Toy Drive Hits Off-Season Home Run For Texas Rangers Catcher Jose Trevino
ALSO: HIGHS AND LOWS OF 2021 BASEBALL SEASON
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Pregame Pepper
Did you know?
Lew Burdette of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves might have been the best World Series pitcher of the postwar era with a 3-0 record in 27 innings pitched against the Yankees, winning the Game 7 finale with a 5-0 shutout at Yankee Stadium, and yielding just two earned runs — one less than Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox in 1967 . . .
The late Hal Newhouser, a Hall of Fame pitcher who became an Astros scout, begged Houston to take Derek Jeter in the amateur draft but quit in disgust after the team chose Phil Nevin instead . . .
Clayton Kershaw wore No. 22 for the Dodgers as a tribute to his idol Jack Clark . . .
Orel Hershiser’s success with the sinker inspired Greg Maddux to make it his primary pitch as well . . .
Carroll Hardy’s only home run of 1958 was delivered as a pinch-hitter for fellow Cleveland outfielder Roger Maris . . .
Two years later, when Hardy was with the Red Sox, he pinch-hit for Ted Williams (who had hit a pitch off his ankle) and lined into a double-play.
Leading Off
Trevino Toy Drive Classic dream became reality for Rangers’ catcher Jose Trevino
[Originally written November 15, this article was one of the best Here’s The Pitch articles of the year.]
By Alex Plinck
“It was like a little dream of mine just to do something like this,” Jose Trevino told me Sunday evening. The vision became actuality Saturday and Sunday for the Rangers’ Roberto Clemente Nominee for 2021.
The Trevino Toy Drive Classic concluded Sunday afternoon, exceeding expectations from players, play24sports, and Rangers catcher Jose Trevino himself. In January, Jose talked about the success of the Trevino Toy Drive in 2020 but wanted it to grow. Then, in August, he hinted to me that something substantial was in the works. Then, Saturday and Sunday, it came to life at the Colony. “It’s been fun. It’s been crazy, awesome, [and] eventful,” Jose told me when asking to summarize the weekend. “I don’t know. I don’t have a word for it.”
Fifty-four teams competed among six age groups (between 7-14) throughout the two days. It was a collaborative effort among Trevino, his family, and play24sports. “L’Erin Hampton did an unbelievable job at play24sports bringing this thing to life, and he brought to light, and it’s been nothing but amazing,” Jose said. In addition, the Trevino family all did a fantastic job coordinating the event throughout the weekend.
There were booths stationed throughout Five Star Complex in the Colony along with good food, baseball, and of course, Rangers players. Jose’s teammates John King, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Willie Calhoun, Jonathan Hernandez, Taylor Hearn, Nick Solak, and AJ Alexy came to visit. Plus, there were appearances by former Rangers David Murphy, Mark McLemore, and the Rangers Captain. “It’s really awesome the event [Jose] put on,” Nick Solak said. “To be able to come out [and] hang out for a little bit, it’s really cool. [It] kind of takes me back being that age and playing in tournaments like this.” Solak told me it was cool to see all of the different teams and age groups playing on the baseball field. “It’s cool to be at an event like this. Baseball brings a lot of people together in different ways.”
Jose’s favorite part of the two days? How about surprising a kid who repeatedly asked for Nick Solak. “He was like, Nick Solak, Nick Solak,” Trevino told me. “I was like, I don’t know if he’s coming, and I knew he was coming [Sunday]. Sure enough, [Nick] showed up, and he’d been asking for a while. [So] I pulled him up to the stage where Nick was signing, and Solak gave him one of his bats, [and] signed it.” For two days, about 90% of the time I saw Jose Trevino, he smiled. When kids asked for autographs, he signed (he kept about five sharpies in his awesome fanny pack he had). When folks asked for pictures, he would stop for photos. He would talk baseball with coaches and kids.
In addition to autograph signings, raffles took place for attendees to receive signed memorabilia from past and present Rangers. I watched some of the kids who won with their faces lit up like a Christmas tree. Plus, you can’t forget the baseball tournament itself. I watched kids from the 7-14 age range make great plays, look motivated, come up clutch hitting, and make some excellent pitches. As a baseball guy myself, to watch a young kid make a diving play and see the ball fall to their glove puts a smile on anybody’s face. On Sunday, Trevino and Taylor Hearn took a little bit to coach one game in addition to Jose scouting a few teams.
As for the turnout, it exceeded all expectations. “It exceeded all of [my expectations],” Trevino told me. “[I] thought it was great turnout [I] had a lot of fun,” Taylor Hearn said. I asked Nick Solak if he thought it would be this big. “No, I didn’t. We were pulling into the parking lot, and every spot was taken. [We] were like, oh my gosh, there’s a lot of people here. That was just one side, and then there are all of the other sides.” “Overall the event seemed like it was run really well,” David Murphy told me. “The weather was beautiful and overall that complex is an ideal location with a lot of space and a lot of teams always participating at their tournaments.”
