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Messages - Webster29

#1
Giants History / Re: NFT: RIP JimV
April 16, 2023, 08:43:48 PM
Quote from: pagan43 on April 13, 2023, 10:35:15 PMI haven't posted in a dogs age. I just lurk around and read everyone else's posts. But, reading about Jim's passing has inspired me to log on and write.

I used to have season tickets, and faithfully attended the BBH tailgate parties hosted by Ed and Sam. One of the highlights of the season was the one game each year that Jim hauled his old butt down from Maine. I always considered it a special treat to have Jim hold court during those hours spent feasting and talking Giants football. I always felt like this was the real Jim; He was our friend but he would be exactly the same guy no matter where he was, who he was with, whatever the occasion. He was exactly that: Genuine.

I first met Jim in Albany, at a Giants summer camp. Back when they still had two-a-days. I was struck by how old he was. As long as I've known him he was this old dude, recalling players who put on the big blue jerseys way back before I was even aware of football. He was this amazingly charismatic old bull, full of the stories that make up a life. Amazing stories, told very well.

My wife and I took a trip up to Acadia Nation Park about eight years ago to celebrate the centennial of it's founding. We met up with Jim and Marie on our way home, and they were incredibly gracious and welcoming to their friends from Pennsylvania. They were proud Maine folk. Glad to see us enjoying their amazing home state.

If you check out the YouTube video that Ed posted on page 3, of he and Jim clowning around at the tailgate, as Tyrone Powers and Gary Cooper (an homage to their love of classic films), you will see Cyndi and I make a cameo as Olivia deHaviland and Peter Lorre. I remember that silly moment like it was yesterday.

Jim was a devout Catholic. When the end finally came to him, I am absolutely certain his spirit was ready to be welcomed home to the place made for him by the Lord. I simply have no doubt.

I cant believe he's gone.


Great post Dave. 

I don't know where to begin when it comes to talking about Jim and how I felt about him.  So forgive me if I just ramble on a bit.

I also met Jim at Albany training camp.  God those were the days.  I miss them so much.  I met many new friends at Albany that I still consider close friends.  Jim and I hit it off right from the start probably because we both were a bit long in tooth and we had a reverence for vintage old school New York Football Giants. He loved the Giffer and I was obviously a big Red Webster fan. Another thing we had in common was that we were both Civil War buffs. Buff meaning that it was an interest of ours not that we were any sort of expert on the subject.  One thing that would always bring a smile to Jim's face was if you brought up Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin and the 20th Maine and their role at Little Round Top.  Jim was very proud of his Maine heritage.

Jim also liked his beer.  Especially Shipyard brews.  He often treated me to one of Shipyard's 12 bottle sampler packs when we got together.  Shipyard used to have an ale named after Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin.  It may have been Jim's favorite.

My family was so honored to be able to call Jim friend.  My wife Cindy, son Adam and his wife Lindsey, my daughter Wendy and my sister Pat all knew and loved Jim.  This man was special and I don't throw that word around. When I say special I mean it.  The last time I saw Jim was a couple of years ago when we were at Portland for a wedding and Cindy, Pat and I met Jim at DiMillo's Restaurant on the Portland waterfront. It was one of his favorite places.

There is much more I could say about Jim but I think I will just finish by saying how sad our family is about his passing and we send our very best wishes and condolences to Marie and the rest of Jim's family.  Jim I miss you my friend. Rest in peace.
#2
BBH Baseball Board / Re: Billy Martin in the HOF??
August 15, 2015, 04:27:39 PM
Thanks Brian.    That was interesting.
#3
Giants History / Re: Frank Gifford has died
August 10, 2015, 08:47:06 AM
Quote from: jimv on August 09, 2015, 06:32:54 PM
To me, he always has been & always will be "Mr. Giant."   I hope he's having a happy reunion up there with Wellington.  May he RIP.



Jim:   When I heard the news one of the first things that popped into my mind was he was somewhere talking Giants football with the Duke.
#5
Giants History / Re: Frank Gifford has died
August 09, 2015, 03:52:58 PM
Very sad news.  He was one of my favorites growing up.  Did everything extremely well.   He was such a joy to root for. 

