Posted on 12/18/2010 7:55:15 PM PST by EveningStar
Walt Dropo could have played football for the Chicago Bears. He could have played professional basketball as the NBA was getting started.
But instead, he applied his massive frame and remarkable quickness to baseball, and had a rookie year with the Red Sox that few have ever approached.
(Excerpt) Read more at courant.com ...
ping
RIP
Cub Phil Cavaretta at 94 too.
Two r’s —>Cavarretta
RIP.
Most of the old timers were regular guys . Not like the prima donnas of recent years . Ny father was related to Lou Boudreau . 2nd cousins I think .
Walt Dropo played for the Birmingham Barons (Southern League, AA) and was an outstanding power hitter for the team.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I distinctly remember it being said that Yogi Berra noticed something about Dropo’s batting. Yogi determined that Dropo could not hit the high tight fast ball. Once that became known Dropo’s career in the major was doomed.
Again, I don’t remember who reported this and it may be wrong, but it certainly is interesting.
That may well be true. If you look at his record at Baseball-Reference.com, you will notice that his first full season in the majors was by far his best.
He broke his right wrist in 1951. I believe that he never hit the same again after that. The Yogi story might have some truth, but I think the injury is more important.
Phil Cavarretta began his career in 1934, earlier than any player alive today.
The record is now held by Buddy Lewis of the old Washington Senators who began his career in 1935.
I remember his cards featuring that long, first baseman’s mitt.
Howie Carr @ http://www.wrko.com & the Friday Death Pool did not see this one coming.
Yep.
Some of the other old timers still living such as Joost, Musial, Marion, Irvin, Doerr, Pesky, Trucks are listed here.
Kind of the way newspapermen used to be regular guys too. Not a thing like today’s j-school monstrosities.
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