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Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Friday, June 16, 2017
Satchel Paige
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Ted Williams Hits Final Home Run
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Tony Gwynn Tribute Video
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Juan Gonzalez Career Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Scooter Gennett Hits 4 Home Runs
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Tuffy Rhodes Three Home Runs On Opening Day
On
April 4, 1994 Tuffy Rhodes of the Chicago Cubs became the first National
Leaguer to hit three home runs on Opening Day. He accomplished the task against New York Mets
ace Dwight Gooden. Rhodes only hit 10 other
home runs in his 590 career at-bats. Finishing his major league career with 13
home runs and 44 RBI.
Rhodes
would enjoy a stellar career in Japanese baseball where he hit 464 home runs
including tying Sadaharu Oh’s season record of 55 home runs (since broken by Wladimir
Balentein in 2013 with 60). He also drove in 1269 runs.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
MLB Unusual Walk Offs
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Walk Off Bunts
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Ivan Rodriguez Defensive Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Monday, June 5, 2017
Albert Pujols Hits His 600th Home Run
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Nolan Ryan - Robin Ventura Fight
The brawl between the Rangers and
White Sox on August 4, 1993
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Friday, May 26, 2017
Honus Wagner: The Flying Dutchman
Honus
Wagner was signed by the Louisville Colonels of the National League making his
debut in 1897 after spending only two seasons in the minor leagues. He would
play in Louisville
through the 1899 season, the National League contracted to 8 teams, and Wagner
would go to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he would spend the rest of his career.
Wagner
considered by many to be the best all around player of the Dead Ball Era. He hit
101 home runs with 1,732 RBI with a batting line of .328/.391/.467. He stole
722 bases in his career, and was the best shortstop of his era.
Wagner
would win 8 National League batting titles, 5 times he would lead the league in
RBI, and 5 times he would lead the league in stolen bases.
He
would lead the Pirates to their only World Series Championship during his
career in 1909. His #33 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1936, he was
elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Dodgers Hit Four Consecutive Home Runs 09/18/2006
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
MLB: Regular Season Walk-Offs in the Vault (1971-1991)
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Chicago Cubs Shortstop Don Kessinger
Don
Kessing was a slick fielding shortstop for the Chicago Cubs from 1964-1975. During
that period he would be a six time National League All-Star. He would win the
Gold Glove Award in 1969 and 1970.
Never
known for his offense, he hit 14 home runs with 527 RBI with a hitting line of .252/.314/.312.
His best offensive season would be 1969, when he hit 4 home runs with 53 RBI.
He
would spend the end of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago
White Sox. He would serve as manager for the White Sox in 1979 with a record of
46-60.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Stormin' Gorman Thomas
Gorman
Thomas was one of the most popular players in Milwaukee Brewers history. He hit
268 home runs with 782 RBI. His career battling was .225/.324/.448.
Thomas
was a solid defender in centerfield until injuring his shoulder near the end of
his career. He was part of the Brewers only World Series team. The 1982 Brewers
were a hard hitting club that won the American League Pennant. Managed by
Harvey Kuehn and were called Harvey ’s
Wallbangers.
Thomas
would have his best season in 1979. He would hit 45 home runs and drive in 123
runs. He led the league in home runs, and would lead the league again in 1982
with 39. Five times in his career he hit 30 plus home runs in a season. He was
also known for striking out, but remained popular with the Brewer faithful.
One
season after going the World Series the Brewers dealt the popular outfielder to
the Cleveland Indians in June of 1983. He would play for the Seattle Mariners
from 1984-986, and finished the balance of the 1986 back with the Milwaukee
Brewers.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
MLB: Pitchers Hitting Their First Career Home Runs
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Sunday, May 21, 2017
MLB Unforgettable Catcher Plays
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Yadier Molina 2016 Defensive Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Monday, May 15, 2017
The Glory of Their Times Special Edition
This
46 minute film is worth the watch. It contains several interviews with Dead
Ball Era baseball players telling their stories.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Ken Holtzman
Ken
Holtzman’s misfortune was to break in with the Chicago Cubs in 1966, when the
Cubbies would finish dead last in the National League. In his rookie campaign,
he would finish with a record of 11-16 with an ERA of 3.79.
In
1969, on August 19, 1969, he would throw his first no-hitter besting the
Atlanta Braves. June 3, 1971, Holtzman would no-hit the Cincinnati Reds at
Riverfront Stadium. It would be the first no-hitter in that in the history of
Riverfront Stadium. Holtzman was the first pitcher in modern baseball to toss
two no-hitters.
