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March 4
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
A Batting Legend with a Short but Brilliant Career
Lefty O'Doul's name may not be as famous as Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio, but his .349 career batting average places him sixth on the all-time list. Despite this incredible stat, his Major League career was relatively short, with just over 3,000 at-bats. He won two National League batting titles (1929 & 1932) and led the league in hits in 1929. However, his limited time in the majors left him just outside the Hall of Fame, though he garnered some support from the Veterans Committee over the years.
From Pitcher to Power-Hitting Outfielder
O'Doul began his career as a pitcher, spending four seasons with the Yankees and Red Sox before an arm injury forced him to reconsider his path. Rather than give up baseball, he reinvented himself as an outfielder in the Pacific Coast League (PCL), where he flourished. By 1928, he was back in the majors, and a year later, he put up one of the best offensive seasons in history, hitting .398 with 254 hits, 32 home runs, and 122 RBIs for the Phillies. He remained a top hitter through the early 1930s and even won a World Series with the Giants in 1933.
A Managerial Giant in the Pacific Coast League
After his playing days, O'Doul returned to the PCL, managing the San Francisco Seals (1935-1951) and later several other teams, compiling an impressive 2,094-1,970 record over 23 seasons. His most famous pupil? A young Joe DiMaggio, whom O'Doul mentored but humbly credited for his own success, saying, "I was just smart enough to leave him alone."
Spreading Baseball to Japan
O'Doul's influence extended beyond American baseball. He played a pivotal role in introducing and popularizing the sport in Japan, helping train players and organizing exhibition games before and after World War II. His efforts earned him a place in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, making him one of the few Americans to receive that honor.
A San Francisco Icon
Beyond the diamond, O'Doul remained a beloved figure in his hometown of San Francisco. He ran a popular restaurant, and his legacy lives on in the city through the Lefty O'Doul Bridge near Oracle Park. The Giants even named a stadium gate in his honor. Despite his undeniable contributions to baseball, he remains one of the greatest players not inducted into the Hall of Fame, leaving fans to wonder if his time for enshrinement will ever come.
Legacy of a Baseball Renaissance Man
O'Doul's story is one of perseverance, transformation, and global impact. Whether as a star hitter, an influential manager, or a baseball ambassador to Japan, his contributions to the game remain significant. While he may not have a plaque in Cooperstown, his impact on baseball history is undeniable.
Todays highlighted interview is Lefty being interviewed in his San Francisco Restaurant. He gets right to the point asking the interviewer what he wants. It is a classic interview ranging from his early days in Baseball to time in Japan.
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Game of The Day:
October 4, 1955 Game 7, 1955 World Series — Brooklyn Dodgers vs. New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The series even at 3 games, as was the case in 1947 and 1952. Tommy Byrne takes the hill for New York, he beat the Dodgers in game 2 tossing a complete game 4-2, Johnny Podres the 22 year old who was just starting to come into his own, beat NY in Game 3 8-3, firing a complete game. answers for the Giants. Bob Neal and Al Helfer are behind the mic.
The highlight of the game is Sandy Amoros’s game saving catch, but when he doubles off Gil McDougald, it was Pee Wee Reese who got the assist. Reese also scored a pivotal run and the 27th out was hit to Reese. Pee Wee a longtime Dodger and eventual announcer was inducted into the Hall of fame on this date in 1984.
Today's game features 12 future Hall of Famers — Yankees: Casey Stengel (manager), Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle and Phil Rizzuto. Dodgers: Walt Alston (manager), Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Sandy Koufax (DNP), Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider
Experience the game just like the 62,465 fans who were there.
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Todays highlights and Historic Days!
Born: March 4, 1897 in San Francisco, CA, How did a baseball player named Lefty O’Doul become so popular in his native San Francisco that a bridge was named after him? The answer is complicated but legendary in the Bay Area. O’Doul began as a pitcher for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League, working his way to the big leagues for brief stretches, but an arm injury forced him to concentrate on his hitting. At the age of 31, in 1928, he made it back to the majors as an outfielder with the New York Giants. The following year with the Phillies, the hard-hitting O’Doul smacked 254 hits and 32 homers, while batting .398 to win the first of his two batting titles. He topped the 200-hit mark twice more, and batted .300 or better six times in his “second career.” Lured by a fat contract to manage the Seals back in his home city, O’Doul took his career .349 batting mark and returned to the West Coast in 1937. He held that position for 15 seasons, managing some of the best players to come out of California.
Lefty being interviewed in his San Francisco Restaurant. He gets right to the point asking the interviewer what he wants. It is a classic interview ranging from his early days in Baseball to time in Japan.
