Louisville Bound

I enjoyed last year’s Malloy Conference so much that I decided to be a presenter.

For years, I looked forward to attending my first Jerry Malloy Negro Leagues Conference. I had read The Soul of Baseball, visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and listened to Bob Kendrick’s podcast called Black Diamonds. As many of you know, I finally made it last year with a big planning assist from my brother. At the banquet on the final night in Cooperstown, I felt such a strong sense of belonging among the attendees and vowed it would not be my last conference.

Earlier this year, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) announced that the 2025 event would be held during August in Louisville, Kentucky. I decided to submit a presentation proposal to organizer Leslie Heaphy and was ultimately accepted as a speaker. I felt a rush of excitement as I read the news and began putting together material for my talk. I ultimately chose John Beckwith, an incredible hitter who was briefly mentioned during a talk by Rich Puerzer at the Cooperstown conference.

While perusing the conference schedule, I noticed that it was full of fun activities in addition to the research forum and 12 lectures. Attendees will be treated to a baseball documentary screening, Louisville Slugger bat factory tour, and Louisville Bats baseball game. I’m also looking forward to a presentation at the Roots 101 African American Museum hosted by Gary Gillette. I was fortunate enough to meet him in Cooperstown and his perspectives are always illuminating. A documentary film screening and trip to the Muhammad Ali Center round out the festivities.

I related some Brea baseball history in the last piece but didn’t want to neglect a local college program that has gained national fame over time. The Cal State Fullerton Titans have called nearby Goodwin Field home since 1992, although the program dates back to 1965. Back in January, even seeing this statue of legendary coach Augie Garrido made me wish I could duck into a game.

Instead, I busied myself reading Bill Pennington’s Chumps to Champs, an enjoyable overview of how the Yankees dynasty beginning in the mid-‘90s came to be. When owner George Steinbrenner was temporarily exiled from baseball activities, executive Gene Michael laid the groundwork for championship teams by refusing to trade the likes of Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and #51 Bernie Williams who is honored with a sign at my barber shop.

Another offseason activity I enjoyed was attending Anaheim Ducks Day on January 24. At Downtown Disney outside of the Disneyland Park, several Ducks alumni including Ryan Miller and Emerson Etem were on hand to greet fans and discuss hockey as part of a moderated discussion.

Dorina and I chatted up Kent Huskins, a 2007 Stanley Cup Champion and my barista for a time at Huskins Coffee in Santa Ana. I used to walk into his shop and talk about the latest free agent signings while he prepared my lavender latte. Now Huskins has expanded to locations like his store on the Balboa Peninsula which we recently visited, but I’ll never forget those mornings.

I have never attended an NHL All-Star Game, but the Coachella Valley Firebirds hosted this year’s AHL event at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.

I attended the February 2 Skills Competition and posed with the Calder Cup before watching events like the Hardest Shot and even appearances by a variety of mascots. It wasn’t exactly like the Calder Cup Finals action I have witnessed there in prior seasons, but I was still entertained. The Eastern Conference came away with a 19-13 victory.

Afterward, I walked down to the bench area hoping to nab an autograph of Ducks forward prospect Sam Colangelo of the San Diego Gulls. Dylan Garand and Matt Belzile were also on hand from the Hartford Wolf Pack who are affiliated with the New York Rangers organization.

Despite the crowds, I managed to meet Andrew Poturalski of the San Jose Barracuda who is beloved locally for his earlier years with the Firebirds. He went on to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player after posting 30 goals and 43 assists.

Of course I miss baseball during the offseason, but here I sit reminiscing about the winter while preparing for my big moment in August. When things get a little hectic, it’s nice to order a seaside coffee and think about all the fun that’s headed your way soon.