After
the 1971 season, he was traded to the Oakland
A’s for an outfield named Rick Monday. Holtzman would have his best seasons in Oakland .
He
was a two time all-star, three time World Series Champion with the Oakland A’s 1972-1974. The
1973 season would be his only twenty win season. He would finish his career
with a record of 174-150 with an ERA of 3.49. He had 1,601 career strike outs.
He made stops with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and came back to
finish his career with the Cubs.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Derek Jeter Career Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Sunday, May 14, 2017
10 Great Players of the 19th Century
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
The Big Red Machine: Tony Perez "Big Dog"
Tony
Perez broke into the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 1964, but it
wasn’t until 1967 that his power started to show. It was a season that he would
hit 26 home runs with 102 RBI. His career would see 9 more seasons of 20+ home
runs, and the first of 7 seasons of 100+ RBI.
He
was a seven time all-star, and won back to World Series Championship with the
Big Red Machine in 1975-1976. His career hitting line was .279/.341/.463 with
379 home runs and 1,652 RBI. In 2000, Perez was elected to the Baseball Hall of
Fame. He is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, and the Reds have
retired his #24.
Perez
would have productive seasons with the Montreal Expos, and Boston Red Sox. He
would make a brief stop with the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring with the
Reds in a second stint with the team.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Kansas City Royals: Frank White
Frank
White was a slick fielding second baseman for the Kansas City Royals playing
from 1973-1990. His 18 seasons were all in a Royals uniform, a rare feat in the
free agent era.
White
was a light hitter in his early days, but improved his hitting to the point
that he was able to win the Silver Slugger Award in 1986. He had his best
offensive season of his career with 22 home runs and 84 RBI. He hit 160 home
runs with 886 RBI, and a slash line of .255/.293/.383.
He
won the Gold Glove Award eight times, and did it six straight seasons from
1977-1982. He was the ALCS MVP in 1980, and was a five time American League
all-star. He was a member of the 1985 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals.
Joe Adcock: Milwaukee Brave
Joe
Adcock broke into the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 1950, but was
stuck behind first baseman Ted Kluszewski. Adcock requested a trade, and was
sent packing to the Braves.
The
hard hitting first baseman would play in the long shadows of Eddie Matthews and
Hank Aaron. The trio home run hitters made the Braves middle of the order one
the most formidable in all of baseball. The Braves would win the 1957 World
Series.
Adcock
would hit 336 home runs with 1,122 RBI, and a batting line of .277/.33/.485. He
was a two time all-star, and on July 31, 1954, he would slam four home runs in
a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
At
the end of this career he would spend time with the Angels and Indians. It
included managing the Indians during the 1967 season to a 75-87 record. His
.994 fielding percentage was 3rd best all-time when he called it a
career.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Saturday, May 13, 2017
2017 Unbelievable Plays
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Dave Concepcion Defensive Wizard
Dave
Concepcion was a defensive wizard as the shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds for
19 seasons. He was a solid part of the defense of The Big Red Machine teams of
the mid-70’s. Perfecting the bounce throw on the artificial turf. The Reds won
the World Series in 1975-1976.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Nasty Pitches
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Kevin Pillar Defensive 2016 Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Friday, May 12, 2017
Pat Venditte Switch Pitcher
Switch
pitcher Pat Venditte made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics on
June 5, 2015 pitching two scoreless innings.
Venditte
of this writing has a 2-2 mark in the major leagues with an ERA of 4.97. He has
pitched for the Oakland A’s, Toronto Blue Jays,
and is currently pitching at AAA
Leigh Valley
in the Phillies organization.
He
is the first ambidextrous since Tony Mullane, who pitched in the Dead Ball Era.
Greg A. Harris pitched to batters left handed after enjoying a 15 year career
right hand pitcher.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Oakland A's Legend Vida Blue
Vida
Blue made his debut with the Oakland
A’s in at 19 in
1969. It would be 1971 before he would experience a full major league season,
and what a season it was for Blue. In 1971, he would win both the American
League Cy Young Award and American League Most Valuable Player Award.
He
would finish the season with a won-loss record of 24-8 with a league leading
ERA of 1.82. He would also toss 8 shutouts on the season. He fanned 301 hitters
in 312 innings.
