Baseball History Podcast

Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean, was born January 16, 1910, in Lucas, Arkansas. The brash Cardinals fireballer, burst upon the big league scene in 1932 and averaged 24 wins over his first five full seasons.

Cornelius Alexander Mack was born December 22, 1862. He was a professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. Widely considered one of the greatest managers in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins, losses, and games managed. Besides his five World Series wins and nine American League pennants, Mack’s teams also finished last 17 times.

John Dwight Chesbro was born in North Adams, Massachusetts on June 5, 1874. Chesbro’s fame as a pitcher began when he pitched the Pirates to their first pennants in 1901 and 1902. In 1902 he picked up the spitball, which was legal until 1920, at a time when its peculiar properties were first being discovered by a number of pitchers.

Don James Larsen was born August 7, 1929 in Michigan City, Indiana. Though he had a mediocre career record, Larsen was immortalized by his World Series perfect game of October 8, 1956.

Carl Daniel Erskine was born December 13, 1926 in Anderson, Indiana. Erskine helped to anchor the pitching staff for the powerful post-WWII Brooklyn teams.

Walter Perry Johnson was born on November 6, 1887, in Humboldt, Kansas. In an era lacking electronic speed guns, Johnson was generally thought to throw the fastest ball in the high 90’s.

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea was born in Navojoa, Mexico sometime between 1955 and 1960. The Mexican star long sought by the Dodgers, ushered in Fernandomania and turned Dodger Stadium into a Mexican fiesta on the nights he pitched.

Roberto Clemente Walker was born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico, August 18, 1934. This rising star was on the lookout of many Major League scouts. He had everything that a coach would want; hitting, fielding and a tremendous arm.

George Thomas Seaver, was born November 17, 1944, in Fresno, California. “Tom Terrific,” a power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.