Wednesday, July 31, 2002
Locals saturate Central rosters
Area athletes are well represented on the Central New York scholastic basketball team for this year's Empire State Games in Syracuse and Cortland. The 25th edition of the games begins with opening ceremonies at 6:30 tonight at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and run through Sunday.
Sometimes you have to shut up and listen
Sometimes the best way to get good quotes is to keep your mouth shut. Granted, that's always been extremely difficult for yours truly. None of my grammar school teachers ever needed to turn away from the chalkboard to find out who was being "disruptive." So maybe all those endless hours of detention finally paid off Monday at the 56th annual Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Like father, like sons
COOPERSTOWN — Ozzie Smith's sons brought out the kid in everyone Monday at Doubleday Field. For the second consecutive day, 15-year-old Dustin Smith played a major role in the weekend-long celebration honoring his father, who entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame alone on Sunday. O.J. Smith, 20, also got in on the act, singing an acappella version of the national anthem before the start of the 56th annual Hall of Fame Game between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox.
Not all fun and games for St. Louis shortstops
COOPERSTOWN — Ozzie Smith's career wasn't all smiles, backflips and defensive highlights. In his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996, Smith turned into a bitter man. Instead of finishing his career on top, Ozzie spent his final season as a, gulp, platoon player. The culprit in the whole mess was St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa, who remains the reason Smith rarely attends Cardinals games.
Colorado peaks, beats Chicago, 18-10
COOPERSTOWN — Judging by the score, one might have thought Monday's Hall of Fame Game took place at Coors Field. It must have felt that way to the Colorado Rockies, who hit five home runs in an 18-10 victory over the Chicago White Sox before a sellout crowd of 9,781 at Doubleday Field. The Rockies set Hall of Fame Game records for hits and runs scored.
Merrill is king for day
COOPERSTOWN — From the mouth of Oneonta Tigers director John Nader: "In 1966, the St. Louis Cardinals, or Phillies — I can't remember which it was — bring up this left-handed pitcher from minor league ball. "He's awesome, he never goes back down. It's Steve Carlton. He makes his debut here (at Doubleday Field) because they call him up to pitch a few innings in the Hall of Fame Game." You can be sure that Ronnie Merrill had his ear close enough to feel the wind of Nader's breath Monday.
Soccer Hall of Fame Game set
Kristine Lilly and the Boston Breakers are coming back to play at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The WUSA's Breakers and Philadelphia Charge were announced Sunday as the teams for the 2002 Hall of Fame Game at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14.
Winning streak ends for O-Tigers
ONEONTA — Oneonta Tigers closer Juan Figueroa is finally starting to show signs of being human. The right-hander, who entered Monday's game with 12 saves in 16 appearances, allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings as the Auburn Doubledays rallied for an 8-5 victory in 10 innings.
Players: We don't want to strike
COOPERSTOWN — Aside from "Bud" and "Selig," they've become two of the dirtiest words in the baseball vocabulary — labor dispute. The dark cloud of a strike is looming, and it would be the sport's ninth work stoppage since 1972. It was reported Monday that a strike date may be set as early as next week.
White Sox trade Alomar to Rockies
COOPERSTOWN - The Chicago White Sox traded catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to the Colorado Rockies on Monday for a minor-league pitcher. The deal was announced after the Rockies defeated the White Sox, 18-10, in the 56th Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field.
Monday, July 29, 2002
Wizard enters Oz
COOPERSTOWN — It took but 25 minutes Sunday for Ozzie Smith to uncover the essence of a baseball, the substance of a fictional tale and how "The Wizard" emerged from those entities. Before an estimated turnout of 19,000 on a breezy and muggy summer day at the Clark Sports Center, Smith became the 254th player enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Smith takes center stage
COOPERSTOWN — Every once in a while, we in The Daily Star sports department run into coaches who overuse personal pronouns. "I moved my center to power forward after I called a timeout to straighten my team out," some coaches have been known to say. Around the office, they're referred to as "Coach Me." I thought of the assorted Coach Mes I've interviewed over the years when listening to Ozzie Smith's induction speech Sunday.
