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Remembering Horace Speed: A MLB Player’s Legacy

May 28, 2025BenjaminLeave a comment

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025 Truth Endures©

1–2 minutes

Horace Speed (1951–2025): Former Major League Outfielder Remembered for His Speed and Perseverance

Horace Solomon Speed was a former Major League Baseball player. He was known for his blazing speed and quiet determination. He passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 73.

Born on January 22, 1951, in Pasadena, California, Speed was a standout athlete from an early age. The San Francisco Giants drafted him out of Pasadena High School. This was during the Major League Baseball’s round of the 1969 June Amateur Draft. Speed spent most of his professional career in the minor leagues. Nonetheless, his dedication to the game paid off. He finally broke into the majors with the Cleveland Indians.

Speed made his MLB debut on September 14, 1975, and played parts of three seasons with the Indians. Throughout 62 games, he was often utilized as a pinch runner and reserve outfielder, capitalizing on his hallmark speed. While his offensive stats — a .140 batting average, seven stolen bases, and eight runs scored — show limited playing time, his presence was valuable. He made significant contributions in late-game situations, particularly on the bases.

Speed’s journey through professional baseball was a testament to resilience. He spent nearly a decade in the minors. Before reaching the major leagues, he served as a model of perseverance for countless aspiring athletes. His career was modest in statistical output. Nevertheless, it remains a testament to hard work and patience. It inspires all who hear his story.

After retiring from baseball, Speed largely stayed out of the public eye, living a private life away from the spotlight. His modesty stands out. He has made significant contributions to the sport. This modesty is a reminder of the humility that can be found in even the most accomplished individuals.

Horace Speed’s passing marks the loss of a quiet but determined competitor. His journey inspired those who watched him run, hustle, and chase his dreams. He is remembered for his achievements on the field. More importantly, he is remembered for the character he displayed in getting there.

Reliving Harry Caray’s Magic: A Cubs Story

February 4, 2025BenjaminLeave a comment

GROFF MEDIA 2024© TRUTH ENDURES IMDBPRO

Presented by benandsteve.com By: Benjamin Groff II©

2–3 minutes

My Afternoons with Harry Caray

The sun beat down outside. The heat rolled in waves off the pavement. Inside my living room, the air was incredible, and the beer was ice-cold. It was that time of day again—my afternoons with Harry Caray.

The ritual was sacred. A six-pack, fresh from the ice chest, sat beside my recliner, already dripping with condensation. The TV crackled to life. There he was—Harry Caray, larger than life. His voice boomed through the speakers like an old friend stepping through the door.

“Holy cow! It’s a beautiful day for baseball!”

It didn’t matter where the Cubs were playing—Wrigley Field, St. Louis, Los Angeles—Harry brought the game home. The crack of the bat and the crowd’s screaming made each moment vivid. The agony of a blown lead and the thrill of a rally were more alive because Harry was calling it.

I took a long sip of my beer as the game unfolded, Harry’s voice rising and falling with every pitch.

“Ahhh, folks, that one just missed!”

he’d groan after a close ball.

“Boy, oh boy, you gotta be kiddin’ me!”

when the ump made a call against the Cubs. And when a fan made a barehanded grab in the stands?

“Let me tell ya, that guy deserves a contract!”

But no moment was more sacred than the seventh-inning stretch.

The organ at Wrigley Field fired up, and Harry’s voice slurred just enough to let you know he was enjoying the day as much as I was, belted out those legendary words:

“All right, Cubs fans, lemme hear ya! A one! A two! A three!”

And then it began:

“Take me out to the ballgame…”

I stood up from my chair, beer in hand, and sang along like I was in the bleachers. My voice didn’t hold a candle to Harry’s, but that didn’t matter. Our tradition was a shared experience that connected me to every other Cubs fan.

For those few moments, nothing else existed—just me, Harry, and the game.

When the ninth inning came, the excitement peaked. Whether the Cubs had pulled off a miracle or suffered another heartbreak, I lifted my beer. I then raised it one last time toward the screen.

“To you, Harry. Your legacy lives on in every Cubs fan. Holy cow, what a ride.”

Bob Kelly, 97, Former Major League Pitcher and Last Surviving Player Managed by Hornsby and Frisch

November 30, 2024November 30, 2024Benjamin1 Comment

2–3 minutes

In Memoriam

Robert Edward “Bob” Kelly, a distinguished former Major League Baseball pitcher. And an enduring symbol of the golden era of baseball. He passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, in Old Lyme, Connecticut. He was 97 years old.

Born on October 4, 1927, Kelly’s journey to the Major Leagues began on the sandlots of East Cleveland, Ohio. His exceptional talent emerged early, leading East Cleveland Shaw High School to a state championship in 1944. A standout pitcher, he achieved a 7–2 record in 13 games, striking out an impressive 75 batters.

Kelly’s college baseball years, playing for Purdue University from 1946 to 1947. And Western Reserve (now Case Western Reserve University) from 1948 to 1949. Both were a testament to his resilience and skill. These formative years set the stage for a professional career that would be marked by these very qualities.

Kelly made his Major League debut in 1951 with the Chicago Cubs. He went on to pitch for the Cincinnati Redlegs and Cleveland Indians. Over his career, he demonstrated remarkable adaptability, competing during an era defined by legendary hitters and managerial icons. His versatility was a testament to his love for the game and his dedication to his craft.

Kelly enjoyed a significant time in the Major League. He was also a mainstay in the minor leagues. Notably, he played with the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. His contributions to the sport extended beyond his pitching abilities. He became a mentor to younger players. He instilled in them the values of professionalism and sportsmanship. His influence on them will be felt for generations to come.

Off the field, Kelly was deeply devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He valued time spent with loved ones. He was known for his warmth, wit, and humility. His legacy extends beyond baseball, touching the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.

Bob Kelly’s life was a testament to the enduring spirit of baseball and the power of perseverance. His impact on the game and the people around him will be remembered fondly by fans, friends, and family.

In keeping with his family’s wishes, a private funeral service will honor his life. The family requests donations to youth baseball programs. This is to honor his memory. They want to make sure that Kelly’s love for the game inspires future generations.