Baseball History Podcast

Leslie Ambrose Bush, nicknamed “Bullet Joe” was born November 27, 1892 in Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1913 the A’s were forced to rush young pitchers into the breech. Twenty-year-old Joe Bush came through with a 14-6 mark to help them win the pennant then added a five-hit win in the World Series. Although plagued by wildness, the durable youngster continued to pitch well in the next few years.

Joseph Jerome McGinnity, nicknamed Iron Man, was born March 19, 1871 in the Quad City of Rock Island, Illinois. He was actually born Joseph Jerome McGinty but changed his last name to McGinnity as an adult. For a Hall of Fame pitcher, Joe McGinnity had a somewhat brief but effective big league career. He did not get to the majors until he was 28, then lasted only 10 seasons, but earned his nickname by his frequent appearances. He often pitched both halves of doubleheaders; a feat he performed three times in a single month winning all six games.

John Francis Buck, nicknamed “Jack,” was born August 21, 1924 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Buck was recognizable by his deep, gravelly voice, penchant for sardonic irony, and his distinctive play-by-play calls.  He was best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals.  He received the Ford C. Frick Award from [...]

William James Brown, nicknamed “Gates,” was born May 2, 1939 in Crestline, Ohio. In his first Major League at bat, he hit a pinch homer, a fitting beginning for one of baseball’s most successful pinch hitters. The popular Brown had limited defensive skills and couldn’t break into the regular Tiger outfield, but he collected 107 career pinch hits and 16 pinch homers.