“My dad said on Christmas day that he would only smoke the Marsh Wheelings on special occasions. They were gone by New Years.” (Press Pros File Photos)
Some amused, and some frustrated by the latest posts about cigars, Ohio State baseball, and disagreement on how to play warmer baseball (and softball) in the spring.
Where to start with this first TRS post for June, but the overwhelming favorite read over the past two weeks was that written by Hal McCoy about his 50-year journey from bad cigars to good. Some of the best:
“Hal, I’m so glad you wrote this because it illustrates your gift for painting the picture and telling the story. And I don’t even smoke.” … Tom Killilea
“I’m suggesting a new honor for you, Hal, from hall of famer to hall of flamer. Enjoyed it.” … Dan Burkholder
“I LAUGHED out loud about keeping [Jim] Bowden out of Jack McKeon’s hair. You are the BEST!!!!!!” … Alan Cutler
“Perfect post. Monte Cristo White, Rothschild or Toro.” … Phil Spaugy
“Hal, I absolutely loved the column and wanted to share this. My dad smoked El Productos back in the 60s and when he would fire one up in the living room they smelled like s _ _ _! So for Christmas one year we suggested to Mom that she get Dad a box of better cigars. I think she saved the egg money for a month and someone suggested a box of Marsh Wheelings, or Black Petes. She wouldn’t think of going to the store and asking for the latter, but she spent an extra couple of bucks and got him a box of Marsh Wheelings. I think she paid $10 for a box of 50. When Dad unwrapped the cigars on Christmas his eyes got a big as a door knob and declared that they would be smoked only on special occasions. This was on Christmas day, and by New Years the entire box was gone. Thanks for writing this.” … Jim Haberling
“I was surprised that you would post this story on a web page about teenage athletes. I’m not a fan of cigars, or any other tobacco product.” … Carolyn Popp
(Ed Note: Carol, I understand, but rest easy because I’ve never seen a teenager yet that wouldn’t turn green if he hooked up with a Marsh Wheeling. One and done. Put your worries to rest.)
There apparently was at least some angst for Ohio State baseball this spring, and a 29-26 record in the second year after the coaching change. We heard this:
“I’m surprised that you’re as optimistic as you are on Ohio State baseball. After beating Nebraska in the opening game of the tournament they looked overmatched against Indiana and Nebraska in the next two, and Indiana did its best to give them the game. Enjoy the site and a first-time writer.” … Russell Milhoan
“If experienced pitching is in the portal it’s there for a reason.” (OSU coach Bill Mosiello, above, with pitching coach Sean Allen)
“I laugh over Mosiello saying they’re going after pitching, pitching, pitching, and more pitching. They need experienced pitching, and where is it? If it’s in the portal it’s there for a reason.” … Jim (from Baltimore, OH)
“With the resources they have I cannot think of a reason why Ohio State baseball continues to stumble along. Please put down your alumni bias and tell me why in hell they can’t win.” … Tony Beeson
(Ed. Note: To be sure, I’m surprised that Big Ten baseball is as good as it is, because it’s not an easy game. The weather is horrible, which makes it hard to recruit. The budget is proportionate (meaning small) which means they cut some corners (too many long bus trips), and there’s no expectation for Ohio State baseball. It doesn’t get marketed and people really don’t know much about it. We’ve attracted a lot of readers in ten years, but you have to win to get those people to the ballpark. Get enough people to the ballpark (and win) and suddenly there’s expectation. Why is Ohio State football so predictable year after year? Because there’s expectation. They spend to fulfill that expectation, and that includes whatever it takes to woo the best recruits. By the way, this is not unique to Ohio State. The entire league exists on player development and every once in a while you get a Dom Canzone, a Paul Molitor (Minnesota), or Kyle Schwarber (Indiana). Many believe things will change when Southern Cal, UCLA, Oregon and Washington join up because I can’t see those West Coast teams freezing in East Lansing for the Big Ten opener. The season has to be moved back.)
“Discouraging year after the start they had. Is there any good news for the future?” … Harvey Butcher, Jr.
(Ed. Note: Of course. Their freshman pitching this spring was all talented and will take the next step as sophomores. If Henry Kaczmar stays for his junior year (he’s draft eligible) they build a solid nucleus around him because he’s one of the best in the Big Ten. And Isaac Cadena, a freshman from Orange County, California, should develop into a star. He has great tools and showed well this spring, anywhere they put him.)
“They need a total renovation of Bill Davis Stadium. Outside of parking, it’s not fan friendly, the aluminum seats are awful, and too many steps to climb. Very, very expensive concessions.” … Bob Schneider
There is opposition from some about playing high school baseball in the summer, as evidenced by this opinion:
“There’s no way I want to see high school baseball played in the summer, or beyond the end of the school year. It would cut into family time and travel, and if kids want to play when it’s warm let them do it on their dime. Sounds like plenty of them do it, anyway.” … Pete Major
(Ed. Note: So…what you’re saying is that football (lifting, summer camps, and passing scrimmages) and basketball (AAU, summer leagues, camps and shootouts) DON’T cut into family time and travel? And that’s not done on the kids’ dime.)
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