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.

Earl Alonzo Moore, nicknamed “Crossfire”, was born July 29, 1877 in Pickerington, Ohio. A strikeout pitcher with streaks of wildness, Moore whipped the ball in with an intimidating, sweeping sidearm motion from the very end of the rubber.

Patrick Joseph Moran was born February 7, 1876 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Most of Moran’s playing career was spent as a second-string catcher where he became a student of the game and especially of pitching.

Walter Irvin Lerian, nicknamed “Peck”, was born February 10, 1903 in Baltimore, Maryland. Showing great promise as the leading member of the Philadelphia Phillies’ young receiving corps at the close of the 1920s, Lerian joined the Philadelphia Phillies for the launch of the 1928 season and progressed from a seldom-used bench warmer and occasional pinch hitter to become the team’s primary catcher by mid-summer. At the conclusion of the 1929 season, just as he was coming into his own, his life and career were tragically cut short by an out-of-control vehicle.

Robin Evan Roberts was born September 30, 1926 in Springfield, Illinois. In his prime, pitching was easy for Roberts, who used to say, “Too many people try to make it more complicated than it really is.” A hard-nosed competitor, Roberts ranks as the winningest righthander in Phillies history.

César Leonardo Tovar was born July 3, 1940, in Caracas, Venezuela. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, César Tovar was a fixture at the top of the Minnesota Twins lineup. The speedy, enthusiastic Venezuelan came up as a second baseman, but he could handle just about any position.

Eldon John Repulski, nicknamed “Rip”, was born October 4, 1928 born in Sauk Rapids, MN. Repulski was a fine defensive player at all outfield positions but a streaky power hitter. He became the Cardinals’ regular centerfielder as a rookie in 1953.

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.

Derrel McKinley Harrelson, nicknamed “Bud”, was born on June 6, 1944 in Niles, California. Harrelson was typical of shortstops of his era: good fielder, poor hitter. His excellent fielding kept him in the lineup no matter what his average, but he also contributed with his speed on the basepaths and by drawing more than his share of walks.

Frank Joseph Thomas was born June 11, 1929 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A strapping slugger and dead-pull hitter who crowded the plate, Thomas was considered the successor of Ralph Kiner. He was considered a rebel and much of his career was spent bickering with management over his monetary value.