Author: Jalatian Sonya

Essegian lived a dream, but someone pinched him

CROWE’S NEST

By Jerry Crowe, Times Staff Writer ([email protected]/)/

Los Angeles Times
October 23, 2006

Delivering in the clutch for the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series
triggered a curious turn of events for Chuck Essegian.

While his two pinch-hit home runs helped the Dodgers defeat the Chicago
White Sox, four games to two, they also might have diminished the
marketability of the journeyman outfielder from Fairfax High.

"I’m not sure," says Essegian, a 75-year-old retired lawyer looking back
all these years later, "but I think those home runs probably hurt my
career. You know, you kind of get labeled as a certain kind of player.
If you’re a pinch-hitter, you’re a pinch-hitter because you’re not good
enough to play every day….

"It’s a hard tag to live down."

Essegian was 28 and a veteran of only 80 major league games in October
1959. He made his major league debut only 18 months earlier.

But four years later the former Stanford linebacker was out of baseball
for good, having retired after playing for six teams in six seasons. In
404 major league games, Essegian batted .255 with 47 home runs and 150
runs batted in, including a 21-homer, 50-RBI season with the Cleveland
Indians in 1962.

As a lawyer, he started out as a prosecutor in Pasadena, opened a
private practice in 1977 and retired 10 years ago. These days, he
handles the occasional mediation or arbitration case "just to see if my
brain still works." A father of three and grandfather to five, he lives
in Canyon Country with his third wife, Holly.

"For one reason or another, I just never played much in baseball," says
Essegian, who at 5 feet 11 and 200 pounds helped Stanford reach the 1952
Rose Bowl but chose a career in baseball because he believed it promised
a longer, more lucrative career. "It just didn’t work out the way I’d
hoped it would."

But he treasures the memories.

How many others can say they played in the Rose Bowl /and/ the World
Series? Who else can say his teammates included Dodgers greats such as
reliever Larry Sherry, a fellow Fairfax alum and the pitching star of
the ’59 Series; Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, et
al, /and/ Bob Mathias, a two-time Olympic decathlon champion and
Stanford fullback?

Only one other person, Bernie Carbo of the 1975 Boston Red Sox, can say
he hit two pinch-hit home runs in a World Series.

A Dodger for about six weeks when the World Series opened in Chicago,
Essegian was an unlikely October star. Traded from the St. Louis
Cardinals on June 15, 1959, he spent two months in the minors before an
Aug. 19 recall. In 85 major league at-bats that season, he hit one home run.

But with the Dodgers trailing, 2-1, and two out in the top of the
seventh inning of Game 2 at Comiskey Park, Manager Walt Alston sent the
powerfully built Essegian to the plate to bat for starting pitcher
Johnny Podres. Against Bob Shaw, who was trying to protect the lead and
give the White Sox a 2-0 advantage in the series, Essegian launched a
3-and-1 breaking ball halfway up the left-center-field stands, starting
a three-run rally that carried the Dodgers to a 4-3 victory.

He pinch-hit again in the ninth inning of Game 6, this time with the
Dodgers leading, 8-3, and having nearly completed a remarkable
turnaround from a year earlier, when they finished two games out of last
place in their inaugural L.A. season.

No pressure, right?

Except that this time Essegian batted for the great Snider, who had hit
a two-run home run in the third inning and was destined for the Hall of
Fame.

"On my way to the plate," Essegian recalls, "Duke was walking back to
the dugout and he said, ‘Not too many guys have ever pinch-hit for me,
let alone in the World Series, so go hit another one.’ "

Which Essegian did.

While breaking his bat.

"Hey!" third base coach Pee Wee Reese shouted to reporters after the
game. "How about that bunch of muscles called Essegian? He broke his bat
on that homer today, you know. How about that for power?"

But not everyone applauded the crowning blow.

"I can’t tell you how many letters I got from people all over the world
chastising me because I changed their pool scores," Essegian says,
laughing. "They were counting their money, right? I thought, ‘Well, I’ll
be darned.’ I got letters from Japan, from Canada, people all over the
world, saying, ‘You didn’t have to do that. You had the series won and
you cost me $100 in the pool.’ "

Essegian, batting for Drysdale, hit another pinch homer on opening day
in 1960, but in February 1961 his rights were sold to the Baltimore Orioles.

