Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Lefty Grove was Born on March 6 in Lonaconing, Maryland, Grove was a sandlot star in the Baltimore area during the 1910s. Grove didn't play organized baseball until he was 19 years old. In 1920, he made his professional debut with the Martinsburg Mountaineers of the class-D Blue Ridge League, where he appeared in six games. In 59 innings pitched, Grove gave up just 30 hits, and he had an earned run average (ERA) of 1.68. His performance attracted the attention of Jack Dunn, Sr. (1872–1928), the manager/owner of the minor league Baltimore Orioles, who also discovered Babe Ruth. Here is an interview that is long but worth the listen by Eugene Murdock on July 18, 1974 in Norwalk, Ohio

Check out his page:

https://thisdayinbaseball.com/lefty-grove-page/

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Today we celebrate Mel Ott's birthday. We have 5 World Series At Bats and 3 homeruns. Oddly Ott played in 3 Wold series and homered in the final game in each series, bur didnt hit any in the other games. 

On March 2, 1909, future Hall of Famer, Mel Ott is born in Gretna, Louisiana. Known as “Master Melvin,” Ott will make his major league debut with the New York Giants as a 17-year-old boy wonder 1926. He will quickly become a fan favorite. Using an unorthodox batting style in which he lifted his right foot prior to impact, Ott will hit 511 home runs with 1,860 RBI, 1859 runs, 2876 hits (1,071 extra-base hits) and a .304 batting average. Hitting 30 or more in a season eight times and winning or sharing home-run honors on six occasions. He will play all 22 seasons for the New York Giants and Ott will receive Hall of Fame honors in 1951.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On today's Podcast - hear from Leo Durocher and his wife on Laraine Day, Gas House Gang and him talk about Nice Guys Finish last with Roy Leonard. 

On March 1, 1947 — Father Vincent Powell announces the diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization will no longer participate in the Dodgers’ Knothole Club, stating the church cannot continue to have their youngsters associated with the team’s manager, Leo Durocher. The monsignor, who has been the director of the local CYO since 1940, believes the Brooklyn skipper “represents an example in complete contradiction” to the faith’s moral teachings.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 28, 1966 — Refusing to report to spring training, Los Angeles Dodger pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale begin their joint holdout, asking for a $1 million, three-year contract, to be divided equally between them. The deal, equivalent to an annual salary of $167,000 for each hurler, will make them the best-paid players in baseball, easily surpassing Willie Mays’ $125,000 yearly paycheck with the Giants. Although the deal didn’t happen, On March 30, Drysdale and Koufax will end their holdouts, with each signing one-year contracts worth under $150,000. Koufax, however, will become the highest-paid player in the game. 

Sandy Koufax Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/sandy-koufax-biography/

Don Drysdale Page -  https://thisdayinbaseball.com/tag/don-drysdale/

February 28 Events - 

https://thisdayinbaseball.com/this-day-in-baseball-february-28/

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 26, 1935, the New York Yankees release longtime star outfielder Babe Ruth, freeing him to sign a $20,000 contract with the National League’s Boston Braves. Ruth’s new contract with the Braves also gives him a share of the team’s profits. In 1934, Ruth had endured one of his worst seasons with the Yankees, at least by his lofty standards, with a .288 batting average, 22 home runs, and 84 RBIs.

This season, he will play just only 28 games for the Braves before announcing his retirement on June 2nd at the age of 40. Ruth will hit the final three home runs of his major league career on May 25th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him a total of 714. His last home run will clear the right field grandstand at Forbes Field and will travel an estimated 600 feet.

Babe Ruth's Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/babe-ruth-biography/

February 26 Events - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/this-day-in-baseball-february-26/

Page Sponsorship - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/buy-a-dedication/

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

February 27, 2011 — The “Duke of Flatbush”, Hall of Famer Duke Snider dies in Escondido, CA at age 84. Snider was a power-hitting centerfielder for the great Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s and is immortalized in Terry Cashman’s song “Willie, Mickey and the Duke”.

 Snider was Brooklyn’s entry into one of the most passionate debates in baseball history.  New York sportswriter Red Smith once wrote, “(Duke) Snider, (Mickey) Mantle, and (Willie) Mays.  You could get a fat lip in any saloon by starting an argument as to which was the best.” 

