Nappi's novel conjures Borchert-era Brewers
Most Milwaukeeans aren't familiar with the Milwaukee Brewers...the old Milwaukee Brewers, that is, the American Baseball Association Brewers, a feisty little baseball team which inhabited a ramshackle all-wooden ballpark at 8th and Chambers Streets from 1902 to 1952, a neighborhood baseball theater called Borchert Field. Fifty-one seasons worth of baseball, a half-century's worth of baseball lore.
Dreams were cultivated at such places around America during the first half of the 20th century, as were the stories which sprang from the dream-getting. As the inhabitants of Borchert Field moved on they became steeped in the lore of human imagination, providing a fertile mixture for growing new dreams. So, it should come as no surprise that this storied club, dead now for some 50-odd years, should serve as the springboard for a novelist named Frank Nappi and his book, "The Legend of Mickey Tussler," out now in hardcover from St. Martin's Press.
Weaving Milwaukee baseball culture into a web of diamond story telling, Nappi writes with as much grit and stamina as the flannel-clad, salty-tongued players would have played on the diamonds of yore. Terseness and tenderness balance out
in the pages of "The Legend of Mickey Tussler," as Nappi has a knack for capturing baseball culture.
Growing up in southern Wisconsin, I missed the Brewers by a few years. As a Milwaukee resident for 15 years I got a sense of what the city once was, and in that time I became fascinated by the old Brewers, a team that defined the term "small market." In those days, a crowd of 10,000 was a sell-out at the ancient little baseball barn on Milwaukee's North Side. Baseball aside, the story Nappi reveals is a remarkable one. A young farm boy with mental and emotional issues strikes out on his own and becomes adored by the fans at Borchert Field, adored for his abilities on the ball field. It is not a light tale of "local boy done good" or "youngster overcomes adversity" but rather a deeply complex retelling of a long list of set-backs endured by the underdog, the overlooked, the diamond in the rough.
The sheer humanness of the experiences that Mickey Tussler endures will endear him to readers, but the impression left by Nappi's telling of this tale haunts us as we are reminded of our own failings and weaknesses. The game of baseball is the stage. History is the venue. Milwaukee is still the smallest market in the major leagues, and for those who follow such things we are reminded that some things never change. The major league Milwaukee Brewers
haven't won a pennant in 26 years, and they seem beset by issues which prevent the club from moving forward. The classic underdog.
Nappi chose Milwaukee as the setting for his tale because, in his own deft imagination, the city seemed to fit his idea of the quintessential hard-working town during the war years, the perfect place for a baseball tale, a city which was dotted by breweries and small shops, where cultural enclaves thrived. It was a city which literally consisted of several small towns stitched together like a patchwork quilt. This was a place where Mickey Tussler might just have a fighting chance. After all, it had hosted a litany of immigrant underdogs for decades.
In a narrative replete with dialogue and enriched by Nappi's obvious knowledge and passion for America's game, Mickey Tussler becomes a figure in Milwaukee's literary history, representing the epitome of anyone who has ever come to the big city to ply a trade and make a life for themselves. In many ways, the old American Association Brewers are brought back to life on the shoulders of a hayseed kid who battles his own inner demons to bring joy to the Milwaukee masses. Through Nappi's master storytelling, we travel back to a time when color photography was rare, television was on the horizon, and the interstate highway system hadn't yet divided urban areas by staunch demarcations. In this telling we are able to discover that the past did not take place in black and white.
And here we may become reacquainted with baseball names that resonate with baseball fans, such as the ill-fated Shoeless Joe Jackson and the hall of fame southpaw Warren Spahn, so long associated with the Milwaukee Braves. Such names are rare in this telling but they recall a time when baseball was played outdoors on real grass and read about in the detailed, and often colorful, language used by baseball beat writers of an earlier time. Spahn and Jackson were once minor leaguers, too. Nappi's novel is not a diatribe on the history of baseball in the Cream City, as Milwaukee is still known. It is a fictional glimpse into the lives of ballplayers who had hopes of making it to the big leagues, just as Tussler hoped to play for the Brewers' parent organization, the Boston Braves.
