Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

Being traded is like celebrating your 100th birthday. It might not be the happiest occasion in the world, but consider the alternative?   — Joe Garagiola — Joe Boesch

One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.   — Nolan Ryan — Joe Boesch

"Baseball is, was, and always will be the best game in the world to me."    — Babe Ruth — Joe Boesch

I got back in the game of collecting baseball cards.  Why? Because it is fun. I don't buy the complete sets and put them away in the closet, but build sets, buy odd-ball cards and years that I totally missed out (1987-present). I also will buy 5,000 plus random cards at a clip, sort them out and send TTM's to players. That makes it much more fun. They say collecting is for kids, so I guess I'm a big kid at heart. I love the game. I love writing about it. I love collecting it. I love watching it. Topps, which was bought by Fanatics, offers a wide range of cards including the Topps Now collection, which is my favorite.  So enjoy the ride of the MLB season and live it through baseball cards. Until then, see ya at the park! — Joe Boesch

If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game.  — Rickey Henderson — Joe Boesch

Baseball or Politics? That's the question I've been asked many times. As a young struggling sportswriter, I had the opportunity to cover some of the 1992 Presidential Election and the race to The White House. As a young reporter, and a young struggling writer, interviewing former Second Lady Marilyn Quayle was the chance of a lifetime. I, must say, it was quite amazing as her appearance, and my mug shot, appeared on almost every local and national television network. There's one thing that sticks out in my mind: "Never ask someone close to the President about his/her feelings and what he does?" I was an inexperienced writer and asked the former Second Lady something about President George H.W. Bush (the father) and her response was: "I don't speak for the President." So, all the talk about the Balanced Budget Amendment and slinging of mud, ended my political writing career. I decided to continue my focus on sports, especially baseball. But, I was mor...

The Mets continue to slide, and slide, and slide.  With a 42-50 record, they are 19.5 games out of first place and don't look like the team that was predicted preseason. The Mets were to be the team this year, but it's not going as planned. The Mets in the offseason will have to retool and look at the areas that need to be addressed — pitching, fielding, maybe everywhere? With Steve Cohen as the owner, they are in good hands and he will invest in their future. It has been tough this year to watch them, but hopefully their future is bright. Until then, see ya at the park! — Joe Boesch

From The Mets, July 16, 2023 The New York Mets announced that today's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers has been moved to 5:10 p.m. due to weather. Gates will open at 3:10 p.m. and parking lots will open at 2:10 p.m.   All tickets for the originally scheduled 1:40 p.m. start will be good for the 5:10 p.m. game this evening.  The Mets will provide additional updates this afternoon regarding weather and field conditions.   For more information, visit  Mets.com/Rain .  — Joe Boesch

You start chasing a ball and your brain immediately commands your body to 'Run forward, bend, scoop up the ball, peg it to the infield,' then your body says, 'Who me?'   — Joe DiMaggio — Joe Boesch

The New York Times decision to shutter its sports department brought back the fond memories of my correspondence with Ira Berkow. As a young struggling baseball writer, I would read the Times' Sports section daily especially the Sports of the Times column anchored by some of the best writers — Ira Berkow, Dave Anderson, Red Smith, George Vecsey, Harvey Araton, William Rhoden,  Robert Lipsyte, etc. A power lineup of writers. With that said, here is my Ira Berkow story and the letter he sent me on being a young struggling writer and to not give up. At the moment, I'm reading  Ira Berkow's  new book:  Full Swing: Hits, Runs and Errors in a Writer's Life.  His writing is exceptional and as a young writer, I sought his  expertise  on writing and how I can become a better writer. I've been asked by many, including some on  MLBlogs , my road to writing. Well, it's not easy and I must say I've had  good times  and  bad  with it. Though...

Here it is, the 2023 Home Run Derby lineup. Who's your pick to win? Is it Pete Alonso? What about Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., or Mookie Betts? With this lineup we will have to wait and see? Pretty impressive I must say. — Pete Alonso, Mets — Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox — Adley Rutschman, Orioles — Julio Rodriguez, Mariners — Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays — Randy Arozarena, Rays — Adolis García, Rangers — Mookie Betts, Dodgers Until then see ya at the park! — Joe Boesch

Changed over to Post as an alternative to Twitter. Pretty simple and easy to use. — Joe Boesch

Happy 4th to all and what a great day to attend a ball game — especially in New York. A lot of good games going on and the New York weather is finally beautiful. Inspirational Quote "Baseball, to me, is still the national pastime because it is a summer game. I feel that almost all Americans are summer people, that summer is what they think of when they think of their childhood. I think it stirs up an incredible emotion within people." — Steve Busby Until then, see ya at the park! — Joe Boesch

The math works. Over the course of a season, there's some predictability to baseball. When you play 162 games, you eliminate a lot of random outcomes. There's so much data that you can predict: individual players' performances and also the odds that certain strategies will pay off.  — Billy Beane — Joe Boesch