After the raffle on Sunday afternoon, all of the Trevino Toy Drive Classic participants gave Trevino a giant SR bat signed by attendees. Hundreds and hundreds of signatures filled up a heavy-duty black bat that stunned Jose. “That thing was awesome. It caught me by surprise. I didn’t know that they were getting all of the kids to sign it,” Jose told me. “I don’t know where I’m going to put that thing, but it’s nice.” It was the happiness that capped off the weekend for Jose Trevino.
Jose Trevino was the 2021 Rangers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, and you can see why. “We have different opportunities to help different people,” Nick Solak said. “Trevino has been amazing about getting out in the community and helping the foundation. There’s a lot of people that watch us play and cheer for us, and I think it’s good to be able to give back a little in any way we can for those people that watch the Rangers and love in this area.” Regarding the influence of his teammates, Taylor Hearn said the Rangers have always been a tight group as a team. Trevino told me that he hopes the event keeps growing where players that live in the DFW area from other teams come out.
“More than anything, I’m just proud of Jose,” David Murphy said. “I’m always impressed with any athlete who sees the opportunity to use his platform to impact lives in a positive way but it seems so natural and second nature to him. A lot of players want to get out in the community to help but maybe it takes a few years into their career to get started because they either need to learn how to help or maybe they want to establish themselves on the field first but with Jose it just seems like it’s who he is. I would guess that he’s always had that selfless vision and so the second he arrived in the big leagues he was ready to start making that positive impact.”
There wasn’t an official count by the end of Sunday, but Jose Trevino estimated about 4,000 toys donated (and I’d assume more). If I know Jose Trevino, this is just the start. I will bet on a second-annual Trevino Toy Drive classic, more extensive in 2022 than in 2021, which is unimaginable. ” If there’s one thing I learned from Trevino regarding giving back to the community, it’s turning the unthinkable into reality.
Alex Plinck is a credentialed Media Staff Writer covering the Texas Rangers for Dallas Sports Fanatic | 2014 University of North Texas graduate with a Bachelor's in Radio, Television, and Film. I talk about things. Find him on the tweeter @aplinckTX
Cleaning Up
Recounting the Highs and Lows of 2021 in Baseball
By Dan Schlossberg
As a microcosm of the nation, baseball had more than its share of highs and lows in 2021. Although the Covid-19 pandemic was still a factor and the expiring Basic Agreement loomed large as an unwanted holiday present, the majors managed to squeeze in a full season of 162 games, followed by an exhilarating postseason. There were plenty of surprises along the way.
Highs
Atlanta Braves win first world title in 26 years, defeating Brewers, Dodgers, and Astros handily in postseason play — never taking a series the maximum length
Shohei Ohtani wins unanimous election as American League MVP after hitting 46 home runs, stealing 26 bases, collecting 100 runs batted in, and posting a 9-2 record and 3.18 ERA in 23 games pitched for the Los Angeles Angels
After a wait that seemed eternal, Gil Hodges and Buck O’Neil finally reach the Hall of Fame, along with the much-deserving Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, and Minnie Minoso
Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera hits 500th home run
Future NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario needs only five pitches to hit for the cycle
Fellow Atlanta trade acquisition Jorge Soler starts World Series with leadoff homer, caps it with three-run homer to break scoreless tie in Game 6, and wins MVP honors for World Series
Chris Taylor delivers three-homer game for Dodgers vs. Braves to prolong NLCS
Former Dodger Joc Pederson, wearing necklace of pearls, pinch-hits two homers for Braves in NL Division Series vs. Brewers
Lefty-swinging Freddie Freeman wins deciding game of NL Division Series for Atlanta vs. Milwaukee with late home run vs. lethal lefty closer Josh Hader
Atlanta lefty Max Fried is first pitcher since Bret Saberhagen in 1985 to pitch six walk-free scoreless innings in a World Series clincher
With a pinch-hit in the World Series (Game 5), Houston’s Zack Greinke becomes the first pitcher to do that since 1924
Bryce Harper wins second regular-season MVP of career
Salvatore Perez — really — leads majors with 121 runs batted in
White Sox edge Yankees, 9-8, in first Field of Dreams game, in Dyersville, Iowa
Indians blank Angels, 3-0, in Little League Classic at Willamsport, PA
Robbie Ray, signed as a free agent by Toronto, leads AL in strikeouts, innings, and ERA en route to American League Cy Young Award
Pitchers throw record nine no-hitters plus two more “unofficial” ones in games limited to seven innings because they are part of doubleheaders
Miami pitcher Pablo Lopez fans first nine batters — an MLB mark — on July 11 vs. Braves