Nappi's characters are reminiscent of actual old Brewers greats. Tedd "Ol' Reliable" Gullic, the quail-hunting all-star outfielder from rural Missouri who wowed crowds during the 1930s with his bat and once broke the window of his own residence with a long home run. Or Harry "Pep" Clark, the early 20th century third baseman with Native American roots who was a Brewer for almost 20 years. Gullic and Clark were household words in Milwaukee once upon a time.
Just who is Mickey Tussler? Fresh off the farm, the broad-shouldered neophyte has the arm of a marksman, but doesn't realize his gift. He earns the nickname "Baby Bazooka" by persistently dizzying batters with a blazing fastball thoughout the course of a season in the minors. Considered mentally deficient, Tussler doesn't have heroic ambitions, but he rises above societal expectations with a courage and will to succeed. Through his drive, he illustrates how his own hidden potential is realized despite a continuous barrage of mockery and castigation.
Sure, Nappi could have relied more extensively upon the real legends of baseball in pre-1950 Milwaukee. In reality, the old Brewers were not perennial losers. Next to the Minneapolis Millers, the Brewers were the second-winningest team in American Association history from 1902 to 1952. As a baseball historian, I was disappointed by Nappi's creation of fictional opponents. Rather than the Toledo Mud Hens, the St. Paul Saints or the Kansas City Blues, we read about the fictional Colts, Giants, Rangers and Senators. But the elevated wisdom of Nappi's impactful writing comes through as two of the Brewers' key players are engaged in conversation.
"Matheson chuckled and scratched his chin. 'Well, you know what they say, Raymond. God gives us a little garden in which to walk, but an immensity in which to dream.'"
The adventures of the unassuming Tussler somehow rise above historical facts through his grace in confronting personal challenges. However short-lived are the victories Tussler brings to the Brewers, his example is an enduring one. Nappi's detailed fictional account of how small-time professional baseball serves as a stage for human growth will be enduring as well. It sets the bar high for the novel as an art form and sets a new precedent for baseball fiction.
2008, OnMilwaukee.com, LLC
New coach Simmons steps down
Surry Community College president Deborah Friedman announced to the Board of Trustees that Joshua Simmons, recently named the Knights head baseball coach and volleyball coach last season, will be leaving to take a volunteer baseball coaching job at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Simmons was set to replace 13-year head coach and current athletic director Mark Tucker, who stepped down as coach in May and had helped build the Knights into a successful program.
"This morning he basically submitted his letter of resignation," Tucker said. "I think Josh felt like it was a good opportunity for him and I certainly wish him the best."
Simmons handled field maintenance and was the team's fielding coach the past two seasons. He taught physical education at Surry and is a graduate of East Carolina University. Surry was 34-23 this season and fell early in the Region X baseball tournament in Burlington. The Knights baseball program began in the fall of 1995 and reached its first National Junior College Athletic Association World Series in 1998. In addition to baseball and volleyball, Surry also has a softball coaching vacancy to fill. The Knights will field a women's softball team for the first time in 2009.
"We are hopeful of finding someone that will do a good job," Tucker said. Early this spring, assistant baseball coaches Roy Vernon and Wayne Edmonds, who have more than 62 years of combined coaching, announced their departure from the Surry program. Simmons played at Barton College where the Bulldogs collected a Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 2002 and a Regular Season Championship in 2006.
While at Barton, Simmons coached 1st Team All-American, Brock Godwin and 2nd Team All-American, Dennis Blackman along with six Bulldogs selected to the CVAC All-Conference squad. Simmons has also been honored for his excellence in field maintenance with the selection of the 2005 American Baseball Coaches Association/ Turface Field Maintenance of the Year Award. The award annually recognizes excellence in field maintenance. Simmons also served as an assistant coach with the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plains Summer League in 2004.
