Happy Baseball Birthday...Roy Campanella

Today's Happy Baseball Birthday! is former big league catcher Roy Campanella.

Roy Campanella was born on November 19, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Roy attended Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia.

At age 16 "Campy" left school to play pro baseball with the Washington Elite Giants of the Negro National League, and became a star after the team moved to Baltimore in 1938.

Campy played in the Mexican League in 1942 and '43 before  signing on with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a amatuer free agent in 1946.

Campy made his way through the Dodgers farm system and made his big league debut with the Brooklyn club on April 20, 1948.

Campy quickly became the standard for all big league catchers, both at the bat and behind the plate.

Roy Campanella caught 1,183 ball games in his ten years as a Dodger, commiting just 85 errors in 7,155 chances, collecting 6,520 putouts and 550 career assists.

Campy finished with a career .988 fielding percentage, leading the National League in 1952 (.994), and 1957(.993).

Campy also led the N.L. in assists by a catcher In 1951 and is #1 All-Time with a record caught stealing percentage of 57.4%.

There were no Gold Glove Awards in Campy's prime, but its pretty safe to say he would've won quite a few in his hey day as a big league backstop.

There are many debates as to who the best catcher in baseball history is, including Campy, Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, Bill Dickey, and Mickey Cochran.

In my opinion there are two reasons baseball history hasn't and cannot proclaim Campy as baseball's best backstop.

Neither was Campy's fault.

The first is color.

Roy Campanella  was half Italian and half African-American.

Campy made his big league debut at the age of 26 when he started with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but started playing pro ball at age 16 with the Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues.

That's 10 year's that Campy, because he was a black man, couldn't play baseball in the big leagues.

The second was purely an accident.

Roy Campanell was returning home from closing his store, Roy Campanella Liqours, when he hit a patch of ice driving in the early moring hours on January 28, 1958.

The accident left Campy paralyzed, ending his ability to walk,  and tnus ending a brilliant baseball career.

How many more years Campy could've played after age 36 is unknown, however, three or so years added to his age 16-25 years that he wasn't allowed to play would've given Campanella hitting stats that no catcher would ever break.

In his 10 years in the big league Roy Campanella played in 1,215 ballgames, collecting 1,161 base hits, 252 home runs, 856 RBI, with 627 runs scored, 18 triples and 178 doubles in 4, 815 plate appearances.

Roy Campanella was the National League MVP three times, 1951, '53, and '55.

That last MVP in 1955 came in the magical Brookly Dodgers World Series Championship season, the only title the Dodgers won playing in Flatbush.

Campy's last game as a ballplayer was at Ebbets Field, on September 29, 1957.

It also the final big league baseball game ever played at the Dodgers famed ballpark.

The Dodgers were headed to Los Angeles, leaving the Burrough of Brooklyn without they're beloved 'Bums.

The Dodgers also went on to California without  Campy, but they never forgot him.

The Dodgers hosted Roy Campanella Night on May 7, 1959, at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

A big league record 93,103 attended the special exhibition baseball game between the Dodgers and the World Series Champion New York Yankees.

The Yankees won the contest, 6-2, but the big winner that night were baseball fans, fans who got to honor Campy for the pure joy he gave them as a ballplayer and as a remarkable man.

Campy wrote an autobiography, "It's Good to be Alive," in 1959, and the book was made into a made for TV movie in 1974, starring Paul Winfield, who played Campy.

Roy Campanella served the Dodgers in the front office after his accident, first as a assistant scout supervisor, then mentoring and teaching young baseball players at the Dodgers spring training complex in Vero Beach, Florida.

Campy moved to Los Angeles and joined his old teammate Don Newcombe as a an assistant Director of Community Relations.

In 1969, on his 7th try on the ballot, Roy Campanella was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Campy was also inducted onto the Mexican Baseball League Hall of Fame in 1971.

On June 4, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers retired Roy Campanella's uniform #39, along with fellow Brooklyn Dodgers teammates Sandy Koufax's #32 and Jackie Robinson's #42.

As a kid learning about baseball on the 1970s, Roy  Campanella was on TV quite a bit, especially when the Dodgers got to the World Series.

I will always remember that big beaming smile of Campy's when he talked about baseball on TV, and he's my second favorite catcher of All-Time.

Roy Campanella passed away on June 26, 1993, in Woodland Hills, California.

Campy was 71 when he passed away,  35 years after that terrible accident that put him in that wheel chair at the age of 36.

