Dave Clark: A Story of Inspiration

post from The Baseball Life on 18 February 2011 09:03:00 PM. © The Baseball Life

A few weeks ago I met an extraordinary man. His story was even a surprise to me (the girl who thought she knew everything baseball!). This man, a former ballplayer, accomplished more in his life than most of us could ever fathom. He played baseball disabled... and he excelled.

I learned about Dave Clark shortly before I was able to meet him. Through the wonders of social networking, I was able to connect with his agent/manager and it was there that I learned about his remarkable story. As perfect timing would grant us, Dave was enroute to Chicago that very weekend to be honored at the Chicago Pitch and Hit Clubs 65th Annual Awards Banquet which I happened to be invited to, as well.

At the banquet, Dave was awarded the "Bo Jackson Courage Award" for his contributions to baseball through the inspiring story that got him to this point. I was able to meet Dave that night and speak with him and his agent for quite some time. What I learned was nothing short of a miracle. When Dave was just an infant he was diagnosed with polio, a diabling disease that not only stunted his growth but also left his legs mostly immobile. But that didn't stop him from acheiving his dreams. Dave loved baseball and he eventually played professionally while on crutches. In that astonishing manner, he surprised a lot of people along the way. He competed with the best of the best and he proved himself a success among them.

What I wonder is if we are born with courage or if it is something we gain. Is it the wonderful work of our parents and elders who encourage our inspiration? Or is it something within ourselves that we are simply born with? Is it a gene or even better, a biological miracle, that some of us are just destined to be hopeful and optimistic? I like to think it's a little of both, but more so that we are able to learn it. I think that there is a good versus bad mentality out there, but I also believe that our upbrinings - our parents and our idols - help mold our values. My mother raised me to do the right thing, even when no one is watching while my father taught me to always keep an open mind. I'd have to say, those values right there are a big reason why I am who I am. And while I don't know much about Dave's upbringing, I imagine the support was there.

At the awards banquet, Dave Clark told a story from his childhood. (Paraphrased:) His whole life, he'd go to school with the rest of his peers but once it came time for P.E. class, he was always told to go to the side and sit out while the rest of the kids partook in the fun activities. Well, when he was 8 years old and starting a new grade, one teacher finally went against the grain and challenged young Dave. As he was taking his usual spot on the side of the gym floor, the new teacher yelled to him asking what he was doing. Dave responded with his disability, and his teacher immediately told him to join the rest of the class. The teacher did not acknowledge the disability as an obstacle and he made Dave participate with the class that day -climbing the rope! That day only one kid in the entire class reached the very top... it was Dave. Of course he had a little trouble coming down on the landing, but he felt no pain as a big smile stretched across his face. It was that challenege that he realized he really could do anything.

Dave went on to accomplish a great deal more in his life. ?His many accomplishments go without needing explanation: In 1975 he was awarded the Fireman of the Year Award as the top relief pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns. Two years later he was inducted to the Corning-Painted Post Hall of Fame. In 1981 Dave was selected to the Swedish Elite Baseball League All-Star Team. In 1996 and 1997 he received a national Giant Steps Award for his coaching and was named the manager of the Swedish Elite League All Star game, respectively. He has been honored with the National Heroes of Sports Award (1999), the Corning Community College Distinguished Alumni Award (2001), and as mentioned above the Bo Jackson Courage Award (2011). You can also find Dave in the Ithaca College Hall of Fame (2002 induction) and his book "Diamond in the Rough" was published in 2008. My favorite of all of his awards though, has got to be when he was named as one of the ?150 Heroes: People in Sports Who Make This a Better World? by Richard Lapchick in 2010. I also personally believe he deserves the Ford Frick Award.
Baseball is a sport of inspiration. Dave Clark is an ambassador for baseball through his courage and persistance. It's very obvious the love he has for this game, the people involved, and he believes in its' never ending hopes that baseball provides for our souls. If we can learn something from Dave, it's that we all have success within us. If inspiration is a attribute that can be learned, then what is it that stops most from reaching it path? Granted, some of us may have a few more hurdles along the way, but that only makes the end result that much sweeter.

Keep living The Baseball Life,
-Stephanie

?Dave Clark?s story is an astonishing blend of fact and fact. It only reads like fiction, but one could never make up the battles he has waged, the obstacles he has overcome, the victories that were finally his."

