1979 - Magnolia Academy Raiders first baseball state championship (45th), 1984 - My First Hinds Team (40th), 1989 - The History-Making 1989 Hinds Eagles (35th), 1994 Hinds Eagles; Mississippi's First Division 2 World Series Appearance (30th), 1999- The Miraculous 1999 Hinds Eagles Postseason Run (25th). #186 2024 brings some anniversaries for some great teams I … Continue reading Anniversary Dates in 2024
Blog
FH Baseball – 1972
#185
More Honors for the Moosester!
(#184) Congrats to Coach Bill "Moose" Perry for his induction into the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Coaches Hall of Fame (MAISCA) in ceremonies held on Saturday, August 5th at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl. Stay tuned for his next induction. Click for the Mississippi Association of Coaches Induction 1% Listings with NuWay VIP … Continue reading More Honors for the Moosester!
Dennis Gilbert (Bobby Bonilla’s agent) Day!
(#183) It's July 1st - Dennis Gilbert (Bobby Bonilla's agent) Day or as some people call it, "I Wish I Was Bobby Bonilla Day." Bonilla receives a $1,193,248.20 check from the Mets every year on July 1 and will have net just over $29M when the installments end in 2035. He hasn't played a single … Continue reading Dennis Gilbert (Bobby Bonilla’s agent) Day!
The Best College World Series Ever
(#182) From start to finish, the 2023 College World Series was the best ever. In the championship game, there were many things that I did not expect. I didn't think LSU could win the championship without using ace Paul Skenes in some way. The fact is, he did not throw a single pitch in the … Continue reading The Best College World Series Ever
Letters from “My Coach”
(#182) In loving memory of my Coach, Bill "Moose" Perry, I decided to share a couple of letters that he wrote to me long ago when I started my coaching career at Magnolia Academy. Plain and simple, I became a baseball coach because of his influence. I can't thank him enough. Thanks Coach! We Still … Continue reading Letters from “My Coach”
We Believe!
(#181) This an awesome tribute to Coach Bill "Moose" Perry by Kendall Smith at Coach's long overdue induction to the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame. Thanks to those that made that happen. Coach Perry was my high school baseball coach at Forest Hill from 1970-72. What a great show of support from those … Continue reading We Believe!
The Toughness of an Eagle
(#180) The prominence of the Eagle, symbolizing toughness, is on display in my studio. Toughness is the ability to perform well, regardless of the circumstances… tough times, trials and tribulations, self-perceived pressures, or any distractions that might cloud your thinking and ability to compete in life as you were designed. It is the sum of … Continue reading The Toughness of an Eagle
Congratulations to 2-6!
(#179) Congratulations to George McQuitter, long-time Utica JC head coach and associate head coach at Hinds, for his induction into the MACCC Sports Hall of Fame. Call the Coach for all your real estate needs. rickclarke.com
The Big Four
(#178) The "Big Four" were on display by Dickerson, Monistere, Montenegro, Stone, Hall, Armistead and a host of others, including coaches for USM baseball in last week's regional. Discipline, confidence, motivation and determination are the essential attitudes for success, on and off the field. Call the Coach! rickclarke.com
ECCC Becomes 9th Mississippi JUCO to Play in the World Series.
(#177) Congratulations to Head Coach Neal Holliman and his Warriors of East Central Community College in Decatur for their State and Region 23 Championships and a berth in the NJCAA Division II World Series in Enid, Oklahoma. Here's a history of Mississippi teams in the series: Mississippi JUCOs in the World Series Call the Coach … Continue reading ECCC Becomes 9th Mississippi JUCO to Play in the World Series.
