Baseball History Podcast

Charles Oliver “Charlie” Hough was born January 5, 1948 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He became one of the greatest starting pitchers in Texas Rangers history. The knuckleballer led Texas in wins, complete games, and innings pitched each year from 1982 to 1987, winning a higher percentage of his club’s victories than any other major league hurler those six years.

Jesse Cail Burkett, nicknamed “The Crab”, was born on December 4, 1868 in Wheeling, WV. Displaying a serious demeanor which earned him his nickname, Jesse Burkett compiled a .342 lifetime average, topping the .400 mark three times. He was a master at fouling off pitches, and was thought by many observers to be the era’s greatest bunter. His ability to foul pitches off was one of the reasons for the introduction of the rule making foul balls strikes.

Walter Franklin Bond was born October 19, 1937 in Denmark Tennessee. Many viewed the gigantic 6’7″ 235-lb Bond as a younger Willie McCovey. He led the Colt .45′s with 20 home runs in 1964, and was the only Houston player to have a multi-homer game. He accomplished the feat twice.

George Leroy Wiltse, nicknamed “Hooks,” was born September 7, 1879 in Hamilton, New York. Though overshadowed on the Giants staff by Christy Mathewson, Wiltse won in double figures for New York in each of his first eight seasons and was with them for five pennants. He had a sensational rookie year in 1904, winning his first 13 starts and finishing 13-3.

William Henry Davis, nicknamed “Three Dog,” was born April 15, 1940 in Mineral Springs, Arkansas. Widely considered to be one of the fastest players of the 1960s, Davis had 20 or more stolen bases in eleven consecutive seasons. Along with Maury Wills, he provided speed at the top of Los Angeles lineup, being part of three pennant-winning Dodgers teams.