Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On January 24, 1939, the baseball writers select EddieCollins, Willie Keeler and George Sisler to the Hall of Fame. 

George Sisler never played on a pennant winner and he wasn't a slugger, but in spite of that he earned a reputation as the best first baseman in the first 30 years of the 20th century. The greatest player in St. Louis Browns' history, he twice batted over .400, and his 257 hits in 1920, hitting 420 for the season, his hit record remained a modern major league record. later broken by Ichiro Suzuki

That same year, the lefty-swinging Sisler hit in 41 consecutive games, an American League record that stood until surpassed by Joe DiMaggio. Sisler, who attended the University of Michigan, where he played for Branch Rickey,

Factoid

On September 1, 1918, Sisler hit a double off Ty Cobb. Cobb was making his first major league appearance on the mound. Sisler also pitched in the game for St. Louis, pitching a scorless 9th in the Browns win. He made 24 apperances over his career with a 2.35 ERA and has a shutout to his credit in 1916.

Collins batted an even .333 for his career, collected 3,315 hits and stole 744 bases as. A member of four World Championship teams, Eddie Collins was a winner with a confident and aggressive style of play. He played 25 years in the major leagues and was considered the finest second baseman of his time. He led his league in fielding nine times, and he accepted more chances, had more assists, and made more putouts than any other pivot man in history. He was one of the best performers in World Series play, hitting .328 with 42 hits and 14 stolen bases in 34 games.

Eddie Collins buried his bats during the off-season in shallow holes in his backyard that he called "graves" in order to keep them "lively."

Keeler, who “hit ’em where they ain’t”, batted .341 and collected 2,932 hits. A master with a bat, Willie Keeler was a demon at the top of the lineup for Ned Hanlon's Orioles in the 1890s. Keeler led his team to four pennants, two each in Baltimore and Brooklyn, winning two batting titles. As a member of the 1890s Orioles' teams that revolutionized the way baseball was played, Keeler was adroit at laying down a bunt, chopping the ball into the ground to beat it out for an infield hit, performing the suicide squeeze, and parlaying the double steal. Keeler's 44-game hitting streak in 1897 was a record until surpassed by Joe DiMaggio in 1941.

He is highlighted on the January 1 podcast –

the Brooklyn Millionaire

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On January 22 1976 — Pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon are voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Roberts led the National League in starts and innings pitched for five straight seasons and was tops in victories for four consecutive years on his way to 286 career wins. Lemon earned 20 victories six times and won 207 career games.

Robin Roberts was the ace of the Phillies staff for most of his 14 years in a brilliant 19-season Major League career. The durable workhorse with a superior

fastball and pinpoint control won 286 games and compiled six consecutive 20-victory seasons. In 1950, he paced the Phils to their first flag in 35 years with a 20-11 record. A tough competitor, he was a frequent league leader in victories, innings pitched, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts, topping the National League in wins from 1952-55.

Bob Lemon realized his destiny as a pitcher eight years after making his professional debut as an infielder-outfielder. At the age of 25, he embarked on a Major League pitching career that included seven 20-win seasons over a nine-year span. The right-handed ace became a key factor in Cleveland’s 1948 and ’54 pennant drives, posting

records of 20-14 and 23-7, respectively. After his playing days, Lemon became a successful manager, leading the Yankees to the world championship in 1978.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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Full Dizzy Dean playlist - Dizzy Dean Show, Dean interviews, Dean game broadcasts, games he played in (1934 WS and 37 AS Game) over 25 Dizzy Dean specials.

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On January 21, 1953, pitcher Dizzy Dean and outfielder Al Simmons are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America surprisingly bypasses former New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio in his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot.

DiMaggio will gain an election two years later.

Dean gathers 209 votes while Simmons’ total of 199 is one more than needed. The colorful Dean had a .644 career winning percentage and won 120 games from 1932 through 1936, including 30 wins in 1934. Simmons, who drove in 100 runs in each of his first eleven major league seasons, was one of the most feared hitters of his time. Also joining DiMaggio, who finishes 8th in the voting, are in order Bill Terry, Bill Dickey, Rabbit Maranville, Dazzy Vance, Ted Lyons, Chief Bender (9th) and Gabby Hartnett (10th). All will eventually make it.

The Yankee Clipper will have to wait until 1955 when 88.8% of the BBWAA scribes put his name on their ballot.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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On January 20 1966 — The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. Williams, the last major league batter to hit .400, receives 282 of a possible 302 votes. He won the Triple Crown twice, the American League MVP Award twice, and produced the highest career on-base percentage of all time (.483), even though he lost five years to military service.

American League Triple Crown: 1942 and 1946. In neither of those years did Williams win the MVP Award; in todays game he would have won the award because he had the highest WAR, he also had the highest WAR in the AL 6 times including posting 10+ three times. He is one of 11 positions players since 1900 to post a War over 10 multiple times.

