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March 6
⚾ Enos Slaughter and the Mad Dash March 6
March 6, 1985 – Enos Slaughter and Arky Vaughan are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Slaughter, known for his hustling style of play, gained fame for his celebrated “Mad Dash” home during the 1946 World Series. Vaughan batted .318 over a 14-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers.
Slaughter was A southern gentleman outside the lines, Enos Slaughter was a fierce competitor on the ball field. His intensity was often mistaken for brashness, cockiness or hatred. For many years the legend was that Slaughter was behind the racial tension in the Cardinals clubhouse that was directed toward Jackie Robinson. Truth was, Slaughter didn't like anyone on the opposing team when the game was on. Slaughter's habit of running to first when he drew a base on balls was copied by Pete Rose. His hustling style earned him 10 All-Star nods, and he was part of four World Championship teams, twice each in the AL and NL.
Many know him for the mad dash in the 1946 world series, but it wasn’t his first, On July 19, 1942, Slaughter's fly ball was dropped by Dodgers' center fielder Pete Reiser as Reiser crashed into the wall. Slaughter circled the bases for a homer, giving the Cards a 7-6 triumph and cutting Brooklyn's lead over St. Louis to three games. The Cards eventually overtook the Dodgers to win the flag.
Best season? He nearly missed the MVP in 1942, Slaughter had many seasons of similarity, we'll trust the MVP voters who selected him 2nd in 1942 to teammate Mort Cooper. That would make him the most valuable everyday player in the NL in '42 on the strength of his .318 mark, 100 runs scored, 31 doubles, 17 triples, 13 homers, 98 RBI, 88 walks, and .412 OBP.
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Game of the day 1948 All Star Game -played July 13, 1948, at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of both the St. Louis Browns of the American League (who were the designated host team) and the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League. This was the first All-Star Game to be broadcast on television, albeit only locally.
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Trivia:
Enos Slaughter played for four teams over his 18 career and played in five world Series. He spent the majority of his career with St Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees during their prime championship years Can you name the team he played the most World Series for?
Hint: The answer is below
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Lefty Grove was Born on March 6 in Lonaconing, Maryland, Grove was a sandlot star in the Baltimore area during the 1910s. Grove didn't play organized baseball until he was 19 years old. In 1920, he made his professional debut with the Martinsburg Mountaineers of the class-D Blue Ridge League, where he appeared in six games. In 59 innings pitched, Grove gave up just 30 hits, and he had an earned run average (ERA) of 1.68. His performance attracted the attention of Jack Dunn, Sr. (1872–1928), the manager/owner of the minor league Baltimore Orioles, who also discovered Babe Ruth. Here is an interview that is long but worth the listen by Eugene Murdock on July 18, 1974 in Norwalk, Ohio
March 6, 1948 — The Braves acquire All-Star second baseman Eddie Stanky from the Dodgers for Bama Rowell and $60,000. The 32 year-old hard-nosed infielder, who is known as the Brat, will play a pivotal role in Boston’s National League championship this season.
March 6, 1961, the County Board approved a sweeping ban barring fans from bringing beer, liquor or soda into County Stadium. The penalty for violating the ordinance: a $5 to $500 fine or up to 90 days in jail.
March 6, 1973 – Larry Hisle of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first designated hitter in major league history during an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hisle makes the new American League rule look good by collecting two home runs and seven runs batted in.
On March 6, 1985 – Enos Slaughter and Arky Vaughan are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Slaughter, known for his hustling style of play, gained fame for his celebrated “Mad Dash” home during the 1946 World Series. Vaughan batted .318 over a 14-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers.
March 6, 2001 — Former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star second baseman Bill Mazeroski and Negro Leagues pitching great Hilton Smith are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Mazeroski, an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, hit one of the most memorable home runs ever – a 9th-inning blast in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
March 6, 2006 — Hall of Fame outfielder Kirby Puckett dies in Scottsdale, Arizona, at age 45, a day after suffering a massive stroke. Puckett, who led the Minnesota Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, hit .318 with 207 home runs and 1085 RBI over 12 seasons. A 10-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner, Puckett ended his career abruptly due to irreversible retina damage in his right eye. He was arguably the most popular player in franchise history.
Quote of the day:
"To be a big league ball player, you have to love the game. This is a pretty good game and a pretty swell way to make a living. The conditions in the majors are fine and the money is good. So I say keep yelling and hustling every minute you're in uniform."
Enos Slaughter
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys!
Bob Swift, Bud Podbielan, Cookie Rojas, Ed Mierkowitz, Lefty Grove, Ted Abernathy and Willie Stargell
Passings.
Chuck Thompson and Joe Sewell
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Trivia Answer: Slaughter played for St Louis, Kansas City, New York and Milwaukee, he appeared in 5 World Series, 2 with St Louis and 3 with New York, he won 2 with both teams. He finished his career in Milwaukee in 1959 when the Braves picked him up late in the year nearly missing out on a 6th World Series appearance.
