Charles Hum scoured ball yards in Chicago and throughout the Midwest in search of baseball talent as a scout for major-league teams, starting with the old St. Louis Browns.
Mr. Hum, 90, died, apparently of a heart attack, Sunday, Oct. 19, in the home in Chicago's Northwest Side Dunning neighborhood where he had lived since 1926, said his son Patrick.
He started umpiring for $2.50 a game, double that if his partner didn't show up, and in 1949 became a scout for the hapless Browns in the American League.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Pop Quiz Featuring Bing Crosby
The film 'Going My Way,' which won the 1944 Oscar for Best Picture, features Bing Crosby, as a priest who is a big fan of a particular baseball team.
Name the team.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The St. Louis Browns. Bing was wearing a St. Louis Browns Jacket.
.
Name the team.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The St. Louis Browns. Bing was wearing a St. Louis Browns Jacket.
.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Champions often overcome handicaps, including having a bad temper
Many people have come from the rolls of the handicapped and acclaimed great status. In the sports world especially, many great champions were physically challenged.
Tommy Milton, whose name you probably won't remember, was the first race car driver to win the Indianapolis Grind twice. It was the most grueling 500-mile race in the world, and Milton accomplished his victories despite the fact that he only had one eye.
I remember this one very well. In 1945, a fellow named Gray wanted to play major league baseball, so he played his way through
a couple of minor leagues and the St. Louis Browns signed him to a big league contract.
He played 77 games and batted .218 as the Browns leadoff hitter.
His full name was Pete Gray and he had only one arm, but he swung the bat very well, considering his handicap.
Once there was a boy named Johnny who was doomed to a life of illness. He was frail and weak, and the doctors suggested he take swimming exercises.
Until age 12, Johnny had never been in water deeper than that in the bathtub, but he finally learned to swim.
Johnny swam some in Lake Michigan and decided he liked it. The more he swam, the stronger he got, and he finally became the world's most famous swimmer.
His full name was Johnny Weissmuller, who was a champion swimmer and became Tarzan in the movies.
This has nothing to do with lameness, unless it was lameness of the brain. Babe Ruth was pitching against the Washington Senators in 1917 when umpire Brick Owens called his first three
pitches balls. Ruth stormed off the mound and gave Owens a piece of his mind and told the umpire if he called the next pitch a ball, he would punch him on the nose.
Sure enough, the ball missed the plate, the batter walked, and Ruth punched Owens in the face.
He was promptly thrown out of the game and Ernie Shore came on in relief. The runner on first was caught stealing, and Shore retired the next 26 men, pitching a perfect game.
This one was not a cripple, but he once made a crack that created consternation in church. A student at Notre Dame, Knute Rockne was playing baseball on a warm day while Mass was being celebrated in a nearby chapel.
With windows open, the congregants were still rather warm when the priest asked, “How are you going to enter the kingdom of heaven?” and from outside, Rockne's voice boomed clearly through the open windows, “Slide, damn it, slide!”
Vernon (Lefty) Gomez, a great Yankee pitcher, was a clown. After his playing career he came to Asheville many times to scout ball players. He told funny stories. Here's one:
Tony Lazzeri, a Yankee infielder, was in the midst of a great fielding streak, and the New York newspapers were filled with his exploits. When a batter hit a ball back to Gomez, instead of throwing to first for the out, he threw to Lazerri.
After the game, Lazerri asked Gomez why he threw the ball to him, and Gomez answered, “I didn't know what to do with it, Tony, and I've been reading all week that you're the smartest fielder in the world, so I thought I'd let you decide where to throw it.”
Tommy Milton, whose name you probably won't remember, was the first race car driver to win the Indianapolis Grind twice. It was the most grueling 500-mile race in the world, and Milton accomplished his victories despite the fact that he only had one eye.
I remember this one very well. In 1945, a fellow named Gray wanted to play major league baseball, so he played his way through
a couple of minor leagues and the St. Louis Browns signed him to a big league contract.He played 77 games and batted .218 as the Browns leadoff hitter.
His full name was Pete Gray and he had only one arm, but he swung the bat very well, considering his handicap.
Once there was a boy named Johnny who was doomed to a life of illness. He was frail and weak, and the doctors suggested he take swimming exercises.
Until age 12, Johnny had never been in water deeper than that in the bathtub, but he finally learned to swim.
Johnny swam some in Lake Michigan and decided he liked it. The more he swam, the stronger he got, and he finally became the world's most famous swimmer.
His full name was Johnny Weissmuller, who was a champion swimmer and became Tarzan in the movies.
This has nothing to do with lameness, unless it was lameness of the brain. Babe Ruth was pitching against the Washington Senators in 1917 when umpire Brick Owens called his first three
pitches balls. Ruth stormed off the mound and gave Owens a piece of his mind and told the umpire if he called the next pitch a ball, he would punch him on the nose.Sure enough, the ball missed the plate, the batter walked, and Ruth punched Owens in the face.
He was promptly thrown out of the game and Ernie Shore came on in relief. The runner on first was caught stealing, and Shore retired the next 26 men, pitching a perfect game.
This one was not a cripple, but he once made a crack that created consternation in church. A student at Notre Dame, Knute Rockne was playing baseball on a warm day while Mass was being celebrated in a nearby chapel.
