Last night's tribute to Hal McCoy was amazing. I'm so happy I could be there and even happier I can call Hal a friend.
In 2007, I was lucky enough to "Drive Ms. Daisy" as we call it.
Aaron Boone gets a lot of credit -- and deservedly so -- for inspiring McCoy to come back after he lost his eyesight. I think there's another unsung figure in that story, the guy who facilitated Hal's return, Tony Jackson.
Jackson was the Reds beat writer for the Cincinnati Post at the time and he was the one who picked Hal up outside his condo every day and brought him to the ballpark in spring training. There are other places on the road where Tony would help out as well.
That tradition was handed down to Marc Lancaster and then myself as The Post writers moved on. The last two years, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has picked up the torch -- and Hal.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I never thought of it as a job or a chore or anything other than time with a friend.
I'd always pick Hal up, we'd stop at 7-11 for his coffee and my Red Bull and then leave Siesta Key for Ed Smith Stadium. On away games, we got more time, heading to St. Pete or Bradenton (oh, Bradenton, it seems like we went there every day) or Ft. Meyers.
On the way we'd talk about baseball, music, books, life, anything. Hal would always thank me, and I'd make a stupid joke about having to do it, but it was a pleasure. I can't tell you how much I've missed those drives the last two years.
Anyway, here are some photos my friend Josh took yesterday:
You can see the video the Reds showed before the game here.
* A very good thing at Great American Ball Park -- a fresh fruit stand, for those of you who want something other than peanuts and Cracker Jack. From the Reds: "Located just inside the main ballpark entrance gates at Crosley Terrace, the stand allows fans to pick from many fresh fruits including apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, pears and nectarines. Fresh fruit cups, apple chips and caramel apples are also available. Prices start at $1.50 each."
That's a great start for improving food at GABP and giving more healthy options. The stand will be open tonight and for the rest of this season and next season. I hope people keep it in business.
* Hal wasn't the only media icon honored on Wednesday. The great Ernie Harwell was honored before Detroit's game with Kansas City.
* More great stuff from Poz on The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds
* MLB Trade Rumors looks at the market for left fielders. I'm not a big believer in throwing big money at free agents.
* I gotta give some serious credit to the folks at OMGReds.com for their Kanye series
* Me? I don't see how Joe Mauer isn't the AL MVP. Ken Rosenthal does, but I don't. Is Pujols unanimous in the NL? Was int he clubhouse last night as Ramon Hernandez was filling out his Player's Choice ballot. He was debating between a couple of pitchers and I just told him to put in Pujols. He laughed and said he should.
* So, as I've become a sabermetric convert in baseball, I think when I know more I'll be there in football. Maybe. Here's a start.
* Aaron Rodgers thinks this is the best Packer team he's been on.
* The DLP was upset Dhani Jones wasn't on this NY Daily News feature of hottest male athletes.
* Got this from @Loomis2 yesterday and it's the coolest thing I've seen in the last couple of days:
* The Jaguars want to draft Tim Tebow -- and have decided that will sell more tickets than winning.
* Landry Jones is no Sam Bradford, but he does have a killer mustache.
* Speaking of the Holy Trinity, the New York Times has a good article on the lack of privacy for the unpaid celebrity college athlete, focusing on Tebow, Bradford and Colt McCoy.
* Five reasons the Tennessee Volunteers should start a catfish at quarterback.
* I know the Wolverines aren't the most popular squad 'round here, but these shoes are just killer. I love the Michigan uniforms -- and when they get together with Ohio State or Penn State, it's tough to beat those aesthetics.
* R.I.P. Myles Brand
* Former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has been hired as a consultant by Memphis. It makes sense, the Big East is the best chance for Memphis to get into the BCS.
* I wasn't in love with Parks and Recreation last year, but Alan Sepinwall talks to Michael Schur, whose work I love. I will be giving the show a second chance this year (I'm sure it's grateful)
* This is so damn awesome -- Regrets: Dave Matthews Band. "It's like a cross between Jimmy Buffet and WIdespread Panic." Just awesome.
* Talking Head David Byrne has a new book on riding his bike.
* I like the plan to turn part of the Georgia Theatre into a museum of Athens music history. I don't think it's going to happen, but it's a nice thought.
In 2007, I was lucky enough to "Drive Ms. Daisy" as we call it.
Aaron Boone gets a lot of credit -- and deservedly so -- for inspiring McCoy to come back after he lost his eyesight. I think there's another unsung figure in that story, the guy who facilitated Hal's return, Tony Jackson.