Hit for the cycle on July 21, 1946; blasted three homers and drove in 8 runs on July 14, 1946; collected more RBI's 159 than games played 155 (1949); had RBI in 12 straight games (thru September 13, 1942); RBI in 11 consecutive games (thru June 10, 1950); homered in four straight at-bats (September 7th and September 22nd, 1957); combined with Bobby Doerr for 549 homers as teammates (Williams 333, Doerr 216)...

During Ted’s speech in the summer of 1966 he may have done the most selfless thing during his association with baseball. Williams was born of Mexican decent and it was something he kept to himself, he may have never played MLB if he had not. He was sensitive to the color barrier and made a pitch for the Negro League players inclusion into Cooperstown. The voters will listen and begin with Satchel Paige in 1971. Here is Ted’s speech the day he learned he was voted in.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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On January 19, 1945, media reports say that Stan “The Man” Musial will enlist in the U.S. military for duty in World War II. Musial will miss the entire 1945 season before returning to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.

Since big league ball wasn’t played any further west than the city of St. Louis until the Dodgers and Giants moved to California in 1958, Musial was a hero to virtually every young boy who lived beyond the banks of the Mississippi River during the 1940s and 1950s. The Cardinal outfielder’s warm, unpretentious, and easy-going manner also made him a favorite of teammates and opponents alike. Musial’s popularity was further enhanced by the greatness he displayed on the ballfield – a greatness that enabled him to win seven batting championships and three National League Most Valuable Player Awards during his 22-year career with the Cardinals. Stan Will pass away on January 19, 2013  in Ladue, MO

In discussing Musial’s legacy on ESPN’s Sports Century, Bob Costas noted, “He didn’t hit a homer in his last at-bat; he hit a single. He didn’t hit in 56 straight games. He married his high school sweetheart and stayed married to her – never married a Marilyn Monroe. He didn’t play with the sheer joy and style that goes alongside Willie Mays’ name. None of those easy things are there to associate with Stan Musial. All Musial represents is more than two decades of sustained excellence and complete decency as a human being.

Listen to stan on the American Legion Baseball 1949 Radio show with Stan Musial.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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On January 18, 1950, star right-hander Bob Feller tells the Cleveland Indians that he should receive a cut in pay after a subpar 15-14 season in 1949. The Indians agree to the suggestion, cutting the future Hall of Famer’s pay by $20,000. Feller will receive a salary of $45,000 in 1950. A farmboy from Van Meter, Iowa, in 1936 Feller was only 17 when he struck out eight members of the St. Louis Cardinals in three innings of an exhibition game. After this awesome display of pitching, Feller was advised to seek voluntary retirement from high school in order to sign a pro-baseball contract. In his first major league start, against the St. Louis Browns, Feller fanned 15 hitters and never looked back. For twenty years, all with the

Indians, the teenage phenomena dominated AL batters with his blazing fastball and bending curve. He hurled three no-hitters, including the only opening day gem on April 16, 1940, he will also win the triple crown in 40. His second came in 1946 when he set the AL record with 348 strikeouts. He also notched 12 one-hitters, and won 19 games for Cleveland's last world series winner in 1948. You can listen to all 6 games on our Classic Radio Broadcasts.  Feller career was put on hold when he became the second big league star to enter the service for World War II (following Hank Greenberg).

He lost almost four seasons to military duty While in the U.S. Navy, Feller won eight battle stars. I am going to play him recalling his first game back from the War

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

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On January 17, 1934, the New York Giants come to contract terms with National League Most Valuable Player Carl Hubbell. “The King,” who won league honors unanimously in 1933, will earn $18,000 for the upcoming season. The Giants will be well rewarded as Hubbell will lead the league in ERA, CG and SV’s and finish 9th in the MVP Voting. 

The 1934 season is best remembered for Hubbell’s historic achievement in the All-Star Game, when he struck out five straight future Hall of Famers, none of them familiar with the screwball. With two American Leaguers on base in the first inning at the Polo Grounds, Hubbell struck out Babe Ruth with three consecutive screwballs. Lou Gehrig took a ball and then swung through three more screwballs. Jimmie Foxx distinguished himself by comparison, at least managing one foul tip in the process of striking out. With the fans still buzzing, Hubbell struck out Al Simmons and Joe Cronin, the first two hitters in the second inning, before allowing a single to Bill Dickey.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Don Wilson's Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/don-wilson-page/

Jan 5 1975 – Houston Astros pitcher Don Wilson is found dead of monoxide poisoning in his garage in Houston, a suicide victim at age 29. The Astros will retire his uniform number 40.

This show features a great article from the Sons of Same Horn on Don Wilson 

Don Wilson bio 

Events on Jan 5 

The End of the 1967 No Hitter against Atlanta. 

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On January 4, 1942 — Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame, getting 78 percent of the vote, while both Frank Chance (58%) and Rube Waddell (54%) miss out.

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Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts