Brewer Jim Colborn Wins 22-Inning Battle

Do you remember everything you were doing 37 or 38 years ago?

Jim Colborn, an experienced pitching coach, kindly hinted that I had a typo in my letter. I asked him about winning an epic battle against the Twins on May 12, 1972. Not 1973. (http://www.retrosheet.org/ knew the right date, too!) He showed tact and humility, refusing to brag about hitting his team’s only triple in the waning days before the designated hitter.

Colborn wrote:

“Was this game in 1973 or 1972? I remember it well. Seems like Harmon Killebrew kept coming up…I was trying to be careful he didn’t hit one out. Biggest memory besides triple was that victory came the next day! Next day’s starter, Jim Lonborn, pitched bottom of the 21st for save after we scored in top half. We waited half hour or so and he started the next game — AND, as I remember it, that game went 14 INNINGS!”

Tomorrow: Shades of Bull Durham, Batman! Colborn reveals some of his favorite 1970s diversions while hanging out in bullpens.

Cubs Pitcher Jim Colborn Recalls Stormy Times With Manager Leo Durocher

Pitcher Jim Colborn sent me an early Christmas present. I asked about three topics. He sent me true tales from the diamond. Remember the old CBS “You Are There” programs? He’s that good. Why don’t we see the likes of Jim on This Week in Baseball? Baseball broadcast teams, take note. This guy is a classic storyteller.

First, I asked about manager Leo Durocher.

“Leo had an ego problem. He needed strokes so badly he put people down and manipulated them to make himself feel UP. Sad kind of person.”


Tomorrow: Colborn recounts a never-ending game against the Minnesota Twins!

Pitcher Jim Barr Remembers Candlestick

San Francisco pitcher Jim Barr knew Candlestick Park. Did he know AND love the ballpark? I quizzed him on three subjects. He replied:

“CANDLESTICK — yes, it was COLD and windy. My thought process was: this is my job, what I am expected to do, and it was the MAJOR LEAGUES. Yeah, it was nice to pitch on the road, in better weather and a lot more fans. But pitching at home, well, it was YOUR HOME PARK.”

Barr registered three near no-no’s in his career, a trio of two-hitters. Regrets?

“Honestly, I never thought of a NO-HITTER. All the games were reasonably close, so winning was the #1 priority.”


Barr was the pitcher who got away, being drafted six times before turning pro. I asked him if it was more than money that caused him to turn away major league chances.

“I signed with the Giants because I was graduating from college. I didn’t sign earlier because I had a very good college degree on the line and all the other offers couldn’t make up the difference of my college degree.”

If Barr’s praise of education sounds like he’d be a good college coach, the former Giant must agree. I found him profiled on the Sacramento State website as the school’s baseball coach.

WalMart Hawks “Hawk” Dawson

Collectors report that it takes a $20 donation to the Andre Dawson Foundation to get the new Hall of Famer’s signature. The foundation sends out a price list.

Sadly, fans who don’t know TTM collecting basics can get soaked $101.99 to buy an autographed HOF postcard from the WallyWorld website.

There’s an 8-by-10 signed photo from Duke Snider for “only” $174.99.

Okay, WalMart can feign innocence. A “Pro Sports” contractor provides the product and the shipping.

However, the WalMart name is attached. Soon, everyone assumes the signature is worth that much — and more! The HOFer decides to hike his signing fee. Or, why sign for any individuals, when corporate America is interested?

Halloween is coming. The hobby may be seeing more tricks than treats.

WalMart Hawks "Hawk" Dawson

Collectors report that it takes a $20 donation to the Andre Dawson Foundation to get the new Hall of Famer’s signature. The foundation sends out a price list.

Sadly, fans who don’t know TTM collecting basics can get soaked $101.99 to buy an autographed HOF postcard from the WallyWorld website.

There’s an 8-by-10 signed photo from Duke Snider for “only” $174.99.

Okay, WalMart can feign innocence. A “Pro Sports” contractor provides the product and the shipping.

However, the WalMart name is attached. Soon, everyone assumes the signature is worth that much — and more! The HOFer decides to hike his signing fee. Or, why sign for any individuals, when corporate America is interested?

Halloween is coming. The hobby may be seeing more tricks than treats.