DOCSLIB.ORG

Marrying a Brooklyn Girl and Making the Borough His Home in the Off-Season. the Attraction Went Much Beyond That and Beyond

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Marrying a Brooklyn Girl and Making the Borough His Home in the Off-Season. the Attraction Went Much Beyond That and Beyond Hoosier H eno of Brooklyn Left: Of the Brooklyn Dodgers in this photograph, only Hodges, at right, is not in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The other Dodger greats are (left to right) Snider, Jackie Robinson, Campanella, and Reese. Right: Branch Rickey, president and part owner of the Dodgers, gestures as he talks to (left to right) Hodges, Gene Hermanski, and Robinson on 4 October 1949. The next day the Dodgers took on the New York Yankees in game one of the 1949 World Series. marrying a Brooklyn girl and making the borough his booed in Yankee Stadium and Stan Musial booed in home in the off-season. The attraction went much beyond St. Louis. But the Brooklyn fans cheered for Gil.” that and beyond his baseball skills as well. There was a quiet In a phone interview, Erskine, a native of Anderson, dignity about this family man, born of a strong religious Indiana, reiterated Hodges’s special status to both fans and faith, which was both well known and respected in a bor­ teammates. According to Erskine, the big first baseman ough more celebrated for its eccentricity. Once again a constantly provided “stability and insight in just a few Hodges testimonial also showcases his rich sense of humor. words.” By the way, all that fan support during his bat­ Harold Parrott, traveling secretary for the Dodgers, recalled ting slump ultimately paid off. Hodges turned things a flight to St. Louis for a game. Sitting next to Hodges, around in 1953, hitting over .300 for the first time in his Parrott noticed that the Catholic slugger had pushed aside career, as well as knocking in 122 runs. his steak dinner. When Parrott asked Hodges why he had hough Hodges was an adopted Brooklynite, part of his left his dinner untouched, the ballplayer noted that it was aura of class and dignity was tied to his no-nonsense supposed to be a day of “fast and abstinence” for his faith. Indiana background. Indeed, Hodges and Erskine were Tso associated with the Hoosier State that Ebbets Field organ­ “Not for us it isn’t,” said Parrott. “I checked with the bishop and he said that it was permissible for Catholics to eat meat ist Gladys Gooding played “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” when traveling if nothing else was available.” Hodges whenever Hodges homered or Erskine warmed up to pitch. responded by asking the height the plane was traveling. In Erskine’s autobiographical Tales from the Dodger Dugout, When Parrott reported approximately thirty thousand feet, he added, “Gil and I both had strong des to our home state, Hodges noted: ‘Too close to headquarters.” and Gladys never missed a chance to play that song for us.” Maybe the best example of this mix of humor, faith, Hodges always m aintained close ties with his Indiana baseball, and fan support occurred when Hodges roots, returning often to visit friends and family and to suffered a lengthy batting slump that touched parts of pursue his love of hunting. He also managed during his two seasons. By a warm Sunday in May 1953 the first career to transfer the major-league allegiance of his old baseman’s parish priest was moved to observe from Petersburg stomping grounds from the St. Louis Cardinals the pulpit, “It’s too hot for a sermon. Keep the and Cincinnati Reds (two relatively close cities) to the Commandments and say a prayer for Gil Hodges.” Going Dodgers and later to the New York Mets. beyond prayers, Brooklyn and his Indiana hometown In a playing career that lasted until 1963, Hodges created sent him countless letters of encouragement, religious many memorable moments, such as his four-home-run medals, and other good-luck objects. More amazingly game, a major-league record he shares with several play­ the Dodgers’ sometimes rabid fans never rode Hodges ers (including Gehrig). Though now eclipsed, another during this rough period. His teammate and fellow of Hodges’s still-impressive records involved home runs, Hoosier Carl Erskine called it “probably the most unusual too. For many years he held the National League mark incident in Brooklyn baseball history. I saw Joe DiMaggio for most career grand slams (fourteen). On the way to TRACES Fall 2003 23.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MLB Curt Schilling Red Sox Jersey MLB Pete Rose Reds Jersey MLB