Today we ccelebrate the life of Roy "Campy" Campanella.

Happy Baseball Birthday Campy!

PLAY BALL!

Happy Baseball Birthday...Johnny Podres

Today we celebrate the Happy Baseball Birthday of 1955 World Series hero Johnny Podres.

John Joseph Podres was born on September 30, 1932, in Witherbee, New York, and attended high school at local Minerville HS in Witherbee.

In 1951, at the age of 19, Johnny signed as a amatuer free agent with the Brooklyn Dodgers,  and made his big league debut with Brooklyn on April 17, 1953.

In 15 big league seasons Johnny Podres compiled a 148-116 record, with a ERA of 3.68,   for the Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres.

Johnny pitched in 2,265 innings, striking out 1,435 batters, walking 743 batters in 440 big league games.

Podres led the NL in ERA in 1957, at 2.66.

Johnny was a National League All-Star for the Dodgers in 1958, '60, '62.

Johnny won at at least 12 games for the Dodgers between 1957 and 1963... 12, 13, 14, 14, 18, 15, and 14.

His best regular season was in 1961, when Johnny won 18 games, losing just five games in 255 innings pitched, leading the NL in winning percentage, at .783%.

In the 1955 World Series Johnny Podres became part of Brooklyn Dodgers lore and big league baseball history.

The Brooklyn Dodgers won their one and only World Series in 1955, and it was because of the pitching of Series MVP Johnny Podres.

Podres went 2-0 against the New York Yankees, including a complete game 2-0 shutout win in Game 7 at old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Podres pitched 18 innings against the Yankees, allowing just 3 runs, 2 earned, striking out 10.

For his performance Podres became the first ever WS MVP, given out in 1955 by Sport Magazine.

Later that year Podres was also named Sports IlIllustrated Sportsman of the Year.

Johnny won three more WS titles with the Dodgers, all of them in Los Angeles, in 1959, '63, and '65.

After his big league career Johnny became a big league pitching coach, working for the Padres, Red Sox, Twins, and Phillies.

Johnny Podres passed away on January 13, 2008, in Glens Falls, New York, at the age of 75.

Today we remember Johnny Podres and say Happy Baseball Birthday Johnny!

PLAY BALL!

One more year

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced  on Tuesday night that legendary baseball play by play broadcaster Vin Scully will return for his 66th year behing the microphone calling ball games.

The announcement was made on Vin Scully Microphone Night at Chavez Ravine, honoring Vin's 65th year broadcasting baseball games.

I'll need to get one of those microphones for sure.

Way to go Vin!

Happy Baseball Birthday... Ben Geraghty

Ben Geraghty is a special person in Jacksonville baseball history.

The former big league ballplayer is today's Happy Baseball Birthday!

Benjamin Raymond Geraghty was born on July 19, 1912, in Jersey City, New Jersey.




Ben Geraghty Baseball Reference page.



Ben Geraghty SABR page.

Ben went to Villanova University, and signed as a free agent with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

On April 17, 1936, Ben made his big league debut with the Dodgers,  and played in 51 games for Brooklyn, collecting 25 hits in129 at bats.

Ben played in the minors from 1937-42, making it back to the big leagues with the Boston Braves in 1943.

Ben played in just 8 games with the Braves in '43, and 11 games in 1944.

His big league career lasted parts of three years and 70 games, with Ben collecting 29 base hits, 4 doubles, 9 RBI, in 146 at bats, batting .199.

In 1946, while playing for the Class B Spokane Indians of the Western League, Geraghty survived a horrific team bus crash that sent him flying out a window, and down a hill.

Nine fellow players and the teams manager were killed, and Geraghty's injuries ended his playing career.

He took over as the Indians coach in '46, and in '47 led the Indians to a 87 win season and second place finish.

1946 began a 17 year minor league managerial career, including eight years here in Jacksonville, as the manager of the JAX Tars, Braves, and Suns.

He won five pennants managing in Jacksonville between 1953 through 1959, including managing a skinny second baseman for the JAX Braves named Hank Aaron.

In 1951 Geraghty's JAX Tars beat the big league Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game.

Geraghty helped integrate proffessional baseball in the "Jim Crow" south, and fought for his players of color throughout his managerial career.

Aaron said  Geraghty was "...the kindest and best manager I've ever played for."



This Jacksonville Braves ballcap is the same design that Geraghty and Hank Aaron wore while with the Braves.


I'm going to have to add this cap to my collection of Suns baseball caps.

