Baseball History Podcast

Wayne Kirby Simpson was born on December 2, 1948 in Los Angeles, California. In his first season, Simpson started the year by winning 13 of his first 14 decisions, including a one-hitter, a two-hitter, and a three-hitter. But shoulder problems limited him to just two appearances after July.

Gerald Wayne Grote was born on October 6, 1942 in San Antonio, Texas. Grote become a key ingredient on Met teams for a dozen years. Lou Brock once said that Grote was the toughest catcher in the league to steal against. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.

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.

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.

Vincent Edward Jackson, nicknamed “Bo”, was born November 30, 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama. He wasn’t the first multi-sport athlete, but he was one of the best. His feats in both Major League Baseball and the National Football League are well-known, and the outfielder/running back became the first athlete named to two sports’ All-Star games, a testament to his athletic prowess.

Cecil Grant Fielder was born September 21, 1963 in Los Angeles, California. Often weighing in at over 250 pounds, Fielder put to full use his considerable girth, massive arms and powerful legs, uncoiling a ferocious, all-or-nothing swing in the classic power-hitter mold that routinely generated both tape-measure blasts and prodigious strikeout totals.

Myron Walter Drabowsky, nicknamed “Moe” was born July 21, 1935 in Ozanna, Poland. He is one of only four players who played for both the Kansas City Athletics and the Royals.

Daniel Raymond Quisenberry, nicknamed “Quiz”, was born February 7, 1953 in Santa Monica, California. Groomed from the beginning as a reliever, Quisenberry employed bullseye control and a submarine delivery to keep hitters offstride. His bread-and-butter pitch was a sharp-breaking slider.

Frederick Joseph Patek was born October 9, 1944 in Seguin, Texas. The 5’5″ 148-lb Patek was the smallest major-league player of his time, but he possessed the range and arm to be an outstanding shortstop, three times an All-Star. He was particularly adept at turning double plays. His speed and aggressive baserunning were his primary offensive weapons.

Bret William Saberhagen was born April 11, 1964 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Saberhagen was not selected until the 19th round in the 1982 draft but quickly proved to be a fine acquisition for Kansas City. After logging an 18-7 record in his first year of minor league play, Saberhagen earned a berth in the Royals’ rotation at the age of twenty, and demonstrated control and poise beyond his years.