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Please note: As we compose new blog entries, we will now send each one out to all our subscribers as we post them. Here’s a link to see the entire Blog Archives -GL
August 23, 2022
New Blog Topic:
Do You Have An Interesting Story About Meeting a Former Major Leaguer?
If So, Let’s Hear it!
Many thanks to Ray Banko for coming up with a neat idea. Ray suggested it would be interesting to encourage our readers to share their personal remembrances, encounters, and/or experiences with former major league ballplayers.
As Ray said: “It could be as mundane as obtaining an autograph, a chance meeting, or one that actually entailed a relationship.” And I would add, it doesn’t have to be positive…we’d like to hear negative experiences too! If you ever asked a former player for an autograph, and he brushed you off with a curt, “Get outta here, kid,” well, we’d like to hear that too!
I Love the Personal Stuff!
I think Ray’s idea is great, especially since I’m always looking for ways to make the website more interactive. And I always love reading about the “personal stuff.” A while back I wrote an entire essay about the time I met Rogers Hornsby when I was a kid. You might want to check out.
I’m going to start things off with the information Ray shared with me. I’ll sticky this post to the home page of the website; and then, as Ray suggested, I invite you, our readers, to share any personal encounters you’ve had with former ballplayers.
Leave your responses in the comments section below. I’ll keep this going and hopefully, it’ll turn into an interesting ongoing blog post.
Remember, your responses don’t have to be elaborate…a few sentences describing your experience is fine. But if you want to go “all out” and write a couple paragraphs, that’s OK too. Then the readers—and myself—can, in turn, leave comments about your information.
Ray’s Banko Meets Al Milnar…and Jimmie Foxx!
“I personally knew the pitcher (a life-long friend of my father’s) in which DiMaggio
extended his famous streak to 56 games at Cleveland’s League Park, Al Milnar. Al was a very humble man with a sense of humor. When he described that day, he said “I almost ended his streak. He only got me for 3 hits that day!’ I had many conversations with Al over the years about his days (nine years—one as an All-Star—in the big leagues). I ran into Bob Feller at Cleveland Hopkins Airport and asked him for an autograph (that’s a story in itself) and mentioned that I knew Al Milnar. Feller gazed off into the distance and said, ‘a big lefty’.”
“Also, our Little League had Jimmie Foxx for our Opening Day. Because of my dad, I was the only little leaguer that was allowed to accompany the adults’ get-togethers after the festivities. I remember that day
vividly. This was back in 1964, and the bottle had clearly gotten the best of Jimmie by then. Because of that, I recall that day, unfortunately, with a degree of sadness. Even though I was only 12 years old, I remember thinking how difficult it must be to be such a star with all of that glory, and then one day it all ends. What could top all of the experiences that these men had?”
Thanks, Ray! These are great stories and they’re exactly what I’m looking for. And so, again, I invite you, our readers, to share any similar experiences you’ve had meeting former big leaguers – good or bad – in the comments section below.
Let’s hear about it!
(Featured photo of Jimmie Foxx beautifully colorized by our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes)
Here’s a link to see the entire Blog Archives
One of our loyal readers, Chris Mavraedis, recently posted this information about his encounter with Joe DiMaggio. It’s a great story, and I don’t think Chris will mind if I repost it here:
“I was born in San Francisco in 1952 and even though I was raised in the burgeoning Silicon Valley and Fremont in the East Bay, I have worked and spent tons of time in my beautiful native city. Many times I saw Joe D in North Beach, the neighborhood he grew up in. Usually when I saw Joe D in North Beach he’d be on the other side of the street hurrying along with his graceful gait.”
“However, in 1987 I was living with my girlfriend, now my beautiful wife of 35 years, in Martinez, where Joe D was born. I was walking towards a dental appointment when I saw the silver-haired Joe D walking straight towards me a half a block away!”
“Needless to say, I was shocked, but I had time to gather my courage to talk to him. When he got near I called his name and he looked up with a frown that indicated clearly he was annoyed that he’d been recognized.”
“He stopped as I told him I loved baseball, was a player and a huge fan of his. He managed a weak smile and said, “Thanks.” I reached out my hand and he shook it firmly. Then without a word, he was off again in the opposite direction. I looked and he got in a car driven by an unidentified man and they drove past me. Surprisingly, Joe returned my wave with a quick wave.”