He had played in only 76 regular-season games with the Dodgers, hitting
four home runs.

3oct23,1,1648701.story?coll=la-headlines-sports/

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 21 2006

Austrian Turkish Candidate Stigmatized for ‘Genocide’ Denial
By Cihan News Agency
Saturday, October 21, 2006
zaman.com

A Turkish-origin candidate for a seat in the Austrian parliament has
been threatened since he denied the so-called Armenian genocide in
a statement in a paper in Vienna.

Mustafa Iscel, candidate for Austrian People’s Party (OVP) in the
general elections held on Oct. 1, said that he had been threatened
by Armenian lobbies in Austria and Germany after he told Austrian
daily Die Presse that no Armenian genocide existed.

Iscel also printed a flyer that read "Vote for us if you do not want
the Armenian bill passed" during the election campaign.

"People from both sides were killed in this historical event.

Independent historians are needed to clarify the issue and politicians
should not be involved in such issues," he told the newspaper.

Iscel went on to say that Armenians would threaten him till he resigned
from his party, also pressuring the OVP to remove him from the list
of candidates.

Late in September, three Turkish candidates were expelled from their
parties in the Netherlands due to their refusal to accept the so-called
Armenian genocide, ahead of general elections to be held on Nov. 22.

The Christian Democrat Appeal and Labor Party of the Netherlands
removed three Turkish-origin politicians from their lists of candidates
to run for a seat in the parliament after they refused to admit that
Turks committed genocide against Armenians during the World War I.

"IF WE AREN’T COMPETITIVE, WE LOSE"

Aravot.am
20 Oct 06

OEP leader, NA former chairman Arthur Baghdasarian says.

We have been informed that you have been awarded by the highest state
medal of Austria for democratic development and Euro integration. This
is the second European award after President of France Jacques
Chirac’s highest award. Is our information right and if it is so,
doesn’t is mean that the influences of the outside world become more
and more important for our country.

Yes, that information is true and I want to thank to the President of
Austria for that highest honor. As for your question about the outside
world I want to say we can’t live in an isolated world nowadays,
we must understand that rivalry and not contrast are preferable in
the globalizing world, and if we are competitive, we lose. We must
understand first of all that for being competitive we should create a
free democratic country inside our country and coming parliamentary and
presidential elections are very important for the future of Armenia. My
London meetings proved that everybody were interested there in Armenian
elections. We should understand that foreign countries will influence
us by all means and this connects with the rising interests of the
region. We must realize that we are obliged to hold fair elections
corresponding to international standards. If we hold unfair elections
we’ll have bad remarks and developments both inside the country and
out of its borders.

The leaders or representatives of almost all forces of the opposition
field don’t hide that they agree with the formation of a bloc with
OEP what about the OEP’s orientation, are you going to participate
in the coming elections separately or with a bloc?

I’m sure; Orinats Erkir Party will have a weighty participation in the
future parliament though the use of black technologies and non-civil
methods. We are for fair and civilized political struggle, for close
political collaboration with the parties of opposition field. That
collaboration supposes two mechanisms: active pre-electoral and post
electoral collaboration. We have already come to an arrangement
with some political parties to sign bilateral agreement, which
will be transparent for the population. The time will show whether
pre-electoral allies will be formed in Armenia. It is difficult to form
blocs with ambitious parties because the bloc means the existence
of at least three factors: first of all public confidence among
the people, strong construction of party adherents and resources;
human, organizational, financial, political ties etc. All those
forces, which are ready to put their ego for general activities,
we are ready to collaborate with them but I’m not so optimism to see
everything in green light and not so pessimism to see everything in
dark colors. I’m realist and I’m sure there will be unions in Armenia,
the time will show.

It was speaking in time that you were ready to resign but you had to
send in your resignation earlier?

I didn’t have to resign earlier. The responsibility of our party
was to improve people’s life. OEP has declared since the first day
of its formation that we are a political force that demands and
achieves reforms. We haven’t kept silence but struggled for changes
instead. We could keep silence and enjoy as a lot of politicians
do. I have met with the President before my resignation and he hasn’t
demanded my resignation.

