Wow, I just stumbled upon a horrific story in the Philadelphia Inquirer that links dangerous chemicals in the old Astroturf at Veteran's Stadium to 6 different Phillies dying of brain cancer.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq2/astroturf-vet-artificial-turf-pfas-forever-chemicals-glioblastoma-cancer-phillies-1980-20230307.html

Four guys who played in the 1980 World Series - Tug McGraw, John Vukovich, Ken Brett (George's brother) and Dan Quisenberry have all died of glioblastoma, along with more recent Phillies Darren Daulton and David West, who tied last year.

McGaw died at age 60.
Vukovich died when he was 59.
Brett, who ran triathlons after he retired, died at 55.
Former Rangers manager Johnny Oates, who played 2 seasons for the Phillies, died of gliobastoma at age 58
Quisenberry died at age 45..
West died at age 57.
Daulton died at age 55.

The Inquirer bought souveneir samples of the turf on Ebay, and had it tested - finding 16 different types of PFA "Forever Chemicals" that the EPA says "cause adverse health effects that can devastate families".

Monsanto.is the company that created the Turf. It also created Agent Orange that was used by the US during the Vietnam War.

Thanks for sharing this. I really miss those days when the All Star game really mattered to the players, and they played for the pride of winning.

Harry Dunne said:

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That's terrible. Think about all the people aside from the where affected over all those years. Grounds crew, stadium workers, etc.

The first bad sign was that the company pivoted from making agent orange to making turf.

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If that scares you then you should look into what they make now. From pesticides to seeds for farmers, they have been all over with their chemical stuff

I have to wonder if the field turf today is any better. Some of that stuff puts off a chemical smell when it is super heated in the summer Texas heat.

For those asking: the World Baseball Classic has no pitch clock or shift restrictions, so the Astros and Venezuela will play tonight under the "old" rules.

Luis Garcia did say last week he's going to keep using his new delivery in the WBC despite being allowed to rock the baby

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 8, 2023

Is this stuff on tv?

redline248 said:

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Is this stuff on tv?

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ATTSN carries the game tonight.

Big Al 1992 said:

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This is a great memory. There was a lot of Astro pride and bragging rights when JR made Reggie look silly at the plate. Less than 30 days after this he had his career shortening stroke. On my top 10 Astro list for sure. He was amazing 1978-80.

Houston #Astros pitcher J.R. Richard hurls two scoreless innings as the starting pitcher for the National League in the 1980 Major League All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium! ⚾️ #MLB #Legend #Baseball #History pic.twitter.com/j5k2nFvi7p

— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) March 7, 2023

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are we certain thats not the guy who plays The Candyman?

Thank you!

Dan Shedd said:

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Please welcome @DanOShedd to the Inside the Astros team! Here is his inaugural piece on Astros and Team Venezuela coach Omar Lopez!https://t.co/rFFwwWit1Z

— Inside the Astros (@InsideAstros) March 8, 2023

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Is your middle name orenthal?

Nope, it's Oliver

Astros-Venezuela pic.twitter.com/67jTxFYgJA

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 8, 2023

That's a legit top 3 of the lineup for Venezuela

That's what he starts with. It increases as the season progresses.

bearkatag15 said:

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Astros-Venezuela pic.twitter.com/67jTxFYgJA

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 8, 2023

That's a legit top 3 of the lineup for Venezuela

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I haven't reviewed the odds, but I would bet they have the 4th best odds. That team is legit.

Speaking of Alimber Santa, here’s the Astros prospect facing live batters in minor-league spring training: https://t.co/OBjXb2BsII pic.twitter.com/v3I3ryYRqb

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) March 8, 2023

One of my fav young Dominican arms

Quote:

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In the early 90s JR played in a lot of adult baseball leagues around Houston. I got to bat against him a few times. His velocity had dropped to low 90s which was hittable, but that dang slider was still completely unhittable. It wasn't the break, it was that it was really hard to pick up the spin out of his hand.

JR did have one pattern in these leagues... he would always throw his first pitch of the game right at the hitter's head to intimidate everyone. That first batter was always me. First time it happened he missed my chin by an inch or two, second time he got me in the arm. I had seam marks on my triceps for a week or so.

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As a mostly average guy I cannot for the life of me facing JR, especially knowing he was going to throw high and inside, and I don't care how old he was. And I was charged by a grizzly two years ago. I would take that any day over JR.

Haha!

I love the reaction of the guy in the bottom right when the hook lands in there for strike.

Santa article from last spring:

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Alimber-Santa-impresses-in-minor-league-camp-16987293.php

Only 19 years old. Velo has recently jumped into the mid 90s and can hit 100 on occasion.