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March 4, 1921: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox for Shano Collins and Nemo Leibold. After Boston owner Harrison Frazee sold off most of his star players, including Babe Ruth, Hooper was determined to get his just dues. In 1919 and again in 1920, Hooper held out for more money, but after agreeing to a contract, was dealt to the White Sox prior to the 1921 season for Shano Collins and Nemo Leibold, both outfielders. Both of those players best years were behind them and the deal turned out to be a good one for the ChiSox, who got five solid years from Hooper. Hooper was often known for his defensive skills and he was among the league leaders in defensive categories such as putouts by a right fielder. During several seasons with Boston, he teamed up with Duffy Lewis and Tris Speaker to form the Golden Outfield, one of the best outfield trios in baseball history. Hooper is also one of only two members of four separate Red Sox World Series championship teams (1912, 1915, 1916, 1918). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
🎙️ Bill Stern Sports Newsreel — March 4, 1949
Bill Stern's guest today is Zachary Scott — the smoothest villain in Hollywood. Fresh off Mildred Pierce opposite Joan Crawford, Scott was the actor other actors wanted to be and audiences loved to hate. Handsome, dangerous, and thoroughly charming. So what brings one of Warner Bros.' biggest stars to a sports newsreel in 1949? Bill Stern always had a way of finding out what made people tick — even when they weren't athletes. Step into a radio studio from 76 years ago today and listen in. ▶ Listen Now — [Members click here]
March 4, 1967 - Bullet Joe Rogan dies in Kansas City, Missouri, at age 77. One of the greatest pitchers in Negro league baseball, Rogan threw a devastating fastball which he complemented it with a dizzying array of other pitches. He also played the outfield when he wasn't pitching, and in 1922 led the Negro National League with 16 home runs. Rogan will receive Hall of Fame honors in 1998.
His son gives a fun and tear jerking speech for his HOF induction Speech in 1998, it was fun to listen to him compare him to Satchel Paige.
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March 4, 1972, the Texas Rangers trade former two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain to the Oakland A’s for minor league pitchers Don Stanhouse and Jim Panther. McLain, who lost a league-leading 22 games pitching for the Washington Senators in 1971, will last only five starts in Oakland before being traded to the Atlanta Braves for Orlando Cepeda.
🎙️ Bob Elson Interviews Jesse Owens — March 4, 1978
In the summer of 1936, Jesse Owens walked into Adolf Hitler's Berlin Olympics and won four gold medals. He didn't just win races — he answered a question the entire world was asking. Forty-two years later, Bob Elson sits down with the man himself. Owens is 64, reflective, and has lived one of the most remarkable lives in American history. This isn't a sports interview. It's a conversation with history. Pour a cup of coffee and give this one your full attention.
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March 4, 1984 -- Two outstanding defensive players, shortstop Pee Wee Reese and catcher Rick Ferrell, are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Reese hit .269 in 16 seasons with the Dodgers while Ferrell batted .281 with just 28 home runs in 18 seasons for the Browns, Red Sox, and Senators.
Here is a show Pee Wee did called the Box Score Review, along with Johnny Vander Meer, Bucky Walters and Kirby Higbe. The trivia question to start the show - have any teams pitchers ever both gone the first 9 innings both pitching a No Hitter.
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March 4, 2004 — Commissioner Bud Selig announces major league baseball will celebrate “Jackie Robinson Day” in every ballpark on April 15, the anniversary of the debut of the first black player in the major leagues. Jackie’s number (42) was retired for all time in a ceremony at Shea Stadium in April of 1997 to mark the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s achievement.
Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella discuss the importance of Jackie Robinson.
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Quote of the Day:
Lefty O'Doul refused to take credit for DiMaggio's success, saying, "I was just smart enough to leave [him] alone. |
TRIVIA
TRIVIA: Who are the only MLB player with a higher career batting average than Lefty O’Doul ?
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!
Answer in tomorrows newsletter
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A Couple of Birthday Boys!
Danny Frisella had a ten-year career in the major leagues as a relief pitcher. Most of hicareer was spent with the New York Mets from 1967 to 1972. He pitched in 351 games, getting 57 saves. Although he was on the 1969 team, he appeared in only 3 games that year. His best season with the Mets was 1971, when he posted a 1.99 ERA. He was killed in a dune buggy accident on January 1, 1977. Frisella would likely have gone on to pitch a number of more years. In his last season, he was the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976, leading the team with 9 saves and recording a 2.74 ERA.
Mel Queen failed to hit in three trials as an outfielder, but switched to pitching at the major league level during the 1966 season and went 14-8 in 1967 with a 2.76 ERA and good control. He missed most of 1968 with a sore shoulder and spent most of 1969 coming back in the minors. Traded to California, he was moved to the bullpen and collected nine saves in 1970, and also went 3-for-4 as a pinch hitter that year. He went 2-2 with four saves and a 1.77 ERA in 1971, but faded the next year. His father, also named Mel, pitched for the Yankees and Pirates.
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ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA: What player has hit the most homeruns in one ball park?
⚾ YESTERDAY'S ANSWER
Mel Ott — 323 home runs at the Polo Grounds. Twenty-two seasons, one ballpark, one legendary leg kick. The man practically owned the place. And if you want to hear Ott's era the way it actually sounded, his games are in the archive waiting for you.
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