Do you believe in fair elections?

I’m not so naive to think that ideal elections will be held in Armenia,
but everybody must understand that nobody has held fair elections
only by words, we should make practice steps.

Some of your former partners declare that OEP acts with the principles
of sect that the members of your party call on the flats and assure
the inhabitants like the sect representatives. Is it so?

There were some publications in the authority-controlled
press. Nowadays the OEP use western technologies adopted by the
modern civilized world irrespective of politicians who use soviet
standards. We use new technologies in our political struggle, we have
active ties with the public, and we work openly.

Common people say that you have left the authority so they can believe
in you, don’t you regret for leaving it?

It wasn’t easy to leave the NA chairman’s position, nowadays people
of political field dream of becoming parliamentarian, minister or
deputy minister, chief of department and even the principal. I left
that position in favor of true reforms, I’m sure we’ll make those
amendments. Democratization of Armenia, Euro integration, shadow
economy, fight against corruption and criminal, free, developing
economy, development of collaboration, social-economic conceptual
reforms; these are first priorities of my party.

Margaret Yesayan

COFFEE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY HEADS INDICTED IN MONEY EMBEZZLEMENT

Panorama.am
16:25 20/10/06

Soon Royal Armenia, a coffee distribution company, will start lays
off of its employees. In the first phase, 48 employees will be
dismissed. The future unemployed must thank Customs State Committee
and National Security Service investigation officials.

Gevorg Minasyan, company lawyer, said they do not have raw coffee
under their disposal at the present situation. The customs service
put a ban on more than 100 tones of coffee dispatch failing to process
necessary documents. The ban is made due to a criminal case instituted
against company directors Gagik Hakobyan and Aram Ghazaryan. The
latter are indicted for customs violations, document fraud and money
embezzlement. /Panorama.am/

CONSTANTINE IS MY FRIEND BUT MY GREATEST FRIEND IS TRUTH

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

I have known Constantine Zatulin since 1990 and we are close, but I
disagree with his point, stated the leader of the National Democratic
Union Vazgen Manukyan October 19 at the Pakagits Club, when the news
reporters asked him to comment on Zatulin’s statement that in the
Russian-Georgian conflict Armenia must support Russia.

"I think this is absurd. After all, we have lived in this territory
with the Georgians for thousands of years, we are neighbors, there
were great disputes, I dislike a lot of things about the Georgian
policies, but we are neighbors. Besides, we do not have sea, we
have four neighbors, Azerbaijan has blocked all the ways, Turkey
has blocked all the ways, the Iranian road is endangered, because if
America pursues an embargo and other actions, we may lose this way
too, and we are offered to make our relations with Georgia tense,
which will lead to the blockade of this way too and displacement of
the Armenians from Javakheti," says Vazgen Manukyan.

Vazgen Manukyan declined to express his opinion on Igor Muradyan’s
statement on Javakheti that Armenia and the West have made an
arrangement to prevent every movement in Javakheti that might raise
the issues of this region. He says he highly respects Igor Muradyan,
but they are different, he is a political figure, and Igor Muradyan
is a political scientist. "In other words, Igor Muradyan can say
things which a political figure may think about or not but cannot
express. But most probably what he said is not supported by any
argument. Meanwhile, a political figure does not have the right to
say things which are not supported by arguments, whereas a political
scientist has the right to," says Vazgen Manukyan.

Famiano Crucianelli: Italy ready to assist Armenia on its way to European integration
19.10.2006 10:36

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan received the delegation headed by
Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy Famiano Crucianelli. At the start of
the meeting Mr. Crucianelli stressed the willingness of the Italian
side to assist Armenia on its way to European integration. He expressed
concern over the fact that Turkey, aspiring to the European Union, has
closed borders with Armenia. Turning to the issue of settlement of the
Karabakh issue, Serge Sargsyan said "the question should be resolved
only in a peaceful way and through mutual concessions. Speaking about
regional security issues, Serge Sargsyan noted, "We are located in a
complex geopolitical region and Armenia, being interested in regional
stability, makes its modest contribution to the processes of assuring
international security."