“So that’s my Joe DiMaggio story. It was only a handshake, but hey I was thrilled. I shed some tears when Joe D passed in 1999. But, that handshake in 1987 with the great Yankee Clipper is a fond memory that I will carry until I pass from this earth.”
Wonderful story Chris…thanks a lot!
Sal Maggie visited me in Buffalos Children’s Hospital in 1952 when I was seven years old. He later got tickets for my family to attend a double header at the Polo Grounds in July,1954.
He was a dark, glowering, menacing figure on the mound. Off the field he was a reserved, humble, considerate and generous man.
I met him often at charitable events in Niagara Falls, NY (his hometown and mine). The stories of his support for groups and individuals are legion.
His own stories were usually about times he didn’t keep the ball low and paid the price.
Thanks Ed…I read the biography of him that came out a few years ago and found he was a totally different guy off the mound. He wasn’t without his flaws (as we all have), but I came away with a lot of admiration for him.
Facebook comment from Sally Webb Morris:
“In the early 90s our family would spend a couple of weeks in Florida, going back andforth to Spring Training games. Sometimes 2 games in 1 day!!!
Most of the players were friendly and happy to talk to us.
Cal Ripken Jr….talked to us for at least an hour in the parking lot
Javy Lopez, Chipper, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Mark Lemke, Jeff Blauser, Mike Mordecai…..they got so used to us that they recognized us if we went to a game in Atlanta 😊
It became different when the Braves moved out of West Palm.
So many nice memories”
July 3, 1968… “year of the pitcher”… my brother and I attended a Twins-Indians game at Cleveland Stadium. Jim Merritt on the mound for the Twins and Luis Tiant for the Indians. The game was scoreless through 9 innings. In the Twins’ 10th, Rich Reese led off with a double and advanced to 3rd on a Cleveland error. With runners on 1st and 3rd and no outs, Tiant struck out the next 3 batters, giving him 19 for the game. Cleveland then pushed across a run to win it on Jose Azcue’s single. As we were leaving the ball park, we ended up walking down a ramp beside radio broadcaster Herb Score, one of my childhood heroes. Herb was really fired up about Tiant’s great game and chatted with us for a minute about it.
Nice story Cary…thanks!
Comment from Bob Churchill:
Sometime in 2000 I went early to a Pirate’s game at Three Rivers Stadium. The purpose of going early was to get a few autographed baseballs. While standing near the home dugout a young woman with two boys also came to the railing to get autographs. She was very friendly and suggested I stand behind her sons as a better way to get an autograph. I took her up on her suggestion and indeed I was able to get Brian Giles and Jason Kendall to sign a couple baseballs.
A short time later Josías Manzanillo came out to stretch and began talking in Spanish with members of the opposing team. They were laughing and joking. Though I couldn’t understand a word I could tell by their demeanor that they were really enjoying themselves. Well, this young woman was very attractive and as the players talked, she was watching and LISTENING to their conversation. Out the clear blue she calls out to Josías in Spanish, later telling me she told them all to watch their language. The players almost fell to the ground laughing once they realized their conversation had not been private as she understood everything being said. Manzanillo being a great sport came over to the railing where she was standing and still laughing, though this time probably from embarrassment, spoke to the young woman for a short time. He also autographed her son’s baseballs and signed for a few other children. I attempted to get him to sign for me, but it was too close to game time and he explained he had to get to the bullpen. I told him I understood and that was that or so I thought.
My seat happened to be near the Pirate bullpen and during the game the Pirate pitcher was hit by a come-backer and he had to leave the game. During the warm-up of the new pitcher Josías picked me out of the crowd and came to railing offering to sign a baseball for me. He even asked where on the ball I wanted his signature and when I told him the sweet spot his eyes opened wide in disbelief. Of course, I still have fond memories of Josías and I still have the signed ball.
I got to meet Fred “Fireball” Wenz. He had a story in rt. 22 in NJ that sold backyard kids swings and jungle gyms. He delivered the equipment and I helped him set it up. I don’t remember how I became aware that he was a big leaguer. He had a beer with me on the porch and I for my encyclopedia out and we discussed his career. He played for the Red Sox, I believe was a reliever along with Dick Radatz in 1967. Later pitched for the Phillies and was the last Phil to wear 32 before Steve Carlton. Nice fellow.
