Dedicated to Quantum Leap and Al Leap…Happy Birthday Terence Long and Ja Rule
How could I pass up a day to make a cheesy play-on-words with Leap Year? It’s easier than the Seinfeld episode when Jerry meets a detective named Bookman in his overdue library book-case. For some reason, the first thing that popped in my head this morning was Quantum Leap, not sure why.
I probably saw a few episodes of the show, but never got hooked like I did with Lost or Dexter. After doing some research, I found this episode titled “Play Ball — August 6, 1991.” Here’s the official description of the episode from IMDB (one of my favorite websites): “Sam is a minor league baseball pitcher who has plenty of female admirers and a porcine team mascot to watch out for.”
Ironically, Scott Bakula, who played Dr. Sam Beckett appeared in one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen — Major League, Return to the Minors. And to get even more ridiculous with all these name-games, did you notice the last name of Beckett? Yes, Josh Beckett is a former Sea Dog. I just couldn’t resist.
Now on to Al Leap. He’s the only professional baseball player on Baseball Reference with the last name of Leap. Here’s a link to his page http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=leap--001car. Leap played nine minor league seasons, including a stop with the 1950 Elmira Pioneers of the Eastern League. The Pioneers were 58–81, the second worst record in the E.L. Only the Scranton Miners’ fans were complaining more, they had a 54–85 record. Guess their affiliate? The Boston Red Sox.
Notable Leap Day Birthdays: Ja Rule (Leap Day Age: 9; Real Age: 36), Tony Robbins (Leap Day Age: 13; Real Age: 52) and Dennis Farina (Leap Day Age: 17; Real Age: 68)
Major Leaguers with Leap Day Birthdays: Terence Long, Bill Long, Jerry Fry, Al Autry, Steve Mingori, Al Rosen, Pepper Martin,Ralph Miller, Roy Parker, Ed Appleton and Dickey Pearce.
Very interesting that former A’s outfielder Terence Long was born on Leap Day. He made one of the greatest catches in the history of Fenway Park, taking away a “long one” from a current Oakland Athletic. Game recap: http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=220807102
With the Red Sox starting up Spring Training on Saturday, the Sea Dogs begin their exhibition games on March 14th versus the New Britain Rock Cats. Below is a full schedule. Here’s a tremendous ticket promotion the Sea Dogs are offering ONLY on Leap Day — Click here for the details
I’ll be heading to Spring Training in a few weeks, and can’t wait to see the JetBlue Park. It’s nice that the entire complex houses the Major and Minor League complexes.
Tune into my Talk Show, the Saturday Morning Jab from 8 AM-12 PM. You can listen online at thebigjab.com.
DATEOPPONENTAFFILIATIONSITEWed. March 14vs. New Britain Rock CatsTwinsFt. MyersThur. March 15@ Bowie BaysoxOriolesSarasotaFri. March 16vs. Bowie BaysoxOriolesFt. MyersSat. March 17@ New Britain Rock CatsTwinsLee CountySun. March 18CAMP DAYMon. March 19vs. Montgomery BiscuitsRaysFt. MyersTues. March 20@ Montgomery BiscuitsRaysPort CharlotteWed. March 21vs. New Britain Rock CatsTwinsFt. MyersThur. March 22@ Bowie BaysoxOriolesSarasotaFri. March 23vs. Bowie BaysoxOriolesFt. MyersSat. March 24@ New Britain Rock CatsTwinsLee CountySun. March 25CAMP DAYMon. March 26vs. New Britain Rock CatsTwinsFt. MyersTues. March 27@ Montgomery BiscuitsRaysPort CharlotteWed. March 28vs. Montgomery BiscuitsRaysFt. MyersThur. March 29@ New Britain Rock CatsTwinsLee CountyFri. March 30@ Bowie BaysoxOriolesSarasotaSat. March 31vs. New Britain Rock CatsTwinsFt. Myers
- All games scheduled for 1:00 pm -
