Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Finally, there's baseball news worth our attention. Monday's big developments involve players choosing to sit out 2020, due to the pandemic, or getting the chance to play, after being overlooked during February and March. Our lead-off batter, Ian Desmond , cites family concerns in his decision not to play this year. In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram , the 11 year veteran mentions not only COVID 19, but racism, homophobia and the player-owner rift as reasons he'll spend this summer with his family. Desmond is far from alone: other familiar names joining this lineup include Nationals mainstay Ryan Zimmerman and pitchers Joe Ross (Washington) and Mike Leake (Arizona). On the other hand, the Melkman is back. Switch hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera has landed with the Mets organization. The well-traveled 15 year veteran returns to the city where his big league career began -- but like the photo below (from 2016) will be at Citi Field, where he'll re-connect w

When Wilmer Difo took the last at-bat against the Yankees on March 12th in West Palm Beach, everyone was aware it was the last baseball we'd see for a while. The news had already spread that baseball was hitting the pause button due to the risk of the rapidly spreading pandemic. While it was easy at the time to be overly optimistic, how long a break did you foresee? Like a lot of fans and insiders, I mentally circled Memorial Day, the point in the calendar when warm weather takes hold just about everywhere in the U.S. That made sense, especially since reports in March suggested that the virus should weaken when it got warmer. Those predictions proved overly optimistic. The break will turn out to be more like four and a half months. After both players and owners worked in concert to stall baseball's return date and sour the game's image with the general public, the opening day for the 60 game season was announced as July 24th. Then Saturday, The New York Post  report

June 26th, 1970: Frank Robinson hits grand slams in consecutive at-bats as the Orioles crush the Senators 12-2. The future Hall of Famer becomes the seventh major leaguer to hit two bases-full homers in the same game. June 26th, 1968: Bob Gibson throws his fifth consecutive shuout -- blanking the Pirates 3-0 in the opener of a Busch Stadium twi-night doubleheader -- and extending his consecutive inning scoreless streak to 47. June 26th, 1968: Don Drysdale's 200th career victory comes against the Dodgers forever rivals, the Giants. Wes Parker takes care of the offense with a two-run 7th inning double, in Drysdale's complete game 2-1 victory at Candlestick Park. June 26th, 1963: One of the Mets' most thrilling Polo Grounds-era wins . After the Cubs take a two-run lead in the top of the 14th inning, Tim Harknes s wins the game with a walk off grand slam for an 8-6 New York victory. I was there : I t was the first week after schools closed. A cousin of mine old en

When we drove up to Pawtucket this week in 2010 to catch the Yankees' Triple A club visiting their Red Sox counterparts, I could not have predicted Marcus Thames ' future. After bouncing between the majors and minors for a decade, the then 33-year old was in the midst of a short rehab stint with the Rail Riders before heading back to the Bronx, where supplied righthanded power in a part time role. In fact, this was one of just four games he played for Scranton -- a rare sighting! Seeing him that night, I'm not sure the old crystal ball wouldn't have read "future hitting coach." But as preparations ramp up for this virus-shortened season, Thames is a key member of Aaron Boone's staff, working with veterans such as Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and DJ LeMahieu, rising stars Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres, the enigmatic Gary Sanchez and prospects such as Clint Frazier and Mike Ford. His name was in lights June 30th, 2010 -- but it's now more importan

...you share it with Phil Hughes , a top Yankees prospect of the '00s, whose career was dogged by injuries. After winning 18 in 2010, he looked like a future ace -- albeit one who gave up a lot of home runs. He posted an 88-79 record over a dozen big league seasons. George Vukovich divided his six big league seasons between the Phillies and Indians. He never delivered the power expected from an everyday player, until his two seasons (1986-'87) in Japan. Ken Reitz was the Cardinals regular 3rd baseman for most of the 1970s. Taking over for Joe Torre, he was especially adept at fielding grounders on the slick, fast artificial surface then used at Busch Stadium. And we remember .... Don Mincher , a power-hitting 1st baseman best known as with the 1960s Twins, who was part of history on June 9th, 1966 -- when he was one of five Twins players to hit home runs during the 7th inning of a game against the Kansas City A's. The first time that ever happened. (The feat was m

Monday's rejection by the MLBPA of the owners' last offer actually moves us closer to some kind of a baseball season. Per the March agreement, the commissioner has the authority to impose a schedule, although there won't be expanded playoffs or a universal DH. So, during interleague games, we'll still see the generally ugly attempts by pitchers such as Jonathan Loaisiga to look like Don Newcombe or Gary Peters -- while managers cross their fingers that they don't follow in the ill-fated footsteps of Chien Ming Wang . But the game will be back -- 60 or so in a regular season beginning around July 24th, following a second training camp. Not the ideal solution, but each side clearly had their reasons to disagree. By ceding control to Rob Manfred, the players retain the option to file a grievance against his plan. So, at a time when the country is still hurting, and eager for any kind of live sports on TV, we could be looking at another round of Sports in the Cou