Blue
would be a six time all-star, playing for the A’s, Giants, and Royals. He was a
member of the 72-74 Oakland
A’s World Series Champions. In three seasons he would win over 20 games, and finish
his career 209-161 with an ERA of 3.27.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
2016 Carlos Correa Defensive Highlights
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Funny Baseball Bloopers
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Jim Edmonds Career Highlights
Jim
Edmonds was known for his spectacular defensive plays. He would win eight Gold
Glove Awards over the course of his career. Edmonds was also an offensive weapon for the
California Angels and St. Louis Cardinals.
Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt
Frank
Thomas made his major league debut in 1990, where he hit 7 home runs with 31
RBI and a .330 batting in official 191 at bats.
Frank
Thomas would break out in his first full season. He hit .310/.453/.553 with 32
home runs and 109 RBI. He would finish his career after 19 seasons with 521
home runs, 1,740 RBI, and a batting line of .301/.419/.555.
Thomas
was a five time American League all-star, a 4 time Silver Slugger Award winner,
and he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in back-to-back
seasons (1993, 1994). His #35 has been retired by the Chicago White Sox. He was
elected on the first ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Sam "The Jet" Jethroe
Sam “The Jet” Jethroe was one of the
fastest human beings he ever saw according to Don Newcombe. Jethroe began his
career in the Negro Leagues with the Cincinnati/Cleveland Buckeyes where he hit
.340, and won a pair of batting titles.
He was signed by the Boston Braves,
and in 1950 became the first black player for the Braves. He would win Rookie
of the Year honors for that season at age 33. He hit 18 home runs with 58 RBI,
and stole 35 bases to lead the league.
In his career he would hit .261/.337/.418
with 49 home runs and 98 RBI. He won the NL stolen base title in 1950-51. His
defense was his Achilles heel, and spent the 1953 season at Toledo before being traded to the Pirates. The
Pirates would send him to Toronto ,
where he would spend five more seasons in minor league baseball before his
career came to an end at age 41.
Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown
Mordecai “Three-Finger” Brown is one
of the best hurlers ever to pitch for the Chicago Cubs. It was a farm machine
accident as a twelve year old that gave him the moniker of Three-Finger. He
gave his ball unique movement.
He was from Nyesville , Indiana ,
and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, and made his debut in 1903. He was
9-13 with an ERA 2.60. The Cardinals traded Brown to the Chicago Cubs.
In Chicago , Brown would win 20 plus games from
1906-1911. He would lead the Cubs to the World Series four times, and winning
it in 1907-1908.
He would finish his career with a
record of 239-130, and an ERA of 2.06. He would be elected by the Veteran’s
Committee to the Baseball of Hall of Fame in 1949.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Amos Rusie: The Hoosier Thunderbolt
Amos Rusie signed with the
Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1889 as an 18 year old from Mooresville , Indiana .
Rusie could throw hard, but often didn’t know where the ball was going. At the
end of 1889 the Hoosiers disbanded, and Rusie signed with the New York Giants.
In New York ,
he quickly became a fan favorite. His ability to throw hard earned him the
nickname “The Hoosier Thunderbolt.”
He tossed a no hitter on July 31,1891.1894
would be his best season, when he would win the pitching triple crown (wins,
ERA, and strikeouts). Five times he led the National League in strike outs, and
five times in strike outs. In his career he would strike out 1950 hitters, but
he also walked 1707. The 1891-1894 seasons he would win over thirty games in each
season.
He would close his career with a
won-loss record of 246-174, and an ERA of 3.07. He would be elected by the
Veteran’s committee in 1977 to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Richie Ashburn Hall of Fame Biography
Richie Asburn was a member of the 1950
Philadelphia “Whiz
Kids” that won the National League pennant. Ashburn would spend the first 12
years of his career in the Phillies uniform, before spend two years with the
Chicago Cubs, and his last with the infamous 1962 New York Mets.
Ashburn hitting line was
.308/.396/.382 with 29 home runs and 586 RBI. He had 2,574 hits and a lifetime
batting average of .308.
He was a two time NL batting champ,
his #1 has been retired by the Phillies, and a member of the Philadelphia
Baseball Wall of Fame. He was elected by the Veteran’s Committee in 1995 to the
Baseball Hall of Fame.
Harry Caray Tribute: His Best Calls
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Derek Jeter Career Highlights
Future first ballot Hall of Famer
Derek Jeter will have his number retired by the New York Yankees this weekend. He
was the team Captain of the Yankees from 2003-2014.
He had a career batting average of
.310 with 260 home runs, and 1,311 RBI. His 3,465 hits has him sixth on the
all-time list.
