By Jim Lisk, Editor
Thursday, July 17, 2008
July 18, 2008 09:20 am
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Today we introduce Dexter Hinson to our readers as our newest reporter at the SNAP.
We’re excited to have this young man who grew up in Badin, graduated North Stanly and moved on to Raleigh and St. Augustine College where he majored in journalism.
While all of us at the SNAP wear many hats, Dexter will help with sports in addition to other duties.
• If you’re a baseball fan, you had to enjoy and marvel at Raleigh’s Josh Hamilton in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium.
I was rooting for one to totally leave the stadium and while that didn’t happen, Hamilton gave everyone a show like none before.
His story of returning from the world of utter despair is truly heroic and makes me a huge fan of his, so much so, that when checking the box scores of all the games, I check out his performance every day.
And what a performance it was in the first half. His RBI total of 95 is one of the all-time best for this time of the year. Here’s hoping that he just continues to improve his game.
Not only was Hamilton’s exploits in the home run contest thrilling, but the pre-game show with all the Hall of Famers on the field was as well.
As they showed the all-time greats by their positions, it was interesting to choose the best of the best.
How about third base?
There was Brooks Robinson, the best defensive player ever at the hot corner, who was also a clutch hitter in the middle of the Orioles’ lineup.
There was also Wade Boggs, a singles hitter that used the entire field, won a number of batting titles and was one of the toughest ever to strike out.
Then there were my two personal favorites as the two best third sackers - Mike Schmidt and George Brett.
Both were power hitters that drove in tons of runs and Brett was a batting champ as well while Schmidt was another outstanding defensive player.
Not only did both stand out during their careers, but you’d be hard pressed to find two of these Hall of Famers that looked anymore ready to play on Tuesday night than Brett and Schmidt. The aging process has been good to both.
If I had to take one for my third baseman, I’d take Schmidt. His combination of power, defense and speed made him the best.
It was a great pre-game show and the few innings I watched was much like the game itself - dominated by the game’s best pitchers.
The old adage - “good pitchers will get out good hitters” - was once again proving true as 95-plus fastballs blew past hitters and sharp-breaking curves dove down and under flying bats.
It’s not only a tough game to play, but it’s the best one we have.
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