Two years ago this week, I was in Binghamton, New York for an Eastern League game between the Double-A affiliates of the Yankees (the Trenton Thunder) and Mets (the Rumble Ponies). While my most vivid memory was Tim Tebow's bases-clearing double, there was plenty more to capture with my camera. Sitting close to field -- honestly, in most minor league parks, as is nearly everyone -- I paid plenty of attention to the home team's mascot, an homage to the region's carousel heritage. As tradition has it, a Rumble Pony is a steed so fierce no carousel center poll can contain it. This Rumble Pony swaps a fierce persona for a more family-friendly attitude, perfect for entertaining kids and less-than-serious fans while prospects pursued their baseball dreams. But the Pony isn't strutting this summer -- and might never again stand proudly atop a dugout. Binghamton, despite being a reasonable drive from Citi Field, and an even easier one from the Mets Triple A team in Syrac

June 19th, 2015: Alex Rodriguez becomes the 29th major leaguer to reach 3000 hits, when he smacks a solo home run to right field off Justin Verlander in the Yankees 7-2 win in the Bronx. June 19th, 2007: After joking on the bus ride to Shea Stadium that he will have his head shaved if the night's starter, Johan Santana, threw a shutout, Twins broadcaster Bert Blyleven has to face his own music. After Santana authors a 9-0 shutout over the Mets, the lefthander would have the honor of working the razor on the ex-big leaguer's head. June 19th, 1995: The Yankees sign Darryl Strawberry as a free agent. The ex-Met becomes a valuable contributor for much of the rest of the decade, belting 41 home runs in a Yankee uniform. June 19th, 1974: Steve Busby of the Royals throws his second no-hitter in 14 months. George Scott of the Brewers walks in the 2nd inning; he's the only base runner in KC's 2-0 victory. June 19th, 1973: Pete Rose of the Reds and Willie Davis of th

Wrapping up our multi-week salute to Detroit's venerable ballpark, here's my baseball travel partner Dennis outside the main entrance. And below, the plaques honoring the Stadium's history as well as Tigers legend Ty Cobb.

...you share it with Matt Barnes . The Danbury, Connecticut native has spent the past five seasons in the Red Sox bullpen (this photo is from his May 8th, 2018 appearance against the Yankees). He's been especially effective since 2016 -- striking out 360 batters in 262 innings. while surrendering less than one home run per nine innings. June 17th is not a stellar day for talent: no Hall of Fame inductees and only one player with borderline credentials for Cooperstown. That would be Dave Concepcion , the defensive glue of the Reds great 1970s teams. A nine-time all star and five-time Gold Glove winner, he's the kind of player who should get more respect from the Veterans Committee, especially with ex-teammates such as Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez already enshrined. The Venezuelan native had a terrific 10-year peak, batting .282, and averaging 37 extra base hits and 22 stolen bases a season. A few other names caught our attention, if only briefly: Joe Charboneau was

Among all the low numbers seen on Yankee uniforms, 12 has rarely belonged to one player for a long period of time. Between 1929 and 2019, 50 different Yankees have donned the pinstriped dozen -- beginning with Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt and most recently, the five-game-tenured Troy Tulowitzki. Chase Headley sported it between 2014 and '17; Alfonso Soriano wore it for five of his seven Yankee seasons, Wade Boggs lent his talents to it in the 1990s; Ron Blomberg -- the first DH -- during the '70s; and Gil McDougald for his entire 10-year career (1951-'60). Is there a Yankee you most associate with it? Alfonso Soriano, had he never been traded for Alex Rodriguez, might have become the greatest Yankee to wear it -- before he landed in Texas, Chicago and Washington. Some players who best years came elsewhere donned it while in the Bronx: John Mayberry, Vernon Wells, Ivan Rodriguez and Kenny Lofton fit that definition. Funny, how in a city where 12 become iconic in g

Back in 2017, I brought my Canon's wide angle lens to a few games. Shooting from the dugout, you get a different view than by just focusing on a player or a play. And there's more of a sense of the Stadium's sheer size, with the sweep and height of the seats hulking over the field.

June 12th, 2014:  Max Scherzer works the first complete game of his career. It's a three-hit shutout, as the Tigers blank the White Sox 4-0 at U.S. Cellular Field. June 12th, 2012:  Alex Rodriguez ties Lou Gehrig's record when his 23rd career grand slam ties the Yankees game with the Braves 4 - 4. His 23rd grand slam -- off Atlanta's Jonny Venters -- was the first in his career that tied a game! Later that inning, Nick Swisher's two-run bomb gave the Yanks their winning margin in a 6 - 4 interleague victory. June 12th, 2010: The leadoff batters for the Yankees and Mets -- Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes -- homer leading off the game for their respective teams. It's the third time that happened in New York baseball history. A year earlier, Jeter and the Mets Angel Pagan had done so; the first time was in 1986, thanks to Rickey Henderson and Lenny Dykstra. June 12th, 2010: Red Sox rookie Daniel Nava hits a grand slam on the first pitch of his first at-bat -- ta

June 12th, 1992: Taken from the first row of the upper deck, almost as if we're hovering over the Orioles BP.  There's one thing here you don't often see: practicing bunts. Look at the two fielders positioned just beyond the cage.