Sharing the big city spotlight with fellow future Hall of Fame centerfielders Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, Snider was part of a magical period in New York baseball that saw a team from the nation’s largest city win the World Series in nine out of the 10 seasons between 1949 and 1958.  The Dodgers appeared in the Fall Classic five times during that time, winning their only championship in Brooklyn in 1955.  Although the Dodger lineup also featured other outstanding performers such as Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and Gil Hodges throughout much of the period, no one on the team wielded a more potent bat than Snider.  And, even though the Brooklyn centerfielder usually came out third best in comparisons to Mays and Mantle, Snider hit more home runs during the 1950s (326) than any other player in baseball.

Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner once noted, “I’d say Duke covers more ground, wastes less motion, and is more consistent than anyone since DiMaggio.”  And Stan Musial named Snider, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron as his all-time National League outfield.

What could have been – after the failed playoff series in 1951 Snider later recalled, “I went to Walter O’Malley and told him I couldn’t take the pressure.  I told him I’d just as soon be traded.  I told him I figured I could do the Dodgers no good.” 

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 24, 1917 – – Smoky Joe Wood, his arm dead at 26, is sold by the Boston Red Sox to Cleveland for $15,000. He will become an outfielder after one last, losing start on the mound, and will play five more years.

Wood had slipped on wet grass while fielding a bunt in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He fell and broke his thumb, and pitched in pain for the following three seasons. Although he maintained a winning record and a low ERA, his appearances were limited, as he could no longer recover quickly from pitching a game. Wood sat out the 1916 season and most of the 1917 season, and for all intents and purposes ended his pitching career.

When Wood was sold to the Cleveland Indians, he rejoined former teammate Tris Speaker. Always proficient with the bat, he embarked on a second career; like his former teammate Babe Ruth, Wood ended his career as an outfielder. His hitting statistics, however, were far more pedestrian than those of Ruth. Nonetheless, Wood finished in the top 10 in the American League in runs batted in two seasons (1918 and 1922), and in 1918 he also finished in the top ten in home runs, doubles, batting average, and total bases. Wood pitched seven more times, all but one game in relief, winning none and losing one. He also appeared in four games in the 1920 World Series becoming the only player besides Ruth to be a starting pitcher and starting outfielder in a World Series game.

Wood finished his major league career after the 1922 season with a pitching record of 117–57 and an ERA of 2.03. His lifetime batting average was .283. In his final season with the Indians, he had his highest hit total for a season with 150, and also set a personal mark for RBI with 92.

Here is Smoky Joe to tell you his story . . .

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 22, 1936, Walter Johnson fires a silver dollar over the Rappahannock River, estimated to be a 386-foot toss. The spectacle—it took place in the backyard of Washington’s childhood home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

I will tell you the story through Bobby King II research and words. Afterward, I will bring you something that was hard to find, the voice of Walter Johnson doing a radio broadcast for the Senators. 

Event page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/as-thousands-cheer-on-both-sides-of-the-river-48-year-old-senator-legend-walter-johnson-throws-a-silver-dollar-to-the-far-side-of-the-rappahannock-believed-to-be-a-386-foot-toss-the-washington-d-c/

Walter Johnson's Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/tag/walter-johnson/

Sponsor His Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/product/player-page-sponsorship/

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On January 23 1962 — Pitcher Bob Feller and infielder Jackie Robinson are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America in their first year of eligibility.

Jackie Robinson burst onto the scene in 1947, breaking baseball’s color barrier and bringing the Negro leagues’ electrifying style of play to the Majors. He quickly became baseball’s top drawing card and a symbol of hope to millions of Americans. With Robinson as the catalyst, the Dodgers won six pennants in his 10 seasons. He dominated games on the basepaths, stealing home 19 times while riling opposing pitchers with his daring baserunning style. Robinson was named National League MVP in 1949, leading the loop in hitting (.342) and steals (37), while knocking in 124 runs.

Bob Feller’s blazing fastball set the standard against which all of his successors have been judged. Rapid Robert spent his entire 18-year career with Cleveland, amassing 266 victories and 2,581 strikeouts, while leading the league in strikeouts seven times. He missed nearly four full seasons in his prime serving his country during World War II, for which he was decorated with five campaign ribbons studded with eight battle stars. Fresh from high school, Feller struck out 17 Athletics in 1936. The fireballer authored three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters while winning 20 or more games six times.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts