RMJ 183 August 17

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 ● Houston, vs Philadelphia

Having retired early, I was up at 8:00, with time to read the paper before heading to the Dome.

That was my first mistake.

The sports page was yellow (as in “yellow journalism”) in the finest Hearst tradition. Truex ripped me up one side and down the other.

Again, he called for Spiers to be used earlier in the game — even though Spiers was injured and only available in the event of an emergency.  

He criticized me for leaving Kile in to hit for himself with a one-run lead, suggesting that I should have pitched Wagner two innings.  

“Dierker should focus on winning the division instead of rewriting the book on managing,” he wrote.

Because I “have the ink” in this case, I will suggest that he get out to the ballpark in time to find out who can play and who cannot. I will also suggest that he read the book on managing before he accuses me of rewriting it.

And finally, I will suggest that the Chronicle be sold next to the National Enquirer at the grocery store, so that it will not be confused with a newspaper.

Alan will never know this is how I feel, because he still “has the ink.” I am hoping he will get the job he wants soon — writing the food-and-wine column — so that the baseball fans in Houston will get coverage from a real baseball writer who comes out to the game early and does his job.

Alan’s Sunday notes column is a joke around the league. It consists of vignettes he has lifted from other publications; there is no original thinking or reporting to be found.

I knew these thoughts were petty and vindictive, but that is exactly how I felt.

At least my head was clearing up.

 

Once again, I penciled Biggio and Bagwell into the lineup. This time, Mac gave me a quizzical look and said, “these guys are going to have to get some rest if they’re going to be worth a shit in September.”

I went back and pondered the alternatives. Without Spiers, the pickings were thin. I left my stalwarts in to fight yet another battle.

I walked by Biggio on my way to Chapel.

“Hey, skip,” he said, with a broad smile, “I’m glad to know someone on this team is as stupid as I am.” He was referring to the Truex hatchet job in the paper, poking fun at himself and at me.

“Dumb and dumber,” I replied. “If we hang around long enough, we may do something right by mistake.”

It was so refreshing to see him bouncing around, lightfooted and lighthearted, loose and natural. I felt a lot better about having him in the lineup. 

 

Craig Reynolds was our Chapel speaker today. Craig was perhaps the best shortstop we have had in Houston. He is a likeable guy, a true heart.

It seems to me that the most admirable Christians I have met are those who came to the Lord as children and grew up in the faith. My old teammate Tom Griffin was like that. He married his high-school sweetheart, just like Craig.  Both guys wear their faith like a robe: warm and natural. The bright lights and glitter of fame never turned their heads.

They never came on strong with the sort of clumsy proselytizing that you get from a born-again Christian. They never lost their sense of humor.

Craig spoke about a man who built his house on rock, and another who built on sand. He is such a rock-solid example of the wisdom of this parable that his soft-spoken message had the power of a Bagwell bomb.

 

Bagwell hasn’t been bombing lately, however. His average has slipped into the .285 range. I don’t think he needs rest; he just needs a few hits. It is hard to rest him anyway; even when he is in a slump, he continues to draw walks and steal bases. He keeps scoring runs and making good defensive plays.

 

Before the game, Phillies president Dave Montgomery came down to say Aloha. It was hello and goodbye, good health and good luck.

Dave is a terrific guy. I hope the owners listen to him when it comes to realignment. I know he is happy with the way the Phils are playing; it gives their fans something to look forward to. In my opinion they are still a few years away from winning a championship. But you never know. Just ask the Pirates.

 

We did manage to keep the Bucs at bay, with a win today. But it wasn’t easy.

Ramon Garcia really threw the ball well, but the Phils chased him anyway with eight hits and four runs in 5-2/3 innings.

We got a good break in this game when Phillies starter Garrett Stephenson had to leave with an arm injury. That gave us a chance to face their long relievers, and we quickly took the lead.