Baseball Birthdays: June thirtieth
Ron Swoboda, Baltimore born, played right field for Mets. Helped beat O’s in a series with a catch no one forgets. Bud Black pitched for fifteen years, won one ring with K.C. He manages the … Read more
Ron Swoboda, Baltimore born, played right field for Mets. Helped beat O’s in a series with a catch no one forgets. Bud Black pitched for fifteen years, won one ring with K.C. He manages the … Read more
Wilbert Robinson breathed baseball; life was just a hobby. Eighteen years he managed Brooklyn, nicknamed "Uncle Robbie." "Nippy" Jones was hit on foot by pitch in series game. A turning point, shoe polish on the … Read more
Fred Gladding pitched for thirteen years as Tiger and Astro. His lifetime batting average, oh-sixteen, is record low. Al Downing, little lefty, came from Trenton to the Yanks. He served up Hank’s seven-fifteen. For that … Read more
Gus Zernial was A.L. homer champ in fifty-one. His baseball card the next year, balls-on-bat, was really fun. Eddie Kasko, ex-infielder, helmed Red Sox for four seasons. Had winning record but no first place for … Read more
Babe Herman hit for the cycle a co-record three times. His fielding and base running were considered minor crimes. "Home Run" Brown, a longtime Monarch, is now in the Hall of Fame. Better-known Josh Gibson … Read more
Joe Kuhel amassed two thousand hits and had a funky name. While with the Senators he had three triples in a game. Dick Drago pitched for thirteen years and lost more than he won. With … Read more
Don Mincher’s last hit was a pincher, in A’s series win. As Senator, he’d turned into both Ranger and a Twin. Ken Reitz had two stints with the Cards and played a good third base. … Read more
Karl Spooner struck out fifteen in his rookie Brooklyn win, But hurt his arm next spring and he was never good again. Tom Haller was a catcher who knew how to call a game. In … Read more
Carl Hubbell was a lifelong Giant, twice MVP, too. Sixteen years of scroogies made his left arm a corkscrew. Ron Hodges played twelve years with Mets. He grew up in the sticks. The total of … Read more
Eddie Lopat had great success in one five-year chunk. Helped Yanks win five series with a vast array of junk. Charlie Moore spent many Brewers years behind the dish. Now he’s less well known than … Read more
"Cuno" Barragan caught two years with the Cubs and that was that. His only highlight was his only homer in his first at-bat. Dickie Thon played short for fifteen years and for six teams. A … Read more
Lou Gehrig was the "Iron Horse," until felled by disease. The Yankee great first baseman saw six series victories. Jerry Reuss pitched twenty-two years and with teams aplenty. Won over two hundred games without once … Read more
Lou Brock was a Cardinal star and two-time champion. His steal records were both broken by Rickey Henderson. Andres Galarraga was a "Big Cat" at first base. He moved from team to team with grace, … Read more
Willard Nixon spent nine years upon the Red Sox hill. Turned out it was only Yankees that the righty’d kill. Dave Concepcion played nineteen years for Reds at short. He was a cog in the … Read more
Ron Leflore was noted for his great redemption tale. Billy Martin signed the noted base thief out of jail. Calvin Schiraldi in eighty-six was Red Sox closer. Saved game one of series then turned into … Read more
Billy Williams had a sweet swing, mostly as a Cub. They never made the playoffs with him. Therein lies the rub. Dusty Baker managed twenty years and played nineteen. Was in the on deck circle … Read more
Don Newcombe pitched his best years for beloved Brooklyn Bums. Amongst the great souls of the game, he’s as good as it comes. Herb Plews played for the Senators, the doormat of their day. The … Read more
Mel Parnell, deft lefty, had a fine Red Sox career. The ten-year veteran hurler threw a no-no his last year. Marcel Lachemann pitched two years relief as Oakland A. Also managed briefly, not as well … Read more
Scott Aldred pitched for six teams ’til arm troubles did him in. One season played forty-eight games without a loss or win, Damon Buford played at USC, just like his dad. In the majors didn’t … Read more
Roger Bresnahan caught Matty in his series year. He’s given credit as the first to use protective gear. Ernie Nevers pitched three years, though baseball’s not his game. He’s better known as fullback in the … Read more