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March 13
Will The Thrill Clark March 13
TODAY ON THE DAILY HIGHLIGHT
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Born: March 13, 1964 in New Orleans, LA. After starring in college and on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Will Clark made an immediate impression as a professional ballplayer. He hit a home run in his first swing in the minor leagues and later in his first swing for the Giants at the big league level (against Nolan Ryan). Clark was a fierce competitor known for his glare and intensity. His focus paid off – he was one of the best clutch hitters in the game, driving in at least 90 runs in each of his first five full seasons in the majors. In the 1989 NLCS, he banged out nine hits in seven games and hit .360. Two years later he topped that performance when he absolutely destroyed Cubs’ pitching in the NLCS for a .650 average (13 hits in five games), including six extra-base hits and eight RBI. In all, “The Thrill” batted .333 in seven post-season series, with five homers and 16 RBI. After a few off-seasons in which he battled nagging injuries, Clark began an odyssey which brought him to Texas (five seasons and four at .300), Baltimore (twice more over .300 in part-time duty), and finally St. Louis. Acquired by the Cardinals in the midst of a pennant race to replace injured first baseman Mark McGwire, Clark returned to his dramatic ways – homering in his first at-bat for his new team.
Game of the DayAugust 8,1960 Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees at Comiskey Park
Did you know?
March 13, 1969 – In addition to this year’s lower mound and tightened strike zone, Major League Baseball tries an experimental ball with 10% more resiliency for a spring training game between the Mets and Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. It has an all-rubber center instead of a cork and rubber core, and the seams are higher than the regular ball. Mets pitcher Don Cardwell surrenders three home runs in the 4th inning to Dick McAuliffe, Norm Cash, and Gates Brown in the Tigers’ 7 – 4 victory. The players agree the ball is definitely livelier and sounds louder coming off the bat.
🎙️ Classic Baseball Moment of the Day! 🎙️
Don Larsen(1956), Sandy Koufax(1965), Bob Gibson (64,67 and 68), Mantle, DiMaggio, Williams (1941), Clemente 1971, Brooks 1970, Oakland Three Peat and so many others!
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Trivia:
Will Clark was chosen second in the 1985 amateur draft. In that same draft a future Hall of Famer was drafted 4th. Who was he?
Hint: The answer is below
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
March 13, 1886 — Frank Baker is born in Trappe, Maryland. A third baseman and left-handed hitter, Baker will guide the Philadelphia Athletics to three World Series championships. He will be nicknamed “Home Run” during the 1911 World Series, in which he will hit a go-ahead home run off Rube Marquard in Game Two and a 9th-inning game-tying home run off Christy Mathewson in Game Three. Baker will lead the American League in home runs for four consecutive seasons, twice leading the league in RBI, and bat .363 in six Series. Baker will earn Hall of Fame honors in 1955.
March 13, 1943 — The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company for the upcoming season. Instead of the usual combination of cork and rubber, the inside of the ball is made up of recycled cork and balata, materials not needed in the war effort. Officials insist the ball will have the resiliency of the 1939 ball, but the players will express dismay that they cannot drive the new ball and point out the dearth of runs and homers in 1942 even with the old ball.
March 13, 1953 — Boston Braves owner Lou Perini announces he will seek permission from the National League to move his franchise from Boston to Milwaukee. The day will become known as “Black Friday” in Beantown.
March 13, 1954 — Milwaukee Braves outfielder Bobby Thomson breaks his ankle while sliding into a base during a spring training game. The 1951 National League playoff hero is replaced by a promising prospect named Hank Aaron. Thomson will be out until July 14th.
March 13, 1960, the Chicago White Sox unveil an important uniform innovation. Much to the chagrin of other owners and most of his players. The White Sox’ road uniforms feature players’ names on the backs of the jerseys, in an exhibition game against Cincinnati in Tampa marking the first time that players’ names will appear on major league uniforms.
Quote of the day:
“If some people perceive me as being arrogant, then I’m sorry.” –
Will Clark
“I regard a lot of our guys as indispensable, but if I had to pick one, it would be Will Clark. In addition to his natural ability, he has the charisma that puts people in the park.” - Roger Craig
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys
Gary Kolb, Don Bessent, Cliff Maples, Al Luplow and Steve Barber
Debuts
None today
Final Games
None Today
Passings
Leroy Stanton, Frank House, Joe Pepitone, Buddy Rosar and Al Rosen
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Trivia Answer: Clark was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the second overall pick, behind Olympic teammate B.J. Surhoff, in the 1985 amateur draft. This was one of the most talented draft classes in history, featuring players such as Barry Bonds, Barry Larkin was selected 4th, Bobby Witt and Gregg Jefferies, as well as Surhoff and Palmeiro.
