Gibson

I remember Bob Gibson as being the most dominate pitcher I had ever watched. He threw so hard, he had the most amazingly violent follow-through that had his arms and legs flying off the side of the mound. If you made him angry, he'd brush you back or hit you with his fastball. A great athlete, former Harlem Globetrotter, a great hitter for a pitcher. He pitched and beat my Red Sox easily three of the games he pitched in the 1967 World Series. The opening game of the 1968 World Series pitted him (the NL strikeout and ERA leader) against 31 game winner Denny McLain and I remember getting out of school and sprinting home to watch the epic pitching match-up. By the time I got home, McLain was already out of the game! Of course, Gibson goes on to set the WS strikeout record striking out the 17th Tiger dramatically in the top of the ninth inning. My best friend, John Gerald and I would practice our best Gibson wind-ups and pitches, never quite with the same accuracy (or speed).

Defense

Defense and durability is what most Cubs fans will remember about Don Kessinger. He came from the era of shortstops who played great defense but provided little offense. I remember countless times he would range far to his right and in one fluid motion, snare the ground ball and leap and throw from deep in the hole to first base. It was like ballet.
I always liked the photo of this card from the 1966 set.

21

I vividly remember Roberto Clemente throwing out an Oriole runner at third base from his position in rightfield in a 1971 World Series game. One of the most amazing throws I had ever seen. No hop, right on the line, laser beam. Broadcaster Vin Scully colorfully claimed, "Clemente could field the ball in New York and throw out a guy in Pennsylvania." The Pirates won the seven-game Series mainly because of MVP Clemente's hitting, fielding and throwing.
He died tragically during an earthquake relief effort in 1972 when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed into the ocean. I'm looking forward to getting the graphic novel about Clemente's life by Wilfred Santiago titled 21.
There's a nice animated website about the book: http://21comix.com/

Mr. Cub

Ernie Banks was another one of my favorite players. How can you not like a guy who is known for his catch phrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame, let's play two!" I don't think I've ever seen a photo of him where he's not smiling.

Red Sox Nation

I was amazed last summer when I took my daughter to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles play the Red Sox. She wanted to wear her Red Sox gear and I talked her out of it, simply saying it's not cool to wear "visiting" team stuff to a home stadium. I saw a grandmother pelted with garbage in Yankee Stadium for wearing a Cubs hat (not even in the same league)! Anyway as we approached the stadium, we noticed all the vendors selling Red Sox stuff and everyone milling around had Red Sox shirts! Inside Camden Yards there were 30,000 Red Sox fans and about 5000 Oriole fans. I'd never seen anything like it for an "away" game. A guy standing next to me in the hot dog line in a "Camden Yards/Fenway South" shirt told me that all the games at Fenway Park were sold out and it was cheaper to take the train down to Baltimore and stay the weekend and buy plentiful Oriole tickets to watch their beloved Saux. I ended up buying Paige a Red Sox shirt to put on so she wouldn't be left out! These three cards here were commissioned by Ben Henry. I think I must have met Petrocelli once because I have his signature on an old ball. I think I pestered him while watching batting practice in Fenway Park on a summer vacation trip in the early Seventies. Thanks Ben! I hope you like.

Never Quite the Same

Two Red Sox greats who had careers cut short by injuries, Tony Conigliaro and Jim Lonborg, are this week's submissions. Popular Tony C was beaned in the head with a fastball and was understandably never quite the same. I believe the ear flap on the batting helmet began to appear after his frightening accident. I shook hands with him when he was trying to make a comeback with the Angels in 1971 and he signed a ball I had brought to the Senators' game with me. Jim Lonborg had an amazing pitching season in 1967 and a great World Series and then broke his leg in a skiing accident that winter and was never quite the same. He went on to have a career in dentistry. Thanks to Ben Henry for the request!

Koufax

Sandy Koufax retired with an excruciatingly painful pitching arm by the time I became aware of baseball so I never got to see him pitch live. I've seen film and video of him and he looked downright over-powering. I also remember seeing postgame interviews with him with huge ice packs icing down his inflamed elbow and shoulder.

715

Thirty-five years ago, yesterday, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record. I read an incredible story about the death threats he received as he approached the record and how Atlanta reporters had obituaries prepared for him as the 1974 season opened. Hank did it without steroids and had the quickest wrists in baseball. Great nicknames, "Hammerin' Hank, Oh Henry."

22

I loved to watch Jim Palmer pitch with his long stretch of a delivery. I believe this 1966 edition was his rookie card. My fondest memory of Jim Palmer doesn't come from the field (or his underwear ad). It was after he retired and he was doing Oriole television commentary. After a late game in Memorial Stadium, I had waited about half an hour for the crowd to clear before heading home and I was walking down the long concrete ramps from the upper deck to the parking lot and looked to my right and there was Jim Palmer! The two of us slowly walked down the ramps in the hot summer night and he looked happy, carefree and at peace and so cool in his jacket and tie despite the humidity. I didn't bother him or speak to him. He had finished his work and was heading home like everyone else that night.

Mr. Tiger

Al Kaline batted .379 in the 1968 World Series when the Tigers upset the Cardinals. When he retired, his #6 was the first Tiger number ever retired. Not a self-promoter. Just let his graceful play do the talking. As a kid, I thought "Alkaline" was his name. Stupid kid.
Thanks to everyone who came to my "Meet the Artist" reception! It was great seeing you all and you made it a wonderful success!

The Hit King

I never liked Pete Rose. There was never enough mustard for that hot dog. He was talented, intimidating and enthusiastic, I'll give him that, but I felt he gave himself the "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Late in his career I remember him playing first base and spiking the baseball into the turf after he'd catch the 3rd out. Bleargh!
I got married in Las Vegas two years ago and was strolling through the air conditioned Caesars Palace shops to stay out of the heat and in this large common area there was some over-the-top automated light show going on. We stared at it for a while and decided to move on and I basically bumped into a folding card table that was set up in the hallway and sitting behind it was Pete Rose! It was so sad to see him sitting alone in the hallway with no one wanting his autograph or pictures. I felt sorry for him and my wife asked me if I wanted to take his picture, but I couldn't be bothered. He was ignored by the large crowd watching the laser lights. I do believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but he's still a jerk.

The Mick

As a childhood Red Sox fan, I despised the Yankees, but I always had a soft-spot in my heart for Mickey Mantle. Who didn't? He had an infectious smile and every kid wanted to be him. I struck out a lot as a Little Leaguer and I think I found peace knowing that while Mickey was one of the league hitting leaders, many times he also led the league in striking out. He played in pain much of his late career when I was aware of him. I have a vague memory of running home from school to catch his last career at-bat on the radio (I think in 1969?), though I don't remember what happened. The 1966 card is one of his pin-striped best and a visual favorite. Tip of the Yankee cap to Richard and Scott Taylor for the request.

Say Hey!

I was 8 years old when I saw my first major league baseball game. 1965 Giants vs. Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I don't remember too much of it, but I do have the program that has the pitching match-up as Juan Marichal against Bob Gibson, so it must have been a low scoring game. A vivid memory I do have from the game is Willie Mays hitting a pop fly that went unbelievably high and everyone gasped. After the game, we went down to the Cardinals dugout and I remember being shocked to see men with 5 o'clock shadows in uniform (instead of kids). It had been a kids' game for me up until then and I don't know why I was so amazed. I always liked Willie.