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

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.

Remembering Gil Hodges

It is a mystery to many why Gil Hodges isn't in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Hodges was key member of the great Brooklyn Dodger teams of the late 1940's and 1950's. He hit 20 or more home runs in 11 consecutive seasons for the Dodgers, including six seasons of 30 or more home runs.

Hodges made his Major League debut at 19 in 1943, but he would miss the 1944-1945 due to military service in World War II, and didn't make it back to Brooklyn until 1947. 1949 was his break out season, when Hodges hit 23 home runs and knocked in 115 runs.  His slash line was .285/.360/.453.  He would drive in over 100 runs in seven consecutive seasons.  He wasn't just a slugger, but also considered to be one of the best defensive first basemen in the game during his career. 1957-1959, he was award the Gold Glove. On August 31, 1950, he would hit four home runs in one game against the Boston Braves. He would play his last two seasons with the hapless New York Mets. After his playing career was over he managed the Washington Senators and New York Mets. He died while playing golf at the age of 47 on April 2, 1972.

Hodges was an eight-time all-star, he part of two World Series champions. The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, and the 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1969, he would manage the Amazing Mets to the World Series championship. During his career he hit 370 home runs with 1,274 RBI. His #14 has been retired by the New York Mets, and he is a member of the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

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 Baltimore Orioles Boog Powell

Boog Powell has a storied career for the Baltimore Orioles. He made his debut as a 19 year-old appearing four games in 1961, and in his first full season in 1962, he clubbed 15 home runs, a glimpse of the power that was to come for the slugger. He started off playing both leftfield, and first base. By 1966, when the Orioles won the World Series, he was the every day first baseman. At 6-4, 230 pounds Powell was an intimidating presence in the batters box.

Powell would hit 20 or more home runs in 9 seasons, and in four of those season, he would hit 30 or more. No easy feat with most of his early career when pitching dominated Major League Baseball. He hit 25 home runs with 82 RBI in 1963, and he followed it up with 39 home runs and 99 RBI, and end that season with a line of .290/.366/.606. 

The Orioles would sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966 in the World Series, and in that season Powell had his best to date, hitting 34 home runs and 109 RBI. He put together another good line .287/.372/.532. The Orioles dominated the American League, and the American League Eastern division beginning in 1969. The Orioles won the World Series in 1966 and 1970. 1969 and 1971, the Orioles won the American League pennant.  Powell hit 37 home runs with 121 RBI in 1969, followed by 1970 season 35 home runs with 114 RBI.  It would be the last time he would hit over 30 home runs in a season, and have over 100 RBI.

Earl Weaver's use of a platoon system started costing Powell playing time during the 1973-1974 seasons. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians, where in 1975, he responded with a 27 home runs and 86 RBI, and line of .297/.377/.524. He would play one more season in Cleveland. His number dropped dramatically. In 1977, his final season, he ended his career with the Los Dodgers used as a pinch-hitter.

He finished his career with .339 home runs with 1,187 RBI with a slash line of .266/.361/.462. Powell was an American League all-star from 1968-1971. He was the American League Most Valuable Player, and he is a member of the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame.

Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series Walk-off Home Run

Bill Mazeroski "Maz" hit the most dramatic home run in World Series history. When in the 1960 World Series, he launched the only walk-off game 7 home run in World Series history. The New York Yankees had the tied the game at 9-9 with a pair of runs in the top of the winning before he hit the home off Ralph Terry in the bottom of the inning. Mazeroski would play all 17 seasons of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a part of the 1960 and 1971 World Series champions.

Maz was more known for his glove than his bat.  He was a ten time National League all-star. He won the Gold Glove award on eight occasions, and Maz is considered one of the best defenders at second base in the history of Major League Baseball. He was elected by the Veterans Committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. The Pittsburgh Pirates retired his #9 in 1987.

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

Post Season Walk-Off Home Runs

There is nothing as dramatic as a postseason walk off home run. Enjoy!

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 Carter's World Series Winning Home Run

In the 1993 World Series game 6, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter blasts a three-run home run give the Blue Jays the title over the Philadelphia Phillies.

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

John McGraw Begins Managerial Career in 1899

April 18, 1899. Hall of Fame Manager John McGraw manages his first game with the old Baltimore Orioles, and beats the New York Giants. He would later manage the Giants for 30 years, and spent 33 years as Major League manager. He had a career record of 2763-1948 (.586 winning percentage). He won 10 Pennants, and three World Series Championships. He was known as Mugsy, and stood only 5-3, but was one most fearless managers in baseball history. The film is the New York Giants training in 1917.

Willie Mays Makes His Famous Over the Shoulder Catch

Willie Mays famous catch in game one of the 1954 World Series off the bat of Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians. A series in which the Giants went on to sweep the Indians. When I started following baseball, Mays was past his prime. The part of the love of baseball became the stories my dad told me of baseball in the 1950's. When watching Mays late in his career dad would often say "You should've seen him in his prime."