Sports History

---

A video biography of the Fordham Flash, Frankie Frisch

Pedro Jaime Martínez, born in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic, wasn't your average pitcher. He was a force of nature, a hurricane unleashed on the baseball diamond. His career, spanning 18 seasons from 1992 to 2009, left behind a trail of strikeouts, shattered records, and a reputation as one of the most dominant and electrifying pitchers in baseball history.

Martinez's journey began rough. Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, he bounced around teams before finding his true home with the Montreal Expos in 1994. It was there he started to unveil his arsenal: a mesmerizing four-seam fastball that kissed triple digits, a vicious cutter that made bats hum, and a mesmerizing changeup that left hitters frozen in disbelief.

In 1997, Martinez landed with the Boston Red Sox. This marked the beginning of his legendary chapter. He transformed into "El Grande," a three-headed monster on the mound. He won three Cy Young Awards in four years (1997, 1999, 2000), leading the league in ERA five times and strikeouts three times. His 1999 season was a masterclass: a 23-4 record, a microscopic 2.07 ERA, and a staggering 313 strikeouts. He was simply unhittable.

Born September 15, 1928, in Williamston, North Carolina, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Gaylord Perry. Perry was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 22 seasons, from 1962 to 1983. He was a four-time Cy Young Award winner and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

He was a high school pitcher and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the 1962 MLB Draft.

Perry made his major league debut in 1962 and quickly became one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won 21 games in his rookie season and was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Perry was known for his ability to change speeds and his mastery of the knuckleball. He was also known for his sense of humor and his willingness to talk about his craft.

Perry retired from baseball in 1983. He finished his career with 219 wins, 208 losses, and a 3.20 ERA. He is also the all-time leader in knuckleball wins with 194.


This legendary hurler was a five-time MLB All Star and a Cy Young winner 1972 and 1978. Perry tossed a no-hitter 1968 and he played on the rosters of the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres.

Charles Leo Hartnett, better known as "Gabby" or "Old Tomato Face," etched his name in baseball history not just for his fierce determination and iconic nickname, but for his incredible talent and impact on the Chicago Cubs organization. Here's a glimpse into his remarkable MLB career:

-A Forceful Backstop (1922-1941):

Joining the Cubs at 21, Hartnett quickly established himself as an elite defensive catcher. His throwing arm was legendary, boasting multiple outfield assists and earning him the nickname "the Human Cannon."
Behind the plate, his masterful game-calling and leadership guided the Cubs pitching staff to numerous victories. He even set a National League record with 452 consecutive errorless chances.


While defense was his trademark, Hartnett didn't slouch with the bat. He wielded a powerful swing, racking up 236 home runs, including a then-record 24 for a catcher in 1925. His career batting average of .297 and 1,179 RBIs further solidified his offensive prowess.
Championship Glory and Leadership (1929-1938):

Hartnett was a central figure in the Cubs' 1929 World Series championship victory, hitting a crucial two-run double in the decisive Game 7.


He served as player-manager from 1938 to 1940, leading the Cubs to another World Series appearance in 1938 and further showcasing his well-rounded baseball acumen.


His on-field leadership and calm demeanor earned him the respect of teammates and fans alike, cementing his status as a true franchise icon.


-The "Homer in the Gloamin'" and Enduring Legacy (1938-1972):

Perhaps Hartnett's most iconic moment came in 1938, with the Cubs neck-and-neck with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 28th. In the last inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, he launched a dramatic walk-off home run into the twilight sky, securing the pennant for the Cubs and etching the memory of "The Homer in the Gloamin'" into baseball lore.


Hartnett retired in 1941 with a legacy of dominance and leadership. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, further solidifying his place among the baseball greats.


-More Than Just Stats:

Beyond the impressive statistics, Hartnett's impact goes beyond the field. He was a beloved figure in Chicago, known for his humility, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the Cubs. His passionate play and fierce determination became synonymous with the team's fighting spirit, inspiring generations of players and fans.

