On this installment of Bob On Baseball, we welcome another fine young writer who is striving to make her mark in sports. I met Tara Wellman at the U.S. Nationals, one of the biggest drag races in the world, when I was busy handling my “real job” as Team Manager for Tim Wilkerson’s NHRA Funny Car team. Tara was “dragged” (pun intended) to the race by a friend who was already a fan. Within minutes of meeting her, our mutual love of baseball became the topic and the sheer determination I could see in her eyes impressed me. I immediately knew that this young lady was focused on career success, and nothing I’ve seen or heard from her since has diminished that assessment.
Today, here at Bob On Baseball, we welcome another guest blogger to our ranks. Coral Marshall is a graduate student in Sport Management at California State University – Long Beach. She did her undergrad work at the University of California – San Diego, where she studied Communications and Russian & Soviet Studies. He passions include all things baseball, communication theory, Russian literature, studying new media, and reading by the pool (her words!)
Coral is a wonderful example of exactly the type of person The Perfect Game Foundation looks to assist, as she aims to find her place and make her mark on the business side of our great national pastime. Her succinct interpretation of how legends and heroes are born is first-rate, and a fine read.
Enjoy!
We recently asked Francisco Arocha a few questions regarding his business career, interests, and the business of baseball. Here’s what he had to say: Q: Tell us about the HES Group? HES stands for Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports. Twelve years ago we decided to dream and we wanted to work in industries where we could […]
Hanging on the wall, here in my home office, are two baseball bats. One is somewhat famous, the other nearly anonymous. As you can see, they straddle a framed copy of Baseball Magazine, from 1953, and the catcher in the cover photo is my father.
His bat hangs to the left, but it’s not just any Louisville Slugger and it’s not just any Del Wilber autographed model. This very bat is the one he used on August 27, 1951 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, while playing against the Cincinnati Reds. On that very night, Big Del achieved something so outstanding we have named this charity in reference to his accomplishment. He came to bat three times, took three swings, and hit three solo home runs, accounting for all of the scoring in the Phillies’ 3-0 win over the Reds. It’s a special bat.
Big Del had his Louisville Slugger designed to fit his needs, and since the bat was specifically cut and weighted to his exact preference, Hillerich & Bradsby designated it as the W15 model.
The bat on the right is one of mine, and one of only two Bob Wilber autographed bats left on the planet. It’s a U1 model, originally designed for some other player, but at some point in my young career I picked one up and liked the feel of it. I therefore, for better or for worse, stuck with the U1 until my fleeting minor league career was over. I blame the U1.