With windows open, the congregants were still rather warm when the priest asked, “How are you going to enter the kingdom of heaven?” and from outside, Rockne's voice boomed clearly through the open windows, “Slide, damn it, slide!”
Vernon (Lefty) Gomez, a great Yankee pitcher, was a clown. After his playing career he came to Asheville many times to scout ball players. He told funny stories. Here's one:
Tony Lazzeri, a Yankee infielder, was in the midst of a great fielding streak, and the New York newspapers were filled with his exploits. When a batter hit a ball back to Gomez, instead of throwing to first for the out, he threw to Lazerri.
After the game, Lazerri asked Gomez why he threw the ball to him, and Gomez answered, “I didn't know what to do with it, Tony, and I've been reading all week that you're the smartest fielder in the world, so I thought I'd let you decide where to throw it.”
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Mickey Vernon Came Close to Being A Brownie
Mickey Vernon died recently at age 90 at his home in Pennsylvania.
For 20 seasons, Vernon played in the major leagues with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was named to seven all-star teams, and won two American League batting titles. After his playing career ended in 1960, he remained in baseball as a manager, coach and scout, retiring as a scout for the New York Yankees in 1988.
For 20 seasons, Vernon played in the major leagues with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was named to seven all-star teams, and won two American League batting titles. After his playing career ended in 1960, he remained in baseball as a manager, coach and scout, retiring as a scout for the New York Yankees in 1988.
Last month, the baseball Hall of Fame's veterans committee chose Mr. Vernon as one of 10 finalists, whose playing careers started before 1942, for induction into the Hall this year.
For most of his career, Mr. Vernon played for Washington. Unlike the baseball player for a fictional team inspired by the Senators in Damn Yankees, Mr. Vernon never sold his soul to the devil and never got to go to the World Series as a player. Though he was a first-base coach when the Pirates won the World Series in 1960, Mr. Vernon said that not playing for a World Series team was the only regret he had.
Mr. Vernon left the Pirates to manage the Senators for two-plus seasons. In his 70s, he was still fielding balls at old-timers' games, and played in golf tournaments this summer, said his daughter, Gay.
Mr. Vernon grew up playing sandlot baseball. He graduated from Eddystone High School. In 1937, he dropped out in his first year at Villanova University after he was recruited by the St. Louis Browns.
He played for Washington from 1939 to 1943, and then served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. He returned to the team in 1946.
Friday, September 26, 2008
September 26: This Date in Browns Baseball
1926: The St. Louis Browns beat the New York Yankees 6-1 and 6-2 in 2 hours, 7 minutes. The first game took 55 minutes.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Some Baseball Trivia: Did You Know???
1. Owner of the Chicago Cubs, Bill Veeck, used to have midgets as food vendors at the clubs home ground, because he said that it meant that the paying public didn't have to have their view of the game spoiled!
2. The baseball tradition of spring training came about because in 1885 the Chicago White Stockings went to Hot Springs in Arkansas to prepare for the new season.
2. The baseball tradition of spring training came about because in 1885 the Chicago White Stockings went to Hot Springs in Arkansas to prepare for the new season.
3. Where is the world's longest baseball bat? The world's largest baseball bat is only 120 feet long weighing in at 68,000 pounds. It resembles the 34 inch wood bat that the Bambino, Babe Ruth Swung, made by Louisville Slugger. Want to see it in person it is located at : 800 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky at the Louisville Slugger Museum.
4. Who was the shortest major league baseball player? (Click on photos to enlarge)
It was Edward Carl "Eddie" Gaedel , born in Chicago, Illinois, June 8, 1925. He was an American midget who became famous for participating in a MLB game who secretly signed by the St. Louis Browns. He was only 3 feet 7 inches (109 cm) tall and weighing 65 pounds (29.5 kg). His uniform number was 1/8. He had just one at bat for the Brown's in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday, August 19, 1951.
They said Gaedel's strike zone measured just an inch and a half but it was probably closer to 6 inches. He reached base on four consecutive balls that were all high!
4. Who was the shortest major league baseball player? (Click on photos to enlarge)It was Edward Carl "Eddie" Gaedel , born in Chicago, Illinois, June 8, 1925. He was an American midget who became famous for participating in a MLB game who secretly signed by the St. Louis Browns. He was only 3 feet 7 inches (109 cm) tall and weighing 65 pounds (29.5 kg). His uniform number was 1/8. He had just one at bat for the Brown's in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday, August 19, 1951.
They said Gaedel's strike zone measured just an inch and a half but it was probably closer to 6 inches. He reached base on four consecutive balls that were all high!
Gaedel's autograph now sells for more than Babe Ruth's. He died on June 18, 1961.
..
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
September 16: This Date in Browns Baseball
September 16
1924 - Jim Bottomley of the St. Louis Cardinals set a major-league baseball record by knocking in 12 runs in a single game.
1953 - The St. Louis Browns of the American League were given the OK to move to Baltimore, MD, where they became the Baltimore Orioles.
1924 - Jim Bottomley of the St. Louis Cardinals set a major-league baseball record by knocking in 12 runs in a single game.
1953 - The St. Louis Browns of the American League were given the OK to move to Baltimore, MD, where they became the Baltimore Orioles.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Don Gutteridge Dies
Don Gutteridge, who managed the Chicago White Sox in 1969-70, died Sunday, September 7, 2008 at his home. He was 96.