Jeter was a 14 times all-star, 5 time
World Series champion, 2000 World Series MVP, AL Rookie of the Year in 1996, 5
time Gold Glove winner, 5 times he won the Silver Slugger award, 2 time Hank
Aaron award winner, and the 2009 Roberto Clement Award.
Alfonso Soriano's Amazing Four Game Stretch
Alfonso Soriano had one of the most
productive four game stretches in major league baseball history. He had 13 hits,
and drove in 18 runs from August 13-16, 2013.
Soriano broke in with the New York
Yankees in 1997. Always an offensive threat Soriano hit 412 home runs with 1,159
RBI before retiring at the end of the 2014 season.
He had been a seven time all-star and
four time Silver Slugger award winner while hitting .270 over the course his
career.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
20 Famous Home Runs
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Mel Ott: New York Giants
Mel Ott debuted with the New York
Giants at 17, it was the beginning a 22 season Hall of Fame of career. Ott hit
511 home runs with 1,860 RBI, and batting line of .304/.414/.533.
Ott was a twelve-time National League
all-star. He led the National League in home runs six-times. Ott managed the
Giants form 1942-1948. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951 on
the third ballot.
The Giants played in three World
Series during Ott’s career in 1933, 1936 and 1937. The Giants won the World
Series in 1933. His #4 has been retired by the Giants.
Bo Jackson Career Highlights
Bo Jackson played eights seasons in
the American League for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and
California Angels.
He hit 141 home runs with 415 RBI. His
slash line for his career is .250/.309/.474. His best season was 1989, when he
hit .256/.310/.495 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI. The only season he had more
than 100 RBI. He had four seasons of over 20 home runs. He was an American
League all-star, and was the game’s MVP.
After 8 seasons, he retired at the age of 32.
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star John Roseboro
John Roseboro was one of the best
defensive catchers during the 1960’s. However, he is best remembered for an
incident where he was hit in the head with a bat by San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal.
Roseboro was a six time all-star, won
the Gold Glove award in 1961 and 1966. He played on three World Series
Championship teams in 1959, 1963 and 1965. He caught two of Sandy Koufax’s no
hitters, and was the catcher for 112 shutouts.
He lacked prowess with the bat with a
hitting line of .249/.326/.371. He had
104 career home runs and knocked 548 runs.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Thursday, May 4, 2017
New York Yankees rookie outfielder
Aaron Judge is turning heads with his with his hot start. He is only the third
Yankee to hit as many as 12 home runs in the first 25 games of the season. The
other two are Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.
As of May 3, 2017, he has hit 13 home
runs with 27 RBI, and is threat to break Joe DiMaggio’s Yankee rookie record of
29 home runs.
Judge made his debut in 2016, where
he struck out 42 times in 84 at bats. In a similar at bat totals this season,
he reduced the total to 26 times in his first 83 2017 at bats.
It should be a fun story to follow
for baseball fans in 2017.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Tom Burns Chicago White Stocking
Tom Burns was part of Cap Anson’s famed “stonewall infield” from 1883-1889 for the Chicago White Stockings. During that time the White Stockings would win back-to-back National League pennants in 1885-1886.
It was during the 1883 season on
September 6 that Burns would put his mark on baseball history. In 18-run 7th
inning against Detroit ,
he hit two doubles, and a home run in route to a 26-6 White Stocking win. His
three hits in the inning wouldn’t be matched again until 1953.
He would .264 with 39 home runs and
653 RBI during his career. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates 1892, and the
Chicago Orphans (White Stockings/Cubs) 1898-1899. He died at 44 of heart
disease while managing in the Eastern League.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Joe Borden: Josephus the Phenomenal
July 28,1875, Joe Borden of the
Philadelphia White Stockings of the National Association tossed the first no
hitter in professional baseball history. It was the only no-hitter in the
history of the National Association during it’s five year existence. The
following season he was the winner in the opening game for the Boston Red Caps
of the National League.
He had the colorful nickname of “Josephus
the Phenomenal.” Borden pitched under the surnames of Josephs and Nedrobs. He
was from a wealthy family that disapproved of playing baseball. He was bought
out of his contract in 1876. He finished his career with a 13-16 won-loss
record, and an ERA of 2.60 at the age of 22.
Al "Scoop" Oliver Professional Hitter
Al Oliver broke into the major
leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in1968, and with his official taking place
in 1969. Oliver finished with a batting line of .285/.333/.445 with 17 home
runs and 70 RBI. It was just the beginning of a long and productive career.
