Makes no sense to read any further if you are a gambling degenerate. Don't waste your time. It won't help you handicap the games. But if you are a true Baseball Fan then you will appreciate my musings about the Greatest Sport on Planet Earth.
Tis the Season. Minor League ballplayers everywhere are itching to get the call. That call up to the Major League Club. And the month of September never disappoints. Even just a sip of the Bigs, "a cup of coffee", is all they ever dreamed of, just to stand in the spotlight however long that lasts.
Henry John LaRose was once that man. Yesterday I had the pleasure of "talkin baseball" with John for about 30 minutes. At age 67, he'll be 68 in October, he works at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut as a Blackjack Dealer. Probably something he'd rather not be doing but when your wife is ill you would probably do anything to get and keep Medical coverage. But I digress.
On September 20, 1978, LaRose made a relief appearance against Detroit at Tiger Stadium. He allowed five runs (22.0 ERA), giving up three hits and five walks without any strikeouts over 2.0 innings of work. He did not have a decision and never appeared in a Major League game again. He really was a true-life "Moonlight Graham". Although he got to travel with the Big Club through a few cities that would be all of his Major League experience.
Upon querying further about his "time in the spotlight" with the Red Sox LaRose volunteered some interesting discussion. The Home Plate Umpire was squeezing him on those 5 Walks. No doubt about it.
John said that his favorite MLB experience was when he took the field at Yankee Stadium. With his MLB jacket on, stepping onto the field in New York and walking out to the bullpen was Heaven. During one game the bullpen phone rang to get him warming up. As a Left Hand "specialist" he was going to be summoned to pitch to Reggie Jackson. But a Right Handed batter grounded out to end the inning and what "could have been" never took place.
The 1978 Red Sox were a powerful team and I asked about some of his teammates. LaRose thought back to a Spring Training Game when he was called on with the bases loaded and nobody out. Got a ground ball force out at Home Plate but the throw to 1st base was too late for the double play. He got another ground ball, a 6-4-3 double play, to escape the inning.
When he got into the dugout, nobody said anything to him, not one word. Then Carl Yastrzemski came over, patted him on the shoulder, and said "good job kid".
There is more, much more, and if you've read this far, you might be willing to read a little further. And I will ramble on more about "A cup of coffee".
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Henry John LaRose - "A cup of coffee"
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by BrickJames
