Baseball

(and other cool stuff)

By Andrew Linker

The Daily Pitch

Pic of the Day

Quote of the Day

Today marks what would have been the 81st birthday of the late, often-great and always-entertaining Tug McGraw. McGraw, an All-Star relief pitcher first for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, saves 180 games during his 19-year career in the majors, and ends up playing for two World Series winners with the 1969 Mets and 1980 Phillies. Alas, he passes away in 2004 at the age of 59.

Limited offers (for those who need that little extra something)

Today’s exercise in downsizing brings some hard-to-find items that you may want to add to your collection … and, of course, you do!

First, a rare 1995 Philadelphia Daily News poster signed by Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. The poster — measuring approximately 10.5 x 13 inches — was limited in production and commemorated Ashburn’s 1995 induction into the Hall of Fame. Please check out the Merch Stand for more details. Price: $85, including shipping. SORRY, THIS ITEM IS SOLD OUT!

Second, a team-signed baseball by the 1998 Arizona Fall League’s Sun Cities Solar Sox. The ball from the prospect-oriented fall league is loaded with 27 signatures, including those of Mark DeRosa, Michael Barrett and Randy Wolf, as well as manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Darold Knowles. The ball is in outstanding condition with the signatures clear and bold. Team-signed baseballs from the AFL are hard to find, especially one from 25 years ago. Price: $32, including shipping.

Third, an Eastern League baseball signed by Tommy John, the 288-game winner in the major leagues who was Harrisburg’s pitching coach during the 2002 season. While there are tons of Tommy John-signed baseballs on the market, there are precious few Tommy John single-signed Eastern League baseballs available. Price: $65, including shipping.

Also available is a limited 1982 Hall of Fame metallic card signed by long-ago Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees infielder Joe Sewell. The card and signature are graded a mint 96 by SGC. Beautifully signed in black Sharpie. The special gold anodized aluminum card is the same size as a standard baseball card and features a replica of Sewell’s Hall of Fame plaque. Only 1,000 of them reportedly were made from 1981-89 and initially sold only through the Hall of Fame. Price: $32, including shipping. SORRY, THIS ITEM IS SOLD OUT!

For more information on ordering and to see other items, please check here. More than 100 other items may be found on the website’s eBay page. Thanks for looking!

A Look At Harrisburg’s Rich Baseball History

( just click the arrows on the left and right to see the caption for each photo)

Albert "Chief" Bender pitched in Harrisburg in 1902 before joining the Philadelphia Athletics.

The 1908 Harrisburg Giants with outfielder Spottswood Poles (seated, second from right).

City Island reopens for the Senators in 1940.

Managers Connie Mack and Les Bell before 1940 exhibition game.

"Clown Prince of Baseball" Max Patkin has start on City Island.

Willie Mays homers on City Island in 1950 for Trenton.

Eleanor Engle signs in 1952 to play for the Senators.

City Island toward the end of the Senators' run in 1952.

Brooks Lawrence, Harrisburg's first Black pitcher who became an All-Star.

Hall of Famer Satchel Paige was a City Island regular.

RiverSide Stadium under construction in early 1987.

David Ellis purchases the first tickets in 1987 return.

Jim Neidlinger delivers the first pitch in 1987.

1988 Pittsburgh Pirates exhibition game.

Afternoon game on City Island in the late 1980s.

Late 1980s look inside RiverSide Stadium.

Senators batting practice in late 1980s.

Randy Tomlin and third baseman John Wehner in 1990.

Future major leaguer Matt Stairs in 1991.

Future major league All-Star Cliff Floyd in 1993.

1993 Eastern League championship trophy.

Milton Bradley's title-winning slam in 1999.

Filling the manager's office in Reading, 2000.

Boxscore from Sueng Song's 2003 no-hitter.