...you share it with Zoilo Almonte , a longtime minor league outfielder who played 47 games with the 2013 and '14 Yankees. I first saw him the year before with Trenton, where he drew attention batting .277 and driving in 70 runs. The second photo captures one of his 21 home runs in '12. Although he hasn't seen the majors in six years, Almonte is still active in baseball. He's thrived the past two season for Japan's Chunichi Dragons, batting .321 and .298. Also on today's cake and candles list: Al Alburquerque , the geographically named reliever best known for his five years with the Tigers.      Pokey Reese , the infielder whose eight big league seasons were split between the Reds, Pirates and Red Sox. "The other" Randy Johnson , a light hitting backup infielder with the 1980s Braves. Johnny Edwards caught for 14 years in the majors, beginning with the pennant-winning 1961 Reds. Ken Singleton , the New York native who began his career wit

So often, one small gesture can turn a young person into a lifelong fan. This is a perfect example. From August 2017, Yankee 1st base coach Tony Pena looks for someone who who might really enjoy getting the ball that had been the last out of the previous half inning. Making eye contact with a youngster. he signals him to be ready. A short toss and, judging by that smile, Pena's little gift just made that kid's day. This is symbolic of what baseball needs at this crucial moment in its history. Not just giving someone a souvenir that he or she will cherish forever, but steering the discussion away from the negative. The optics of millionaires and billionaires squabbling over megamoney while 15 percent of the country is out of work in the midst of a still unresolved pandemic makes baseball look out of touch. Petty, childish and less important in a troubled time. There's a bigger objective right now; getting baseball back to entertaining people who need a healthy diversion.

It's April 6th, 2016 , Yankees hosting the Astros on a chilly early-season night. Bottom of the 1st inning, Yanks down 1-0 on a Carlos Correia homer off Michael Pineda. But that Houston lead would not last long. After Jacoby Ellsbury reached on catcher's interference, Colin McHugh walked Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez walked. Mark Teixeira comes up in an ideal situation: bases loaded, no one out. And McHugh's pitch looks tempting. But maybe, it's not. Apparently, it's not. He checks his swing. A split second decision. No batter wants to mess up. You want to cash in. But not right now. Teixeria works a full count off McHugh. In fact, he's the fourth straight batter to do so that inning. His patience pays off -- he singles on that 3-2 pitch, bringing Ellsbury home as the Yankees score the first of six 1st inning runs to put the game away. And Tex's patience helped make it happen.

June 5th, 2015: Ambidextrous A's reliever Pat Venditte becomes the first switch-pitcher in modern baseball history when he tosses two scoreless innings in Oakland's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox in Boston. June 5th, 2012: Eleven years to the day after being drafted 38th overall by the Mets, David Wright   becomes the club's all-time run leader in runs scored. Number 736 comes on a home run during a 7-6 loss in Washington. June 5th, 2008: Chipper Jones becomes the third switch-hitter ever -- joining Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray -- to reach 400 career home runs. It's part of a four-hit game by the Braves' third baseman as Atlanta's outscores the Marlins 7-5. June 5th, 1997: Alex Rodriguez hits for the cycle in the Mariners 14-6 win over the Tigers in Detroit. June 5th, 1995: Tim Raines sets a new American League record with his 33rd consecutive stolen base, in the White Sox 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. June 5th, 1992: Eddie Murray drives in two runs to pass M

June 12th, 1992 : Top of the 1st inning as Brady Anderson leads off for the Orioles against Tigers lefty Scott Aldred. We're about 10 rows back, but it feels almost as if we're in the dugout. I hope you're enjoy my #TBT extended series on Tiger Stadium. If these photos touch your soul or stir up memories of other long-lost baseball venues, please hit the comment button below and share your story.

...you share it with Harrison Bader . The Cardinals center fielder grew up in Bronxville, New York, a handful of miles (or a short train ride) from Yankee Stadium. But after starring at the U of Florida, he was drafted by St. Louis in 2015 and made his big league debut just two years later. I saw him in action against the Mets during the abbreviated spring training. José Molina is the middle member of the majors most prolific catching siblings. The defensive specialist spent most of his 15 seasons as a backup  -- including the World Champion 2002 Angels and 2009 Yankees. He's not the only Molina celebrating today -- the un-related Izzy Molina was also a catcher. A backup with for the late-'90s A's (who later made one appearance with the Orioles), the Miami product had one of his best minor league nights when I saw him play for Modesto in 1993, slamming a home run (maybe two, the memory fogs) while wearing Jose Canseco's old number, 33. Luis Urias is one of

September 2nd, 2017: From the 400-level seats of Yankee Stadium. the grand view of what Red Barber loved to call "the big ballpark." And even though the action moved across 161st Street 11 years ago, it's still a classic park design with a sweeping view like no other. Let's hope calmer heads and common sense prevail. Even if we, the fans, can't enter this year, cross our fingers that the players take that gorgeous green field sometime this summer.

From August 28th, 2018: White Sox catcher Omar Narvaez clutches a called strike against New York's Luke Voit. Clearly, above the knees. Taken from my favorite Yankee Stadium "perch": the media photo platform behind section 215 on the right field side.