?Mike Veeck, Baseball Executive and son of the legendary promoter Bill Veeck

"Dave is currently a motivational speaker, envoy coach for Major League Baseball International, a scout for the Baltimore Orioles and radio analyst for the Florida Everblades." - From his website, www.DaveClarkBaseball.com. To purchase Dave's book, please CLICK HERE.

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Saturday Will Be A Baseball Filled Happening
YES!!!

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 18 February 2011 06:55:37 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

Saturday Will Be A Baseball Filled Happening – YES!!! It has been WAY too long since I was able to dedicate some weekend time to the sport that I love. But that call changes tomorrow when I attend the 2011 … Continue reading →

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Prosecutors: Clemens motion has no merit (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 February 2011 06:52:22 PM. © MLB News Blog

Prosecutors said Friday that baseball star Roger Clemens was “wrong legally and factually” when he argued that a judge should dismiss his indictment on charges of lying to Congress. Clemens argued in a motion filed last month that his indictment is vague and contains too many separate accusations of lying in one count — 15 [...]

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C Rodriguez to remain starter for Nats (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 February 2011 06:52:22 PM. © MLB News Blog

At 39, Ivan Rodriguez remains a starting major league catcher. The 14-time All-Star started 102 games for the Nationals last year, and manager Jim Riggleman said Friday that Pudge is still No. 1. That leaves Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos to compete for time as a backup. “He’s got a lot of baseball left,” Riggleman [...]

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Angels Wells set to make switch to LF (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 February 2011 06:03:24 PM. © MLB News Blog

Vernon Wells has a new goal this year, and it’s to excel in a new spot. Wells won three Gold Gloves while playing center field with Toronto. The Blue Jays traded him to the Los Angeles Angels during the offseason and plan to play him in left. “When you get to a position, a different [...]

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Spring training news & notes -- Day 5

post from 22gigantes on 18 February 2011 06:02:34 PM. © 22gigantes

It's official. Everybody's in camp. (Guess we can say, "Together We're Giant" now.) Newly-acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada arrived at Scottsdale Stadium this morning at about 8:00 a.m. and -- according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News -- quickly hit the batting cage. But not before stopping by and shaking hands with San Francisco Giants prospect (and future shortstop) Ehire Adrianza. When asked what he missed most about the Bay Area, the former Oakland A's MVP said, "The playoffs" followed by "I'm ready to be a champion."

More news and notes from today...

Tejada also said he is going to invite Pablo Sandoval to train and work out with him, according to Scott Reiss (Comcast SportsNet).
Speaking of Sandoval, Baggarly reported that the Kung Fu Panda had his first official physical of the spring and -- although he wouldn't disclose his weight -- said he met his offseason goal.
Now that all the position players are in camp, the hitters will see live pitching for the first time. That will happen tomorrow morning. Entrance to the park is free if you're in Scottsdale.
Brian Wilson was back to throwing today (after missing the past two days with a sore back). He threw for about 10 minutes and then demonstrated his flexibility to inquiring reporters by touching his toes.
Starter Barry Zito told Hank Schulman (SF Chronicle) this week that his 82-year old father was hospitalized with a heart condition on Oct. 12, the day after the Giants clinched the Division Series against Atlanta. Can't imagine that made sitting through the playoffs (vs. actually pitching) any easier for Zeets.
Schulman also reported today that reserve catcher Eli Whiteside had an MRI on his right elbow. The test showed presence of fluid, but no structural damage. Whiteside will take a couple days off and treat himself to some Motrin.
Manager Bruce Bochy told Schulman today that he expects to play Buster Posey solely behind the plate this year. Last season, the NL Rookie of the Year put in 30 games at first base, first because incumbent Bengie Molina was still on the roster and then to keep his bat in the lineup on days that Whiteside caught.
Yesterday, I wrote that former Giants pitcher (and current Minnesota Twins reliever) Joe Nathan was looking good in his return from Tommy John surgery. Today, the news isn't so good for his teammate Francisco Liriano (who was traded from the Giants along with Nathan in 2003 for A.J. Pierzynski). Liriano, who missed the entire 2007 season after having reconstructive elbow surgery, nad to shut it down today in the Twins' camp due to a sore shoulder.
Who says the life of a baseball player is all fun and games? Remember Joe Martinez, the pitcher who was doinked in the nugget by a Mike Cameron liner in 2009 and who was traded along with former Giant John Bowker to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Javier Lopez last July, only to be designated for assignment by the Bucs in December and traded to the Cleveland Indans two weeks after that? Looks like he'll be on the move again. Paul Hoynes reports that Martinez, 27, was waived outright by the Indians today to clear up space on their 40-man roster. He'll stay in their camp as a non-roster player until someone else calls.
Giants legend Willie Mays made a trip to Scottsdale again this year and chatted it up with the yungin's.

