1969 Kansas City Royals Prankster Moe Drabowsky ‘Sparked’ Mike Hedlund

Do you smell smoke?

When the Baseball Hall of Fame opens a wing for pranksters, pitcher Moe Drabowsky will be a charter member.

I asked Mike Hedlund what he learned from his merry moundmate. Hedlund graced me with this tale:

“My favorite Moe Drabowsky story was in Kansas City in 1969. Moe was famous for giving ‘hot foots’ to many a ballplayer. On this particular day, we were in the bullpen, which had a long wooden bench that ran from end to end.

On this day, Moe talked me into getting under there and giving someone on the other end a ‘hot foot.’ Once I was on my belly and scooting down, Moe lit ME up!

Since I couldn’t get out quickly, it burned up a lot of my shoelaces. Good thing I didn’t have to get up to pitch that day!”

Coming Monday: Hedlund’s inspiring 1971 Vietnam visit to our troops.

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