How the Browns Helped the Orioles Acquire Frank Robinson

Bob Turley and Don Larsen were Brownies  ....

... and two hot right-handed pitching prospects as ever there was.  But the Orioles traded them to the Yankees for Willie Miranda, in 1955

(who, by the way, was an ex-Brown traded away to the Yankees by Bill Veeck)

Willy Miranda (his preferred spelling) was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1960 for Jim Gentile

... who was traded in 1963 to the Kansas City Athletics for Norm Siebern (another left-handed-hitting first baseman)

… who was traded to the California Angels December 2, 1965 for Dick Simpson….

yes, THIS Dick Simpson:

and a week later, the Orioles dangled him before the eyes of Cincinnati Reds general manager Bill DeWitt Sr.,  who found the 1965 Angels Rookie Star too good to resist, so he promptly traded

for him (plus Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun).  "Surely a young Dick Simpson will eventually make up for that hole in the outfield," Dewitt must have thought.   

And just like that, F. Robby was a Brownie, er.... Oriole. (Frank doesn't look very happy about the trade. The Reds recently won a pennant, but the Orioles haven't won one since since 1944.  And then they weren't even the Orioles, but rather the Browns.  But Frank will be happy with the trade soon enough.  It sucks to have a receding hairline. General managers think you are old.  And shaved heads to hide it won't be in style for another 40 years yet.)

So to Review, 

 += .

And that is how the Browns helped the Orioles acquire Frank Robinson, Hall of Famer.



[Another Brownie connection, this one quite real: Jim Russo -- the scout who'd been trying to get the Orioles to make the deal for Robinson since 1961 -- was the last employee of the Browns still with the club.  ~Ed.]

A's Bert Shepard Dead at 87

Several years back, the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society annual reunion was a salute to veterans of World War II highlighted by Hall of Famer Bob Feller. Feller remarked that most of the real heroes never made it home.

Of course, Lou Brissie was one that did but also present was Bert Shepard who returned from war missing a leg. With an artificial leg, he had the unrealistic dream of pitching in the major leagues. Monty Stratton, who was the subject of a movie, lost a leg in a hunting accident but while he appeared in some minor league action never returned to the big leagues.Prior to his acccident he pitched for the Chicago White Sox.

On August 4, 1945, the impossible dream came true as Shepard took the mound for the Washingon Senators against the Boston Red Sox and pitched over 5 innings allowing only one run for an earned run average of 1.69.

Men such as Brissie and Shepard served as an inspiration to countless war veterans with disabilities and Brissie continues to visit and encourage veterans of the present conflict.

Leroy Wheat, Pitched for Philadelphia A's

Leroy Wheat, 78, who pitched for the A's in Philadelphia in 1954 and Kansas City in 1955 died July 29 at a hospital near his Florida home.

Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians, he was traded with Bill Upton early in 1954 for Dave Philley. He was not only a great athlete but an accomplished educator as well. After baseball he completed his Masters degree and became a teacher of physical education and baseball coach and became Athletic Director at Broward Community College.

He never forgot the thrill of pitching to Ted Williams in his major league debut.

Lee attended several reunions and was loved by fans and fellow players alike. There is a term used in baseball that a player is a "gamer." That is someone who plays hurt for the good of the team. While getting ready to attend the first of his reunions, he suffered a serious fall which injured his ribs and other painful problems. Nonetheless, Lee would not disappoint his fans and friends and showed up on time, signing autographs and greeting everyone.

Lee Wheat could pitch sidearm, three quarter and overhand, a rare ability.

If you did not love Lee Wheat, you never met him. The Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society deeply mourns his loss. There is an empty spot on our bench that can never be filled. His passing leaves 59 remaining.