Baseball History Podcast

Randall Leo Jones, nicknamed “Junkman,” was born January 12, 1950 in Fullerton, California. A poised, fast-working control pitcher and a master of the slider and sinker, this left-handed pitcher was known for the large number of ground-ball outs he induced. He became the first home-grown star for the San Diego Padres after being selected by the club, which began play in 1969, in the 1972 entry draft. By June of the following year, Jones was playing for the major league team.

Walter Lanier “Red” Barber was born February 17, 1908 in Columbus, Mississippi. From his beloved perch in the “Catbird Seat,” Barber established hallmarks of excellence in baseball broadcasting. His 33 consecutive years as a major league announcer included numerous World Series as well as other major sports broadcasts. Colorful and innovative, Barber was highly respected and admired by his peers as an outstanding professional in his field.

Bret William Saberhagen was born April 11, 1964 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Saberhagen was not selected until the 19th round in the 1982 draft but quickly proved to be a fine acquisition for Kansas City. After logging an 18-7 record in his first year of minor league play, Saberhagen earned a berth in the Royals’ rotation at the age of twenty, and demonstrated control and poise beyond his years.

Leonard Kyle, Lenny, Dykstra was born February 10, 1963 in Santa Ana, California. Nicknamed “Nails” for his scrappy style of play, Lenny Dykstra did everything all out — he worked hard, played hard, and partied hard. An integral member of the brash Mets of the mid-1980s and the blue-collar Phillies of the early 1990s, Dykstra epitomized the gritty leadoff hitter, blossoming to use power as well as speed in his repertoire.

Gordon Stanley Cochrane, nicknamed “Mickey,” was born April 6, 1903 in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was also known as “Black Mike”, because of his dark moods and bad temper. Cochrane and teammate Lefty Grove were known to tear up locker rooms after difficult losses.

Enos Bradsher Slaughter, nicknamed “Country”, was born April 27, 1916 in Roxboro, North Carolina. He played 22 seasons with the Cardinals, Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, and Milwaukee Braves. During that period, he was a 10-time All-Star and played in five World Series. He was renowned for a smooth, flat swing that made him a reliable “contact” hitter.

William Adolf Wambsganss was born March 19, 1894 in Cleveland, Ohio. Due to the alphabet-soup nature of his surname, he was often called “Wamby” by headline writers. In his 13-season career, Wamby posted a .259 batting average with seven home runs and 519 Runs Batted In in 1492 games played. He was the regular second baseman of the Cleveland Indians for 10 years.

Leon Allen Goslin was born October 16, 1900 in Salem, New Jersey. Better known as Goose Goslin, he was 16 when he left home to play on a touring semipro circuit of the Eastern seaboard, and by 19 had moved into the minors in South Carolina, where he was a pitcher.

The original Billy Goat Tavern location was “born” in 1934 when Greek immigrant, William “Billy Goat” Sianis, purchased the Lincoln Tavern. Billy Goat bought the tavern for $205, with a check that bounced but was later repaid with sales from the first weekend. The tavern was located across from the Chicago Stadium and attracted mainly sports fans. Sianis became known as “Billy Goat,” when a goat fell off a passing truck and wandered inside. Sianis adopted the goat, grew a goatee, acquired the nickname “Billy Goat,” and changed the name of the bar to the Billy Goat Tavern.