Magnolia Academy Raiders’ 42 Year Win Record Tied
(#176) Magnolia Heights won the MAIS 5A State Championship in baseball and finished the season 40-3. It was their 5th straight state championship, 13th overall and Coach Chris McMinn's 11th state championship. The 40 wins tied the association’s record set 42 years ago by the Magnolia Academy Raiders (40-5) in 1981. Read story about the … Continue reading Magnolia Academy Raiders’ 42 Year Win Record Tied
50th Anniversary of the Boys of ’73
(#175) April 15, 2023 One of the great things about today's 50th Anniversary celebration of the "Boys of '73" at Hinds was when 5 year old Baylor Branning accepted the plaque for his grandfather Doug Branning who passed away in October of last year. I thought it was an awesome tribute. Thanks to his grandmother … Continue reading 50th Anniversary of the Boys of ’73
Post Season Necessities…
(#174) Post season baseball is here. It's the most wonderful time of the year. The regular season with all its ups and downs is over and done with. Some teams made it to the post season. Some did not. You can't win it if you ain't in it, but if you are, you've got a … Continue reading Post Season Necessities…
Baseball Wrap-Up (1981)
(#173) Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News South Focus December, 1981 Editor's Note: When high school baseball was great and we had daily write-ups in the local paper. Lot's of the guys on this page went on to do great things and produce off-springs that did quite well, too. I'm sure that the great Robert Wilson had a … Continue reading Baseball Wrap-Up (1981)
Coming Soon on Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach
The JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Storybook Tale of 1999. Rick's NuWay Linq App - rickclarke.com
The Torch at USA Stadium (Legacy Moment)
(#172) Josh sent me this photo of the Olympic Torch at USA Stadium in Memphis while they were playing yesterday. In 1999 Curtis Jones hit an opposite field home run into that torch in the Division II World Series opener. (of course it's been relocated) Scott Fortenberry ('99, Always an Eagle) and I were just … Continue reading The Torch at USA Stadium (Legacy Moment)
The Battle Between the Hitter and Pitcher
(#174) (Note: This is a developing story). Baseball is a battle between the hitter and the pitcher. It's a competition, each one trying to out maneuver the other in order to win the battle. But what is a win for the hitter? What is a win for the pitcher? Can both win in the same … Continue reading The Battle Between the Hitter and Pitcher
A Day at the Park
(#171) Great day for baseball. Opening day at Joe G. Moss Field in Raymond. Sweep by the Eagles, 5-4 and 13-2. Got the guru to sign my book. It is very effective for training that “6 inches of real estate between the ears.” Thanks to Walter Herbison. His grandson pitches for Hinds. Another guru sighting. … Continue reading A Day at the Park
Competitors Competing
(#170) It's baseball season, 2023. It's time to compete. I still think these two clips are the best examples of a pitcher competing against a hitter who is also competing against the pitcher. A classic pitcher vs. hitter, hitter vs. pitcher battle, just like they all should be. Yankees-Dodgers, 1977 World Series, Game 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26fRnCj4SYQ … Continue reading Competitors Competing
Baseball & Whataburger
(#168) I had a great visit and lunch with Greg Guidry (no kin to Ron Guidry, except for one time for a good cause at Yankee Stadium) from Lafayette, LA. He is the Brand VP for Whataburger in the southeast and was in town and decided to "call the coach" after 36 years. We had … Continue reading Baseball & Whataburger
“Intestical” Fortitude
(#166) It's been 36 years since Warren Guerriero pitched at Hinds, but he finally received his just reward, the infamous "Ballsack" keychain symbolizing Toughness and "Intestical" Fortitude day-in and day-out. The best "big game" pitcher in Hinds history. Well deserved. Tough·ness /ˈtəfnəs/ n. - The ability to perform well on each pitch regardless of the … Continue reading “Intestical” Fortitude
Congrats to the “Moosester”
(#165) Congratulations to "my coach" Bill "Moose" Perry for being selected for induction to the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame for 2023. The banquet is June 23, 2023 at 6 pm at the Sheraton Refuge Hotel in Flowood. Let's set a record attendance in support and love for Coach Perry. Rick's NuWay Linq … Continue reading Congrats to the “Moosester”
Show Me a Sign Lord
(#164) One time we were playing a national powerhouse traveling through Mississippi with a 100% chance of severe storms all around. A merciful rainout was our only chance. It was thundering and lightning in every direction off in the distance. It was storming everywhere in Central Mississippi but in a little circle surrounding Joe G. … Continue reading Show Me a Sign Lord
Hinds Baseball First Pitch Banquet
(#163) Brought some treasures that nobody ever sees to the Hinds First Pitch Dinner with speaker Christian Ostrander. The History-Making 1989 Hinds Eagles tribute makes it’s debut tonight and will be in a prominent spot at Joe G. Moss Field this spring. The conversational format was great and Coach Ostrander was outstanding. Awesome baseball conversation. … Continue reading Hinds Baseball First Pitch Banquet
Ace in the Hole
(#162) In the 1995 Region 23 championship in Senatobia, we won the opener of the best of three series with the Northwest Rangers on Friday. With game 2 on Saturday underway, I was verbally wrestling with "one of those umpires" behind the plate who just would not call strikes. Ironically, his first name was "Homer," … Continue reading Ace in the Hole
Coming in 2023!
(#161) Painting by Ed Brown "Sports history not well documented will soon be forgotten." Rick's NuWay Linq App - rickclarke.com
Baseball Small Talk
(#160) Joe DiMaggio had a 56 game hitting streak broken on July 17, 1941, going 0-3 with two hard hit balls. After that game he hit safely in 16 more games. Hits in 72 of 73 games. Won the AL MVP over the great Ted Williams... who hit just 406.6. MLB teams after winning any … Continue reading Baseball Small Talk
Can You or Can’t You?
