Baseball History Podcast

Harold Henry Reese, nicknamed “Pee Wee,” was born July 23, 1918 in Ekron, KY. The captain of the dominating Dodgers teams of the 1950s, scrappy Pee Wee Reese was a quiet force both on the field and in the clubhouse.

Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr. was born August 24, 1960 in Havre de Grace, Maryland (HAV-ur dee GRACE.) Commonly known as Cal or Cal Jr., he was one of the all-time great shortstops, but his other achievements are somewhat overshadowed by his consecutive games played record.

Anthony Keith “Tony” Gwynn was born May 9, 1960 in Los Angeles, California. He was statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history; perhaps one of the best pure hitters of his era. He played his entire 20-year career, from 1982–2001, for the San Diego Padres.

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Steven Patrick Garvey was born December 22, 1948 in Tampa, FL. The most durable player of his era, Garvey played a National League-record 1,207 consecutive games. Originally a third baseman with a suspect arm, he became part of baseball’s longest-running infield when he moved to first base. Ron Cey took over at third, and they flanked Davey Lopes and Bill Russell from 1973 to 1981.

James William Gilliam was born October 17, 1928 in Nashville, Tennessee. Nicknamed Junior, as the youngest member of the Baltimore Elite Giants, Gilliam and shortstop Pee Wee Butts formed one of the great double play combos in Negro National League history during the 1940s. He spent his entire major league career playing second and third base for the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pack Robert “Bob” Gibson was born November 9, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska. There have been few pitchers more intimidating or more dominating than Bob Gibson. His great physical stamina and tremendous concentration gave him an enormous edge enhanced by his willingness to pitch inside and sometimes hit batters.

Ronald Ames Guidry, nicknamed “Louisiana Lightning” and “Gator” was born August 28, 1950, in Lafayette, Louisiana. This left-handed pitcher played 14 seasons for the New York Yankees from 1975 through 1988. He is fourth on the all-time Yankee victory list with 170 wins and second in strikeouts with 1,778.

Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. was born July 28, 1949, in Mansfield, Louisiana. In his 17-year Major League career, this left-handed starting pitcher played for the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and Kansas City Royals.

John Wesley Powell, nicknamed “Boog” was born August 17, 1941, in Lakeland, Florida. This big lefthanded slugger batted cleanup for the Orioles for over a decade and helped them to the World Series four times in six years from 1966 to 1971.