American Heroes
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(Index)
Lew Fonseca
Righthanded 2B, 1B, OF, 3B; Cincinnati Reds 1921-1924; Phillies 1925;
Cleve. Indians 1927- 1931; Chicago White Sox Manager & Player 1932-1933
Born: Oakland CA 1/21/1899 Died: Ely, Iowa 1989
Lew Fonseca was a fine all-around ballplayer; but he was plagued by injuries thru his career. After his retirement he pioneered the use of motion pictures into major league baseball.
Fonseca started his career with the Cincinnati Reds but he played less than half of any season for his four years with the Reds because of injuries. He was traded to the Phillies in 1925 where he hit .319. Fonseca sat out the entire 1926 season because of a salary dispute. He was traded to Cleveland the following year and broke his leg in 1928 and missed most of the season. Fonseca came back in 1929 and led the American League in hitting; .369.
In 1930, he broke his arm. He went to the Chicago White Sox in 1931 as a player manager. He tore a ligament in his leg in 1932 and was forced to retire.
His accomplishments after he retired are most news worthy. While managing the Chicago White Sox, he became interested in motion pictures and used films to study and improve the White Sox players. In 1939, Fonseca was named director of motion pictures for the American League and eventually became director for both leagues. baseballhistorian.com archives Motion Pictures All Rights Reserved
Tony Oliva
Outfielder, Bats Left, Throws Right; Minnesota Twins 1962-1975
Cuban Baseball Player
Tony Oliva was born in Cuba; came to the U. S. by using his brother's passport and became a super star outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. Oliva could run like the wind, slash hard line drives, powered the long ball, field and possessed a strong, accurate throwing arm.
In 1964, Tony Oliva went on to lead the American League in batting .323, in runs 109, in hits 217 and doubles with 43. His hits total tied a rookie record and his 374 total bases set a ML rookie record. Oliva also pounded 32 HR's and drove in 94 runs. He was voted the American League's Rookie of the Year.
The next season, Oliva hit .321 and led the AL in batting again; becoming the first major leaguer ever to win the batting crown in his first two seasons. In 1967 and 1968, Oliva had seven operations for torn ligaments in his right knee, but Oliva came back to led the AL in hits for the 4th and 5th time and in doubles for the 3rd and 4th time. Plagued by leg injuries during most of his career, Oliva still took his third batting title in 1971 hitting .337.
Tony Oliva's career: .304 lifetime batting mark, 329 doubles, 48 triples, and 220 HR's. Oliva played in 1676 games and lined 1917 hits. Tony Oliva played his entire career with the Minnesota Twins. baseballhistorian.com
Roger Maris
Outfielder, Bats Left, Throws Right; Cleveland Indians 1957-58; Kansas City A's 1959;
New York Yankees 1960-66; St. Louis Cardinals 1967-68
Roger Maris in surpassing Babe Ruth's supposedly unbreakable record, was still an unknown baseball star. Maris faced the hostility of the news media and the baseball public because he was a .269 hitter while Babe Ruth had a .342 lifetime batting average. The media and fans were rooting for Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays, as both players had hit over 50 home runs in a season previously, and were both life-time .300 hitters.
During the 1961 baseball season, the pressure was so intense for Maris that he started losing his hair. Maris said, " as an individual, I doubt if I could possibly go through it again. They even asked for my autograph at mass".
Baseball History was made in 1961:
The 1961 Season: it was the first year of expansion in baseball history; two new teams were added and the schedule was expanded from 154 games to a 162 game season.
After 154 games, Maris had 59 HR's and after 162 games he had 61. Legend Babe Ruth hit 60 HR's in 154 games. In the 1961 season, Maris batted .269, hit 16 doubles, 61 HR's, scored 132 runs and batted in 142.
Roger Maris was voted the Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. In 1960, Maris had hit 39 HR's with 112 RBI's. In 1959, playing for Kansas City, he hit 16 HR's and had 72 RBI's.
He retired in 1968. While attending the 1980 All-Star Game, Maris said, "They act as though I was doing something wrong, poisoning the record books." "Do you know what I have to show for 61 home runs? Nothing, Exactly nothing." Roger Maris career totals: .269 batting average in 1463 games, 195 doubles and 275 HR's. baseballhistorian.com - The History of Baseball Famous Baseball Players
Jim Landis
Center-fielder Right-handed, Chicago White Sox 1957-1964; Kansas City A's 1965;
Cleveland Indians 1966, Houston Astros & Detroit Tigers 1967
Fleet-footed centerfielder, Jim Landis made up for his weak bat with speed and a desire to succeed. He won Gold Gloves from 1960 thru 1964 for the 'Go Go' Chicago White Sox and was chosen for the 1962 AL All-Star Team. His best season with the bat was 1961, when he batted .283 with 22 HR's and 85 RBI's. Landis had a career batting average of only .247 but was a valuable player averaging around 65 walks per/year.
