Two of three plaques dedicated to Mickey Mantle
A World II and Korean War fighter bomber and later a champion fly fisherman,Ted Williams was considered an All American hero. John Updike’s short story, “Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu,”, (The New Yorker, October 22nd, 1960) immortalizes Williams’ final home run.
For more Updike, see 30 years ago when Billy Buck broke Rhode Island’s heart
SEE Babe Ruth and Eugene Kramer’s 5 to 10 minutes of fame. and The six games Babe Ruth played in Rochester
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the African-American player in the major leagues. In 1946 in Rochester, Robinson broke the color line at Red Wings Stadium.
SEE 70 years ago today when Jackie Robinson broke the color line at Red Wings Stadium and NY Times asks for help with “A Jackie Robinson Mystery.” Well, Eugene Kramer was there. (Almost)
An baseball icon of the 1950’s and 60’s, Mantle merited three references on the Walk. To contemporary eyes, the headline of Mantle and Mays’ $100,000 salary is indeed meager compared with the tens of millions now commanded by superstars.
SEE On Yogi Berra and Dale Berra and the 1973 World Series and Willie Mays and my father
Today, I doubt most baseball fans would immediately recall McLain’s achievement. The closest since was Bob Welch with 27 for the Oakland A’s in 1990. As current pitchers start fewer games with fewer decisions, McLain’s mark should last a long time.
SEE You never forget your first
SEE The wait is over. Adding ’69 to the Series.
1972 marked the first of many major strikes and work stoppages in American sports history.
SEE Baseball was better 45 years ago and The 1981 baseball strike comes to Rochester. When Dave Winfield made 1.3 million a year!
SEE 45 years ago when the Pittsburgh Pirates fielded a team of “All brothers out there”
SEE On Yogi Berra and Dale Berra and the 1973 World Series and Willie Mays and my fatherSEE Henry Aaron’ connections to Rochester: 1974, 1977, 1982 and 1986
SEE ALSO