One of his favorite players was Carl "Screwball" Hubbell. Hubbell was a left-handed pitcher with the New York Giants from 1928 - 1943. Dad liked Hubbell because he was also left-handed.
Hubbell's claim to fame was a signature screwball pitch. From Wikipedia: that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. Depending on the pitcher's arm angle, the ball may also have a sinking action. He is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1934 All-Star Game, when he struck out five of the game's great hitters in succession, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin.
Dad also liked another pair of pitchers brothers, Dizzy (Jerome Herman) and Daffy (Paul Dee) Dean for teams St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Browns.
From Wikpedia: During his rookie season (at the age of 22), Dean pitched a no-hitter on September 21, 1934 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Dizzy (who had pitched a three-hit shutout in the first game) would say afterwards: "Shoot! If I'da known Paul was gonna pitch a no-hitter, I'da pitched me one too."
As a kid, I don't ever remember Dad watching a ballgame on the television or listening to a ballgame on the radio. Ma didn't like to see him idle as there was always some chore to do around the house. Maybe he listened to games while he was at his office.
Pictures and information from Wikipedia.
Fun post, nice to learn some baseball terms. My granddad had to sneak out with me 'for a walk' when he wanted to listen to sport on the radio in a nearby cafe, and I always had to promise not to tell! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteAnd did you keep your promise?
DeleteYour Ma sounds like my grandmother! (she used to plug and unplug her iron into the outlet rapidly so as to cause static so my grandfather couldn't hear to the game on the radio!) :O
ReplyDelete:-D the poor, old dude.
DeleteCJ; don't understand baseball really, but this is a fun post to read ! thanx for sharing this memory. bum used to listen to tigers on the radio all the time :) hope you and your family have a great Easter ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThanks. Hope you and the tabbies have a lovely holiday. Headbutts all around =^,.^=
DeleteYour Ma did good. It would take dynamite to unseat the HH when a game is playing.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun post. Thanks for sharing, CJ.
Ma was good. :-D
DeleteI love opening day of baseball because it means we really are getting past winter. This year that seems like particularly important milestone. :) Love reading your tribute today. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteSpring has definitely arrived. The snow cover has melted around the septic tank. =^,.^=
DeleteMy keyboard isn't working properly. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Happy Easter, too.
ReplyDeleteI think your keyboard needs some percussive maintenance =^,.^=
DeleteA fun post CJ! I have to admit, my mom has always watched the sport games. Although, she likes less of them now! LOL! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeletei don't think the teams are as good as they were in the old days
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