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"Spotlight Award"
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Jesse Bean - #15
Birthdate: 12/19/45
Birthplace: Memphis,
TX
Occupation: Retired
- Dallas Fire Dept.
Family: 1 daughter;
1 son; 2 granddaughers'; 1 grandson
Big Thank YOU!: Dannie
Favorite Opponent:
Reds (Joe Daniels)
Favorite Restaurant:
Casa Casacavasos
Fantasy Job: Ongoing
acting role on NYPD Blue.
4 Fantasy Dinner Guest:
1.)
Dannie Williams
2.)
Mickey Mantle
3.)
Ann Margaret
4.)
Buster Lanear
(My Father, Deceased)
MSBL History:
28 Reds 1989 - 1991
28 Angels 1992
28 Yankees 1993 -
2001
38+ Cubs 2003 |
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| I started playing baseball
at eight years old and played every season until 2001. Practicing and playing
with obsessive dedication led to a life on baseball fields. Having heroes
was a motivation for emulation and being on so many teams I soon realized
the collective strength, effort and attitude was a worthy pursuit. I learned
to respect the classical athlete with traditional values. Players that
used their effort, talent and the way they played the game to make their
point or express their message. I gained an appreciation for the game and
the guys that played it. Baseball has been the one venue for generations
that fair play, equality, and universal standards have not been compromised
by political or social litigation. Every player gets three strikes before
he is out and if he catches the ball and executes the play the other guy
is out. I find that very rewarding in this time of special interest. |
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| I coached little league teams
many years. I coached the baseball team at John B. Hood Middle School for
two years and a junior varsity team at Skyline High School for three years.
So life goes on with work, family, playing and coaching ball like so many
other men. While playing fast pitch softball in 1989, I was asked by several
players on the team to come out for the baseball team they played on. With
the same reservations that so many guys have that it has been so long since
I played and I don't know if I could hit that little ball again. Ron Edwards,
Dan Henry, Riley Barber, and Denny Will did me a great favor by inviting
me to play for Joe Daniels' Reds. I loved it from the first day. This new
life in baseball happened at a time of extreme difficulty in my personal
life and provided me much more than physical activity. It was something
to be passionate about. |
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| After joining the Reds in
1989 I played for Joe Daniels' for several years, the Angels for one year,
and then the closest to my dream that will ever happen came true. I became
the Manager/Catcher of the Dallas MSBL American Division Yankees until
2002. Just the experience of playing ball and running a team was a great
reward of being involved in the MSBL, but it was equally fulfilling to
get to know so many great guys that just happened to be great ball players.
It was a lot of fun to win the big game or the close game the rivalies
sometimes became intense. I really enjoyed the thrill of picking a guy
off third, the close play at the plate and the mutual respect that was
generated by playing the game with all out passion and intensity. There
are far too many guys that I respect and admire to list here, but the Team
and players that I respect and admire are the 28+ Phillies. In spite of
a not so favorable scoreboard outcome, most of the time the players of
the Phillies are out there trying and I have never seen them complain,
bitch, moan, or walk off because of the umps, the other team or the outcome
of a game. The down side is a few individuals that do not respect the game,
their team, the rules or the values of sportsmanship. Fortunately, the
game is more resilient than the negative influence of a few so it withstands
their assaults year after year. I was fortunate and honored to be selected
to the Annual All Star Team every ear from 1989 to 2000 either as a player,
coach or manager
The annual World Series stirs
in all of us the anticipation of winning a ring and that was the motivation
to prepare and pursue that goal. I started going to the World Series in
1989, I played or managed on a team until 2002. It was an amazing experience
to play on the fantastic complexes in Phoenix. Meeting other players, former
pro players and bonding with the guys that shared the love of the game.
It was a great thrill for a rag knot player like me to hit a home run in
the World Series. |
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| After 32 years on the Dallas
Fire Department I retired in 2002 and traveled. I went to New York City
and saw the sights and met some really great New York firefighters. I was
thrilled with the excitement and eye opening awe of a child to ride out
with engine 16 of the FDNY. In my travels I have visited 18 major league
stadiums and have been to spring training at every teams camp in Florida.
My favorite, of course is Legends Field, home of the Yankees. |
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| I was the bullpen catcher
for the Frisco Rough Riders on September 3, 2003. In a playoff game against
the Wichita Wranglers, ( we won). I had the opportunity, because of Rick
Wright, to suit up and fulfill a lifetime dream of being a pro ball player,
if only in a support role. It was just awesome to catch these 90+mph hurlers.
