Toronto.– Dominican Tony Fernandez was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday.
Tony Fernandez's first scheduled start in the minors was not an indicator of
how his career would unfold.
"Tony went for a walk, didn't show up at the hotel until half an hour after
we left," said Epy Guerrero, the scout who signed Fernandez and accompanied him
from the Dominican Republic to the Jays single-A Kinston affiliate in 1981.
"Fred Manrique played short since Tony was late. Then I hit him, with my tongue,"
Guerrero explained of the tongue-lashing he gave the
19-year-old. "My No. 1 rule: Be on time."
Fernandez was on time after that and today he will be the headliner of the
four inductees into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys. Fernandez
played 17 seasons in the majors, 12 with the Jays. He leads the Jays in games
(1,450) and hits (1,583).
"Young people," Fernandez said –and he gazed around at the many children in
the audience– "it doesn't matter how many tears you shed trying to find
success. Once you realize success, you should crown your journey with joy and
laughter.
"A seed was planted in my heart. I needed good soil to develop and for me
that was the Toronto Blue Jays from the day Epy Guerrero signed me April 24,
1979."
Written by: Edward, 29 Jun 2008 3:19 PM
From: United States, Leominster, Massachusetts
Who cares if people think most Dominicans are black? Is there something wrong with being black?! Tony is a class act and I admire him!
Written by: Lautaro, 29 Jun 2008 4:17 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Rom1804 said: "OMG. Do you people really want this guy to be the face of Dominicans. I mean when people see a guy like this and he is titled as a Dominican most people might think that Dominicans are BLACK."
May I ask why do you have this foolish and idiotic notion that blacks are being trampled with in the DR, specially after the proven fact that many of them are in positions of economic power and social influence in the country? Are you idiot enough to believe that every single black in the DR is of haitian descent? Please, Mugabe-boy, as an adult, you should be past the age of making tall tales like those. Unless your big boss neglected to make sure that you receive a proper education, that is. Is that the case, Z-boy? Oh, by the way, congratulations, your big boss seems to have secured himself another term in office, and apparently, the International Community seems not to care if Zimbabwe is going to mud because of that. Anyway, enjoy the good times while they last.
Written by: rom1804 
, 29 Jun 2008 4:59 PM
From: Zimbabwe
LAUTARO I thank you I thank you very much. Job well done Job well Done in regards to my Zimbabwe associates. FUNNY every time something is fishy in politics. I ROM Is always present.
AM I REALLY THAT GOOD OR BAD?
P.S. I was there in Florida when the votes got a little scooby dooed if you know what I mean.
P.S. I was there when... I too bad I can't say more But I was there I'm always there...
My next mission ( if you want to call it back is to ...... The Dominican Republic.
Ahhhh!!!! The things you can do when you don't have a soul.
Written by: rom1804 , 29 Jun 2008 5:02 PM
From: Zimbabwe
Oh by the way I want to see pictures Franco....I want you to take a picture with a sign saying this is I FrancoCarlos the whitest guy in DR.
lol Dominicans are Black, Dominicans are Black. Every one knows it now.
lol Dominicans are Black, Dominicans are Black. Every one knows it now.
Now would it be so bad if me and my little minions squeezed in another Haitian in the Dominicans Presidential seat....
I'm glad to see that every time the ICs sees a Dominican he is always black. I want people to start getting used to the idea of blacks owning the Dominican Rep. It will make my job easier for the Haitians to TAKE OVER.
Note to self......Change name to Romeo Julio Sanchez so I can passed as a black Dominican----
From: Canada
Lautaro.... the majority feel as you do......colour is really not the issue....racism is not to be overemphasized unless you are a racist....civilized thought processes should prevail
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera, M.T.S.
We should celebrate the our multiculture- black, white, and mulatto- reality. Unfortunately, the colonial mind gives more value to the "European" culture-- which is imposed on us via media, education, religion, language, music, etc. There is racism in the DR, and major oppression not only vis-a-vis non-whites, but also of women, gays, disable, elderly, migrants, and so on. We can't deny this fact -- well one can, but it is like trying to hide the sun with one finger. Just look at ANY set of commercials, and count the number of non-whites; I guarantee you will see a disproportionate representation of whites. Along the same lines, go to private universities, like UNIBE or APEC, and count the number of Black students, you will see a definite lack. These are not SMALL signs of how one facet of our culture is celebrated and the other oppressed. It's called cultural monopoly.
We need explicit laws to combat discrimination-- actually we have these, we just need these to be enforced.
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera, M.T.S.
PS - congrats Tony! you are an inspiration to all dominicans. I wish you and your family enjoyed the celebrations!
PPS - I wish that non-white Dominicans could also shine in industry posts, cultural events, and educational achievements. But until we recognize and explicitly combat the cultural & economic monopoly that whites have over Dominican culture & economy, this is unlikely. If you don't think there is a cultural & economic monopoly, just look at the oligarchic families, look at how much land & wealth they control in the country, and also see how many are non-white :-/
Written by: Lautaro, 30 Jun 2008 10:03 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Yes that's all right and true, mr. baldoria, but my fear (and also the fear of many people over here) is that, in fighting that monopoly, we might be creating the conditions for the emergence of another monopoly, one that, although favouring the majority of the country in name, may be used as a pretext for a power hungry madman to run things, in short, some of us fear that the medicine might be worse than the illness, as it has been the case with Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rodhesia), where there was a white elite similar to ours, which, nothwithstanding the fact that they were ousted from the political power of the country and stripped of its privileges, the regime that ended up substituting them (the current one of Mugabe), although governing in the name of the majority black population, has done little, if nothing at all, to improve the living conditions of the masses.
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera, M.T.S.
PPS - sorry for the additional post, but I wonder if this issue would have come up if Pujols would be presented as the "face" of the DR, or when Juan Luis Guerra is labeled the Ambassador of the DR. DO you get my point? It's only when non-whites (blacks) rise to a position of pwr that these issues arise. No-one raises any issues when whites are presented as the face of our culture, when they lead all major industries, when they control a disproprotionate percentage of our wealth, or when there is an "all-white" cast in a play or movie. It's only when non-whites try to assert themselves as equals, when people raise an issue. Do you remember the ruckus when the Lion-King had an all-black cast? How about the all-white cast of "altar-boys"-- Another boradway show.
I'm talking too much (like always), but just consider the psych effects on non-whites when they see Dominican culture being portrayed mostly as"white"? That White is good & black is bad. What effect do you think that has?
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera, M.T.S.
What we should strive for is a NON-MONOPOLY of any group. It's hard, and I can't think of any country that has actually achieved full cultural equality - but we can strive for more equality! We can require banks to invest in poor community; we can require private universities to accepted & support more students from poor areas. By trying to address the economic inequalities, we would also address the racial inequalities.
We can also invest more in the public services (in general) but specifically in poor areas where they are needed most. There is a lack of social investment, this lack fosters the chronic inequalities and poverty that exists in the DR. This state of affairs benefits the political & economic elites, and thus we should not expect these groups to do much to change the extreme inequalities.
Written by: Lautaro, 30 Jun 2008 10:26 AM
From: Dominican Republic
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera, M.T.S.
Lautero, short answer is democracy is dangerous in any type of society. True democracy can lead to mobs being controlled by radical leaders who then use their influence to create very unpleasant situations (e.g. nazi germany was a democracy). But constitutional democracies which lays out the explicit rights of individuals and groups, and limits the power of politicians is a more reasonable political system and is what we have in the DR. AS for the potential that ethnic cleavages and political movements can align to create ethnic conflict, that is a real danger, but many theorists propose that creating different cleavages - class, regional (rural-urban) - reduces the power of ethnic clevages and allows political discourse to be more diversified.
But in the DR, there's no political discourse on ethnic differences which is the other extreme side of the spectrum that hides the ethnic inequalities that exist.
Written by: Belial, 30 Jun 2008 4:52 PM
From: United States, Texas
Baseball's all-time home-run champion is Sadaharu Oh, who hit 868 during a legendary career in baseball-mad Japan. The national team of Cuba overpowered the Baltimore Orioles of the US major leagues 12-6 in a 1999 exhibition game. Japan and Cuba emerged first and second in the first 2006 Baseball Classic
And guess what?
At the Olympic Games in Beijing, Japan and Cuba will play their first game on August 13 against each other.
Great planning and scheduling, the climax before the build-up.
So, somebody wants to take out either number one or number two rather early in the competition to improve the chances of number three and the lower ones.
Observers agree the Dominicans, in talent, have the third strongest team in the competition after the Japanese and Cubans, but some of the Dominicans like to play the role of faithful US sidekick, like Tonto to the Lone Ranger ... Hi Yo Silver, getty up!
"kimma Sobby, me no like Injuns. "
Written by: Belial, 30 Jun 2008 4:55 PM
From: United States, Texas
No wonder they want to throw baseball out of the Olympics.
Written by: Belial, 30 Jun 2008 4:58 PM
From: United States, Texas
"Who cares if people think most Dominicans are black? Is there something wrong with being black?! Tony is a class act and I admire him!"
0000
Oh no, not black. Puerto Rican.
Written by: Belial, 30 Jun 2008 5:01 PM
From: United States, Texas
Many USs believe all Latin Americans are Puerto Ricans except LAs from Argentina.
When a US runs into an Argentine, the US ask "Where you from?" or "Why you talk funny?"
"I lived in Chicago for two years," the Argentine replies.
"I know that's right. I lived in Chicago, too. After I left, nobody knew what I was saying."
From: Dominican Republic, From a yanikeke stand near you
It make me sick to read all this comments and not even one is about baseball or about cabeza.
all you fake Dominicans and fake haitians get off the hate juice and say something about who is probably the best dominican shortstop of all time. In my opinion he was magical in the way he play defense he was always in the right place at the right time, it was almost as if he knew where the ball was going to be hit. Miguel tejada, jose reyes, hansley ramirez, alex rodriguez ninguno de ellos play shortstop like Tony "Cabeza" Fernandez.
From: Canada
old school pay no attention to commie stooge he is always playing the" Iam a victim race card "and Mugabe is his idol "Comrade Bob "
Written by: Belial, 1 Jul 2008 2:32 AM
From: United States, Texas
Mugabe hasn't done anything that Bush hasn't done before Mugabe.
That doesn't justify Mugabe.
But Bush isn't clean because he was first to do it.
And hypocrites who defend Bush have no moral ground to attack Mugabe, Bush's replica.
As for your scumbag Stephen Harper [ the so-called prime minister of Canada, the home of the Jays], this slimey Bush puppet is even worse than you GC.
Written by: Belial, 1 Jul 2008 2:55 AM
From: United States, Texas
Tony Fernández was instrumental in helping the Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series. In that World Series, Fernández drove in nine runs, a record for a shortstop.
In 1997, he reached the World Series again, thanks in large part to his own game-winning home run against Baltimore in the American League Championship Series. Unfortunately, he committed a very ill-timed error in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series; this broke up a potential double play, and the eventual World Series-winning run was put on base.
Early in his career, Fernández was well known for his exceptional defensive skills at shortstop. He was especially famous for leaping into the air while simultaneously throwing to first base, on balls hit far to his right.
He finished his career with a .288 batting average in 2,158 games played, and batted .327 in postseason play.
Mr. Clutch.
He richly deserves induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and into any or all halls of fame.
Written by: Belial, 1 Jul 2008 3:09 AM
From: United States, Texas
But I'll stay on the juice, thank you.
Written by: Belial, 1 Jul 2008 3:34 AM
From: United States, Texas
With every inductee, there are at least some people who say he doesn't deserve it.
"What about him and him and him? Why didn't they get it?"
Well, this is why.
Tony Fernández is the all-time Blue Jays leader in games played (1450), at bats (5335), hits (1583) and triples (72). In addition to being second in doubles (291), he is third in total bases (2198) and career batting average (.297).
Ain't that enough, huh?
Written by: Belial, 1 Jul 2008 3:48 AM
From: United States, Texas
The artist Andy Warhol said "If the future, everybody will be famous for 15 minutes."
Well, Tony Fernández already has at least a whopping 45 minutes of fame and his induction will be his 46th.
Most of us ... if not all ... have not even gotten a fraction of a second of fame and never will or even deserve to.
But some of us, if you forgive us, quietly admire the deserving.
From: Canada
Slimeball says that doesnt justify "Comrade Bob" and then starts making allusions to other things ...dont you see fool you are jusitfying "Comrade Bob " only Kenya had the courage to speak up....This is like the commies in the 40sand 50s and Uncle Joe Stalin saying" Oh he is a nice guy once you get to know him " .Belial says "that doesnt justify" then dont be a two faced coward Denounce your idol" Comrade Bob" .....Obama will you can bet on it....and stop being a two faced sanctimonius leetch feeding at the trough of capitalism ,go to North Korea and distribute food packages instead of your rat hole collecting food stamps
From: Canada
Tony richly deserves this honour ....But his numbers fall short for Cooperstown unfortunately.....The commie stooge is just trying to suck up to the Dominican public,a transparent ploy or he knows little about Cooperstown....I would say the latter and the former
Written by: Lautaro, 1 Jul 2008 9:45 AM
From: Dominican Republic
He would have needed at least 3,000 hits and a career batting average of 300 to win the right to enter Cooperstown, goulet.
From: Canada
I hate to sound anti Dominican but pigs will be flying over the cathedral when Sammy " El Corcho " gets in as well...the stain of steroids will wash off only after they let Rose in.....Like they say "The Babe did it on beer and hot dogs "
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May I ask why do you have this foolish and idiotic notion that blacks are being trampled with in the DR, specially after the proven fact that many of them are in positions of economic power and social influence in the country? Are you idiot enough to believe that every single black in the DR is of haitian descent? Please, Mugabe-boy, as an adult, you should be past the age of making tall tales like those. Unless your big boss neglected to make sure that you receive a proper education, that is. Is that the case, Z-boy? Oh, by the way, congratulations, your big boss seems to have secured himself another term in office, and apparently, the International Community seems not to care if Zimbabwe is going to mud because of that. Anyway, enjoy the good times while they last.
