We are getting closer to the start of the MLB season.The exhibition season is longer than some high school schedules but the BIGS HAVE TO MAKE some money to pay off the lost golf bets in spring training. Baseball depends on money and, if I am correct, Plenty of laughs. It remains to be seen how funny things are in the ASTROS DUGOUT this time around.
George Springer keeps things loose, but he will need some help. Colby Rasmus is a likely candidate to help out. A guy named after a cheese has to be funny. HANK COGER is gone so his robot dance needs a new prospect. In every successful season there are the class clowns. I thought the 1980 team was a little short on humor but it was made up for big time in 1986.
Charlie Kerfeld led that charge and he had plenty of help. I thought the guy who set the standard in later years was Larry Andersen The pitcher who was eventually traded for Jeff Bagwell in 1990. Larry once hit me in the face with a "shaving cream pie" while I was doing a live shot from the Dome. My eyes have barely recovered. Andersen also had a stunt he pulled with the flight attendants on the team plane. It involved him on the can in the restroom. I won't go into further detail.
Yogi was on the coaching staff of the team and that was a whole chapter in humor. Phil Garner was funny too. He once told me on live TV "YOU TALK A LOT, BUT DON'T SAY ANYTHING". Larry Dierker had great stories and many were humor driven. Casey Candaele was funny in the dugout and sometimes on the field. However, THE ALL TIME LAUGH LEADER is the late JOSE LIMA. He was only serious when he saw how short the left field wall was at the then NEW BALLPARK.