Gutteridge took over as manager of the White Sox in May 1969 and posted a 109-172 record in his one-plus seasons. He had a 12-year playing career as an infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, then spent another 12 years as Chicago's first base coach (1955-66).
As a second baseman with the Browns in 1944, Gutteridge took part in a then-record five double plays in one game during the team's only World Series appearance.
A member of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Gutteridge was the oldest living former manager or coach in Major League Baseball at the time of his death.
After managing the White Sox, he served as scout for the Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers before finally retiring from baseball in 1992.
Gutteridge took over as manager of the White Sox in May 1969 and posted a 109-172 record in his one-plus seasons. He had a 12-year playing career as an infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, then spent another 12 years as Chicago's first base coach (1955-66).As a second baseman with the Browns in 1944, Gutteridge took part in a then-record five double plays in one game during the team's only World Series appearance.
A member of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Gutteridge was the oldest living former manager or coach in Major League Baseball at the time of his death.
After managing the White Sox, he served as scout for the Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers before finally retiring from baseball in 1992.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Browns Pitching Record Almost Broke by Mariners Pitcher
Brandon Morrow pitched about as well in his first major league start as anyone in baseball history.
Morrow's bid to become only the second pitcher in modern history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start ended when pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit doubled with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat New York 3-1 Friday night.
The 24-year-old righty, whose 100 previous big league outings were all in relief, blanked the Yankees until Betemit, batting for Jose Molina, lined a clean drive far over right fielder Ichiro Suzuki. The hit scored Hideki Matsui, who had walked with one out on a close 3-2 pitch.
Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns is the lone pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, doing it against the Philadelphia Athletics on May 6, 1953.
Morrow's bid to become only the second pitcher in modern history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start ended when pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit doubled with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat New York 3-1 Friday night.
The 24-year-old righty, whose 100 previous big league outings were all in relief, blanked the Yankees until Betemit, batting for Jose Molina, lined a clean drive far over right fielder Ichiro Suzuki. The hit scored Hideki Matsui, who had walked with one out on a close 3-2 pitch.
Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns is the lone pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, doing it against the Philadelphia Athletics on May 6, 1953.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Intermediate baseball league named after Brown's Don Gutteridge
For several years, 13- to-15-year-old baseball players have been playing in a league simply known as the Intermediate League inside the JL Hutchinson League in Pittsburg.
Now, JL Hutchinson board members voted to change the name to the Don
Gutteridge League beginning for the 2009 season.“Todd Biggs and I were talking and he thought that it would be a good way to honor him in the closing years of his life,” said JL Hutchinson League president Jack Bache.
Biggs, who co-authored a book with Gutteridge called “Getting To Know Baseball” that was published in the spring and handed out to each player in the JL Hutchinson League, said that he got the idea while he and Gutteridge were working on the book.
“Don and I worked a great deal together on the book and through the process it just donned on me about how appropriate it would be to do that,” Biggs said. “Originally, my thought would be that we would rename the Machine Pitch league.
“Just sitting there with Don when we were handing out books, it seemed like a perfect idea,” Biggs said. “I think that he will be tickled to hear about it.”
The board elected to rename the older league after Gutteridge.
“We thought that, since we have four leagues, and some of the board thought that the older league would be a better fit for him,” Bache said. “Mainly because of his Major League Baseball experience.”
Gutteridge, who turned 96 in June, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1936 to 1948.
After retiring as a player, Gutteridge was a coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1951-66 then again from 1968-69.“It was really easy (to change the name of the league),” Bache said. “It was unanimous and I think we may have wondered just why we did not do this earlier.”
Both Biggs and Bache said that players in the new Don Gutteridge League should benefit on the name change alone.
“I firmly believe that the ball players in Pittsburg will benefit from this simple name change,” Biggs said. “It gives them a success story to identify with and they will learn more about him when they play in the Don Gutteridge League.”
It can even be something that players can remember after their time playing.
“I think that it gives them something to hang their hat on,” Bache said. “Years from now, people can say that they played in the Don Gutteridge League and I think that will have a big impact on them.
Bache said that the board had discussed the name change earlier in the year but nothing materialized.
“I think we just don’t think about those things and we get busy with our day-to-day operations and it was something that we just did not think about,” Bache said. “We had talked about it earlier but we had never really gotten around to it.”
Bache and Biggs said that, if nothing else, the name change is a tribute to Gutteridge and what he has done for Pittsburg.
Now, JL Hutchinson board members voted to change the name to the Don
Gutteridge League beginning for the 2009 season.“Todd Biggs and I were talking and he thought that it would be a good way to honor him in the closing years of his life,” said JL Hutchinson League president Jack Bache.Biggs, who co-authored a book with Gutteridge called “Getting To Know Baseball” that was published in the spring and handed out to each player in the JL Hutchinson League, said that he got the idea while he and Gutteridge were working on the book.
“Don and I worked a great deal together on the book and through the process it just donned on me about how appropriate it would be to do that,” Biggs said. “Originally, my thought would be that we would rename the Machine Pitch league.
“Just sitting there with Don when we were handing out books, it seemed like a perfect idea,” Biggs said. “I think that he will be tickled to hear about it.”
The board elected to rename the older league after Gutteridge.
