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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...
As any regular visitor to our website can tell you,
every two weeks we run a new baseball video at the bottom of our home page. It is called the Metros "Baseball Film
Feature", and it has become one of our more highly-anticipated events, here at metrosbaseball.ca. Quite often we'll
feature scenes from some of our favourite baseball movies...and in fact have done so 26 times (showing clips from 19 different
baseball flicks) over the past 4 years. But which films are the best? Which ones are the public's favourites?
The most critically-acclaimed? The biggest box office blockbusters? This week we thought we'd have some fun, and
finally answer all of those questions for you.
We did a "Google search" to find the all the websites that
have rated the Top 25 (or 30 or 50) baseball movies ever made, and put together a concensus list for you. There were
10 websites that did such a list, from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), to Baseball America, to the San Francisco Chronicle,
to www.best-sports-movies.com , to the Bleacher Report. All of these websites posted their choices for the list...but
of course no one can agree on THE list. So, we developed a grading system that allots more points for movies that
appear higher on these various lists than the lower-rated ones. A movie received 30 points for a 1st place ranking,
and 1 point for the 30th place ranking. It received 0 points if it did not make that particular list. A perfect
score is 300.
So without further adieu, here is the most definitive list on the subject of baseball movies ever
assembled. Or maybe it's just a fun thing that we decided to do. Either way it makes for some interesting
reading. Maybe there's a few on the list that you've never seen...so it could be a heads-up to perhaps check them
out. In any event, here's the list with the star of the movie, the year they were released, the numerical ranking
in our poll, and the link to the IMDb page with the pictures, stories, and all the information about the flick.
Enjoy!
25. The Babe, John Goodman & Kelly McGillis, 1992, 53 Points
24. Sugar, Algenis Perez Soto & Rayniel Rufino, 2008, 54 Points
23.
The Jackie Robinson Story, Jackie Robinson, 1950, 56 Points
22. Angels in the Outfield, Paul Douglas, 1951, 64 Points
21. Ken Burns' Baseball, Documentary, 1994, 68 Points
20. The Stratton Story, James Stewart, 1949, 75 Points
19. The Bronx is Burning, Oliver Platt, 2007, 77 Points
18.
Damn Yankees!, Tab Hunter, Gwen Virdon, 1958, 83 Points
17. Cobb, Tommy Lee Jones & Robert Wuhl, 1994, 97 Points
16. Fever Pitch, Drew Barrymore & Jimmy Fallon, 2005, 98 Points
15. Fear Strikes Out, Anthony Perkins, 1957, 99 Points
14. For Love of the Game, Kevin Costner, 1999, 130 Points
13. Bang the Drum Slowly, Robert DeNiro, 1973, 134 Points
12. Moneyball, Brad Pitt & Robin Wright, 2011, 149 Points
11. The Rookie, Dennis Quaid & Rachel Griffiths, 2002, 179 Points
10. 61*, Barry Pepper & Thomas Jane, 2001, 180 Points
9. The Sandlot, Tom Guiry & Ben Rodriguez, 1993, 198 Points
8. A League of Their Own, Tom Hanks, 1992, 202 Points
7. Major League, Tom Berenger & Charlie Sheen, 1989, 208 Pts
6. Eight Men Out, John Cusack & DB Sweeney, 1988, 213 Points
5.
Pride of the Yankees, Gary Cooper, 1942, 215 Points
4. The Bad News Bears, Walter Matthau, 1976, 216 Points
3. The Natural, Robert Redford & Glenn Close, 1984, 250 Points
2. Bull Durham, Kevin Costner & Tim Robbins, 1988, 267 Points
...and the number
one, highest-rated baseball movie of all time... 1. Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner, 1989, 278 Points
There you
have it...the top 25 baseball flicks. We invite everyone to check out the various links to the Internet Movie Database
to read all the information (from in front of, or behind the camera) to your personal favourites.
