Was reading the article by Ted Reich re: his "Fan is Born'' recall of the 1951 Giants and the shot heard round the world.
Mr. Reich's recall of his youth reveals an age most of us, heck, none of us, have yet to realize in CDMSBL, yet, the story triggers replays of the fondest memories of our own days gone by.
1933? WOW! Yet, as a high school baseball coach today, we're reminded that our recollections of the '50s and '60s mirror those same images to the student/athletes as Mr. Reich's portray to us of the '30s, '40s and '50s.
Bill Mazeroski's dramatic World Series clinching home run to beat the Yankees in 1960 was the first and most dramatic and impactful moment to this 10-year-old. Kids at LaSalle, where coaching 14- and 15-year-olds, love to hear the stories and question in detail these historic moments. It would take 19 years before the Pirates next won a World Series in 1979.
Lou Brock, stealing his 105th base in 1974 to set the single-season record held by Maury Wills. That came 10 years after Brock's home run helped clinch the World Series against the seemingly invincible New York Yankees who to that point had appeared in 14 World Series in the past 16 years.
The overall prowess of center-fielder Willie Mays, who in this old man's humble opinion, was the greatest all-around player to ever don a jersey. Henry Aaron not far behind. Mantle? Had he been healthy, the Mick likely would have earned that distinction.
Tigers' Al Kaline perhaps the most under-appreciated player in the big leagues; Harmon Killebrew of the Twins along with Rod Carew; none were ever better defensively than the Orioles' 3rd-sacker Brooks Robinson though the discussions would be intense by fans of Eddie Matthews and Mike Schmidt. Stan "The Man'' Musual, Vada Pinson ... on and on.
Consider the 1960s All-Decade team: Joe Torre (C); Willie McCovey (1B); Pete Rose (2B); Dick Allen (3B); Dick McAuliffe (SS); Mickey Mantle (OF); Willie Mays (OF); Frank Robinson (OF). Can you imagine that Henry Aaron was only an Honorable Mention. As for pitchers: Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Whitey Ford and Relief Pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm.
Consider, too, these Hononable Mentions: Catcher John Ramano; First Base Norm Cash; Second Base Joe Morgan; Third Base Eddie Mathews; Shortstop Rico Petrocelli; Outfield Hank Aaron; Outfield Al Kaline; Starting Pitchers: Jim Bunning, Dean Chance and Relief Pitcher, Stu Miller. I believe at least four of these Honorable Mentions are in the Hall of Fame. Let the discussions begin: What was the greatest decade in MLB? I'd bet Mr. Reich's and many of ours will differ, but so much fun to think about.
But have these talks with today's scholastic athletes within an earshot and you can be sure the conversation will lure them in intently. Just like 50 years from now their kids will listen to the exploits of Mike Trout and the like.
Check out Mr. Reich's recall on our Web site. A fun read.
Speaking of the good old days, I was given an old copy of the Sporting News from February 16, 1955 for my birthday recently because it was published two days before my birthday. How times have changed! Im really enjoying reading all of the articles. Im posting some pics to this post. Did you know about Mickey Mantles brothers? Can Willie hit .400? Will the New York Giants travel by plane in 55? Even an article with local flavor!
One of my walls holds a pic of Hawkins Stadium in Menands. Packed house to see Ruth, Gehrig and the 1928 Yanks face off against the Albany Senators of the Eastern League before more than 10,000 fans.
Great articles Steve. Could you imagine Pete's all-time team on the same team today and what it would cost a franchise to pay those guys!
Where exactly is the site of the old Hawkins Stadium? I'd like to go there. I visited the site of old Forbes Field on the University of Pittsburgh. saw where the fateful HR went over the brick wall. A portion of that is still up. the flag pole IN CF is still there. I also visited the old Indians Park in Cleveland where Ruth hit is 500th. its amazingly still a baseball field in the same layout. its a total turf field. has a nice museum on the grounds. I can bet we have many sites around the area that show the history of local baseball. theres as monument beyond RF in Lansingburgh's Knick park commemorating the beginning of what is now the SF Giants in Troy, and some local HOF'er like Johnny Evers. Stadium golf course in Schenectady played host to some pro ball , and A diamond as well . I get sentimental about Heritage Park. thats where I first played Capital District Mens baseball. The Shakers ghosts must have chased the ball playing away. there's more sites. I like to go and imagine those 10,000 fans and see exactly where Ruth and Gehrig stood. I don't know this but I can bet that local amateur ball besides the Twilight League was once vibrant ; factory and neighborhoods teams like in the story out of Catskill. Where our ancestors had one last try at baseball glory .
jreel
The old Hawkins stadium is now an old strip mall in menands.remember my dad telling me about going there with my grandpa when he was a kid. My grandpa used to play with a team made up of railroad factory workers from down in west Albany when he was a kid. He said almost all the factories had their own squads,or even two. Used to tell the story how these guys would have to fight to get to work everyday going over the bridge from Watervliet ave. to west Albany. (Everett road now). Most of the time there would be brawls after games,in the stands while they were playing,no women allowed for the most part. Wonder why. He said some of the pros would come and play,hoping to pick up an extra buck or two. If they didnt perform well, they would be running out of there trying to save their skins. Cooler sessions where mandatory usually during the game. Not everyone had gloves,so they used to make do with strips of leather sewn together by the wives,or use pieces of cardboard with leather straps wrapped around their hands. Shirts and ties were worn by most all men.....after all,this was a gentlemans game.
