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

Ken Griffey Jr.'s Career Highlights

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

Bob Feller: The Heater From Van Meter

Bob Feller was only 17 years old when he broke into the major leagues with the Cleveland Indians in 1936. The hard throwing right-hander also known as Bullet Bob and Rapid Robert. Arguably the hardest throwing pitcher of his era. He was the youngest pitcher to win 24 games in a season, he accomplished the feat at age 20, going 24-9. He would win 20 plus games 1939-1941, he led the league in wins each season.  His won loss record was 76-33, and was only 22 years of age. 

When the United States entered World War II, Feller's career was interrupted by four years of service in the U.S. Navy.  He was the first professional athlete to enlist for military service during the war. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer serving aboard the USS Alabama. Where he was awarded six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars.

He is the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on opening day, he accomplished the task against the Chicago White Sox in 1940. He would toss three no-hitters in his career, and 12 one-hitters. Feller was part of the last Cleveland Indians World Series champions in 1948. 

He finished his career with a won-loss record of 266-162 and 3.25 ERA with 2,581 strikeouts. An eight time American League All-Star. He led the American League six times in wins, and seven times in strikeouts. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. His #19 has been retired by the Cleveland Indians.

Roberto Clemente Baseball Star And Humanitarian

April 17, 1955. Roberto Clemente begins his Hall of Fame career with a single off Johnny Podres of the Dodgers. Clemente would bang out 2,999 more hits before he tragically lost his life in a plane crash on December 31, 1972. Clemente was bringing relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua when the plane he was in crashed. His career slash line was .317/.359/.475 with 240 home runs and 1305 RBI. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in1973 via of a special election.

Clemente was an All-Star 12 times in 18 seasons of play, and saw action in 15 games . He was the National League MVP in 1966, and World Series MVP in 1971, 12 times he won the Gold Glove award from 1961 to 1972.  He won four batting titles in 1961,  1964,  1965,  and 1967. His number #21 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

He will be remembered not only for his play on the field, but his charity work that participated in the off-season. 

The Cleveland Indians Lou Boudreau

When the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series in 1948, Lou Boudreau was the starting shortstop, and manager. He also won the American League batting title. That season he would hit 18 home runs and drive in 106 runs, a career high. In 676 plate appearances he struck out only nine times. He finished with a slash line of .355/.453/.534, and was the American League MVP.

He would spend 15 seasons in the major leagues, 13 seasons with the Cleveland Indians and part of two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Boudreau managed the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He would go on to serve as play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs.

In 1970, the eight time all-star was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The same year the Cleveland Indians retired his #5. Boudreau died in 2001. 

Ken Griffey Jr.'s 600th Home Run

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr, hits a 3-1 pitch off Mark Hendrickson into the seats for his 600th career home run. Griffey is only the sixth player in major league history to hit 600 home runs. The Reds go on to defeat the Florida Marlins 9-4.

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

Hank Aaron Collects His 3,000th Hit

May 17, 1970. Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves beats out an infield off the Cincinnati Reds Wayne Simpson. Aaron becomes only the 9th player in Major League Baseball history to have 3,000 hits, and the only player with 500 home runs and 3,000 hits.

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 Kingman Hits A Homer Over Waveland

Dave Kingman was known for his majestic home runs, poor defense, and surly disposition. In his career he blasted 442 home runs with 1,210 RBI. Kingman was a three time All-Star, and won home run twice in 1979, and 1982 in the National League. Kingman became the first player with over 400 home runs that wasn't elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Greg Maddux Wins Number 350

May 10, 2008. Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux becomes only the third pitcher in Major League Baseball to win 350 games since 1928, and only the 9th in major league history. Maddux accomplishes the feat pitching for the San Diego Padres in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. He would be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Ron Santo's Road To Cooperstown

Ron Santo was a nine time National League All-Star, he won the Gold Glove Award five times. He hit 342 career home runs, and knocked in 1,331 runs with 2,254 career hits. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012. His #10 was retired by the Chicago Cubs.

Defensive Wizard Omar Vizquel

May 6, 2012. Omar Vizquel becomes the oldest shortstop in major league history when he starts for the Toronto Blue Jays at 45. The Blue Jays dropped the game 4-3 to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He beat the record held by Baseball Hall of Fame member Bobby Wallace, who at 44 played in 12 games with the St. Louis Cardinals at shortstop.

Walter Johnson Records 100th Shutout

May 2, 1923. The "Big Train" Walter Johnson blanks the New York Yankees 3-0 at Griffith Stadium. It is Johnson's 100th shutout in his career. When his career ends he has tossed 110 shutouts a major league record.

Nolan Ryan Completes 7th No-Hitter

May 1, 1991, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers set a major league record by notching his seventh no-hitter of his career against the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryan, who holds the major league record for strike outs at 5,714. His career won-loss record was 324-292 with an ERA of 3.19. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

The second clip is the complete telecast of the no-hitter.

Rickey Henderson Breaks Stolen Base Record

May 1, 1991, Rickey Henderson steals third base in a game against the New York Yankees breaking the record of 938 by Lou Brock of the St. Louis Cardinals. Henderson would retire with 1,406 stolen bases. In 2009, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Willie Mays Smashes Four Home Runs

April 30, 1961, Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays smashes four home runs off the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium in Milwaukee. All four home runs were over 400 feet. Mays shot for a record fifth home run are denied as on deck when the last out is made by the Giants in the 9th inning. The Giants routed the Braves 14-4.