Caller One: “Don’t know why the press/media is making Barry Bonds out to be the second coming of Christ. He’s chasing and breaking records of Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. These three ball players gave up four to five years in the prime of their ball-playing years to serve their country in the U.S. military.
“Subtract four or five years … from Bonds and all you have is a less-than-average ballplayer with no defensive skills at all. He’s no Mr. Hustle in the outfield and doesn’t deserve to hold the title of MVP.”
OK, fess up. Who gave the Dodger fans this number?
While the Green Phone doesn’t consider itself to be part of the press or the media (it’s simply your humble public servant), we do have to defend the hype bestowed on Mr. Bonds.
We certainly don’t think he can walk on water, but we’re quite certain he can play the game of baseball – as good as just about anybody who’s ever played it. And while we don’t question the greatness of Williams, Mays and Aaron – without question three of the top five hitters of all-time – we do have to point out that only Teddy Ballgame took time out of his career to serve in the U.S. military.
But hey, we’ll play along anyway. Take out Bonds’ stats from 1996-99 – right in the heart of his prime – and he’s left with these meager career numbers: 571 HRs and 1403 RBI.
Not bad for a less-than-average ballplayer.
Caller Two: “I have a hard time finding an open tennis court. We drive to Las Animas in the mornings, usually Saturday and Sunday … and they’re always full! Is their anyway we can get a published schedule for the leagues that play there?”
The Green Phone has identified the main weekend occupiers of the six courts at Las Animas. It’s usually either members of the Gilroy Tennis Club (which entails around 200 people) or it’s simply instructors and their pupils taking part in tennis classes.
Now, there’s some good news and some bad news. The bad is that there’s really no set schedule – courts are reserved at all different times. For example, the Tennis Club has made reservations from 10-noon this Saturday. Next month, they’ve already got Sunday, Aug. 8 from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. And there’s really no rhyme or reason to the class times, either.
The good news is that anybody can reserve courts … and it’s easy to do. Give the nice people at the Parks and Recreation Division a call at 846-0460 (Mon.-Fri., 8-5) and they’ll be happy to set you up. And if the Tennis Club has already scooped up your time, you can always head over to El Robley Park, too.
Caller Three: “My beef is with Jeff Garcia going to the Cleveland Browns.
I don’t think that’s very appealing, because it’s very bad for him and for San Francisco. And that’s my beef!”
The message came from a little kid, presumably a Garcia/Niners fan. So we can understand his sentiment (and with his age, we’re certainly impressed he used the word “appealing”).
It could be worse for both parties, though. San Fran cleared some much-needed salary cap space and Garcia is set to receive a well-deserved $25 million over four years from the Browns.
Caller Four: “I am calling because I’m very happy and have to congratulate all our boys from Little League for winning the District 9.
All of them will take the District 9 name this year as champions.
And now we also have the 13-year-old Babe Ruth team. I congratulate everybody for their good work.
I’ve enjoyed watching all these games. My grandson is in it … So good luck in the future, boys. You’re doing a great job for Hollister.”
We couldn’t agree more. Always nice to see the local teams doing well and representing our communities. Go Hollister!
