Dennis"Oil Can" Boyd returned last night to pitch for the Brockton Rox in hopes of someday being able to establish"Oil Can Boyd's Traveling All Stars."

This makes me as happy as any news I have seen this week. Oil Can is something of a cult hero in New England. There has not been a bigger character in baseball in the last several decades. Oil Can could spin a malopropism with the best of them. he was petulent and moody and self absorbed. But he was always quotable, he always provided loads of entertainment, and when he was good, he was quite good.

Last night the 45-year old went three innings, threw 42 pitches, allowed one hit and no runs. He threw his fastball in the mid-80s. Baseball is a happier game with the Can in it. The Globe's Nick Cafardo is working on a book proposal on Oil Can. I will buy that book the minute it is released. I am almost giddy right now.

Derek Charles Catsam - 5/17/2005

I was also thinking about the touring Negro League teams that used to beat Major Leaguers routinely, as well as the House of David team of Christians who dressed like Christ and toured around, prosletyzing and playing ball all along the way.

Oil Can was distinctly different. I'd pay good money to catch whatever team he puts together.
dc

Greg Robinson - 5/17/2005

Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings. Great movie, even better book. Distinctly different.

Ed Schmitt - 5/17/2005

Congratulations. I distinctly remember how tough he was whenever I played Strat-0-Matic baseball with his 1986 card, despite his poor hits to innings pitched ratio. Is he trying to tap into the deep reservoirs of pop culture affection for the great Billy Dee Williams, Lou Gossett, Jr. film "Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars"?