Baseball History Podcast

Raymond Earl Fosse was born April 4, 1947 in Marion, Illinois. Fosse was involved in one of the most celebrated plays in All-Star Game history. In 1970, his first season as a Cleveland regular, he established himself as one of baseball’s best catchers, earning a spot on the All-Star team.

Richard Anthony “Dick” Drago was born June 25, 1945 in Toledo, Ohio. Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft, Drago was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the 1968 expansion draft. He started his Major League career with the Royals in 1969, becoming the ace of their pitching staff in 1971.

Walter Arthur Evers, nicknamed “Hoot”, was born February 8, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri. Evers’ career is a tale of what might have been. His contemporaries saw him as a potential superstar. After WWII delayed his career four years, he returned in 1946 as the Tigers’ starting centerfielder. He played the game hard and with reckless abandon; in the end that style took its toll on his body and shortened his playing career as injuries robbed him of his speed and power.

Robert William “Bobby” Brown, MD was born October 25, 1924 in Seattle, Washington. More than 16,000 players have played major league baseball, but Dr. Bobby Brown’s lifetime profile has no parallel. He played professional baseball on a team that won five world championships, was a practicing cardiologist in Texas, served as interim president of the Texas Rangers, and spent ten years as president of the American League.

Amos Joseph Otis was born April 26, 1947 in Mobile, Alabama. The dapper Otis was criticized at times for a casual demeanor, lack of aggressiveness, and one-handed catches, but he won three Gold Gloves and three times was named Royals Player of the Year. He left the Royals in 1983 as their all-time leader in several offensive categories, including runs, hits, and RBI.

Dennis John Bennett was born October 5, 1939 in Oakland, California. Bennett, a fun-loving character on baseball’s stage for much of the 1960s, was blessed with a great left arm and a thirst for the good life. He overcame several reckless brushes with danger, including a tragic accident, to forge a seven-year big league career, though not reaching the heights he likely could have.

John Henry Kramer, nicknamed Jack, was born January 5, 1918 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kramer likely did not make the most of his considerable ability but he certainly left lasting impressions in Red Sox and Browns baseball history. When he was on, he was a very good pitcher and often delivered clutch wins for his ballclubs

This is an update on Baseball History Podcast.

Albert Walter Lyle, nicknamed “Sparky”, was born July 22, 1944 in DuBois, Pennsylvania. Lyle was one of the American League’s best relievers in the 1970’s relying almost exclusively on a crackling slider. He never started a Major League game but became the first reliever ever to win the American League Cy Young Award.

David Joseph Magadan was born September 30, 1962 in Tampa, Florida. Magadan, a lefthanded line-drive hitter, was the offensive hero of the Mets’ division-clinching game in 1986 during a late-season call-up.