Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter meeting recap – 12/14/2015
Sixteen members and guests of the Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter gathered at The Original Crusoe’s Restaurant in South St. Louis on Monday, December 14, 2015.
Chapter president Brian Flaspohler called the meeting to order. Barbara Sheinbein announced that she had brought, for the second time in recent months, several baseball books and publications from her personal library, for everyone to choose from, for their own collections. Thanks, Barb!
Flaspohler announced that our annual Hot Stove Luncheon, on January 30, 2016 (SABR Day), will be held at Favazza’s on the Hill from noon to 4:00 p.m. Mike Girsch, the Cardinals assistant general manager, has been confirmed as one of the scheduled speakers. Steve Pona will also be giving a presentation on former Brown Stockings/Cardinals owner Chris von der Ahe.
Items highlighted in our ‘Today in Baseball History’ segment: In 1938 the major leagues agree on a standard ball but disagree on increasing the rosters from 23 to 25. Commissioner Landis eventually decides on the increase to 25. In 1950 the owners choose Lou Perini (BosN), Phil Wrigley (ChiN), Del Webb (NYA), and Ellis Ryan (Cle) to select a new commissioner. In 1977, the Red Sox trade future hall of fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins to the Texas Rangers. This was also the 30th anniversary of the death of Roger Maris at the age of 51.
Three members made announcements of their authorship of upcoming books. Burton Boxerman and his wife Benita have a biography of baseball executive George Weiss coming out soon, Bob Tiemann has a book entitled Immortal Moments in Cardinal History due out next spring, and Mark Antonacci had some copies of his non-baseball book on the Shroud of Turin available for purchase.
It was also announced that former chapter vice-president Doug Feldmann has an impending book on Lou Brock due to the publisher on February 1. He invites any SABR members who may have an anecdote or memory to share for inclusion in the book to contact him at his e-mail address dougfeldmann@yahoo.com.
General discussion topics included the recent Sports Illustrated article on proposed rules changes, the free-agent signings of Justin Heyward and John Lackey by the Cubs and the possible solutions by the Cardinals, the Jon Jay/Jedd Gyorko trade, the commissioner’s decision on Pete Rose, and the grievance filed by Steve Boras and Kris Bryant.
Bob Tiemann presented the trivia quiz this month, entitled “100 Win Seasons (Ho hum) & 3rd Place Finishers (Playoff Contenders Nowadays)”. Rich Zucker was the winner with 32 of 46 possible answers.
There will be no regular chapter meeting in January due to the Hot Stove Luncheon at Favazza’s on January 30th. See you there!
— Jim Leefers, Secretary