Harry The K, Whaddya Say?

In contrast to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” that was played for the Yankees, the Phillies have gone into a different direction with this song, “Harry The K, Whaddya Say?”

Whaddya think of it?

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

2009/2010 Free Agent Tracker: 3B

Third basemen make up another fruitful class of free agents, perhaps the most fruitful of the entire 2009 class. The trade market for third baseman is also pretty bare, which should add intrigue, as most of the trade candidates have at least one serious flaw: Mike Lowell (injury-prone), Kevin Kouzmanoff (has gotten worse at the plate, doesn’t walk), and Andy Marte (doesn’t do anything well) for example.

Last year, in an uncertain economic climate (that has turned into a crappy economy, but arguably non-disastrous), only Casey Blake signed a multi-year contract to play third base. The class in question though, had Joe Crede, Aaron Boone, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Mark Loretta battling for second-best at the position.

This year’s class is significantly better.

There should be at least two or three players signed to multi-year deals, and in all likelihood, at least a player or two will opt for a short term contract with eyes on future earnings.

*Note: Players with options will be kept off the list unless their options are projected as unexercised. No arbitration-eligible players will be included unless they are projected as non-tender free agents. Ages represent age on June 30, 2010

1. Chone Figgins, 32 years old

Had Figgins been projected as a Type A free agent, there’s a strong possibility he’d have slid down this list. While he’s a fine player, his versatility has been overstated. He’s played games at several positions, but fields poorly at all but third base according to UZR.

However, what has gone more overstated than Figgins versatility is the lumping of third base into the “corner infielder” category when projecting offensive production. There simply aren’t many good offensive third basemen, and frankly, Figgins .298/.363/.388 line from 2008 would be an improvement on many clubs, not to mention Figgins stole 42 bases and walked 101 times in 2009.

2. Mark DeRosa, 35 years old

DeRosa is something of an enigma to educated baseball fans. He’s a below-average fielder at every position but right field (where UZR shows he’s outstanding over 1193.1 innings), but gets added value as a utility guy. The only reason he’s listed as a third-baseman in this column is because he’s probably going to play infield wherever he goes, and he’s least-crappy at third.

One thing that DeRosa does well though, is to find a way to produce at the plate. In 2006, playing for the Rangers in the hitter friendly confines in Arlington, DeRosa didn’t hit a lot of homeruns, but managed 40 doubles. The following year with the Cubs, he upped his walk total, despite decreased power numbers. In 2008, arguably his breakout season, DeRosa managed 21 homers, 69 walks, and 30 doubles for a .285/.376/.481 line. Then, in slightly-reduced at-bats this season, he set a career-high for home runs (23), despite hitting only .250/.319/.433.

3. Adrian Beltre, 31 years old

Beltre is one of the hardest free agents to project. He’s relatively young, coming off of a monster contract, and could be looking to cash in now, for less, or play outside of Seattle for a season, produce offensively, and cash in bigger next offseason. While his 2004 season, (48 home runs, second in MVP voting) has come under scrutiny since steroid suspicion was legitimized, Beltre also played in perhaps the worst possible offensive fit for his skillset (Safeco Field).

Regardless of his offensive prowess or lack thereof, Beltre has arguably the best glove in the game at the hot corner. His career 13.3 UZR/150 has only faltered in one season (2007), when he posted a -3.4 UZR/150.

4. Miguel Tejada, 36 years old

Tejada has transformed from the underrated odd-man-out in a trio of young, offensively-gifted shortstops (Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Nomar Garciaparra) to one of only two remaining from the list still at the position, Jeter being the other. Unfortunately, like Jeter, Tejada should have been moved off of shortstop a long time ago.

Though Tejada posted a positive UZR in 2008, it was sandwiched between some pretty average to below-average seasons at the position, which culminated in an awful -13.5 UZR in 2009. Still, his 46 doubles and .313 average would look good in a lot of lineups, and while he’s never played third base in the majors (16,097.2 innings at shortstop), the ultra-durable Tejada should be fine there. Tejada will probably be a Type A free agent though.

