Steve Carlton's Pitching Masterpiece
Early Beginnings and Rise to Stardom:
-Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, Carlton's raw talent was evident, but inconsistency plagued his early years.
-A trade to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972 proved the turning point. Under manager Gene Mauch and with the guidance of veteran Tim McCarver, Carlton blossomed into a complete pitcher.
The Pinnacle of Perfection:
-From 1972 to 1982, Carlton entered a stratosphere of pitching excellence. He won four Cy Young Awards, including a historic Triple Crown in 1972 (leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts).
-Carlton's repertoire of pitches was a symphony of deception. His screwball, known as "Uncle Charlie," left batters flailing in thin air, and his pinpoint control made him nearly unhittable.
-He reached the 300-win mark in 1983, and by the end of his career, he had amassed 4,136 strikeouts, placing him second all-time among left-handed pitchers.
Smokey Joe Williams Video History of the Legend
This video tells the story of Smokey Joe Williams, a legendary right-handed pitcher who dominated the Negro leagues in the early 20th century. It highlights his long career, spanning over 25 years, and his peak with the New York Lincoln Giants. The video emphasizes Williams's exceptional pitching skills, mentioning his incredible speed, pinpoint control, and ability to strike out batters with ease. Notably, it details his awe-inspiring feat of striking out 27 batters in a single game at the age of 44! The video also recognizes Williams's legacy as the greatest pitcher in Negro league history, as declared by the Pittsburgh Courier, and his well-deserved induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. So, if you're interested in learning about a true baseball legend and a significant figure in Negro league history, this video is definitely worth watching!
Presenting Smokey Joe Williams from the Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies collection
This Day In Baseball May 26
Baseball History of June 2
The Baseball Almanac carries a plethora of June 2 events like:
1941 - New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 37 in New York.
1987 - The Mariners select Cincinnati high schooler Ken Griffey, Jr., the son of Braves outfielder Ken Griffey, with the first overall pick in the free-agent draft.
1995 - John Valentin hits three home runs and has five hits in Boston's 6-3 win over the Mariners. His 15 total bases are a season high.
Baseball History on June 7 from Baseball Almanac
The Baseball Almanac website carries a plethora of June 7 events like:
1932 - Pitcher John Quinn, at 47, becomes the oldest player to have an extra-base hit (a double) and bat in a run as the Dodgers beat the Cubs 9-2.
1946 - One hour before game time, Pirates players vote 20-16 in favor of a walkout rather than play against the Giants.
1969 - The Washington Senators name Jeff Burroughs the number one pick in the June free-agent draft.
Baseball History on June 8 from the Baseball Almanac
The Baseball Almanac website carries a plethora of June events like:
1920 - The Reds' Edd Roush falls asleep in center field during a long argument in the infield.
1935 - Lou Gehrig collides with Carl Reynolds on a play at first base and leaves the game with arm and shoulder injuries.
1955 - The Dodgers option pitcher Tommy Lasorda to Montreal to make room on the roster for bonus baby Sandy Koufax.
Baseball History on May 27 from Baseball Almanac
The info from the BaseballAlmanac.com for May 27 reads with many items including:
1960 - Baltimore manager Paul Richard creates a new catchers mitt to prevent errors.
1997 - Kenny Lofton touches all the bases in a weird infield Home run.
There is more too concerning Hank Greenberg, Ken Brett, and Dale Murphy.
June 3, 1932 - A day like no other in baseball history
The Baseball History Comes Alive website carries a plethora of June 3 events like:
1932 - Tony Lazzeri Hits for the Natural Cycle.
1932 - Lou Gehrig Hits Four Home Runs.
1932 - John McGraw Retires
Best baseball players born on May 27
Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for May 27:
1) Frank Thomas (1968)
What a machine. What a nickname. What a player. The Big Hurt was — www.mlb.com
The MLB.com website shares the best baseball players born on May 27. Their list includes names like: Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell, Gary Nolan, Todd Hundley, and Yan Moncada
This Day in Baseball June 3
1888 - The first publication of Ernest L. Thayer’s poem Casey at the Bat appears in the San Francisco Examiner.
1907 - Stoney McGlynn of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches both games in a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds
1918 - Dutch Leonard, facing only 28 batters, tosses his second career no-hitter.
1925 - Eddie Collins of the Chicago White Sox collects his 3,000th hit.
1937 - Josh Gibson is credited with a drive that hits just two feet below the rim of Yankee Stadium.
1967 - Harmon Killebrew 503 foot homerun the longest home run ever hit in Metropolitan Stadiu