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Post by Hiram on May 25, 2011 14:25:16 GMT -5
It has become painfully obvious that we are in the early stages of losing a generation of ballplayers who played from the mid-50s to the early 70s. I started this thread as a means to consolidate reflections and memories of the recently departed.
Paul Splittorff died early this morning at the age of 64. Splittorff pitched more innings, started more games, and won more games for the Kansas City Royals than any other pitcher. He spent his entire professional career with the Royals and "retired" to the broadcasting booth.
My memory of him includes a masterful performance in Game 1 of the 1977 ALCS, where Splittorff handcuffed the Yankees for 8 innings, giving up just one home run (to the late Thurman Munson.) The Royals beat the Yankees that day at Yankee Stadium, 7-2. They lost the series of course, but not because of Paul Splittorff.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on May 25, 2011 19:56:54 GMT -5
This thread is a great idea, especially to Alamo buffs like who also love baseball.
You are right, that we will see more of these old baseball guys pass on. It's great to have a place to come and visit and remember them.
Paul
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Post by Hiram on May 30, 2011 15:12:42 GMT -5
This is not a recent passing, but in honor of Memorial Day, here is a link to a story about one of the two MLB players who gave their lives serving during World War II.
t.co/gEeXrVt
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Post by Paul Sylvain on May 30, 2011 18:17:40 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this.
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Post by Hiram on Jun 8, 2011 19:04:41 GMT -5
Jose Pagan (Giants/Pirates) died yesterday at age 76. He was on pennant-winning teams with both San Francisco (1962) and Pittsburgh (1971), but my personal memory of him was a painful one, as Pagan's 8th inning double off Mike Cuellar scored Willie Stargell as the Pirates downed the Orioles in Game 7 of the '71 Series. Mike Cuellar is on the hill right now, ready to face Jose one more time...RIP.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 8, 2011 21:54:45 GMT -5
Remember it well; of course, I would have preferred it came out the other way around, but it doesn't really matter now. They were great competitors. I was also glad the Clemente got to star and was showcased in that series, shortly before his tragic death. Yes, the roster is filling up there. RIP indeed.
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Post by loucapitano on Jun 9, 2011 15:51:04 GMT -5
I don't know what makes Alamo fans also Baseball fans, but my two cents are for the 1955 World Series Brooklyn Dodgers. Gill Hodges, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Don Nucom, Jackie Robinson and the rest that I'm too old to remember. I was seven and I'll never forget people pouring out of their houses and dancing in the street like New Years. We had never done it before, and we never did it again because them bums stole our bums and took em to Los Angeles. They're all gone now, but what memories! Keep this thread going!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 9, 2011 17:22:07 GMT -5
I hate to admit this, but I was actually a Yankee fan in those days, although most of my friends in New Jersey were Dodger fans, as was my father. My first game was a night game at Ebbets Field between the Dodgers and Reds and I can still see it clearly. I couldn't get over how bright and colorful everything looked. I was totally hooked on the game ever after.
The 1955 thing was terrific and the only thing that was like it was the Mets miraculous Series win in 1969. Only a few years earlier, they were a joke and few people would have believed they had advanced that much in so short a time. That was a great team, too, like the 1950s Dodgers. It was sort of fate the Gil Hodges managed that 1969 Mets team; it seems so fitting now.
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Post by loucapitano on Jun 12, 2011 11:39:23 GMT -5
After the Bums left Brooklyn, I had only the Yankees to watch, which was during the height of the Mantle/Maris competition. Number 61* was a huge thrill. In 1962, most of us former Dodger and Giant fans went over to the Amazin Mets. Tickets were cheap at the Polo Grounds and not much more at Shea Stadium. Many former Dogers and Giants returned to the Mets, but they never could get out of the cellar. That is until, Gil Hodges showed them how to do it. I'll never forget going to a Mets vs Pirates game in September of '69 with a bunch of college classmates and singing the "Meet the Mets" to the Pittsburgh fans. They thought we were nuts (as most New Yorkers were in those days) but when we took the World Series, it was like Heaven had returned to baseball. Fast foward to 1978 when my 2 year old son kept chanting "Reggie, Reggie" that I became a Yankee fan. You know how crazy those years were, but I've been a fan ever since. (It keeps peace in my family of Yankee lovers). Now days, I can hardly afford to go to either team's stadiums. But I love to go to other cities to see their teams play. San Francisco, Baltimore, Canada to name a few. 2011 Prediction: Philidelphia takes Boston in game six of the World Series.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 12, 2011 23:03:26 GMT -5
That might be an accurate prediction, Lou. But Boston will take Game 7! I don't know what those guys have been eating, but they've been on a tear like I've never seen.
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Post by loucapitano on Jun 13, 2011 17:13:46 GMT -5
You might be right Allen, but...what a terrific game seven that would be...both teams are on a tear and some records could be broken. Both teams are so hungry!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 13, 2011 20:46:35 GMT -5
Agreed! I would really enjoy seeing that series!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 13, 2011 20:53:04 GMT -5
At this very moment - Tampa Bay at Detroit: J. Peralta is pitching to J. Peralta! That would have to be some kind of record, no?
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Post by Hiram on Jun 14, 2011 16:40:52 GMT -5
Not the same thing of course, but Lake used to catch Trout back in the early 80s on the north side of Chicago.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 14, 2011 18:15:10 GMT -5
Funny, Hiram!
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