Baseball History Podcast

James Evan Perry, Jr. was born October 30, 1935 in Williamston, North Carolina. Perry was tall, trim right-handed pitcher who overcame the knock that he was “too nice” to win consistently in the Major Leagues. He went on to win the American League Cy Young Award in 1970.

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.

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.”

William Ashley Freehan was born November 29, 1941 in Detroit, MI. Freehan played his entire Major League career for the Detroit Tigers and was widely regarded as one of the game’s best defensive catchers. He was described as a fierce competitor and a committed leader on the diamond.

Patrick Edward Dobson, Jr. was born February 12, 1942 in Depew, New York. Early in his Major League career, Dobson developed a strong working relationship with pitching coach Johnny Sain. He said Sain told him that he gripped the ball too tight and was teaching him to relax. Dobson explained that it gave his pitches better movement. Sain also taught him a different grip for his slider and it became his best pitch.

Donald Ralph Wert, nicknamed “Coyote”, was born July 29, 1938 in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. A fine glove man, Wert led American League third basemen in fielding in 1965. Playing in all of the Tigers’ 162 games that year, he led them with 159 hits.

Frederick Charles Hutchinson, nicknamed “Hutch”, was born August 12, 1919 in Seattle, Washington. Hutchinson was an aggressive, relentless, and smart pitcher, but did not have overwhelming speed. He was hot-tempered, given to tossing furniture about the clubhouse and smashing light bulbs after frustrating defeats. But he was extremely well-liked as a player, and as a manager, commanded love and admiration from his players.

Roger Maxwell Cramer, nicknamed “Doc” and “Flit”, was born July 22, 1905 in Beach Haven, New Jersey. An agile, swift centerfielder, Cramer was considered to be one of the best judges of fly balls in the Major Leagues, and also owned an excellent arm. A mainstay at the top of his team’s lineup for many years, Cramer was a spray hitter who led the American League in singles five times.