THE VILLAGER Page 8 ~ April 13, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com Sports TheThe TorosToros WillWill HostHost BaseballBaseball ReturnsReturns To RoundRound RocRockk ErieErie InIn TheThe PlayoffsPlayoffs ThisThis WeekendWeekend

By: Terry Davis

@terryd515 The regular season is finally over for the Austin Toros. This weekend the Toros will try to close out the Erie BayHawks in the first round of the Develop- mental League of the NBA (D-League). The D-League Cory Joseph (23) looks to drive the Toros deep has a best of three games in the playoffs. Photo by Terry Davis format, with the higher seed (L to R) Ron Washington and Bobby Jones would like to plays the first game on the matic turnaround this year. leans Hornets) and Lance duplicate their success. Photo by Terry Davis road and the host the sec- They missed the playoffs Thomas (Hornets). Jones is By: Terry Davis Furthermore, Round lington to play for the Rang- ond and third game if nec- last season and amassed in his second season with the Round Rock claimed Rock’s 87 wins last sea- ers. The Express outfield essary. The BayHawks are the most wins in franchise Toros. its second Pacific Coast son were the most ever by is loaded with talent. the sixth seeded team. history this season with 33 The Toros won the League American South- a Rangers Triple-A squad. The Express opened The two division win- wins. The Toros are a very only time they played the ern Division Champion- The 1999 Oklahoma City the season on the road last ners receive the first two balanced team having the BayHawks 111-88. The ship since joining the RedHawks previously held week. The Express will seeds in the playoffs. The ability to be very explosive teams only met once this league in 2005 last sea- the mark, going 83-59. host the Iowa Cubs on Fri- Toros despite finishing with on offense, but also can season in Reno, NV during son. The Express also Bobby Jones, who claimed day April 13 at 7:00 pm at the second best record this shut down their opponents. the Showcase Classic. won the division title in the 1,500th victory of his the Dell Diamond and will season is seeded third, be- Much of this season success Game one of the series will 2006. Round Rock en- career in 2011, was named be the start of an eight cause they finished second comes from head be played at Erie on Thurs- joyed the best record in PCL of the Year. game home stand. After the in their division. The D- Brad Jones. Jones has had day April 12 and can be the franchise’s Triple-A The Express will be game there will be a fire- League playoff format is to deal with an ever chang- seen for free on future cast history, going 87-57. That led by Julio Borbon, Joey work show. Most of the very different any other ing roster. The Toros had on the D-League’s website. was a 30-game turnaround Butler, Matt Kata and fireworks games were can- playoff system. The teams eight NBA call ups this sea- The Toros will host game from 2010, the club’s fi- Leoyns Martin. Borbon, celed last year due to the seeded 1-4 give to select son. Eric Dawson, (San two on Sunday April 15 at nal season as an Astros Butler and Martin will all drought conditions in which team they would like Antonio Spurs twice), Jus- 3 pm at the Cedar Park affiliate. compete to make it to Ar- Round Rock. to play in the first round tin Dentmon (Toronto Rap- Center. Game three if nec- starting in order with the tors, Spurs), Lester Hudson essary will be played on first seed. (Cleveland Cavaliers), Monday April 16 at 7:30 at RonRon WashingtonWashington LooksLooks ToTo The Toros had a dra- Cardell Johnson (New Or- the Cedar Park Center. ContinueContinue HisHis WinningWinning WaysWays Baseball Great Doby Receives Postage Stamp By Donald Hunt down to whoever can grind Special to the NNPA it out for 162 games out the from the Philadelphia best. I feel like the Texas Tribune Rangers will win more then they lose.” When asked do hit over .400 at midseason when opening day ever get old for Bill Veeck of the Cleveland In- you Washington said, “No, dians purchased his contract it’s invigorating each time and brought him to the majors. you have an opening day. It Doby’s white teammates means you lasted for another gave him a chilly reception and year. It continues to add to he spent his first season on the the years that you have been bench. He batted .301 for the in the game.” Washington Larry Doby, a trailblazer of it. I’m looking forward to it. season and helped Cleveland liked playing the game more and Hall of Fame baseball “ win the pennant. During the Ron Washington the managing the game. player, on a U.S. postage Doby helped to pave the fourth game of the World Se- Washington said, “There is stamp. Doby was the first Af- way for other Blacks to play ries against the Boston Braves, By: Terry Davis Star game, but Washington nothing than better being a baseball. He helped to lay the rican American to play on an he became the first Black Man- broke that streak. Wash- player. As a manager you are American League baseball foundation for racial progress player to hit a in a ager, Ron Washington enters ington was not successful in strapped to your players if team. — PHOTO/ U.S. in the game of baseball, which World his sixth season with the the game losing to the Na- they