AM I REALLY THAT GOOD OR BAD?
P.S. I was there in Florida when the votes got a little scooby dooed if you know what I mean.
P.S. I was there when... I too bad I can't say more But I was there I'm always there...
My next mission ( if you want to call it back is to ...... The Dominican Republic.
Ahhhh!!!! The things you can do when you don't have a soul.
lol Dominicans are Black, Dominicans are Black. Every one knows it now.
lol Dominicans are Black, Dominicans are Black. Every one knows it now.
Now would it be so bad if me and my little minions squeezed in another Haitian in the Dominicans Presidential seat....
I'm glad to see that every time the ICs sees a Dominican he is always black. I want people to start getting used to the idea of blacks owning the Dominican Rep. It will make my job easier for the Haitians to TAKE OVER.
Note to self......Change name to Romeo Julio Sanchez so I can passed as a black Dominican----
We need explicit laws to combat discrimination-- actually we have these, we just need these to be enforced.
PPS - I wish that non-white Dominicans could also shine in industry posts, cultural events, and educational achievements. But until we recognize and explicitly combat the cultural & economic monopoly that whites have over Dominican culture & economy, this is unlikely. If you don't think there is a cultural & economic monopoly, just look at the oligarchic families, look at how much land & wealth they control in the country, and also see how many are non-white :-/
I'm talking too much (like always), but just consider the psych effects on non-whites when they see Dominican culture being portrayed mostly as"white"? That White is good & black is bad. What effect do you think that has?
We can also invest more in the public services (in general) but specifically in poor areas where they are needed most. There is a lack of social investment, this lack fosters the chronic inequalities and poverty that exists in the DR. This state of affairs benefits the political & economic elites, and thus we should not expect these groups to do much to change the extreme inequalities.
Any thoughts about the question posed by it (Is Democracy Dangerous in Multi-ethnic Societies)?
But in the DR, there's no political discourse on ethnic differences which is the other extreme side of the spectrum that hides the ethnic inequalities that exist.
And guess what?
At the Olympic Games in Beijing, Japan and Cuba will play their first game on August 13 against each other.
Great planning and scheduling, the climax before the build-up.
So, somebody wants to take out either number one or number two rather early in the competition to improve the chances of number three and the lower ones.
Observers agree the Dominicans, in talent, have the third strongest team in the competition after the Japanese and Cubans, but some of the Dominicans like to play the role of faithful US sidekick, like Tonto to the Lone Ranger ... Hi Yo Silver, getty up!
"kimma Sobby, me no like Injuns. "
0000
Oh no, not black. Puerto Rican.
When a US runs into an Argentine, the US ask "Where you from?" or "Why you talk funny?"
"I lived in Chicago for two years," the Argentine replies.
"I know that's right. I lived in Chicago, too. After I left, nobody knew what I was saying."
all you fake Dominicans and fake haitians get off the hate juice and say something about who is probably the best dominican shortstop of all time. In my opinion he was magical in the way he play defense he was always in the right place at the right time, it was almost as if he knew where the ball was going to be hit. Miguel tejada, jose reyes, hansley ramirez, alex rodriguez ninguno de ellos play shortstop like Tony "Cabeza" Fernandez.
That doesn't justify Mugabe.
But Bush isn't clean because he was first to do it.
And hypocrites who defend Bush have no moral ground to attack Mugabe, Bush's replica.
As for your scumbag Stephen Harper [ the so-called prime minister of Canada, the home of the Jays], this slimey Bush puppet is even worse than you GC.
In 1997, he reached the World Series again, thanks in large part to his own game-winning home run against Baltimore in the American League Championship Series. Unfortunately, he committed a very ill-timed error in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series; this broke up a potential double play, and the eventual World Series-winning run was put on base.
Early in his career, Fernández was well known for his exceptional defensive skills at shortstop. He was especially famous for leaping into the air while simultaneously throwing to first base, on balls hit far to his right.
He finished his career with a .288 batting average in 2,158 games played, and batted .327 in postseason play.
Mr. Clutch.
He richly deserves induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and into any or all halls of fame.
But I'll stay on the juice, thank you.
"What about him and him and him? Why didn't they get it?"
Well, this is why.
Tony Fernández is the all-time Blue Jays leader in games played (1450), at bats (5335), hits (1583) and triples (72). In addition to being second in doubles (291), he is third in total bases (2198) and career batting average (.297).
Ain't that enough, huh?
The artist Andy Warhol said "If the future, everybody will be famous for 15 minutes."
Well, Tony Fernández already has at least a whopping 45 minutes of fame and his induction will be his 46th.
Most of us ... if not all ... have not even gotten a fraction of a second of fame and never will or even deserve to.
But some of us, if you forgive us, quietly admire the deserving.