Denny Doyle recalls those good old days

Kids Stuff
By William Feldman

Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today’s column includes an interview with Denny Doyle, schoolyard safety and a cryptogram.

DENNY DOYLE

Denny Doyle, #15, played second base for the Phillies. He was born in 1943 in Louisville, Ky. He was always interested in baseball because his dad loved the sport. He enjoyed playing catch with him in the back yard when he was about 3 years old.
“I think my dad wanted me to be a ballplayer,” he said.
His father had the greatest impact on him as a child because of the time he spent practicing and playing catch. As a child he played baseball 10 to 20 hours a week; however, growing up he played basketball, baseball and football. He liked basketball the best. He received a college athletic scholarship in basketball. That is how he received his college degree.
He always wanted to play in the major leagues but did not realize he had a chance until his second year in college, because he was excelling in every league he played in.
“I am a little guy, but I practiced harder than anyone else in the game of baseball,” he said. “My dad told me, ‘Son, if you are the first one there and the last one to leave and you don’t let anyone outwork you in between, you will do what you want to do and you will be successful.’ This was my motto, and this is what I did.”
Mr. Doyle played for the Phillies for eight years. He played in the minor leagues for four years and in the major leagues for four years. As a professional he also played for the California Angels, behind Nolan Ryan, and the Boston Red Sox, where he played in a World Series in 1975. As a professional during the off-season, he worked just as hard. In the off-season, he spent at least three to four hours a day practicing. Traveling during his career was very hard because he had three small children.
Larry Bowa had the greatest impact on him. They played eight years together, and his work ethic motivated him.
Roberto Clemente was the most awesome player Mr. Doyle played against. He could beat you even without going out on the field. His presence as the #3 hitter caused your team to pitch differently to the first and second batters. He could beat you with his arm, his legs and his bat, Mr. Doyle said.
Today, there are several players that he likes: Charles Johnson, a catcher, goes about his business in a way he likes. He feels he has been one of the best defensive catchers and has a very good work ethic. However, his favorite player is Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox. He does a lot of things at the plate that he believes in. He’s very intense, and he is a leader, he said.
How would he compare baseball today to baseball in the 1970s?
“There is more money involved and more entertainment now,” he said. “There are more home runs and RBIs now, because they have moved in the fences and juiced up the ball.”
His greatest memory as a Phillies player is when the team played the Cardinals and Bob Gibson, a hall of famer, was pitching. Mr. Doyle went 4 for 4 and hit a two-run homer off of Bob Gibson.
Mr. Doyle’s greatest memory of Veterans Stadium was the opening day in 1971, because there were a lot of people there and there was a lot of hype.
He has advice for kids interested in becoming a professional baseball player: “The key to success is information or knowledge. You also have to have a lot of passion and dream dreams to make it to the big leagues. Whatever you dream, you can make happen.”

SCHOOLYARD SAFETY

Schoolyards can be fun but very dangerous. Heed these tips:
• Don’t leave your backpacks all over the ground. Someone could trip.
• If you don’t watch where you are running you could do a George of the Jungle “Watch out for that treeeee” and crash into the wall.
• Listen to the school aides.
• Don’t chase other kids. They will run and fall.
• If you see a stranger in the schoolyard, don’t go over to him. Tell an aide immediately.

CRYPTOGRAM

CRLKM CMSAS NOP RAS CRBUDEF
Hints: C is W; A is R; S is E; R is A
Answer to last week’s cryptogram:
DON’T BE LATE FOR SCHOOL

William Feldman is a sixth-grade student at the Greenberg Elementary School in Bustleton. Send all e-mails to wmkidscolumn@aol.com