Of the all time great movies out there is “The Natural” released in 1984 starring Robert Redford. The movie was based on a book by Bernard Malamud in 1952. While the movie is pure fiction, it is based on several real people and events.
The “Whammer” character was obviously to be a mold of the great Babe Ruth but not too many folks out there realize that “Roy Hobbs” was combination of one of the best players of all time, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and a Philadelphia Phillie from the past. Most have heard of Joe Jackson and the infamous Black Sox who were accused of fixing the 1919 World Series. I’ve read a lot about that case and it is pretty clear Jackson didn’t know he was involved in this. The gamblers involved in the scheme wouldn’t put the deal through without Jackson’s participation and Jackson, who was known to be illiterate, was added to the list without by the others to secure their cash bribes. Different accounts stated Jackson admitted to accepting bribes but he maintained his innocence. He had the highest batting average of any player in that World Series at .375 with 12 hits, committed no errors and even threw a runner out at home plate. While he and the other players were banned from baseball in 1920, they were all aquitted in 1921. A sad end to a great career. (Remember, these guys weren’t making the money they were today. Eddie Ciccotte did have a grievence with team owner Comisky as he would have received a $10,000 bonus if he won 30 games and was benched until the end of the season after he won his 29th) A sad, yet classic story, about the end of Joe Jackson was related by Hall of Famer Ty Cobb. When Cobb stopped at a liquor store he noticed Jackson working there and asked, “”Don’t you know me Joe?” Jackson responded, “Sure, I know you, Ty, but I wasn’t sure you wanted to know me. A lot of them don’t.”
So all of that about Jackson.. the more significant part of the Roy Hobbs character is former Philadelphia Phillie Eddie Waitkus. Waitkus played MLB ball from 1941 to 1955, 1949-1951 with the Phillies. He was a lifetime .285 hitter and was able to return successfully to the game after spending 4 years in the Army during World War 2, having been awarded 4 Bronze Stars in harsh fighting in the Phillipines.
Ever see this girl at CCP?
If you haven’t seen the Natural, this part of Waitkus’ life plays a big part in the movie as well as the separation from the game that Joe Jackson struggled with.
Another one of those stories that gets dusty and lost over time.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
They need to get The Baseball Project to do a show at Coca-Cola Park.
Past Time by The Baseball Project
When Campy Campaneris played all nine positions in a game.
When Pete Rose demolished Ray Fosse he was never the same.
31 wins and an album on Capitol for Denny McLain.
So long ago, so long, Past Time, are you past your prime?
The DiMaggios, Shoe-less Joe, Minnie Minoso, Yo La Tengo.
Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox made the Sox go go.
The sideburns of Pepitone and Oscar Gamble’s afro.
So long ago, so long, Past Time, are you past your prime?
So long ago, so long, Past Time, are you past your prime?
One thing you can say about time is that it always passes.
One thing you can say about the game is that it’s not getting any faster.
You can get tangled up in a ball of rubber bands and twine.
The cowhide and pine tar, snuff, spit and chalk dust lines.
Two round trippers and a no-hitter, that’s Rick Wise (not Bobby Wine).
So long ago, so long, Past Time, are you past your prime?
So long ago, so long, Past Time, are you past your prime?
Nice! Here’s a page at their label, where you can find out more about their album: http://yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=12539
Is this a local, or reasonably close, group?
Not even close to a local group but they do like to play ballparks. They’re somewhat of a super group who also happen to be huge baseball fans. Their most famous member is Peter Buck of R.E.M. I’ve had their first CD for over a year and the new CD will be out this year. I’m willing to share so watch your e-mail.
They’re doing something in conjunction with ESPN this year where they plan to release a song each month that has to do with things happening during the 2010 season. These are the lyrics from the 1st release.
All Future And No Past
The Baseball Project (2010)
Spring is here and the time is right for
unrealistic goals
Last summer some hit the bottom rung
But the new year brings high hopes.
The Padres may be surprising,
A Red Machine could rise again,
If the Pirates are pulverizing
I wanna write that story,
but then…
Before a game is played
before an out is made
before the first crack of the bat
That’s when it’s
all future, and no past.
The swingin’ A’s will be overachieving
K-C could be a royal pain
The O’s recent whoas so deceiving
The Tribe could end up drenched in champagne
Every April brings a new slate
so under the circumstance
just remember the Rays of two thousand and eight
at this point everybody has a chance
Before a game is played
before an out is made
before the first crack of the bat
that’s when it’s
all future, and no past.
It’s all future and no past, all future and no past