Hi there sports fans! As the founder and CEO of Big Jim Potzrebie’s Used Motor Vehicles, I’m just as pleased as punch to sponsor this weekly “infotisement” on my favorite baseball site. Let’s get ready to rumble…and learn some facts!
IT’S A FACT: Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge credits his improved 2006 power numbers to extensive videotape examination of his swing. However, it wasn’t until halfway through the season that Inge realized that the player he was scrutinizing wasn’t himself, but long-retired veteran Mike Ivie, who wore Inge’s #15 in a brief end-of-career stint with Detroit. Inge failed to notice the two-letter difference in the name on the back of “his” uniform thanks to the degraded quality of the 1982 video footage.
IT’S A FACT: In the spring of 1988, unable to choose which talented youngster should succeed Willie Upshaw as Toronto’s first baseman, General Manager Pat Gillick orders Fred McGriff and Cecil Fielder to settle the question themselves — with an arm-wrestling contest. To the surprise of much of the team, McGriff prevails, sending Fielder into a season-long sulk and eventually to Japan.
IT’S A FACT: Every single major league player named “Aurelio” has played for the Detroit Tigers.
IT’S A FACT: Carlos Delgado’s successful bunt single against the shift was the first successful bunt of his 13-year career. It also fulfilled the last wish of the big first baseman’s father, a committed Marxist revolutionary in Puerto Rico; on his deathbed, Jorge Delgado whispered to his son, “Carlito, déles la bola pequeña para mÃ… ¡y para la revolución!”
IT’S A FACT: Rookie Tampa Bay shortstop Ben Zobrist was a founding member of noize band Wolf Eyes. Although there was much allure in wearing a gorilla mask and hitting the same guitar string with a drumstick for 75 minutes, he eventually chose baseball.
IT’S A FACT: Dmitri Young is swiftly becoming a leader in the Nationals clubhouse, a role he has been wary about embracing in the past. In fact, the Nats’ younger players are learning more from him than just baseball; he conducts daily civics lessons in the shower, using the massive tattoo of all 43 U.S. presidents that adorns his back. “There’s space on there for whoever’s next,” claims the well-muscled slugger, whose personal favorite is James K. Polk.
IT’S A FACT: Carlos Beltran can solve the Rubik’s Cube in 28 seconds — 64 seconds while blindfolded!
IT’S A FACT: Eddie Mathews, the star third baseman for the Milwaukee Braves, was featured on the very first cover of “Sports Illustrated” magazine in 1954. If one looks closely at this picture, one can faintly discern a skinny fan in the stands who is apparently not wearing any pants. Thanks to 21st century imaging technology, experts have now positively identified the young Braves enthusiast. His name? Allan Huber “Bud” Selig, Jr.
IT’S A FACT: Big Jim Potzrebie’s Used Motor Vehicles has a lot full of hot numbers just waiting for the right home. Cadillacs, Yugos, Cooper Minis, Handa scooters, vintage Toro riding lawn mowers…at Big Jim Potzrebie’s Used Motor Vehicles, we have it all. (And we promise to always be wearing pants!) Come on down and kick a tire or two!
Big Jim Potzrebie is the founder and CEO of Big Jim Potzrebie’s Used Motor Vehicles of Milwaukie, Canby, Drain, Dufur, Happy Valley, Barlow, Estacada, and Aurora, Oregon.