Cleaning out the Inbox

We clean out the inbox with notes of interest.

First we start with a few goodbyes

to former pitcher and Hall of Famer Robin Roberts at the age of 83.
Roberts pitched 19 years with the first fourteen being spent with the Phillies.
Roberts was noted for his pinpoint control (never walking more than 77 batters in a season) and for being the all time leader in home runs allowed,a record that will fall sometime this season to Jamie Moyer.
Roberts won 286 games,an excellent numbers when you consider with the exception of a few years in the early 1950's,the Phillies were generally not one of the leagues stronger squads...

to another former pitcher Jose Lima,the inventor of Lima Time!
Lima passed at the young age of 37.
The former twenty game winner was under .500 for his career,but despite his occasional struggles on the field,the colorful Lima was always popular off the field for his enthusiasm and outgoing behavior.
Lima's best seasons were with the Astros,but had a quality last hurrah in 2004 as a Dodger.
For a pitcher that had his struggles outside of the old Houston Astrodome,where he could be quite dominant,Lima will be fondly remembered by many fans...

Baseball in Cumberland ?
Well, a grassroots organization is beginning to attempt to raise funds for a ballpark to attract some sort of baseball to the Western Maryland town either Independent or summer-collegiate.
Good for them,the isolation of Western Maryland would likely make whatever team goes there a success and it would be nice to see sports in a area that would appreciate what they bring instead of yet another team shoved into the Baltimore/Washington suburbs.
Just stay away from the Suns now and Cumberland has our 100% backing!

We criticize Gary Bettman and the NHL for many things,but here is a compliment-the NHL is far more active in the environmental market than any other league.
From changing their goodie bags to reusable non-plastic to encouraging new arenas to be built to gain LEED certification,the league is being aggressive in the area.
Bettman said it best (really)
"Our game originated on frozen ponds,Most of our players learned to skate on outdoor rinks. For that magnificent tradition to continue through future generations, we need winter weather -- and, as a league, we are uniquely positioned to promote that message".

This has changed over the last week or two,a note of hope to hockey fans everywhere as Winnipeg attempts to pull the upset of modern sports times as they try to bring their Jets home from Phoenix.
Go get em' Winnipeg and I'll even make this offer-you get them back,use the Jets name and old jerseys and I'll root for you as my favorite Western team and give occasional coverage right here!

Photo Credits
Roberts and Lima:Unknown
Jets fans:AP Photo