“We thought that, since we have four leagues, and some of the board thought that the older league would be a better fit for him,” Bache said. “Mainly because of his Major League Baseball experience.”
Gutteridge, who turned 96 in June, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1936 to 1948.
After retiring as a player, Gutteridge was a coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1951-66 then again from 1968-69.“It was really easy (to change the name of the league),” Bache said. “It was unanimous and I think we may have wondered just why we did not do this earlier.”
Both Biggs and Bache said that players in the new Don Gutteridge League should benefit on the name change alone.
“I firmly believe that the ball players in Pittsburg will benefit from this simple name change,” Biggs said. “It gives them a success story to identify with and they will learn more about him when they play in the Don Gutteridge League.”
It can even be something that players can remember after their time playing.
“I think that it gives them something to hang their hat on,” Bache said. “Years from now, people can say that they played in the Don Gutteridge League and I think that will have a big impact on them.
Bache said that the board had discussed the name change earlier in the year but nothing materialized.
“I think we just don’t think about those things and we get busy with our day-to-day operations and it was something that we just did not think about,” Bache said. “We had talked about it earlier but we had never really gotten around to it.”
Bache and Biggs said that, if nothing else, the name change is a tribute to Gutteridge and what he has done for Pittsburg.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
August 30 - This Date in Browns Baseball
1912 - Earl Hamilton of the St. Louis Browns pitched a 5-1 no-hitter against the Tigers at Detroit.
1916 - Dutch Leonard of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns for a 4-0 victory.
1916 - Dutch Leonard of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns for a 4-0 victory.
August 31 - This Date in Browns Baseball
1924 - Urban Shocker of the St. Louis Browns pitched two complete games against the Chicago White Sox and won both, 6-2.
1930 - Wes Ferrell of Cleveland beat the St. Louis Browns 9-5 for his 13th straight victory.
1930 - Wes Ferrell of Cleveland beat the St. Louis Browns 9-5 for his 13th straight victory.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Brownie, Vern Stephens, Nominated for Hall of Fame
Former Most Valuable Player Award winners Bucky Walters and Joe Gordon were among the 10 players announced Monday as qualifying for the Veterans Committee ballot of candidates from the pre-1943 era for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
A 12-member committee comprised of Hall of Famers, historians and media members will meet Dec. 7 during the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas with the election results to be revealed Dec. 8. Voters may choose up to four players. As in the other Hall of Fame elections, a 75 percent plurality is required for election. Any candidate who receives nine or more votes will be inducted at the 2009 ceremonies July 26 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. (Click on photo to enlarge) In addition to Walters, a pitcher, and Gordon, a second baseman, the other nominees are pitchers Wes Ferrell, Carl Mays and Allie Reynolds; catcher-third baseman Deacon White; first baseman Mickey Vernon; shortstop Bill Dahlen; outfielder-first baseman Sherry Magee and shortstop-third baseman Vern Stephens.
Stephens was the shortstop on the only St. Louis Browns club to win a pennant, in 1944, and also played for the Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles over 15 seasons (1941-55). The right-handed slugger led the AL in RBIs three times with a high of 159 with Boston in 1949, the middle year of a three-year stretch in which Stephens drove in 440 runs. The eight-time All-Star had a .286 career batting average with 1,859 hits, including 247 home runs.
Dottie Collins, 84, Star Pitcher of Women’s Baseball League, Dies
Dottie Collins, who was a star pitcher in women’s professional baseball in the 1940s and later played a major role in preserving the history of the women’s game, died Tuesday in Fort Wayne, Ind. She was 84. The cause was a stroke, said her son-in-law, Michael Tyler.
Pitching for six seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, created in 1943 to provide home front entertainment while many major leaguers were off to war, Collins dazzled opposing batters. (Click on photos to enlarge)
She pitched underhand, sidearm and overhand; she threw curveballs, fastballs and changeups; and in the summer of 1948, she pitched until she was four months pregnant. She won more than 20 games in each of her first four seasons. She threw 17 shutouts and had a league-leading 293 strikeouts in 1945 for the Fort Wayne Daisies, when the women’s game resembled fast-pitch softball.
Pitching for six seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, created in 1943 to provide home front entertainment while many major leaguers were off to war, Collins dazzled opposing batters. (Click on photos to enlarge)She pitched underhand, sidearm and overhand; she threw curveballs, fastballs and changeups; and in the summer of 1948, she pitched until she was four months pregnant. She won more than 20 games in each of her first four seasons. She threw 17 shutouts and had a league-leading 293 strikeouts in 1945 for the Fort Wayne Daisies, when the women’s game resembled fast-pitch softball.
But Collins’s greatest contribution to women’s baseball may have come when its ball clubs had long been forgotten.
The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., had been considering an exhibition on women and baseball during the mid-1980s, but, as Ted Spencer, its chief curator, recalled in an interview, it had little material to display until Collins approached him.
“When I connected with Dottie, the ball started to roll,” Spencer said. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where it would have gone.”
In 1987, Collins helped form an association of former players in the All-American league. She drew on her contacts to provide the Hall of Fame with memorabilia from the league, spurring creation of its Women in Baseball exhibit in 1988. Now an enlarged, permanent collection, the exhibit inspired the 1992 Hollywood movie “A League of Their Own,” a reprise of women’s pro baseball during World War II.