Analyst Reynolds says he's a big fan
COOPERSTOWN — Not that he needed it, but Ozzie Smith received one more endorsement as the best defensive shortstop ever. ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds, an All-Star second baseman with Seattle, said he ranks Smith No. 1.
O-Tigers beat Doubledays
Curtis Granderson had three hits, including a key two-run single in the fifth inning and Wilton Reynolds hit his eighth home run of the season in the Oneonta Tigers' 7-2 victory over the Auburn Doubledays on Saturday.
Broadcaster Kalas is voice of Philadelphia
COOPERSTOWN — The mark of the best broadcasters is when teams and cities become defined by their voices. In Buffalo, it's hockey play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret. In Chicago, it was the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. And in Philadelphia, it's the Phillies' Harry Kalas.
Coleman, McGee help Ozzie celebrate
COOPERSTOWN — Sunday belonged to the St. Louis Cardinals, and two of Ozzie Smith's most famous teammates were there to help him celebrate. Outfielders Vince Coleman and Willie McGee attended Smith's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame at the Clark Sports Center.
Oneonta Legion tops Owego after loss to Oneida
Kyle Thomas struck out 12 in a five-hitter and Oneonta Post 259 avoided elimination in the District 6 Tournament with a 4-0 victory over Owego on Sunday at Conlon Field in Binghamton.
Saturday, July 27, 2002
Ozfest 2002 coming to Cooperstown
When it came to playing shortstop, Ozzie Smith had no peers for most of his 19-year career. He won't have any peers on stage Sunday at Cooperstown, either. Smith is this year's lone inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll be enshrined at 1:30 p.m. at the Clark Sports Center.
Tigers keep streak alive vs. Tri-City
TROY — The Oneonta Tigers simply own the Tri-City ValleyCats this season. The Tigers' 9-1 victory over the ValleyCats on Friday night came on the heels of a 10-2 triumph the previous night. In all, the Tigers have won five consecutive games — all against Tri-City.
Childress driver still a little green behind the wheel
When Jeff Green was the scourge of the Busch Series in 1999-2000, finishing second one year and winning the driving championship the next, there was one thing he didn't miss about Winston Cup racing. "I hated second-round qualifying," he said back then. "I didn't look forward to going to the racetrack." Problem solved. For starters, there's only one round of qualifying this season, and for seconds, he's now with Richard Childress Racing, a team that is used to winning championships and not just making the field.
Friday, July 26, 2002
Stetson leaving 'Wick
Timing aside, Steve Stetson sounded thrilled Thursday night about starting the next phase of football coaching career. Stetson, the only head football coach Hartwick College has had since reinstating the program in 1992, was named assistant head coach in charge of quarterbacks at the University of New Hampshire on Thursday.
Mendez powers Tigers to victory
Victor Mendez hit two home runs and Jody Roughton homered and tripled in the Oneonta Tigers' 10-2 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats on Thursday at Troy.
Oneonta Legion wins
Kyle Thomas hit a two-run double in Oneonta's 12-run fourth inning and Mike Konstanty pitched a two-hitter in the Green Wave's 14-3 American Legion baseball victory at Cobleskill on Thursday.
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Romprey goes deep in victory
TROY — Oneonta High graduate Jon Connolly pitched eight strong innings and Eddie Romprey homered with two out in the ninth inning to lift the Oneonta Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats on Wednesday.
Tour players have one hell of a round at Stamford Golf Club
STAMFORD — I've always had this terrifying vision of what hell must be like. I'm permanently handcuffed to a treadmill and must maintain a six-minute-a-mile pace or I'll be forced to read USA TODAY.
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
Tigers climb past ValleyCats, 2-1
ONEONTA — It seems predictable when ValleyCats enter the City of the Hills that bad results will follow. For the second time in two days, the Oneonta Tigers relied on pitching and timely hitting to hand the Tri-City ValleyCats a 2-1 loss Tuesday night at Damaschke Field.