(#159) Here's a great video clip on the power of confidence and motivation from The Dirty Dozen (1967). 15 times in 31 seconds Jiminez says (and believes) he "can't make it." And he still believes he can't make it until he stops thinking about what he can't do. (1 minute clip) "I really can't make … Continue reading Can You or Can’t You?
Savvy Observations of a Mad Baseball Coach, The Collection
(#158) Here is a collection of "Savvy Observations" about the game I love. This is some great baseball stuff I've collected in my brain over a long career and after. It is an on-going project. At a Hinds game, our pitcher got a double play ball which hit the umpire in a private location that … Continue reading Savvy Observations of a Mad Baseball Coach, The Collection
Karmaisa
(#157) When we merged with Utica for the 1989 season, I will never forget the look on Curly Farris' (long-time Gulf Coast head coach) face when he saw the "Utica" umpires walk through the gate to call our doubleheader in Raymond; Leon, Floyd, Terry, Donnell, etc. We got all the calls and won two, just … Continue reading Karmaisa
Skip!
(#156) The great Skip Bertman who won 5 national championships as the head baseball coach at LSU, winning the College World Series in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000 was the speaker at a luncheon at the Country Club of Jackson yesterday promoting his new book, "Everything Matters in Baseball." If I had known about … Continue reading Skip!
Reminiscing at Joe G
(#155) I revisited an old battle ground yesterday in Raymond. Joe G. Moss Field was named for the man who donated the land the field sits in 2001, and received it's first make-over since 1984, including adding lights. Some of the landmark items of that day are a little old and weathered. It's like going … Continue reading Reminiscing at Joe G
The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Page: Team Inductee- 1987 – Our First “Great” Team
(#154) Hinds' first State Championship in 37 years, first Region 23 and Eastern District appearances. 1987 (38-13) Our First Great Team - South Division Champions (2nd consecutive), State Champions (Hinds' first in 37 years), Region 23 Runner-up (Hinds' first Region 23 appearance, first runner-up finish), Eastern District Tournament Participant (Hinds' first district tournament appearance). Note: … Continue reading The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Page: Team Inductee- 1987 – Our First “Great” Team
The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Page: Team Inductee- The “Originals” The Boys of 1973
(#153) The second team induction to The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame is the "Originals". The Boys of 1973. In the spring of 1973, Hinds reinstated the baseball team for the first time since 1958. Danny Neely was the coach. Powell Taylor drove the bus and coached first base. The players had to construct a make-shift baseball field (located … Continue reading The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Page: Team Inductee- The “Originals” The Boys of 1973
The Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Induction Plaque
(#152) Here is a sample of the Digital Plaque for inductees of the Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame. Call the Coach! rickclarke.com
Mike Trout’s Home Run Chase
(#151) Here's another great HR chase to follow. Mike Trout of the Angels has homered in 7 straight games. The MLB Record is 8. Trout has hit 35 home runs on the season. That averages out to $1,000,000.00 per home run. Note: The streak ended at 7 games on 9/13/22. Call the Coach! rickclarke.com
1989 Eagles Inducted into the Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame
(#150) Front row: (from left to right) Steve Blaylock, Doug Thomas, Elwood Bush, Matt Fouchard, Jeff Showah, Jeff Long. Second row: Scot Cochran, Cedric Robinson, Van Reed, Scott Williams, Clint Sims, Freddie Hill, Chris Howard. Third row: George McQuitter, Terre Woods, Mark Anders, Craig Upton, Noah James, Terry Gray, John Stewart, Rick Clarke. Not pictured: … Continue reading 1989 Eagles Inducted into the Official, Unofficial Hinds Baseball Hall of Fame
払って Ohtani (Paying Ohtani)
(#149) Should the Angel's Shohei Ohtani be paid like a top line MLB starting pitcher like Matt Scherzer, an every day power hitting position player like Mike Trout, or both? Scherzer is the highest paid pitcher currently earning $43 million a season. (that's $4,777,778 per win; 9) so far this season for the Mets. Trout … Continue reading 払って Ohtani (Paying Ohtani)
Swinging for History
(#148) Here's two MLB home run races worth watching. Pujols races to 700 (697) and Judge races to surpass Roger Maris' 61 (57). 2 more at Boston on 9/13/22. Updated totals as of 9/13/22) Aaron Judge going for Roger Maris' single season American League and Yankee record of 61, Albert Pujols going for 700 career … Continue reading Swinging for History
