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Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
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Posted: 2/7/2013 8:45 AM
Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
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--- Jmodene1 wrote:
I remember that game quite well, too, although I wasn't there - I was in the Civil Defense bunker under the Governor's house in Guam
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No doubt in the company of the Governor's sultry wife.....you dog, JMo!
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Posted: 2/7/2013 9:47 AM
Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
pugsleyaddams wrote:
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Look on down the left field line over Spike's shoulder. It is indeed the left field line. Behind the bleachers would be Natural Bridge Rd and Fairgrounds Park. During the time Spike was there, the seating down the 1st base side was covered. |
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Posted: 2/8/2013 7:17 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
2/8: Keith McDonald (40), Buddy Blattner (died 2009).
McDonald is known for his feats in July 2000. The catcher was the third player in Cardinals history to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. Two days later, he became only the second player in MLB history to homer in each of his first two big league at-bats. He was a true 15 minutes of fame player, as his entire MLB career was just eight games.
Blattner played for the Cards (1942) and was briefly on their radio team (1960-61). I remember him as the voice of the Royals on radio in their early years (1969-75).
Last edited 2/8/2013 7:28 AM by Domeboys
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Posted: 2/8/2013 7:26 AM
Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
The hiring of Blattner as a Cardinals' announcer, however, led to the firing of Jack Buck from that job, as they already had Carey and Garagiola and didn't need four announcers (Blattner was also the announcer for the Hawks).
Jack considered taking jobs in Detroit and Pittsburgh but was talked into staying in St. Louis by Bob Hyland, the GM at KMOX, who put him to work directly for the station rather than for the ballclub, and after 1960, when Blattner joined the Angels' inaugural broadcast team, Jack was back on the Cards broadcasts.
Think about it: the Cardinals chose Buddy Blattner over Jack Buck. That's rather like Marvel Comics having cancelled Spider-Man to make room for Two-Gun Kid, as they also did right about that same time.
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Posted: 2/8/2013 8:23 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
McDonald only caught one full game. He cought Ankiel who threw 3 wild pitches in 5 innings.
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Posted: 2/9/2013 6:13 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
2/9: John Urrea (58), Freddy Schmidt (died 2012), Specs Torporcer (died 1989).
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Posted: 2/10/2013 6:43 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
2/10: Cesar Izturis (33), Lance Berkman (37), Alberto Castillo (43).
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Posted: 2/10/2013 6:51 AM
Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
Alberto Castillo - an excellent defensive catcher who hit a lot better for us than we expected his one year as a regular, 1999. From what I've read, and from what I remember from that season, the pitchers weren't too crazy about him - he was a little too aggressive behind the plate and not nearly as diplomatic as his successor, a fellow named Matheny.
Remarkable to think that since 1991, when Joe Torre moved Todd Zeile from behind the plate and made Tom Pagnozzi the regular catcher, the Cards have almost always had an elite defender back there... although Pagnozzi's injuries in the late 90's forced us to put guys like Lampkin, Schaeffer and Difelice back there.
But over more than 20 seasons, we've had Pagnozzi, Castillo, Matheny and Molina back there - all of them GG or near-GG caliber, defensively. What sets Molina apart from the pack is that he's made himself into a solid hitter as well, and is challenging McCarver for the #2 slot among the Cards' all-time best catchers (Simmons is still #1); indeed, Molina's combination of offense and defense may well make him #1 if he can keep it up a few more seasons.
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Posted: 2/10/2013 8:49 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
It is a pretty big gap between Simmons and McCarver, in my opinion. I would put Molina ahead of McCarver right now. McCarver spent seven prime years with the Cards, during which they won two titles. Molina has two titles in eight years, with more road ahead. McCarver never won a Gold Glove, while Molina has five. McCarver was an all-star just twice while Molina has four selections already. McCarver never hit as many home runs or drove in as many runners in any season as Molina did in 2012. He never once batted .300 while Molina has done it three times. No contest.
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Posted: 2/10/2013 1:19 PM
Re: Today's Cardinals birthdays
Upon further review, I believe you are right. What puts me over the top on this is the sudden realization that Yadi has been our starting catcher for eight seasons now (McCarver came up in 1959 but wasn't our regular catcher until 1963, meaning he was only our main guy for seven years).