He scored six runs in the six games 1959 World Series but the White Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. When he retired from baseball, Landis career fielding mark was .989 in 1346 games. Jim Landis' career stats: on base pct .346, scored 625 runs with 93 HR's. Jim Landis proudly served in the US Military 1954-55.
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Don Newcombe
Pitcher- Throws Right-handed, Bats Left; Brooklyn Dodgers
1949-1958; U.S. Military 1952-1953; Cincinnati Reds 1958-59; Cleveland Indians 1960.
Don Newcombe, 6' 4", 225 lbs, is the only major leaguer to win The Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and Most Valuable Player Awards. Called up by the Brooklyn Dodgers from their minor league farm club, Montreal, Newcombe was the first great African American baseball pitcher.
In his rookie year, 1949, Newcombe went 17-8, 3.17 ERA, started 31 games, completed 19 along with 3 shutouts and was voted the Rookie of the Year. In 1950, this Dodger mound ace went 19-11 pitching in 267 innings.
In 1951, he won 20 games, while losing only 9, a .690 winning percentage.
Big Don Newcombe was called into the military and spent the next two seasons with "Dear Old Uncle Sam".
When he returned in 1954, his arm stiffened and he was only 9-8 with a high 4.55 ERA. The following year he returned to his pre-military form going 20-5.
In 1956, his greatest season, Don Newcombe was 27-7 and became the first player in history to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same year.
Known for his quite demeanor, Newcombe's alcoholism got the best of him, and at the age of 31 his major league career was over. Newcombe later said, "In 1956 I was the best pitcher in baseball. Four years later, I was out of the major leagues. It must have been the drinking. When you're young, you can handle it, but the older you get, the more it bothers you." Newcombe currently counsels players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization about alcohol and substance abuse - he pitched for Los Angeles after the Dodgers moved there in 1958.
Don Newcombe career numbers: 149-90, .623 pct, 3.56 ERA, 24 shutouts in over 2,000 innings.
note: this page has moved to: http://www.baseballhistorian.com/american_heroes.cfm?hero=431
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Yankee Rookies (1952) Waiting In The Wings |
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In looking over a "Who's Who In the Major Leagues - Baseball Magazine" (1952 Edition), we note a special section titled "Rookies" along-side each team's "Regulars". A few of the rookies became stars during the late 1950's, the others had their hearts broken and never made it in the big leagues. "Who's Who" profiled 14 rookies who were given the chance to play for the New York Yankees. In case some family members, and friends are researching players of the early 1950's here's a nice list. Actual Wording from "Who's Who".
Don Bollweg (B & T left; Ht. 6'1"; Wt. 175), 1st baseman, Kansas City, '51. Had a great season with the Blues with a .303 BA and a collection of 20 homers, 12 triples and 26 doubles.
Jim Brideweser (B & T right; Ht 6'; Wt 163); Shortstop, San Francisco, '51. Second best fielding shortstop in the PCL last season. Hit .283.
Dick Carr (B & T right; 6'2", 195); Pitcher, Kansas City '51. Appeared in 13 games, W 3, L 6.
Tom Gorman (B & T right; 6'2", Wt 195) Pitcher, Beaumont, '51. His league leading 1.94 ERA last year won him a Yankee trial. He won 12 and was beaten 8 times.
Gene Mauch (B & T right; 5'10", 165) He's been a good field, no hit 2nd baseman bigtime. Was with the Braves at the start of '51, then went to Milwaukee where his BA soared to .303 in 37 games.
Jim McDonald (B & T right; 5'11", 162) Came to the Bombers in a trade with the Browns last winter. In '51 he was W 4, L 7 for the Browns; W 10, L 7 for Louisville. Showed good stuff.
Bill Miller (B & T left; Ht. 6' Wt. 180) Pitcher. Syracuse '51. brings up a fine record from last season. Pitched 14 complete games, W 16, L 10, ERA 2.96. Led IL hurlers in strikeouts with 131.
Fenton Mole (B & T left; 6'1", 195) 1st baseman, San Francisco- Beaumont '51. Up for trial No. 2. Had a .260 BA with Beaumont.
Ernie Nevel (B & T right; 5'11", 190 lbs.) Pitcher, Kansas City, '51. In 31 games; W 14, L 11; ERA 3.86.
Hugh Radcliffe (B & T right; 6'1", 185 lbs.) Pitcher, Beaumont, '51. Appeared in 22 games; W 6, L 8; ERA 3.97.
Harry Schaeffer (B & T left; 6'2", 178 lbs.) Pitcher, Beaumont, '51. Came thru with 19 wins, 6 loses and an ERA of only 2.58. Hurled 20 complete games.
Jerry Snyder (B & T right; 5' 11', 165 lbs.) 3rd baseman, Beaumont, 1951. Led all Texas loop 3rd sackers in the 100 game class defensively - and batted .290.
Archie Wilson (B & T right, 5'11", 175 lbs.) Outfielder, Buffalo, '51. On loan to the Bisons from KC, he became a power hitter; led the IL in RBI (112), was second in homers (28); and was named the Circuit's MV. Will get a chance to show major league caliber this year.
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