Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

The time for baseball is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers report next month and most teams will be getting ready for another season of excitement. The following is on everyone's mind who enjoys America's Pastime: Is this the year for the Yankees again? Will the Mets turn-the-page from last season? The Angels and Phillies are teams to keep an eye on. One great season ahead with a great many teams. The words of "Playball" will be heard shortly. Until then, see ya at Spring Training. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Major League Baseball has donated almost $1 Million dollars to help in the rescue and recovery operations in Haiti, which was hit with a 7.0 earthquake. If you want to help, it is suggested by authorities that you donate to the American Red Cross. The Mets again are making news as Carlos Beltran had surgery on his knee and GM Omar Minaya said he "didn't sign off on it." This past week we also heard Mark McGwire admit that he used steroids for nearly a decade and that he also used it when he hit 70 homeruns in 1998. Let's hope the coming weeks are more peaceful. Until then, our prayers go to Haiti. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Upcoming Radio Show on WGBB 1240 AM tonight at 9:00 p.m. Bruce Markusen from the Baseball Hall of Fame will join the show with a new segment called "Cooperstown Confidential" which will recap the Hot Stove, Hall of Fame voting and the hottest baseball news. Gary Bedingfeld , author of "Baseball's Dead of World War II: A Roster of Professional Players who Died in Service" will join the show in the second-half.

John Habyan Video Interview

Mike Marshall Video Interview

Arlon Bennett NY Baseball Live Staff - 8/16/2009 August 16, 2009: Author & musician Arlon Bennett joined the show to talk about his work with the New York Mets on their dedication to the lat Bob Murphy. Zack Hample & David Rhode NY Baseball Live Staff - 8/30/2009 August 30, 2009: Guests on the show included author Zack Hample known as "The Baseball Collector." Hample has snagged 4,200+ baseballs to-date, including Barry Bonds' 724th career homerun. Also joining the show was David Rhode, Executive Director for Pitch in for Baseball. He discussed what his program does and how him he met Zack Hample. John Habyan NY Baseball Live Staff - 9/20/2009 September 20, 2009: Talking with former Yankee pitcher John Habyan about his 11-year career in the Major Leagues. In addition to his baseball career, we also talked about his coaching career with St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, NY., his work with Cal Ripken Baseball and All Pro Baseball Academy. Mike Marshall...

All along many thought the Roberto Alomar was a shoe-in to the Hall of Fame. But, the few votes he didn't receive were because of his past and treatment of umpires. Marty Noble of MLB.com punished him for it, and I believe rightly so, after he appeared on the MLB Network and defended his decision. The top five HOF votes: Andre Dawson 420 votes 77.9% Bert Byline 400 votes 74.2% Roberto Alomar 397 votes 73.7% Jack Morris 282 votes 52.3% Barry Lark in 278 votes 51.6% Until then, see ya in Cooperstown. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Upcoming Radio Show on WGBB 1240 AM this Sunday, December 10, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. Bruce Markusen from the Baseball Hall of Fame will join the show with a new segment called "Cooperstown Confidential" which will recap the Hot Stove, Hall of Fame voting and the hottest baseball news. Gary Bedingfeld , author of "Baseball's Dead of World War II: A Roster of Professional Players who Died in Service" will join the show in the second-half.  

Here is 2010 and before we know it, the baseball season will be right around the corner. That means the first sign of Spring. Every season I enjoy what the NHL does with their Winter Classic. Maybe it is because they play it in baseball stadiums? Maybe it is because my career in writing started in hockey and the New York Islanders magazine? But, I like the play of the Winter Classic. The Yankees have 27 World Championships now and many teams will be chasing them in 2010. I see a repeat! The Mets are trying and you can't fault them. Bernie, Omar, etc., it has been a rough season and hopefully 2010 will be the turn around. Until then, see ya at the Winter Classic. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry