Cubs clinging to the best record in baseball

Major League Baseball


The Chicago Cubs are clinging to the best record in baseball.

At 62-41, the Cubs own a .602 winning percentage as we finish up July today and head into August tomorrow.

Not too far behind: The Washington Nationals at 61-43 (.587).

Over in the American League, it's the Texas Rangers (61-44) and the Cleveland Indians (59-42) battling for the top spot.

As for my Arizona Diamondbacks, my goodness entrenched in last place in the NL West with a dismal 43-61 record. The Diamondbacks' management and the coaches are all ready looking to 2017.

The big question for  baseball fans: Can the Cubs get it done? We'll see.

62 games left for the Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks


The first 100 games are in the books and it's the same old story for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Arizona is in the middle of a four-game series in Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks have lost the first two games with the Brewers and are a dismal 1-4 on their 10-game road trip, which concludes with games tomorrow and Thursday in Milwaukee and then a three-game series in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks are now 41-59 with 62 games remaining in their season. They are 24-24 on the road and at home a dismal 17-35.

It's going to be tough down the stretch for Chip Hale and the boys.

Team Blue has Team White singing the blues

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team Blue jumped out to a 7-2 lead after two innings of play and had Team White singing the blues the rest of the way en route to a 15-8 win today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game.

Dennis Crowley, a lefty, went the distance for Team Blue to pick up the win in a game which lasted two hours and six minutes with the temperature hovering around 100 degrees.

Doc Thompson led the way for Team Blue with three hits in four trips to the plate and drove in seven runs, while teammate Archie Burke drove in three runs without the benefit of a hit. Mike Steele, playing in his last game this summer, went 3 for 4 -- including a triple, and caught the entire game behind the plate for Team White. Pigpen Price went 2 for 4 with three RBI and Jesse Ochoa knocked in three runs as well for Team White. Ochoa was on base all four times, going 1 for 1 with three walks.

The Team White pitching staff struggled through out the game. Ochoa started the game, but gave way to Price with two outs in the second inning. Ochoa was charged with seven runs and Price allowed eight runs in his 4 1/3 innings of work.

As for Steele, a school teacher, it's been an enjoyable summer on the ball field. "I love playing with the guys. It's been fun." As a member of the TOTS, it's not unusual to have a roster with players who still work for a living or are winter visitors and get to play only from October to April.

As for Price, who has pitched twice in one week. "i'm going to go home and rest my arm."

One thing is for sure, the TOTS will be back in action next week no matter what the temperature is.

Go, TOTS!

Photos: 1)Mike Steele 2) Doc Thompson 3) Archie Burke

Diamondbacks hit the road

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks are now 15 games below .500 at 40-55.

The Diamondbacks lose two more at home, falling to Toronto 5-1 on Tuesday and 10-4 today.

They head out of town for a 10-game road trip -- three games in Cincinnati, four in Milwaukee and three in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

Just no good news to report.

Archie Bradley gets the start in Cincinnati on Friday.

Newcomers take the mound

Tucson Old Timers 

60-and-over baseball

Three newcomers on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) took the mound today at Udall Park. The trio, toeing the rubber for the first time for the 60-and-over baseball club, pitched well and offered their new teammates a sign of what's to come.

Pete Maldonado, who hails from Bronx, New York, pitched a complete game for Team Blue en route to a very competitive 9-5 win over Team White, which went with two 60-year-old players, right-hander John Mathews, a product out of Tucson Flowing Wells High School, and Reed Palmer, a Tucson resident who grew up in Portland, Oregon.

Mathews gave way to Palmer in the fourth inning. Palmer bats left handed but pitches right handed. "My dad taught me how to do that," Palmer said proudly, after the game.

Today, it was Maldonado who showed the most control. "I've pitched before," he said. Back in New York in the "old days" -- that is. Maldonado is the shortest of the trio at five feet, eight inches, while Mathews is 6 feet, 2 1/2 and Palmer is the tallest of the trio at six feet, five inches. He looks a little like Randy Johnson when he toes the rubber.

Things are looking up for the overworked TOTS' pitching staff.

Today, slammin' Bobby Stofft went 2 for 3 and drove in a run for Team Blue, while Pigpen Price and Mathews knocked in two runs apiece for Team White.

The TOTS will close out their weekly games with a game on Friday. The first pitch will get underway at 9 a.m.

Photo: Bobby Stofft went 2 for 3 and drove in a run for Team Blue today.

Aces pound Rattlers

60-and-over Tucson Aces

The 60-and-over Tucson Aces strung together 18 hits -- four of them for extra bases, en route to a 15-7 win over the Arizona Rattlers today at Mission Manor Park.

Lefty Dennis Crowley pitched all seven innings for the Aces to pick up his first pitching victory with the club. After a shaky start in the bottom of the first inning when the Rattlers plated five runs, Crowley regrouped and allowed just two runs the rest of the way.

Lloyd Barzell went 3 for 4 and drove in four runs for the Aces, while Pete Peters went 3 for 3 -- including a two-run double. Newcomer John Mathews also doubled and Tim Tolson tripled.

The Aces will be back in action on July 19, when they take on the Old Pueblo Club.

Photo: Dennis Crowley, picks up the pitching victory today at Mission Manor Park.

Another homer by a newcomer

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

For the third time in 12 days a newcomer has homered in a Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game.

Playing in his first game, 60-year-old Reed Palmer hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning today at Udall Park. Palmer hit the second pitch off right-hander Lloyd Barzell over the fence in straight-a-way center.

Team Blue centerfielder Dennis Crowley said, "I knew the ball was out of here as soon as he hit it."

Team Blue won the game today 11-5 and also received a round-tripper from Tim Tolson. Thunder Tim has been the "reigning" TOTS' home run hitter for the past four years, but now he has company.

On July 6, newcomer John Mathews, 60, hit a homer over the left field fence and two days later newcomer Philip Sallee, 60, drilled a shot over the right field fence.

Barzell notched the win today as he went the distance on the mound for Team Blue while Pigpen Price, once again, struggled in the first inning for Team White -- allowing five runs. Boyd relieved Price in the fifth. Team White finally got the bats going in the final inning and scored four runs -- highlighted by the newcomer's blast to the deepest part of the ball park at Udall.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday. Game time 9 a.m.

Man from Sweden wins The Open

The Open

The man from Sweden, Henrik Stenson, fires a 63 on the final day of The Open in Troon, Scotland, to beat Phil Mickelson by two stokes to grab the Claret Jug. It was a two-man race all the way to the final hole, capped off by a Stenson birdie to close it out.

Mickelson was superb as well over the four days, but he couldn't overcome Stenson, who started the day with a one stroke lead and finished his final round with 10 birdies.

Hats off to Stenson. As for Phil, you were great as well!

Mickelson slips slightly

The Open

Phil Mickelson slipped slightly on Day 3 at The Open.

But not much.

Mickelson shot a 1-under-par 70 today and is one stroke back of Henrik Stenson.

It's possible someone in the back of the pack could make a run on Sunday, but unlikely. It's a two-man show down the stretch.

American Bill Haas is in third place, six shots of the pace.

Go, Phil!

Mickelson holding on to a one stroke lead at Troon

The Open


Phil Mickelson backed up his first day 8-under-par 63 with a 2-under-par 69 on Day 2 and holds on to a one stroke lead at 10-under in Troon, Scotland.

Mickelson on fire at The Open with an opening round 63

The Open

Phil Mickelson fires an 8-under-par 63 in the opening round of The Open in Troon, Scotland.

Mickelson ties the best round in majors history and he enjoys a three-shot lead, heading into Day 2. His final putt, which would have broken the record, lipped out at the 18th hole.

Way to go, Phil!

Scorekeeper Extraordinaire

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

We lost our scorekeeper in 2015. Jim Pagels showed up three days a week, opened the scorebook and with a giant smile recorded every play on the field for the Tucson Old Timers.

Pagels passed away during the winter of 2015 and finding a replacement wouldn't be easy, but up stepped Mal Zwolinski. Mal turns 79 in October and a hand full of physical ailments keeps him off the playing field, but it certainly doesn't keep his mind off the game as he's become PAGELS 2. Showing up every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Mal grabs his spot in the dugout, finds his trusty pencil and does his duty for the next two to three hours,

Way to go, Mal!

A TOT since 2006, Mal spent his "working days" as an educator.

His life started out rather quietly. A hard-throwing pitcher in high school, Mal won 19 games in his prep career. His next stop, the University of New Hampshire. That made a lot of sense, since Mal was born and raised in Winchester, NH. He received his "first" degree in 1959, but that was just the beginning. He went to Yale University and another degree in 1961. And his education didn't end there as Mal moved West, to Tucson, and received yet another degree at the University of Arizona in 1965.

But this time, Mal stayed put -- for close to 40 years! His field of expertise: Foresty. He became a professor at Arizona and went on to become an expert on the ecological effects of fire.

Now we have our scorekeeper, a worldly scholar -- our SCOREKEEPER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Photo: Mal

Team White edges Team Blue, 4-3

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Ted Davis slammed a one-hopper off the glove of third baseman Jesse Ochoa today at Udall Park in the bottom of the fourth inning to break a 3-3 tie and Team White edged Team Blue 4-3 in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Lefty Dennis Crowley picked up the win and Doc Thompson was saddled with the loss.

It was another hot one on the ball field, despite the TOTS early start. The fast game concluded at 11 a.m., but the temperature had already reached 100 degrees.

Despite the heat, the TOTS will be back in action on Friday with a 9 a.m. start.

American League beats National League 4-2 in MLB All-Star Game

2016 MLB All-Star Game


Eric Hosmer and Sal Perez, both members of the Kansas City Royals, homer tonight as the American League wins 4-2 over the National League in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.

Hosmer was named the MVP.

The only Arizona Diamondbacks' player, Paul Goldschmidt, went 0 for 3 tonight.

Lamb, Goldschmidt, Segura and Greinke when healthy only bright spots for D'backs after 90 games.

Arizona Diamondbacks


Jake Lamb -- 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 7 triples

Paul Goldschmidt -- 15 home runs, 58 RBI,  on-base percentage .417, stolen bases 11

Jean Segura -- hits 110, stolen bases 15 and a .311 batting average

Zack Greinke -- W 10  L  3  (on injured list)


That sums it up. The team leaders for the Arizona Diamondbacks (38-52)

Let's hope for a better second half. Look for Goldy to push his stats up in the final 72 regular season games. Lamb as well. Here's hoping Segura continues his top-notch performance at the lead off position...and we need Greinke back.

Go, Diamondbacks!

Tolson's walk-off single gives Team White a win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson singled to center in the bottom of the sixth inning and drove in the winning run to give Team White a 4-3 walk-off win at Udall Park this morning in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game.

A very competitive oldtimers' game as 26 players saw action. Team Blue had a chance to take the lead in the top of the sixth, thanks to a two-out triple from newcomer Phil Sallee, but Dan Lundwall hit a line drive right back at pitcher Tim Boyd for the final out. Boyd went the distance and picked up the victory, while Lloyd Barzell was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

Pigpen Price had a good day at the plate for Team Blue with two hits and a couple of RBI. With 13 players batting in both lineups, most of the players received just two at bats.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday.

Photos: Thunder Tim Tolson and Pigpen Price.

Bumgarner blanks Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks

The San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks are heading in different directions.

Madison Bumgarner allows one hit tonight in San Francisco -- a single by Jake Lamb, and the Giants beat the Diamondbacks 4-0 and sweep the three-game series. Bumgarner goes the distance and strikes out 14 Diamondbacks.

The Giants now have the best record in baseball at 57-33 and sit atop the NL West, while the Diamondbacks are in the cellar with a dismal 38-52 record.

Diamondbacks 38-51 with one game left before all-star break

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks have lost two games (6-2, 4-2) to the Giants in San Francisco and will play one more tomorrow as Archie Bradley takes the mound. The Diamondbacks are 38-51 and will head into the all-star break in last place in the National League West.

The poor Diamondbacks are reeling.

Team White edges Team Blue, 8-6

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The "new blood" on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) are making their presence  known at Udall Park this week.

On Wednesday, newcomer John Mathews, 60, received his cap and proceeded to hit a home run over the left field fence and today, playing in his first game, newcomer Philip Sallee, 60, hit a towering solo homer, just inside the right field foul pole for Team Blue.

Despite the homer by Sallee, Team Blue fell to Team White 8-6 today. Pigpen Price was saddled with the loss, while Bob Daliege pitched all six innings for Team White to pick up the pitching victory.

The TOTS will be back in action on Monday. Game time 9 a.m.

Steele, Reilly, Peters top hitters for TOTS in June

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Mike Steele, Brian Reilly and Pete Peters recorded the top batting averages for the month of June.

Steele went 15 for 27 for a .556 average, Reilly went 16 for 29 for a .552 average and Peters had the most hits for the month with 17 singles in 31 at bats, a .548 batting average. Steele had the most walks among all the players with six.

Other top hitters with a minimum of 11 games played included Lloyd Barzell at .469 (15 for 32). Jesse Ochoa at .462 (12 for 26), while Tim Tolson, who hit the only home run for the month, went 14 for 23, a .609 average in nine games and Bob Daliege, also in nine games, went 11 for 22 for an even .500 batting average.

Reilly, Barzell and Peters tied for the most runs scored with 13 apiece.

Pigpen Price knocked in the most runs for the month with 12, while Tolson finished second with nine.

Leading the way in the 80-and-over group, was 90-year-old Floyd Lance, who played in all 12 games for the month and batted .286 (8 for 28 and four walks). Doc Thompson led all pitchers for the month with a 2-1 record.


Photos: (top) Mike Steele, (middle) Brian Reilly, (bottom) Pete Peters.

Arizona a dismal 15-32 at home

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks are now a dismal 15-32 at home.

Overall, the Diamondbacks are 38-49. They salvage just two wins during their recent nine-game home stand. Now, it's off to San Francisco for a three-game series, beginning with the opener on Friday.

Jake Lamb leads the Diamondbacks with 20 home runs and 61 RBI. Just maybe he'll be a late addition to the NL All-Star roster and join teammate Paul Goldschmidt.

Mathews hits first homer for TOTS

Tucson Old Timers

60-and-over baseball

Newcomer John Mathews, 60, received his TOTS' cap today at Udall Park and celebrated by hitting his first home run -- a line drive over the left field fence -- as Team Blue beat Team White, 8-3.

Mathews went 2 for 3, Brian Reilly went 3 for 3, while Mike Steele and Pete Maldonado banged out two hits apiece for the winning team.

Doc Thompson picked up the pitching victory, while Lloyd Barzell took the loss. Pete Peters went 2 for 2 for the losing team.

It was the first game for the TOTS after a hand full of rainouts.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday. Game time 9 a.m.

A break from baseball...

Tucson Old Timers

60-and-over baseball


I'm taking a break from baseball. Just for a few days. I hope!

Our ball field is under water.

By the way, it's my birthday. Drove to the ocean for a few days. Left my mitt behind.

Look what I found...