Al Barlick: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1989

Born: April 2, 1915
1936-40: Minor League Umpire
Debut: September 8, 1940
1944-45: World War II Service
1947: Umpired Jackie Robinson's first game
1949: Called a forfeit at Shibe Park when fans littered the field after a call
1956-7: Did not Umpire due to heart problems
1958: Returned from heart issues
1961: Voted best Umpire in the National League
1965: Worked first game at Astrodome
1969: First crew chief for a NLCS game
1970: Umpired last game at Forbes Field and first at Riverfront
1971: Umpire of the Year
Retired: 1971
1971-93: Scout and Supervisor of Umpires
1989: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Cmte)
1995: Died

Accomplishments:
Seven World Series
Seven All Star Games
First NLCS
1971 Umpire of the Year

Top second baseman in history by team (National League)

Atlanta Braves: Glenn Hubbard (1978-87)

Miami Marlins: Luis Castillo (1996-2005)

New York Mets: Edgardo Alfonzo (1995-2002)

Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley (2003-present)

Washington Nationals: Jose Vidro (via Montreal) (1997-2006)

Chicago Cubs: Ryne Sandberg (1982-97)

Cincinnati Reds: Joe Morgan (1972-79)

Milwaukee Brewers: Jim Gatner (1976-92)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Bill Mazeroski (1956-72)

St Louis Cardinals: Rogers Hornsby (1915-26; 1933)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Orlando Hudson (2006-08)

Colorado Rockies: Eric Young (1993-97)

Los Angeles Dodgers: Jackie Robinson (via Brooklyn) (1947-56)

San Diego Padres: Mark Loretta (2003-05)

San Francisco Giants: Jeff Kent (1997-2002)

Pee Wee Reese: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1984

Born: July 23, 1918

1937: Graduated High School

1938: Louisville Colonels

1939: Acquired by Boston Red Sox

1939: Traded to Brooklyn Dodgers

Debut: April 23, 1940 (Dodgers)

1941: Dodgers win Pennant

1943-5: World War II service

1946: Dodgers lose Pennant Playoff

1947: Jackie Robinson integrates baseball/Reese openly supports Robinson

1947: Dodgers win Pennant

1949: Dodgers win Pennant

1952-53: Dodgers win Pennant

1955: Dodgers win World Series

1956: Dodgers win Pennant

1956: Lou Gehrig Award

1957: Dodgers move to Los Angeles

1958: Retired

1960-72: Broadcaster

1984: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)

1999: Died


Accomplishments:
1955 World Champion

10x All Star

.269

126 HR

885 RBI

1338 Runs

2170 Hits

232 SB

1210 Walks-890 Strikeouts

.743 OPS

3038 TB

100+ Runs: 2x

30+ doubles: 2x

10 Triples (1946)

20+ SB: 5x

30 SB (1952): Led League

100+ Walks: 2x

.309 (1954)

.400 OBP: 2x

Led league in runs (132): 1949

Led league in walks (104): 1947

Led league in SH (15): 1953

Postseason: .272, 2 HR, 16 RBI, .695 OPS (7 World Series)

Happy Chandler: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1982

Born: July 14, 1898

1901: Mother abandoned family

1918: WWI ended before he was called to service

1920: Played semi-pro ball

1921: Graduated from Transylvania University

1924: Graduated University of Kentucky

1925-30: Lawyer, coach, and scout

1928: Commissioner on circuit court

1929-31: Kentucky Senate

1931-35: Lt. Governor of Kentucky

1935-39: Governor of Kentucky

1939-45: U.S. Senator

1945-51: Baseball Commissioner

1946: Imposed 5 year ban on players jumping to Mexico

1946: Averted first player's strike

1947: Supported Jackie Robinson and end of the color barrier

1947: Negotiated baseball's first major media deal

1951: Wakefield dispute

1951-5: Writer, lawyer

1955-59: Governor of Kentucky

1957: Elected to Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame

1960: Ran for president

1962: Ran for governor again

1965-6: Commissioner of Continental Football League

1967: Ran for governor

1971: Ran for governor

1982: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

1989: Published autobiography

1991: Died


Accomplishments:
Supported desegregation

Stopped players jumping to Mexico

Averted players' strike

Negotiated baseball's first major media deal

Ford Frick: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1970

Born: December 19, 1894

After college, he worked as a sportswriter and then for the Hearst Newspapers. He served as Babe Ruth's ghostwriter.

1934: Became NL's public relations director.