Jeff Burton could have left his car in the shop
When a baseball game is won with two out in the bottom of the 12th inning, you can miss a lot — especially when your deadline is about 10 seconds after the last slide.
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
Burton is a model for sport's success
The fake banter usually begins Friday evening. "Rob, who's going to win the pole this week?" a member of the sports department will ask. "Well," I reply, pretending to give the question serious thought, "the racetrack suits Rusty Rudd, but Ernie Earnhardt has been running well lately." Fact is, I couldn't care less about NASCAR and never will. Furthermore, I've never understood why anyone would devote time to watching people drive in circles. The answer came Monday night outside Damaschke Field, where I had a short but poignant conversation with NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Jeff Burton.
Extra special: Tigers win in 12th
ONEONTA — Tri-City couldn't get around the meat of the Oneonta Tigers on Monday night at Damaschke Field. Clean-up Wilton Reynolds made the ValleyCats pay for the strangest move of the night, driving in the winning run with two out in the 12th inning of the Tigers' 2-1 victory.
Monday, July 22, 2002
Ricky rocks area with another 250cc sweep
NEWBERLIN — So this is how Ricky Carmichael performs on a track that doesn't suit him. Carmichael made it 16-for-16 on the season with a runaway sweep at the AMA U.S. Motocross Championships on Sunday in front of 22,686 fans. All this on the Unadilla Valley Sports Center track Carmichael said doesn't play to his strengths.
Rookie dominates 125 races
NEW BERLIN — Motocross rookie of the year voters are going to have it easy this year. First-year rider James Stewart Jr. won both 125cc races Sunday at the AMA U.S. Motocross Championships at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center to add to his overall points lead.
O-Tigers fall in 9th, 5-4
Everett Hancock lost control in a tough situation Sunday. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, left-handed Hancock threw his first wild pitch this season, allowing the Jamestown Jammers to earn a 5-4 victory over the Oneonta Tigers.
Pitchers lead Oneonta to weekend shutouts
Oneonta Post 259 earned its second straight shutout Sunday with a 2-0 American Legion baseball defeat of Sherburne. One day after Kyle Thomas threw his first no-hitter this season, in a 3-0 defeat of visiting Plattsburgh, Oneonta teammate Kevin Sobers improved to 4-0 on the mound when the Green Wave shut out Sherburne.
Keep an eye, and an ear, on B.C. Open's future
ENDICOTT — My eyes and ears were open the last two days at En-Joie Golf Club. Here are some of the things I saw and heard during the third and fourth rounds of the $2.1 million B.C Open.
Saturday, July 20, 2002
Connolly, O-Tigers roughed up by Jammers
Oneonta High graduate Jon Connolly suffered his worst outing of the New York-Penn League season in the Oneonta Tigers' 11-7 loss Friday night at Jamestown. Connolly (1-2), making his sixth start of the summer, allowed 11 runs — seven earned — on 16 hits in five innings. The 18-year-old left-hander walked three and struck out two.
Williams' courage makes up for any personality flaws
When Ted Williams died earlier this month, the book was closed on one of the more legendary figures of baseball. Even considering only the bare statistics, the man was awesome.
Long road back for Skinner
There are 31 drivers who have competed in each of the 18 Winston Cup races this season, and only three haven't had a better finish in a race than a top 12. Mike Skinner, in the No. 4 Kodak Chevrolet, is one of them, with the others being Ken Schrader and Brett "Fireball" Bodine.
Friday, July 19, 2002
O-Tigers wash away Expos
ONEONTA — Before a lightning strike that temporarily knocked out several lights at Damaschke Field, the Oneonta Tigers gave little indication they were headed to victory on Thursday. But when the rain passed and the lights came back on, the Tigers rallied for an 8-3 victory over the Vermont Expos before an announced turnout of 450.
Striving for perfection
Here are some factors that could keep Ricky Carmichael from winning Sunday in the AMA U.S. Motocross Championships at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center:
Hartwick women honored in track
Hartwick College athletes Stephanie Moreau and Shala Wilson recently earned honors as United States Track Coaches Association All-Academic Team selections.