At 13 years old the stars aligned and I became, for just a couple weeks in September at the end of the 1961season, a ballboy for the Cleveland Indians. I’ll limit my experiences to a pair of encounters with two players.
Upon arriving at the majestic cathedral the Indians called home, and that you and I knew as Municipal Stadium, I found my way to an auxiliary clubhouse for ballboys and the batboy. I was issued a clean, beautiful pinstriped uniform with red block letters reading I N D I A N S across the front. It was several sizes too big for so scrawny a lad but I was dazzled beyond words. Accompanied by another ballboy we went to the Cleveland clubhouse where the players were in various stages of undress in preparation for the evening game with the Minnesota Twins. A few looked disturbingly like my dad’s middle age friends.
For reasons I’ve never been able to remember I had forgotten to bring my baseball spikes. So there I was on this important night wearing my high-top black-and-white Keds. We stood in the cluttered clubhouse (cement floor, folding chairs in front of open lockers, a table of cold cuts and a metal tub of ice and soft drinks.)
I was absorbing it all, seeing players I’d worshiped for years milling about. One of them, seated at a chair to my left, wearing a t-shirt, motioned me over. I went and stood next to Johnny Temple, Cleveland’s recently acquired second baseman and an All Star for years with the Cincinnati Redlegs. He began browsing through a cardboard box, reached in and said “Here, these oughta work” and handed me a pair of his old game-worn spikes. I truly hope I was raised with adequate manners to, at a minimum, murmur “Thank you.”
They fit perfectly and I still have those kangaroo leather black spikes with the extended tongue on which the silver letters “j temple” can be read even today.
That was my first major encounter. A while later the Indians took batting practice and I hustled out to left field to show off my speed, flashy glove work and strong right arm that was the envy of every kid in Seven Hills, Ohio. But Willie Kirkland was already in left, standing big and wide as an oak tree, and he quickly shooed me away to a shallow spot not far behind shortstop. I tossed a stray ball or two back toward the mound when out of nowhere (actually the Cleveland dugout) came my favorite player, Jimmy Piersall. I stood gaping as he loped in a curving path that brought him within 15 feet of me and he said “Hey, wanna come out, play some catch?” Me?!? Play catch with Jimmy Piersall!?! I would rather play catch with Jimmy Piersall than play just about anything with oh, Marilyn Monroe for instance. I caught up, joined him, and there we were, me and Jimmy Piersall, trotting together across the outfield grass in great big beautiful Municipal Stadium.
I’d been a real ballboy, on the job for about 90 minutes, and already I had Johnny Temple’s spikes and I was about to play catch with the best player in the major leagues.
We stood in deep center at an angle with my back toward the fence, Jimmy with his back partially to the plate. He tossed me the baseball. I think I caught it. Then, despite owning the best arm in Seven Hills, Ohio, I just froze up. My arm became a weak, tight, fluttering appendage, like a penguin’s flipper. I threw a ball over his head he had to reach to catch and bring down, then the next at his shoe tops. I threw some balls inside, others outside and could hardly believe I was flubbing my most important opportunity ever. I could hardly breathe.
Batting practice ended and everyone headed for the first base dugout. Minutes later, back in the clubhouse, Jimmy Piersall wrapped his right arm across my shoulders and told a few players who had gathered that “This kid here has a better arm than half the guys on this team.”
It remains, to this day, the sweetest lie anyone has ever told about me.
Great stories Tom! Exactly what I was looking for…the wonderful personal stuff…can’t beat them!
Comment from Rich Baker:
“Getting to meet Bobby Schantz twice took my grandson to meet him who is also small like him and was top pitcher on his school team going 4 and 0 and only giving up 2 runs. Bobby came right over to are table and talked to him for 5 minutes great guy and sharp mind at 97 also my grandson is the great great great grandson of Jimmie Wilson.”
