Baseball History Podcast

Albert Leonard Rosen, nicknamed “Al” or “Flip, was born February 29, 1924 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Al’s strength and determination to overcome any and all obstacles was the key factor in his rise to becoming a star ballplayer and his success as a baseball administrator. Physical and mental toughness served Rosen well through all his many life challenges.

Arthur Neukom Nehf was born July 31, 1892 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Some seasons, Nehf pitched as a starter only, and some as a relief pitcher and a starter, but he was always solid in both roles, earning a reputation around the majors as an always-consistent pitcher.

Vernon Louis Gómez was born November 26, 1908 in Rodeo, California. Known as Lefty, this Hispanic left-handed pitcher played for the New York Yankees between 1930 and 1942. Remembered mainly for his colorful personality, Lefty Gomez was also one of baseball’s greatest winners, ranking third in Yankee history in regular-season wins with 189.

Edwin Lee Mathews was born October 13, 1931 in Texarkana, Texas. Eddie was six years old when his family moved to Santa Barbara, California where he developed into a star high school player. Signed by the Boston Braves in 1949, he continued to shine in their farm system as a left-handed power-hitting third baseman who hit towering home runs. A natural athlete blessed with tremendous power, a rifle arm, and a durable body, Mathews was the premier third baseman of his era and a key member of the Braves teams of the late 1950s.

Warren Edward Spahn was born April 23, 1921 in Buffalo, New York. The winningest lefthanded pitcher of all time, and possibly the best as well, Spahn was a complete player who helped himself at bat and in the field.

Paul Glee Waner was born April 16, 1903 in Harrah, Oklahoma. He and his brother Lloyd, starred in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfield in the 1920s and 1930s. Nicknamed “Big Poison,” he led the National League in batting on three occasions and accumulated over 3,000 hits in his career.