Geraghty won 1, 317 games as a minor league manager in Class A Sally League and the AAA American Association,   and his 610-457 record as a Jacksonville manager (including games managed), are all franchise records.

Geraghty led the 1962 JAX Suns to the 1962 International League pennant.

Ben Geraghty had a heart attack and passed away at the age of 50 on June 18, 1963, here in Jacksonville.

Ben Geraghty is enshrined in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

This year the Jacksonville Suns franchise started the LEGENDS of JACKSONVILLE BASEBALL, and Geraghty was part of the inaugural class that included Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Hoyt Wilhelm, Peter Bragan, Sr., Sam Wolfson, and Dom Mullaney.

Legends of Jacksonville Baseball.

Happy Baseball Birthday! Ben!




Play Ball!

Happy Baseball Birthday...Babe Herman

Today we celebrate the Happy Baseball Birthday of former big league outfielder Babe Herman.

Floyd Caves "Babe" Herman was born on June 26, 1903, in Buffalo, New York.

Babe graduated from Glendale High School in Glendale, California.

He played in the minor leagues through the early to mid 1920's, including spending time with Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers in spring camp in1922.

Herman made his big league debut on April 14, 1926, at age 22, with the Brooklyn Robins.

In 137 games as a rookie Babe collected 158 base hits, smacked 35 doubles, 11 home runs, and drove in 81 runs in 496 at bats.

Babe was one of the National Leagues best power hitters in his years in Brooklyn.

In 1928, 29, 30, Babe hit .340, .381, .393, and collected an amazing 217 hits in 1929, and 241 more hits in 1930.

On his 13 years in the big leagues, Babe Herman played in 1,552 games, with the Robins, Reds, Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals, Tigers, and Brooklyn Dodgers.

Babe smacked 1,818 hits, 181 HR, 997 RBI, 399 doubles, 110 triples, and scored 882 runs in 5,603 at bats.

Babe played his final big league game at age 42 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, on September 16, 1945.

The 6'4'' 190 lb big leaguer passed away at the age of 84 on November 27, 1987, in Glendale.

Happy Baseball Birthday Babe!

Play Ball!

Ruby Dee (1922-2014)

Actress Ruby Dee has passed away at the age of 91.

The Emmy Award winning and Oscar nominated actress, best known for her roles in A Raisin in the Sun and American Gangster, also starred in two baseball movies, both as a Brooklyn Dodgers wife.

In 1950 she starred as Rachel Robinson in the Jackie Robinson Story, alongside the future Hall of Fame ballplayer himself.

Ruby was friends with both Rachel and Jackie Robinson before the movie.

In 1977 Ruby starred alongside Paul Winfield as Ruthie Campanella in "Alive," a TV movie based on Roy Campanella's autobiography.

Ruby Ann Wallace was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 27, 1922.

I'll always remember Ruby Dee for her being married to actor Ossie Davis, who passed away in 2005.

Ruby died of natural causes in New Rochelle, NewYork.

May God Bless her and her family.

Happy Baseball Birthday...Don Lund

Today's Happy Baseball Birthday is former big league outfielder Don Lund.

Donald Andrew Lund was born on May 18, 1923, in Detroit. Michigan.

Lund attended Southeastern High School in Detroit, and went to the University of Michigan, where he lettered in baseball, football, and basketball.

Lund was scouted by former Baseball Hall of Famer George Sisler, who played baseball for the Wolverines under manager Branch Rickey, who also played baseball at Michigan.

Lund was drafted on the first round of the 1945 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, but chose instead to sign a minor league baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

On April 12, 1947, in an exhibition game between the Dogers and their Montreal Royals farm club, Don Lund hit a tremendous HR into the left field bleachers at Ebbets Field.

Lund rounded third and headed for home, stepped on home plate, and was greeted with a handshake from the man who scored just ahead of him...Jackie Robinson.

Lund played big league baseball for 7 years, with the Dodgers, St. Louis Brown's, and the Detroit Tigers.

Lund's best season in the big leagues came in 1953 with the Tigers.

In 131 games Lund collected 108 hits, with 21 doubles, 9 HR, 47 RBI, and a .257 batting average, in 421 at bats.

Don Lund played his final game of his career at the age of 31 on July 29, 1954, with the Tigers.

Lund returned to his Alma Mater as the head baseball coach for the Wolverines, in 1959.