RUSSIA MEDIA: REASONS OF ARMAVIA A-320 CRASH MAY BE MADE PUBLIC TODAY

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
October 20, 2006 Friday

The reasons of the crash of the Armenian Airbus A- 320 on May 3
near Sochi may be made public today. The data will be presented in
the so-called "enlarged statement," IBK.ru reports. International
Aviation Committee (IAC) says some points of the document will be
replenished by the Armenian party, the source reports.

Talking to ArmInfo, Press Secretary of the Armenian Civil Aviation
Chief Department Gayane Davtyan explained that Armenian specialists
had again discussed the conclusions regarding the crash reasons within
1.5 month. The final document on this discussion consisting of 9
pages was transferred to IAC. This document is enclosed to the main
document of IAC on the reasons of A-320 crash. "The content of our
document is to be discussed with IAC representatives i.e. in order
to resolve if it is subject to publication or not," she said. She
said that additional information on the document may be received soon.

In the meantime, Vadimir Poghosyan, first class pilot, veteran of
the Armenian aviation, said at a press conference, Thursday, that
a criminal squabble took place on board of A-320 which became the
reason of the crash. However, the given statement has been factually
refuted by the country’s official circles.

Armenian and Azeri Defense Ministers Met at Armenian-Azeri Border

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2006 16:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian and Azeri Defense Ministers Serge
Sargsyan and Safar Abiyev met at the Armenian-Azeri border by
suggestion of OSCE CiO’s personal representative Andrzej Kasprzyk
within the framework of measures for increasing mutual trust between
the sides. As RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman, colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net, the Ministers discussed issues of
mutual concern, including border control and ceasefire maintenance.

LAWMAKER SAYS ARMENIA WILL NEVER STAND AGAINST GEORGIA, AS RUSSIA WANTS

Armenpress
Oct 19 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: A veteran Armenian politician,
Vazgen Manukian, chairman of once very influential National Democratic
Union (NDU), before it split into several minor parties, said today
the deteriorating Russian-Georgian relations are stirring up more
sentiments than the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"Russia’s unprecedented crackdown on Georgia is being reflected on all
residents of the South Caucasus. It is absurd to think that Armenia
will stand next to Russia and against Georgia. Russians are mistaken
thinking that Armenians morally owe them. Our relations with Russia
must be equal, irrespective of our countries’ size,’ Manukian said.

He said many elements of Georgia’s foreign policy are not in Armenia’s
liking, but despite it ‘we have lived with Georgians side by side for
millennia and it is our destiny to continue to live as good neighbors.’
Manukian said he was in favor of building close relations with NATO,
but spoke against Armenia’s membership in the Alliance. "We have to
pursue a balanced policy with Russia, Iran and Turkey, but I do not
think that we can be in the same military bloc with Turkey."

Manukian also spoke about domestic developments lamenting that the
opposition has become weak, with no finances and resources and unable
to pose as an alternative to the regime.

ART-LOVERS BID LAST FAREWELL TO SINGER VARDUHI VARDANIAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 18, art-lovers bade
their last farewell to well-known singer, laureate of a number of
international contests Varduhi Vardanian who died in a car accident.

Being gifted with an exclusive voice and diligence, V.Vardanian in
a short period gained fame and spectator’s sympathy.

"I have performed on tours abroad with V.Vardanian. Besides being a
good singer, she was a friendly, sociable person. Varduhi still had
much to do, though rather great work was done in this short time. She
was one of the single singers who was able to perform both variety
and folk songs: this was evidence of her talent. It is a pity that
this tragic incident happened to such a young, talented singer. Her
memory will always remain in all of us," People’s Artist Ofelia
Hambartsumian said.

In the words of RA People’s Artist Ruben Matevosian, V.Vardanian was
a singer with a big range, which can be said about few singers. In his
words, the young singer was loved by everybody. "This is an irreparable
loss for all of us. Let this be a warning for us all, for us to be a
bit careful and think that we live not only for ourselves, but also
for the people that has come to bid its last farewell to its beloved
singer today," R.Matevosian said.

RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian and
other high-ranking officials bade their last farewell to the singer.

V.Vardanian was buried at Yerevan town cemetery.