The Sizzler

One of my favorite people in baseball is Doug Sisson, the Royals first base coach.
I first met Doug in 1994 when he was the manager of the Hudson Valley Renegades of the NY-Penn League and I was their first year announcer.
Every day we had to do a managers report in the pre-game show and every day Doug busted my chops, in a good humored way. Just a very funny guy with a wit as quick as Usain Bolt.
After that season, Doug left the Texas Rangers organization and joined the Expos organization at Delmarva. I saw him during the 1995 season on a trip to Maryland and that was the last time I saw him...until today.
With the Royals in town to face the Rockies, I arrived at Coors Field and immediately headed to the visitors clubhouse. I went into the coaches room and Doug wasn't there. The other coaches said he "stepped out for a minute." One said, "maybe he's in the crapper." So I sat in the chair in front of his locker.
A few minutes later Doug showed up and immediately recognized me, which is a good thing.
"Bill Rogan! What are you doing here? And get out of my chair!"
It was great seeing him and I think he was glad to see me. We caught up and also talked about the great summer of 1994.
I gave him on of my books, "More Turf Tales," and he said he would read it in the first base coaches box during the game to give me some pub. He actually could have read it since he wasn't very busy. The Rockies manhandled the punchless Royals 9-0.
I asked Doug what he thought about the first book I wrote, "A Renegade Summer," a look at Hudson Valley's first season in 1994. He said he didn't get the book. Damn. I thought I had sent him one. Anyway, I have a few reserve copies and will bring him a book on that '94 season tomorrow.
All in all it was great to see "The Sizzler" again. "The Sizzler" is a nickname I gave Doug because I felt he needed a nickname. Doug Sisson is fine but "The Sizzler" is a great nickname. Or so I thought. It never stuck. But when I called Doug "The Sizzler" today he smiled. He hasn't been called that to my knowledge in 16-years.
So I'll see him tomorrow and I'll take a picture with him. He also said he'd sign a ball for me. That will be a nice momento.
By the way, Doug started his professional coaching career in 1992. It took him 19-years to reach the major leagues. He's enjoying his first season in "The Show" and there is no one that deserves it more. He's paid his dues and he's a first class guy.
I hope this year in the bigs isn't his only year. But the Royals better start winning some games. They looked pretty bad tonight.