Tyrus Raymond Cobb, nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was a whirlwind of a baseball player. Born in 1886, he entered the major leagues in 1905 and carved his legacy as one of the game's most dominant and controversial figures.
Cobb's career was a spectacle of statistics and records. He slashed a staggering .366 batting average, the highest in MLB history, and amassed an unthinkable 12 batting titles. He stole 117 bases in a single season (the most ever) and led the American League in hits 12 times. His aggressive baserunning, bordering on reckless, earned him the nickname "The Thief of Bagdad."
But Cobb wasn't just about numbers. He was a fiery competitor with a fierce will to win. His hustle and intensity were unmatched, pushing him to excel while sometimes alienating teammates and opponents. He was known for his sharp spikes, which some believe he used strategically, and his brawling incidents on the field added to his colorful reputation.
Despite the controversies, Cobb's brilliance on the field was undeniable. He was a triple threat, hitting for average, power and stealing bases with ease. He won three World Series titles with the Detroit Tigers and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936.
Yet, Cobb's legacy remains complex. His fiery personality and questionable tactics cast a shadow over his sporting achievements. He faced accusations of racism and was involved in off-field scandals. Nonetheless, Cobb's talent and unparalleled impact on the game are undeniable.
Ty Cobb, the Georgia Peach, was a legend of contradictions. He was a feared competitor, a statistical marvel, and a figure of controversy. His name stands etched in baseball history, a reminder of the game's raw power and the enduring brilliance of a player who carved his path on and off the field.

Born July 16, 1887, in Pickens County, South Carolina , Baseball Outfielder, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Joe's MLB career exteneded from 1908-20 with most notably the Chicago White Sox, But also the Philadelphia Athletics, and the Cleveland Naps. Jackson's MLB career batting average sat at .356, and is the fourth highest in the history of Major League Baseball. Jackson recalled he got his nickname during a mill game played in Greenville, South Carolina. Jackson had blisters on his foot from a new pair of cleats, which hurt so much that he took his shoes off before he was at bat. As play continued, a heckling fan noticed Jackson running to third base in his socks, and shouted "You shoeless son of a gun, you!" and the resulting nickname "Shoeless Joe" stuck with him. Jackson and the White Sox won the American League pennant and also the World Series. During the series, Jackson hit .307 as the White Sox defeated the New York Giants. Shoeless is often remembered for his association with the Black Sox Scandal, in which members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the World Series. As a result, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned Jackson from baseball after the 1920 season. Jackson holds the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox franchise records for triples in a season and career batting average. In 1999, he ranked number 35 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Born August 18, 1934 in Barrio San Anton, Carolina, Puerto Rico - Roberto Enrique Clemente was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming both the first Caribbean and the first Latin-American player to be enshrined.

Clemente was on the MLB All-Star game roster in 13 different years, was selected to 15 All-Star Games. He was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1966, the NL batting leader in 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1967. A well balanced player, Clemente earned the Gold Glove Award for 12 consecutive seasons from 1961 through 1972. Roberto was also productive at the plate as his batting average was over .300 for 13 seasons and he had 3,000 hits during his major league career. He also was a two-time World Series champion. Roberto was the first player from the Caribbean and Latin America to win a World Series as a starting position player (1960), to receive an NL MVP Award (1966), and to receive a World Series MVP Award (1971).

Born October 13, 1876, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Rube Waddell. The solidly built left-hander, played for 13 seasons in the Majors, with the Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Orphans in the National League, as well as the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns in the American League.

Rube was also in 1902 set to play on Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics football team but decided against it. Mack later said, "There was a little fellow from Wanamaker's who asked for the job of quarterback. I don't think he weighed more than 140 [lbs]. Well, the first practice Waddell tackled him and broke his leg. It was the first inkling John [Shibe] and I had that players could be badly hurt in football. We got Rube out of there without delay. He was supposed to be pretty good, but we never found out." Waddell returned to his family's home in Pennsylvania and played with local football clubs there. He played with various football teams in his later years and had a brief stint as a goalkeeper in the St. Louis Soccer League

Born August 12, 1880, in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame right-handed Pitcher Christy Mathewson. This legend, also known by the monikers of "Big Six", "the Christian Gentleman", "Matty", and "the Gentleman's Hurler," played the majority of his MLB career with the New York Giants along with a partial season at the end of his career with the Cincinnati Reds organization. As a Giant he won World Series titles in 1905 and 1921. His brilliant pitching earned him the Triple Crown 1905 and 08 as he became the National League wins leader 1905, 07, 08, 10. Mathewson also pitched two no-hitters during his MLB career. Christy still ranks in the all-time top 10 in several key pitching categories, including wins, shutouts, and earned run average. This baseball great was one of the first five to selected to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame at its inception.

Born August 9, 1949, in Highland Park, Michigan, was Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher Ted Simmons. This legend was an eight-time MLB All Star, won the Silver Slugger Award in 1980 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves. Simmons is considered one of the best hitting catchers in MLB history, even though he played at a time when the great Johnny Bench set the standard for catchers. led all catchers in career hits and doubles and ranked second in RBIs behind Yogi Berra and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk. He also retired with the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter despite playing several years in the American League. Simmons hit .300 seven different times, hit 20 home runs six times, and caught 122 shutouts, eighth-most all-time.