More information is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/sports/baseball/17collins.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Orthwein Moves Brewers to St. Louis in 1901; Renames Them the Browns
The news obituary of James Busch Orthwein, former owner of the New England Patriots, correctly noted Mr. Orthwein's indispensible role in bringing the St. Louis Rams to town. You may be interested to know that James was not the first St. Louis Orthwein to own a pro franchise and bring one to St. Louis.
In 1901, Ralph H. Orthwein led a syndicate of wealthy business people that purchased the Milwaukee Brewers of the American League after the 1901 season and moved the baseball team to St. Louis and renamed them the Browns. The recently-deceased Mr. Orthwein was the first-cousin to Ralph Orthwein, once removed.
/s/ Emmett McAuliffe
Board, St. Louis Browns Fan Club
In 1901, Ralph H. Orthwein led a syndicate of wealthy business people that purchased the Milwaukee Brewers of the American League after the 1901 season and moved the baseball team to St. Louis and renamed them the Browns. The recently-deceased Mr. Orthwein was the first-cousin to Ralph Orthwein, once removed.
/s/ Emmett McAuliffe
Board, St. Louis Browns Fan Club
Dizzy Dean Was Crazy Like a Fox
Crazy Like a Fox Was Diz, 37, still good enough to pitch? The 1947 Browns threw him Opening Day. Dean singled, spaced three hits in four innings, then pulled a muscle.
The soon-again-Voice gave a lecture: "Radio Announcing I Have Did." The Soviets domineered Eastern Europe. "Got to get me a bunch of bats and balls and sneak me a couple of empires and learn them kids behind the Iron Curtain how to bat and play baseball." Marshal Stalin -- "Joe Stallion" -- could run concessions. "That way he'd getta outta' politics and get in a honest business."
Through 1948, Diz jazzed the tone-deaf Browns. "I slud along with them as long as I could, but I eventual made up my mind to quit."
(You can read a lot more about Dizzy and broadcasting at: http://curtsmith.mlblogs.com/archives/2006/02/dizzy_dean_easi.html)
The soon-again-Voice gave a lecture: "Radio Announcing I Have Did." The Soviets domineered Eastern Europe. "Got to get me a bunch of bats and balls and sneak me a couple of empires and learn them kids behind the Iron Curtain how to bat and play baseball." Marshal Stalin -- "Joe Stallion" -- could run concessions. "That way he'd getta outta' politics and get in a honest business."
Through 1948, Diz jazzed the tone-deaf Browns. "I slud along with them as long as I could, but I eventual made up my mind to quit."
(You can read a lot more about Dizzy and broadcasting at: http://curtsmith.mlblogs.com/archives/2006/02/dizzy_dean_easi.html)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
This date in baseball: August 19
AUG. 19
1951: Eddie Gaedel, a 65-pound midget who was 3 feet 7, made his only plate appearance as a pinch hitter for Frank Saucier of the St.
Louis Browns. Gaedel, wearing No. 1/8, was walked on four pitches by Detroit Tigers pitcher Bob Cain and then was taken out for pinch runner Jim Delsing. The gimmick by Browns owner Bill Veeck was completely legal but later outlawed.
1931 - Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1931 - Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics was beaten 1-0 by Dick Coffman of the St. Louis Browns, snapping a personal 16-game winning streak. A misjudged fly ball by outfielder Jim Moore led to the winning run.
1936 - In his first major league start, 17-year-old Bob Feller struck out 15 Browns as the Cleveland Indians beat St. Louis 4-1. Feller gave up six hits and allowed four walks.
1951: Eddie Gaedel, a 65-pound midget who was 3 feet 7, made his only plate appearance as a pinch hitter for Frank Saucier of the St.
Louis Browns. Gaedel, wearing No. 1/8, was walked on four pitches by Detroit Tigers pitcher Bob Cain and then was taken out for pinch runner Jim Delsing. The gimmick by Browns owner Bill Veeck was completely legal but later outlawed.1931 - Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1931 - Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics was beaten 1-0 by Dick Coffman of the St. Louis Browns, snapping a personal 16-game winning streak. A misjudged fly ball by outfielder Jim Moore led to the winning run.
1936 - In his first major league start, 17-year-old Bob Feller struck out 15 Browns as the Cleveland Indians beat St. Louis 4-1. Feller gave up six hits and allowed four walks.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Toast of The Town
With a 7-1 victory over the Padres on Wednesday night in August (2008), newest Brewer CC Sabathia improved to 7-0 in beer stripes, marking the third-longest undefeated streak for a starting pitcher following a midseason trade in the last 90 years.
Elias Sports Bureau says the only more impressive introductions were Virgil Trucks' 8-0 start with the White Sox after being traded from the St. Louis Browns in 1953 and Doyle Alexander's legendary 9-0 pennant-clinching finish for the Tigers after coming over from the Braves for a young John Smoltz in 1987.
Bet you didn't know that!
Elias Sports Bureau says the only more impressive introductions were Virgil Trucks' 8-0 start with the White Sox after being traded from the St. Louis Browns in 1953 and Doyle Alexander's legendary 9-0 pennant-clinching finish for the Tigers after coming over from the Braves for a young John Smoltz in 1987.
Bet you didn't know that!
