Some months ago I joined the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). I heard much about this organization, but I thought that as I approach retirement, I should get involved. Today the local Casey Stengel Chapter had their annual meeting at the Mid-Manhattan Library. Casey Stengel is a good name for the chapter as the mighty Casey was a player or manager withthe Giants, Dodgers, Mets and Yankess in New York City.
I noticed that about 90% of the people in the audience were middle aged or elderly men. Hopefully more younger people will join to sustain the organization.
The first event was a panel discussion about Frank Robinson by Peter Keating (senior writer at ESPN) and William Weinbaum (former producer for MLB Productions) This event commemorated the 40th anniversary of Frank's becoming the first Black manager in Major League Baseball. Many anecdotes about Frank's playing and managerial days were discussed by the panelists and audience members.
At lunchtime I decided to walk over to Ben's Deli at 7th Avenue and 38th Street. This is the location of our annual oldies meet and greets. I just love their pastrami sandwiches.
After lunch MLB offical scorers Billy Altman and Jordan Sprechman the art and science of that job in New York City.
Michael Gibbons, Executive Director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace in Baltimore, was the final speaker. We visited that museum in July 2011. He related several anecdotes about Babe's baseball careeer.
Below is a link to a video of Babe Ruth playing at Yankee Stadium in 1925
http://mirc.sc.edu/islandora/object/usc%3A20955
I was quite impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the speakers and the members of the organization in the audience.
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