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Carlin finds gap, closes wild victory for O-Tigers
ONEONTA — Three excellent defensive plays and 7 2/3 quality innings from the bullpen gave Luke Carlin a chance to shine in the 11th inning Wednesday. Carlin took advantage, hitting a one-out triple into the gap in right-center and scoring on a wild pitch in the Oneonta Tigers' 4-3 victory over the Vermont Expos.
Take your time and enjoy Genny
GREENE — In an exclusive interview, Fax Sports' Tim Rome and Rob Centorani discussed the state of the BUY.ROB Tour, problems with the game and other topics related to golf.
Oneonta Legion wins 2
Oneonta swept a double-header, against Cobleskill and Norwich, in Legion baseball Wednesday. Tim Greeley pitched a two-hitter in a 7-3 defeat of visiting Cobleskill. Mike Konstanty then homered twice during a 10-3 thumping of Norwich.
Amateur harness events set for today at Afton Fair
The CKG Billings Amateur Driving Championship Series will be showcased as part the Afton Fair's harness racing schedule, which begins with a 1:30 p.m. post time today.
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Tigers fall in 9-3 rout
ONEONTA — It was probably the first time Randy Ready had smiled all night. "Life," the manager said as the corners of his mouth curled up, masking what he and his Oneonta Tigers discussed during a 20-minute, closed-door meeting immediately following a 9-3 loss to the Vermont Expos. Despite losing for the sixth time in eight games, life will go on for the Tigers.
Five recruits join 'Wick soccer
Hartwick College men's soccer coach Jim Lennox will welcome five new recruits when the Hawks open preseason practice in August. Lennox, back for his 27th season, and Hartwick finished 12-8 a year ago. The Hawks return nine starters from that squad and have other key players back as well.
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
OHS grads emerging in summer months
Three Oneonta High graduates in professional baseball are proving to be summer players. Clay Bellinger, Tim Christman and Mike Connolly have turned slow starts to their minor league seasons into productive campaigns.
Tigers drop Lowell
Jody Roughton and Curtis Granderson each had two hits in the visiting Oneonta Tigers' 5-4 victory over the Lowell Spinners on Monday.
Monday, July 15, 2002
O-Tigers lose lead again for Connolly
Oneonta High graduate Jon Connolly finished with another no-decision after pitching Sunday for the Oneonta Tigers, who fell to the host Lowell Spinners in 10 innings, 4-3.
Delhi graduate wins Delaware Amateur
Matt Moyse, a 2001 graduate of Delaware Academy, won a playoff hole Sunday to earn the 37th annual Delaware County Amateur Golf Tournament championship at the par-72 Delhi College Golf Course.
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Six Tigers fined, five suspended
ONEONTA — The Oneonta Tigers had a bad day at the office Friday. All five O-Tigers players ejected from Wednesday night's game for fighting the Aberdeen Ironbirds were fined and suspended Friday by the New York-Penn League. Oneonta manager Randy Ready, tossed after reliever Everett Hancock hit the second Aberdeen batter following the brawl, was fined $25, but not suspended.
Life after baseball presents plenty of options
I was planning a column on what ballplayers do when they get too old to play ball, when I learned fate had decreed that Cardinal pitcher Darryl Kile would never have that problem. I couldn't see that as a reason to change my plans; it made more sense to add Kile to the mix, because he is by no means the first player to die while still active.
Rudd's ride in demand
Sometime this weekend, or at least by Monday, Ricky Rudd has promised to announce whether he is going to continue driving Robert Yates' No. 28 Taurus next year or retire after a career that began with four races in 1975. If Rudd doesn't make an announcement, you'll probably hear a lot of groaning and teeth gnashing from members of the Winston Cup community. That's because Silly Season won't officially kick off until Rudd, 45, says it does. He has one of the most coveted rides on the circuit, and there's a waiting list.