Jackson was the Reds beat writer for the Cincinnati Post at the time and he was the one who picked Hal up outside his condo every day and brought him to the ballpark in spring training. There are other places on the road where Tony would help out as well.
That tradition was handed down to Marc Lancaster and then myself as The Post writers moved on. The last two years, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has picked up the torch -- and Hal.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I never thought of it as a job or a chore or anything other than time with a friend.
I'd always pick Hal up, we'd stop at 7-11 for his coffee and my Red Bull and then leave Siesta Key for Ed Smith Stadium. On away games, we got more time, heading to St. Pete or Bradenton (oh, Bradenton, it seems like we went there every day) or Ft. Meyers.
On the way we'd talk about baseball, music, books, life, anything. Hal would always thank me, and I'd make a stupid joke about having to do it, but it was a pleasure. I can't tell you how much I've missed those drives the last two years.
Anyway, here are some photos my friend Josh took yesterday:
You can see the video the Reds showed before the game here.
* A very good thing at Great American Ball Park -- a fresh fruit stand, for those of you who want something other than peanuts and Cracker Jack. From the Reds: "Located just inside the main ballpark entrance gates at Crosley Terrace, the stand allows fans to pick from many fresh fruits including apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, pears and nectarines. Fresh fruit cups, apple chips and caramel apples are also available. Prices start at $1.50 each."
That's a great start for improving food at GABP and giving more healthy options. The stand will be open tonight and for the rest of this season and next season. I hope people keep it in business.
* Hal wasn't the only media icon honored on Wednesday. The great Ernie Harwell was honored before Detroit's game with Kansas City.
* More great stuff from Poz on The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds
* MLB Trade Rumors looks at the market for left fielders. I'm not a big believer in throwing big money at free agents.
* I gotta give some serious credit to the folks at OMGReds.com for their Kanye series
* Me? I don't see how Joe Mauer isn't the AL MVP. Ken Rosenthal does, but I don't. Is Pujols unanimous in the NL? Was int he clubhouse last night as Ramon Hernandez was filling out his Player's Choice ballot. He was debating between a couple of pitchers and I just told him to put in Pujols. He laughed and said he should.
* So, as I've become a sabermetric convert in baseball, I think when I know more I'll be there in football. Maybe. Here's a start.
* Aaron Rodgers thinks this is the best Packer team he's been on.
* The DLP was upset Dhani Jones wasn't on this NY Daily News feature of hottest male athletes.
* Got this from @Loomis2 yesterday and it's the coolest thing I've seen in the last couple of days:
* The Jaguars want to draft Tim Tebow -- and have decided that will sell more tickets than winning.
* Landry Jones is no Sam Bradford, but he does have a killer mustache.
* Speaking of the Holy Trinity, the New York Times has a good article on the lack of privacy for the unpaid celebrity college athlete, focusing on Tebow, Bradford and Colt McCoy.
* Five reasons the Tennessee Volunteers should start a catfish at quarterback.
* I know the Wolverines aren't the most popular squad 'round here, but these shoes are just killer. I love the Michigan uniforms -- and when they get together with Ohio State or Penn State, it's tough to beat those aesthetics.
* R.I.P. Myles Brand
* Former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has been hired as a consultant by Memphis. It makes sense, the Big East is the best chance for Memphis to get into the BCS.
* I wasn't in love with Parks and Recreation last year, but Alan Sepinwall talks to Michael Schur, whose work I love. I will be giving the show a second chance this year (I'm sure it's grateful)
* This is so damn awesome -- Regrets: Dave Matthews Band. "It's like a cross between Jimmy Buffet and WIdespread Panic." Just awesome.
* Talking Head David Byrne has a new book on riding his bike.
* I like the plan to turn part of the Georgia Theatre into a museum of Athens music history. I don't think it's going to happen, but it's a nice thought.
Was it necessary to link RIP Myles Brand to that? We're still trying to heal wounds here at IU, and it makes me feel worthless that my blood is now boiling over a guy who just died, when all day yesterday I maintained that the past is in the past and was as respectful as I should be.
I was thinking the same thing about Landry and the mustache. Quite the flavor saver he's got there.
I get Jacksonville going after Tebow, they are in bad shape and need Divine Intervention, we all know Tebow=2nd coming of Jesus.
A very good thing at Great American Ball Park -- a fresh fruit stand...Prices start at $1.50 each...It is a good thing, but I think Mr. Castellini is trying to deplete his surplus (j/k).
It's a smart move, too. Those fruits are great, healthy snacks for kids-at least they won't fill up on hot dogs and other perceived junk foods. It's a nice bonus when we want to spend a night at the "Ol' Ballyard".