Comment from Kris Norris:
“During the summer months I work on Sandy Koufax’s car whenever he needs service. He’s been coming in to our dealership for around 5 years now. We rarely talk baseball, but we’ll talk about our gardens and carpenter bees and home repairs we’re doing. Such a nice guy and in great shape for his age.” https://www.baseballhistorycomesalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1-kris.jpg
Comment from Jimmy Street:
“I was in my early teens when Ozzie Smith retired. A year or two later with the Giants in town, he was up in the KPLR booth when a bunch of kids starting yelling up to him during an inning. He waved and was nice, but I got his attention again after the inning was over. I held up a baseball and acted like I was signing it, when to my surprise he motioned for me to throw the ball from my seat up into the booth. I made the toss and the Wizard signed the ball before throwing it back down to me in my seat. When security came and asked me what I had just done, I held up the ball and said Ozzie told me to do it. They just shrugged their shoulders and walked away.
A few years later I was outside the stadium and happened to see Ozzie pulling up, so I approached the vehicle and said, “I don’t want anything, just have a question for you.” He smiled and said ok, so I asked if he remembered a kid throwing a ball to him in the booth. He laughed and said that he definitely remembered it, which was incredible. The signature is on a China ball and fading badly, but it’s still one of my favorite keepsakes and I’ll always remember the Wizard as my first favorite player.”
Comment from Gary Moore:
“Managing a Walgreens in Indianapolis early 2000’s, I overhear a customer dropping off film for processing give the last name Kemmerer. I mentioned there used to be an MLB pitcher named Russ Kemmerer, he said that was him. We talked a bit, and on a future visit he invited me to see his basement full of memorabilia. I had an early 60’s White Sox program he was in to add. He gave me an autographed copy of his book, “Hey Kid, Just Get It Over the Plate”. He wrote a lot about his time with Boston and Ted Williams.”
Until I hung up my mask 4 years ago, I umpired for 29 years…everything from LL, travel ball, adult baseball and 10 years of high school baseball here in San Diego, Orange & L.A. counties, & also a few tournaments in NV & AZ. Around 2012 or so, me and my base umpire went out to Borrego Springs HS, {one of easternmost high schools in our district}, to work their home opener. The pre-game ceremonies included a few dignitaries to say a few words, etc; and a very elderly gentleman who was there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He introduced himself as Rudy Regalado, a infielder on the Cleveland Indians from 1954-56. {He had retired in that community some years earlier}. While waiting near the backstop for the Mayor, HS Principal, City Council member, to finish their “speeches”, me, my partner and Rudy had a super 7- 8 min. chat. He told us about watching Willie May’s famous catch in the ’54 WS, and a few of his teammates that I particularly asked him about {Feller, Al Rosen, Larry Doby; and because I grew up watching these two guys later with my WSox, Early Wynn and Mgr. Al Lopez}. Alas, our chat had to end all too briefly, but later; on the drive home, I said to my partner : “Man, that sure was being in the right place at the right time….we got to talk with a guy who played in the 1954 World Series ! ” . Sadly, Rudy Regalado passed away in 2018 @ age 88.
Great stories from both you guys!
Nice Story! Regalado became briefly famous in Cleveland as “Rudy the Red Hot Rapper” because of his incredible hitting in 1954 spring training. In one of Al Lopez’ worst moves as a manager, he moved Al Rosen off 3B, shifted him to 1B, making room for Regalado at 3B. Regalado flamed out, but not before Rosen, who was not an experienced first baseman, broke a finger on an awkward play at first. Rosen had been off to a start just like his 1953 MVP season but slumped the rest of the way and did little in the Series against the Giants. He never approached the 43/145/.336 of 1953 again and was finished playing after 1956. In ’54, the Indians moved Rosen back to 3B and acquired Vic Wertz to play first for the last 2/3 of the season. A slogan that summer in Cleveland appeared just after starting shortstop George Strickland was hurt, and reserve Sam Dente played well in his place… buttons appeared all over Cleveland reading “Win Plenty With Dente”.
Back in 1969 , my dad and I had tickets to see the old Washington Senators .
I think back to that summer many times..me , my dad and Baseball…Frank Howard was the star that year , enjoyed watching him many home runs included one in the all star game..years later , I was able to meet him and get his autograph ..his autograph.on an old Washington senators hat next to a Senator’s pennant adorns my living room..
