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"Spotlight Award"
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Jesse Bean - #15
Birthdate: 12/19/45
Birthplace: Memphis, TX
Occupation: Retired - Dallas Fire Dept.
Family: 1 daughter; 1 son; 2 granddaughers'; 1 grandson
Big Thank YOU!: Dannie
Favorite Opponent: Reds (Joe Daniels)
Favorite Restaurant: Casa Casacavasos
Fantasy Job: Ongoing acting role on NYPD Blue.
4 Fantasy Dinner Guest:
1.) Dannie Williams
2.) Mickey Mantle
3.) Ann Margaret
4.) Buster Lanear
(My Father, Deceased)
MSBL History:
28 Reds 1989 - 1991
28 Angels 1992
28 Yankees 1993 - 2001
38+ Cubs 2003
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I started playing baseball at eight years old and played every season until 2001. Practicing and playing with obsessive dedication led to a life on baseball fields. Having heroes was a motivation for emulation and being on so many teams I soon realized the collective strength, effort and attitude was a worthy pursuit. I learned to respect the classical athlete with traditional values. Players that used their effort, talent and the way they played the game to make their point or express their message. I gained an appreciation for the game and the guys that played it. Baseball has been the one venue for generations that fair play, equality, and universal standards have not been compromised by political or social litigation. Every player gets three strikes before he is out and if he catches the ball and executes the play the other guy is out. I find that very rewarding in this time of special interest.
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I coached little league teams many years. I coached the baseball team at John B. Hood Middle School for two years and a junior varsity team at Skyline High School for three years. So life goes on with work, family, playing and coaching ball like so many other men. While playing fast pitch softball in 1989, I was asked by several players on the team to come out for the baseball team they played on. With the same reservations that so many guys have that it has been so long since I played and I don't know if I could hit that little ball again. Ron Edwards, Dan Henry, Riley Barber, and Denny Will did me a great favor by inviting me to play for Joe Daniels' Reds. I loved it from the first day. This new life in baseball happened at a time of extreme difficulty in my personal life and provided me much more than physical activity. It was something to be passionate about.
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After joining the Reds in 1989 I played for Joe Daniels' for several years, the Angels for one year, and then the closest to my dream that will ever happen came true. I became the Manager/Catcher of the Dallas MSBL American Division Yankees until 2002. Just the experience of playing ball and running a team was a great reward of being involved in the MSBL, but it was equally fulfilling to get to know so many great guys that just happened to be great ball players. It was a lot of fun to win the big game or the close game the rivalies sometimes became intense. I really enjoyed the thrill of picking a guy off third, the close play at the plate and the mutual respect that was generated by playing the game with all out passion and intensity. There are far too many guys that I respect and admire to list here, but the Team and players that I respect and admire are the 28+ Phillies. In spite of a not so favorable scoreboard outcome, most of the time the players of the Phillies are out there trying and I have never seen them complain, bitch, moan, or walk off because of the umps, the other team or the outcome of a game. The down side is a few individuals that do not respect the game, their team, the rules or the values of sportsmanship. Fortunately, the game is more resilient than the negative influence of a few so it withstands their assaults year after year. I was fortunate and honored to be selected to the Annual All Star Team every ear from 1989 to 2000 either as a player, coach or manager
The annual World Series stirs in all of us the anticipation of winning a ring and that was the motivation to prepare and pursue that goal. I started going to the World Series in 1989, I played or managed on a team until 2002. It was an amazing experience to play on the fantastic complexes in Phoenix. Meeting other players, former pro players and bonding with the guys that shared the love of the game. It was a great thrill for a rag knot player like me to hit a home run in the World Series.
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After 32 years on the Dallas Fire Department I retired in 2002 and traveled. I went to New York City and saw the sights and met some really great New York firefighters. I was thrilled with the excitement and eye opening awe of a child to ride out with engine 16 of the FDNY. In my travels I have visited 18 major league stadiums and have been to spring training at every teams camp in Florida. My favorite, of course is Legends Field, home of the Yankees.
