Salute to the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history

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  Anonymous says:

  October 3, 2005 at 12:27 am

  Mike is a class act, just like you. I’m a big fan of his.

  Joe

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  Anonymous says:

  October 3, 2005 at 1:06 am

  Don’t leave NY Mike! U da man!

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  Anonymous says:

  October 3, 2005 at 4:30 pm

  My wife and I went to Mike Piazza’s first game as a New York Met 6 years ago, so to keep the symmetry, we also went to his very last game. The Mets showed an inspirational “video-tribute” to Mike, which included his “greatest hits”. The highlight was Mike’s memorable late inning, game winning home-run on the first day professional baseball was played in New York after 9-11-01. On top of the records he achieved, he defined “clutch”. While some players shine and accumulate statistics when the game is not on the line, for instance, when the game is out of reach and finally the player hits a home-run when it doesn’t matter, Mike’s biggest hits were when the game was on the line. He was the ultimate “impact” player, making his big move when the game was on the line. He is, and should be an inspiration to those who want play better chess, because he never avoided the big moment. Chess Players in San Luis, take note, and play like champions!!

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  Anonymous says:

  October 3, 2005 at 5:43 pm

  Susan,

  I noticed you are scheduled to be a guest on Fred Wilson’s Chess.FM Radio Program on Tuesday night October 4, 2005. Congratulations! Fred’s program is a great way to spread the word about your two new and wonderful books “Breaking Through” (with Paul Truong, Everyman) and “The World Champion’s Guide to Chess” (Random House).

  However, if possible could you please try to reschedule your appearance on the program? Here’s why I ask, and here’s why I make this request here, on a post related to baseball:

  Have you ever heard of the great pitcher, Sandy Koufax? He pitched for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball. And not insignificantly, he is Jewish. To illustrate just how dominant he was, check out his career statistics (which I found on-line at wikipedia.com):

  * As of today, he is second on the all-time list in career no-hitters (4)
  * As of today, he is one of 17 pitchers to throw a perfect game (1965)
  * He set single season record with 382 strikeouts (now is second behind Nolan Ryan’s 383 in 1973)
  * He led the National League in ERA 5 times
  * He led the National League in strikeouts 6 times
  * He led the National League in shutouts 3 times
  * He led the National League in wins 3 times
  * He had an incredible 0.95 ERA in 4 World Series games
  * He made 6 All-Star appearances
  * He won the NL MVP Award (1963)
  * He won the NL Cy Young Award 3 times (1963, 1965, 1966)
  * He won the World Series MVP 2 times (1963, 1965)

  Among National League pitchers with at least 2,000 innings pitched who have debuted since 1913, he has both the highest career winning percentage (.655) and the lowest career earned run average (2.76); his 2396 career strikeouts ranked 7th in major league history upon his retirement. Retiring virtually at the peak of his career at age 31, he later became the youngest person ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at age 36.

  In short, he was incredibly dominant, similar only to pitchers like Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez in their prime.

  Susan, clearly you know better than most people that players of this incredible talent and caliber (and even those without any talent) wish and dream their whole lives for the chance to play for a World Championship, whether it be in baseball,chess, or any other sport. A chance to play for a World Championship is THE reason that these players work and dedicate themselves to their craft for all those years. It is their raison d’etre.

  Now, with all this in mind, what would you think of a professional baseball player who refused to pitch in Game 1 of the World Series? Crazy, right? Yet, that is exactly what Sandy Koufax did in 1965. That year, his manager scheduled Sandy to pitch Game One of the World Series. As you may know, Game One is reserved for the team’s best pitcher, and it is an honor to be selected to pitch Game One . But Sandy Koufax refused to pitch. Why? Because Game One fell on Yom Kippur that year, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar year.

  Susan, if you get a chance, check out this article. http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/4552/format/html/displaystory.html According to the article, “Koufax was not known as either a religious or civil rights leader; his personal decisions were not calculated to have an impact on others.” Additionally, “his decision must have come out of a basic conviction that conscientious Jews don’t work or play sports — even a team’s most important game — on this most sacred of days for the Jewish people.”

  Susan, even if you never heard of Sandy Koufax, please know that he is a tremendous inspiration to American Jews, even non-religious Jews. Sandy Koufax wasn’t a particularly religious Jew, and neither am I. However, his act in 1965 reminded countless Jews that the period between Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippor is the time “…to work for a world where freedom, justice and peace are a living reality for all people.”

  In light of all this, is there a chance you could reconsider your decision to appear on Fred Wilson’s program on Rosh Hashona? Believe it or not, you are looked up to as a role-model, and if Sandy Koufax had the courage not to play, then perhaps you could also provide an example for us. I am certain Fred Wilson will be more than happy to schedule you for another date.

  Most importantly, no matter what your decision, have a “sweet” and happy New Year!!