Copyright 2008 The Mount Airy News
2008 American Association All-Star game
The first American Association baseball league was formed in 1902 and included teams from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Toledo, Indianapolis, Louisville, Kansas City, Columbus and Milwaukee. Players such as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Willie Mays have played in the league over the next 50 years.
However, teams began disbanding with the expansion of Major League Baseball teams into some of those cities. In 1963, the original American Association shut down. But the break did not last long. The American Association started up again in 1969, with teams in eight cities, and lasted until 1997. The league remained dark until October 2005 when the Northern League and the Central League decided to merge, and again the American Association was alive.
Currently there are 10 teams in this independent league, stretching from St. Paul to El Paso and Shreveport. Grand Prairie (Texas) and Wichita joined the league this season.
2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
Former Bear sets 101 year old MLB record
A week of breaking records for former Missouri State pitcher Brad Ziegler concluded Sunday afternoon in Oakland as the A's reliever tossed two more scoreless innings against Texas to extend his career-starting scoreless streak to 27 innings and break the 101-year-old Major League Baseball record of Philadelphia's George McQuillan in the process.
Ziegler, who made his MLB debut with the Athletics on May 31, set the American League record on July 22, a mark that had stood since 1945 and was by Boston's Boo Ferris. He pitched 1.1 scoreless innings July 25 to tie McQuillan's mark, and shut out Texas for two more frames Sunday to break the record that had stood since 1907.
Ziegler pitched for the Bears from 2000-03 and earned third-team all-America honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2003. He owns MSU career records for starts (49), innings pitched (365), strikeouts (330) and victories (32). During his senior season, the Odessa, Mo., native, set season records with 12 wins and 16 starts while the Bears advanced to the College World Series.
Ziegler began the 2008 season at Triple-A Sacramento and allowed one earned run in 24 1/3 innings for a 0.37 ERA before being called up to Oakland.
2008 Learfield Communications, Inc.
2008 American Association All-Stars Announcement
DURHAM, NC. The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball today announced the teams for the 2008 All-Star Game that will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd in St. Paul, MN. The game will pit the North Division All-Stars versus the South Division All-Stars. The starting lineup was determined by the league's 10 field managers and media representatives. The reserves and pitchers were selected by the All-Star managers.
Copyright 2008 OurSports Central
Moreland Signs with Orioles
At Lee High School, Kenny Moreland was the athletic star. He was the school's all-district quarterback and sprinkled in perimeter points on the basketball team. But Moreland, the older brother in an athletically driven family, always knew his ticket was on the diamond, as right-handed pitcher. Less than five years removed from Lancers blue-and-yellow uniforms, Moreland is now officially a professional pitcher, having signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this month, following the conclusion of the 2008 Major League Draft. According to Moreland, the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals all had hinted at selecting him during the second day of the 50-round draft. But while sitting with friends and family, his name was never called.
"It was a little bit of a roller coaster ride," Moreland said. "I was excepting to get drafted by someone. I wanted to keep my head up, but I was pretty disappointed. Then, 20 minutes after the draft, I got the call from the Orioles. My voice shot right back up again."
The move came as a surprise, considering that Baltimore wasn't one of the 10 teams that Moreland had spoken throughout the spring. "It went from disbelief, anger and disappointment...There was that feeling of what happens next?" said Karyn Moreland, Kenny's mother. "And then all of a sudden, we didn't have to worry about what happens. Everything was so fast."
A WEEKEND MINI-CAMP in Sarasota, Fla. later, he was optioned to the Bluefield Orioles, the franchise's Rookie League affiliate teetering between Bluefield, W.Va. and Bluefield, Va. The club plays in historic 2,000-seat Bowen Stadium and touts the oldest continuous affiliation with the same major-league franchise in Minor League Baseball.
"He is the type of kid in terms of his attitude and his work ethic that all kids want to have every year on the team," said Christopher Newport head coach John Harvell. "His work ethic, kids feed off of it. I couldn't be happier for one person. He's worked so hard to get where he is and all he wanted was an opportunity and now he's getting it."