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I was the bullpen catcher for the Frisco Rough Riders on September 3, 2003. In a playoff game against the Wichita Wranglers, ( we won). I had the opportunity, because of Rick Wright, to suit up and fulfill a lifetime dream of being a pro ball player, if only in a support role. It was just awesome to catch these 90+mph hurlers. The bullpen antics were great fun even though I had to run laps and got several head slaps because of bullpen games. The young guys on the staff treated me with irreverence and I loved every second of it. I met and talked with Jim Sundberg. I found out in a profound way that a 95 mph fastball really stings when it hits you in the chest with no chest protector on. My thanks to Rick Wright for getting me this gig and to the pitching coach, Steve Luebber and the Rough Rider pitching staff especially, Darin Moore and Keith Stamler.
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I decided to pursue some other activities that I had an interest in when I was younger, but never had the opportunity because of family and work obligations, so I became a substitute teacher and quickly realized I had not the skills or patience for such a difficult endeavor. I went to school and got a state certification as a Massage Therapist. Ultimately I decided I wanted to pursue acting. I was lucky to get a good agent and worked on 40+ episodes of Walker Texas Ranger. Chuck Norris is a great guy, very kind and easy to work for. About ten commercials, approximately a dozen movies and two plays later I had experienced what the business was like. My favorites were "The Bob Dole commercial", playing Ernie in "It's a Wonderful Life" stage play, and a starring role (Jonathan Trustworthy) in "Who's Minding the Mine", playing a paramedic (some stretch) in "On Any Given Sunday" and playing a prison guard that beat up Clint Black in the made for TV movie "The Legend of Cadillac Jack". It was an exciting experience and great to meet some of the people.
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It seemed to me that giving back applies to those like us that do not enjoy a celebrity status, fortune or a big name from the major leagues. We routinely conducted community service programs such as visitations to hospitals in Phoenix, a baseball clinic for the kids at Buckner Children's Home, a clothing drive for the homeless shelter and a celebrity game for Weatherford High School. Over a great many years of community service projects and fund raisers I have been honored with the Dallas Fire Department Community Service Award two times, The Texas State Firefighters Association Humanitarian of the Year Award and the George Washington Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Award.
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The efforts that are often tireless an equally as often go without thanks to the Board of Directors, the Managers, the Umpires of this league are what has made this an opportunity a privilege available for the rest of us. My personal thanks goes to Mr. Steve Sigler for creating this league and the years of enjoyment for us all. I have been honored to play with and manage some of the best players and greatest guys around. My heartfelt thanks to the leaders of our league Larry Roseborough, Carlo Strippoli, Harold Butcher and Sam Kayea. My respect, admiration and thanks to the opposing teams and players that have played their hardest to beat out butts and my never ending gratitude to the many players and friends that have supported and played their guts out for the Dallas MSBL American Division Yankees such the Hill brothers, Rich Highduke, Steve Hutchings, Greg Higgs, Dwayne Bragg, Fred Reagan, Greg Pierce, Chuck Daniels, as well as every man that wore the pinstripes during the Bean era.
Along with the great guys that make this league such a wonderful experience are the tolerant and patient wives, girlfriends, and significant others that put up with the time away from home, the ongoing war stories about the league, "the play" and the bad calls. The Yankee organization has been extremely fortunate to have Ms. Dannie (my significant other) on the team, on the sideline and working so diligently to keep the score and records, she helps me prepare for the practices, the games, and the many challenges of running a team. From loading and unloading the equipment, helping out with the Yankee Pinstripe Yearbook, assisting me with the Yankee web page, planning, preparing and carrying out the annual Team Banquet and putting up with the never ending barrage of compliments and complaints about the players, the league, and life in general as Dannie has been a constant of non-comprising dedication and support. Willingness and team support are the only motivation for her, because I assure you there are no other benefits.
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The glory of baseball is in the participation and we can all be challenged and rewarded by the association with those that treasure the game. The rewards are as individualistic as those that join the national pastime. Without the accolades of fame fortune or Championships the treasure of playing baseball is still within the spirit of the diamond. You can for League, State, or World Championships and succeed or fail, but you are still playing the best you can every time you step inside the lines. The fact remains, when you give all you got to the game you leave the dugout a winner.
After all is said and done, it's all about the playing and the players because the memory holds onto the relationships and the memorable plays much more than the Championships. With no League Championships, World Championships nor a ring to symbolize those accomplishments I am grateful to the game of baseball and to many many friends and acquaintances that play it.
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