Bringing back memories of my Dad , me and Baseball
Comment from Bob Rambo:
Gary,
I have met a couple of former players but one stands out above the rest. Back in 2008, the year my Phillies won their 2nd World Series, I was working at our local public library at the reference desk. I was approached by the manager of the library to see if I could help him out with a display. He knew I was a big baseball fan and they had a plan to honor Negro League players for a week. He asked if I could turn our front lobby into a baseball diamond and decorate it with pictures and books about the Negro Leagues. I was thrilled! They told me that one of the events that week was that they were going to bring in a former Negro League player named Willie Fordham to speak. Willie had written a book back in 1996 titled “I Gave It My Best Shot” and they wanted him to talk about his book. Willie had played for the Philadelphia Meteors, the Harrisburg Senators and the Harrisburg Giants. He also had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the spring of 1952. In 2003 he was elected to the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame
Willie arrived early Tuesday afternoon and was introduced to me. They asked me to sort of shadow him to take care of any needs he might have. At 81 years old he looked in great shape and he loved to talk and tell stories. I was in heaven. We sat and he talked while I listened. He talked about his Spring Training tryout with the Dodgers and meeting Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. He gave me a copy of his book and autographed it for me. He also gave me a Harrisburg Giants baseball cap that I wear proudly.
Two days later, York had their annual “Sports Night” fundraiser where they brought in sports figures from all sports to raise money for various York City non-profits. They asked Willie to attend and asked me to be his companion for the evening. I had a wonderful time. Willie brought along another Negro League played named Jim Weedon. The two of them shared many stories around the table. Paul Blair was at our table and he was in awe of those two.
Willie passed away about 2 years later in August of 2010. I was blessed to spend time with this wonderful man. I am honored to call him a friend.
I’ve attached some pictures I have of Willie plus a copy of an obituary. Thank you for letting me share this story with you.
Bob Rambo
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Wonderful story, Bob!
To our Senator fan, check Facebook for my brother in law’s painting of Frank Howard.
Gary,
Very interesting stories … every one of them!
Somehow I missed your original article on Rogers Hornsby. After reading it, all I can say is WOW ! Yours was a lot more than just a ‘chance meeting.’ Needless to say, one of the absolute all-time greatest hitters, right up there with Shoeless Joe & Ty Cobb. Aside from Hornsby’s amazing lifetime average of .358, he had that incredible run for 5 seasons where he AVERAGED slightly over .400 (I looked it up … 1921 – 1925). Even the great Ty Cobb couldn’t match that!
And Rajah was a right-hand batter, which puts him at some modest disadvantage over lefty hitters.
I read a story once about when Hornsby was managing and some players egged him into taking batting practice with them. He was in his 50s then and to the amazement of those gathered around the batting cage he ripped line drive after line drive into the gaps, off the walls, over the fences. One player said Rogers didn’t hit a single ball that wouldn’t have gone for at least a double in a game.
More from Ray Banko, this time about his meeting with Bob Feller:
“I picked up my wife at Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport. When we got into the car, she said ‘you might be interested … there was some baseball player on my plane.’ She then said ‘there he is … sitting on the bench.’ I said ‘that isn’t some ballplayer … that’s Bob Feller. ‘ ”
“I grabbed a ballpoint pen from the glove box, took out my business card and approached. I said: ‘Mr. Feller, can I bother you for an autograph?’ He said ‘sure.’ I handed him the back of my business card and the pen which, embarrassingly, ran out of ink after the letter B in ‘Bob.’
“Feller was known to be slightly crusty … he handed the pen back to me and said he following, ‘Here … give this back to the guy you stole it from!’ He reached in his pocket and I gave him another card which he signed. I kept both cards. We then had a brief, cordial chat about Al Milnar when a number of ‘fans’ suddenly appeared … to which he responded with a wave of his hands … ‘OK … that’s enough.’ and indicated that he wanted to be left alone. He passed away a couple of years later.”
When I was 12 years old, Fordham University used to have day camp, and this one day, Earl Battey was the featured guest. He talked about his baseball career, playing in the World Series and facing Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and the Dodgers in 1965.
He said that it was a great thrill going to the World Series, and how much it hurt when they lost. But he wouldn’t change anything. Mr. Battey said that it was his mother who was his greatest influence. She was a catcher when she played in school. When we went on the field, he said if you could field 3 ground balls in a row cleanly, you would get to keep the baseball. But it started to rain and we had to go indoors. So in
the gym where the basketball team played. He hit 3 ground balls to me and I fielded them cleanly and got to take a baseball home with me. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life.