In 18 seasons, Oliver won three
silver slugger awards, he was a 7 time all-star, and won a World Series
Championship with the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1982, while playing for the
Montreal Expos, Oliver was the National League leader in RBI, batting average,
doubles, and hits.
His career ended after the 1985
season. He finished with a career batting line of .303/.344/.451. He had 2743
hits over the course of his career with 219 home run and 1326 RBI.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Willie Smith Opening Day 1969
Opening
day on April 8, 1969, Willie Smith delivered a two-run home run off the
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Randy Lersch in the 11th giving the
Chicago Cubs a 7-6 win. It sparked the Cubs to an 11-1 start on the season.
Smith
broke in with the Detroit Tigers as a pitching prospect, and before converting
to the outfield he compiled a record 2-4 with a 3.10 ERA. He finished his
career with a batting line of .248/.295/.395 with 46 home runs and 211 RBI.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Knuckleball Pitcher Wilbur Wood
Wilbur Wood
struggled early in his career with the Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. After
being traded to the Chicago White Sox, he took Hoyt Wilhem’s advice to rely on
his knuckleball. It would launch his career. In 1968, he set a then major league
record of 88 appearances.
In 1971, Wood
was moved to the starting rotation, and delivered with four consecutive 20 game
win seasons. He would lead the American League in wins in 1972-73, and was an
American League all-star in 1971-1972, and 1974. His career was derailed in 1976, when a line
drive from the bat of Ron LeFlore shattered his left kneecap. After returning
from his injury in 1977, he wasn’t as effective with his knuckleball, and
retired after the 1978 season. He finished his career with a 164-156 won-loss
record, and an ERA of 3.24.
Frank Howard: The Capital Punisher
Frank Howard
broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his rookie season Howard hit 23 home
runs with 77 RBI earning the National League Rookie of the Year award.
His best
offensive seasons would come as a member of the Washington Senators uniform. He
hit forty plus home runs in 68-70 seasons. In 1968 and 1970, he led the
American League in home runs. He had the creative nicknames of “The Washington
Monument”, “Hondo” and “The Captial Punisher.” Howard was a four time all-star.
After his playing days, he managed the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. He
also served as a coach for his several clubs.
He hit 382
home runs with 1,119 RBI with a hitting line of .273/.352/.499.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Mel Allen Voice of the New York Yankees
Mel Allen
began his sports broadcasting by calling Alabama Crimson Tide football games. Later
while working for CBS, Allen was assigned to the 1938 World Series as a color
commentator to begin his career in baseball.
He began doing games for the Yankees in June of 1939.
After serving
in WW II, and beginning in 1947 through 1964, before his contract was not
renewed in 1965. He would rejoin the Yankees in 1976, and in 1977 Mel Allen was
the voice This Week In Baseball. He broadcast a game in 1990 for WPIX to make
him the first seven decade broadcaster.
Allen also
broadcast for the Milwaukee Braves in 1965, 1968 Cleveland Indians television. He
broadcast 12 Rose Bowls, 2 Orange Bowls and 2 Sugar Bowls.
He was one of
the first two to receive the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasters along with
Red Barber.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Chicago Cubs Great Hack Wilson
The video is of the seven greatest offensive seasons in baseball
history. Hack Wilson
is the first of the seven.
Hack
Wilson was a
hard drinking, hard hitting outfielder, quick with his fists, that made
for one the most colorful players of his day. At only 5-6, he would display
power not seen in the National League at that time. Wilson broke in the major leagues in 1923
with the New York Giants. In his official rookie season of 1924, the Giants
would win the pennant, but Wilson
struggled in the World Series hitting only .233. In May of 1925, Wilson was slumping so
badly he lost his job in left field. His slump continued most of the season,
and was sent to the minor league Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association.
The
Chicago Cubs wallowing in last place would claim Hack Wilson that winter on
waivers when the Giants failed to protect him. The Giants right-fielder Ross
Youngs at the time offered the prophetic words "They let go the best
outfielder I ever played beside, and they're going to regret."
Getting
claimed on waivers by the Cubs Wilson would win the center field job, and is
his first season on the north side of Chicago ,
he hit a league leading 21 home runs with 109 RBI. The Cubs went from last to
fourth place finishing 10 games over .500. Over the next three seasons he
would hit 30 or more home runs including leading the league in 1927-1928.
The 39 home runs he hit in 1929 would help lead the Cubs to the National
League pennant. In 1930, Wilson
would have an offensive season for the ages. He would hit 56 home runs, a first
in the National League with a major league baseball record of 191 RBI. The RBI
record is believed by many to be a record that will never be broken. He
finished the season with a slash line of .356/.454/.723.
