Baseball notebook: Classic honors fans, dads

Fireballer Bob Feller’s ceremonial first pitch bounced before it reached home plate. That’s OK, though. The 91-year-old Hall of Famer still received the only standing ovation at the Hall of Fame Classic on Sunday. “I think I joined the politicians. They always bounce it,” Feller said in his inimitable, teasing way. “No sport would be in existence without the fans. The fans make the game. They pay their way, pay the salaries. “I appreciate being invited back. I hope to be here next year, but we’ll take one year at a time.” Feller again made the 71/2-hour drive from Ohio with his wife to Doubleday Field, and this time he’s staying a little longer than usual. He’ll be in this picturesque village for five days to film portions of a documentary being made about his life. Feller was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1962 following a stellar career with the Cleveland Indians. The old-timers’ Classic began last year on Father’s Day, replacing the Hall of Fame Game which ended after nearly seven decades. The game drew a crowd of more than 7,000, with most of the seats at the old ballpark filled on a sunny day just right for baseball. While Feller was a big hit, a few former power hitters were back, too. “I’ve played on Father’s Day almost my whole life,” said Jeff Kent. “So I enjoy trying to create an opportunity for other families to come out on Father’s Day. You get dads bringing their sons. If I can be a part of making somebody else’s day, I’m all for it. It’s cool for me.” Furcal’s father dies The father of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal has died from injuries he sustained after being kicked by a horse three weeks ago. Furcal said his father, Silvino, died Sunday morning in the Dominican Republic after complications from surgery. In a phone interview with the Associated Press from the Dominican Republic, Furcal described his late father as his hitting coach and No. 1 fan. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Sunday in Boston that he expects Furcal back in the middle of the week. Furcal was placed on the bereavement list last Thursday. Quintero injured Astros catcher Humberto Quintero left the game against Texas after getting hit in the head with a bat on Andres Blanco’s follow through. Quintero fell to the ground in the fourth inning and remained down for several minutes while trainers attended to him. He appeared to be bleeding from a gash on the right side of his head. A trainer held gauze to his head as he finally sat up, got to his feet and was helped off the field. He received seven stitches. Read-only cutline Text: spt_21-bb-note-pic.txt1 Image: spt_21-bb-note-pic Jeff Kent and Phil Niekro joke at the Hall of Fame Classic. Read-only cutline_credit Text: spt_21-bb-note-pic.txt1 Image: spt_21-bb-note-pic Associated Press