The bullpen antics were great fun even though I had to run laps and got
several head slaps because of bullpen games. The young guys on the staff
treated me with irreverence and I loved every second of it. I met and talked
with Jim Sundberg. I found out in a profound way that a 95 mph fastball
really stings when it hits you in the chest with no chest protector on.
My thanks to Rick Wright for getting me this gig and to the pitching coach,
Steve Luebber and the Rough Rider pitching staff especially, Darin Moore
and Keith Stamler. |
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| I decided to pursue some
other activities that I had an interest in when I was younger, but never
had the opportunity because of family and work obligations, so I became
a substitute teacher and quickly realized I had not the skills or patience
for such a difficult endeavor. I went to school and got a state certification
as a Massage Therapist. Ultimately I decided I wanted to pursue acting.
I was lucky to get a good agent and worked on 40+ episodes of Walker Texas
Ranger. Chuck Norris is a great guy, very kind and easy to work for. About
ten commercials, approximately a dozen movies and two plays later I had
experienced what the business was like. My favorites were "The Bob Dole
commercial", playing Ernie in "It's a Wonderful Life" stage play, and a
starring role (Jonathan Trustworthy) in "Who's Minding the Mine", playing
a paramedic (some stretch) in "On Any Given Sunday" and playing a prison
guard that beat up Clint Black in the made for TV movie "The Legend of
Cadillac Jack". It was an exciting experience and great to meet some of
the people. |
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It seemed to me that giving
back applies to those like us that do not enjoy a celebrity status, fortune
or a big name from the major leagues. We routinely conducted community
service programs such as visitations to hospitals in Phoenix, a baseball
clinic for the kids at Buckner Children's Home, a clothing drive for the
homeless shelter and a celebrity game for Weatherford High School. Over
a great many years of community service projects and fund raisers I have
been honored with the Dallas Fire Department Community Service Award two
times, The Texas State Firefighters Association Humanitarian of the Year
Award and the George Washington Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Award. |
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The efforts that are often
tireless an equally as often go without thanks to the Board of Directors,
the Managers, the Umpires of this league are what has made this an opportunity
a privilege available for the rest of us. My personal thanks goes to Mr.
Steve Sigler for creating this league and the years of enjoyment for us
all. I have been honored to play with and manage some of the best players
and greatest guys around. My heartfelt thanks to the leaders of our league
Larry Roseborough, Carlo Strippoli, Harold Butcher and Sam Kayea. My respect,
admiration and thanks to the opposing teams and players that have played
their hardest to beat out butts and my never ending gratitude to the many
players and friends that have supported and played their guts out for the
Dallas MSBL American Division Yankees such the Hill brothers, Rich Highduke,
Steve Hutchings, Greg Higgs, Dwayne Bragg, Fred Reagan, Greg Pierce, Chuck
Daniels, as well as every man that wore the pinstripes during the Bean
era.
Along with the great guys
that make this league such a wonderful experience are the tolerant and
patient wives, girlfriends, and significant others that put up with the
time away from home, the ongoing war stories about the league, "the play"
and the bad calls. The Yankee organization has been extremely fortunate
to have Ms. Dannie (my significant other) on the team, on the sideline
and working so diligently to keep the score and records, she helps me prepare
for the practices, the games, and the many challenges of running a team.
From loading and unloading the equipment, helping out with the Yankee Pinstripe
Yearbook, assisting me with the Yankee web page, planning, preparing and
carrying out the annual Team Banquet and putting up with the never ending
barrage of compliments and complaints about the players, the league, and
life in general as Dannie has been a constant of non-comprising dedication
and support. Willingness and team support are the only motivation for her,
because I assure you there are no other benefits.
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| The glory of baseball is
in the participation and we can all be challenged and rewarded by the association
with those that treasure the game. The rewards are as individualistic as
those that join the national pastime. Without the accolades of fame fortune
or Championships the treasure of playing baseball is still within the spirit
of the diamond. You can for League, State, or World Championships and succeed
or fail, but you are still playing the best you can every time you step
inside the lines. The fact remains, when you give all you got to the game
you leave the dugout a winner. After all is said and done, it's all about
the playing and the players because the memory holds onto the relationships
and the memorable plays much more than the Championships. With no League
Championships, World Championships nor a ring to symbolize those accomplishments
I am grateful to the game of baseball and to many many friends and acquaintances
that play it. |
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