    MLB Curt Schilling Red Sox jersey MLB Pete Rose Reds jersey MLB Wade Boggs Red Sox jersey MLB Johnny Damon Red Sox jersey MLB Goose Gossage Yankees jersey MLB Dwight Goodin Mets jersey MLB Adam LaRoche Pirates jersey MLB Jose Conseco jersey MLB Jeff Montgomery Royals jersey MLB Ned Yost Royals jersey MLB Don Larson Yankees jersey MLB Bruce Sutter Cardinals jersey MLB Salvador Perez All Star Royals jersey MLB Bubba Starling Royals baseball bat MLB Salvador Perez Royals 8x10 framed photo MLB Rolly Fingers 8x10 framed photo MLB Joe Garagiola Cardinals 8x10 framed photo MLB George Kell framed plaque MLB Salvador Perez bobblehead MLB Bob Horner helmet MLB Salvador Perez Royals sports drink bucket MLB Salvador Perez Royals sports drink bucket MLB Frank White and Willie Wilson framed photo MLB Salvador Perez 2015 Royals World Series poster MLB Bobby Richardson baseball MLB Amos Otis baseball MLB Mel Stottlemyre baseball MLB Rod Gardenhire baseball MLB Steve Garvey baseball MLB Mike Moustakas baseball MLB Heath Bell baseball MLB Danny Duffy baseball MLB Frank White baseball MLB Jack Morris baseball MLB Pete Rose baseball MLB Steve Busby baseball MLB Billy Shantz baseball MLB Carl Erskine baseball MLB Johnny Bench baseball MLB Ned Yost baseball MLB Adam LaRoche baseball MLB Jeff Montgomery baseball MLB Tony Kubek baseball MLB Ralph Terry baseball MLB Cookie Rojas baseball MLB Whitey Ford baseball MLB Andy Pettitte baseball MLB Jorge Posada baseball MLB Garrett Cole baseball MLB Kyle McRae baseball MLB Carlton Fisk baseball MLB Bret Saberhagen baseball
    [Show full text]
  • April 2021 Auction Prices Realized
    APRIL 2021 AUCTION PRICES REALIZED Lot # Name 1933-36 Zeenut PCL Joe DeMaggio (DiMaggio)(Batting) with Coupon PSA 5 EX 1 Final Price: Pass 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays PSA 8 NM/MT 2 Final Price: $209,225.46 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford PSA 8 NM/MT 3 Final Price: $15,500.46 1951 Bowman Near Complete Set (318/324) All PSA 8 or Better #10 on PSA Set Registry 4 Final Price: $48,140.97 1952 Topps #333 Pee Wee Reese PSA 9 MINT 5 Final Price: $62,882.52 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA 2 GOOD 6 Final Price: $66,027.63 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle PSA 7 NM 7 Final Price: $24,080.94 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron PSA 8 NM-MT 8 Final Price: $62,455.71 1959 Topps #514 Bob Gibson PSA 9 MINT 9 Final Price: $36,761.01 1969 Topps #260 Reggie Jackson PSA 9 MINT 10 Final Price: $66,027.63 1972 Topps #79 Red Sox Rookies Garman/Cooper/Fisk PSA 10 GEM MT 11 Final Price: $24,670.11 1968 Topps Baseball Full Unopened Wax Box Series 1 BBCE 12 Final Price: $96,732.12 1975 Topps Baseball Full Unopened Rack Box with Brett/Yount RCs and Many Stars Showing BBCE 13 Final Price: $104,882.10 1957 Topps #138 John Unitas PSA 8.5 NM-MT+ 14 Final Price: $38,273.91 1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath PSA 8 NM-MT 15 Final Price: $52,985.94 16 1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana PSA 10 GEM MINT Final Price: $70,418.73 2000 Bowman Chrome #236 Tom Brady PSA 10 GEM MINT 17 Final Price: $17,676.33 WITHDRAWN 18 Final Price: W/D 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan PSA 10 GEM MINT 19 Final Price: $421,428.75 1980 Topps Bird / Erving / Johnson PSA 9 MINT 20 Final Price: $43,195.14 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan
    [Show full text]
  • The Baseball Film in Postwar America ALSO by RON BRILEY and from MCFARLAND
    The Baseball Film in Postwar America ALSO BY RON BRILEY AND FROM MCFARLAND The Politics of Baseball: Essays on the Pastime and Power at Home and Abroad (2010) Class at Bat, Gender on Deck and Race in the Hole: A Line-up of Essays on Twentieth Century Culture and America’s Game (2003) The Baseball Film in Postwar America A Critical Study, 1948–1962 RON BRILEY McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Jefferson, North Carolina, and London All photographs provided by Photofest. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Briley, Ron, 1949– The baseball film in postwar America : a critical study, 1948– 1962 / Ron Briley. