Carl Yastrzemski – Baseball by The Letters

Cleveland Indians Teen Pitcher Mike Hedlund Recalls 1965 Debut

Tom Owens — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 17:36:00 +0000

Yea for the website
Baseball Birthdays
for preserving some
seldom-seen shots
of rookie Mike!

You know what life is like for the typical 18-year-old boy.

Driving a car. Graduating. Debuting on national television in Fenway Park.

Well, Mike Hedlund was never typical.

I wrote to ask about being a member of the Cleveland Indians right out of high school. Here’s his amazing answer:

“Being the youngest at age 18 was quite an experience! Max Alvis and Gary Bell are both from Texas and probably made me feel more welcome than the others. I guess it was the ‘Texas’ connection. Gary gave me my nickname, ‘Booger Red.’ Booger Red was a famous rodeo rider from Texas and had red hair.

Some pitchers like Don McMahon and Stan Williams were more of the senior type to me with lots of big league experience.

I didn’t play much that year (being a ‘protected player’ from waivers) but will always remember my first game in Boston, Saturday Game of the Week and my first batter I faced…Carl Yastrzemski. Ground out to first and I cover for the putout!”

Thanks to the stars at www.retrosheet.org, here’s the box score from young Mike’s premiere!

Tiger Larry ‘Bo" Osborne Dueled Carl Yastrzemski For (Another) Triple Crown in 1960

Tom Owens — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski nearly ruined another player’s Triple Crown chances in 1960.

Larry “Bo” Osborne bashed 190 home runs in his minor league career. However, with the Tigers and later the Senators, he couldn’t hold a full-time job.

The son of pitcher “Tiny” Osborne, “Bo” noted his epic minor league achievement as his career highlight, writing:

“Signed a football scholarship at Auburn University in January, 1953. Then signed a baseball contract with Detroit Tigers in May, forgoing college scholarship.

Started my baseball career at class A Montgomery, Ala. June, 1953. Class B Durham, N.C. 1954. Class A Augusta, Ga. 1955 and 1956. Started at class AA Birmingham, Ala. 1957. Called up to Detroit in June, 1957. Bill Tuttle CF on disabled list. Al Kaline took over in CF. I played RF. During my ML career, I played several positions. ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ First base was my primary position. Also played 3B, LF, RF and caught, all at the Major League level.

Winning Triple Crown in 1960 at Denver was the height of my career. Beat Carl Yastrzemski for batting title last two days of the season. He went 1 for 9. I went 5 for 7.

Best regards,
Larry ‘Bo’ Osborne”

Tiger Larry ‘Bo” Osborne Dueled Carl Yastrzemski For (Another) Triple Crown in 1960

Tom Owens — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski nearly ruined another player’s Triple Crown chances in 1960.

Larry “Bo” Osborne bashed 190 home runs in his minor league career. However, with the Tigers and later the Senators, he couldn’t hold a full-time job.

The son of pitcher “Tiny” Osborne, “Bo” noted his epic minor league achievement as his career highlight, writing: