The week that was
Jim Rodriguez: Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training; a welcome distraction to what is going on in the “real” world
Jim Rodriguez
Feb 15, 2018, 6:27 am
Never forgetting a chance meeting with Tony Soprano. Gandolfini.com
While many think of the opening of camps around Arizona and Florida as the start of something new; I always take the time to remember an encounter with someone that had nothing to do with baseball. Someone who every spring makes me smile and remember that life is a gift that needs to be unwrapped every day. Especially in times like these.
I was in Sanibel Island, Florida about a half hour outside of Fort Myers. It was March of 2000. I had a day off covering Minnesota Twins camp and decided to lay out by the hotel pool and enjoy a nice cigar.
As I finished lighting my Montecristo #2, I noticed him. How could you not!
The Sopranos was relatively new to viewers. The show debuted in January of 1999, but I was already hooked. He had a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. A towel wrapped around his neck and an unlit cigar in one hand.
Maybe it was the smoke from my cigar, but he quickly shuffled over to my area by the pool. There was an empty seat not quite next to me, but near enough to me.
As he approached, I found myself rehearsing what, if anything, I would say to my new favorite TV star! It was Tony Soprano! I read he was painfully shy and I certainly didn’t want to disrupt his quiet time in the sun.
Thankfully he spoke first: “Is this seat taken?” he said. “No… enjoy” I said.
He nodded and sat down. Now what? What was I going to say.. if anything? He then took off his shirt. and it hit me. A couple of big fellas sitting by the pool, both badly in need of as much sunscreen as humanly possible.
After he lit his cigar, I looked at him and said… “between you and me.. ain't nobody gonna get any sun today at this pool.” He laughed.. shook his head yes.. and reached out to shake my hand. “James” he said. “Jim” I said. Nothing more was said and at least for me.. that was plenty.
James Gandolfini left us far too soon. A heart attack struck him down in 2013. He was 51 years old. He’s a cautionary tale. Take better care of yourself. Mix in a salad. Lose some weight. But never stop enjoying life.
Even in times like these.
You can listen to my radio show, The Sports Bosses , weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on SB Nation Radio. Follow me on Twitter @mediarodriguez
Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Key moment
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.