By Will Martin
Friday morning came way to early. Especially when considering that some of the same people were seen leaving Dallas early in the morning after completion of the 2013 NBA Draft last Thursday night. Friday in Frisco was Training Day for the participants in Saturday’s Heroes Charity Baseball Game.
A tradition that was started by one time Dallas Star Mike Modano, the torch was passed onto Dirk Nowitzki in 2012.
Charles Barkley was your headliner last year. This year a trip down memory lane with two ex-Yankees with storied Hall-Of-Fame careers.
Goose Gossage and David Justice are the skippers for 2013. Gossage alone provided many a memory from 1978 through 1983 in the Bronx Zoo.
David Justice able to play for both the Yankees and Braves at one point being on many a World Series team before reaching Oakland. He was quite vocal about teaching a few people of the hardwood how to hit. David Justice still has a fire within when talking about the national pastime.
Before batting practice and fielding drills commenced we also heard from Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban about the way the draft from 12 hours earlier played out. Dirk also got quite animated when discussing how he saw Donnie Nelson handle three phones at once at the height of trade talks.
Because it wasn’t July 10th yet Mark Cuban was limited as to what could be discussed about a certain Laker who wanted out. Expect some animated meet and greets next week in Los Angeles sans the Shark Tank much less Shark Week. A little birdie in my head still thinks cap space will be an issue and Houston gets the final nod of approval. Time indeed will tell that tale.
Great to be back at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. The Double A affiliate of the Texas Rangers where (as I have always said) you get to enjoy ‘Tomorrow’s Rangers Today!’ Now in their 11th season the Roughriders and skipper Steve Buechele always keep the action going.
On hand for this morning’s training camp were Eddie Najera, JJ Barea, Michael Finley, Dirk, Mark Cuban, David Justice, Ben Grieve, Chandler Parsons, Devin Harris among others. The game itself will begin at 6:30 tomorrow night followed by a fireworks show.
Interesting to hear how Goose Gossage was never bothered by the heat in Texas 20 years ago. Equally great to hear David Justice refute claims in ‘Money Ball’ and the 2000 baseball season in New York.
