GaryMrMets
07-09-2004, 01:18 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9102060.htm
Posted on Thu, Jul. 08, 2004
A home away from the majors
The Atlantic League boosts some former big-league stars.
By Mark Lelinwalla
Inquirer Staff Writer
When they were in the major leagues, they traveled in style on team planes and played before big crowds in huge parks.
Now, well, they take the bus and play in tiny parks in smaller communities.
And - believe it or not - they love it.
"I could truly say that being a part of this team is the best thing I've done in baseball," said Bud Harrelson, a former shortstop for the Phillies, New York Mets and Texas Rangers.
These days, Harrelson, 60, is co-owner and third-base coach of the Long Island Ducks of the eight-team, independent Atlantic League.
While it may be small-scale, the Atlantic League is letting three former major-league notables - Harrelson, Sparky Lyle and Rickey Henderson - keep their love for baseball alive.
Harrelson and former relief pitcher Lyle, also an ex-Phillie, are content with their roles in the Atlantic League and say they have no intentions of returning to the majors.
"We're lucky to be in the situation we're in," Harrelson said. "I truly have my cake and eat it too."
Harrelson lives in Suffolk County on Long Island about 20 minutes and four miles from the Ducks' home field, Citibank Park.
"I feel young when I'm out coaching third base," he said. "I don't miss much about the majors, and I have no intentions to go back. I have children and grandchildren, and I don't want to leave my family alone."
Lyle, 59, said he feels the same way.
"I have no intentions or aspirations to go manage in the majors," said Lyle, who has twice won the manager of the year award and the Atlantic League championship with the Somerset Patriots. "I'm happy where I am."
Henderson, on the other hand, is working hard to land a spot on a major-league roster.
"It doesn't matter if I'm in the leadoff spot or DH, I just want to play in the majors again," said Henderson, baseball's all-time leader with 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs in 25 big-league seasons.
The three were joined by John Brandt, general manager of the Camden Riversharks, and Joe Klein, the executive director of the Atlantic League, yesterday at Campbell's Field in Camden to promote the Atlantic League All-Star Game.
The game will be Wednesday at Campbell's Field. Harrelson will manage the North team, and Lyle the South. Henderson, an outfielder for the Newark Bears, will play for the South.
And after all their years in baseball, "we still find all-star games exciting," said Henderson, the MVP of last year's game. "I play the game to excite fans."
At 45, Henderson is fighting hard to get back to the majors.
"I've accomplished everything a player could ever want to accomplish, but my heart and soul are still in the game," he said. "I want young players to use me as a sponge and soak up all the knowledge I have to offer."
In their playing careers, Harrelson and Lyle shared New York and Philadelphia connections. Harrelson was a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets and in 1971 won a Gold Glove at shortstop for New York. He played for the Phillies in 1978 and 1979.
Lyle played with the New York Yankees from 1972 through 1978. In 1977, Lyle became the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. He played with the Phillies from 1980 - when they won their only World Series - until 1982.
Both Harrelson and Lyle played 16 seasons in the majors.
Lyle has been manager of the Patriots since the Atlantic League began in 1998. Harrelson began managing the Ducks in 2000 before moving to third base coach, where he's been for the last four years.
Lyle, the winningest manager in the league's brief history, recently signed a five-year contract extension.
The league has been able to draw fans who have come to watch players such as Henderson, Jose Canseco, Ruben Sierra and Jose Lima.
"In August, we will service our 10 millionth fan, and next year the league will expand its season from 126 to 140 games," Klein said. "We will also introduce the Lancaster Barnstormers, our new team."
The league has great expectations for next week's All-Star Game.
"Both teams have very good pitching staffs," Lyle said, "so this game should have a little bit of everything."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9101/82833624196.jpg
Somerset Patriots manager Sparky Lyle, his famous handlebar mustache silhouetted against a window, talks about life in the Atlantic League during a news conference at Campbell’s Field in Camden.