Monday, August 11, 2008
IBAF Revises Extra Innings Rule; Veeck Had Nothing To Do With This
The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) announced recently that it is introducing an extra-inning tie-breaker format that will be tested at a youth event this week and implemented officially in the baseball competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The format is a first in international baseball competition and differs significantly from the currently used extra-inning model. The new rule calls for traditional baseball extra-inning rules to be used in the 10th frame, but all contests that are tied after 10 innings will compete under a new format. Beginning with the 11th inning and each inning needed thereafter, base runners will be placed on first and second base with no outs. All other rules of baseball will remain in effect.
The new rules will be taken into effect for all tournaments under the IBAF competition umbrella moving forward, which includes the IBAF Men’s and Women’s Baseball World Cup which are scheduled for September 9-27, 2009 in Europe and August 24-29, 2008 in Matsuyama, Japan, respectively.
Baseball and softball are making their last appearance for a while, after the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate the sports from the 2012 London Games. Both sports are working to be reinstated for the 2016 Olympics.
“The upcoming Beijing Olympic competition may be our last unless we are successful in adding the sport back to the Olympic program for the 2016 Games,” said IBAF President Dr. Harvey W. Schiller. “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.”
Dr. Schiller continued, saying the change is both a positive and necessary step for the sport of baseball.“One of the unique aspects of our game is that it has no time limit. Extra-inning contests can bring about the most exciting results for players and fans, but such circumstances also make it difficult in the context of the Olympic program. Delays cause scheduling and logistical nightmares. Planned security, transportation, drug testing, broadcasts, and entertainment are just a few of the activities that may be seriously affected,” Dr. Schiller continued.
Many former and current professional players and administrators from baseball federations around the world provided guidance on the rule change. The new tie-breaker will be tested beginning at the IBAF “AAA” World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Canada, which is the premiere international tournament for players 18-and-under.
The new extra-inning format will allow for each manager to select two consecutive batters from anywhere in their respective lineup to start the 11th on first and second base. The next batter in the lineup would then be the batter that starts the inning at the plate. Once those players/runners are determined for the 11th inning, the order of any subsequent innings will be determined by how the previous inning ended. That is, if the 11th inning ends with the #6 hitter having the last official at bat, then the 12th inning begins the #7 hitter at bat, and the #5 hitter at 2B and the #6 hitter at first base.
“Given these extraordinary times for baseball, I believe this will be an exciting shift for the sport,” Dr. Schiller said.
Extra-Inning Rule (to be added to the IBAF Competition Norms):If the game remains tied after the completion of ten (10) innings, the following procedures will be implemented during extra innings:
• Each team will begin the 11th inning (and any subsequent necessary extra innings) with a player on first and second, no outs.
• To begin the 11th inning, representatives from each team will meet at home plate and will indicate (at the same time) to the home plate umpire where the team wishes to begin the batting order. That is, the teams have the option of beginning the 11th inning anywhere in the existing batting order that was in effect when the 10th inning ended. Note that this is not a new lineup (just potentially a different order), and it may very well be the same lineup that ended the 10th inning. The rationale for doing so is to ensure that both teams have an equal chance at having what theyconsider to be their best hitters and base runners in a position to score in the 11th inning.
• For example, if the team decides to have the #1 hitter in the lineup hit first, then the #8 hitter will be placed at 2B and the #9 hitter will be placed at 1B. Furthermore, if the team decides to have the #3 hitter in the lineup hit first, then the #1 hitter would be at 2B and the #2 hitter would be at1B.
• Once those players/runners are determined for the 11th inning, the order of any subsequent innings will be determined by how the previous inning ended. That is, if the 11th inning ends withthe #6 hitter having the last plate appearance (PA), then the 12th inning begins the #7 hitter at bat, and the #5 hitter at 2B and the #6 hitter at first base.
• With the exception of beginning the inning with runners on 1B and 2B with no one out, all other “Official Rules of Baseball” and “IBAF Competition Norms” will remain in effect during extra innings required to determine a winner.
• No player re-entry is permitted during extra innings.
• The traditional system of the visiting team hitting in the top of the inning and the home team hitting in the bottom of the inning will remain in effect until a winner is determined.
Note: Neither Bill Veeck or any member of his family has anything to do with this ruling.
The format is a first in international baseball competition and differs significantly from the currently used extra-inning model. The new rule calls for traditional baseball extra-inning rules to be used in the 10th frame, but all contests that are tied after 10 innings will compete under a new format. Beginning with the 11th inning and each inning needed thereafter, base runners will be placed on first and second base with no outs. All other rules of baseball will remain in effect.The new rules will be taken into effect for all tournaments under the IBAF competition umbrella moving forward, which includes the IBAF Men’s and Women’s Baseball World Cup which are scheduled for September 9-27, 2009 in Europe and August 24-29, 2008 in Matsuyama, Japan, respectively.
Baseball and softball are making their last appearance for a while, after the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate the sports from the 2012 London Games. Both sports are working to be reinstated for the 2016 Olympics.
“The upcoming Beijing Olympic competition may be our last unless we are successful in adding the sport back to the Olympic program for the 2016 Games,” said IBAF President Dr. Harvey W. Schiller. “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.”