5. Joe Crede, 32 years old

Crede is perhaps the most accurate embodiment of what third basemen used to be. He hits for power, but doesn’t walk, strikes out a lot, and doesn’t hit for high average. He’s also got a glove that can’t justify a move to first base, and a body that can’t handle the rigors of third base.

From 2003-2006 Crede played in 151, 144, 132, and 150 games. His best season at the plate was 2006, but a lot has gone wrong since then. Crede has battled back injuries since then, and has played 47, 97, and 90 games in the three seasons since then. When he’s healthy he’s arguably a top tier third baseman, but he hasn’t been healthy for three seasons.

Casey is a super-sophomore at Green River Community College, where he retired from his post as Editor-in-Chief at the school’s newspaper. He’s a featured columnist for the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks at Bleacher Report. He does a sports radio show on www.kgrg.com, his college’s radio station on Saturdays from 7-10 PM PST. He can be contacted at caseymgreer@gmail.com.

2009/2010 Free Agent Tracker: 1B

There aren’t many top first basemen available this year. Last year’s free agent class was led by Mark Teixeira, who was the top free agent according to the Elias rankings that determine pick compensation allocation for teams which sign multiple Type A free agents. Teixeira’s new team, the Yankees, signed three: Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

The two former free agents are unmatched in this year’s class. This year’s class will be defined, for better or worse, by reclamation projects. Russell Branyan and Carlos Delgado have already been listed under the designated hitter category for free agents.

*Note: Players with options will be kept off the list unless their options are projected as unexercised. No arbitration-eligible players will be included unless they are projected as non-tender free agents. Ages represent age on June 30, 2010

1. Adam LaRoche, 30 years old

For a guy who boasts career numbers of .274/.343/.491, LaRoche moved around a lot last season. After being traded to the Pirates in a deal that brought Mike Gonzalez and Brent Lillibridge to Atlanta, LaRoche played two seasons with the Pirates before being dealt to the Red Sox, and eventually back to the Braves.

Upon his return to Atlanta, LaRoche caught fire. In the 57 games he played with the Braves this year he hit .325/.401/.557 in 212 plate appearances, and hit pretty well in the pitcher-friendly confines of Turner Field for all of 2009. LaRoche is an average defensive first baseman, so he isn’t an embarrassment at the position.

2. Nick Johnson, 31 years old

Johnson has been a tease since entering the majors. Once a top prospect with the Yankees, projected as a power hitter who would walk a ton, Johnson has only fulfilled on the latter description. At 6-3, 236 lbs, a .114 ISO would generally disqualify a first baseman from contention for any type of free agent haul.

But Johnson is two years removed from a season where he hit 46 doubles, 23 home runs, and walked 110 times in 628 plate appearances. In 2008 his season was shortened by injury, but if counted, he’s posted an OBP over .400 for four straight seasons. Health is the biggest concern for Johnson, but when healthy, he plays a pretty good first base also.

3. Hank Blalock, 29 years old

Once a third baseman, Blalock has fallen victim to a common issue that plagues third basemen, his body has started to break down. Blalock was a tremendous offensive third baseman, boasting a .269/.329/.465 line for his career from the left-handed batter’s box.

But in the past three seasons Blalock has missed 240 of a possible 486 games. He played only one game at third base in 2009, and hasn’t played more than 39 games at the position since 2006, when he played 122 games. In 1005 plate appearances in those three seasons though, he’s posted an ISO over .220 each season.

4. Aubrey Huff, 33 years old

In the three years Huff has spent in Baltimore, he’s sandwiched one really great year between two pretty nondescript years. His .304/.360/.552 line in 2008 was pretty stellar, the other two years are considerably worse. Huff has only had one other season comparable to his 2008 season, his 2004 season with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when he was 27 years old.

But while years will certainly rob Huff of some of his lateral range and fielding ability, there could be reason to believe that he can still improve at first base. Huff was originally a third baseman, and saw his most action in a single season this year at the position. Even if he can’t stick at first, he’s a good buy-low designated hitter candidate on a short-term contract.

5. Eric Hinske, 32 years old

Like Huff and Blalock, Hinske came to the majors as a third baseman. But despite winning the Rookie of the Year award at the position in 2002 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He played over 1,000 innings at third in each of his first three seasons, and hasn’t played more than 265 since.

However, Hinske has a positive UZR/150 at first base in 1,366.2 career innings, and when given significant plate appearances, is generally an acceptable hitter. In all but one season (2004) when Hinske has posted an ISO over .190, and over .200 in two of those seasons.

Casey is a super-sophomore at Green River Community College, where he retired from his post as Editor-in-Chief at the school’s newspaper. He’s a featured columnist for the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks at Bleacher Report. He does a sports radio show on www.kgrg.com, his college’s radio station on Saturdays from 7-10 PM PST. He can be contacted at caseymgreer@gmail.com.

Soundbites from Pedro’s Pre-Game Press Conference

Listen to what Pedro had to say in these pre-game snippets from today’s press conference.

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

My 2009 World Series Prediction

The Clash of the Titans

For those of who who are not excited about this year’s Fall Classic between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies, think it over for a minute…and while you’re at it read this snippet from Adam Becker’s article over at Baseball Reflections called, “Get Over It!“. After you read it, I’m betting that you will feel differently. Now, here’s that snippet:

“The beauty of this year’s Series is that those of us that don’t have a rooting interest, can sit back, relax, and watch the past two AL CY Young award winners duel in Game 1, Pedro Martinez take another crack at the Yankees in Game 2, the greatest closer of all-time hurling once again in October, and winners of a total of five MVP’s in the past 6 years……not to mention post-season legends Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, and 3-time defending Silver Slugger Chase Utley.”

After I read this snippet, my reaction was just…WOW!

BUT, before we dive into my prediction, let’s take a quick look at how these two teams got here from the League Championship Series.

NLCS — The Philadelphia Phillies vs. The Los Angeles Dodgers

The bottom line in this series is that the Dodgers pitching which was so dominant against Cardinals simply couldn’t keep series MVP Ryan Howard and the rest of the Phillies power line up at bay. In the end, the combo of the dominant pitching of Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez and their potent offense was just more than this Dodger team could handle. This will be the franchise’s 7th trip to the World Series.

ALCS — The New York Yankees vs. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I honestly don’t know if it was more the dominant play of CC Sabathia and A-Rod or the uncharacteristically hideous Angel defense, which coughed up 8 errors, that sent the Yankees to their 40th World Series appearance. After all, the Yankees committed 3 errors of their own. To be honest, the Yankees didn’t impress me in this series! With the way the Angels were playing this series should have ended quicker. Then again, maybe the Angels were able to take it to 6 games due to the intangibles like their desire to win it for Adenhart. Who knows?

My Prediction for the 2009 Fall Classic

For the first time in as long as I can remember we have as even of a match up as is possible. The Phillies are NOT your typical National League team! Yes they can play small ball and run, but that’s just a part of their game. They are also a power-filled line up much like your above average American League team and much like the Yankees themselves.

This series has the potential to be an instant classic if only given the chance. This match up is THAT good!

Both starting rotations have their question marks after the former Cy Young Award winning Indians take the mound tonight. Will the Yankees still show themselves as Pedro Martinez’s “daddy” as he claimed when he was with the Red Sox? Will A.J. Burnett be caught by Posada or Molina? Which Cole Hamels will we see in game 3 against Andy Pettitte? Likewise, which version of closer Brad Lidge will we see? He will need to be the Lidge we saw in all of 2008 to match Rivera “the great”! And will A-Rod continue his uncharacteristic hot hitting in the post-season?

Will all of the drama, hype and All Stars in this series I for one would be disappointed if it didn’t go 6 or 7 games!

But when the last team is standing, I expect them to be wearing the “red” pinstripes of the Philadelphia Phillies! If for no other reason that I believe that they can dent the armor of Rivera, although not by much, but more importantly I just think they are the better team all around. Plus, winning the Fall Classic last year as opposed nine years ago is an advantage in the Phillies corner

What do you all think? Let your voice be heard!

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

Phillies CF Shane Victorino on Life in Baseball

This video is a little dated, taken after game 4 of this year’s NLCS against the Dodgers, but it is a good interview with the Phillies Flying Hawaiian!

