Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

You know, when I was a young boy I used to play baseball in my back yard or in the street with my brothers or the neighborhood kids. We used broken bats and plastic golf balls and played for hours and hours.  — Robin Yount  — Joe Boesch 

As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, there are many things to remember and celebrate — either it be baseball or the history of this great nation. Baseball does play an important part in shaping America. When  9/11  happened, it was baseball that shaped the United States and brought it back on its feet. It's baseball that brings smiles to so many soldiers, sailors, marines, etc., serving this great country. It's baseball that will be played as this holiday is observed and many of the teams will be wearing the American flag on their hat or sleeve. So, as we flip burgers, hot dogs and listen to the game let's really remember what today is all about. Let's remember the invasion of Omaha Beach or the service people deployed either it be in Iraq, Afghanistan or another part of the world. We can't turn our backs on them, but pray for them. If we do see someone in uniform, say "thank you"and see the smile you will bring to their face. Let's put all polit...

Official Media Release: Teresa Strasser just wasn't doing grief "right." She was just devastated. Her wires were all crossed up. She felt stunned all the time. Felt anxious. Cleft. Guilty for living. And that guilt and anxiety seemed both cosmic and tangible at the same time. You see, grief is cumulative. And as she mourned the death of her beloved older brother Morgan—who had died of spinal cancer at age 47, leaving behind his young family—Teresa's mother also passed, four months to the day after her brother. Amidst the tailspin that followed there was only one thing that buoyed her. One thing that gave her limitless hope and distraction in equal measure over the course of the worst spring of her life. Little League baseball. That fateful spring, Teresa's oldest son came into his own on the fields of the Arcadia Little League in Phoenix, Arizona. Declared "the chosen one" by one league official, Nate helped lead his team—The Purple Pinstr...

For Paul Skenes, the list of accomplishments continues to grow in his short MLB rookie debut. At Wrigley against the Cubs, the fireballing Pirate put on a show.  Here's a short synopsis of his mind blowing performance on the mound: — Seven straight strikeouts and no hits. — Struck out 11 Cubs over six no-hit innings. — His fastball was clocked at 101.2 mph. Plus he topped 100 mph in his MLB debut 17 times. — He registered  22 whiffs.  — 100 mph-plus fastballs over 12 times. — Only one hard-hit ball. — Lastly, his cleats were dedicated to the Armed Forces, as Skenes did attend the Air Force Academy for a short period of time. This is just the beginning for Skenes' career, as I'm sure we will be seeing more from the Pirates ace. Until then, see you at the park! — Joe Boesch 

Celebrate Mom today and cherish the day. — Joe Boesch

Paul Skenes bio information from MILB.com: Selected in the first round (No. 1 overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Louisiana State University ... signed with the Pirates on July 18, 2023 and received a $9.2 million signing bonus... spent his first two college seasons (2021-22) at the  United States Air Force Academy  in Colorado Springs and pitched two summers with the U.S. collegiate national team before coming to Baton Rouge and winning a College World Series championship with  LSU  in the spring of 2023... was the only NCAA Division I player to reach double figures in wins and home runs in 2022, making him arguably the top two-way player in the 2023 Draft class... awarded the Dick Howser Trophy in June 2023 as the nation's best NCAA Division I player for the 2023 season after he finished 13-2 in 2023 with a 1.69 ERA in 122 2/3 innings... became just the second LSU player to win the Howser Trophy (1B Eddy Furniss, 1998)... was considered ...

Here's some more new baseball cards release dates. From Bowman to Topps, the cards are ready and waiting to be purchased. Set your calendar and get ready for some cards. 2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball Release Date : May 1, 2024 2024 Bowman Baseball Release Date : May 8, 2024 2024 Bowman Mega Box Baseball Release Date : May 29, 2024 2024 Donruss Baseball Release Date : June 12, 2024 2024 Topps Series 2 Baseball Release Date : June 12, 2024 — Joe Boesch 

If you're interested in joining the New York Mets they have a job opening to be their official mascot: Mr. Met. The official posting is on LinkedIn with the following Summary of the job:  We are seeking a high-energy, enthusiastic individual to represent our brand as our Mascot. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for entertainment and a knack for engaging and interacting with fans of all ages. The Mascot will attend various events, both on and off-site, to promote our brand and create a fun and dynamic environment. Sounds fun! Until then, see you at the park! — Joe Boesch