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.

Early Wynn Jr., nicknamed “Gus”, was born January 6, 1920, Hartford, Alabama. He was a burly, hard-nosed competitor, who treated every ballgame as if it were a war. His durability helped him lead the American League in innings three times and also helped him last 23 seasons.

Roger Thorpe Peckinpaugh, nicknamed “Peck”, was born February 5, 1891 in Wooster, Ohio. Peckinpaugh was one of the finest defensive shortstops and on-field leaders of the Deadball Era.

Alfonso Ramon Lopez, nicknamed “Al”, was born August 20, 1908 in Tampa, Florida. A solid major league catcher whose record of games caught stood for more than 40 years. He later found great success as manager.

Ernest Gordon Phelps, nicknamed “Babe”, was born April 19, 1908 in Odenton, MD. While playing for a local team, Phelps’ baseball exploits caught the attention of Clark Griffith, owner of the Washington Senators. Griffith eventually offered the young ballplayer his first professional contract. In 1931, he was called up to the big club at the end of the season for the proverbial “cup of coffee.”

Lewis Everett Scott, nicknamed “Deacon”, was born November 19, 1892 in Bluffton, Indiana. He was the steady infield leader of championship Red Sox and Yankee teams of the 1910s and 1920s and was considered to be the finest shortstop of his time. He set a Major League record for that time by appearing in 1,307 consecutive games.

Wilfred Henry Lefebvre, nicknamed “Bill” or “Lefty”, was born November 11, 1915 in Natick, Rhode Island. Bill Lefebvre pitched with the Boston Red Sox in 1938 and 1939. After a 4-year absence from the major leagues, he played for the Washington Senators in 1943 and 1944. Lefebvre’s best pitch was a fastball but he also threw a slider and a palmball.

Diego Pablo Seguí González was born August 17, 1937– or 1938 by other reports — in Holguín, Cuba. His repertoire of pitches and mound quirks exasperated batters and umpires. He took his time, rubbed the ball between each pitch, and defended himself against allegations of using a spitball when he blew on his hands.