Talk to you next week.
12:02 am | link
Monday, November 21, 2011
METROS' ALUMNUS BOB ASHAM: AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL
Last Sunday was not only a big day for Bob Asham, it
was a big day for the Niagara Metros, as well. Asham (who was the Metros' first team captain and one of the club's star
players back in the 1985 to 1987 seasons) was honoured as the "medal bearer" for the final leg of the St. Catharines
portion of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay.
As he rolled into the parking lot of the Seymour-Hannah Recreation
complex, the large and enthusiastic crowd gave the former Metro a standing ovation, and was greeted by St. Catharines' mayor
Brian McMullen, along with many dignitaries and members of Parlaiment. Asham was selected for this honour due to his
work with the mayor's advisory committee on accessibility, as well as his being an ambassador for the Rick Hansen organization.
As has been documented on the pages of this website, Bob suffered a horiffic spinal cord injury while playing men's
league hockey in 1988. The injury left him a quadraplegic. But with incredible determination and an inspirational
"will", he was able to eventually "get out of his chair" and return to a normal life. He was
able to keep his job at Dofasco in Hamilton after his injury and rehabilitation and continues his employment there, in addition
to his work in the area of "accessiblity" for the city. He has also been married to his wife Helen for more
than 20 years, and has a daughter (Camryn), who are very proud of what he has accomplished.
In his address, Bob encouraged the audience to never give up. “I didn’t give
up, and I got back on my feet,” Asham told those crowded into the lobby of the arena. He later encouraged the
audience to work toward making all communities accessible. “If you make it accessible for those with disabilities like
me, then you are making it accessible for everyone.” Mayor
McMullen followed that up by saying, “We commend your dedication to improving accessibility in our city. You are an
inspiration to us all.” As the members of the Metros who played with him in the mid-80's know first hand...truer
words were never spoken. Congratulations, Bob.
Here is a link to the story that appeared in the St. Catharines
Standard newspaper, the day before the event took place:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=3362455
THIS AND THAT
1.
The final C.O.M.B.L. managers meeting of the 2011 season takes place this evening in Burlington. The "group of
wackos" (as George Moores refers to them) will try to tie off any loose ends that may exists from the season just completed, or
perhaps discuss possible new issues or recommendations for changes to be dealt with or introduced in the new year.
Any important issues that come out of this meeting will, as always, be reported here next week.
2. Finally,
we want to wrap up this week by telling you about our new "Baseball Film Feature". Back in the summer, the
Showtime Network did a behind the scenes documentary called "The Franchise: A Season with the San Francisco Giants".
It was a fantastic look at the inner workings of a Major League Baseball team, where you got a chance to see the hard work
that goes into running a ball club at that level. The cameras took us into the dressing room, the dugout,
the training facilities, the players' homes, the General Managers' office...everywhere that something was happening with the
2010 World Champs.
We have for you, part 1 (of 3) of the first episode of the Series, which ran for
8 weeks this past summer (between June and August). The 14-minute segment we're featuring will give you a very good
idea of what the series was all about. If you see this, you'll want to see it all. Believe it when we say, "you
won't regret it", as it is time and/or money well-spent. It is also a "must-have" for any baseball fan
and would make an excellent Christmas gift. Once again, it's called "The Franchise: A season with the San Francisco
Giants", produced by the Showtime Televison Network.
Just scroll to the bottom of the page and press
"Play". Talk to you next week.
10:03 am | link
Monday, November 14, 2011
A NEW METROS HISTORICAL RECAP: "A LOOK BACK AT 2011", NOW POSTED!!
This week, we wanted to let you know that our yearly
"Metros History" recap has been posted. You may recall that one of our 25th Anniversary tasks was to tell
the story of what happened to the St. Catharines (now Niagara) Metros from a "historical perspective". We
did that during the entire 2009 season, posting a historical "Look Back" at every year of the Metros' 25 year history...and
this series became one of our most popular and anticipated series ever to appear on the site. We also said
that we were going to continue that process, and use these stories to reflect each season of Metros baseball, into the future.
