Willie Mays Wins Triple Crown
9/27/1954 Willie Mays is sitting on top of the world tonight. He got himself a Triple Crown this year -- the 11th player in MLB history to ever accomplish this feat.
The New York Giants center fielder outpaced the rest of the NL offensively this year. Mays, age 23, hit .343, collected 49 home runs, and chipped in 141 RBIs for the Giants. He led in all three categories to capture the Triple Crown, one of the rarer feats in baseball.
"It's all about hard work," noted one club official. "Willie arrives early, takes extra BP and really make a science of hitting. He religiously studies the pitchers. Keeps a journal on all of 'em. He's very thorough."
Moonshots: Gibson knocks 4 out of sight
07/22/1952 Nothing could stop Josh Gibson -- certainly not the Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff.
The 40-year-old catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates sent 4 baseballs soaring out of Shibe Park and made his name a part of history. Behind his barrage, the Pirates earned a win, 15-5, over the Phillies.
"In the standings, a loss is just a loss, but this one was frustrating," Phillies manager said later. "He clobbered us."
Gibson's dream game included 5 hits in 6 at-bats, 4 homers, 9 runs driven in and 4 runs scored.
"I know all the stories are going to be about me today, and that's OK," Gibson told the press in the locker room after the game. "Next time, it'll be one of the other guys."
Josh Gibson hit a two-run home run off Joe Dobson in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, hit a three-run home run off Joe Dobson in the 4th, hit a two-run home run off Fred Hutchinson in the 6th, hit a solo-shot off Fred Hutchinson in the 8th and flied out in the 9th.
At the moment, Gibson is hitting .240 with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs. He has played in 77 games and scored 46 times.
Roy Campanella Slams 3 Homers
05/22/1952The old superstition that "bad news comes in threes" certainly came true for the Cincinnati Reds.
Brooklyn catcher Roy Campanella tripled up on the home runs to propel the Dodgers to a win, 6-0, at Ebbets Field.
"We had our chances to win the game, but we just didn't come through," Cincinnati manager said. "Campanella hit the heck out of the ball."
In addition to the homers, Campanella collected 3 hits in 4 at-bats, 5 RBIs and scored 3 runs.
"Easy swings get you home runs," he said after the game. "I kept telling myself not to press. They have to be nice and easy swings."
Roy Campanella hit a two-run home run off Frank Barnes in the 1st, hit a two-run home run off Frank Barnes in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off Frank Barnes in the 6th and grounded out in the 8th.
This season, Campanella is batting .274 with 32 hits, 9 home runs, 31 RBIs, .343 OBP and has scored 22 runs.
Josh Gibson Slams 500th Homer
08/30/1950 Pirates catcher Josh Gibson reached a career milestone yesterday, blasting home run number 500.
He took the achievement in stride. "It's always good to get another home run and even better to get another win," Gibson told reporters in the postgame interview.
He went 3-for-4 during the Pittsburgh 16-1 triumph over the New York Giants and scored 4 runs with 4 runs batted in.
Gibson's career batting average stands at .299, and he has 501 home runs.
Dick Lundy HOF Legend
01/05/1949 The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame honors those players who are the best at their position, those special individuals whose skills make them unforgettable in the eyes of baseball fans everywhere. Another such player was recognized today, as shortstop Dick Lundy was enshrined at his induction ceremony.
There was no mistaking the look of pride on Dick Lundy's face as he saw his statue for the first time and the plaque recounting the many accomplishments over his 3361-game career. Lundy played until he was 45 and had a lifetime .289 batting average with 95 home runs. Baseball's newest Hall of Famer batted in 1552 runs and scored 1740 times.
Fans of all ages watched in appreciation as Lundy blinked back tears. "I really don't know what to say during such an enormous moment," he managed to finally say, "because words cannot describe all the feelings and thoughts running through my head. The love and appreciation from all my fellow players and all the fans out there has been overwhelming, but I would not be here today without the love and support of my family. My greatest thanks goes to them." Dick Lundy: The Best Shortstop You Never Heard Of.
Featured image: Pablo Mesa, Oscar Charleston, and Alejandro Oms. Team mates on the Cuban Stars in the mid 1920s.