After
the great season of 1930, Wilson 's
drinking became very heavy. He reported for spring training in 1931 twenty
pounds overweight. He went into a long slump during the season, and the
last straw for the Cubs came when he got into a fight with reports on a train
in Cincinnati .
He was suspended by the Cubs for the rest of the season. He had hit only .261
with 13 home runs. In December the Cubs shipped the troubled outfielder to the
St. Louis Cardinals. They in turn traded him the Brooklyn Dodgers.
He
bounced back in Brooklyn during the 1932
season hitting 23 home runs with 123 RBI. His career like his drinking was
spiraling out of control. He would retire from baseball in 1935. Wilson died broke in 1948, National League President Ford
Frick paid for the funeral when Wilson 's
wouldn't claim the body. Wilson
would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 by the veterans
committee.
In
his final interview with CBS Radio Wilson left us with these words of advice: "Talent
isn't enough. You need common sense and good advice. If anyone tries to tell
you different, tell them the story of Hack Wilson. ... Kids in and out of
baseball who think because they have talent they have the world by the tail. It
isn't so. Kids, don't be too big to accept advice. Don't let what happened to
me happen to you."
Chicago Cubs: Tinker to Evers to Chance
Between
1902 and 1912 the trio of Joe Tinker shortstop, Johnny Evers second base, and
Frank Chance. The trio were elected by the veterans committee in 1946 to the
Baseball Hall of Fame. During their time with the Cubs, they won
1907-1908 World Series, and four National League pennants. The only two World
Series championship in Chicago Cubs history mastering the Detroit Tigers in
both series.
Franklin
Pierce Adams of the New York Evening Post made the trio famous by penning the
poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon." It was originally titled "That
Double Play Again" when it was published on July 12, 1910. The poem
launched the trio into baseball immortality
.
It
is well documented that Evers and Tinker didn't speak to each other after
September 14, 1905. Evers took a cab to the ballpark leaving Tinker in the
hotel lobby, and they ended up having a fist fight on the field.
Frank
Chance managed the Cubs from 1905-1912, and afterwards managed both the New
York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He was a lifetime .296 hitter and twice led
the National League in stolen bases. Tinker would be a player-manager for
the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. He only hit .262 in his career.
Johnny Evers would hit .270 over the course of his long career. In era of
high batting averages, the trio were helped by the famous poem.
Joe Glasgow is
a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play
Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h
Gentleman Jim Hickman
Hickman is remembered for delivering the game winning hit in the
1970 All-Star game in which Pete Rose blew up Ray Fosse at home plate.
Hickman broke in
to the big leagues with the New York Mets after being selected in the expansion
draft from the St. Louis Cardinals, and played with them from 1962-66. While in
New York ,
Hickman became the first Met to hit for the cycle, and it was Hickman that hit
the last home run in the Polo Grounds. He played the 1967 season with the Los
Angeles Dodgers before being sent packing to the Chicago Cubs.
He enjoyed his
most productive year in 1970 with the Cubs. Hickman blasted 32 home runs with
115 RBI, and finished with a .315 batting average. They were career highs in
all three categories. He would provided the Cubs two more solid seasons before
tapering off in 1973, and spent 1974 with the Cardinals.
As a young fan
of the Cubs Jim Hickman was always one of my favorites among the non-star
players. In my young mind, it seemed he was always delivering in the clutch.
Sweet Swinging Billy Williams
Sweet Swinging Billy Williams, he was tagged early in his career
with the Chicago Cubs. Williams, who was the 1961 National League Rookie of the
Year made his mark in baseball history with his durability, and bat.
Williams spent
sixteen seasons in the major leagues fourteen of those with the Cubs, and his
last two with the Oakland Athletics. Williams was an iron man his day playing
1,117 straight games from 1963-1970. His streak currently ranks sixth in major
league history. He was a six-time National League All-Star, won the battling
title in 1972. He was snubbed for the All-Star game in 1970 when had a 26 home
runs and 80 RBI at the all-star break.
His best season
was 1972, when he hit 37 home runs with 122 RBI, and hit .333. He finished
second to Johnny Bench of the Reds in the MVP voting. His career numbers of 426
home runs, 1475 RBI, and a .290 batting average were enough to get him elected
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Often over
shadowed in recent years by fellow Hall Fame players Ferguson Jenkins, Ron
Santo, and Ernie Banks, but Williams was a key member of the solid Chicago Cubs
teams of the late 60's and eaarly 70's.
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