Notes from the All-Star legends and celebrity game

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Shortening the mark

Dave Winfield hit 465 home runs in a 22-year major league career with six clubs, including the then-California Angels and San Diego Padres.

At 59, he may not have the pop he had during his career, but my guess is that he’ll have enough to knock a softball over the 300-foot fence in the middle of the field at Angel Stadium for the All-Star legends and celebrity game.

The usual 367 to 408 feet it takes for a major league player to hit a home run won’t be the obstacle he faces Sunday. Players will swing for a shoulder-high fence in shallow outfield.

Familiar turf

With celebrities on the field, there will be several people who haven’t touched a diamond or thrown a softball.

But the National League team in the All-Star legends and celebrity game has the perfect pitcher: Jennie Finch.

A three-time All-American pitcher at Arizona, no player will be more comfortable with a softball in their hand than Finch.

She has been named by Time magazine as one of the most famous softball players of all time, and the American League team is going to try to get hits off her. Good luck.