Congrats Phils/Former Yanks I Love and Miss

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Phillies on winning the 2008 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays. When I was about 10 or 11 years old, the Phils were the parent team of the Triple A Oklahoma City 89ers in the old American Association... now OKC's team is known as the Redhawks in the Pacific Coast League and affiliated with the Rangers.

Back in 1980 (when the Phils won the World Series over the Royals), they used to come to OKC every summer in mid-season and play an exhibition against the 'Niners. Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Sparky Lyle, Tug McGraw, Bake McBride, Dallas Green... they all came and it was great fun to watch some of my favorites.

Now, that the '08 Phillies are world champions, I would like to congratulate them on a job well done. They will always be one of my favorite teams along with the Rangers, Braves, and Reds. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins... hope you guys enjoy your new title as champs. And, give my condelences to the Rays... who I wouldn't have minded if they won the Series, either. They have come through a lot of adversity to get to this season and beyond since their humble beginnings.

OK, now for my real feelings today... I am extremely saddened to learn that one of the guys I got to interview on my website at http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/ passed away recently. His name was Tom Tresh, former New York Yankee and 1962 American League Rookie of the Year. I wrote a story about him when I was still in college rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman.

Tresh was the hitting coach for Central Michgan. When I learned this, I found him sitting in the stands of Dale Mitchell Park eating a hot dog between games of a doubleheader. I asked him for 10 minutes and he graciously granted me some of his valuable time.

The story never got published in the student paper, but I did get it published later on in http://www.baseballink.com/ and later on my site. I also met Tresh at a baseball card show in Duluth, Ga., back in 2002 when I was living in Alpharetta, Ga. What a great guy he was... very cordial and friendly and willing to take a picture of me with him -- courtesy of my beautiful wife Melissa!

Other Yankee greats I have interviewed and written stories about include Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson, Fred Beene, Tom Sturdivant, Oscar Gamble, ... and Babe Ruth (just kiddin'!) Also, in my lifetime, I have met up close and personal for autographs with the likes of Hank Bauer, Bobby Murcer, Moose Skowron, Yogi Berra... and the awesome MICKEY MANTLE!

Tresh joined the list of past Yankee greats who have passed away recently (Boyer, Bauer, and Murcer.) I don't know why today's great players seem to have a total disregard for their fans for the most part, but I do know that I respect these living and deceased former Yankee greats (and all the other former major leaguers I have been privileged to meet) because they treated me with the same respect.

They knew and know where their bread and butter came from. They know where their contracts were paid for... from the fans in the stands... not corporate sponsors and multimillion-dollar worth owners with money to burn. They truly appreciate the respect and adulation they got and, in return, I got to meet and adore several of my baseball heroes like Mr. Tresh and the like. With that, I will bid you adieu!!!