Baseball History Podcast

Robert Earl Wilson was born October 2, 1934 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He was actually born with the name Earl Lawrence Wilson. A 6-foot-3, 215-pound pitcher who relied on sliders and fastballs, Wilson made his major league debut with the Red Sox on July 31, 1959, as their first black pitcher. Originally a catcher, Wilson threw hard, and switched to pitching in 1953, his first pro season.

Salvatore Anthony Maglie, nicknamed “Sal the Barber,” was born on April 26, 1917, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Between 1950 and 1956 Maglie was among the most feared hurlers in baseball. Although he had an ever-present “five o’clock shadow,” Maglie was called “The Barber” for his practice of throwing close to, or shaving, the batter’s chin. He explained, “When I’m pitching, I own the plate.”

Theodore Amar Lyons was born December 28, 1900 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Lyons never pitched in the minor leagues and never pitched in a World Series, but 21 seasons of yeoman work for the seldom-contending White Sox earned his 1955 election to the Hall of Fame.

Robert Groom was born September 12, 1884 in Belleville, Illinois. As a pitcher, Groom was fast and intimidating, and his demeanor generally serious and inscrutable. His ball movement was extraordinary, occasionally so extraordinary that inexperienced backstops had trouble catching him.

James Anthony Abbott was born September 19, 1967 in Flint, Michigan; although one source says that he was born in Southfield, Michigan and moved to Flint shortly afterwards. Born without a right hand, southpaw Jim Abbott went directly from the University of Michigan to the Angels’ starting rotation in the spring of 1989 without spending a day in the minor leagues. Many considered the move a publicity stunt by manager Doug Rader, but after struggling early, Abbott proved his doubters wrong by winning 12 games in his rookie season.

Clyde Wright was born February 20, 1941 in Jefferson City, Tennessee. A left-hander, he was a star pitcher at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee. He went on to pitch the California Angels from 1966 through 1973, Milwaukee Brewers in 1974, and Texas Rangers in 1975.

John Samuel Vander Meer was born November 2, 1914 in Midland Park, New Jersey. He was a left-hander that pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians.

Harvey Haddix, Jr. was born September 18, 1925 in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield, Ohio.

Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez was born October 20, 1937, in Laguna Verde, Dominican Republic. When he was signed out of the Dominican Air Force at age 19, high-kicking Juan Marichal already had pinpoint control of his curve, slider, screwball, and blinding fastball, all thrown with a variety of motions.

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.