Baseball lasts through the years not just because of the
championships and the statistics, but also because of the memories. The game
has produced so many enthralling stories that it will remain its own
significant chapter in the story of America. The best way this is all preserved
is by historians of the game, and this group lost a titan with the recent
passing of Dick Bresciani.
In a 40-plus-year career with the Boston Red Sox, Bresciani
worked in public relations and ultimately became the official team historian.
So exhaustive was his knowledge of the team that club CEO Larry Luchino
described him as their “intuitional memory.” He was always willing to lend a
hand or a thought to a historian in need (including yours truly), and while he
will be truly missed, he created a legacy that will continue for years to come.
Now, on to the notes for the week.
*It’s usually not a good sign if fans of a team are
well-acquainted with the names of their base coaches, as that can be indicative
of their maverick style in managing base runners. From 1997-2000, Wendell Kim
manned the third base coaching box for the Red Sox. While he had an aggressive
style that led to some dubbing him “Wave-‘em-Home Wendell,” he became a wildly
popular figure because of his visceral love and passion for the game. In
addition to his stint with the Sox, he had a lengthy career coaching and
managing with various franchises (particularly in the minors).
Sally Tippett Rains
of the StL Sports Page reports
that Kim is sadly in the advanced stages of Alzheimers. The first
Korean-American to don a major league uniform, it’s bitter irony that the man
who brought countless good memories to so many is being robbed of his own. All
the best to him and his family.
*Slugger Babe Ruth
gained fame belting home runs for the New York Yankees, earning him the distinction
of highest-paid player in the game during much of his career. However, it was
nowhere near what players are paid today. As a result he was consistently
involved in ventures designed to capitalize on his fame, including touring the
Vaudeville circuit and doing various speeches, skits and other buffoonery. This
picture
shows the Babe on such a tour. Although this is much different than what would
be expected of modern players, it was an excellent way for fans around the
country to see the famous player when attending games wasn’t a possibility and
televisions were yet to be invented.
*Did you know that major league teams have scored 25 or more
runs in a game 26 times throughout history? If random stats like that interest
you, this mlb.com
page of rare feats might interest you. It’s a treasure trove of tidbits about
some of the landmark accomplishments in baseball.
*Dick Allen
was a polarizing figure during his 15-year major league career. Playing from
1963-77 with five teams (his greatest success was with the St. Louis
Cardinals), the right-handed slugger hit .292 with 351 home runs. However, he
also gained a reputation for being a complicated presence. This was often
because of his refusal as a black player to kowtow to those who might belittle
him or treat him as lesser than during a time when baseball was still figuring
out integration. Bill James once called him the second-most controversial
figure in baseball history behind Rogers
Hornsby.
Allen has a resume that makes him a viable candidate for the
National Baseball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he fell off the ballot in 1997
after failing to get the requisite number of votes during his maximum 15 years
under consideration. He is now under consideration for induction by the Golden
Era Committee and may get to see his plaque in Cooperstown after all. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has a terrific
piece on the proud and talented former player.
*What more could you want from a commercial than Klinger
from M*A*S*H and the singing duo of Willie Mays
and Mickey
Mantle in bonnets? To find out what I mean, check out this vintage Blue Bonnet
Margarine commercial.
*Charles
“Whammy” Douglas was a right-handed pitcher who went 3-3 with a 3.26 ERA in
11 games with the 1957 Pittsburgh Pirates. Although he played minor league ball
for ten seasons that was his only taste of the majors. The numbers he produced
are nice but nothing special, until you take into consideration that he pitched
with a glass eye.
Dylan Howlett of the Carrboro
Commons has a piece
detailing the career and life of Douglas, who sadly passed away in November at
the age of 79. It’s a glimpse of a lesser known player from baseball history
with his own very unique story, going from when he lost his sight in a school
yard fight as an 11-year-old, to his feats on the diamond, including winning 27
games for the 1954 Brunswick Pirates.
*Former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki
Matsui once hit a home run a very long way. The tater in question came
when he was playing professional ball in Japan. The majestic drive hit off the
ceiling of the Tokyo Dome but still had enough to clear the wall by plenty.
Seriously, you have to see it.
*The New York Post’s Larry Getlen has
an interesting snippet regarding sports announcer Al Michael’s recent memoire You Can’t Make This Up concerning his
former partner Howard Cosell and an off-color remark he once made to a teary
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy
Lasorda about his deceased friend, Ken Boyer.
You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
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