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7864-6123-3 softcover : 50# alkaline paper 1. Baseball films—United States—History and criticism. I. Title. PN1995.9.B28B75 2011 791.43'6579—dc22 2011004853 BRITISH LIBRARY CATALOGUING DATA ARE AVAILABLE © 2011 Ron Briley. All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. On the cover: center Jackie Robinson in The Jackie Robinson Story, 1950 (Photofest) Manufactured in the United States of America McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Box 611, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640 www.mcfarlandpub.com Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction: The Post-World War II Consensus and the Baseball Film Genre 9 1. The Babe Ruth Story (1948) and the Myth of American Innocence 17 2. Taming Rosie the Riveter: Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) 33 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Postseaason Sta Rec Ats & Caps & Re S, Li Ecord Ne S Ds
    Postseason Recaps, Line Scores, Stats & Records World Champions 1955 World Champions For the Brooklyn Dodgers, the 1955 World Series was not just a chance to win a championship, but an opportunity to avenge five previous World Series failures at the hands of their chief rivals, the New York Yankees. Even with their ace Don Newcombe on the mound, the Dodgers seemed to be doomed from the start, as three Yankee home runs set back Newcombe and the rest of the team in their opening 6-5 loss. Game 2 had the same result, as New York's southpaw Tommy Byrne held Brooklyn to five hits in a 4-2 victory. With the Series heading back to Brooklyn, Johnny Podres was given the start for Game 3. The Dodger lefty stymied the Yankees' offense over the first seven innings by allowing one run on four hits en route to an 8-3 victory. Podres gave the Dodger faithful a hint as to what lay ahead in the series with his complete-game, six-strikeout performance. Game 4 at Ebbets Field turned out to be an all-out slugfest. After falling behind early, 3-1, the Dodgers used the long ball to knot up the series. Future Hall of Famers Roy Campanella and Duke Snider each homered and Gil Hodges collected three of the club’s 14 hits, including a home run in the 8-5 triumph. Snider's third and fourth home runs of the Series provided the support needed for rookie Roger Craig and the Dodgers took Game 5 by a score of 5-3.
    [Show full text]
  • An Evening of Honor, Celebration and Charity
    WINTER 2016/2017 AN EVENING OF HONOR, CELEBRATION AND CHARITY A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS www.baseballalumni.com E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 1-800-336-5272 TABLE OF CONTENTS Looking for a tax free deduction? The MLBPAA is designated as a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization. Under the IRS code, your D.C. CLINIC .................................................................................... 3 contributions, other than dues, are fully tax deductible. Contributions can be made in the WHERE ARE THEY NOW, GENE LOCKLEAR ..............................4-5 form of cash, securities, or real estate. LFY DINNER WRAP UP ...............................................................6-7 Check with your accountant or tax advisor regarding which is best for you. All checks should be made payable to the MLBPAA and sent to: 1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite D Colorado Springs, CO 80906. MLBPAA Board of Directors Jim Hannan – Chairman Fred Valentine – Vice Chairman Sandy Alderson, John Doherty, Denny Doyle, Brian Fisher, Joseph Garagiola, Jr., Doug Glanville, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Rich Hand, Mike Myers, Steve Rogers, Jim Sadowski, Jose Valdivielso MLBPAA Officers President Brooks Robinson Vice Presidents Bob Boone, George Brett, Carl Erskine, Al Kaline, Rusty Staub, Robin Yount, DONATE NOW Fred Valentine – Secretary/Treasurer www.baseballalumni.mlbpaa.com/Donate Brian Fisher – Assistant Secretary David Mindell – General Counsel Sam Moore – Legal Counsel Emeritus We are raising the bar in 2017 to expand our FREE international youth MLAM Board of Directors baseball clinic series! Your donation will help us reach our goals! Jim Poole - Chairman Jerry Moses - Chairman Emeritus In 2016, our Legends for Youth Clinic Series reached more than 15,000 children in cities Bill Bray, Orestes Destrade, John Doherty, across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Evan Kaplan, Al Leiter, Brian McRae, Ethan Italy.
