Wednesday, September 20, 2006 |
Yesterday's Birthdays
Jim Abbott CAL b. 1967, played 1989-1992, 1995-1996. This Top 100 Angel was born without a right hand, becoming one of the most inspirational stories in sports history. Jumping straight from the University of Michigan team to the majors, Abbott struggled at first, but soon righted the ship, ending his rookie season with a 12-12 record and a 3.92 ERA. Traded to the Yankees in December 1992 for J.T. Snow and two other players, he rapidly declined into mediocrity. From the Yankees, he signed with the White Sox as a free agent in April 1995; the Angels got him back from the Sox in a July trade later that year. He was never as good as his 1991 and 1992 seasons, though, and the Angels released him shortly before the end of spring training in 1997, after which he temporarily retired. In 1998, he tried a comeback with the White Sox, and again in 1999 with the Brewers, but that was the end of the line.
Red Barkley BRO b. 1913, played 1943, d. 2000-12-12
Joe Ferguson LAN,CAL b. 1946, played 1970-1976, 1978-1983. As with Brian Downing, a rare catcher-outfielder who came up with the Dodgers in 1970, becoming their principle catcher in 1973. Steve Yeager supplanted him behind the dish in 1974, and in mid-June 1976, the Dodgers traded Ferguson to St. Louis. From there, he spent a year and a half with Houston, returning to the Dodgers in midseason 1978. He signed with the Angels before the 1981 season, and spent three years there as a backup once more, behind Ed Ott and Bob Boone.
Sadie McMahon BRO b. 1867, played 1897, d. 1954-02-20
Jack Ryan BRO b. 1884, played 1911, d. 1949-10-16
Duke Snider BRO,LAN b. 1926, played 1947-1962, All-Star: 1950-1956, 1963, Hall of Fame: 1980 (BBWAA). The sad fact is that I don't have time to really give the Duke his due here; a man in the top ten in MVP voting six times in his career deserves better. A terrific centerfielder with an excellent arm and immense power from a sweet left-handed stroke, Snider led the league in 1956 in homers and placed in the top ten eight other times besides. He is in the top ten in numerous franchise record categories, such as single game consecutive home runs (3, on a May 30, 1950 gave at Cincinnati), most home runs at home in a single season(25), most home runs in one month (15), and the following career categories: most appearances (1,923, 7th), at bats (6,640, 7th), runs scored (1,199, 3rd), hits (1,995, 4th), doubles (343, 2nd), triples (82, tied for fifth with John Hummel), home runs (389, 1st), RBIs (1,271, 1st), total bases (3,669, 2nd), extra-base hits (814, 1st), walks (893, 4th), SLG (.553, 4th), and pinch hits (43, 4th).
Bob Turley LAA b. 1930, played 1963, All-Star: 1954-1955, 1958. A three-time All Star with the Orioles and Yankees, "Bullet Bob" pitched in five World Series for the Bronx Bombers, ending his career with a 3.19 ERA and a 4-3 record in the postseason. The Angels bought him from the Yankees in late October, 1962, but released him on July 24, 1963 when it became clear he had nothing left. A half season with the Red Sox later and he was out of baseball.
Didn't hitters just bunt the ball back to him?
: 9/20/2006 03:22:00 PMuk halo: Abbot got the ball from glove to hand faster than most guys could do it with two hands. Opponents tried bunting, stealing home on the throw back to the mound... it never worked and they just gave up. I never once saw or heard a report of Abbot's handicap hindering his play.
: 9/20/2006 06:14:00 PMAlso, Abbott should have never been traded in the first place: he was a fantastic pitcher and every fan of baseball loved him. Last I heard, he was in the Angels front office doing public relations for them.
Newer› ‹Older
 |
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.