Posted on Thu, Jul. 08, 2004
A home away from the majors
The Atlantic League boosts some former big-league stars.
By Mark Lelinwalla
Inquirer Staff Writer
When they were in the major leagues, they traveled in style on team planes and played before big crowds in huge parks.
Now, well, they take the bus and play in tiny parks in smaller communities.
And - believe it or not - they love it.
"I could truly say that being a part of this team is the best thing I've done in baseball," said Bud Harrelson, a former shortstop for the Phillies, New York Mets and Texas Rangers.
These days, Harrelson, 60, is co-owner and third-base coach of the Long Island Ducks of the eight-team, independent Atlantic League.
While it may be small-scale, the Atlantic League is letting three former major-league notables - Harrelson, Sparky Lyle and Rickey Henderson - keep their love for baseball alive.
Harrelson and former relief pitcher Lyle, also an ex-Phillie, are content with their roles in the Atlantic League and say they have no intentions of returning to the majors.
"We're lucky to be in the situation we're in," Harrelson said. "I truly have my cake and eat it too."
Harrelson lives in Suffolk County on Long Island about 20 minutes and four miles from the Ducks' home field, Citibank Park.
"I feel young when I'm out coaching third base," he said. "I don't miss much about the majors, and I have no intentions to go back. I have children and grandchildren, and I don't want to leave my family alone."
Lyle, 59, said he feels the same way.
"I have no intentions or aspirations to go manage in the majors," said Lyle, who has twice won the manager of the year award and the Atlantic League championship with the Somerset Patriots. "I'm happy where I am."
Henderson, on the other hand, is working hard to land a spot on a major-league roster.
"It doesn't matter if I'm in the leadoff spot or DH, I just want to play in the majors again," said Henderson, baseball's all-time leader with 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs in 25 big-league seasons.
The three were joined by John Brandt, general manager of the Camden Riversharks, and Joe Klein, the executive director of the Atlantic League, yesterday at Campbell's Field in Camden to promote the Atlantic League All-Star Game.
The game will be Wednesday at Campbell's Field. Harrelson will manage the North team, and Lyle the South. Henderson, an outfielder for the Newark Bears, will play for the South.
And after all their years in baseball, "we still find all-star games exciting," said Henderson, the MVP of last year's game. "I play the game to excite fans."
At 45, Henderson is fighting hard to get back to the majors.
"I've accomplished everything a player could ever want to accomplish, but my heart and soul are still in the game," he said. "I want young players to use me as a sponge and soak up all the knowledge I have to offer."
In their playing careers, Harrelson and Lyle shared New York and Philadelphia connections. Harrelson was a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets and in 1971 won a Gold Glove at shortstop for New York. He played for the Phillies in 1978 and 1979.
Lyle played with the New York Yankees from 1972 through 1978. In 1977, Lyle became the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. He played with the Phillies from 1980 - when they won their only World Series - until 1982.
Both Harrelson and Lyle played 16 seasons in the majors.
Lyle has been manager of the Patriots since the Atlantic League began in 1998. Harrelson began managing the Ducks in 2000 before moving to third base coach, where he's been for the last four years.
Lyle, the winningest manager in the league's brief history, recently signed a five-year contract extension.
The league has been able to draw fans who have come to watch players such as Henderson, Jose Canseco, Ruben Sierra and Jose Lima.
"In August, we will service our 10 millionth fan, and next year the league will expand its season from 126 to 140 games," Klein said. "We will also introduce the Lancaster Barnstormers, our new team."
The league has great expectations for next week's All-Star Game.
"Both teams have very good pitching staffs," Lyle said, "so this game should have a little bit of everything."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9101/82833624196.jpg
Somerset Patriots manager Sparky Lyle, his famous handlebar mustache silhouetted against a window, talks about life in the Atlantic League during a news conference at Campbell’s Field in Camden.