TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

Bobby Bonds was born on March 15, 1946 in Riverside, California. Several factors, including the long shadow of teammate Willie Mays, have left Bobby Bonds as a semi forgotten footnote in basball history, and more known for his son’s career than his.

Which is a shame because for several seasons he was one of the most exciting players in history. He was born ahead of his time, blending power and speed the way many players would later. he was the first player to have more than two seasons of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, doing so a record five times (the record was matched only by his son Barry) and was the first to accomplish the feat in both major leagues. He nearly became the first 40-40 man in 1973, Bonds recalls, "I went into September with 35 home runs, I only had to hit five the whole month and I wound up hitting four... the last day of the season I hit three balls up against the wall."

He became the second player to hit 300 career home runs and steal 300 bases, joining Willie Mays. In 1973 he set the single season mark by leading off a game with a homerun 11 times, and also set the MLB record for 25 career leadoff homeruns. Both since eclipsed. from 1969 through 1979, his 162 game average was 31 homeruns, 42 steals, 112 runs and 94 RBI’s.

From 1968 through 1981, only Reggie Jackson 424, Johnny Bench 363, Willie Stargell 360 and Lee May 337 hit more than the 332 homeruns Bonds hit. Lou Brock, Joe Morgan Cesar Cedeno and Bert Campaneris are the only men to steal more than his 461 bases from 1968-1981.

Bonds enters with a BANG! His big league debut: June 25, 1968
Bonds blasted a grand slam, becoming the first player in the 20th century to hit a bases-loaded home run in his first game. The only other player to hit a grand slam in his first game previously was William Duggleby of the 1898 Philadelphia Nationals.

Speed on Defense Kills:

Bonds and Mays were a fantastic defensive outfield combination for four seasons and then Bobby combined with Gary Matthews and Garry Maddox for what he believes was "the fastest outfield that's ever been put on a baseball field." In addition to speed in right field, Bonds had a great arm and averaged 10 assists in his 14-year career. There was gold in those hills! Maddox won 8 Gold Gloves, Mays 12 and Bonds 3.

Best Season, 1973
Bonds had several seasons of very similar value. One could easily argue that his 1970, 1971, or even his 1975 season with the Yankees were his best, but 1973 was very good as well. In his prime at 27 years old, Bonds played in a career high 160 games and led the league with 131 runs scored. Still used in the leadoff role on occasion (he set a record with 11 leadoff homers), he managed to drive in 96 runs on the strength of 39 home runs - also a career best. Swiping 43 bases, he just missed becoming baseball's first 40/40 man. he had 12 assists in the outfield and turned five double plays, winning a Gold Glove. His 341 total bases led the NL, and his 130 runs created ranked third.

Well Traveled! Bobby played for 8 teams over his career:

Signed as an amateur free agent by San Francisco Giants (August 4, 1964);

Traded by San Francisco Giants to New York Yankees in exchange for Bobby Murcer (October 22, 1974);

Traded by New York Yankees to California Angels in exchange for Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa (December 11, 1975);

Traded by California Angels with Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson to Chicago White Sox in exchange for Brian Downing, Chris Knapp and Dave Frost (December 5, 1977);

Traded by Chicago White Sox to Texas Rangers in exchange for Claudell Washington and Rusty Torres (May 16, 1978);

Traded by Texas Rangers with Len Barker to Cleveland Indians in exchange for Jim Kern and Larvell Blanks (October 3, 1978);

Traded by Cleveland Indians to St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Jerry Mumphrey and John Denny (December 7, 1979);

Released by St. Louis Cardinals (December 22, 1980); Signed by Texas Rangers (April 17, 1981);

Sold by Texas Rangers to Chicago Cubs (June 4, 1981);

Released by Chicago Cubs (October 23, 1981);

Signed by New York Yankees (May 18, 1982); Released by New York Yankees (June 21, 1982).

How did it end?