Well, after a couple of months to distance ourselves and give us some perspective, we have written the story and added
the pictures from our 2011 season.
It was an interesting season to say the least. And we have it for
you, pretty much down to the last detail. Do you remember our roster troubles back in March and April? Our
rough start to the year, when we were rained out almost every day? Our struggles to mold a team of teenagers into a
cohesive unit? The season for the ages by Evan Baglieri? The seemingly "out-of-nowhere" success at the
tournaments? All of the important events from 2011 are recaptured in this piece. It makes for very interesting
reading, and will also serve as a historical landmark from which future Metros teams can draw.
To view the "Look Back at 2011" story, and all
of it's highs and lows, simply click on "Metros History" (to the left of this page) and then find "2011".
Enjoy!
We'll talk to you next week.
Monday, November 7, 2011
5 FORMER METROS ELECTED TO C.O.M.B.L. HALL-OF-FAME
One of the more important aspects of the Central
Ontario Major Baseball League's Year-End Banquet agenda (which took place on October 27th) was the election of 10 new members
to the league's illustrious Hall-of-Fame. And the Niagara Metros are very proud of the fact that 5 of these new
Hall-of-Famers are former members of their organization! This week, we're going to take a brief look at the careers
of these 5 players that helped the Niagara (formerly St. Catharines) Metros to many wins...and even more cheerful
nights at the park during their playing years in the 1990's and early 2000's. But first a brief review of the Hall-of-Fame
history and criteria for entry:
In 2008, some of the senior members
of the C.O.B.A. Senior league executive board decided that they wanted to put together a Hall-of-Fame, to not only raise
the profile of the league, but also to reflect and honour the great teams and players from the league's long (90 year) history.
The board began sifting through old newspaper clippings, library microfilms of old newspapers, various website histories...basically
anywhere that they felt they could get information on the past C.O.B.A. baseball league teams, players and seasons, going
back to the 1920's. They spent 2 years on the project, and came up with 156 former players / managers / coachs
/ umpires who met the criteria (which is listed below). These 156 people were the first members of the Hall and inducted
officially in 2010. They form the "Historical" section of the Hall.
The Mission Statement for
the Hall-of-Fame executive to follow reads thusly:
- To capture baseball's past history and influence the current league's future development.
- To enhance the league's profile by exposure
- To augment the local municipality's
recreation program and nature
The
criteria for nomination and election to the Hall reads: - Membership may consist of either an assembly or as an individual person
- Members must make a significant contribution to the Halton County Baseball Association/Central
Ontario Baseball Association at the Intermediate/Senior/Major level
- The main criteria is: being involved at a level of excellence for a period of at least 10 years
- Membership may be added or revoked depending on mitigating circumstances
- Canadian Champion Teams will be inducted into the Hall of Fame
- As a disclaimer, every reasonable effort has been made to verify entry into the Hall
of Fame
The 5 former members of the Metros certainly fit all of the criteria
listed above and we are very proud to announce their names, and provide you with a brief synopsis of their careers.
1. Tim Krawczyk, P/Inf. (1988-1998) - Tim came to
the Metros in 1988 after a very good career at Canisius University in Buffalo. The Niagara Falls, NY-born player was
looking for a good Senior league to play in, and at the same time the Metros, who were devastated by injuries on their pitching
staff, needed help on the mound. It was a perfect fit for both Tim and the team. The hard-throwing righthander finished
the '88 season with a record of 4-3, and an ERA of 2.92, over 71 "aluminum bat" innings. In '89, he posted
one of the all-time best seasons on the Metros' mound, going 8-2 with a 1.93 ERA. He allowed just 55 hits in 84 innings,
and was voted the team's Top Pitcher and MVP that year. Unfortunately, the injury bug hit Tim in 1991, and he was forced
to put his pitching career on hold (save for a few innings each year). But because Mr. Krawczyk was such a sound all-around
athlete, he was able to help the Metros as a middle infielder, and especially at the plate, over the rest of his career.
Five times over the next 6 seasons he batted over .300...culminating in a .422 mark in 1997. All told, Tim's career
numbers show a .326 BA, with 7 HR's and 64 RBI's. On the mound, he posted a 23-15 mark, with a 3.59 ERA in his 10-year
Metros career.
2. Jason Candy, Inf. (1994-2003) - Jason
Candy was a fine player from Tottenham, Ontario who came to the Metros in 1994, while attending school locally. He burst
onto the COBA scene as a true rookie that year, posting a .284 average, clubbing 3 HR's and adding 22 RBI's. The athletic
second-baseman continued hitting the ball with authority over the next 10 seasons, and amassed five consecutive +.300 seasons
from 1997 to 2001. In 2000, Mr. Candy completed his best season, batting a career-high .362, with 46 hits, 4 HR and
30 RBI's. A complete player, Jason led the Metros in walks 3 times, and collected 44 stolen bases, while being thown
out just 8 times in his career. He also played solid defensively at the keystone position, and was instrumental in the
Metros' 1996 O.B.A. Senior "B" Championship tourney, with a game-winning 3-run HR in extra innings of an elimination
game. To top it off, in '96 he was voted the Metros' Coaches Award winner, for leadership, work ethic, and dedication...a
perfect description of Jason's off-field demeanor. His final career line...304 games, 1116 PA's, 275 hits, 17 HR's,
165 RBI's, .300 BA.
3. Tommi Paugh, Inf. (1995-2007) - Tommi came up through the St. Catharines Minor baseball chain, and after a 3-game
"cup of coffee" in 1995, he was up with the Metros for good in '96. The 21 year-old made quite an
impression that rookie season, posting a .333 BA, 46 hits, and 26 RBI's...while making all the plays (many of them spectacular)
at the SS position. Tommi went on the lead the Metros in games played for 6 consecutive seasons, and still holds
the Metros all-time record for games played in a season, with 49 (in 2000). As Mr. Paugh's career continued, he was
able to bring a "power aspect" to his game, hitting 5 HR's in 1999, before leading the Metros with 9 in 2000,
and 7 in 2001. His 29 career HR's ranks 6th on the Metros' all-time list. When another young SS, Jamie Robertson
(see bio below) came to the team in 1999, Tommi unselfishly requested the move to 3B, to make room for the slick-fielding
youngster. From that point on, the Metros' left side of the infield was arguably the best, defensively, in Ontario.
Tommi was twice named the club's Coaches Award winner, and in 2009 he was named the 2nd-Team 3rd Baseman
on the Metros' All-Time Team. Finally, as a lasting tribute, the C.O.M.B.L. voted Tommi their "Sportsman of the
Year" in 2004. His final career line reads: 468 Games, 1576 PA's, 384 Hits, 29 HR's, 220 RBI's, and a .274
BA.
4. Jamie Robertson, Inf. (1997-2007) - Jamie Robertson was another graduate
of the St. Catharines Minor system, and after a 1-game look in 1997, he became a "Metro" in '99. And what a first
season the young SS had! Winning the teams' M.V.P. and Top Rookie award (and finishing 2nd in league voting), Jamie
batted an astounding .403, and led the team in doubles (15), Runs (48), and OBP (.487), while striking out just 10 times in
158 PA's. While he was never able to reach that offensive pinnacle again, Jamie still batted in the high .200's and
low .300's for the next 7 seasons, and led the Metros in walks 3 times, and fewest K's 5 times. His career walks to
strikeout ratio was a phenomenal 179 to 99, and he also managed 30 career stolen bases. But it was in the field where
Jamie made his mark, where he was named the Metros' Top Defensive Player 5 times, between 1999 and 2005. Finally,
to round off Jamie's career resume, was his work on the Metros' mound. Chipping in with 145 IP, he allowed
a stingy 119 hits, while striking out 163 (10.29 per 9 Inn). His 6-8 record was complimented with 7 saves, and a 3.48
ERA. At the plate Jamie's career line reads: 263 Games, 1035 PA's, 250 Hits, 5 HR's, 123 RBI's, and a .298 BA.
