San Diego Padres

I saw that December 26 is Ozzie Smith's 67th birthday. That brought to mind the fact that it was 40 years ago that Cardinal fans got the best early Christmas present ever. EV-ER.

Last week the baseball world was spinning with word that free agent Manny Machado had signed a 10-year contract with the San Diego Padres for $300-million.

The years were 2003 and 2004 when Adam Rosales was pursuing his dream of playing Major league Baseball with a summer stopover in Quincy playing for the Quincy Gems.

Brother Ed Arambasich, the Quincy Fire Department Chaplain, is hosting as fundraising bus trip to Busch Stadium in St. Louis to see the Cardinals host the San Diego Padres on Thursday, August 14.

Friday is Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark as the Quincy Gems play host to the Military All-Stars at Q.U. Stadium. The Military All-Star team was founded by President George H. Bush to promote the Wounded Warrior Program in the United States.

Having played baseball for some 26 years, I still feel like I can put the catchers gear on and get behind the plate again. As a matter of fact, the Quincy Gems have asked me to do just that for an exhibition game this summer. I still haven't agreed to that one yet, but I would love to.