Michigan won the Big Ten Baseball Championship in 1961, and in 1962 Lund led the Wolverines to the College World Series and a National Championship.

Lund then worked for the Tigers organization, from 1963-1970, then returned to Michigan as an  assistant athletic director until his retirement in 1992.

Don Lund passed away this past December, at the age of 90.

Today we celebrate the life of one of Detroit's, and the State of Michigan's finest athletes and family man... a true Michigan Man.

Happy Birthday Don! Go Blue!

PLAY BALL!

67 years ago today

On April 15, 1947, Jack Roosevelt Robinson played in his first big league baseball game, as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Happy Baseball Birthday...The Rifleman

Today we celebrate the birthday of American Icon and big league ballplayer Chuck Connors.

Kevin Joseph Aloysius "Chuck" Connors was born on April 10th, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York.

The 6' 5'' first baseman attended Adelphia Academy in Brooklyn and went to Seton Hall University.

Chuck Connors was signed as a free agent by his hometown Dodgers in 1940.

Connors baseball career moved to the US Army during World War II, where Connors served until 1946.

A terrific athlete, Connors played basketball with the Boston Celtics briefly in '46, before he left for Spring Training with the Dodgers.

From '46-48 Connors played minor league baseball, then, on May 1st, 1949, Connors made his big league debut with his hometown Dodgers.

Connors played in just that one game with Brooklyn, grounding into a double play in his only at bat.

After spending time on the minors again, Connors was traded from Brooklyn to the Chicago Cubs in late 1950.

In 1951 his final season in the big leagues, Connors played in 66 games as a Cub,

Connors came to the plate 214 times, collected 48 base hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs, batting .239 in 201 official at bats.

As a first baseman Connors was pretty good, a..984 fielding %, committing 8 errors in 493 chances.

Chuck Connors left baseball for acting, appearing in films, and lots of TV shows in a 40 year Hollywood career.

His marquee role as rancher Lucas McCain on the TV Western "The Rifleman, made Connors a star.

His son on the show, played by young Johnny Crawford, was a huge baseball fan who would organize ballgames during show breaks.

He hoped the games would encourage the former big leaguer to play baseball with them.

The Rifleman was a huge TV hit, running from 1958-1963.

Chuck Connors was a remarkable man, actor, basketball and baseball player, and was even drafted by the Chicago Bears of the NFL.

Chuck Connors passed away on November 11th, 1992, after a battle with lung cancer.

The Rifleman was 71 at the time of his passing.

Happy Baseball Birthday Chuck Connors!

Play Ball!

Happy Baseball Birthday...Gil Hodges

Former Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges is today's Happy Baseball Birthday.

Gil Hodges was born today, April 4th, 19. 

Happy Baseball Birthday...Moe Berg

Today we celebrate the Happy Baseball Birthday of former big league catcher Moe Berg.

Moe Berg was born on March 2nd, 1902, in New York, NY, played college baseball at Princeton, and made his big league debut on June 27th, 1921, with the Brooklyn Robins.

Moe played in 663 big league games in 15 years, with the Robins, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, and Boston Red Sox.

Moe's 441 career base hits and .243 lifetime batting average aren't stats of legend, but the legend that is Moe Berg is, of course, more than the stats in a box score. 

Years after he played his final game, it was revealed that Moe was more than just a ballplayer.

Moe Berg, along with hundreds other big league players, played exhibition games in Japan to make extra money in the off season.

As he traveled and played baseball overseas in the Far East, Moe Berg took a lot of snapshots of his fellow ballplayers, ballparks, and Japanese culture.

He took thousands of photos, many non baseball pictures as well.

His teammates never really knew why Moe was so interested in snapping so many shots of the Japanese landacape, instead of hanging out with the other players. 

Moe Berg, who played in Ebbets Field, Shibe Park, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Navin Field, Comiskey Park, was secretly a spy for America, the good old USA.

Japan and America were having not so good relations in the 1930's, and many feared war was coming.

Moe Berg was enlisted secretly to use his ball playing trips to Japan to snap pictures anywhere, and everywhere he could, to help the US in case of aggression by the Japanese.

It took a special person to do what Moe Berg did, to play baseball, have a family, travel overseas, be a baseball playing ambassador,  smile,  make friends, take lots of pictures, all while knowing he may be caught spying. 

Moe Berg passed away on May 5th, 1972, in Bellville,  New Jersey, at the age of 70.

Today we salute a true American hero, and say Happy Baseball Birthday to Moe Berg.

Play Ball!