Baseball History Podcast

Alvin Neill Jackson, nicknamed “Little Al”, was born December 25, 1935 in Waco, Texas. Jackson was a gutty left-handed pitcher that Reds outfielder Vada Pinson described as “Very competitive, small, big heart – he knew how to pitch. He fought you every kind of way to help beat you.”

Early Wynn Jr., nicknamed “Gus”, was born January 6, 1920, Hartford, Alabama. He was a burly, hard-nosed competitor, who treated every ballgame as if it were a war. His durability helped him lead the American League in innings three times and also helped him last 23 seasons.

Fred Girard Haney was born April 25, 1896 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Haney touched all the bases in a 65-year baseball career. Along the way, he was a player, coach, scout, World Series winning manager, broadcaster and general manager.

Joseph Oden Rudi was born September 7, 1946 in Modesto, California. It took Rudi several years and hard work to mature as a major-leaguer. His quiet, low-key nature on a team with many flashy characters gave him a reputation as “underrated.” He was an excellent defensive player, a smart hitter, and a good baserunner. His arm was strong and accurate, and he was outstanding in the clutch.

George Clyde Kell was born August 23, 1922, in Swifton, Arkansas. Easily the best player to emerge during the WWII player shortage, Kell remained the American League’s premier third baseman long after the war had ended, and eventually earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Wesley Noreen Westrum was born November 28, 1922 Clearbrook, Minnesota. He was known as a superb defensive catcher. In 1950 he set a National League record for catchers with a .999 fielding average. He later served as the second manager in the history of the New York Mets, replacing Casey Stengel.

Roger Thorpe Peckinpaugh, nicknamed “Peck”, was born February 5, 1891 in Wooster, Ohio. Peckinpaugh was one of the finest defensive shortstops and on-field leaders of the Deadball Era.

Alfonso Ramon Lopez, nicknamed “Al”, was born August 20, 1908 in Tampa, Florida. A solid major league catcher whose record of games caught stood for more than 40 years. He later found great success as manager.

John Lester Moss, nicknamed “Les”, was born May 14, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Moss played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns for the most significant portion of his career, and was a backup catcher almost all his career. He also scouted, coached, and managed in the White Sox and Tiger organizations for nearly 30 years.

Walter Irvin Lerian, nicknamed “Peck”, was born February 10, 1903 in Baltimore, Maryland. Showing great promise as the leading member of the Philadelphia Phillies’ young receiving corps at the close of the 1920s, Lerian joined the Philadelphia Phillies for the launch of the 1928 season and progressed from a seldom-used bench warmer and occasional pinch hitter to become the team’s primary catcher by mid-summer. At the conclusion of the 1929 season, just as he was coming into his own, his life and career were tragically cut short by an out-of-control vehicle.