But still there was a conflict with Weaver. It was a lot of fun because I was flexible enough to get around the field without pulling a muscle or breaking anything. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. They said they wouldnt pick up my option. Mar 28, 2014 - Rick Dempsey rain delay entertainment. Weaver enjoyed Soliloquy and came to enjoy even more the defensive skills Dempsey developed. Nobody in the Orioles dugout was laughing when it happened, but 16 years of hindsight have lightened the mood a bit. Cionel Prez contributed beyond our expectations in 2022. Well, there was one baseball left on the tarp, and I said to myself, I'm going to run out there and grab that baseball and get this whole stadium screaming. Oh, that Rick Dempsey. Ricky Dempsey, 64 Also known as Ricky Dempsy Ricky Demsey Ricky Demps Has lived in Gulf Breeze, FL Pensacola, FL Little River, AL Pace, FL Related to John Staley, 67 Karen Staley, 65 Kyle Staley, 39 Alicia Staley, 44 View Profile Ricky Dempsey, 37 Has lived in Mineola, TX Alba, TX Albert, TX Irving, TX Related to William Strebeck, 95 "Players Swap Memories of Yankees-Orioles 10-Player Trade", "Rick Dempsey Looks Back on his 24 Seasons as a Big League Catcher", 1979 American League Championship Series at Baseball Reference, Rick Dempsey post-season batting statistics, "Rick Dempsey: His Career Survives Fires of Combat", "You're Looking at One for the Ages Here", Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rick_Dempsey&oldid=1132443572, Florida Instructional League Twins players, American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela, World Series Most Valuable Player Award winners, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, September 23,1969,for theMinnesota Twins, September 27,1992,for theBaltimore Orioles, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 22:38. I wanted to manage for the Orioles and I talked to [general manager] Roland Hemond and the farm director to see where they could place me. During his career, which spanned from 1969-1992, Dempsey was known as one of the best defensive catchers in the game. Stewart, wearing Jim Palmer's jersey and a pair of tan underwear over his uniform pants, came out to the mound. [11][12] Dempsey posted a .385 batting average along with a .923 slugging percentage in the five-game series, and won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award, one of six catchers to have won the award. I didnt know anything about being by myself and being on the road but I made a lot of friends early on. The coaches thought I might run a four-minute mile by the time I was a senior but I said no, I wanted to be a right fielder when I was a junior.. Explore. $269.99. By Tuesday morning, it was a winter wonderland in Wilton, with 7 inches of snow recorded by 8 a.m., according to the National . Rick Dempsey is best remembered by some for his rain-delay antics and entertaining crowds with his impersonations of Babe Ruth. He was a yeller and a screamer and he beat the fundamentals of the game into you. The Orioles won 10-3. I think he and Brooks Robinson both had the same mother. Not dark, just different. 13, 1969In this rare footage, a glimpse into the inner workings of the Orioles clubhouse when Frank Robinson ran it -- and its Kangaroo Court. He was a one-man diversion during a rain delay. [1] He ended his career with a .988 fielding percentage. I went to Albuquerque and won a title and had two good years there. Whenever I think of Dempsey as a player, two memories come to mind: his rain delay routine and his 1983 World Series MVP. The downside is that he set my expectations too high for what I should reasonably expect of a catcher. Dave Skaggs #8 gets a hand from Eddie Murray #33 and Rick Dempsey #24 during the World Series at Three Rivers Stadium on October 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Orioles were 1-23 (yes, you read that right) at the time, having returned home to Fantastic Fan Night at Memorial Stadium after what was statistically the worst start in baseball history. It's a danceoff! Hes had that singular focus since he was a youngster growing up in California and starring in local Little and Pony Leagues. Stories about how he used to pull pranks on his teammates. Loved it! So, to pigeon-hole Dempsey as simply the guy who ran around in the rain would not do justice to someone who was one of baseballs most durable and dependable players for 24 seasons. Dempsey knew that he wanted to keep playing. He appeared in only 60 games and hit .177. It was great.. But Dempsey is also remembered as the man who turned rain delays. I declared myself safe, the crowd went nuts, and I walked off the field completely drenched. He is fairly certain Duprees recollection ends there too. Dempsey, 73, is semi-retired