1934-51: NL President

1934: Helped spearhead the Baseball Hall of Fame

1947: Intervened when players threatened a boycott over Jackie Robinson

1951-65: Baseball Commissioner

1957: Overruled fans vote in All Star Game due to ballot stuffing

1957: Took ASG vote from fans

1961-2: Oversaw expansion

1961: Ok'd 162 game balanced schedule

1961: Demanded Roger Maris break Babe Ruth's record in 154 Games

1970: Elected to Hall of Fame

1978: Died

1978: Ford C. Frick Award introduced

1991: Asterisk struck from Roger Maris HR record

 

Branch Rickey: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1967

Born: December 20, 1881

1898-1901: Earned B.A. at Ohio Wesleyan University and played catcher on baseball team

1902: Played football

1903: Signed pro contract with Terra Haute

1904-05: Played baseball, taught college, and coached football

1905: Ended up with White Sox, who flipped him to the Browns

Debut: June 16, 1905 (Browns)

1907: Traded to the Highlanders (Yankees)

1907: Allowed 13 stolen bases in one game (record)

1907: Attended University of Michigan and earned LL B.

1913: Joined Browns front office

1913-15: Managed Browns (139-179)

1915: Helped sign George Sisler

1917-1918: World War I service

1919-1925: Managed Cardinals (458-485)

1919-42: Cardinals GM. He pioneered the farm system.

1926: Cardinals won World Seres

1931: Cardinals won World Series

1934: Cardinals won World Series

1942: Cardinals won World Series

1943-50: Dodgers GM

1945: Signed Jackie Robinson

1947: Helped integrate baseball

1950-55: Pirates GM

1954: Drafted Roberto Clemente

1955: His efforts led to the Dodgers world title

1960: His efforts led to the Pirates world title

1965: Died

1967: Elected to Hall of Fame

2013: Played by Harrison Ford in "42"

Accomplishments:

4x World Champion (role in two others) as GM

Helped integrate baseball

Developed the farm system

Jackie Robinson, George Sisler, Roberto Clemente

As a manager: 597-664 (.473)

As a player: .239, 3 HR, 39 RBI, .628 OPS (120 games-343 AB)

Jackie Robinson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1962

Jackie Robinson

Born: January 31, 1919

1937-39: Attended Pasadena Junior College

1938: Arrested for disputing the arrest of a friend by police.

1939-41: Attended UCLA where he was a track star

1942: Drafted into army

1943: Commissioned 2^nd lieutenant

1944: Court-martialed for refusing to sit in the back of a desegregated bus

1944: He was acquitted and honorably discharged

1944-5: Athletic Director for Sam Houston College

1945: Signed with KC Monarchs of Negro Leagues

1945: Branch Rickey signs Robinson to a Minor League contract with the Dodgers

1946: Plays for Montreal Royals

Debut: April 15, 1947 (Dodgers)

1947: Robinson becomes first black player in Major Leagues since 1887

1947: Won Rookie of the Year

1947: Dodgers lose World Series to Yankees

1949: “Did You See Jackie Hit That Ball?” becomes a hit single

1949: Testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee

1949: Won batting title (.342)

1949: Won NL MVP

1949: Dodgers lose World Series to Yankees

1950: The movie, The Jackie Robinson Story starring Robinson is released

1951: Hit dramatic home run to force pennant playoff (Dodgers lost playoff)

1952: Dodgers lose World Series to Yankees

1953: Was openly criticizing segregation by this point

1953: Dodgers lose World Series to Yankees

1955: Steals home in World Series. Yogi Berra swears he was out.

1955: Dodgers win the World Series

1956: Dodgers lose World Series to Yankees

1957: Retired after being traded to the Giants

1957-64: VP for personnel for Chock full o’ Nuts

1960: Endorsed Richard Nixon for President

1962: Elected to Hall of Fame

1964: Served on Nelson Rockefeller’s presidential campaign

1965: First black hired to do color analysis

1966: GM for Brooklyn Dodgers in the Continental Football League

1970: Started Robinson Construction Company to build for low income families

1971: Son died in an auto accident

1972: Did color commentary for Montreal Expos

1972: Dodgers retired his #42

1972:  Appeared at World Series advocating for black managers

1972: Died

1975: Frank Robinson became the first black manager

1984: Won the Presidential Medal of Freedom

1987: The Rookie of the Year Award was named in his honor

1997: MLB retired #42 for all clubs

1999: Time Magazine named him one of the most 100 influential people of the 20^th century

1999: All Century Team

2005: Won the Congressional Gold Medal

2013: The Movie 42 is released starring Harrison Ford

Accomplishments:

Desegregated Baseball

1955 World Champion

1949 NL MVP

1947 Rookie of the Year

1949 Batting Champ

6x All Star

#42 retired by all MLB teams

Negro League All Star

2x stolen base champ

.311 average

137 Home runs

734 RBI

947 runs

273 doubles

54 triples

197 steals

.409 OBP

.474 Slugging

.883 OPS

Hit .300: 6x

Scored 100 runs: 6x

203 hits (1949)

30+ doubles: 6x

12 triples (1949)

124 RBI (1949)

20+ steals: 5x

37 steals (1949)

106 walks (1952)

740 walks-249 strikeouts

.400 OBP: 6x

.500 slugging: 5x

Led league in SH: 2x

Led league w/7 HBP (1948)

Postseason: .234, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6 SB, .679 OPS (6 World Series)

Top 10 Second Basemen of All Time

Hornsby #1. These are not in any order...

