John Anderson: Just a Swingin\'

by Dan Wachowski
Published on August 19, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)

When I hear the name John Anderson three people come to mind. The first two are famous, and the other resides in Duluth, Minnesota and lives the lifestyle of the not so rich and famous. John Anderson the country singer is well known for singing about Charlotte Johnson in "Just a Swingin'", John Anderson the presidential hopeful of the 1980 elections went down swingin' in defeat to Ronald Reagan and finally John Anderson the outfielder/designated hitter for the New Jersey Jackals is just a swingin' with a sugar maple Splitrock Bat. I know the latter John Anderson is not a big fan of politics, especially when it comes to baseball, but I could see him singing a little of Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Bat is Sexy"? Okay, maybe not.

On the Road Again

All three Andersons have spent their share of time on the road (and in cheap motels), but John Anderson the ball player spent the entire 2002 season completely on the road with then Gary Railcats' manager and current New Jersey Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra. The Railcats were on a non-stop 90-game road trip due to fact that Gary's U.S. Steel Yard wasn't ready for the 2003 season. John made the best of a grueling situation by batting a very respectable .294 with 11 doubles and 23 RBI.

The start of the 2003 season was also filled with a lot of time on the road. The first trip for John was from his home in Duluth to Lincoln, Nebraska. He went through spring training and played six games with the Lincoln Saltdogs before being released while batting .273 with no errors. Politics? Next stop, Milwaukee, Wisconsin where John was visiting his sister and her family and was waiting for his next opportunity to play. It came while the family was at the Milwaukee Zoo. Sioux Falls Canaries manager Doc Edwards was desperate for a quick fix to his shortage of outfielders. The Canaries bench was so depleted they had to play a pitcher in the outfield. So on June 2 Doc called John on his cell phone and asked if he wanted to visit the Birdcage, not the one at the zoo, but the home ballpark of the Sioux Falls Canaries. John said yes and immediately headed to Joliet, Illinois to join the team, where else, but on the road. Later that day at 7:05 PM John was in uniform in Silver Cross Field and was ready to play. Eight games later the Canaries were reloaded with outfielders and John was released, but not before Doc and John hatched a plan to get him reunited with Joe Calfapietra in New Jersey.

Reunited and it feels so good...

So once again John had to gather his stuff and head to another team and another ballpark, hopefully his last of this season. Next stop Yogi Berra Stadium to join the Jackals at home (a good omen). On June 15, John played his first game as a Jackal and recorded his first hit. On July 8 John started a hitting streak that would continue until August 6, and when finished, would total 23 games and be the longest hitting streak in the Northeast League in 2003. John attributes his success to his manager Joe Calfapietra, who in Gary and in New Jersey maintains a no-nonsense, no surprises approach which allowed John to do what he does best and that's just a swingin'.

John is currently batting .307 in 56 games with the playoff bound Jackals, who are trying to "Three-Peat" as Northeast League Champs*.

* First two championships were won when the Northern and Northeast Leagues were combined under the Northern League.

Canadian American League Stories from August 19, 2003

• John Anderson: Just a Swingin' - OSC Original by Dan Wachowski
• Anderson's Hit Propels Jackals Past Rox - New Jersey Jackals
• Bears Lose to Riversharks, 10-6 - Newark Bears
• Ambassadors Lose Sixth Straight to Surging Spirit, 11-3 - Allentown Ambassadors
• Playoff Races Tighten - Can-Am

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