    [Show full text]
  • National Pastime a REVIEW of BASEBALL HISTORY
    THE National Pastime A REVIEW OF BASEBALL HISTORY CONTENTS The Chicago Cubs' College of Coaches Richard J. Puerzer ................. 3 Dizzy Dean, Brownie for a Day Ronnie Joyner. .................. .. 18 The '62 Mets Keith Olbermann ................ .. 23 Professional Baseball and Football Brian McKenna. ................ •.. 26 Wallace Goldsmith, Sports Cartoonist '.' . Ed Brackett ..................... .. 33 About the Boston Pilgrims Bill Nowlin. ..................... .. 40 Danny Gardella and the Reserve Clause David Mandell, ,................. .. 41 Bringing Home the Bacon Jacob Pomrenke ................. .. 45 "Why, They'll Bet on a Foul Ball" Warren Corbett. ................. .. 54 Clemente's Entry into Organized Baseball Stew Thornley. ................. 61 The Winning Team Rob Edelman. ................... .. 72 Fascinating Aspects About Detroit Tiger Uniform Numbers Herm Krabbenhoft. .............. .. 77 Crossing Red River: Spring Training in Texas Frank Jackson ................... .. 85 The Windowbreakers: The 1947 Giants Steve Treder. .................... .. 92 Marathon Men: Rube and Cy Go the Distance Dan O'Brien .................... .. 95 I'm a Faster Man Than You Are, Heinie Zim Richard A. Smiley. ............... .. 97 Twilight at Ebbets Field Rory Costello 104 Was Roy Cullenbine a Better Batter than Joe DiMaggio? Walter Dunn Tucker 110 The 1945 All-Star Game Bill Nowlin 111 The First Unknown Soldier Bob Bailey 115 This Is Your Sport on Cocaine Steve Beitler 119 Sound BITES Darryl Brock 123 Death in the Ohio State League Craig
    [Show full text]
  • VIN APPRECIATION DAY Personal Memories of Vin Scully from Those Who Would See Him Regularly
    The Greatest of All Time VIN APPRECIATION DAY Personal memories of Vin Scully from those who would see him regularly HEIR (AND HAIR) APPARENT By Carl Erskine he very first memory I have of mate in Los Angeles, Vin Scully is the day he joined the but the connection that Dodgers. was made with the T Dodgers and Califor- I had been in the big leagues a couple years in 1950. Connie Desmond, who was nia was Vin Scully. one of our fine broadcasters, became ill, and they brought this red-headed young- ster from Fordham University (well, he seemed like a youngster — even though I probably wasn’t much older than Vin). Our lead announcer was Red Barber, and when I saw Vin with Red, I said, “Ha, he looks like a pup right out of Red Barber!” It seemed like the old guard and the new guard were kind of related in a way be- cause they were red-headed. But there was GETTY IMAGES so much more to Vin than his hair, and I’m humbled to have spent my Dodger career He’s not only a great professional and alongside him. skillful in the way he describes the game, I spent a lot of time with Vin during my he’s also a class act. He leads a great life- playing days. We traveled by train in those style, and he’s had an impact on so many early years and waited a lot in the stations. people without even knowing it. I do be- To kill the time, I’d ask Vin to come help me lieve he has a real sensitivity to the people pick out books at the book- that are listening, and I store.
