14th Annual Bill Gilbert Winter Meeting of the Rogers Hornsby Chapter of SABR

On Saturday, January 11th 2020 we’ll gather at Old Main Building on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos, TX for our 14th annual Winter Meeting, the second to be named in honor of chapter founder Bill Gilbert.

We cordially invite all SABR members and their guests to join us.

Keynote: Jon Pessah

Jon Pessah was a founding editor of ESPN the Magazine. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, managed the sports departments for Newsday and the Hartford Courant, and edited, wrote, and ran the investigative team for ESPN the Magazine.

Jon is the author of two baseball books:

  • The Game — an insider’s account of the run-up to 1994 player’s strike that cancelled the World Series and set the tone for future labor/owner relations in MLB. Featuring Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and current MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as well as a supporting cast of owners and players.
  • Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask — a forthcoming biography of Yankees icon Yogi Berra. Releasing Spring 2020.

Jon will join us remotely via video chat.

Featured Speakers: Tim Jackson & Mike Capps, Round Rock Express

Tim Jackson is the General Manager of the Round Rock Express. He joined the Express staff in March of 2010. He was promoted to General Manager in October 2015 after serving as assistant GM, baseball operations for one season. Tim oversees the day-to-day business and baseball operations of the team.

Mike Capps serves as the Director of Broadcasting for the Round Rock Express and has been the voice of the Express since day one. An author, reporter and T.V. anchor, Mike brings over 25 years of news experience to the Express. He has been broadcasting baseball for the last 19 years, including three major league games with ESPN Radio, one in 2005 and two in 1998.

Tim and Mike will discuss all things Astros, major and minor leagues, and provide commentary on the ongoing Professional Baseball Agreement negotiations.

Member Presentations

In addition to our keynote and featured speakers, our agenda includes the following:

  • Eric Robinson will talk about the Chinese national baseball team’s experience with the Texas AirHogs
  • Monte Cely will discuss the new rules that apply to the 2020 season
  • Tom Thayer will present on competitive balance throughout baseball history
  • Mike McNulty will update us on the BasebALZ group
  • Peter Myers will talk about the 1953 Hall of Fame Game

And as always we will have quizzes, trivia, mock HOF voting, a baseball book exchange, memorabilia show and tell, and more!

Remember to Bring

  • $12 cash for lunch from Which Which. Exact change is preferred. Checks are not accepted.
  • Any memorabilia you’d like to share or discuss. We’ll have a table for display and have scheduled time for people to present their items to the group.
  • Any baseball-related books you’d like to exchange.

Timeframe

We plan to begin at 9:30 AM and envision ending around 4:30 PM. There will be a 45-minute break for lunch as well as a 15-minute afternoon break.

Directions

  1. From I-35, take exit 206 (Aquarena Springs Dr.)
  2. Travel west on Aquarena Springs Drive, which turns into University Drive.
  3. After crossing the San Marcos River, you will come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Sessom Drive.
  4. Just before the first light, turn left on State Street and go up a steep road toward Old Main.
  5. Go through a gate (the gate should be up) and continue up the hill.
  6. At the top of the hill, make a sharp left turn and drive up to Old Main.
  7. Look for parking on this road that winds around the side and back of Old Main.

You can find additional parking at the Pleasant Street Garage, located at the corner of N. LBJ and Pleasant Street. To reach this garage, after you pass through the gate, continue up the hill, then down the hill to the stop sign on Pleasant Street. Turn left; the entrance to the parking garage will be on your left.

You do not need a parking pass to park on campus – however, do not park in spaces not marked as parking spaces or in handicapped parking (unless you have the appropriate tag displayed).
The meeting room is on the third floor in Room 320. There is an elevator on the first floor, or you can take the stairs.

Tell your friends! Hope to see you there!

March BBQ

Our March lunch meeting will be held at the birthplace of the Rogers Hornsby Chapter – the County Line BBQ located at 5204 Ranch Road 2222 in Austin (a short distance east of Hwy 360 on 2222) at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.  Members, guests and baseball fans in general are welcome to attend.

Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

World Series Watch Party

Hornsby chapter member, Jim Baker, will be hosting his annual World Series watch party on Saturday, October 27. Game time for Game Four between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers is 7:09 p.m. Jim will be providing food. Bring along something to drink if you have specific beverage requirements. Please RSVP to Jim at jimbaker1066@yahoo.com if you plan to attend and for directions, if required, to Jim’s house in Cedar Park, TX.

July Baseball Watch Party

Our July get-together will be held on Saturday, July 21 at the home of Ryan Pollack starting at 12:30 p.m.  Ryan has graciously offered to host a baseball watch party and will supply a sandwich platter and chips.  Attendees are requested to bring along your favorite side dishes and/or dessert along with your favorite beverage.

Please RSVP to jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

March BBQ Meeting

Join us for barbecue at the County Line BBQ located at 5204 Ranch Road 2222 (a short distance east of Hwy 360 on 2222) at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 24.

We will be discussing the upcoming season.  Some chapter members, notably the Astros fans, will be optimistic about the 2018 season, while others may express a more cautiously pessimistic view of their favorite team’s chances.

Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

12th Annual Winter Meeting: January 13th, 2018

On Saturday, January 13th we’ll gather at Old Main Building on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos, TX for our 12th annual Winter Meeting. We cordially invite all SABR members and their guests to join us.

Our keynote speaker, Branch B. Rickey, president of the Pacific Coast League, will highlight a fun-filled day of baseball talk, pictures, and memorabilia.

Other presentations include:

  • Mike Capps of the Round Rock Express giving us the run-down on the Rangers’ 2017 season, offseason, and future.
  • Lisa Carter from KHOU in Houston discussing how she covered the Astros and the 2017 World Series.
  • Ira Siegel sharing his experiences with RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Austin, an MLB-led effort to keep the passion of the game alive in underprivileged youth.
  • Anne Keene telling us how her father played ball with Ted Williams and Johnny Sain during their WWII service days.
  • Monte Cely regaling us with tales of his recent Cuban baseball adventure.
  • Jim Baker leading us in a fun, challenging guessing game.

Of course we’ll have a mock Hall of Fame voting led by Jan Larson. Does Chipper Jones make your ballot? How about Andruw? Do Jim Thome’s 612 home runs make you want to check the box next to his name? You’ll get to have your say.

Finally, we’re excited to bring you a different kind of event: Baseball Bingo! Get ready to mingle with your fellow seamheads, because you’ll need their signatures on your card in order to win.

Please remember to bring:

  • $10 cash for lunch from Which Which.
  • Any memorabilia you’d like to share or discuss. We’ll have a table for display and have scheduled time for people to present their items to the group.
  • Any baseball-related books you’d like to exchange.

======================================================
Details:
12th Annual Hornsby Chapter Winter Meeting
Saturday, January 13th 2018, 9:30 AM – 4:30PM

Old Main Building, third floor. Texas State Campus, San Marcos TX

Directions:

  1. From I-35, take exit 206 (Aquarena Springs Dr.)
  2. Travel west on Aquarena Springs Drive, which turns into University Drive.
  3. After crossing the San Marcos River, you will come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Sessom Drive.
  4. Just before the first light, turn left on State Street and go up a steep road toward Old Main.
  5. Go through a gate (the gate should be up) and continue up the hill.
  6. At the top of the hill, make a sharp left turn and drive up to Old Main.
  7. Look for parking on this road that winds around the side and back of Old Main.

You can find additional parking at the Pleasant Street Garage, located at the corner of N. LBJ and Pleasant Street. To reach this garage, after you pass through the gate, continue up the hill, then down the hill to the stop sign on Pleasant Street. Turn left; the entrance to the parking garage will be on your left.

You do not need a parking pass to park on campus – however, do not park in spaces not marked as parking spaces or in handicapped parking (unless you have the appropriate tag displayed).
The meeting room is on the third floor in Room 320. There is an elevator on the first floor, or you can take the stairs.
=========================================

Tell your friends! Hope to see you there!