Great story, Sean, thanks for sharing!
Hello Gary,
I’m sure everyone would know that I had several opportunities to meet “Lefty” O’Doul as he was “family”. However, I’ve been lucky to have met and chatted with some of the greatest. Willie Mays, Buck O’Neil, Dom DiMaggio and Bob Feller. Each had a special story to share and I will always remember my time with each of these legends. Mays was cordial and happy that I liked his little dog. O’Neil was funny and said of “Lefty” O’Doul: “…that boy could hit…” Dom DiMaggio gave credit to O’Doul for his success in Major League Baseball and Bob Feller was surprised that I recognized him at “Lefty” O’Doul’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. (I paid his tab) Ballplayers are some of the best people I’ve had the honor and privilege to share time with over the years.
Thanks Tom, that’s great info!
Gary,
Happy to share!
All the best,
Tom O’Doul
Comment From Everett Shockley:
“I started collecting baseball autographs back in the early 60’s when I was 10. I lived in Maryland, so I’d pick up a few at the dugouts at Memorial Stadium. I was lucky, too, that Brooks Robinson came to our Little League banquet each year.
During the late 80’s, I learned about George Brace photos in Chicago and purchased several pictures of former Orioles that I hoped to have autographed. At the same time, I also took a keen interest in baseball history between 1900 and 1950. I also wanted to get some autographs from those who were still living – Bill Terry, Bill Dickey, Carl Hubbell, and Lefty Gomez to name just a few. Of course, I needed to know where these players lived, so I bought Roy Smalling’s The Baseball Address Book, which proved invaluable.
After sending out several autograph requests, I started looking not at names, but at addresses one night to see if anyone lived near me or in my hometown over 400 miles away. I was using my finger to keep place as I went down the page, but I suddenly brought it to a screeching halt. Here was a street address that was almost identical to my parent’s address in a nice mobile home retirement community in Bradenton, Florida. John Francis Moore. Never heard of him.
I looked him up and saw that his career was anything but shabby. In fact, it was very impressive. He played ten years in the majors for the Cubs, Reds and Phillies. Among other accomplishments, he had a.307 lifetime batting average, with 926 hits and 73 homeruns. He also had a 23-game hitting streak in 1934 with the Phillies.
I then called my father, of course. I asked him if he knew Johnny Moore. He said that he did and that he lived across the street from them. When I asked him if he knew that Moore used to play major league baseball, he said that he did not. He told me that he’d played shuffle board with Moore several times, but that he never mentioned anything about baseball. I then told him about Moore’s very accomplished career.
Two or three days later my father called me. He said, “Guess what?” He then told me that he talked to Moore and that he had been in center field for the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series when Babe Ruth “called his shot.” The ball was hit over Moore’s head and into the stands. I was stunned. Whether you believe Ruth called his shot or not, that has to be one of the most iconic and controversial moments in baseball history. And my father lived across the street from a man who not only was on the field when it happened, but was the player who ran deep into center field trying to catch it!”
In March 1989, I visited my parents in Bradenton. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for me to have my father make contact with Moore to see if I could pay him a visit. I walked across the street and was greeted by his wife Rita. I learned when I got there that it was actually Moore’s 87th birthday, March 23. I went in and greeted Moore, who was seated in his recliner. Sadly, I was able to tell rather quickly that he suffered from dementia, so I wasn’t able to discuss baseball with him. His wife was sharp as a tack, though. After I had Moore sign a couple of baseballs, she brought out two or three large scrapbooks for me to look through. They were filled with mouth-watering original articles from his playing days, sepia photos and other memorabilia. He even had a handwritten letter from Tom Seaver, whom he scouted.
After a short while, Moore got up and walked to his bedroom. He came out with a Louisville Slugger with his name burned into the barrel. He was so proud of that and held it up to show me his facsimile signature.
