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

MLB Hidden Ball Tricks

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.

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 7^th 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.

Joe Borden: Josephus the Phenomenal

1. 

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 11^th 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.