Pictures from today...

Tejada talk to reporters.

Miggy signing baseballs.

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s-notes-day-5.html

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Judge to Bonds: "How about you just cop a plea
bargain"

post from 22gigantes on 18 February 2011 06:02:34 PM. © 22gigantes

With less than five weeks to go before the federal perjury trial of home run champion Barry Bonds in San Francisco, the judge presiding over the case asked both sides today whether they would consider a plea bargain, according to the San Francisco Appeal.

"I've noticed how hard you're working on this case. Huge resources are being expended," U.S. District Judge Susan Illston told prosecution and defense lawyers at a status conference hearing.

"Are you interested in resolving the case short of a trial?" the judge asked. She offered to refer the case to another judge for settlement talks.
The prosecution and defense did not reject the offer but did not express any optimism about a settlement in which Bonds might plead guilty to reduced charges. Lawyers from each side said they had previously talked and made their positions clear to the other side.

Bonds is due to go on trial in Illston's court on March 21 on four counts of lying and one count of obstructing justice in a 2003 testimony before a federal grand jury that was investigating steroids distribution by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO.

The case has been pending since he was initially indicted in 2007.

Read the whole story here.

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OF Pence, Astros go to arbitration (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 February 2011 04:50:22 PM. © MLB News Blog

Outfielder Hunter Pence and the Houston Astros have gone to salary arbitration in the third and final case of the offseason. The three cases matched the low since the process started in 1974. There were eight cases last year. The vast majority of the 119 players who filed for arbitration in mid-January settled without hearings.

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Mariners OF Bradley focused on baseball (AP)

Milton Bradley wasn’t touching questions Friday about his recent legal troubles, electing instead to focus solely on baseball. On that subject, he was much more forthcoming. Bradley said after his workout that he’s not fazed by having to compete for a starting job this year. “I always play like it’s my last game anyway.

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Kevin Goldstein's Top Yankees Prospects List

Here is the info via Baseball Prospectus. First his top 11 and the system in 20 words or less:

System In 20 Words Or Less: With a quartet of five-star prospects and a wealth of pitching overall, no system in baseball took a bigger step forward last year.

Five-Star Prospects
1. Jesus Montero, C
2. Manny Banuelos, LHP
3. Gary Sanchez, C
4. Dellin Betances, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
5. Eduardo Nunez, SS
6. Austin Romine, C
7. Andrew Brackman, RHP
8. Ivan Nova, RHP
9. Hector Noesi, RHP
10. Brett Marshall, RHP
11. Adam Warren, RHP

And nine more:

12. Graham Stoneburner, RHP: His plus sinker/slider combination has impressed to far, but he'll need a third pitch to remain a starter.
13. Brandon Laird, 3B/OF: A good offensive prospect, but his free-swinging ways caught up to him at Triple-A, and most of the value revolves around the bat.
14. Slade Heathcott, OF: He showed plenty of tools in his pro debut, but power has yet to show up in games, and scouts are worried about his swing.
15. Cito Culver, SS: A surprise first-round pick, speed and arm strength are his best tools, but will he hit?
16. David Phelps, RHP: Armed with average stuff and plus command and control, he could get a big-league look if the back end of the rotation falters.
17. Melky Mesa, OF: An impressive outfielder with plus power and speed, but his pure hit tool gives scouts pause.
18. D.J. Mitchell, RHP: This ground-ball machine is small but athletic; ultimately, he probably fits better in the bullpen.
19. Colin Curtis, OF: He will never be an everyday outfielder, but could be a good fourth right now.
20. Angelo Gumbs, SS: An impressive quick-twitch athlete with plenty of upside, but you'll find carpaccio that is less raw.

Great stuff from Goldstein, and just more verification of how much the Yankees have improved their system. For a detailed breakdown on the top 11, click here (membership required).