Bluefield is a member of the 10-team Appalachian League, which is composed of newly signed professionals (the oldest Bluefield player is 24-years-old), with teams stretching through Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee. According to Harvell, it's an intimate place where the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Moreland, can thrive. Citing his above average curveball, even though critics remain wary of his small frame, Harvell believes he can excel with location and competitiveness. After Bluefield opened the season with a 12-6 loss to the Elizabethton Twins, Kenny Moreland took the mound on Wednesday as the No. 2 starter. He pitched three innings in Bluefield's 5-2 loss, finishing with a 3.0 ERA.
"It's something that every professional should go to," Moreland said. "I feel like you should start at rookie ball and work your way up...I want to try work my way up the system."
Harvell credits three consecutive seasons of wood-bat summer baseball, first with the Bethesda Big Train Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League and two more with the Peninsula Pilots of the Coastal Plain League as a jumpstart to receiving a professional contract. "He's following his dream," Karyn Moreland said. "If a chance comes along, you have to take it, especially at this age."
AFTER STARTING at the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Kenny Moreland quickly realized he needed to be at a baseball-first school. After getting initial offers from Virginia Tech, Boston College and N.C. State, Kenny Moreland chose Christopher Newport, a Division III school in Newport News, Va. "I realized that if I went to Christopher Newport, I could jump right in there and get the ball," Kenny Moreland said. "When I went there, it was the best four years of my life. It was perfect for me."
In his freshman season, he was named the USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Year, and eventually made all-conference over the next three years. During his senior campaign, he went a perfect 13-0 and had a 1.97 ERA, both setting school records. He also set career records in wins (35) and strikeouts (378) en route to being named First Team All-American by D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association. At Lee, Kenny Moreland was a three-year all-Liberty District honoree and set school records for most wins and strikeouts in his senior year. He was named the team's most valuable player three consecutive years, was a two-year captain and also set a school-record for home runs in a game.
More importantly, the Lancers went to the Northern Region final in 2004, but lost to Westfield. The state leader in strikeouts, however, Kenny Moreland was a catalyst in a victory over Colonial Forge, the first time in school history that Lee won a baseball state tournament game.
2008 Connection Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.
Carroll UK's first consensus All-American
Former University of Kentucky outfielder Sawyer Carroll has been named a first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, making him the first player in UK history to earn consensus first-team honors, the school announced. Carroll received first-team honors from every organization to announce a team this year, also including Louisville Slugger, Baseball America, Rivals.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Carroll led the Southeastern Conference in 2008 with a .419 batting average and a school-record 83 RBI. Carroll, a native of Henryetta, Okla., added 19 home runs, 22 doubles, three triples, 44 walks and 12 stolen bases. He finished his career as UK's record-holder for batting average (.386). Carroll was selected in the supplemental third round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres and made a memorable professional debut on Tuesday. Playing with the Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds of the short-season Northwest League, Carroll started in right field and finished the night with a single, a double and a triple. Carroll went 3-for-4 on Tuesday and 3-for-6 on Wednesday. Carroll is a teammate in Eugene with former UK teammate Andrew Albers. Albers, a right-handed pitcher, was a 10th-round pick of the Padres earlier this month.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill joined Carroll on the ABCA All-America squad, making the second team. Cowgill has been a first-, second- or third-team selection on every All-America team announced. Cowgill, a Lexington native, hit .361 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI in 2008 before he was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Like Carroll, Cowgill made his pro debut in the Northwest League on Tuesday night, starting in center field for the Yakima (Wash.) Bears. Cowgill got his first pro hit and RBI on Wednesday.
Former UK second baseman Ryan Wilkes earned first-team All-South Region honors from the ABCA. Wilkes, drafted in the 23rd round by the New York Yankees, is playing for the Staten Island Yankees in the short-season New York-Penn League.
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