SABR Convention: Friday

It seems to me that Friday is the most fun day of a SABR Convention. There’s the following up with friends made on Thursday, everyone has arrived, more research presentations, the player panels are held, the game is taken in, and the brew crews get their first legit night out.  

Having been to our fair share of games at Camden Yards, I declined the O’s-Red Sox game.  But I got a close seat to the player panel, which started at 1030.  Not so much for Rick Dempsey, who was colorful and entertaining in his own right, but mostly for Frank Howard, the tall drink of water who crushed a home run at a summer game at RFK back in the late 60s, a game that was my first in the big leagues.  

The player panels are always a big draw, but this one seemed especially warm because Howard is such a beloved figure in Washington.    The guy is a natural people person and a great story-teller.   Dempsey is beloved too in these parts, and was able to brag on the World Series he helped win in Baltimore in 1983.  

George Michael, brash as ever, emceed the event.   Dempsey said he used greenie uppers one time and didn’t like them.   Howard seemed sympathetic towards steroid users but also said the record book should have an “asteroid.” (Quote of the convention!)  Dempsey was more towards keeping players like McGwire out.  

Lots of ground covered.  It did get too old school, fundamentals win ball games, syrupy at times, but all in all, the hour and a half was the highlight of the convention for me.   The standing room only crowd gave them a rousing ovation.

At noon, I took in Steve Treder’s research presentation on Value Production Standings, 1946-2008.   Steve writes at the Hardball Times and is a Giant fan.  I spoke briefly with him after his talk.   

After a $7 sandwich from the catering they brought in, and some more baseball chatter, I came back home.   

From reading Cecilia Tan’s post, it looks like those who went to the game had a good time.  The SABR gang were part of 44,091 at Camden with the Red Sox prevailing 6 to 5.   The storms moved off quickly so by game time the all clear sign was given.  Cecilia’s tweet said they had great weather and a “gorgeous sunset.” 

There’s still the banquet today and the Negro Leagues panel, but that’s it for me.   Roberta has listened to my convention stories but now it’s time for us to do some things together this weekend.   

I had a great time these past four days.   I don’t think SABR39 was the best convention ever, but from what I saw and heard, everyone had a great time and it will stand as one of the best.   

Now it’s time to catch up with the trade analysis, get back to the playing fields and anticipate what history will be made in the rest of this season.  

Note:  The man standing in the photo is Dave Smith who founded Retrosheet.

 

Comments

[Cecilia Tan]

Hi Jay! Ran across your site while Googling something just now! Thanks for the shout out. I'll link back to you in tonight's post on Why I Like Baseball about the convention.