Dr. Schiller continued, saying the change is both a positive and necessary step for the sport of baseball.“One of the unique aspects of our game is that it has no time limit. Extra-inning contests can bring about the most exciting results for players and fans, but such circumstances also make it difficult in the context of the Olympic program. Delays cause scheduling and logistical nightmares. Planned security, transportation, drug testing, broadcasts, and entertainment are just a few of the activities that may be seriously affected,” Dr. Schiller continued.
Many former and current professional players and administrators from baseball federations around the world provided guidance on the rule change. The new tie-breaker will be tested beginning at the IBAF “AAA” World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Canada, which is the premiere international tournament for players 18-and-under.
The new extra-inning format will allow for each manager to select two consecutive batters from anywhere in their respective lineup to start the 11th on first and second base. The next batter in the lineup would then be the batter that starts the inning at the plate. Once those players/runners are determined for the 11th inning, the order of any subsequent innings will be determined by how the previous inning ended. That is, if the 11th inning ends with the #6 hitter having the last official at bat, then the 12th inning begins the #7 hitter at bat, and the #5 hitter at 2B and the #6 hitter at first base.
“Given these extraordinary times for baseball, I believe this will be an exciting shift for the sport,” Dr. Schiller said.
Extra-Inning Rule (to be added to the IBAF Competition Norms):If the game remains tied after the completion of ten (10) innings, the following procedures will be implemented during extra innings:
• Each team will begin the 11th inning (and any subsequent necessary extra innings) with a player on first and second, no outs.
• To begin the 11th inning, representatives from each team will meet at home plate and will indicate (at the same time) to the home plate umpire where the team wishes to begin the batting order. That is, the teams have the option of beginning the 11th inning anywhere in the existing batting order that was in effect when the 10th inning ended. Note that this is not a new lineup (just potentially a different order), and it may very well be the same lineup that ended the 10th inning. The rationale for doing so is to ensure that both teams have an equal chance at having what theyconsider to be their best hitters and base runners in a position to score in the 11th inning.
• For example, if the team decides to have the #1 hitter in the lineup hit first, then the #8 hitter will be placed at 2B and the #9 hitter will be placed at 1B. Furthermore, if the team decides to have the #3 hitter in the lineup hit first, then the #1 hitter would be at 2B and the #2 hitter would be at1B.
• Once those players/runners are determined for the 11th inning, the order of any subsequent innings will be determined by how the previous inning ended. That is, if the 11th inning ends withthe #6 hitter having the last plate appearance (PA), then the 12th inning begins the #7 hitter at bat, and the #5 hitter at 2B and the #6 hitter at first base.
• With the exception of beginning the inning with runners on 1B and 2B with no one out, all other “Official Rules of Baseball” and “IBAF Competition Norms” will remain in effect during extra innings required to determine a winner.
• No player re-entry is permitted during extra innings.
• The traditional system of the visiting team hitting in the top of the inning and the home team hitting in the bottom of the inning will remain in effect until a winner is determined.
Note: Neither Bill Veeck or any member of his family has anything to do with this ruling.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Legends to get their due in Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame
Joe Vann Durham, a former Negro Leagues player from Newport News who was the first athlete from the Peninsula to sign a "big-league" baseball contract, will be inducted into the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame.
Durham began his pro baseball career in 1952 with the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League. The St. Louis Browns signed him in 1953 and assigned him to the York (Pa.) White Roses of the Piedmont League. Durham helped to break the color line in a league with teams in the then-segregated states of Maryland and Virginia. He had a productive year despite enduring poor living conditions and racial slurs.
Durham led the Huntington High Vikings to the 1948-1949 Eastern District basketball championship. Durham was named the tournament's outstanding player and made the all-district team.
For more information, visit: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_hraahof_0806aug06,0,1062373.story
Durham began his pro baseball career in 1952 with the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League. The St. Louis Browns signed him in 1953 and assigned him to the York (Pa.) White Roses of the Piedmont League. Durham helped to break the color line in a league with teams in the then-segregated states of Maryland and Virginia. He had a productive year despite enduring poor living conditions and racial slurs.
Durham led the Huntington High Vikings to the 1948-1949 Eastern District basketball championship. Durham was named the tournament's outstanding player and made the all-district team.
For more information, visit: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_hraahof_0806aug06,0,1062373.story
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Former Athletics pitcher Porter Vaughan Passes Away
Porter Vaughan departed this life on July 30, 2008 at the age of 89. Cecil Porter Vaughan was born in Stevensville, VA in 1919.
Porter Vaughan remembered pitching to the great Ted Williams in that memorable double header on the last day of the 1941 season when Williams maintained his batting average above .400 (.406) although he could have sat out and protected his average.
Vaughan pitched for the A's in 1940 and 1941 and spent the years from 1942 to 1945 serving his country. In 1946 he returned to the Philadelphia A's. He had also pitched in the International League and American Association. 58 surviving players from the Athletics are left.
Porter Vaughan remembered pitching to the great Ted Williams in that memorable double header on the last day of the 1941 season when Williams maintained his batting average above .400 (.406) although he could have sat out and protected his average.Vaughan pitched for the A's in 1940 and 1941 and spent the years from 1942 to 1945 serving his country. In 1946 he returned to the Philadelphia A's. He had also pitched in the International League and American Association. 58 surviving players from the Athletics are left.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Teams No Longer Existing in Their Original Cities
Of the 16 clubs that existed unchanged for fifty years (1902-52), the following legendary names no longer exist as living, breathing entities in their original cities:
American League
Philadelphia Athletics
St. Louis Browns
Washington Senators **
If the new 3rd incarnation of a Washington club in 2005 really wants the name "Senators", they will have to buy it from the Texas Rangers, who own the rights from their brief term in Washington as the 2nd coming of that club.
