Oil Can Boyd's Return

[love_that_reefer]

Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd has long felt the game of baseball was taken away from him far too soon. He was 31 years old when he threw his last pitch for the Texas Rangers in 1991. But now, at age 49, Boyd believes his shoulder is stronger than ever. He says his velocity is up in the low 90s and the 12-6 curveball and changeup have returned. He wants a chance to show a major league team he can still pitch. "I have nothing to lose, and all a major league team has to lose is 15 minutes," said Boyd. "Give me 15 minutes and I'll show I can still pitch. That's all I want." It's always been Boyd's dream to carry on the legacy of Satchel Paige and pitch into his 60s. Two weeks ago, at the Red Sox fantasy camp, Boyd started throwing in earnest again and was pleased with the results.

The Red Sox have signed up every other pitcher wanting a comeback, why not the Oil Can? I say give him a shot. It would make for a good story and take our minds of steroids for 15 minutes.

[HollywoodLeo]

I thought his was a joke at first.

[browntown653]

The Yankees will sign him.

[HollywoodLeo]

He'd be better than Brett Tomko

[browntown653]

So would I.

[love_that_reefer]

I would love to see one of you throw 95 mph.

[HollywoodLeo]

Kyle Farnsworth scoffs at 95 mph

[catman]

I remember this guy from his heyday. He was an "interesting" player. Maybe quirky would be a better way to put it. His delivery was unique. He could throw 4 pitches, each from 3 different arm angles and release slots, so it was nearly impossible to know what pitch you were going to see.
I'm all for someone giving him a shot.
Here is one of his more memorable quotes:
"That's what they get for building a park on the ocean." --Boyd, after a 1986 Red Sox-Indians game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium (on the shore of Lake Erie) was postponed due to fog.

[love_that_reefer]

Oil Can Boyd, RHP, free agent: The Can informs me he'll likely be pitching for Ottawa in the Can-Am League at age 49. He also informs me he'll throw before a couple of major league scouts in an effort to get back to the big leagues. "The ball is coming out of my hand free and easy for the first time in years," he said. "I just want to prove I can throw 100 pitches for 30 starts and dominate." The Can still has his repertoire of fastball, 12-to-6 curve, changeup, and screwball, and he's adding a "hard" knuckleball. "This is really nothing new," he said. "I've been throwing it for 10 years. I'm just going to use it more."

I wonder who these scouts are working for. Julio Franco, eat your heart out!

[missionhockey21]

C'mon, who doesn't want to see a 49 year old Oil Can return to the majors and post a tolerable 4.50 ERA? Probably next to impossible, but I'd love to see it.

Gotta dig the underdog. If Kenny Powers (of Eastbound & Down) can get his pitch back, maybe Oil Can has too.

[HollywoodLeo]

I'd like to see it.

I think the Padres should sign him. What have they got to lose?

[nick]

ha, saw this awhile back. Good shit.

[cjkalt]

Anybody have an update on this?