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

New York Yankees Past & Present Speak about Little League Baseball

Doc Gooden, David Cone, Nick Swisher, A.J. Burnett, Ron Guidry, Goose Gossage, Johnny Damon and Mike Mussina share their thoughts on the Little League experience. Enjoy…







My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

2009/2010 Free Agent Tracker: 2B

The market for second baseman in the offseason is one of the few that have significantly more supply than demand. Last season, players like Orlando Hudson entered the offseason expecting a major pay raise, and didn’t get it because the economy caused several free agents to remain unsigned for most of the offseason.

Hudson is back on the free agent market, and though he had a strong season in Los Angeles, proving he can hit in both leagues, his declining defense and a strong second base market could leave him as the odd man out once again when it comes to cashing in on a long-term contract.

*Note: Players with options will be kept off the list unless their options are projected as unexercised. No arbitration-eligible players will be included unless they are projected as non-tender free agents. Ages represent age on June 30, 2010

1. Felipe Lopez, 30 years old

Lopez leads the pack of three pretty similar second basemen. Lopez, Placido Palanco and Orlando Hudson all batted around .300 last year, slugged around .400, and walked some. Each homered around 10 times last year, hit 30-something doubles, and hit a few triples. Lopez and Hudson are switch hitters, and Polanco has proven to be a productive American League hitter from the right side.

But Lopez is the top second baseman free agent for two very important reasons. He’s only a Type B free agent, and he’s younger than both Polanco and Hudson. Not every scout in the world loves Lopez’s defense, but his 5.6 UZR/150 in 2009 is impressive. Perhaps the most problematic blemish on Lopez’s resume is that since making his debut in 2002, he’s played for six different teams, and there could be a reason.

2. Placido Polanco, 34 years old

Is Polanco on the decline? Sure. He’ll be 34 years old next season, and decline is normal in a player’s mid-30s. But even at an advanced age, Polanco managed to put up a .285/.331/.396 line last season. Top it off with an 8.5 UZR/150 at second base, and Polanco’s decline is easier to swallow and tough to legitimize.

However, Polanco is a Type A free agent, in the middle of the Autumn of his career, and probably doesn’t want to play for a team that isn’t ready to contend in 2010. That means that the compensation surrendered for Polanco will likely be a first round pick, which increases the chances that Polanco returns to Detroit.

3. Orlando Hudson, 32 years old

Hudson’s began what will ultimately end up being a short tenure with the Dodgers on fire. He tore the cover off the ball in April (.337/.411/.537), and continued to a lesser extent in May (.328/.404/.414), and then fell off the face of the earth in June (.222/.269/.343). Hudson rebounded some in July and August, and then had a rough September, ultimately losing playing time to Ronnie Belliard.

Hudson is a Type A free agent again, and could have to camp in for another long offseason. Teams will question his ability to hit in the American League, where he spent the first part of his career and posted lesser numbers. And his once stellar defense has regressed to about average in terms of UZR.

4. Juan Uribe, 31 years old

The San Francisco Giants spent the majority of July in the rumor mill looking for a right handed hitter. They acquired Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez, but ultimately the most effective increase in performance was Uribe. Uribe hit .325/.374/.596 from September 1 on.

Uribe was originally a shortstop with the Chicago White Sox who had a lot of power potential. He never filled into that potential, but could be maturing into a similar player. Either way, Uribe has a pretty good glove at second base, much better than at shortstop or third base, where he’s also played.

5. Freddy Sanchez, 32 years old

Batting title? Check. Clean bill of health? No check. Legitimate power of any kind? No check. Perhaps the only reason Sanchez belongs on a list of top free agents any longer is that he’s actually a pretty decent fielder (5 UZR/150 for his career at second base).

Sanchez has ridden his 2006 batting title to it’s last stop, and is likely to have his $8 million option declined by the team that traded for him: the San Francisco Giants. He doesn’t walk much and after hitting 53 doubles in 2006, and 41 in 2007, he Sanchez played only 25 games with the club and his lingering injuries should concern some teams going forward.