play well you look good, POSTAL SERVICE. is known as America’s pas- Series, which Cleveland won. Rangers. The Rangers have tional League 5-1 in Phoe- if they play bad then you Doby will receive a post- time. The following season appeared in the World Se- nix. Washington has not age stamp along with three Doby was born in Doby was chosen to the Ameri- don’t look good.” ries for the last two years. other baseball greats Willie Camden, South Carolina and can League all-star team, which received much recognition Washington appeared Stargell, Joe DiMaggio and Ted raised mostly by his maternal he made for each of the next Washington became only the by most publications as a in 564 games in the major Williams as a part of the Major grandmother while his mother six years. In 1950, Sporting second minority manager to great manager. He has only league. He debuted with the League Baseball All-Stars made a living as a domestic News named him the best accomplish that. Cito two yearly coaching awards Dodgers in 1977 and also stamps on July 20 at the Base- worker in Paterson, N.J. He centerfielder in baseball, ahead Gaston was the first with the to his credit. He was named played with Minnesota, Bal- ball Hall of Fame in eventually joined his mother in of DiMaggio. He led the league (1992- 2010 Manager of the year timore, Cleveland, Houston Cooperstown, New York. Paterson and attended in home runs and runs scored 93). Washington a native of by the Boston chapter of the and Minnesota. Washington Each of these Hall of Eastside High School, where in 1952. Two years later, he New Orleans, LA and Baseball Writers. He also played with tremendous en- Famers were outstanding ma- he picked up 11 varsity letters again led the league in home graduated from John received the 2011 C.I Tay- ergy and manages with that jor league players. They all from playing different sports. runs, helping the Indians reach McDonogh High School in lor American League Man- same energy. He gets very made huge contributions. Doby Prior to graduating from the . In 1955, Doby 1970, where he played base- ager of the Year Award excited when his players ex- was the first African American high school, Doby started his set an American League record ball and football. He was from the Negro Leagues ecute great plays. to play on an American League baseball career with the New- for an outfielder with 164 honored at his high school on Baseball Museum in Kan- Washington is just a baseball team, joining the ark Eagles of the Negro Na- straight errorless games. Feb. 3, 2009 in what was sas City. manager he has gotten in- on July 5, tional League. After spending When his career was declared “Ronald Washing- When asked about the volved with the community. 1947. He integrated the league time in the U.S. Navy as a over, he coached for the ton Day” in the City of New race for the American He was inducted into the just 11 weeks after Jackie physical training instructor dur- Montreal Expos, the Cleveland Orleans. Washington has League West Washington Texas Black Sports Hall of Robinson broke the color line ing World War II, Doby came Indians, and the Chicago White been at the Helm of 18 of the said, “The Anaheim Angels Fame in December 2010. back to the Eagles in 1946. in the National League. In fact, Sox. In 1978, Doby was hired Ranger’s 19 postseason have bettered themselves He did a series of motiva- this year is the 65th anniversary That season he helped the as manager of the White Sox, wins. Washington has an 18- with the addition of C.J. tional speaking for high of Robinson breaking the color Eagles defeat Satchel Paige making him the second African 15 record in the post season (Wilson) and Albert Pujols. schools in Arlington, Texas. barrier in Major League Base- and the Kansas City Mon- American to manage a major all with the Rangers. This is They’ve already been a for- He has also participated in ball. archs in the Negro World Se- league team. Doby was elected Washington’s first job as a “This is quite an honor for ries championship. Doby and to the Baseball Hall of Fame in midable opponent. They many African-American ini- manager in the major league. him to be recognized by the Paige were great stars from 1998. He died on June 18, 2003 have made themselves bet- tiatives during his tenure, United States Postal Service the Negro Leagues. The Ne- in Montclair, N.J. With the U.S. He was on the staff of the ter. The Texas Rangers is hosting a clinic at the South along with three other good gro Leagues featured players Postal Service issuing stamps Oakland A’s as a coach for pretty good too. The Oak- Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club guys , Joe such as Josh Gibson, James young people can learn about 5 postseason appearances. land A’s and Seattle Mari- and attending receptions for DiMaggio and Willie Stargell,” “Cool Papa” Bell, Judy their legacy and others can re- Before last season the ners has definitely gotten the African-American Mu- said his son, Larry Doby, Jr. “It’s Johnson and Oscar Charles- flect on their magnificent base- Rangers had never had a better.” Washington contin- seum and Jackie Robinson a great honor. I’m very proud ton. The following year Doby ball careers. manager to manage the All- ued, “I think it will come Foundation.