Imagine having the American League batting champion and the National League batting champion from the same season at the top of the order. The 1990 Oakland Athletics came close to having that happen. Manager Tony La Russa put Rickey Henderson in the leadoff spot and Willie McGee in the No. 2 position during the last weeks of the 1990 season and then into the playoffs and … [Read more...] about Rickey Henderson, Willie McGee flipped ignition switch
How Rocky Colavito, Ken Boyer became peas in a pod
During their primes, Rocky Colavito in the American League and Ken Boyer in the National were prominent run producers. At one point, the Tigers and Cardinals considered swapping them for one another. Late in their careers, Colavito and Boyer became teammates _ with the White Sox, who got them for a pennant chase, and with the Dodgers, who hoped they’d boost a popgun … [Read more...] about How Rocky Colavito, Ken Boyer became peas in a pod
Fowl ball: Dave Parker had short stay with Cardinals
A trade of Dave Parker for George Hendrick during their playing days would have been a headliner. That didn’t happen, but this did: Parker and Hendrick essentially were swapped for one another as coaches. After coaching for the Angels in 1997, Parker became Cardinals hitting coach. He replaced Hendrick, who took the Angels coaching job Parker vacated. Parker’s … [Read more...] about Fowl ball: Dave Parker had short stay with Cardinals
Stubby Overmire came up big for Browns vs. Yankees
A little guy with a big heart, Stubby Overmire pitched for one of baseball’s weaklings and beat up the league’s biggest bully. Seventy-five years ago, on Dec. 15, 1949, the St. Louis Browns obtained Overmire from the Tigers for the waiver fee of $10,000. Frank Overmire got the nickname Stubby because he was short (5-foot-7, or less) and stout, and, as Joe Falls of the Detroit … [Read more...] about Stubby Overmire came up big for Browns vs. Yankees
Added value: How Bob Purkey did Bob Gibson a favor
The Cardinals acquired right-hander Bob Purkey to be their fifth starter. It turned out they got a whole lot more from him. Sixty years ago, on Dec. 14, 1964, the Cardinals traded Roger Craig and Charlie James to the Reds for Purkey, projecting him to join a starting rotation with Bob Gibson, Ray Sadecki, Curt Simmons and Tracy Stallard. Purkey, 35, … [Read more...] about Added value: How Bob Purkey did Bob Gibson a favor