Casey is a super-sophomore at Green River Community College, where he retired from his post as Editor-in-Chief at the school’s newspaper. He’s a featured columnist for the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks at Bleacher Report. He does a sports radio show on www.kgrg.com, his college’s radio station on Saturdays from 7-10 PM PST. He can be contacted at caseymgreer@gmail.com.

Crazy Japanese Pitch!

It’s a wonder that he didn’t hurt his arm throwing that pitch.

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

Talkin’ Baseball with Seth Swirsky

Postseason baseball is shaped by the iconography that is baseball itself. In the last quarter century, some of baseball’s most memorable moments played out on what proved to be the biggest stage possible.

From dramatic homeruns (who can forget Kirk Gibson in 1988 or Joe Carter going deep five years later?) to the straight up weird (we were treated to two in 2003…Steve Bartman in Chicago and the Pedro Martinez throw down of Don Zimmer), baseball fans have pretty much seen it all.

On October 25, 1986…the world bore witness to a routine ground ball that changed the course of the World Series for one team, prolonged a curse for another and overshadowed what was a pretty good career for Bill Buckner.

Much like the Bartman incident or Gibson hobbling around the bases, that ball going under Buckner’s mitt is one of baseball’s most widely known images and to one man…it is the cornerstone of a rather unique collection.

Seth Swirsky is the keeper of, if you ask me, one of the best privately owned baseball collections. Recently, I had the privilege to talk to him.

HOVG: You’ve accomplished plenty. Songwriter, artist, author, filmmaker…but, I’m cutting right the chase on this one. How did you end up in possession of the “Buckner Ball”? It was owned by Charlie Sheen before you got your paws on it, right?

SETH: Yes. Charlie was the first owner of the ball. He bought it at auction, in 1992. He auctioned it in April, 2000 and I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get one of those iconic pieces. The underbidder to both Sheen and me was Keith Olbermann.

HOVG: Okay…now that that is out of the way, let’s talk some baseball and not just about one ball. If someone were to head over to your site and look at your collection, what would be the first piece you’d want them to see…the crown jewel?

SETH: There are many. The letter from Commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis that banned “Shoeless” Joe Jackson; Reggie Jackson’s 3rd Home Run Ball from Game 6 of the ’77 World Series: Tom Seaver’s ’69 World Series Home Jersey; The “Buckner Ball”…rare autographs of the midget Eddie Gaedel and “Shoeless” Joe (who was illerate); a baseball signed by The Beatles on the night they played their famous Shea Stadium concert, in August, 1965. Too many “favorites” to mention. They all are part of the many themes in my collection.

HOVG: How did you get started with collecting? What was your first piece?

SETH: In November 1994, I bought, off of QVC, a baseball signed by the living members of the ’69 Mets. I grew up loving that team, so I bought the ball. I found that I really enjoyed looking at the ball with all those signatures. I then saw a 1952 N.Y. Yankees team ball with Mickey Mantle on it. It was a beautiful ball. I bought it and still have it. I then got to spend an afternoon with the famed collector, Barry Halper and I saw the quality of his things. Every piece told a story. Barry loved themes and truly historic pieces. I was very fortunate to have met him and become a good friend of his.

HOVG: Any recent finds?

SETH: I just picked up the first home run hit at Wrigley Field in it’s first-ever night game. It was hit by Lenny Dykstra in 1988. It goes with a theme I have called “Like Night and Day” and includes a baseball used in baseball’s first-ever night game (in May, 1935, in Cincinnati), a program from that game, a letter from the starting Reds pitcher that night and a ticket to that game. I also have a ball used in the first night game in Brooklyn Dodgers history that also happened to be the occasion of Johnny Vander Meer’s 2nd no hitter. Along with those things, I have a ball used in the first night game in St. Louis history (a Browns game in 1940) along with a very old photograph of Thomas Edison…whose invention of the lightbulb made baseball at night possible!

HOVG: Is there anything that your wife Jody looks at and wishes you didn’t purchase?

SETH: No. She digs my passion.