Where have the years gone? It feels like Yadi just came up.
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Posted: 2/10/2013 8:21 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
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--- Domeboys wrote:
Specs Torporcer (died 1989).
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As we all know, Specs Torporcer was the first ML player to slap on eyeglasses in a regular season game. Could you imagine the ribbing and physical punishment he endured! I'm sure "4 eyes" was probably the nicest thing he was called. Specs very well could have been harassed to the same degree as to what Jackie Robinson received ....and yet where's the love for Specs? Specs Torporcer broke the eyeglass barrier and yet his name is far from that of the household variety. It's just not fair. When Specs passed in 1989 the cause of death could very have been of a broken heart for not receiving his just due. I wonder who the first MLer to wear contact lenses was? Anybody?
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Posted: 2/10/2013 8:36 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
pugsleyaddams wrote:
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--- Domeboys wrote:
Specs Torporcer (died 1989).
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As we all know, Specs Torporcer was the first ML player to slap on eyeglasses in a regular season game. Could you imagine the ribbing and physical punishment he endured! I'm sure "4 eyes" was probably the nicest thing he was called. Specs very well could have been harassed to the same degree as to what Jackie Robinson received ....and yet where's the love for Specs? Specs Torporcer broke the eyeglass barrier and yet his name is far from that of the household variety. It's just not fair. When Specs passed in 1989 the cause of death could very have been of a broken heart for not receiving his just due. I wonder who the first MLer to wear contact lenses was? Anybody? Don't know the answer to that question, but as for Torporcer, he was actually the first *position player* to wear glasses on the field. Several pitchers had done so previously, going back to Will White in the 1870 and 1880's. And only two Hall of Fame position players wore glasses on the field - Chick Hafey and Reggie Jackson. |
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Posted: 2/10/2013 8:42 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
You're a walking baseball encyclopedia, JMo!
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Posted: 2/11/2013 6:22 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
2/11: J.R. Towles (29).
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Posted: 2/11/2013 7:12 AM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
pugsleyaddams wrote: You're a walking baseball encyclopedia, JMo! Not quite - while I knew Specs wasn't quite the first, I looked it up to confirm this time so I wouldn't commit such obvious faux pas as "forgetting" Ted Simmons when I post 15 minutes after waking up at 5 in the morning. |
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Posted: 2/11/2013 5:56 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
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--- Jmodene1 wrote:
as for Torporcer, he was actually the first *position player* to wear glasses on the field. Several pitchers had done so previously, going back to Will White in the 1870 and 1880's.
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Not that I don't trust you, but at the very least, I think a pinch of proof needs to be sprinkled in the pudding, JMo. Hearsay doesn't cut the mustard. I would think a mere photograph(black & white shall suffice) of Will White on the mound and donning his eyeglasses would do the trick. Until unequivocal evidence is brought forth, I'm sticking with our very own Specs Torporcer as ML baseball's first four eyed participant. Besides, if Will White did indeed hold this distinction that we presently have in question, wouldn't his name be Specs White?
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Posted: 2/13/2013 4:44 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
Jmodene1 wrote:
And only two Hall of Fame position players wore glasses on the field - Chick Hafey and Reggie Jackson. How sure are we about that jmo?   |
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Posted: 2/13/2013 4:59 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
--------------------------------------------- --- blingboy wrote: Jmodene1 wrote:
And only two Hall of Fame position players wore glasses on the field - Chick Hafey and Reggie Jackson. How sure are we about that jmo? --------------------------------------------- Sweet find, Blingster! This is to take nothing away from these spectacular two gentlemen, but believe it or not they are dead ringers for my grandparents back in the day. |
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Posted: 2/13/2013 5:13 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
No offense, but I take it grandma pugs wasn't what you'd call a looker.
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Posted: 2/13/2013 5:25 PM
RE: Today's Cardinals birthdays
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--- blingboy wrote:
No offense, but I take it grandma pugs wasn't what you'd call a looker.
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Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, Bling.....but your right....I don't think many guys were beholding my dear GrandMaMa....God rest her soul.
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