Aaron Nola of Phillies ties Tom Seaver’s record with 10 straight strikeouts vs Mets June 25 and Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes duplicates the feat August 11
Jacob deGrom sets a record for most strikeouts in first four starts of a season
Gerrit Cole sets a record for most strikeouts without a walk
At 41, Nelson Cruz becomes the oldest man with a 30-homer season
Toronto’s Marcus Semien finishes with the most homers ever hit in a season by a second baseman [45]
Abraham Toro homers in each game of a three-game series: the first for Houston July 26, then one each for Seattle on July 27 and 28 after a mid-series trade between teams that permitted this unusual major-league record
Arizona Diamondbacks become first team to hit four homers in a inning on Opening Day
Braves are the first team to hit seven home runs and two grand-slams in a game, May 21 vs. Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals become first team with five Gold Glove winners
Dodgers’ 106 wins are most by any team in MLB history that did not finish first
Though they last only one game in the playoffs, Cardinals win 17 straight in September, improving their 11-year September mark to an MLB-best 196 wins
Lows
In a misguided effort to speed up game time, Commissioner Rob Manfred mandates automatic runner placed on second to start every half-inning of games that go into extras [variously called “Manfred Man,” zombie runner, or ghost runner, it is expected to be a one-year wonder]
Manfred ruins five years of preparations by stripping Atlanta of All-Star Game to protest newly-signed Georgia voting law
Manfred’s decision to move the Midsummer Classic to Denver deprives Braves of planned tribute to iconic home run king Hank Aaron, who died in January
Thanks to Manfred rule reducing double-header games to seven innings, Arizona’s Madison Bumgarner gets a complete game and shutout without allowing a hit but does not get credit for the first no-hitter of his career (vs. Braves April 25)
Cleveland’s Zach Plesac is losing pitcher in three no-hitters
Indians, caving to pressure, change 106-year-old nickname to Guardians
After MLB umpires begin checking pitchers for Spider Tack on June 15, stats of Yankees ace Gerrit Cole take major nosedive
Ronald Acuña, Jr. tears ACL July 10, misses remainder of season
Cardinals fire Mike Shildt, finalist for NL Manager of the Year, before winner is announced
Houston’s Yuli Gurriel wins AL batting title with worst mark since Rod Carew’s .318 in 1972
After signing huge contracts as free agents, Marcell Ozuna (Braves) and Trevor Bauer (Dodgers) miss most of season while MLB investigates allegations of domestic violence and sexual misconduct, respectively
Under .500 through 110 games, Braves win fewest games of any playoff team but get hot in time to win World Series
Atlanta loses promising pitcher Huascar Ynoa for three months after the pitcher punches the dugout bench in frustration — and fractures his pitching hand — while being pulled from his first poor start
Arizona Diamondbacks lose 24 straight road games, a major-league record
Teams shift so often against left-handed hitters that barring radical shifts is considered for 2022
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, relieving for Cubs in one-sided game, fans reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman
Unable to negotiate terms of a new Basic Agreement, owners lock out players, suspending all transactions and cancelling Winter Meetings, on Dec. 2.
Former AP sportswriter Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ covers baseball for forbes.com, Latino Sports, Ball Nine, USA TODAY Sports Weekly, Sports Collectors Digest, and others. Contact the author of 40 baseball books via e.mail: ballauthor@gmail.com.
Timeless Trivia
When the Boston Braves spent spring training at Wallingford, CT because of wartime travel restrictions, manager Casey Stengel wore a cap and gown as he lectured his players on the Choate prep school campus . . .
The 1929 Detroit Tigers were the first team to train Arizona but spent only that one spring there . . .
Contrary to the movie 42, the Brooklyn Dodgers spent 1947 spring training in Havana, where the arrival of Jackie Robinson was not seen as unusual by the locals . . .
In 1970, Seattle players reported to spring training as the Pilots but left as the Milwaukee Brewers; the team’s equipment truck was sent north to Utah and placed on hold, with orders to proceed to either Seattle or Milwaukee . . .
The Washington Senators and New York Giants played the first Grapefruit League game in 1888 . . .
The Chicago Cubs trained on Catalina Island, 26 miles off the California coast, from 1921-42 and 1946-51, interrupted only by World War 2.
Know Your Editors
HERE’S THE PITCH is published daily except Sundays and holidays. Brian Harl [bchrom831@gmail.com] handles Monday and Tuesday editions, Elizabeth Muratore [nymfan97@gmail.com] does Wednesday and Thursday, and Dan Schlossberg [ballauthor@gmail.com] edits the weekend editions on Friday and Saturday. Readers are encouraged to contribute comments, articles, and letters to the editor. HTP reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity, and good taste.