Baseball History Podcast

Lynford Hobart Lary, nicknamed “Broadway”, was born January 28, 1906 in Armona, California. Lary was a well-traveled shortstop. He played for six different teams in a span of twelve years, including two stints with the St. Louis Browns and played for three teams in 1939. Primarily a singles hitter, Lary was a good defensive player with good hands and a strong arm.

Stanley Orville Spence was born on March 20, 1915, in South Portsmouth, KY. He was a left-handed hitter with some power and was a superlative outfielder with fine range and throwing ability

Baldomero Almada, nicknamed “Melo”, was born February 7, 1913 in Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico. He moved to southern California with his family at the age of one in 1914, amid the political and business turmoil of the Revolution in Mexico. He made history by becoming the first Mexican baseball player to play in the Major Leagues.

Robert George Weiland was born December 14, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. Left-handed pitcher Weiland’s record is a reminder that the team you play for can have as much as anything to do with your won-loss totals. It was his misfortune to play for the worst two teams in the American League for the first six and a half years in the majors putting up a combined record of 20-50.

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.

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.”

John Henry Kramer, nicknamed Jack, was born January 5, 1918 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kramer likely did not make the most of his considerable ability but he certainly left lasting impressions in Red Sox and Browns baseball history. When he was on, he was a very good pitcher and often delivered clutch wins for his ballclubs

Henry Emmett Manush nicknamed “Heinie,” was born July 20, 1901 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Mastering the art of the line drive but unable to master his own temper, Heinie Manush burst onto the major league scene with the Detroit Tigers and quickly became one of the fiercest and most feared hitters in the game.

Leslie Ambrose Bush, nicknamed “Bullet Joe” was born November 27, 1892 in Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1913 the A’s were forced to rush young pitchers into the breech. Twenty-year-old Joe Bush came through with a 14-6 mark to help them win the pennant then added a five-hit win in the World Series. Although plagued by wildness, the durable youngster continued to pitch well in the next few years.

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.