Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

It's not how you start the season, it's how you finish. If you wind up helping the team make the playoffs, that's what you play for. You don't play to put up your numbers, but to try to get a chance to make it to the World Series.  — Albert Pujols — Joe Boesch 

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Thursday, September 26, 2024. With the baseball season coming to an end this weekend, the Oakland A's will also be bidding farewell to the city and Oakland Coliseum they called home for fifty seven years.  The A's departure for Las Vegas is also leaving many fans saddened by the fact that there will be no major professional sports teams representing the city of Oakland, as the Raiders (NFL) and Warriors (NBA) also departed the city for Las Vegas and San Francisco respectively. "The A's are part of the fabric of Oakland and the East Bay and the entire Bay Area," A's team owner John Fisher wrote to fans in an open letter. "I know there is great disappointment, even bitterness. ... I can tell you this from my heart: we tried. Staying in Oakland was our goal. It was our mission, and we failed to achieve it. And for that I am genuinely sorry." Many fans feel betrayed that enough wasn...

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Shohei Ohtani is now the first in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases. In breaking the record against the Marlins last Thursday in Miami, he went 6-for-6 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, scored four runs, and stole two bases. "While Shohei Ohtani has been a groundbreaking player for many years. Now, his latest feat as the first 50/50 player in the history of Major League Baseball reflects not just his amazing power-and-speed talent, but his character, his drive, and his commitment to all-around excellence," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.  "On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Shohei on this remarkable achievement. We are proud that he continues to take our game to new heights."  The last player to come close was Jose Canseco in 1988, when he hit 40 home runs and stole 40 bases with the Oakland A's, a feat that many thought w...

A catcher must want to catch. He must make up his mind that it isn't the terrible job it is painted, and that he isn't going to say every day, 'Why, oh why with so many other positions in baseball did I take up this one.' — Bill Dickey — Joe Boesch 

The Yankees lately have been playing see-saw baseball at such a critical point of the season, which ends in two weeks. As much as they try to stay ahead of the Orioles, it seems that they are struggling just to win crucial games to stay first place in the AL East. On June 9th, the Yankees had the best record in the American League at 45-21, but now they are only 86-63 with a two-game lead over the Orioles. They started the season off with a bang, then hit bumps in the road. Hopefully, as many predict, they make it to the World Series. Shortly, time will tell. — Joe Boesch 

"I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it."   — Sandy Koufax — Joe Boesch 

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Saturday, September 7, 2024. If tears come streaming down your face on this day it's OK. This is a day of remembrance and to "Never Forget." This day is known as 9/11. Next Wednesday is the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001, and a time to remember loved ones and first responders who were lost that day. Then and now, sports have played a significant role in the remembrance and healing process. For many, sports have played a big part in the healing process, from supporting first responders to displaying the American flag during opening ceremonies at stadiums and arenas. Throughout the years, 9/11 and the sport's healing process have been well documented by stories, exhibits, and performances at many sports venues nationwide. The New York Mets and Yankees each wore first responder hats from the PAPD, NYPD, and FDNY to show their support. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum   even had an exhibit called  C...

"If you've ever been around a group of actors, you've noticed, no doubt, that they can talk of nothing else under the sun but acting. It's exactly the same way with baseball players. Your heart must be in your work."   — Christy Mathewson — Joe Boesch 

NOTE: This article was first published online at The Sports Column on Sunday, September 1, 2024. There's no fun baseball being played on Chicago's South Side, as the White Sox are closing in on the 120-game loss record held by the 1962 New York Mets. They already lost over 100 games, and on August 8th their manager Pedro Grifol, bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third-base coach Eddie Rodriguez and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar all were fired.  White Sox general manager Chris Getz told the media at the time of the firing that "obviously there was something that was broken." The 120 games loss record by the 1962 Mets is something that no team wants their name tied to, and several teams came really close: the 2003 Detroit Tigers lost 119 games, the 2018 Baltimore Orioles lost 115, and again the 2019 Tigers lost 114. Getz also said that regarding the 120-loss mark, it is "certainly something that we would like to avoid… No one wants to be associated to a record like...