NEW YORK CITY:
Note to Readers: Mark “Scoop” Saltmarsh, your humble correspondent here. Wanting to bolster depth for a lackluster bullpen in what Kings’ management and fans hope is a championship run this season, Weldon Vinpoint and Scott Oakey joined the organization from Cleveland. I was in Niagara talking with the newly acquired Vinpoint.
Sitting in front of a bland locker with no name plate and surrounded by suitcases, the strapping six-foot-four hurler Weldon Vinpoint wiped his brow.
“It has been a bit of a whirlwind. Cleveland yesterday, and Niagara today, but I’ll adjust. Maybe go see the waterfall on my day off,” he added with a playful smirk.
Adjusting to change can take time for anyone, but few ball players have as much experience with wearing new uniforms as Vinpoint.
In a 15-year professional career, the Kings make for his 6th LBL organization. Originally drafted by Detroit, Vinpoint’s circuitous path has included major league stops in Brooklyn, Providence, Boston, and Cleveland.
Baseball tradition defines a true journeyman as someone who has played for 8 or more organizations. With two to go, I asked Vinpoint if he thinks he will attain that status.
“I hope not. My intention is always to win where I am. The ‘brass’ makes players move, and I can’t control that. If you are talking to me in a few years and I am on my 8th franchise, I’ll guarantee that I look even more weary than I feel today.”
We chatted about pitching strategies, ballparks, and winning the 1911 league championship with Brooklyn. The veteran graciously responded to each of my inquiries.
“Now it is my turn…Can I ask you a question?”
I paused with the unexpected turn in the conversation. Noticing Vinpoint’s wry smile, I replied accordingly, waiting for what shenanigans I had just agreed to participate.
“With my 6 franchises, that has to be some sort of record for player travel. Will you get me an advertising deal with Louis Vuitton, Oshkosh Trunk Company, or Chas W. Wolf? I’d make a great pitch man for a suitcase manufacturer, and could sure use some complimentary stylish bags.”
We both enjoyed a hearty guffaw.
Later and back at my cozy news desk, I researched the related question from our discussion: Is Weldon Vinpoint the most traveled player in LBL history?
Depending on how the question is asked, the answer is “maybe.”
In terms of number of LBL franchises, Vinpoint’s six is the most that I could find.
Since Vinpoint is currently in AAA and did not appear in the LBL for Detroit, he has only been to the majors with four franchises, which is one short of the current record held by a retiree.
In a 12-year LBL career that ended in 1914, Southpaw Porter Cox appeared in 275 LBL games for St. Louis (Beavers), the Kings, Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit. In second place, Nicky Thompson played for 4 LBL teams between 1895 and 1909 including Chicago (2 stints), Richmond, St. Louis (Beavers), and Brooklyn.
I’ll have to let Vinpoint know that his dream of being a poster boy for the suitcase industry has hit a snag.