This weekend both Chicago baseball teams have something to celebrate. Lee Smith and Harold Baines will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame; they were two of my favorites growing up.
I’ll never forget Harry telling us “Here comes Lee Smith lumbering in from the bullpen as the shadows creep across home plate”. Lee was certainly no slouch; 6’5″ tall, 220lbs+, big leg kick, bringing that heat. He was the first closer I got to know; he did pretty well… obviously. 180 saves in his 8 year career with the Cubs. He appeared in 2 postseason games that magical year of 1984. The first one he came in and shut the door on the Padres to give us the 2-0 series lead; his second appearance didn’t go so well. He was part of that at bat that was etched in my memory as an 8 year old boy. He was the guy that threw the ball that Steve Garvey hit into orbit, tying the series. Never forget Garvey rounding those bases… in case you don’t know about the Hate Files, I talk about that specific, first moment of hate here:
Yes, how can my beloved Lee Smith be part of such a horrific moment. Well, as a Cub fan, I was just getting used to heartbreak; there would be plenty more where that came from. Still, so many afternoons upstairs by my grandmother watching those afternoon Cubs games where Lee marched in, and blew the doors off the opposition. You know I didn’t realize that he played for so long after he left us, including 4 years with the Cardinals. We all know what cap he chose though… no brainer, hello. Yeah, very happy for Lee… another quick memory of him was when he and Leon Durham did those Pepe commercials… I used to love Pepe’s… Botana Grande and Tostada Suizas… Congrats Lee!
If I had to give you my favorite White Sox player of all time, it would be #3. What a beast he was. Such a sweet swing from that left side of the plate, preceded by that beautiful leg kick. He would lace them all over the field. He was part of that first team that I remember following… the 83 Sox. I was just getting old enough to remember things… to remember details… to take a serious interest in this whole sports thing that I love so much today. Yeah, I may not love the White Sox today, but the history is there; Harold Baines was a big part of that. Harold was part of the 4 guys who hit 20 dingers for that team, along with Luzinski, Fisk, and Kittle. That was a fun team. Of course one of the biggest moments of that year was when they clinched against Seattle… Julio Cruz crossing the plate with the winning run, a walk off win, scoring on a sacrifice fly. Guess who hit that ball? Yep, Harold… Harold, Harold…
Just like Lee, I’m surprised to see how many more years Harold played in the majors. Just like Lee, it was a no brainer which cap he chose to wear into the Hall. Sorry, no Pepe’s memories here… Congrats Harold!
Pretty tripped out, now that I wrote this. The fact that Lee Smith was part of one of the worst memories of my youth, while Harold Baines was part of one of the best moments. And yes, they both walk into the Hall together this weekend; that’s pretty cool. Chicago represent!
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