Contrary Guy

David Carpenter

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 11:25:00 +0000

Born on today's date, David Carpenter.

"If you think a guy can foul a ball off and then at the same time hit the catcher on the backswing on purpose, you got no clue." - Rockies manager Walt Weiss after Carpenter intentionally hit batter Corey Dickerson one pitch after catcher Gerald Laird was hit by Dickerson's backswing

Eddie Mathews

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:01:00 +0000

On this date in 1967, Eddie Mathews hits his 500th career home run.

"I didn't like being a salesman. I wasn't a closer. I'd go in and talk baseball for an hour and a half and walk out without mentioning my product."

Mel Parnell

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:56:00 +0000

On this date in 1956, Mel Parnell of the Red Sox throws a no-hitter beating the White Sox 4-0.

"I never did reach a state of nervousness because I just didn't expect it to happen."

Robin Ventura

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 11:32:00 +0000

Born on today's date, Robin Ventura.

Let's not forget, in the Nolan Ryan/Ryan Ventura brawl, Bo Jackson got bit.

Retirement hasn't been too kind to Willie McGee

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 02:40:00 +0000

George Steinbrenner

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 00:24:00 +0000

On this date in 2010, George Steinbrenner passed away at age 80.

"I will never have a heart attack. I give them."

Roger Maris

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:20:00 +0000

On this date in 1984, the Yankees retire Roger Maris' uniform number 9.

"It's (baseball) a business. If I could make more money down in the zinc mines, I'd be mining zinc."

Reggie Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:12:00 +0000

On this date in 1971 at the All Star Game in Detroit, Reggie Jackson hits a Dock Ellis pitch off the power generator on the Tiger Stadium right-field roof 520 feet from home plate.

"Sometimes I underestimate the magnitude of me."

Dave Bristol

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:06:00 +0000

On this date in 1966, Dave Bristol takes over the managerial helm of the Reds replacing the fired Don Heffner.

"There will be two buses leaving the hotel tomorrow. The two o'clock bus will be for those of you who need a little extra work. The empty bus will leave at five o'clock."

Early Wynn

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:00:00 +0000

On this date in 1963, Early Wynn of the Indians defeats the Kansas City Athletics for his 300th (and final) career win.

"I've got a right to knock down anybody holding a bat."

Jack Aker

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:50:00 +0000

Born on this date, Jack Aker.

"Kansas City had a guy named Jack Aker who was one of the worst guys I ever saw at throwing at guys. He hit Pete Ward a couple of times. I was pitching and when Kansas City's Rick Monday came up to bat, I hit him right in the face and broke his jaw. I felt very bad over it but Ward kept getting hit." - Gary Peters

Bobby Murcer

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 02:42:00 +0000

On this date in 2008, Bobby Murcer passed away at age 62.

"You decide you'll wait for your pitch. Then, as the ball starts towards the plate you think about your stance; and then you think about your swing; and then you realize the ball that went past you for a strike was your pitch."

Ron Guidry

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 00:36:00 +0000

On this date in 1989, Ron Guidry retires from baseball.

"In the playoff game in 1978, he gave up a hit and I brought in Rich Gossage. When he got in the dugout, Guidry said, 'What the hell, can't you give up a hit in this game?" - Yankees manager, Bob Lemon

Casey Stengel

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:30:00 +0000

On this date in 1966, the AL beats the NL 2-1 in the All Star Game played in 105 degree heat in St. Louis.

"It holds the heat well." - Casey Stengel on St. Louis' ballpark

Stan Musial

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:26:00 +0000

On this date in 1955 at the All Star Game at Milwaukee's County Stadium, Stan Musial of the National League hits a game winning home run in the bottom of the 12th inning to break a 5-5 deadlock.

"Don't worry, I'll have you home in a minute." - to Yogi Berra who complained about his feet hurting just before the home run

Babe Ruth

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:18:00 +0000

On this date in 1921, Babe Ruth becomes the "Home Run King" by hitting his 137th career home run breaking the record of 136 by Roger Connor.

"If I'd just tried for them dinky singles, I would have batted around .600."

Dicso Demolition night

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 15:47:00 +0000

On this date in 1979, the White Sox are forced to forfeit the second game of a twi-night doubleheader against the Tigers after 5000 fans refuse to leave the field during Disco Demolition night.

We should do it again.

Jack Harshman

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:52:00 +0000

Born on today's date, Jack Harshman.

"If you don't succeed at first, try pitching."

Art Ceccarelli

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 15:41:00 +0000

On this date in 2012, Art Ceccarelli passed away at age 82.

"It wears pitchers down. The winds are unbelievable. Willie Kirkland once hit a home run off me that Ernie Banks called for at shortstop." - on pitching at Wrigley Field

Ed Ott

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 11:36:00 +0000

Born on this date, Ed Ott.

"I watched him turn red, then purple, then blue. He was about to turn black when I let up. The man doesn't know how much damage he can do with a 100 mph fastball and I wanted to teach him that life is very valuable." - as an Astros coach, applying a headlock to Rob Dibble during a beanball brawl

Dennis Boyd

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 18:29:00 +0000

On this date in 1986, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd flies into a rage after learning that he has been left off the American League All Star team and storms out of Fenway Park prior to Boston's game with the Angels. He will be suspended indefinitely be the Red Sox and eventually scuffle with local police before checking into a hospital for psychiatric testing.

"I would come to the ballpark, Pappas (Red Sox minority owner and team doctor) would call me in the back and ask me, 'How you feel? Did you do some (crack) last night? And I was honest with him and said, 'Yes I did.' So that was my drug test. Ain't nobody made me pee in a cup."

Earl Weaver

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 15:26:00 +0000

On this date in 1968, Earl Weaver is named the manager of the Orioles taking over from the fired Hank Bauer.

"If you play for one run, that's all you'll get."

Hal McRae

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:40:00 +0000

Born on today's date. Hal McRae.

"Sure I will, if they'll throw me the same pitches they did last year." - when asked if he would drive in 133 runs again (1983)

Bronson Arroyo scheduled for Tommy John surgery

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 02:53:00 +0000

So thankfully uh you know uh........no more guitar.

Submitted without comment

noreply@blogger.com (Contrary Guy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 01:19:00 +0000

Being nice here.