and living in California. [1] Dempsey & the Invisible Orioles Magic Band. He told my mother dont change the furniture in my room because Id probably be back in six weeks. Martin made quite the impression on the 19-year-old catcher, one that remains as vivid for Dempsey as it was 54 years ago. Daniel Okrent describes Dempseys efforts: He was an intense man, who concentrated mightily on the game. Now Dempsey as an "O's Extra" announcer? I got a little notoriety in Earl Weavers eyes, Dempsey said. Best coffee city in the world? Rick Dempsey Rain Delay Theater, Part I Sept. 30, 1977 A singular figure in Orioles lore, Dempsey remains beloved to this day as much for his personality as for his on-field accomplishments. He ended up hitting .304 in 19 playoff and World Series games for Baltimore. Trying to advance to second after driving in the tying and decisive runs in the seventh inning of Baltimores eventual 4-3 win over Oakland, Lowenstein was struck by Jeff Newmans throw in the back of the head. Dec 11, 2006 17,921. They knew that if anyone got in trouble, I was the one who was going to end up paying for the balls. I went into the managers office and said can you send me somewhere where I can get the opportunity to play? Dempsey was a darn good catcher too, mostly with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. In 1995, Dempsey worked as a field reporter for ABC's coverage of the All-Star Game from Texas.'. Advertisement If these rain-delay antics have a godfather, it is probably Rick Dempsey, the one-time Orioles catcher, who back in the early '80s brought out a comical home run trot around. Now, its too late for me to take a managing job. Dempsey was a backup plan for New York, then was sent to Baltimore in the big deal of '76. Dempsey is quick to admit that bettering himself in sports, not academics, was his main focus while attending Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino. Flashback Friday: Of Brother Lo and "Jesus Christ Around the Horn: Talkin' Baseball, From the Beltwa Jay Gibbons Makes His Pitch to Get Back in Baseball. Dempsey's play-acting during rain delays are still among my favorite memories of those Orioles years. He was mentioned again as a possible candidate for the Baltimore manager's job in 2010, after the firing of Dave Trembley. October 21, 2019 | 00:01:51 Rick Dempsey's famous bit in 1977 where he runs around the infield tarp during a rain delay in Fenway and then slides home Baltimore Orioles Season 2019 All the pitchers enjoyed having me behind the plate. 2 comments 70% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by level 1 drexhex 8 years ago See this video for more of Dempsey's rain delay antics 5 level 1 I like our ducks aresef 8 years ago Ask Dupree about Dempseys other side. Whenever I think of Dempsey as a player, two memories come to mind: his rain delay routine and his 1983 World Series MVP. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your browser doesn't support the HTML5 CANVAS tag. Get ready to take over the high seas with Rick Dempsey 1983 World Series MVP is taking over the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment the of the Sea for a 5-night cruise to Bermuda! I thought that was kind of cool, that he got so many different sections at Yankee Stadium involved in that. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? The Twins were impressed and put him on the 40-man roster before calling him up to the big club in September, allowing Dempsey to play for Billy Martin and watch as the Twins captured the newly formed American League West crown. No one liked you and most of the veterans were cold and didnt want to talk. It was a reaction, but what a punch. Nfl Colts. Rick Dempsey was born on the 13th of September, 1949. My brother [who was his ride] was a high hurdler so I became a miler on the track team and ran a 4:36 mile. It was really foreign to me, Dempsey said. Duration: 35s. He and Billy were a lot alike. Included in this is the famous Rick Dempsey. This is what were going to do, I told him. New team-record bonus as Orioles open 2023 international signing period, 2023 Orioles giveaways and promotions announced, Eight Orioles prospects among Baseball Americas top 100 list. The decade wasnt always great, though. With his players, and himself. Nfl Football Players. Earl Weaver was known for many things, among them his temper and penchant for getting ejected from ballgames. 5, 1989How about one that benefited the Orioles? He told me he gave that ball to the Hall of Fame. It seemed to Dempsey that the team was usually leading when Dupree came in and trailing by the time he came out. Hes still looking for work even though he says that being on the road with a team at any level these days is pretty much out of the question. Just opened in Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Dempsey's Brewpub and Restaurant! Early in June, on a late-night bus ride home to Bakersfield from Riverside, Dempsey held court for the first time. Dempsey was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 23, 1969, with the Minnesota Twins. Then, about halfway down the third-base line he would start his slide, which would hydroplane him down the tarp and across home plate, where he would call himself safe. Rick Dempsey and Dave Ginsburg co-authored a book called If These Walls Could Talk: Baltimore Orioles. iterated elimination of strictly dominated strategies calculator Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. After his playing career ended, Dempsey became a minor league manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers organisation, winning the 1994 Pacific Coast League championship with the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes. Available for purchase from the publisher, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Managing, he says, is like batting. Mike Hiserman is former Sports editor of the Los Angeles Times. At the 1980 winter meetings, while Harry Dalton was trying to sort out the complexities of his trade with St. Louis, Baltimore general manager Hank Peters told Whitey Herzog, We wouldnt trade Dempsey and [then backup] Dan Graham for Simmons even up. Meanwhile, the rest of the Oriole offense was generating enough runs to let Weaver, after platooning Dempsey with Graham in 1980, learn to live with Dempseys mild bat (Dempsey knew Graham was a good hitter, but also felt Danny couldnt catch his own butt with both hands). Im going to catch the last pitch and Im going to give you the ball.. Rick Dempsey Found 137 people in Texas, Florida and 44 other states. He assumed the bullpen coach position in the 2006 season, replacing Elrod Hendricks who the team intended to reassign to another position in the organization before his death. Even better than that were his rain delay antics. I was in the outfield at Fenway Park on Sunday, throwing baseballs to fans in the stands who were the loudest. This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. 10. Manager Earl Weaver #4 and catcher Rick Dempsey #24 of the Baltimore Orioles stands on the mound to make a pitching change during an Major League Baseball game circa 1982 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore became the first visiting team to win Games 3, 4 and 5 since 1961, when the New York Yankees did so vs. the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Which is why such a swing of emotions unfolded when Indians center fielder Brad Komminsk seemed to take a home run away from Ripken Jr. on this September night at Memorial Stadium, only to have his momentum carry him over the center-field wall. Got any funny rain delay stories? Instead, he chose to manage. Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up. He eventually came out and I said Im sorry Mr. Claire, I never give up on anything, dont make me do it now. On this night, Haller was wearing a microphone as part of his participation in a documentary about umpiring in the Major Leagues. Now Dempsey as an Os Extra announcer? He held it until the next day before the gag was exposed. Baseball Players. R ick Dempsey is best remembered by some for his rain-delay antics and entertaining crowds with his impersonations of Babe Ruth. [1] He played more games as a catcher than any other player in Orioles history (1230). Just when it appeared as if Dempsey began to heat up at the plate, he went 3-for-9 with four RBIs in the previous two games, he was bowled over by Kansas Citys Bo Jackson in a home-plate collision on July 21. On the franchise. One time in Toronto, one of the Blue Jays staffers called me and asked me to do it. Shed been hopping over railings to peck MLB stars for years, and had already planted lips on the likes of Fred Lynn, Steve Garvey, Nolan Ryan, George Brett, Don Mattingly and others. The competitive side. In celebration of Palmer's birthday, we present these 22 classic SI photos of No. Crazy things have happened during rain delays in the past (i.e.- Rick Dempsey), but this video might just put them all to shame. What does a successful 2023 look like for the Orioles best hitters? Rick Dempsey Scouting Report 30 HITTING 40 POWER 30 RUNNING 60 FIELDING 60 THROWING 20 = NOT MLB CALIBER 30 = WELL BELOW AVG 40 = Below Average 50 = MLB AVERAGE 60 = ABOVE AVG 70 = EXCELLENT 80 = RARE, ELITE Sudakis was traded to the Angels after the season. Storm Davis, John Shelby, and series MVP Rick Dempsey would reach the 1988 World Series, Davis with the Oakland Athletics and Shelby and Dempsey with the Los Angeles Dodgers . When I was a kid, 'This Week in Baseball' hosted by Mel Allen would occasionally. Rick Dempsey of the Baltimore Orioles at bat during a game from his 1985 season with the Baltimore Orioles. He speaks warmly about memories of attending drive-in movies with his parents and how, in between features, he was consumed with the highlights of Dodger games that were shown on the big screen. Max Power He is 43 now, and trying to remain patient. He has established a kangaroo court that levies fines on players for unacceptable actions. I was dragging three pieces of luggage and a hang up bag across the parking lot. 20; No. At Bakersfield. [1] Dempsey led American League catchers twice in fielding percentage, twice in baserunners caught stealing and once in assists. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It wasnt all bad for Dempsey, though. Think again, as Jim Palmer learned. I had to do it at least once at home. [7] He sometimes did this while wearing a pair of underpants over his uniform, making fun of teammate Jim Palmer's famous advertisements for Jockey brand briefs. Tommy [Lasorda] had a little heart attack around that time and there was a lot of speculation as to who would replace Tommy. "Everyone tells me that," he replied . [10], The highlight of his career came in 1983, when the Orioles won the American League Eastern Division pennant, then defeated the Chicago White Sox in the 1983 American League Championship Series, before winning the 1983 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. I loved everything about him, especially the way he would pick off every would be base-stealer. No wonder television wanted him. The place was packed because we were still playing for second place. He then went 2-for-12 in the ALCS against the White Sox, but then came the World Series. We were having a good time, but then it started to rain. Dempsey was let go in 2021 as part of the massive layoffs by MASN. He was one of the all-time nicest guys in the world. The Hall of Fame pitcher played all of his 19 years in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles, winning three World Series. Rick Dempsey always was a crowd favorite. Dempsey grabs the mic1986Dempsey turned his act musical in 1986, when he serenaded a rain delay crowd to Chuck Berrys classic Johnny B. Goode. Soon, Dempsey & the Invisible Orioles Magic Band was born, complete with Eddie Murray and Floyd Rayford on the drums, Mike Boddicker on bass and John Habyan and others handling backup vocals. Back in those days, even though they fined players for throwing balls into the grandstand, Sparky didn't care. Dempsey became the Orioles starting catcher in 1978 and held that position for a decade, helping the Orioles to the World Series in 1979 [they lost in seven games to Pittsburgh] and then again in 1983. In 14 World Series and 11 playoff games, he batted .303 (20-for-66) with 11 runs, 11 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBI, 1 stolen base and 7 bases on balls. [1] Dempsey was known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. Dempsey has been part of the game for nearly six decades, starting out as a Minnesota farmhand in the late 1960s before embarking on what proved to be a remarkable journey. Mike Bordick, Rick Dempsey On What 2020 Season Will Offer For Orioles PressBox. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020-2022 BallNine, llc. Weaver had history with Haller; years earlier, hed publicly said Haller shouldnt be allowed to call Tigers games because his brother, Tom, was their backup catcher. Questions, compliments, or complaints can be sent to Matthew Taylor at roarfrom34@gmail.com. They either dont hit, dont pitch, dont field or dont run the bases properly. He did get a pair of September callups but they were mere cameos. Thoughts from Brewers Nation or Is It "The Bre Flashback Friday: One of the "Forgotten Birds", Comeback Win No. 3. Attempting to score what wouldve been the tying run, Cust lost his footing not once, but twice, before he was tagged out inches away from the vacated plate, having tumbled face-first down in front of it. - 'Private cocktailParties - Pvt. Rick Dempsey was a catcher for 24 MLB seasons and MVP of the 1983 World Series in which the Orioles beat the Phillies. [1] He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1992, most prominently for the Baltimore Orioles where he played for 10 years and was a member of the 1983 World Series winning team. It ended when the second baseman and right fielder pulled up short on a fly ball between them. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The clubhouse is right underneath the seating section, so it was deafening when people starting kicking their feet in unison and yelling my name. Bakersfield is an equal-opportunity loser, having blown games in almost every way imaginable. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies after brain aneurysm, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring Bruins to national prominence, Hes taken the next step: How Boogie Ellis found his game as USCs point guard, Even after Gavin Lux injury, Andrew Friedman hints at patient approach with roster, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, Sheriff says, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Best coffee city in the world? The next time he would see Minnesota would be as a visiting player. It was a lot of fun. I didnt get to play baseball when I was a freshman or sophomore because I didnt have a way home. No, says Dempsey, a Crespi High graduate. He went to Spring Training with Baltimore in 1992 and didnt make the club, getting cut the last week of camp. I said, "Why would you want to do that? He felt that he still had the skill behind the plate to guide a pitching staff; it was just a matter of finding the right landing spot. The idea for a line of neckties, many characterized by vibrant colors and sheens, came directly from his work with MASN, where the on-air talent is expected to dress up and look sharp. Check resumes and CV, arrest records, social media profiles, public records, places of employment, publications, business records, photos and videos and news . It wasn't even really premeditated, but Sammy just thought of it at the spur of the moment, went on the field, and did it. Nfl Teams. They wanted me to stay but they said I wasnt going to play. I never wanted to be retired; it just worked out that way. Presenting an unusual Rick Dempsey bobblehead that talks and plays music.Rick Dempsey was the Baltimore Orioles' catcher from 1976 to 1986, and was well loved for his sense of humor. Soon after, his teammates arrived, quickly setting up a poker game. The work ethic that was so prevalent during Dempseys playing days remains. Consider his "rain delay theater" a blend of both, and one of the more famous comedy bits in MLB history. We had our share of arguments, too. 1 catcher for the Orioles through the 1986 season. Basketball Players. I remember turning toward him and he was right in my face, Dempsey says. 30, 1977A singular figure in Orioles lore, Dempsey remains beloved to this day as much for his personality as for his on-field accomplishments. Then, in the late 1980s, he moved over to play near his family's home in Agoura Hills, becoming a . One of baseball's great characters and the son of vaudevillians, Rick Dempsey was fond of stuffing towels under his jersey and doing an impression of Babe Ruth during rain delays. Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, A $150,000 executive protection dog? I used to go to all the semi-pro games in Los Angeles and they played for a guy who was a scout for the Minnesota Twins, Dempsey said. I yelled and screamed and Fred told me we want you to be Rick Dempsey and not Earl Weaver. Dempsey broke his thumb and missed the rest of the season. The incident earned him a one-game suspension from the league. I have my grammar school sweetheart and well be married 54 years in February. So, I said okay, Ill play for the worst team in baseball before I play for the Orioles., Former Baltimore Orioles player Rick Dempsey leads cheers between innings during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 9, 2014 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. He played for Billy Martin, Earl Weaver and Tommy Lasorda and, along with Tim McCarver and Carlton Fisk, is one of only three catchers to play in the Major Leagues in four decades [1969-92]. 4. I went to Fred Claires office. Dempsey has been a candidate for managerial openings with the Orioles in the past, as recently as 2003 when the Orioles interviewed him for the spot that eventually went to Lee Mazzilli. He then got the crowd to sing "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head." Whats interesting is that the idea to perform in the rain was actually Sparky Lyles and not Dempseys. [7] He became known for his exceptional ability to handle pitching staffs, his strong throwing arm, and for his agility behind home plate. For relief from baseball pressures, he would take it upon himself to be the club entertainer. Dempsey was one of the best defensive catchers in the latter half of the 20th century. Well, for that I think of him pronouncing Melky Cabrera's first name as "Milky." (Photo by: Ron Kuntz Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images). He still wanted to do it, but by that time, he was too old. All of a sudden, the people in the stadium started pounding on the grandstands with their feet. We dont make the big money yet.. [18] During his career, Dempsey caught ten different 20-game winning pitchers. One punch. These guys here are just babies. 8. Thanks for sharing your memories, Enchanting Sunshine. He was also named a first team NYPL all-star and lauded by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. John Rikard Dempsey (born September 13, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player. Within a week he crashed. Players would keep a box of crackers and cheddar cheese in the clubhouse . [2] After three and a half seasons with the Yankees, he was acquired along with Scott McGregor, Tippy Martinez, Rudy May and Dave Pagan by the Orioles for Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander, Elrod Hendricks, Grant Jackson and Jimmy Freeman at the trade deadline on June 15, 1976. Weaver wont go quietlySept. Your email address will not be published. Good thing the man has such a great sense of humor. Redskins. [19] Dempsey fared well offensively in postseason play. No matter the ball remained secured in Komminsks glove; his body landed outside the field of play, and Ripken was rewarded with a home run all the same. After that, the fans didnt want to leave, it was incredible. Rick Dempsey played for 24 years, with 3. He played both ends of a doubleheader the next day. Dupree crumpled to the dirt in a heap, several bones in his face fractured. Finally, using his best Mexican bandito accent, he ordered the men to drop their money on the table and leave the room. The end, however, was near. He started the 1976 season as Munsons backup but was dealt to Baltimore in a blockbuster deal on June 15 that also saw Tippy Martinez, Rudy May, Scott McGregor and Dave Pagan headed to the Os in exchange for Doyle Alexander, Ken Holtzman, Grant Jackson, Jimmy Freeman and Elrod Hendricks. During a delay in the UConn-USF game, during the Big East Tourney, both teams decided to take to the field and potentially "serve" the other squad. Later in 2006, he became the first base coach again when the team reassigned Dave Cash. Now that is entertainment! Then I met Bo Jackson at home plate. Which leads to this piece on Rick Dempsey's rain-delay entertainment: Sudakis got upset and wasnt about to start anything with Munson so he sought out Dempsey on the plane and began to yell at him about who the real backup catcher was, ultimately stabbing Dempsey in the chest with a fork. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images), A PITSTOP ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER WORLD SERIES. Dempsey had become a Dodger coach for those two years, and he was hanging out atop the dugout steps before the game. JCizzle Member. Former MASN analyst Rick Dempsey, who had worked on the Orioles' pre- and postgame shows since 2007, admits the ballclub's decision to move on from him as part of the cuts at MASN "is. We got to the World Series and I caught the last pitch and gave him the ball. Dempsey spent all of 1974 with the Yankees, serving as Munsons backup for most of that time. In the new book If These Walls Could Talk: Baltimore Orioles, Dempsey and writer Dave Ginsburg share this and many otherbehind-the-scenes stories about the team. Pictures of a book signing event at Barnes & Noble in Bel Air featuring former Baltimore . There was a chopper to the mound and he was on third and Im thinking I cant block this guy. It was Cal Ripken Jr. who said, You can be a kid for as long as you want when you play baseball. And in the end, isnt that what the game is all about? The team was flying to Milwaukee from Cleveland and Munson and a few other players were chiding Sudakis on the flight about Dempsey being the true backup catcher. I picked up the ball and didn't throw it because I wanted everyone there to start singing along with the song. He also appeared in six games for the Yankees before embarking on a journey that would last another 18 years in the Major Leagues. List of Major League Baseball players who played in four decades, 100 Best Percentage of Baserunners caught stealing 1956-2007, Catcher Encyclopedia, "For Catchers, The Name of the Game is Defense", "Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame at MLB.com", Orfalea, Gregory. -- Excerpted by permission from If These Walls Could Talk: Baltimore Orioles by Rick Dempsey with Dave Ginsburg. He was very outspoken and he told me just hustle and play hard for me every day and youll have nothing to worry about. 16, 2003Remember Cust, the left-handed slugger who had a productive four-year run with Oakland in the late 2000s? Duprees glove skinned Dempseys cheek. I used to listen to him and Jim Palmer battling. Rick Dempsey rain delay entertainment. Should the teams play become exceedingly sloppy, Dempsey might occasionally launch into a postgame tirade, but he prefers to instruct rather than belittle his players. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. I wasnt sleeping too good, trying to think of ways to get us going.