Goodbye to 2013

Several unusual events happened this year:

After 51 seasons in the National League, the Houston Astros moved to the American League in 2013. The good news: they improved from 6th place in 2012 to 5th place in 2013. The bad news: that’s because the AL West only has 5 teams. The Astros were in last place both seasons, and actually regressed (51-111 this year, 55-107 last year).

Candlestick Park in San Francisco and the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota were retired this year. The Giants played in Candlestick from 1960-1999, and the 49ers from 1971-2013. (The Beatles last concert was at Candlestick Park in August 1966.) The Twins played in the Metrodome from 1982-2009, and the Vikings from 1982-2013.

Bud Selig finally gave a definite date for his long-awaited retirement. He will step down after the 2014 season. All I can say is “It’s about time!”

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Hall of Famer Stan Musial passed away on January 19th, at age 92. Musial played from 1941 to 1963 (except missing 1945 while in military service), and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.


Other 1960s-era folks leaving us in 2013 were:

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Goodbye to 2012

National League baseball in Houston began in 1962. After 51 seasons, it ended this year, as the Astros were shuttled to the American League, courtesy of the weasel occupying the commissioner's office:

After 29 years in the American League, Selig moved his Brewers to the National League, so that each league would have an even number of teams, thereby avoiding daily inter-league play. He was quoted as saying "The Brewers BELONG in the National League. Milwaukee is a National League city." (I suppose he based that statement on the THIRTEEN seasons the Braves played there.)

Now, after FIFTY-ONE seasons, that logic apparently doesn't apply to the Astros. The Brewers changed leagues to solve the inter-league play problem. Now that that doesn't seem to be a problem any more, the Brewers should shift back.


In 2012, we also bid farewell to these players from the 1960s:

Also leaving us in 2012 (although not a 1960s' player) was "The Kid":