A Chat With PR Maven Marty Appel

Posted on: July 7th, 2010

Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Thurman Munson, George Steinbrenner - these are just some of the magic names Marty Appel has dealt with and written about.

Non-Perfect Perfect Game

Posted on: June 9th, 2010

It's been all over the news. You had to be in solitary confinement not to hear about umpire Jim Joyce's blown call at first base that should have ended the perfect game by Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga against the Cleveland Indians in Detroit.

By The Numbers

Posted on: May 12th, 2010

While we're counting the Omer we'll also be counting Alex Rodriguez's homers. When the Yankees third baseman hits his 17th home run this season, it will be the 600th of his career. A-Rod, who'll be 35 in July, is a good bet to hit 800 career home runs - a number never yet reached by anyone - before he retires.

Postseason Picks

Posted on: April 8th, 2010

A huge Mets fan from Brooklyn moved to my town (Oak Park, Michigan.) and settled in a few houses from me. Walking home from shul the other day, he took issue with my picking, in last month's column, the Mets to finish fourth in the National League East.

2010 Season Preview

Posted on: March 11th, 2010

As we clean for Pesach, several players will be cleaning out their lockers after being released by teams paring down their rosters for Opening Day.

Spring’s Almost Here

Posted on: February 10th, 2010

With spring training almost upon us, our attention turns to Arizona (Cactus League) and Florida (Grapefruit League).

Spring’s Almost Here

Posted on: February 10th, 2010

With spring training almost upon us, our attention turns to Arizona (Cactus League) and Florida (Grapefruit League).

Reflections On A Pair Of Detroit Favorites

Posted on: January 6th, 2010

Detroit is in mourning. The most popular sports figure around these parts will no longer be wearing a Detroit Tigers uniform.

Fantasy Come True

Posted on: December 9th, 2009

Seventy-eight degrees and sunny. That's what it was that Thursday afternoon in November when I arrived in Tampa, site of the Yankees Fantasy Camp. After checking into the Sheraton Suites where the campers were staying for the Monday through Saturday camp, I shuttled to George M. Steinbrenner Field (where the Yanks play during spring training and also the home of the Tampa Yankees, three levels below the major leagues), to join the camp in progress.

Another Season Goes Into The Books

Posted on: November 11th, 2009

Forget the results. The 2009 World Series featured the two best teams in baseball. In the old days, the Series always had the best team in the American League against the best team in the National League. But with the advent of two rounds of league playoffs, a good but not great team that has a hot week or two can find itself in the World Series.

Greenberg Goes To Shul

Posted on: October 7th, 2009

It was 75 years ago. In 1934 in my city of Detroit, a survey revealed that 33.1 percent of male Jews in the area were proprietors, managers, and officials and had a median income of $1,638.

My Half-Century At Tiger Stadium

Posted on: September 9th, 2009

It's been 10 years since the last game was played at Tiger Stadium. Memories of the storied ballpark have been turned into books and tapes, audio and video (I had a hand in adding to the aforementioned).

Remembering The Moonwalk, Anticipating Kosher Fantasy Camp

Posted on: August 12th, 2009

When Gaylord Perry made it to the major leagues with the San Francisco Giants in 1962, manager Alvin Dark told him that while he had the makings of being a good pitcher, he would be a terrible hitter. In fact, Dark told Perry that man would walk on the moon before Perry would ever hit a home run.

Lou Gehrig, The Brothers Pipp And Henry Ford

Posted on: July 8th, 2009

He died 44 years ago and even though he wasn't a Hall of Famer his name will always be linked to one of the greatest players of all time.

A Tale Of Two Ballparks

Posted on: June 10th, 2009

Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, the original Yankee Stadium, the renovated Yankee Stadium, and Shea Stadium - as I said last month, I'd been to them all.

Remembering New York’s Old Stadiums

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

Last month I predicted the Yankees, Indians and Angels would top their divisions in the American League, while the Mets, Cubs and Diamondbacks would do the same in the National League.

Remembering New York’s Old Stadiums

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

Last month I predicted the Yankees, Indians and Angels would top their divisions in the American League, while the Mets, Cubs and Diamondbacks would do the same in the National League.

Wiping Off The Old Crystal Ball For 2009

Posted on: April 7th, 2009

The baseball spotlight, as always, is on New York.

A Taste Of Summer

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

Spring training is underway in Arizona and Florida and we're all looking forward to our favorite teams coming home to start the regular season in April.

They Will Be Missed

Posted on: February 11th, 2009

He was the oldest former major league ballplayer when he died last month at the age of 100. Bill Werber was a teammate of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth with the Yankees in 1930 and again three years later. He also played for the Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants before retiring in 1942 with a .271 career batting average. He outhit Hank Greenberg .370 to .357 in the 1940 World Series, leading the Reds over the Tigers in seven games.