HOVG: Despite your allegiance to the New York Mets, your baseball hero was, if I’ve done my homework correctly, Mickey Mantle. Tell me about your 1994 meeting with “The Mick”.

SETH: It was the first autograph “show” I went to. It was in San Francisco, around Thanksgiving, 1995. I remember shaking Mickey’s hand. A warm, huge hand. He was such a nice man. And so nice to everyone in line. A real good guy. I asked him, of all the rings he’s won, which was he wearing? He said “my Hall of Fame ring…you know, I went in with Whitey”, referring to his great friend on the Yankees, pitching great, Whitey Ford. He showed it to me. It was a neat experience. He died about 10 months later. I was so glad to have met him. He really made an impression…of a warm, nice, real human being!

HOVG: Which brings me to your books. You said in a 2000 interview that Mantle’s was the one letter that you wished you had gotten in return. For those that aren’t familiar, you’ve authored three books where, basically, you re-print letters that you’ve received from baseball players, as well as some of the game’s more popular fans. Where did you ever come up with the idea? Did it start as another way to get some cherished memorabilia or fodder for a book? Or both?

SETH: No, I wrote those letters because I started to delve deep into the rich history of the game and I simply wanted answers to some questions from the players that participated in some of the great moments. Tons of players wrote back…very famous players and not so famous players. I just loved their stories, in their handwriting, with other people.

HOVG: Of all the replies that you’ve received…do you have a favorite?

SETH: I love Cal Ripken Jr.’s letter about how he became close to his dad. He wrote that he had five brothers and sisters and his dad, who was a coach with the Orioles, would take him to the ballpark with him as none of his other siblings wanted to go. I used to love to “go to work” with my dad growing up and it reminded me of that poignant moment. But, there are so many. Handwritten letters from Sir Paul McCartney, President George W. Bush, Ted Williams, Tom Seaver…they run the gamut.

HOVG: You’re a huge baseball fan, clearly. But as you’ve said, your “soul is in music”. Tell me about that letter you received from McCartney?

SETH: I saw him on TV at a Yankees game. During the seventh inning stretch, the organist played The Beatles great song, “I Saw Her Standing There”. Paul got up and sang it out loud. I thought, I’m going to write to Paul to get the story of how he got into liking baseball and what it was like for him to hear Beatles songs over huge loudspeakers while he’s a spectator at a baseball game. A week later, I got a Fedex from London, opened it and out pops a two paragraph, handwritten letter from Sir Paul for my third book of letters called “Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan”. It was thrilling to get his letter.

HOVG: Let’s talk music and that love of The Beatles. Great artists and songwriters, who, collectively…are, quite possibly, are one of the greatest bands ever assembled. In your estimation…who would be the baseball equivalent of The Beatles?

SETH: The closest I can think of is the 1976-1981 New York Yankees. They went to the World Series four times in those years. They had a cast of “cool” characters (“Reggie”, “Sweet Lou” Pinella, Bucky Dent) and they could beat you in many ways…like the many ways The Beatles could make you feel when listening to their albums.

HOVG: One last Beatles-related question…when are we going to be able to see the documentary, “A Year in the Life”, you’ve been putting together?

SETH: It is being edited now with a hopeful release next year.

HOVG: Anything you want to add? What’s going on currently in your life and what is next?

SETH: I’m finishing up my new solo record called “Watercolor Day”. 15 pop songs. Due out, this January. Check out www.seth.com. Also, my band, The Red Button, will have a new album out in the spring and we’re going on a European tour in April-May.

Seth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter, recording artist, author, filmmaker and memorabilia collector. His music credits include working with the likes of Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Air Supply, Michael McDonald and Al Green.

Most recently, he has recorded with The Red Button alongside Mike Ruekberg. Their debut album “She’s About To Cross My Mind” was released in 2007 to critical acclaim.

Swirsky’s three books “Baseball Letters: A Fan’s Correspondence With His Heroes”, “Every Pitcher Tells A Story: Letters Gathered by a Devoted Fan” and “Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan” are half of the books I’ve read in the last two years.

Shawn also writes for The Hall of Very Good(HOVG). If you liked this article, please follow the link to the HOVG and tell them the Drs. sent you!

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