ClimbingSky

Why Baseball, Books, and the Grateful Dead matter


BASEBALL

  • Wade Boggs & Feeling Old

    On August 27th, 1999, Hall of Famer Wade Boggs played his final game in the Major Leagues. In my mid-sixties now, there are times when I feel completely discombobulated by the passing of Time. If you would have asked me just yesterday, I would have said that Wade Boggs probably played his last game 10 Read more

  • Oops!

    Since I work so far ahead here at ClimbingSky, I keep a calendar that highlights the days that already have a posting scheduled for them. August 26th was highlighted on that calendar. But it turns out that I did NOT have anything written or scheduled for today. Let me rectify that now, at least for Read more

  • Gaylord Perry

    On August 23rd, 1982, Seattle pitcher Gaylord Perry (and future Hall of Famer) was ejected in the seventh inning of a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox for doctoring the baseball. It was the first time in his 20 Major League seasons that the self-proclaimed spitball king had been bounced for that offense. Gaylord Perry was Read more

  • The Need for Speed in 2025

    Writing this as I am in late June, I am merely guessing at the direction my Local Nine, the Minnesota Twins, have gone. I suspect though it has not been pretty. The Twins in late June are considered the slowest team in the Major Leagues. With the exception of Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader the Read more

  • George Carlin

    This time of year, this great routine from George Carlin often comes to my mind. For those who have not seen it, you are in for a treat. For those who have seen it even as often as I have, it only gets better. Read more

  • Stupid Injuries

    On August 16th, 1954, In a throwing contest between Jim Piersall and Willie Mays before a Red Sox-Giants charity game in Boston, Piersall hurt his arm. He started the game but left midway. He woke up the following morning with a sore arm that stayed with him a year, and he would never throw quite as well again. Injuries are part Read more

  • Bert Campaneris

    On August 13th, 1962, Minor League infielder Bert Campaneris of Daytona Beach (Florida State League) pitched ambidextrously in a relief appearance. Bert Campaneris made 6 Major League All-Star Games over his 19-year career. As an OAKLAND Athletics fan growing up, he was one of my favorite players. I collected his cards and had a picture of him Read more

  • On August 12th, 1994, The Major League Players Union went on strike for the sport’s eighth work stoppage since 1972. In August of 1994, I had a one-year-old daughter and another on the way. And since it was summer, I had baseball to watch. The Twins were struggling but everything in my life was good. Read more

  • Brad Radke

    On August 9th, 1997, Twins pitcher Brad Radke had his  winning streak end at 12 consecutive starts when Luis Sojo doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to give the Yankees a 4-1 win before a crowd of 42,151, the second-largest gathering of the season at the Metrodome. Radke (16-6) remains tied with Scott Erickson (1991) for the Read more

  • On August 6th, 1967, against Chicago White Sox, future, Hall-of-Famer Brooks Robinson hit into the fourth triple play of his career for a major league record. Yesterday ClimbingSky featured a bad day by an obscure rookie named, ironically Sam Hope. Today we feature one by The Greatest Third Baseman of All Time, Brooks Robinson (pictured above Read more