For months I have wanted to write a column just like this, but I have avoided the temptation for many reasons, but with last night’s start by Jamie Moyer, I can no longer resist the urge. This is not so much a column, but instead, a little walk down memory lane, if you will. I am not talking about superstars like Ryno or the Hawk, but the other guys. The people you say, “Oh I remember him,” when you hear his name. Below, I have listed a player’s name and then written the first thing that comes to mind when I hear that name. When you are done reading, please share your thoughts or add new names, let’s have a little fun today. Jamie Moyer – Digger Phelps left-handed son-in-law.
Ced Landrum – Left handed speedster, thought he could steal 100 bases until I realized he could not hit.
Jim Bullinger – Throwing up in my mouth.
Jeff Pico – See: Bullinger, Jim
Frank Castillo – See above
Mike Harkey – well, you get the picture….
Marvelle Wynn – FAST!!
Rick Wrona – Squeeze Bunt boy.
Damon Berryhill – Lost talent.
Jose Guzman – ALMOST!
Ron Coomer – Miller Lite.
Matt Stairs – More Miller Lite.
Gary Scott – The next Ron Santo.
Matt Orie – See: Scott, Gary.
Les Lancaster – One magical season in ’89, and a great mullet.
Lloyd McClendon – Big boy, big bat.
Heathcliff Slocum – Big Boy.
Chuck McElroy – Normally got the job done.
Mickey Morandini – Gotta love a scrapper.
Gary Gaetti – 1998, what a homerun, I will always love you “Spagaetti!”
Paul Assenmacher – What a great beard.
Derrick May – I expected too much and was disappointed, never came to fruition.
Thad Bosley – What a pinch hitter!
Domingo Ramos – Where are the ear flaps for his helmet?
Dave Magadan – I expected much more.
Brant Brown – “Oh no, He Dropped the ball.” “NO, NO, NO!!”
Randall Simon – The new Sausage King of Chicago
Anthony Young – If he couldn’t win in New York, why here?
Brian Dayett – One big Slam, and then goodbye!
Dan Pleasac – COMCAST SPORTSNET Chicago!
Tim Stoddard – I took pitching lessons from him as a kid
Frank DiPino – Gracie took him DOWN after he left Chi-town.
Tuffy Rhodes – One great first day and then on to Japan.
Julio Zuleta – Pedro Cerrano!!
Tom Goodwin – I have his autograph.
Mike Morgan – For a second there, I never thought he would retire.
Amaury Telemaco – “Spelled backwards, is….OH MY, its O CAMELOT!”
Luis Salazar – What a huge pick-up in ’89.
Bobby Hill – Aramis Ramirez!
Dave Kelton – What happened to the pretty boy?
Glendon Rusch – I was so glad when we cut him, HA.
(just making sure you are paying attention)
Jim Sundberg – Always did a double take at his name when he came up.
Dennis Lamp – I went to pre-school with his daughter.
Hector Villanueva – The biggest catcher EVER!
Bob Tewksbury – One of my favorites names in the game.
Turk Wendell – Go brush your teeth again.
Jerome Walton – How can one player do so much in one season and then disappear?
Dwight Smith – How can one player do so much in one season and then disappear?
Rick Wilkins – I thought he would be so much more.
Wow, I hope you had as much fun reading that as I did writing it. Sometimes you just have to look back and laugh, sometimes that is all you can do. Just like this year, we all have to look back and laugh, and when it is time, move on! We have moved on from all of these players and though many seasons end the way I described Rick Wilkins, one of them will finally end differently and instead of laughing there will be tears of joy.
Please take a minute to post a few of your names or add your thoughts to any of the names above, it will help us all get through the work day!
Thanks for reading, feel free to drop me a line at brian@chicagocubsonline.com, and until next time….
Stay Classy Cubs Fans!!!