Read Every Issue of Baseball Digest Ever

Crazy... I was just looking at an issue from '95 that touted Jason Kendall and Bill Pulsipher as the next big stars in the league. The most interesting stuff is going back to the earliest issues, though.

4 months ago OnixConcepcion 7 comments 0 recs |

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I just noticed this a week ago

Some really great stuff.

I’d also highly recommend a membership to SABR – it gets you every Sporting News ever written.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Feb 9, 2012 7:37 PM EST reply actions

Google is now

your No. 1 source on the Internet for anecdotal evidence of Steve Busby’s great pick-off moves.

by 2X2L on Feb 9, 2012 8:14 PM EST reply actions

I still can't find the

legendary game in which Charley Spikes was picked off twice at third.

The closest I can find is June 16, 1973, the first time Busby pitched 9 innings or more since his first no-hitter in April in that year.

With one out in the bottom of the 7th, Spikes singled, stole second, and advanced to 3rd on a throwing error by Healy, the catcher. With the Indians down 2-1 with only 1 out in the inning and their #5 hitter, Oscar Gamble, at the plate, Spikes was caught wandering off 3rd base, scored as “picked off and caught stealing at home” even though he was tagged out at 3rd. Gamble singled, naturally, but was stranded. Spikes didn’t even get on base in any other plate appearance.

The Indians managed to tie it in the 8th, but the Royals went ahead in the top of the 10th and won. So the pickoff was a big play in the game, for sure. However, it was just one play, not two.

I can’t find any other time Busby picked Spikes off.

Makes a good story anyway, so I totally believe it happened. I’ll keep looking.

by 2X2L on Feb 9, 2012 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

Fred and Denny have spun that bit of baseball drama into 127 hours of baseball anecdote over the years....

I love the dreaded fake to 1st, throw to 3rd move. First Denny gets a little exasperated at the Quixotic nature of the low percentage move. You can literally hear him shaking his head in annoyed disbelief. Then he inevitably trots out the "Steve Buzzzbee was the only pitcher I can recall who made that move work…blah, blah, blah, "

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Feb 9, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, there are no surprises in that old tale

but I’d still rather listen to that than to any inning with play-by-play by Bob or Steve.

In fact, I’d pay money to hear old stuff from Denny and Fred instead of anything those other guys have to say. I’ll just follow along with Gameday while tuning in to yesteryear. Won’t miss a thing.

by 2X2L on Feb 10, 2012 12:14 AM EST up reply actions

I agree. I've transitioned from a primarily radio listener, to a TV watcher.

Fred & Denny were always excellent, IMHO. It will be really interesting to see what they do when Denny retires (which I assume has to be relatively soon), and if they do actually end up bringing in Rex Hudler to pair up with Ryan. I’ve always admired Denny for playing things straight and on the down low. I know lots of fans dislike that he’s not more excitable, etc….but I’ve always liked that style. I can’t imagine the Royals staying with someone in that vein tho, seems like everybody is a screamer these days.

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Feb 10, 2012 7:47 AM EST up reply actions