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Giff
#6
BBH Baseball Board / Re: Billy Martin in the HOF??
August 01, 2015, 07:35:41 PM
I finally got around to reading Pennington's book.   Just finished it.   And absolutely loved it.   You don't have to be a Yankee fan.   If you love baseball you will love this book.
#7
That was interesting Lenn.   Thanks for posting.

I have always had a favorite "not in the hall" player:    Tommy John.  288 wins, surgery named after him and a class act.   I had the pleasure of meeting him once in Cleveland.   A great guy.   I hope someday the veteran committee sees fit to vote him in.
#8
This sort of goes with my Jamestown Jammers thread.   Before they were the Jammers they were the Jamestown Expos, farm team of the Montreal Expos.   And one night the tv show Candid Camera came calling.  Here is what happened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNmXWPxcg_E
#9
The Prospect League Jamestown Jammers opened their season Wednesday night with a win at home and I was there.    And my first impression of the league was quite favorable.  These kids are all college players and perhaps not quite as polished as NY-P players still put on a pretty good display of baseball.   The Jammers starting pitcher was a sidearmmer who brought back my memories of Dan Quisenberry.  Had a good time and looking forward to watching these kids through out the summer. 
#10
Jim:  your comment about being more receptive if you were a Yankee fan is probably right on.   Over the years I have found that Yankee fans, myself included, for the most part loved Billy.  And I have always thought that this love came from the way he played and managed the game, with fire, hustle and desire.  And the fact that he was so often ad odds with George.   If I remember back then many Yankee fans considered George an embarrassment for the Yankees and baseball.   All the stupid (in our opinion anyway) moves and the way he treated people reminds me today of Daniel Snyder.  But anyway, I am looking forward to reading this book.  I understand it goes in great depth dealing with Billy's off the field problems and I am hoping it will shed a little light on the man and what he was really like.
#11
Jim:   could you elaborate on your "no".    Is it you don't feel his record on the field warrants HOF status or was it his personal conduct?    Or both??    Billy certainly wasn't what anyone would consider a model citizen. And by the way if it is a personal dislike for him I don't have a problem with that.   There are many players who due to their behavior off the field I would not like to see in the HOF.   Also I am not advocating that he be in the HOF.  The book touched on some interesting facts that in my opinion thought it should be discussed.

Lenn:   when you bring up Gil Hodges are you comparing his playing record against Billy's manager record???   Hodges was a much better player but Billy the better manager.   Also I agree with you completely that Gil belongs in the hall.   
#12
BBH Baseball Board / Billy Martin in the HOF??
May 04, 2015, 09:30:33 AM
It's funny but being a Yankee fan I never gave that much thought.  Billy just never crossed my mind when thinking about HOF candidates.  Perhaps I have always thought of him as a player first and manager second.  But there is a new book out by Bill Pennington titled "Billy Martin:Baseball's Flawed Genius" that makes a pretty good case.  As a manager his .553 winning percentage is better then 13 of the 22  managers in the HOF. Pennington also points out that this was before the wild card.  Six more of his 16 teams would have made the playoffs if there was a wild card.  Every team he took over got significantly better in his first year.  The Twins, Tigers, Rangers, A's and Yankees all improved that first year.   Now I have not read the book yet.   There was a pretty good review in the Buffalo News last week by one of their sports writers, Jerry Sullivan.  But I do plan on reading it sometime this summer. 

Anyway, what say you baseball fans out there.  Good idea, stupid idea, will never happen???
#13
BBH Baseball Board / GREAT SITE FOR OLD BALL PARKS
February 20, 2015, 04:08:21 AM
If any of you are like me you will enjoy this.   I just love old baseball parks.   To me it is Americana at it's best.  Anyway I was looking for some pictures of Dunn Park in Elmira to post for dasher in the Jamestown Jammers thread and I found this site.   I thought it needed a thread all it's own.   

http://www.digitalballparks.com/Index2.html
#14
Dasher:    I was going to post some pics of Dunn that I found on this great web sit of old ball parks at all levels of the game.    But I think it deserves a separate thread so I will do so.
#15
Dasher my boy.   You are so right.   Some great memories and some great players in the NY-P/PONY league.  Did the Elmira Pioneers play in Dunn Park when you saw them???    I love old minor league ball parks.   They have so much history and charactor.   And they are very much becoming a thing of the past.  I never went to Dunn Park but I always enjoy seeing it when I drive down I-86/Rt 17.  My trip is never complete until I see it.