Rod Carew

Eddie Collins

Ryne Sandberg

Frankie Frisch

Charlie Gehringer

Rogers Hornsby

Nap Lajoie

Joe Morgan

Jackie Robinson

Roberto Alomar

Top 10 Moments in Los Angeles Dodgers History

In chronological order (Brooklyn included):

Jackie Robinson desegregates baseball (April 15, 1947): Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball since 1887. That season, baseball owners entered into a “gentlemen’s agreement” barring blacks from the majors. That barrier remained until Branch Rickey decided to reincorporate blacks into America’s pastime. Although there were better players, Rickey chose Robinson because of his tough demeanor. The first season proved difficult on Robinson as he became the target of racial epitaphs and taunts. However, his success on the field helped changed many minds and led to desegregation in society as a whole.

Johnny Podres beats Yanks (October 4, 1955): In 1955, the Dodgers FINALLY won a World Series defeating the hated Yankees in seven games. Johnny Podres was Brooklyn’s hero as he won both his starts. He won Game 3 by an 8-3 score and then shutout the Yankees 2-0 in Game 7 to deliver the title. A couple seasons later, the Dodgers left Brooklyn for California where they went on to greater success.

Koufax is perfect (September 9, 1965): Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Cubs. He faced a lineup that included Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ernie Banks plus Ron Santo. Former batting champion Harvey Kuenn came in to pinch hit against the ace of aces. Koufax needed to be perfect that evening. The Cubs Bob Hendley pitched a one-hitter. The Dodgers won 1-0.

Koufax wins Game 7 (October 14, 1965): Sandy Koufax and Jim Kaat faced off in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series. Koufax allowed three hits shutting out the Twins. For the series, he boasted a 2-1 record with a 0.38 ERA.

Fernandomania! (1981): The Dodgers integrated baseball in 1947. In 1981, they cornered the Hispanic market by promoting Fernando Valenzuela to the big club and watching him have a season for the ages. He started the 1981 season 8-0 with five shutouts. His success, stocky physique, and demeanor made Fernando a star. He won the 1981 Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and Silver Slugger. He also won the key game of the World Series that year as the Dodgers captured their first title since 1965.

Blue Monday (October 19, 1981): The Dodgers and Expos battled to a decisive Game 5 in the National League Championship Series. With the score tied at one in the 9th inning, Montreal brought in Ace Steve Rogers to pitch. He surrendered a game winning home run to Rick Monday sending the Dodgers to the World Series where they defeated the Yankees.

Hershiser breaks Drysdale’s record (1988): Orel Hershiser surpassed Don Drysdale’s record of 58 2/3 scoreless innings. Manager Tommy Lasorda allowed Hershiser to pitch into extra innings in the final regular season contest to break the record. Hershiser won the Cy Young that season leading the league with 23 wins. The streak ended in 1989 at 60 innings.

Mike Sciocia homer stuns Mets (October 9, 1988): The Mets looked to take a commanding 3-1 NLCS lead on the Dodgers when Mike Scioscia launched a 9th inning 2-run homer to tie the game and force extra innings. In the 12th, Kirk Gibson won it with a home run. Orel Hershiser pitched the bottom half to earn a save. The game turned the series around and the Dodgers won the pennant.

Gibson does Roy Hobbs (October 15, 1988): The Athletics led the Dodgers 4-3 in the 9th when they called Hall of Fame relief ace Dennis Eckersley in to finish the game. Manager Tommy Lasorda decided to roll the dice and sent injured Kirk Gibson into the game to pinch hit. Gibson could barely walk and looked bad on Eckersley’s fastball. With two outs and two strikes, Gibson launched a dramatic game winning walk off and then hobbled around the bases. Eck threw a slider.

4 Straight HR tie game/Nomar wins game (September 18, 2006): The Dodgers hit four straight home runs in the 9th inning to tie a game with San Diego. In the 10th, the shell shocked Padres took a one-run lead, but could not hold it. In the bottom half, Nomar Garciaparra hit a two-run shot to win the game.