One of the first things that strikes you about Dellin Betances is his size: 6'8", 265 lbs.
Yes, he stands out in a crowd. And in person he is the cliched gentle giant, soft-spoken and unassuming.
I first met Dellin at the New York Pro Baseball Scouts Dinner in Great Neck in January of 2011, just a few weeks before his first major league spring training with the Yankees.
That first spring Betances was stuffed into one of the middle lockers at Steinbrenner Field, just like all the other first-timers in big league camp. He wore number 72 then. High numbers aren't unusual for young players, of course, but there was something about seeing Betances—built like a defensive end—wearing that number and it made me think of Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
"Standing in the box facing Dellin must be like standing in the box facing Too Tall Jones," I said to myself.
Jones, for those who don't remember, was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970's and 80's, played in three Super Bowls including the Super Bowl XII championship team, played in three Pro Bowls and was All-Pro once. He wore number 72.
Now this part is just odd.
There was a night game at Steinbrenner Field early that spring and I walked out to watch batting practice when I noticed a few large guests lined up around the batting cage.
Turns out some of the Tampa Bay Bucs coaching staff had come over to hang out. And as luck would have it they brought a friend with them—Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
I have no idea how or why that coincidence played out, but it did. So I walked up to the cage, introduced myself, and told Mr. Jones how I had just been thinking about him because of Betances wearing number 72.
"So what was your playing weight?" I asked.
"I played at 275," said the 6'9" Jones.
Only one inch and ten pounds separated Betances from Jones. I was quite happy with that extra little nugget, but then another thought entered my mind.
All that time I spent thinking about Jennifer Anniston, how come she never randomly stops by to watch batting practice?
