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Post by Hiram on Jun 27, 2011 15:54:55 GMT -5
Here we go...its TRIVIA time!
Name the first ML team to sport last names on their jerseys. By process of elimination you can scratch off the Yankees!
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Post by Hiram on Jun 28, 2011 16:21:50 GMT -5
Okay, I admit that's a tough question. Here's a clue: the team's owner was renowned throughout baseball for his innovative promotions. That narrows it down to one of two people...and one of two teams, both in the AL.
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Post by Chuck T on Jun 28, 2011 17:36:47 GMT -5
Indians or White Sox. I will go with Cleveland
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Post by Hiram on Jun 28, 2011 18:06:29 GMT -5
Excellent choices Chuck...Cleveland was the first team to feature integers, and they were roundly ridiculed by the purists of the game.
It was in fact, the Chicago White Sox, specifically Bill Veeck, who in 1960, trotted out the team in spring training with uniforms adorned with surnames. This was done to take advantage of the increasing popularity of MLB on television.
Sidebar: Veeck had previously owned the Cleveland Indians but was forced to sell the team as the result of a messy divorce from his wife...are you listening Frank McCourt?
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Post by Chuck T on Jun 28, 2011 18:29:01 GMT -5
No, I am just old and crabby and remember Bill Veeck
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 28, 2011 22:15:33 GMT -5
I shoulda' known it was Veeck or Finley, the man of the orange baseball.
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Post by Hiram on Jun 29, 2011 0:17:16 GMT -5
No, I am just old and crabby and remember Bill Veeck Well, I'm middle-aged and crabby, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Veeck -- As in Wreck, as a teenager. Veeck signed Larry Doby as the first African-American AL player, also signed Satchel Paige, making him the oldest rookie in MLB history, and hired the clown prince of baseball, Max Patkin, as his first base coach in Milwaukee just to annoy the league office,and yes, he signed midget Eddie Gaedel to a one-day contract and pinch-hit him in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers in St. Louis. Bob Cain, the Detroit pitcher, walked the little Brownie on four straight pitches.
I also remember Charles O. Finley, who touted those orange baseballs, the designated hitter, as well as the designated runner (here's to you Herb Washington), gave Jim Hunter the nickname of "Catfish", and paid his players a bonus of $300 if they grew mustachios; and before Ichiro was allowed to wear his first name on the back of his jersey, Mr. Blue wore his first name on his back in Oakland.
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paul
Full Member
Posts: 48
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Post by paul on Jun 30, 2011 12:20:41 GMT -5
No, I am just old and crabby and remember Bill Veeck Well, I'm middle-aged and crabby, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Veeck -- As in Wreck, as a teenager. Veeck signed Larry Doby as the first African-American AL player, also signed Satchel Paige, making him the oldest rookie in MLB history, and hired the clown prince of baseball, Max Patkin, as his first base coach in Milwaukee just to annoy the league office,and yes, he signed midget Eddie Gaedel to a one-day contract and pinch-hit him in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers in St. Louis. Bob Cain, the Detroit pitcher, walked the little Brownie on four straight pitches.
I also remember Charles O. Finley, who touted those orange baseballs, the designated hitter, as well as the designated runner (here's to you Herb Washington), gave Jim Hunter the nickname of "Catfish", and paid his players a bonus of $300 if they grew mustachios; and before Ichiro was allowed to wear his first name on the back of his jersey, Mr. Blue wore his first name on his back in Oakland. I think Finley once offered Vida Blue a bonus to legally change his first name from Vida to "True." Thankfully, Blue declined.
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