Carey Spiece, OF/Coach (1990-1997, 2001-2007) - The final Metros' inductee to the Hall was elected
based on his record both on the field and off. Carey Spiece had an outstanding 8-year career patrolling the Outfield
for St. Catharines for most of the 1990's. When he left Niagara to persue employment, many thought his career had ended...but
as luck would have it, a job opening brough him back home in 2001, and despite his 4-year absence from baseball, he never
lost his passion for the game or for the Metros. He re-joined the team as a coach, and stayed on until 2007, making
his overall membership in the C.O.M.B.L. 15 years. As a player, Carey posted his best season in 1991, and in the
process, set two All-Time records that still stand. Perhaps the fastest player in Metros' history, Carey stole 32 bases
that first season, and also amassed 203 PA's. Both marks still stand as Metros' All-Time records. His 62 hits
and .352 BA also contibuted to his winning the team's 1991 Top Rookie Award. In his 264 career games, Spiece came to
the plate 882 times, and collected 230 Hits, 116 SB's, 175 Runs and batted .292. His return to the Metros as a
coach, coincided with the Metros' record-setting 40-9 season in 2001, and along with Manager Kerry Hedden, GM Mark Walters,
and Business Manager Bob Namtzu form a very strong Metros' "front office". Spiece continued to be an important
cog in that staff until 2007...during which time the Metros won 194 and lost 108 (.642 winning pct.).
The Niagara Metros wish to congratulate all five of these very worthy inductees!
The fantastic on-field contribution you gave to us was only surpassed by the dedication and friendship you all gave to our
organization off the field. The election to C.O.M.B.L.'s Hall-of-Fame is your honour, but it is our pleasure!
Congratulations, again.
A COUPLE OF
OTHER THINGS
1. We have posted a new "Baseball Film
Feature" on the website. This week we take a look a a young groundskeeper who decided to make his mark on the 2011
World Series. During the 5th inning break of game 4, between Texas and St. Louis at Rangers Park in Arlington, a young
grounds crew member decided to have some fun, and put on a little show for the fans. It is a hilarious 1 minute dance
routine that you will absolutely love! Check out the players' reaction to his routine...especially that of 2B Ian
Kinsler, who (we don't know how) really didn't really pay much attention. It's priceless! Just scroll to the bottom
of the page and press "Play".
2. Check out the website next week, as we plan to unveil our 2011
year-end review. An always much-anticipated event, the year-end review looks back at the season just completed, and features
the highs and lows from the 44-game Metros year. This feature will become our 2011 Metros' History entry, and is one
of the high points of the year, here at metrosbaseball.ca. Please, look for it next week, right here.
Till then, have a great week.
10:14 am | link
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|
. The Niagara Metros are very pleased to have Cat's Caboose Dining Coach and Bar Car as their
corporate partner in 2011.
|
| Click on the logo to visit the Cat's Caboose website. |
Located in the heart of Old Glenridge,
Cat's Caboose is one of St.
Catharines' oldest and most established restaurants. The place for LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and GREAT FOOD.
. .
. Check out our Showcase Film for the period of February 13 to February 27.
Just scroll
to the bottom of this page and press "Play".
__________________________________
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| Click to visit the "St. Catharines Standard" Website. |
Thank You: To the St. Catharines Standard for allowing us to use pictures and articles throughout this website.
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| Niagara Metros website reaches 100,000 hits on April 18, 2010. |
hits since December, 2004 Thanks for visiting 
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