It was a great visit, even though I couldn’t discuss his career with him. His wife was able to provide a lot of information, though. I learned that they had been very good friends with Dizzy Dean during their playing days. She showed me a picture of Dean sitting on a couch with their three children. She also stressed to me what a great man her husband was. She said that he was a wonderful role model for kids when he played. Of course, I had to ask her if she thought Ruth called his shot. I got a very quick and emphatic reply in the negative. I’ll never remember what she said to me: “Charlie Root was our pitcher. He was as mean as a snake and if Ruth had done that, Root would have thrown the ball at his head!”
After I returned home, I ordered an 8×10 picture of Moore from George Brace in each of his three major league uniforms. I mailed those along with an enlargement of a picture of Moore holding his bat that I took while there to his wife who graciously had him sign them for me.
Moore died in in Bradenton in1991 at the age of 89.
Before preparing this post, I read with interest an article about Moore’s career written by C. Paul Rogers, III, entitled, “Johnny Moore.” In it he sates, “[I]t is hard to imagine a more completely forgotten yet outstanding player from any era than Moore.” See https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/johnny-moore/ I learned that years ago myself. After meeting Moore, I tried to find what I could about him in writing, but it’s virtually non-existent. That’s so sad.
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Thanks a lot Everett…that’s a great story. I’ve heard about the modesty of ballplayers from that era many times. Never seemed like they wanted to draw attention to themselves.
Super cool story about Johnny Moore, Mr. Shockley. It’s so true what the author of his bio (C.P. Rodgers) said regarding the outstanding; yet mostly forgotten, players from an earlier era. Thnx to articles such as those that Gary provides, hopefully we can drum up some long-overdue recognition for those guys.
I am really enjoying this thread. My story is from when I was much younger (in the mid to late 80s) i was walking to a video arcade wearing a Ted Williams jersey and I passed a drug store. I was in my own world and I almost walked into an old man who was leaving the drug store. I didnt think anything of it but he looked at me and saw my jersey and said how Ted was someone he liked to watch. He then told me he played with the 1939 Yankees and was there to see Lou’s last games as well as Joe D’s start. The biggest thing that struck him was watching Lou struggle to put on his shoes in the locker room. Its been about 35 years and I cant remember the guys name now (I wish I could) but that always stuck with me.
Great story Michael, thanks for checking in. I hope you can somehow remember who the guy was! Maybe look over the ’39 Yankees roster and see if the names ring any bells! If so let me know! -Gary
Just wanted to add another experience I had with former Indians pitcher Al Milnar.
Back in the 1970’s, Al, my Dad and myself were playing golf out in Madison, OH when a lone golfer caught up with us with about 5 holes to play. We asked him to join us. After brief introductions, Al and this golfer recognized each other. He turned out to be a former major league baseball player himself, a pitcher by the name of Milt “Pinky” Shofner. ( In 1929, Shofner’s career began in Cleveland. Milnar and Shofner never played on the same team but their careers overlapped for a several years).
After the round, the four of us sat around a table for refreshments, and the two of them began sharing personal baseball experiences. There was no lull in the conversation. It was very apparent that they shared a unique understanding as to what it was really like being in the Major Leagues.
I wish I could recall more about what they talked about, but I do remember Shofner talking (in awe) about Babe Ruth. I recall thinking at the time that Ruth had a lasting impact, not only on baseball fans, but even upon fellow major leaguers!
Thanks Ray that’s a great story. I’m actually familiar with Milt Shofner. I ID’ed him a few times when I was working on the SABR Boston Public Library Leslie Jones project, where we identified almost 3000 photos of players from the 1930s and ’40s. https://wp.me/a7a04E-aC7
From the Society of Baseball Research:
Milt “Pinky” Shoffner’s first appearance on a Big League mound:
“The Yankees scored five to go up 8-5 when Miller Huggins sent Babe Ruth up to pinch-hit for Leo Durocher in hopes of adding to the lead. Cleveland Manager Roger Peckingpaugh responded by calling Milt in from the bullpen. By his own admission, Milt was a cocky kid, but this initiation was breath-taking. Who would have dreamed that their first pitches would be to the Babe? Armed with a solid fastball and a “high-school” curve, Milt went after Ruth. With the count 3 and 2, Milt served up, in his words, “a damn good curve,” that the Babe swung at and missed. The crowd erupted. After the game, the Babe said to Shoffner, “Kid, bet you never heard such applause for a man striking out.”