Don Mincher did many great things in baseball. Among those, 55 years ago today, he hit a home run off Don Drysdale in his first World Series at-bat. So it’s appropriate for me to retell this highlight moment of a man I was honored to consider one of the closest friends I made in this … Continue reading The anniversary of Don Mincher’s first World Series homer: ‘You’ve still got to hit it when a Hall of Famer throws it’
Author: Mark McCarter
Mark McCarter is a long-time newspaper reporter and columnist and four-time Alabama Sportswriter of the Year. He's the author of four books, including "Pandamonium," about the return of pro baseball to north Alabama, "Baseball in Huntsville," and the namesake of this site, "Never a Bad Game."
McCarter has worked for newspapers in Chattanooga, Anniston and Huntsville, and lives now in Huntsville with his wife Patricia. His work has also appeared in Sports Illustrated, Fortune, The Sporting News, Sport, USA Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and a variety of other publications. He is currently assistant athletic director for external operations at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
A member of sports Halls of Fame in Chattanooga and Huntsville, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Writers Hall of Fame in 2022 and named one of the "50 Legends" of the organization. He was also honored with the Mel Allen Award for contributions to sports in the state by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Mark covered the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, 10 NCAA Final Fours, 13 Daytona 500s, four BCS national championship games, five Super Bowls, three World Series, more than 20 bowl games, The Masters, the Kentucky Derby, a heavyweight championship fight and a national political convention and a space shuttle launch.
His most memorable event, though, was the annual Buff Bowl, a flag football game at a Tampa nudist camp on the day before a Super Bowl.
And, to answer your question, no, he was not.
Of Dale and ‘Dega
Being less than enthralled with traffic jams, I’d arrive at the race track five or so hours before the green flag. That was back when traffic was still a factor, before NASCAR started walking head-down, looking for every bit of spare change dropped onto a sidewalk, and didn’t pay attention to what was coming. I’d … Continue reading Of Dale and ‘Dega
A Huntsville home game for the Nashville Predators
Smack dab in the middle of the Stanley Cup finals, I thought it’d be a fun reminder that the Nashville Predators’ first game was in Huntsville, Ala. – smack dab in the middle of football season. Full disclosure: I am enthralled by post-season hockey. It’s been background noise in my den much of the last … Continue reading A Huntsville home game for the Nashville Predators
Of “Three Blind Mice” and Joe West and a press-box ejection
I got thrown out of a game while minding my own business in a press box. Thrown out by Joe West. The whole press box got thrown out, in fact. Which doesn't exactly put us in select company. West has spent 44 years as a big league umpire, carrying a hefty ego and a quick … Continue reading Of “Three Blind Mice” and Joe West and a press-box ejection
On the occasion of my hero’s 100th birthday
Today would be the 100th birthday for my father, Frank McCarter. That’s mind-boggling in so many ways. First, to accept the fact that someone I think of daily has not been alive since April 4, 2007. Here's the cover of "My First 85 Years" Second, to realize that my mother, whose Alzheimer’s disease we believe … Continue reading On the occasion of my hero’s 100th birthday
How an obit became a book title, and how you can read the book
The title of this blog site comes from a book title, and the title of the book comes from an obituary. Now, most anybody with a keyboard can write an obituary. As long as it doesn’t suggest the dearly departed drowned kittens for a hobby or served as a fry-cook for the Taliban, most folks … Continue reading How an obit became a book title, and how you can read the book
Recalling a low-tech visit during a high-tech political convention
I can say with relative certainty that I was the only journalist to cover both the Republican National Convention and the Brickyard 400 in the same week in 2000. The winners were a pair of Texas guys. Both were emerging from the shadows cast by more imposing members of their own families -- George W. … Continue reading Recalling a low-tech visit during a high-tech political convention
Five years ago: Tragedy and tribute
The silver-haired man stood on a stage in an arena in which 3,000 gathered, speaking directly to two dozen people. He talked for 24 minutes, pouring out his own heart and touching your own, were you among the 3,000. I’ve vowed to stay away from politics on this new blog experiment of mine. No use … Continue reading Five years ago: Tragedy and tribute
Harvey Updyke poisoned much more than some trees
The most despicable example of the insanity of college football in Alabama is gone. Harvey Updyke, 71, died in Louisiana on Thursday. That the announcement was issued by a son he named Bear tells you a lot. That Updyke named his daughter Crimson Tyde tells you even more. I’ll refrain best I can from speaking … Continue reading Harvey Updyke poisoned much more than some trees
Well, kiss my asterisk…
The asterisk apparently comes from the ancient Greeks, and it was discovered on countless cave paintings. Who knew? I thought baseball invented it. If you're a sports guy, you think it was created by MLB Commissioner Ford Frick, who assigned it to Roger Maris' 61 home runs in 1961. Maris wasn't worthy, decided His Eminence … Continue reading Well, kiss my asterisk…
Never a Bad Game 