Baseball History Podcast

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.

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.

William Chester Jacobson, nicknamed “Baby Doll”, was born August 16, 1890 in Cable, Illinois. After three seasons playing for minor league teams, Jacobson’s contract was purchased by the New York Giants in September 1911 for $3,500. Manager John McGraw ranked Jacobson high. He called Jacobson “one of the most determined players I ever saw.”

Lewis Everett Scott, nicknamed “Deacon”, was born November 19, 1892 in Bluffton, Indiana. He was the steady infield leader of championship Red Sox and Yankee teams of the 1910s and 1920s and was considered to be the finest shortstop of his time. He set a Major League record for that time by appearing in 1,307 consecutive games.

Dominic Paul DiMaggio, nicknamed “The Little Professor”, was born February 12, 1917 in San Francisco, CA. It is easy to overlook the remarkable career of Dominic DiMaggio. After all, he lived in the shadow of two famous ballplayers: his brother Joe, arguably the greatest all-around ballplayer of his era, and good friend and teammate Ted Williams, a Red Sox legend. Yet Dom was as solid a major-leaguer as there was in any era.

Francis Joseph O’Doul, nicknamed “Lefty”, was born on March 4, 1897, in San Francisco, CA. Lefty O’Doul was known first as a pitcher and then as one of the game’s best hitters. After leaving the majors, he managed in the Minor Leagues for more than 20 years, amassing more than 2,000 wins. He was recognized as one of the game’s great hitting instructors; men would travel far to have him critique their skills.

Wilfred Henry Lefebvre, nicknamed “Bill” or “Lefty”, was born November 11, 1915 in Natick, Rhode Island. Bill Lefebvre pitched with the Boston Red Sox in 1938 and 1939. After a 4-year absence from the major leagues, he played for the Washington Senators in 1943 and 1944. Lefebvre’s best pitch was a fastball but he also threw a slider and a palmball.

Diego Pablo Seguí González was born August 17, 1937– or 1938 by other reports — in Holguín, Cuba. His repertoire of pitches and mound quirks exasperated batters and umpires. He took his time, rubbed the ball between each pitch, and defended himself against allegations of using a spitball when he blew on his hands.

Luis Clemente Tiant Vega was born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba. Tiant was a right-handed starting pitcher who baffled hitters with a rocking, twisting windup and an assortment of release points that ranged from over-the-top to nearly underhand.