McNamara's Blog

  Robert “R.J.” Reynolds  More interested in basketball, Robert Reynolds never played a high school varsity baseball game. While attending community college in 1979, Robert’s coaches talked him into baseball, and two years later he was the starting center fielder and most valuable player for Jerry Weinstein’s Sacramento City College Panthers. He was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ second round draft pick in 1980 and was signed by the great Ronnie King who drove him to his first rookie ball game in Lodi. The following year he was given the nickname “R.J.” in Vero Beach by his manager because of the multitude of Roberts on the team. He will answer to Robert, Bob, or “R.J.”, just don’t call him Bobby. 1983 was a great year for Robert as he tore through Texas League pitching, batting .337 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI’s, and 43 stolen bases. The Dodgers called him up, and he joined fellow Sacramento residents Steve Sax and Dusty Baker for the stretch run. Robert played three even...

 Dion James If you grew up around Land Park in the mid to late 70’s, it was impossible not to be familiar with Dion James. Legions of neighborhood kids would ride their bikes around town looking to see where Dion was playing that day. Under the great youth coach Al Simas, in the Fruitridge Babe Ruth League, Dion was already attracting scouts. Coach Simas said: “He’s only 16-years old, but the pros would sign him right now if they could.”  Dion attended McClatchy High School and from the moment Coach Bernie Church saw him play, he knew that he had a special player. Comparisons were made to Rowland Office, a former McClatchy standout, who spent 11 seasons in the big leagues. Coach Church remembers that Dion possessed everything that a scout looks for: speed, arm strength, and the ability to hit for power. Dion’s senior year at McClatchy was spectacular. He hit .397, leading the Lions to a Metro title and a deep playoff run. Dion not only made the All-Metro team in Sac...

  Ricky Jordan  In the spring of 1983 just before the start of the baseball season, Grant coach Mike Alberghini convinced his prized student athlete Ricky Jordan that baseball, rather than football, was the right sport for his future. “Ricky”, the decorated coach counseled, “There are little defensive backs out there who will take your knees right out.” Ricky took the advice and had a monster senior year hitting .356 with 4 home runs and 43 RBI’s. He made the All-City team and was the 22nd overall pick in the 1983 MLB draft. Ricky had a number of college offers, but the infamous scout Eddie Bockman made a nice offer on behalf of the Philadelphia Phillies, and soon Ricky was off to Butte, Montana in the Pioneer League. Ricky quickly established himself as one of the organization’s top prospects as he climbed the ladder towards the majors. In 1987 Rickey hit .318 with 16 home runs and 95 RBIs. In 1988 he was called up to the Phillies. Few players have ever enjoyed a mo...

 J.P. Howell Reflecting back on J.P. Howell’s senior season at Jesuit, Coach Joe Poltuny said: “I will never coach another player that will dominate the way J.P. did in 2001.” He was a free spirit on campus, and he kept his teammates loose, while racking up every honor available. Leading the Marauders to a Section Championship, J.P. was 10 and 0, with 155 strikeouts over 155 innings. He was 3 and 0 in the playoffs with a record 19 strikeouts against Del Campo. His ERA for the 2001 season was 0.09. Cal-Hi Sports named him player of the year, and that magical summer continued when he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round. Coach Joe continued: “I may have helped him with his fast ball, but that curve ball was a gift from God.”  Choosing the college route, J.P. was a two-year All American at The University of Texas winning 25 games against only 4 defeats. He led the Longhorns to two College World Series appearances and was the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year ...

  Timothy Busfield  The Sacramento Smokeys, led by their infamous manager Larry Manuian, used to hold workouts on the classic old diamond at Stanford Park on 27th between B and C Streets. One day, a redhaired, slightly built actor wandered over from the nearby B Street Theater and asked Larry if he could throw batting practice. Larry looked him over, sized him up, and said no. But the red head persisted and told Larry that he had played semi-pro baseball since he was 16 years old. Finally, the venerable manager conceded and asked: “Do you have a cup, kid?” “Yeah, I have a cup, Skip”, answered Timothy Busfield and thus began his nine-year career as a starting pitcher for the Sacramento Smokeys. Often facing batters 10 to 15 years his junior, and with a fast ball in the low 80’s, Timothy was able to change speeds and keep the youngsters off balance. Butch Metzger, the 1976 Rookie of the Year winner with the San Diego Padres, was often called to finish Timothy’s games. ...

  Taylor Duncan  Taylor Duncan was one of the finest athletes to ever come out of Sacramento. He was a three-year varsity starter at shortstop for Grant High School, earning KFBK/Sacramento Bee All-Star status in 1970 and 1971. During his senior year, Taylor stole 26 bases, drove in 23 runs, and finished the season with a league leading .514 average. Future baseball star, Robert “R.J.” Reynolds remembers shagging batting practice balls for Taylor and his good friend and teammate Leon Lee. Robert said: “These guys were only 17 years old, but to us young kids, they were men. Grown men.” Taylor was the tenth overall pick in the 1971 draft by the Atlanta Braves, and he tore through rookie ball with a blistering .446 average until a horrific injury on July 4th paused his meteoric quest for the big leagues. Taylor never gave up, and he eventually reached the majors in 1977 with the St. Louis Cardinals. The following year, he signed with the Oakland A’s and hit .257 as a uti...

 Stan Hack  Stan played third base for Sacramento High School, graduating in 1926. After gaining recognition for his stellar winter league play, Stan signed with the hometown Sacramento Solons in 1931 and went on to hit .351. Later that year his contract was sold to the Chicago Cubs, and he would call Wrigley Field home for the next 16 years. His Hall of Fame worthy career included 2,193 hits, 5 All-Star appearances, and a lifetime batting average of .301. With Stan manning the third sack, the Cubs appeared in 4 World Series contests where he would have a career postseason average of .348. He was also one of the finest defensive third basemen in history and he played the game with such unbridled joy that he was known as “Smilin’ Stan!”  Stan Hack finished his baseball career in the dugout, managing the Cubs and later the St. Louis Cardinals. Stan was just as popular in Chicago as he was in Sacramento. Upon retirement in 1947 he was voted the “All-time favorite C...