Friday, July 12, 2002
Tigers' skid hits three after 6-4 loss
ONEONTA — The Oneonta Tigers blew it Thursday night. Big time. Entering the top of the ninth with a two-run lead, Oneonta closer Juan Figueroa allowed four runs to the Aberdeen Ironbirds, who won a New York-Penn League baseball game at Damaschke Field, 6-4.
Summer camping proves to be enjoyable for all ages
Each summer, Pat and I head out camping with some of our friends. We all met again at Turning Stone RV Park outside of Oneida this year. Our kids are all grown up, but some of our friends have some pre-teenagers. There are loads of things to do. The swimming pool is very inviting on those hot summer days, and a hot tub for adults adds to the entertainment. Bike trails through the woods make for some thrilling crashes, like my over-the-handlebars trick caused by a huge bump. But for all the summer activities, probably the most memorable are the kids around the fishing pond.
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Tigers KO'd by Aberdeen
ONEONTA — Credit Aberdeen's Eddie Jordan with an unassisted quadruple play during the Ironbirds' 4-2 victory Wednesday night. In the seventh inning, Jordan put out four Oneonta Tigers as the main character of a bench- and bullpen-clearing brawl, which took place in front of a season-high 3,965 fans at Damaschke Field.
Delhi Legion wins
Nick Frandsen went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead Delhi Post 190 over Walton, 9-3, Wednesday.
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Milford resident highlights Delsego meet
Milford resident Mike Rutledge set a personal record of 16 minutes and 22.3 seconds in the 5,000-meter run Tuesday, winning the event at the first Delsego Road Runners Open Track Meet at Delhi Tech.
Catch these four O-Tigers while you can; Cal's likely out for series
What's a guy gotta do to get out of this place? If your name is Juan Figueroa, Jerry Dunn, Wilton Reynolds or Robert Watson, just keep doing what you're doing. Based solely on statistics with the Oneonta Tigers, those four appear to be overdue for promotions.
Five freshmen to join Hawks in fall
After improving in total victories and national ranking, Hartwick College women's water polo coach Mike Maroney will bring in five new recruits for the 2002-2003 academic year.
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
Connolly suffers no-decision in loss
TROY — Randy McGarvey said he was determined not to be in another extra-inning game Monday night. The Tri-City ValleyCat catcher last saw action in Oneonta's 4-3, 16-inning marathon victory Saturday. McGarvey found himself in a most opportune situation Monday, as he came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. McGarvey's eye made sure there would be no extra innings, as he scratched out a walk on a 3-2 pitch to give Tri-City a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Tigers before 2,199 fans at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. The victory marked the first triumph for the ValleyCats in six contests against the Tigers.
Monday, July 8, 2002
O-Tigers top Tri-City, 2-0, after catching cat nap
TROY — Sleep is overrated. The Oneonta Tigers won two New York-Penn League baseball games and made two 80-mile trips in fewer than 15 hours over the weekend with back-to-back victories over the Tri-City ValleyCats.
Afton's Kelly honored by state
Kris Kelly has taken softball to another level. For the second straight season, 2002 Afton graduate Kelly earned Class D Player of the Year for the state. The award marks her third appearance on the first team in the last four seasons.
Oneonta Legion loses, 7-5
Oneonta Legion dropped its final game at the World Youth Classic, falling, 7-5, to Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday at Maine-Endwell. Oneonta finished with a 2-4 record, the best in its three years there.
Saturday, July 6, 2002
Pitchers lead O-Tigers, 3-0
ONEONTA — After the first two hitters of the game, three Oneonta pitchers combined to pitch no-hit ball as the Tigers defeated the visiting Lowell Spinners, 3-0, Friday.
Splendid Splinter dies at 83
ONEONTA — Oneonta Tigers pitching coach Bill Monbouquette was Ted Williams' teammate with the Boston Red Sox for three years. O-Tigers manager Randy Ready read Williams' book, The Science of Hitting. O-Tigers right fielder Wilton Reynolds wasn't around when Williams played, but said he knows the impact the Red Sox left fielder had on the game.
