Baseball History Podcast

Joseph Paul DiMaggio , who’s birth name was actually Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, Jr. was born November 25, 1914 in Martinez, California. Know as the Yankee Clipper and Joltin’ Joe, DiMaggio could do everything well. He may have been the best all-around player ever.

Willie Lee McCovey was born January 10, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama. Since he was a soft-spoken man playing on a star-studded Giants team, McCovey’s talents were not as often heralded by the media and fans as those of teammates Mays, Cepeda, and Marichal. However, his opponents respected the devastating dead-pull power that was his majestic personal trademark and made him one of the most feared home run hitters of his time.

Raymond Johnson Chapman was born January 15, 1891 in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. Ray Chapman is the only modern major leaguer to have died as a direct result of being hit by a pitch.

David Eugene Clyde was born April 22, 1955 in Kansas City, Kansas. He played all or part of five seasons for the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians. Twenty days after pitching his high school team to a state championship, the Rangers’ rookie pitches five innings and allows just one hit in his first major league start as Texas defeats the Twins, 4-3.

Louis Clark “Lou” Brock was born June 18, 1939, in El Dorado, Arkansas. Signed out of Southern University for a $30,000 bonus in 1961, Lou Brock was blessed with great speed and baserunning instincts.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has become one of the nation’s most recognizable and popular educational institutions. The Museum is located in the pastoral village of Cooperstown in central New York State, nestled between the Catskill and Adirondack mountains, 70 miles west of Albany, the state capital.

Roy Campanella was born November 19, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Just 5’9″ but solidly built, he had already proven himself as a catcher during nine years in the Negro National League. In 12 additional seasons, 10 in the majors, he was one of the era’s outstanding players, and his leadership and enthusiasm made him one of the most popular players in the game.

Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel was born July 30, 1890 or 1891. A prime contender for the title of greatest manager ever, his greatest fame came from managing the Yankees to ten pennants and seven World Championships between 1949 and 1960.