Bonds never really lost his jobs as much as he was traded away. In 1980, with the Cardinals, Bonds played himself into a part-time role, which resulted in Leon Durham getting playing time. The following season, at the age of 35, despite his creaky legs, the Chicago Cubs acquired Bonds in June to be their center fielder. In his first game for the Cubs, Bonds tripped on a seam in the Three Rivers Stadium outfield in Pittsburgh and broke his his throwing hand. He went on the 21-day disabled list, not to return to action until August 10th. Except for an occasional rest, he was the Cubs starting center fielder for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, the broken hand nagged him and he hit just .215 with six homers and 19 RBI in 45 games. He was released by Chicago in October, and despite a brief free agent minor league contract with the Yankees in 1982, he wads done as a professional ballplayer.

Along with his son Barry, a topic for a different day, he is part of baseball's most renowned father-son combination, holding the record for combined home runs, RBIs and stolen bases. In fact no family combination can compare to their overall accomplishments, and despite all the opinions Barry became the best player of his generation and one of the more complex figure his baseball history.

Todays highlights and Historic Days!

Born: Tuesday, March 15, 1938 in George, Bob Locker, one of the best (and most underrated) relievers of his era, his best season was in 1967 when he had 20 saves, 124 IP in relief, a 2.09 ERA, and a AL league-leading 77 appearances. Locker was a member of the 1972 World Series champion Oakland A’s.

March 15, 1939, Spring training broadcast and World Series preview, New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds (click daily highlight to listen)

March 15, 1945 — With World War II travel restrictions still in effect, the Brooklyn Dodgers open spring training at Bear Mountain, New York, with 15 players in camp. Seven teams – the St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox – are training in Indiana, the most of any state. The Boston Red Sox are at Tufts College while the Boston Braves are prepping at the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut.

March 15, 1971 — Bernie Gera a 39-year-old New York housewife files a civil rights suit against MLB when her contract to umpire in the New York-Penn League becomes void after six days without an explanation. The New York Court of Appeals, in an eventual landmark 5-2 decision, will uphold a previous court’s ruling, agreeing with her contention that she had been discriminated against unlawfully. Gera will eventually umpire one game before quitting.

Long time rival and the San Francisco Giants pitcher in the infamous John Roseboro incident signs with the enemy on March 15, 1975, when the Los Angeles Dodgers sign future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. The former San Francisco Giants’ star will make only two appearances with the Dodgers before retiring.

March 15, 1978, the Oakland A’s trade star pitcher Vida Blue to the San Francisco Giants for seven players and nearly $400,000 in cash. In exchange for Blue, the A’s acquire catcher Gary Alexander, infielder Mario Guerrero, outfielder Gary Thomasson, and pitchers Dave Heaverlo, Phil Huffman, John Henry Johnson, and Alan Wirth. Blue will win 18 games for the Giants in 1978.

March 15, 1983 – Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich is found to have a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder that will sideline him for almost the entire 1983 season.

March 15, 1991, the Kansas City Royals release Bo Jackson, who had injured his hip playing football for the Los Angeles Raiders. In April, Jackson will sign a contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Died: March 15, 2011 in Ladue, MO . . . Marty Marion was the premier defensive NL shortstop of his day, named to seven successive NL All-Star squads. With Marion at SS, the Cardinals won four pennants, three World Championships, and, from 1941 through 1949, never finished lower than second. Nicknamed “Slats” by Burt Shotton, who managed him in the minors, the 6’2″ 170-lb Marion disproved the theory that shortstops had to be small men. His unusually long arms, which reached for ground balls like tentacles, prompted writers to dub him “The Octopus.”

TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Bobby Bonds hit a grand slam in his first MLB game, from 1871-1968, how many other players accomplished that feat?

IF you think you know the answer and bonus points for how many respond with details and if you are right I will give you a shut out! No Googling!

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 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA: Johnny loved Bob Uecker! How many times did Johnny Carson have Uecker on the show"?

TRIVIA ANSWER: He was on the tonight Show 100 times.

Uecker hosted "SNL" in 1984 Right before "Mr. Belvedere" made its premiere, Uecker hosted "Saturday Night Live." Despite the all-star cast (including Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Julia Louis-Dreyfus) the episode is not considered one of the show's finest – but hey, at least nobody came dressed up like bottled water.

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