centerfield maz

Henry M. O’Day was born on July 8, 1859 in Chicago, Illinois. O’Days parents were reportedly deaf immigrants from Ireland. The family left their Chicago neighborhood, by 1871, the year of the great Chicago Fire. The O’Day family went west & Henry attended St. Marys College in California. He worked as a steam fitter before making a career in baseball. The six foot right hander began pitching in 1884, where he went 9-28 for AA Toledo. Throughout his career he would play all nine positions at some point. In 1886 he joined the National League for the 1880s version of the Washington Nationals. He spent three & a half seasons with the Nats, leading the league with 29 losses (16-29) posting a 3.10 ERA in 46 Games. His battery mate in Washington, was the legendary Connie Mack. Mack would mange the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years. He was known for being a gentleman who actually wore a suit in the dugout. The two were friends for their entire lives. In 1889, after going 2-10

Alfred Anthony LaMacchia was born on July 23, 1921 in St. Louis Missouri. The right hander was signed in 1940 by his hometown St. Louis Browns. He won 15 games or more in each of his first three minor league seasons & then went off to World War II. Upon returning, he made his debut with the Browns allowing five runs over four innings, in a start at Philadelphia. He spent the next year in the mionors making the club again in April of 1945. After one appearance he was sent back to the minors for the season, returning in September. He won his first two games back up, both in relief to finish the year at 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA. The following season he was traded to the Washington Senators & on the season went 0-1 in ten games. He went back to the minor leagues pitching through the 1954 season, in a 14 year minor league career he was 159-117 with a 3.71 ERA. After baseball he became a Vice President & long time scout serving in those roles over a period of six decades.

All Photos are from the lens of centerfieldmaz in the upper deck of Citi Field. What a thrill to have Matt Harvey start & pitch two scoreless innings, the true MVP on the NL losing side in my book.   Also a thrill to see David Wright get a start & get a base hit, one of just three NL hits.   And to see Tom Seaver take the mound one more time to throw out the ceremonial first pitch was also a true Mets fans highlight.   centerfieldmaz with Eddie from XSession & WFUV's Darren Devivo       Honoring America & its Veterans   Hometown Mets All Star David Wright Greets the NL Squad   The Largest Crowd Ever at Citi Field 2013 MLB All Star Game   Military Helicopters Fly Over     Tom Terrific Takes the Mound Once Again For The Mets   Tom Seaver Throws Out Ceremonial First Pitch     NY Mets Pitcher Matt Harvey Throws Out First Pitch of 2013 All Star Game   NL Starting Pitcher- Matt Harvey   NY

Doc Gooden & Mike Piazza Mike Piazza led the NL All Star Celebrity team to an 8-5 win in the All Star Celebrity Softball Game held at Citi Field. The team which featured Met greats; Dwight Gooden, Daryl Strawberry & honorary team Captain John Franco. Other notable members were the beautiful Jenny Finch, & Alyssa Milano. Ozzie Smith "the Wizard", Andre Dawson, Wounded War hero Josh Wedge (who earned the games MVP Honors) comedians George Lopez, Gary Valentine & True Mets Fan Kevin James The great Mets fan; Kevin James. James made the play of the day stretching a single to a double, while sliding head first into second base. The AL Team featured Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Frank Thomas, Bernie Williams, Miss America & Ashanti. The game ended with Williams popping out to Mets catcher Mike Piazza. All Star Game photos from various new sources:  Alyssa Milano  Mike Piazza & Jenny Finch     Miss America New Yo

The All Star buzz is all around New York City. Centerfieldmaz will be reporting from the game with pictures & reviews. The All Star Game Apples on Parade, are all situated throughout the City, with representation from all MLB teams as well as our long lost- but never forgotten; New York Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers. here is a link to the All Star Apples: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2013/apples_parade_map . jsp The Empire State Building will be all lit up in Mets Orange & Blue shining brightly in the New York night. The Fan Fest is in full  gear at the Javitz Center, starting today & running through Tuesday before the game. The Fan Fest features some all time great Mets making appearances throughout the week: David Wright, Doc Gooden, Rusty Staub, John Franco, Daryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson, Cleon Jones, Edgardo Alfonzo. Bud Harrelson, Howard Johnson, Jesse Orosco, Felix Millan, The Glider Ed Charles, Ed Kranepool, Joe Pignatano, Turk Wedell, Dane

Louis Americo Polli was Born on July 9, 1901 in Baveno, Italy located 50 miles south east of Bern, Switzerland. Polli goes down in history as the first player to make it in the major leagues that was born in Italy. The Polli family moved to America when he was just seven months old. The settled in Barre, Vermont, where Lou played three high school sports. A high school football injury put him on crutches, earning him the nickname “Crip”, short for cripple by his team mates. In 1921 he struck out 28 batters in a ten inning game which got him a lot of attention. He got married had children, and went to work in a rock quarry to support his family, but still played semi pro ball. By 1928 he made it to AA St. Ball playing two seasons there winning 22 games (22-9) in 1929. He went to Spring Training in 1930 with A.L. New York team, becoming a roommate of Tony Lazzeri, while playing golf with Babe Ruth. At night time he found himself playing bridge with Mr. & Mrs. Lou Gerigh. He