Important Derek Bell News

Operation Shutdown is over, people. And it's ending with a team called Oil Can Boyd's Traveling All-Stars. Derek Bell returns May 18th in a game against the always tough New Haven County Cutters. The All-Stars are touring to celebrate Negro League heritage and the tradition of barnstorming, which is a great way to remember the past. They're also doing it with Derek Bell, which is an even better--though far less noble--way to remember the past. And if you can think of a better nostalgic name for barnstorming team filled with late '80s-early '90s ballplayers Oil Can Boyd kind of knows, you tell me. Because I can't. Pat of WHYGAVS and the AOL Fanhouse (is that supposed to sound like "funhouse" except sportsier?) provides the details.

According to his Wikipedia page, Derek Bell offered his famous "Operation Shutdown" ultimatum to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 18th, 2002 after the Pirates informed him that his .173 average in 2001 coupled with his poor play that spring was likely to cost him his job. Bell left the team on March 29th and sailed away on his houseboat. If May 18th is the first game for Oil Can's All-Stars (believe it or not, it's hard to gather information on them), that will mean Operation Shutdown lasted five years, one month, and 19 days. Honestly? I can't believe someone wanted him this soon.

NB: It does look like the All-Stars are playing today in Nashua, NH against the Nashua Pride. So, five years, one month, and 18 days.

UPDATE: Make it 17 days. Oil Can took the hill LAST NIGHT against his former team, the Brockton (Mass.) Rox. I presume DB cracked (get it? crack-ed!) the lineup last night, ending the Operation.