Header - Baseball by the Letters

Month: September 2010

Submarining with Pitcher Dick Hyde

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Where have all the submariners gone? Those awesome pitchers from down under?

Nope, not a ’60s folk song. Just me. I couldn’t help but get sentimental looking at an action photo of reliever Dick Hyde. Looking sneaky-smart in those ever-present glasses, Hyde’s motion was almost accidental, an adaptation to injury!
He wrote:

“It came naturally after I hurt my arm pitching in the Army.”

Hyde’s career year came in 1958. He posted 18 saves, a 1.75 ERA and a 10-3 record. How?

“My pitching coach, ‘Boom Boom’ Beck, did a lot of teaching about my mechanics. I also added a change-up with better control overall.”

I teased Hyde, noting that he retired with a perfect record: as a BASE-STEALER. Sheer perfection in his only career attempt. He confessed, explaining:

“I got a hit off of Billy Monbouquette. Then he must have forgotten me on first base and wound up, so I took off and there was no throw. The rule has changed now so that wouldn’t be a stolen base nowdays.”

Both 1958 and 1960 Topps cards show Hyde more sidearming. I’ve seen him look more like a bowler, his knuckles near scraping the mound. How low can you go?

Phillie Gene Corbett Savored St. Paul

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Courtesy http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

The leaves are falling. Temps are dropping. Every year I ask myself, “How do Midwestern kids play baseball?”

Milder climates and year-round leagues give the edge to southern players. That’s why I’ve always had a special admiration for players who bloomed in northern states.

I wrote to the late Gene Corbett back in 2000. At that time, I found only 140 Minnesotans who had played major league ball. What were his memories?

“I was originally signed by the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. that was in 1932, just out of Central H.S. in St. Paul. However, the Depression caused them to send me to Winnipeg, of the Northern league, where I played for 3 years and was sold to the Phillies.

“I was well treated by the St. Paul press which noted some of the good days and years I had. My parents would drive to Eau Clair, Wis. to see me play, a 2 hour ride.

I played on the St. Paul sandlots which also produced Dave Winfield and Dick Seibert.”

Is Former Cardinals Manager Vern Rapp Mad At Al “Mad Hungarian” Hrabosky?

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Does Vern Rapp have a bad rap?

Most importantly, he’s come to terms with the defining controversy of his major league career.

Rapp’s stormy tenure in St. Louis overshadowed his minor league mastery. He interrupted his playing career for military service in the Korean War. Seeing that his chances as a big league player were limited, Rapp became a player-manager in the minors at age 27.

Skipper Rapp became minor league baseball’s Muhammad Ali, coming out of retirement again and again. Once, he pitched. His last pro pinch-hit came at age 48. Why? Was he teaching, or just enjoying himself?

“FUN.”


Rapp seemed unaware of being a part of baseball media lore. According to one legend, a tongue-in-cheek retirement tribute to Rapp by a Boston sports radio station turned serious. The tributes rolled in, culminating in a job offer from the Cincinnati Reds. What does Rapp recall of that day?

“Very little.”

I asked about his demand for clean-shaven Cardinals. “Mad Hungarian” relief ace Al Hrabosky got madder, saying that he needed menacing facial hair to keep his edge against hitters.

Would Rapp handle the situation differently today? Has he spoken with Hrabosky since?

Rapp responded:

“That question is history. I’m enjoying my life very much. Audrey and I will be married 60 years in May, 2011. Four daughters, 15 grandchildren and four great.

That’s what life is all about.”

Is Former Cardinals Manager Vern Rapp Mad At Al "Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky?

by

Does Vern Rapp have a bad rap?

Most importantly, he’s come to terms with the defining controversy of his major league career.

Rapp’s stormy tenure in St. Louis overshadowed his minor league mastery. He interrupted his playing career for military service in the Korean War. Seeing that his chances as a big league player were limited, Rapp became a player-manager in the minors at age 27.

Skipper Rapp became minor league baseball’s Muhammad Ali, coming out of retirement again and again. Once, he pitched. His last pro pinch-hit came at age 48. Why? Was he teaching, or just enjoying himself?

“FUN.”


Rapp seemed unaware of being a part of baseball media lore. According to one legend, a tongue-in-cheek retirement tribute to Rapp by a Boston sports radio station turned serious. The tributes rolled in, culminating in a job offer from the Cincinnati Reds. What does Rapp recall of that day?

“Very little.”

I asked about his demand for clean-shaven Cardinals. “Mad Hungarian” relief ace Al Hrabosky got madder, saying that he needed menacing facial hair to keep his edge against hitters.

Would Rapp handle the situation differently today? Has he spoken with Hrabosky since?

Rapp responded:

“That question is history. I’m enjoying my life very much. Audrey and I will be married 60 years in May, 2011. Four daughters, 15 grandchildren and four great.

That’s what life is all about.”

Was Pope John Paul II a Giants Fan?

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Mike Sadek’s autograph collecting exploits made more headlines than his hitting.

Instead of seeking a teammate or rival on a baseball, Sadek looked for a holier hero to sign an autograph. En route to Candlestick Park for a 1987 Mass attended by 70,000, Pope John Paul II autographed a baseball for the catcher.

The story is recounted  in the worthwhile Tales from the San Francisco Giants Dugout

Sadek’s update on the Pope ball included:

“Spur of the moment. Lots of people got on me when it was sold. What they don’t know is that the money got my son and me out of some debt and paid for my daughter’s honeymoon! (It was just the three of us.)”

I’m not Catholic. I do not know about any Papal teachings on autograph collecting. However, I think any religious leader would be proud that Sadek sacrificed to help his family.

Sadek didn’t mention how much his Pope autograph sold for. I just found another “JPII” baseball available on ebay for $20,000.

A cheer for Project 1976 for its Mike Sadek bio.