THAT’S THE WAY I SAW IT
The July 1, 1967 issue of The Sporting News had a very interesting article. The Sporting News isn’t what it used to be. The article was titled; I Was Wrong-Harsh Critic Softens his Salvo.
Max Patkin, then the Clown Prince of baseball had made a statement earlier: “There are no good promotions in the Minor Leagues.”
When the press got on his case he later retracted his statement, “I was wrong. Who am I kidding? Of course there are good promotions in the Minors.”
I umpired in 1955 a game in Kokomo and another in Lafayette that were Max Patkin promotion nights. These were fun games at which the Clown Prince made people laugh.
Actually Patkin knew more about Minor League Baseball than the press gave him credit. The year this was written was 1967. There were a total of 21 leagues. In 1948 there were 59.
The same question surfaces: Is Minor League Baseball promoting itself?
One promotion was “Nobody Night” by the Charleston River Dogs (South Atlantic League) that set a record of zero fans at the ballpark. The game was played with the gates locked. Hardly a promotion! Old time fans remember the Disco Demolition night that ended in a forfeited game. There have been a series of bottle-head games. The fireworks bring in a good crowd. Fifty-cent beer and hot dog nights aren’t watched by the fans, as most spend their time standing in the concession lines.
On page 24 of the December 6-19, 2004 of Baseball America (the only good baseball publication left) there was an article by Will Lingo titled “Learn to love our new Clown Prince.” It seems that Myron Noodelman is now billed as baseball’s Clown Prince.
The problem Lingo has with this appointment is, it’s a done deal and I don’t think he’s funny at all. His act strikes me as tired and forced.
The number of Minor Leagues in now around 14. Is Minor League Baseball not promoting itself?
That’s the Way I Saw It.
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