I was watching the Rangers play the Yankees last night when I started thinking of guys that were never really superstars that I will never forget for one reason or another. Let me give you a few examples:
1. Gregg Jefferies, Mets/Cardinals. In 1987, I began collecting baseball cards. When 1988 new sets rolled around, there was a buzz about this can't miss rookie prospect. I remember opening up those packs in 1988 hoping to score a Jefferies card. He didn't turn out to be much of a player-but my friend Dustin and I still laugh about "gettin' a Jefferies!".
2. Pete Incaviglia, Rangers/Phillies. This guy was just built funny-and I remember an announcer one time saying about him strolling around the bases after a home run that he was doing the "Inky Dinky Do". It's just something that I remember any time I see a baseball player with huge arms and chest getting in the box.
3. Bob Hamelin, Royals. This guy won AL rookie of the year and looked like my brother-in-law, also named Bob-who that same year married my sister. After his rookie season, Hamelin didn't do much and my sister's marriage wasn't working out either. I don't know if Hamelin retired before or after my sister's divorce, but it was close to the same time.
4. Ken Landreaux, Dodgers. As a kid, going to Dodgertown in Vero Beach for spring training, there was this tall guy that played center field named Ken Landreaux. One day, I went to a game, and after the game was walking with my family to the car when I hear the sound of cleats running. I turned around and it was Landreaux. He was running to the batting cages up ahead. We decided to follow him. When he was done, he saw me watching and he walked over and gave me the bat he was using and signed my glove. Later that spring, they had a promotion and let kids on the field. Landreaux saw me on the field and asked me if I was using his bat. He said that he hadn't gotten a hit since he gave it to me and asked if he could have it back. I was shocked and said OK-then he just started laughing and said he was just playing. He was one of my favorite players-even though very few people know who he is.
Walt "no neck" williams. Outfielder for the White Sox in the 60's. Guy was as broad as he was tall and his head sat on his shoulders. My dad and I loved him.
Ryne Duren, the old Yankee relief pitcher, blind as a bat, even with his coke bottle glasses. Threw at about 100 mph with no idea where it was going. Used to warm up with most pitches going over the catcher's head, all the way to the screen. No batter ever got comfortable at the plate with Duren on the rubber.