Sidney's DuMond, Karhio of CV-S earn top honors
It's one thing to do it all. It's quite another to do it all at an exceptional level. During this past track and field season, Sidney's Josh DuMond and Cherry Valley-Springfield's Kristen Karhio would not only beat you at their events, they'd beat you at your events.
Fans not qualified to elect players to Hall
Over the course of time, a number of people have suggested to me that the fans should have some input into the Baseball Hall of Fame election process. This is fine, in theory. The trouble with theories is that they too often don't work.
Saluting an American icon
On the Fourth of July, we celebrated the birth of our great nation. When our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, only a few hundred miles of this magnificent land had been touched. Beyond the Appalachians, inland from the Atlantic Ocean, lay an unexplored wilderness.
Oneonta Legion falls
The Oneonta Legion baseball team lost two games Friday to end its chances of advancing at the World Youth Classic.
Friday, July 5, 2002
Tigers roll by Lowell
ONEONTA — Several times this young season, Oneonta Tigers manager Randy Ready has talked about adjustments — from pitch- to-pitch and from one at-bat to the next.
Connolly loses first
Oneonta High graduate Jon Connolly suffered his first loss of the season, giving up five runs and eight hits in the Oneonta Tigers' 5-2 loss to the Vermont Expos on Wednesday.
Oneonta wins, 6-1
Oneonta Post 259 can control its destiny in the 20th World Youth Baseball Classic. Oneonta defeated Maine Post 1700, 6-1, Thursday at Maine-Endwell to improve to 2-1 in the tournament and into a tie for second place in Division III of the 28-team field.
Wednesday, July 3, 2002
O-Tigers batter Expos in 15-1 victory
ONEONTA — Eddie Romprey and Victor Mendez set them up. Robert Watson knocked them down. Key Bank Night at Damaschke Field drew a season-high 2,129 fans to watch the Oneonta Tigers smack the Vermont Expos, 15-1, in the New York-Penn League.
AREA TENNIS
Ben Kabat and Dave Warren def. Gerald Murray and Jon Geasey, 8-2.
Tuesday, July 2, 2002
Reynolds carries O-Tigers
Wilton Reynolds hit his third home run in two games and Juan Figueroa earned his sixth save of the New York-Penn League baseball season Monday as the visiting Oneonta Tigers edged the Williamsport Crosscutters, 10-9.
Don't hand Oneonta the title yet
Just remember, it's still very early. The Oneonta Tigers became the first team to reach 10 baseball victories in the New York-Penn League this season with a 12-3 thumping Sunday of the host Williamsport Crosscutters.
Monday, July 1, 2002
Soccer is life for Stamford native McGrail
When Stamford and Oneonta State graduate Liz McGrail isn't playing soccer these days she's teaching the sport to youngsters. In other words, life is good.
Bats come alive for 12-3 victory
Luis Diaz won his first start on the mound for Oneonta this season, striking out seven and allowing two runs and five hits over six innings Sunday as the Tigers won a New York-Penn League baseball game at the Williamsport Crosscutters, 12-3.
DELHI COLLEGE GOLF COURSE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Matt Moyse shot rounds of 74 and 77 Saturday and Sunday, respectively, for a three-shot victory over Davey Anderson Jr. and Chris Shultis in the Delhi College Golf Course club championship.
AREA SPORTS BRIEFS
Oneonta High and Pittsburgh University graduate Mark May has been honored as one of the Washington Redskins' 70 all-time greatest players.
Oneonta Legion falls on wild pitch
Massena scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to defeat Oneonta Post 259, 5-4, Sunday in the title game of the Brockville Tournament in Ontario.
EMPIRE STATE GAMES
Schedule for the 2002 Empire State Games, which will take place in the Syracuse and Cortland areas.
O-State graduate leads SUNY team
Oneonta State graduate Bob Kelly doubled in a 2-for-3 effort and earned a pitching victory in relief Saturday, leading the SUNY All-Stars baseball team to a 7-6 victory of Han Yang University in Moscow.