    [Show full text]
  • Current and Former Mlb Players Share Baseball Wisdom with Camden Youth
    WINTER 2020 Instructors and participants pose for a group photo at the Legends for Youth clinic in Camden, Ark. on January 25, 2020. CURRENT AND FORMER MLB PLAYERS SHARE BASEBALL WISDOM WITH CAMDEN YOUTH By Alex Matyuf / MLBPAA “The little facets of the game that day, every day.” people often tend to overlook, AMDEN, Ark. – On a sunny day in Davis, who will begin his third season sometimes we want to go from A Camden, Ark., 122 aspiring with the Blue Jays, was joined by his baseball players arrived at to Z, you know when we step into C brother-in-law and teammate Anthony Camden Fairview High School on this game,” said Davis. “You can ask Saturday, January 25 to learn baseball anybody, if you want to play at the top Alford, as well as former MLB players skills, drills and life lessons from current level, we work on the fundamentals all Dustin Moseley, Rich Thompson and and former major and minor league Continued on page 3 players at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) Legends for Youth Clinic Series. The clinic was hosted by Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder and Camden native Jonathan Davis through his JD 3:21 Foundation. The foundation’s purpose is to spread the John 3:21 scripture and empower the youth through faith, sports, education and mentorship. Davis’ return to his alma mater did just that. Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder and Camden native, Jonathan Davis, praises participants of the Legends for Youth clinic in Camden, Ark. on January 25, 2020. A PUBLICATION OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWS TABLE OF CONTENTS CURRENT AND FORMER MLB PLAYERS SHARE BASEBALL WISDOM WITH CAMDEN YOUTH ...................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Baseball World Series Game Tickets and Programs
    Baseball World Series Game Tickets and Programs TICKETS 1931 World Series Cardinals at Athletics - Game 5 Ticket Stub Pepper Martin HR [VG-EX] PSA AUTH [Grades Very Good - Excellent, only minor edge and corner wear] 1935 World Series Tigers at Cubs - Game 5 Ticket Stub HR Chuck Klein WP Len Warneke PSA AUTH [Grades clean VgEx] 1936 World Series Giants at Yankees - Game 5 Ticket Stub NYG 5-4 (10) HR Selkirk PSA AUTH [Grades GOOD, creasing, surface wear, sl paper loss on rev corner] 1939 World Series Yankees at Reds - Game 3 Ticket Stub HR Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey [VG] PSA AUTH [Grades VG due to rough tear line] 1942 World Series Cardinals at Yankees - Game 5 Ticket Stub HR Phil Rizzuto Red Ruffing vs Johnny Beazley [G-VG] PSA AUTH [Grades G-VG due to rough tear line] 1942 World Series Cardinals at Yankees - Game 5 Ticket Stub HR Phil Rizzuto Yankees Win World Series PSA AUTH [Grades F-G; creasing] 1943 World Series Cardinals at Yankees - Game 2 Ticket Stub HR Marty Marion SP Walker Cooper PSA AUTH [Grades G-VG, minor creasing, rough tear line] 1949 World Series Yankees at Dodgers - Game 3 Ticket Stub HR Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese WP Joe Page [VG] PSA AUTH [Light creasing, displays much nicer] 1950 World Series Phillies at Yankees - Game 3 Ticket Stub NY 3-2 Ferrick vs Meyer PSA AUTH [Grades F/G; uneven tear line, creasing] 1952 World Series Dodgers at Yankees - Game 3 Ticket Stub BRK 5-3 HR Yogi Berra, Johnny Mize WP Preacher Roe PSA AUTH [Fair-Good; Vertical crease, sl paper loss, toning on reverse] 1952 World Series Dodgers at Yankees
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 California League Record Book & Media Guide
    2019_CALeague Record Book Cover copy.pdf 2/26/2019 3:21:27 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2019 California League Record Book & Media Guide California League Championship Rings Displayed on the Front Cover: Inland Empire 66ers (2013) Lake Elsinore Storm (2011) Lancaster JetHawks (2014) Modesto Nuts (2017) Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2015) San Jose Giants (2010) Stockton Ports (2008) Visalia Oaks (1978) Record Book compiled and edited by Chris R. Lampe Cover by Leyton Lampe Printed by Pacific Printing (San Jose, California) This book has been produced to share the history and the tradition of the California League with the media, the fans and the teams. While the records belong to the California League and its teams, it is the hope of the league that the publication of this book will enrich the love of the game of baseball for fans everywhere. Bibliography: Baarns, Donny. Goshen & Giddings - 65 Years of Visalia Professional Baseball. Top of the Third Inc., 2011. Baseball America Almanac, 1984-2019, Durham: Baseball America, Inc. Baseball America Directory, 1983-2018, Durham: Baseball America, Inc. Official Baseball Guide, 1942-2006, St. Louis: The Sporting News. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2007. Baseball America, Inc. Total Baseball, 7th Edition, 2001. Total Sports. Weiss, William J. ed., California League Record Book, 2004. Who's Who in Baseball, 1942-2016, Who's Who in Baseball Magazine, Co., Inc. For More Information on the California League: For information on California League records and questions please contact Chris R. Lampe, California League Historian. He can be reached by E-Mail at: [email protected] or on his cell phone at (408) 568-4441 For additional information on the California League, contact Michael Rinehart, Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • RED BANK REGISTER 7 Cents
    7 Cents RED BANK REGISTER PER COPY VOLUME LXXII, NO. 28. RED BANK, N. J.f THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1950 SECTION ONE—PAGES 1 TO 16 Bottner Heads $653,419 School Red Cross Leader VanHorn Reports Social Security Sterling Sale, Start* Dr. George Davis Riverview Gets Church Committee Budget Approved Record Sales for Advice Offered Guest Speaker at $208,806 in At Shrewsbury In Middletown December, 1949 At Red Bank Baptist Dinner Federal Grant Pregbyterinns Plan * Public Hearing Two Choice Fair Haven Administration lo (,'<mi:rci.'atioii;il Kvrnl Parkcs Keceives Year of Celebration Jan, 19—Terms Places Sold During Have Representative To Re Held at Church Confirming Letter On 200th Anniversary Of 3 to Expire Holidays Here Twice a iWnntlt Wed. Night, Jim. l« From Snnford Bates 1 Gustave Bottner, Jr., of Silver- The Middletown township •school Real estate activity in the Red It was announced today by .7. The Rod Bank Baptist chinch James S. Parkes. chairman oj brook rd., Shrewsbury, has been board Friday night approved a ten- Bank, Fair Haven, Rumson area is Herbert Reid, manager of the As- lnratPfl a I. Maple -IVP. nnd Oakland th« Rivcrvicw bospitil board ot named general chairman of the tative school budget of $653,419 for definitely on. the increase according bury Park oinco of the Social Se- st., is in creat. nee.d of better fa- trustee?, announced receipt of % 200th anniversary committee of the 1950-51 fiscal year. Last year's to the Ray Van Horn Agency, Fair curity Administration, that for !he cilities for R« growing church letter Friday from the state de« the "Bi-Centennial Celebration" be- budget was 5588,481.50.
    [Show full text]
  • NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA Remembering New Orleans History, Culture a Nd Traditions
    NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA Remembering New Orleans History, Culture a nd Traditions By Ned Hémard Golden Brown Of the more than 18,000 players who have played Major League baseball, one player‟s multi-faceted career has no parallel. Often referred to as “Golden Boy” during his baseball career, Robert William “Bobby” Brown (born October 25, 1924) played 548 regular-season games for the New York Yankees alongside some of the game‟s greatest legends: Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. He did all this while also pursuing his medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans. The 91-year-old former star third baseman and cardiologist (with a lifetime batting average of .279 with 22 home runs) served as interim president of the Texas Rangers and president of Professional Baseball‟s American League from 1984 to 1994. During his eight-year career with the Yankees (1946-1952, 1954), he appeared in four World Series (1947, 1949, 1950 and 1951) for New York, batting .439 in 17 games (a record for batters with more than 20 at-bats). Baseball card images of “Golden Boy” Bobby Brown Brown, who threw right-handed and batted left-handed, gained a reputation for being a “clutch hitter.” In baseball parlance, that‟s a player with a knack for coming up with the “big” hit. For those readers unversed in baseball statistics, a player‟s batting average is the batter‟s performance expressed as a ratio of his safe hits per official times at bat (or, more simply expressed, the number of hits divided by the number of times at bat).
    [Show full text]