A Tribute to #26 Red Adams and Doug Mientkiewicz
Back in March when my blog was ranked #26 I said that only two Dodger players had worn #26 and I dedicated it to Hall of Famer Heinie Manush ttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/.
Well I was reminded by a friend at the stadium that Pitching Coach Red Adams had that number. Thanks Alex!
Also my good friend LuvtheDodgers23 told me “what about Mientkiewicz?” Thanks LTD23! It was funny ’cause I was asking as Dougie was coming up to bat.
Red Adams(baseball-reference picture)
Charles Dwight Adams (born October 7, 1921) was the longtime pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, He was born in Parlier, California. Parlier is in the Fresno area.
Adams won over 150 games in the minor leagues from 1942-1957. Among the minor league teams that he played back then were the Angels, the Padres, and the Miami Marlins. He also pitched briefly in the Major Leagues with the chicago Cubs in 1946.
After his playing career, he was a scout for the Dodgers from 1959-1968. He was the pitching coach from 1969-1980, helping develop many of the Dodgers pitchers.
Quote from Don Sutton at Cooperstown:
“Red Adams is a standard by which every pitching coach should be measured. No person ever meant more to me in my career than Red Adams, and without him I wouldn’t be standing in Cooperstown today.”
Tommy John also gave Adams a tremendous amount of credit:
“He saw me throw on the side and told me, `You know, you can win with just a fastball.’ I thought he was kidding. I had to pitch a certain way, or so I thought. But he kept pounding it into me that I could get by with just a fastball.” -Tommy John., remembering advice that Red Adams gave him in 1972 that helped him have the best years of his career in the 1970’s.
Red Adams is 87. I wonder if Tommy Lasorda still keeps in contact with his old pitching coach.
Doug Mientkiewicz
this picture was taken during the InsidetheDodgers (ITD) blog tour.
I love what Doug’s tshirt says here:
Minor setback for a Major Comeback
Doug Mientkiewics was injured back on April 16, dislocating his shoulder, and was told by docors his baseball career might be over. However, he persevered, making the long climb back to the majors. Mientkiewicz had a pinch-hit single in his first game back last Wednesday night.
Afer receiving congratulatory high-fives from teammates in the dugout, Mientkiewics ducked into the clubhouse and disappeard for 10 minutes. “I went and found a quiet place,” he said, not disclosing the location. “it was in the building. I knew no one would find me. The emotions exploded.”
Trainer Stan Conte, who oversaw Mientikiewics’s rehab assignment, admitted, reluctantly, that he was also touched by the moment. “I got misty-eyed,” Conte said.
Congratulations Dougie! Your hard work is paying off!
A big thank you! to all that have contribute to my ranking this month! I love you all!!!
references: Baseball-reference, L.A. Times
Dodger Blue World 
So glad Dougie stuck with his rehab and worked hard enough to come back. He’s one gritty player and was such an important part of my book. I’ll always be indebted to him and I wish him great success with the Dodgers the rest of the way.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Congrats on maintaining your rankings…. with the Rockies putting in a last minute charge things must be getting a little nervous in the west….
~peter
Outside the Phillies Looking In
http://devilabrit.mlblogs.com
Jane,
Ohhhh that is so nice of him! I did not know that! I got to get your book but I got so many at home right now that I really was refraining myself from buying anymore until I finish some that I have already bought.
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Peter,
Yes, is nervous time. The Dodgers are doing this LWLWLW. I can’t even start with a W because the last time was LL. Oh I so hope the good Chad shows up tonight.
Emma: Great post! I remember Doug Mientkiewicz. When he was witht the Yankees, I liked him a lot. He was a hard-nosed ballplayer. I was sad to see him go.
Congrats on your ranking!!!! 🙂
-Virginia
http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com
When I get home from school, I will post something. I can’t do it from here now.
He’s a quality guy and a heckuva addition for us. You sure do get a glimpse into his mindset when you see him sporting that T-Shirt.. dontcha think?
Buz – http://buzblog.mlblogs.com/
I’m so glad Dougie is back! I miss him here in Boston!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Virginia,
Thanks! Congrats to your ranking! Very impressive! I am glad to see that he left good impressions with you. He really seems like a nice guy. Concentrate on your studies and I’ll check your post later on.
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Buz,
Yes, I absolutely loved that t-shirt he was sporting June 27th. He had a 3 game hitting streak but in 100+ days. When I saw him in Spring Training that after batting he handed his bat to a kid, I knew I liked the guy
.
Julia,
Thank you so much for letting me know about making #26! We Dodger fans are happy to have him on our side.
Doug M.
If anyone ever has an opening at first base, you know his name always comes up.
Great team chemistry guy, and a solid player both at the plate and on the bag.
Great to see him still having fun playing the game out in Los Angeles.
You alos have a lot of fun with your team.
I loved the picture and the new information about another player I never knew much about in baaseball history.
Red Adams sounds like he could be a great pitcher even today.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Emma, I’m kinda hurt that I don’t get a shout out here in your blog as I was the one who reminded you that Doug wore #26 right as you were telling me about Alex’s suggestion. Remember, he was at bat and I pointed it out to you? Congrats on #26. Signing off and always Thinking Blue, LTD23.
LTD23!
I am so so sorry! See how forgetful i am? I corrected my post. Can you forgive me please?
.
You know that was funny how I was asking who wore #26 or wears and you pointed to him as he was at bat. Also you were right, I did post a picture of my bobbleheads and pictures around the candle in here. see how forgetful I am? I better start having some Ginko Bilova. the trouble is I might forget to take it.
Thanks Emma! You are too funny! I’m watching the game & I am just so annoyed with the “Mystery that is Chad Billingsley” as Vinny referred to him earlier.
Rays,
For a while he was twitting a lot when he was rehaving in the minor league. You could read his intensity and passion for the game in his posts. I think Red Adams would not have been in the minor league so long in the modern era. I never knew how much his pitchers appreciated him. If I get a chance to talk to Tommy Lasorda, I will ask him about him. He still alive but I wonder where he lives.
Thanks!
LTD23!
Relax….LTD23…Relax…. OK, exercise instead 🙂 I had a good Pilates class today. I think I feel taller taking the class with all the stretching. Our bullpen will take us to the promised land!
You must have it good.
Go to see the Dodgers win all the time
have a great time while doing it. 🙂
Doug is a great player:
and how many different teams has he played for? I don’t think he even has a house anymore.
That guy is gone in half a year all the time.
He is a great guy though.
Maybe the Indians will find interest??
–Ted “TTW/T” —
http://tribewithted.mlblogs.com/