It was Charlie Wilson talking, he of the Toronto Blue Jays who is in charge, along with major-league lifetime .083 hitter Doug Davis, with keeping a respectable team in Buffalo.
“I hear that from Mr. and Mrs. Rich all the time,” he asided.
But who, Charlie rhetorically asked about 300 seekers of warmth at the Bisons Hot Stove Luncheon in the Adam’s Mark last Wednesday, “has ever called your boss on Christmas Day?”
In the newspaper business, Rocket Man probably chatted with HIS boss 100 times on Dec. 25, but no matter. Charlie recalled just sitting down to Christmas dinner when his phone rang, or whatever phones do these day, and there was Bison Manager Gary Allenson demanding to know what day the Bisons season began.
Charlie sighed and told him – April 4, at Pawtucket; locally April 14 – but dessert was still in his future when Allenson called again:
“So when’s spring training start?”
If Allenson called again on Boxing Day, Charlie wasn’t saying, but there’s a lot to be said for past-tensing winter, even one so benign. And it was all about the immediate future at this jolly repast, just one stop, the News’ Mike Harrington would remind us, of this huge off-season tour for a team representing an entire nation.
That’s why it could include such stars as pitchers Marcus Strohman and Aaron Sanchez. Strohman has a considerable Buffalo history, including an Opening-Day victory (actually, due to one of the game’s arcane rules, somebody else got it officially) and the cusp of a no-hitter from which he was yanked after six innings as a matter of protection.
But no pitch count guarantees good health, as demonstrated a little over a year ago when Strohman slipped fielding a practice bunt and went out with an injury of a sort that sidelines most for a year. Declaring himself “ashamed and disappointed,” he was back by August, toting an extra degree from Duke, besides.
He’s one joy to behold, bolting from the podium to greet fan fixture Mark Atzinger and cheering for New Era caps. The top of his ‘do dyed white as if dusted by snow, he hardly needs headgear.
Sanchez, meanwhile, spoke of trying to gain weight over the holidays (who does THAT?) and how, when his major-league pay rate began, the first thing he bought was a Coach wallet.
No potential 2016 Bisons made roll call. Most aren’t decided yet. Even the return of Allenson surprised some folks, notably Rocket Man. Many of the prospects Charlie Wilson mentioned were amended with “He’s likely to start at Double-A” (that’s Manchester, NH, another site of chilly springs). But for the multitude, most echoed Sanchez’ “can’t wait for April” declaration.
And on this day, they didn’t have to. Next up at Coca Cola Field: In-house Open House March 19.
NEXT WEEK: Lou Schriver’s last ramble.
Fire back to Rocket Man via pollyndoug@hotmail.com
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