MLB Career Home Run Asterisks Club
(#147) MLB Career Home Runs: Barry Bonds* - 762 Hank Aaron** - 755 Babe Ruth** - 714 Albert Pujols*** - 703 Alex Rodriguez**** - 696 * - Numbers tainted by steroids. Not in the Baseball HOF. ** - Numbers not tainted by steroids. Hall of Famer. *** - Numbers not tainted by steroids. Future Hall … Continue reading MLB Career Home Run Asterisks Club
A Tribute to Lee Toney, 40 Years Later
Congrats to Lee Toney (1982-83) on his selection to the 2023 Hinds Community College Sports Hall of Fame! His induction will be during the Hinds Homecoming Festivities in October. (#91) Here's a shoutout to the great Lee Toney who put together the greatest offensive season in Hinds Community College baseball history forty years ago, in … Continue reading A Tribute to Lee Toney, 40 Years Later
The Historic Path to Grand Junction – 1989 (Part 1)
(#85) Commissioner Mac McClellan presents trophy after Eagles defeat Pearl River 5-3 for the 1989 MACJC State Championship at Mississippi College. The Region 23 Championship and Eastern District Championship and a trip to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado were to follow in the next 3 weeks. George McQuitter, Dr. Clyde Muse, Renee … Continue reading The Historic Path to Grand Junction – 1989 (Part 1)
“2-6”
(#26) ***Breaking News: (January 18, 2023) The Coach has been selected for induction into the Mississippi Association of Community College Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be this summer. Congrats! Well deserved and it's about time.*** George McQuitter left his mark of success on two baseball programs that eventually found success as one. … Continue reading “2-6”
50th Anniversary: “The Boys of ’73” – When the Great Hinds Baseball Tradition Got Its Start
(#47) In the spring of 1973, Hinds reinstated the baseball team for the first time since 1958. Danny Neely was the coach. Powell Taylor drove the bus and coached first base. The players had to construct a make-shift baseball field (located in the same position as today's Joe G. Moss Field). Note the photo of … Continue reading 50th Anniversary: “The Boys of ’73” – When the Great Hinds Baseball Tradition Got Its Start
NRM- Copy and Paste Marketing
The Art of the Game
(#196) The essence of baseball is to learn how to compete... with class, with dignity, with sportsmanship. Discipline, consistency and sound fundamentals. Game plans on offense and defense that must be followed. The universal rule of baseball is always in effect; the team with the most runs wins; always. Find efficient ways to hold them … Continue reading The Art of the Game
Guru Sighting
(#195) Another guru sighting. Legendary Delta State University basketball coach Steve Rives (and wife Ms. Sue) in the good "reserved" seats. We are watching our kids coach. Congratulations to "Coach" for being selected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame with induction ceremonies in August. Not bad for one of those Dixie Drive guys. Diary … Continue reading Guru Sighting
The Bill “Moose” Perry Hitting Facility at Mississippi College
1975 Forest Hill Rebel Dedication
(#193) The 1975 Forest Hill Rebel yearbook was dedicated to William Anthony Perry.
The “Moose” Has Been “Loosed!”
(#192)By Kendall Smith(Special for Mississippi Scoreboard) Saturday, August 10th, the Mississippi baseball community lost a legendary coach, advocate, teacher, and Hall of Famer. More importantly, thousands of students, players, friends, homeless street people, and church congregations lost an even greater man. Coach William A. “Moose” Perry lost a lengthy battle and courageous fight with Parkinson’s, … Continue reading The “Moose” Has Been “Loosed!”
The Clarke Baseball Museum and Garage
Under Construction
Hinds Junior/Community College Baseball Teams through the Years (1973-2005)
1974 Front row from left to right: Mickey Culberson, Gary Rosamond, Eddie Ramsey, Doug Branning, Rod Brumley, Robert Watkins, Butch Newman, Ricky Clarke, Andy Pickens, ________. Second row: Ray Burroughs, _______, Roy Higdon, Don Flowers, Curtis Cunningham, Stirling Madden, Danny Welborn, Barney Finch, Williamson, -----, Lawrence Moaton ----- 1984 Seated from left to right: James … Continue reading Hinds Junior/Community College Baseball Teams through the Years (1973-2005)
The Star Spangled Banner
(#191) This was our "go-to" version of the national anthem by the Gaither Vocal Band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVRasXuZMMo
Good.
(#190) Injured Texas A&M baseball star Braden Montgomery exemplifying 'Good' team motto. Maybe no Texas A&M baseball player has exemplified the "Good" team motto better than Braden Montgomery. OMAHA, Neb. – Before the 2024 season, Texas A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle gave everyone on his team a white hat with one word in maroon letters … Continue reading Good.
Rick Clarke's Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach 