Let’s begin with the expected apologies — I haven’t done the newsletter for a couple of weeks because, no exaggeration, I’ve been working night and day on the Baseball 100.
Thank you Joe for writing on The Athletic today about my all time favorite player Eddie Murray.
I was lucky enough to be living in Baltimore when Eddie came to the big leagues in 1977. He was an immediate sensation and a tremendous fan favorite right away. I lived within walking distance of Memorial Stadium and in those days they had student tickets at a very low price so I could easily go to a lot of games. The two years I had watching Eddie before I moved away in May 1979 formed the core of my appreciation of him for the rest of his career.
Some things I remember from following his career as closely as you could from a distance in the 1980's-2000s:
He was incredible in the clutch and as his career grand slam total steadily increased, he seemed like he might threaten Lou Gehrig's record of 23. When he retired he was #2 on the all time list with 19.
When he went to the Dodgers in 1989 I was living in the SF Bay area and I went to opening night in Candlestick Park. I was a confirmed Giants fan by that time but when Murray came to the plate in the top of the 9th with the bases loaded I was elated when he cracked a homer for a grand slam, despite it leading to a Giants loss.
In spite of the bad press he got, especially later in his career, I heard and read lots about what a great teammate he was. I recall reading that on the night he got his 3000th hit or 500th HR (I don't remember which) that instead of basking in the glow he instead called his former teammate Brett Butler to congratulate him for some major accomplishment. It only added to my admiration for him.
And when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak I was so pleased that Cal spoke about Eddie Murray as a great influence on his career.
I was a big fan of the heartbreaking '69 Cubs. Some great and near great players. Ron Santo, Ernie Banks (diminished by then), Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ken Holtzman, Don Kessinger, Randy Hundley, and Glenn Beckert (my Duane Kuiper)
Hey Joe! If you've time to care, I'm signed up but didn't get this post emailed via newsletter if that was the intent. And have I got a weird player for you: Matt Young. He wasn't my favorite player, but I was entranced by his (terrible) no hitter in the early 90s. Would love to read a deep dive on him and his no-hitter and wherever else it takes you.
Trammell & Whitaker 100%. Please, though - Brandon Inge! Serious hustle, made plays you could not believe could be made. If he'd have shortened his swing, maybe choked up a bit ( he played with Placido Polanco who hit >20 homers with such) he might have been a perennial All-Star. When they'd have that "Who's your Tiger" stuff, he was always my answer.
Big names from my youth, to me anyway... Von Hayes, Marty Barrett, Joaquín Andújar, Wally Backman, Pedro Guerrero, Rich Gedman (that batting stance!), Oil Can Boyd...
Amos Otis. As a life-long Royals fan that came up after AO's career was over, he's the Royals legend that I know least about. Also Wally Berger, an under-rated player who spent his career playing for bad teams in a poor hitters park.
Thank you Joe for writing on The Athletic today about my all time favorite player Eddie Murray.
I was lucky enough to be living in Baltimore when Eddie came to the big leagues in 1977. He was an immediate sensation and a tremendous fan favorite right away. I lived within walking distance of Memorial Stadium and in those days they had student tickets at a very low price so I could easily go to a lot of games. The two years I had watching Eddie before I moved away in May 1979 formed the core of my appreciation of him for the rest of his career.
Some things I remember from following his career as closely as you could from a distance in the 1980's-2000s:
He was incredible in the clutch and as his career grand slam total steadily increased, he seemed like he might threaten Lou Gehrig's record of 23. When he retired he was #2 on the all time list with 19.
When he went to the Dodgers in 1989 I was living in the SF Bay area and I went to opening night in Candlestick Park. I was a confirmed Giants fan by that time but when Murray came to the plate in the top of the 9th with the bases loaded I was elated when he cracked a homer for a grand slam, despite it leading to a Giants loss.
In spite of the bad press he got, especially later in his career, I heard and read lots about what a great teammate he was. I recall reading that on the night he got his 3000th hit or 500th HR (I don't remember which) that instead of basking in the glow he instead called his former teammate Brett Butler to congratulate him for some major accomplishment. It only added to my admiration for him.
And when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak I was so pleased that Cal spoke about Eddie Murray as a great influence on his career.
I know, a little late to the game. A few suggestions: Mike Sweeney, Paul Phillips, Dan Quizenberry, Paul Splitorff and Johnny Damon.
I was a big fan of the heartbreaking '69 Cubs. Some great and near great players. Ron Santo, Ernie Banks (diminished by then), Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ken Holtzman, Don Kessinger, Randy Hundley, and Glenn Beckert (my Duane Kuiper)
Fred Lynn. If you could be any ball player for any one year, wouldn’t you be Fred Lynn in 1975?
A few more...
Rico Petrocelli
Carl Furillo (already mentioned)
Vada Pinson
Jimmy Wynn
Curt Flood
George 'Boomer' Scott
Hey Joe! If you've time to care, I'm signed up but didn't get this post emailed via newsletter if that was the intent. And have I got a weird player for you: Matt Young. He wasn't my favorite player, but I was entranced by his (terrible) no hitter in the early 90s. Would love to read a deep dive on him and his no-hitter and wherever else it takes you.
If you look out your window, the name "Johnny Pesky" should be circling above your house any minute now.
Why just players? I'd love to read Joe's takes on Branch Rickey, Bill Veeck and Kenesaw Landis.
Ray Chapman/Carl Mays
Jonathon Broxton
Al Spalding.
Trammell & Whitaker 100%. Please, though - Brandon Inge! Serious hustle, made plays you could not believe could be made. If he'd have shortened his swing, maybe choked up a bit ( he played with Placido Polanco who hit >20 homers with such) he might have been a perennial All-Star. When they'd have that "Who's your Tiger" stuff, he was always my answer.
Billy Doran, Brett Butler
Big names from my youth, to me anyway... Von Hayes, Marty Barrett, Joaquín Andújar, Wally Backman, Pedro Guerrero, Rich Gedman (that batting stance!), Oil Can Boyd...
Tony Fernandez - kinda stole our hearts up here in Canada!
Amos Otis. As a life-long Royals fan that came up after AO's career was over, he's the Royals legend that I know least about. Also Wally Berger, an under-rated player who spent his career playing for bad teams in a poor hitters park.