Born March 8, 1922, in Dysart, Pennsylvania, was Albert Francis Gionfriddo was an American professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Brooklyn Dodgers during his brief career in the majors.
1947 WS Game 6 - Al Gionfriddo robs Joe DiMaggio of homer video
Baseball Legend | Al Gionfriddo, 1947 WS Game 6 - Al Gionfriddo robs Joe DiMaggio of homer videoBaseball Legend
These people, teams, plays, and eras of the game of baseball that may not be in the Hall of Fame but are significant enough to have influenced the game. The actions and events have changed baseball enough that we rememebr them here as legends, legacy, and maybe even in infamy, but historic all the same.
1947 WS Game 6 - Al Gionfriddo robs Joe DiMaggio of homer video
In the bottom of the sixth inning of Game 6 of the 1947 World Series, the score was tied 8-8 with two outs and runners on first and second for the New York Yankees. The tension was palpable as Joe DiMaggio, Yankee legend and "Joltin' Joe," stepped up to bat against Dodgers pitcher Joe Hatten.
DiMaggio launched a powerful line drive deep into left-center field. It seemed destined to be a game-changing extra-base hit, potentially putting the Yankees ahead and potentially changing the course of the Series.
However, Dodgers manager Burt Shotton had made a risky decision earlier in the inning, replacing regular left fielder Eddie Miksis with defensive specialist Al Gionfriddo. This gamble paid off in spectacular fashion.
Gionfriddo, known for his speed and acrobatic catches, sprinted back towards the outfield wall, tracking the ball's trajectory. With a leaping, one-handed grab, he snagged the ball just before it hit the ground, robbing DiMaggio of a potential homerun and securing the final out of the inning.
This iconic catch, often referred to as "The Catch," not only preserved the score and momentum for the Dodgers but also became a turning point in the Series. The Dodgers went on to win Game 6 and eventually the entire World Series, etching Gionfriddo's name in baseball history.
May 14 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 37 - 7 May 14, 1913 - Washington Senator pitcher Walter Johnson, had his amazing MLB record of scoreless innings str...
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May 13 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 22 - 21 May 13, 1942 - Who says pitchers can't hit? Boston Braves Pitcher, Number 22, Jim Tobin smacked 3 ball...
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May 12 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 27 - 17 - 14 May 12, 1910 - Ace pitcher and future Hall of Fame player of the Philadelphia Athletics, Charles Bender thr...
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May 11 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 11, 1897 - Washington Senators catcher Charles Duke Farrell threw out 8 Baltimore runners that attempted to steal a b...
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May 10 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 44 - 4 - 7 - 6 - 8 - 23 - 44 - 15 - 9 May 10, 1946 - Joe DiMaggio hit a Grand Slam to provide all of the offense for the ...
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May 9 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 5 -19 May 9, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's rookie pitcher, Earl Moore threw a no-hit ballgame for a full nine innings...
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