or a ball from warm-ups during the pre-game. 

    Check out his website: zackhample.com

  

   Please order his book, I have read my share of Zack Hample stories, and so should you. 

The Amazin' Steven Matz

  Have a day, Steven Matz!


    The Met's stud rookie proved a few days ago that the Mets have a new star, in all positions. Steven Matz was called up from triple-A, Las Vegas about 4 days ago to make his MLB debut, for the desperate Mets. As Matz took to the field moments before his debut, all his family was present. Yes, his grandpa, dad, mom, sister, etc. This was a special day for the Matz family, but later on, it would be a historic, monumental day as well.

     Matz, pitching against the Cincinnati Reds, gave up his first home-run in the first inning to Brandon Phillips; however, Matz responded to the early home-run by pitching seven innings for the hard-earned win. Not only did he get the "W," but Matz proved he could hit as well. The rookie went 3-3 in his debut,  doubling in his first at-bat, after hitting a long ball over Billy Hamilton's head, a feat not many can accomplish.


    Matz's family was speechless, as this was a big-time performance for an up-and-coming star. However, let's remind ourselves of the talented arms the Mets now have in their starting rotation: Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jacob DeGrom, and now, Steven Matz. Hence, for the first time in years, the Mets seem to be serious contenders for the World Series, starting possibly next year, if all the young, talented arms stay healthy.




Photo courtesy of nydailynews.com

                                                                                                             

Q and A with the Gotham Baseball Club's Manager, Charles Klasman!

  Charles Klasman is the manager of the Gotham Baseball Club a club that originated back in 1865! During the time period in which the Civil War was happening. Please read the Q and A, I've conducted with the gracious Mr. Klasman! If you enjoy what you've read, please help the club by visiting their website and potentially making a donation, or even to read MORE about the fascinating history of the " Pioneer" baseball club. Big thanks to Mr. Klasman for participating in this interview!

1) Can you please tell me a little history about the Gotham Baseball Club?

 

The Gotham Club started as the Washington Base Ball Club in the 1840s and later became the Gotham Base Ball Club. Members of the team were also part of the New York Nine which played the first recorded game in 1845. In those days they played for fun and for "health". But it became a passion for many and the popularity of the game grew. The Gothams had several homes in New York, one notable site was the St. George Cricket Grounds which today has the landing site for the Staten Island Ferry and the Staten Island Yankees stadium on the old property. The Gothams last season played the Hoboken Club in the stadium a match in 1864 fashion. About 1854 the Gotham team moved from St. George to Elysian field in Hoboken. Some of the vintage players, myself included took a picture at the old "home plate" after our winter meeting this past December. 

 

The Gothams had several iterations of the team over the years, the last incarnetin became part of the National League where in 1884 after the Manager Jim McMutrie began referring to his players as Giants the name changed again. They moved to San Francisco after the 1957 season and we've never charged them royalties. It was not until the year 2000 when Drew Frady, who now lives somewhere in Colorado revived the Club and began playing once more as the Gothams in 1864 fashion. Along with the Mutuals, Atlantics, Neshanock, Hoboken Nine, Bog Iron Boys and Eckofrds we make up the New York area of the Mid Atlatic Vintage Base Ball Association. 

 

2) As a child, were you ever aware of this historical team?

 

No, just the stories about the New York Giants I heard from my father and other family members. I do recall seeing games at the original Yankee Stadium and getting a seat right behind a post! But I became a Mets fan and regarded them as a modern New York surrogate for both the Dodgers and Giants. 

3) What made you want to become the manager of this prestigious club?

 

I'll stop short of saying I "wanted" to become manager of the team. I was simply an enthusiastic player and committed to the team itself. So when our previous manager John Hyslop retired myself and Rafael "Wickets" Garcia took over. Wickets has taken a step back this year in lieu of personal commitments so our centerfielder Ben "Collector" Levinsohn has stepped up as co-manager. Too much work for just one man! I'm proud to be a part of the team in any capacity. 

4) Has there ever been any well - known ball - players who have come out  from the club?

 

Many, of course. George Wright was a Gotham as well as a Red Stocking. He was arguably one of the best and most influential short stop in the history of baseball. He was an engineer of how a short stop and second baseman would share second base and turn double plays. He was also an outspoken supporter of running past first base in order to avoid frequent collisions. His brother Harry Wright and pitcher Candy Cummings who invented the "Curveball" also were early Gothams. All three are in the Hall of Fame. 

5) Prior to taking this job, was there any learning to be done, of terminology, etc.

 

Yes, it is an on the job learning process, one that I am still learning. There are many players in the league that are far more knowledgable than I am. Collector (Ben) is our team historian. We call him that because he collects memorabilia and historic artifacts. Everyone on the team earns a nickname at some point. There are often debates with league historians about which terms were used and how they were used. We do try to keep in charachter when we play in front of spectators. We don't "high five" and try to resist using modern baseball terms. We tally "Aces" when we score, the umpire won't call you safe, he either says nothing or pronounces you "not out". There is a lot to learn and I often get confused watching modern games. 

 

I think there are some things that MLB might consider reverting back towards. Like when we step to the plate the pitcher may throw. Even if we step away, the pitch may be thrown, but the umpire is not obligated to call any of the pitches. I'd like to see the umpires have less of a propensity to allow batters to step away. If they can't put on their gloves to bat and keep them on, don't wear them. We play without gloves in the field. And what if on a 3-2 count the umpire had the instructions to not call a pitch which was borderline? Instead letting the players decide the outcome of the at bat. Carlose Beltran might be a Met hero today. 

 

 

6) Tell me about yourself, how have you been able to help other people with the general knowledge of baseball and the Gotham Club.

 

Its a great subject for parties to talk about. We participate in educational days for schools. The Cyclones have a date each year where we play in the years of 1864, 73 and 77 for school kids. Once people see the game the questions start coming. They all want to know what the differences are and when the game changed. All the players enjoy sharing with the spectators. A simple pleasure that so many people enjoy. 

 

Happy to be able to share with you John. It would be nice to meet you sometime in the future. Please let us know if we can help you or the magazine in any way. You have all been most gracious. Huzzah! Baseball season is starting soon. 

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