National League
Boston Braves
Brooklyn Dodgers
New York Giants
American League
Philadelphia Athletics
St. Louis Browns
Washington Senators **
If the new 3rd incarnation of a Washington club in 2005 really wants the name "Senators", they will have to buy it from the Texas Rangers, who own the rights from their brief term in Washington as the 2nd coming of that club.
National League
Boston Braves
Brooklyn Dodgers
New York Giants
This Date In Browns History
You can help build a calendar for "this date in Browns histroy" at the Browns Forum page at: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19216
This thread will work best with broad contribution from all of you old Browns fans. The object is to fill in the calendar pages with special or peculiar moments in Browns history. (The author threw in the word "peculiar" because they had so many things happen that properly fall into that category.)
He starts things off with one that some of you may have read about that seems to fill the bill as a baseball oddity. Hopefully, someone else will have something to cover tomorrow. It would be great to eventually fill every day of the year. Such a background of information would make great material for a St. Louis Browns calendar or day planner. That is, if you don't mind starting your day with frequently painful reminders.
Check it out at: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19216
This thread will work best with broad contribution from all of you old Browns fans. The object is to fill in the calendar pages with special or peculiar moments in Browns history. (The author threw in the word "peculiar" because they had so many things happen that properly fall into that category.)
He starts things off with one that some of you may have read about that seems to fill the bill as a baseball oddity. Hopefully, someone else will have something to cover tomorrow. It would be great to eventually fill every day of the year. Such a background of information would make great material for a St. Louis Browns calendar or day planner. That is, if you don't mind starting your day with frequently painful reminders.
Check it out at: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19216
Friday, August 1, 2008
Browns Set Record For Consecutive Sunday Losses
The St. Louis Browns - the ancestors of today's National League Cardinals - set the record for consecutive Sunday losses in 1898 at 17. A later Browns team in the American League moved to Baltimore after the 1953 season and became the Orioles.
Could someone attached to the 1898 Browns have created some mini-curse to ensnare the
Orioles more than a century later?
Andy Jones, 46, wore an American League St. Louis Browns hat to yesterday's game. Being from St. Louis, honoring the team that moved to Baltimore is his way of warming up to the Orioles a year after moving to North Potomac, he said.
Could someone attached to the 1898 Browns have created some mini-curse to ensnare the
Orioles more than a century later?Andy Jones, 46, wore an American League St. Louis Browns hat to yesterday's game. Being from St. Louis, honoring the team that moved to Baltimore is his way of warming up to the Orioles a year after moving to North Potomac, he said.
August 1: Browns Walk 11 Times But Lose 9-0
Back on this day in 1941, Lefty Gomez of the Yankees set a major league record by tossing a complete game shutout while walking 11. The Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns on a Ladies Day at Yankee Stadium by a 9-0 score.
The Browns also had give hits against Gomez and reached on a Phil Rizzuto error. But two double plays and an epic of day of not hitting with runners on base doomed the Browns. St. Louis left 15 runners on base in the game.
Joe DiMaggio's second long hitting streak of 1941 reached 15 games on this day. DiMaggio would get a single in the next game and his streak ended up being 72 out of 73 games.
Gomez was not exactly a control pitcher and he topped triple digits in walks in four seasons and was at 99 in another year.
The Ladies Day crowd drew a whopping 8730 fans to Yankee Stadium, 2872 identified in the box score as actual ladies.
The Browns also had give hits against Gomez and reached on a Phil Rizzuto error. But two double plays and an epic of day of not hitting with runners on base doomed the Browns. St. Louis left 15 runners on base in the game.
Joe DiMaggio's second long hitting streak of 1941 reached 15 games on this day. DiMaggio would get a single in the next game and his streak ended up being 72 out of 73 games.Gomez was not exactly a control pitcher and he topped triple digits in walks in four seasons and was at 99 in another year.
The Ladies Day crowd drew a whopping 8730 fans to Yankee Stadium, 2872 identified in the box score as actual ladies.
This day in baseball: July 29
July 29, 1908: Rube Waddell struck out 16 as the St. Louis Browns beat the Philadelphia A’s 5-4.
July 29, 1911: Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns with a 5-0 no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader. Wood fanned 12 and allowed three baserunners on two walks and a hit batsman.
July 29, 1911: Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns with a 5-0 no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader. Wood fanned 12 and allowed three baserunners on two walks and a hit batsman.
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.
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.
What Happened to the Browns On July 25?
July 25, 1918 — Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators pitched a four-hitter in 15 innings to beat the St. Louis Browns 1-0. The only hit off him in the first 11 innings was a triple by George Sisler.
July 25, 1939 — Atley Donald of the New York Yankees set a rookie pitching record in the AL when he registered his 12th consecutive victory since May 9, with a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Browns.
July 25, 1939 — Atley Donald of the New York Yankees set a rookie pitching record in the AL when he registered his 12th consecutive victory since May 9, with a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Browns.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)