June 10, 2013

On June 10, 2013, 38 members and friends of the Houston/Larry Dierker Chapter attended our monthly meeting at the Inn at the Ballpark. Welcome to Corey Austin, Gary Shulte, Richard and Nancy Brinlee.

The big news of the night is that we are rapidly approaching the financial target for our book on early Houston baseball history. We sincerely thank those of you who have so generously contributed to the project and ask that those who plan to make a donation do so this month if possible. Thank you.

To this end Mike Vance showed us some of the fabulous artwork prepared by local artist Petrick Lopez for the book. Pat's renderings on former Houston ballparks are truly outstanding. Many of you asked about purchasing copies of his work and we will try to make that happen.

Local SABR members made lots of headlines and apprered in various newspapers and magazines in the past 30 days. We congratulate Larry Miggins, Mike McCroskey, Stan Curtis, Bob Stevens and Jimmy Wynn for looking good.

Our first presentation came from Cliff Roberson who attended the SABR Analytics Conference in Phoenix during March. Cliff showed us many graphs and advised that in the future SABR will use a new matrix called SABR Defensive Index (SDI) to determine Gold Glove winners. Another study is under way to determine which promotions are truly cost-effective for ballclubs. Interestingly, the group decided the most unusual baseball promotion ever held happened right here in Houston in 1951 sponsored by the Houston Buffs. Perhaps you can guess what it was. Several members were there.

Joe Thompson then took the stage and told us how he had applied for and been selected to speak at a national symposium in Cooperstown headlined by Frank Deford. Joe's topic was "Five Women in Baseball", one of the women being our own "Red Mahoney". Joe then took us an an enthusiastic slide tour of Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. Good stuff.

The trivia contest, prepared by Mike Vance, was won by Tom White with Robert Beal coming in 2nd.

There will be no formal meeting in July as a number of us are traveling to SABR 43.

In August, Larry Miggins and the Houston Babies are participating in an event at Constellation Field on Friday, July 9 before the Skeeters game where old-time baseball is being featured.

We also plan to attend an Astros game on August 24 and hold a pregame session. Details to follow.

Please be sure to check out our website www.sabrhouston.org for all the latest developments.