Yeah I guess I misspoke. I knew he had success (this was all before my time), but I don't think he ever got to be a top line starter.

Ernest Givins

Seattle Slew

Ron Cey
316 HR

Mickey Stanley. In this '68 World Series he moved from center field to play shortstop when the starter got hurt.

Seattle Slew

awesome. flat out awesome.

David Pearson

Mike Newlin #14

Just great -- look at that windup -- that's why he had a real long career -- a little rough at end, but a great shot of Lefty in his 27-win prime -- using all that lanky frame efficiently

[Edited on 6/16/2015 by Stephen]

The 72 season he had was unworldly; 12.1 WAR and 346 IP to go with his 27 wins. 30 complete games.

I still remember him K'ing 19 mets and losing (I believe 4-3) on two Ron Swoboda HR's

HAL TROSKY
Cleveland Indians 1933-41
He and Earl Averill were my dad's favorite players as a kid -- happy father's day pop

Earl Averill, right, laughs as Dizzy Dean points to the toe that was injured by a line drive that led to the end of the Diz's career, at the July 1962 All Star/Old Timers Game at Yankee Stadium

James Rodney Richard

James Rodney Richard

Always remember two things about JR

1 - for four years he was among the most dominant pitchers in MLB

2 - When he started slipping due to the vascular issues that led to his stroke their was rampant racism accusing him (subtly) of jaking it

Brian Piccolo

My Pop, 1951 - Age 13

By all accounts, he was already throwing close to 90 MPH at this time. The year before this picture was taken he pitched a one-hit shutout in the Little League World Series finals in Milan, TN, striking out 17. That's 17 out of 18 possible outs if you're keeping score at home. He walked two, and the other out was made when the hitter bunted the ball right back to him.

Throughout Little League, High School, Legion, and College ball he pitched 10 no-hitters. He also pitched batting practice for the 1951 Houston Buffaloes, Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pictured in his Buffs uniform with Cardinal scout George Watkins, Hero of the 1931 World Series who homered in Game 7 to defeat Philadelphia.

Thank you for allowing me to brag a little...

Very cool alloak41 -- your dad could really hum the pea -- he'd feed 'em aspirins out there -- they couldn't hit your pop's stuff w/a snowshoe ( 😮 I love those old terms) -- looked up George Watkins too, that's bomb

ERNIE GREEN
Browns halfback 1962-68
Was the perfect 'foil' both for Leroy Kelly later on, and Jim Brown earlier
Ernie was great himself & real underrated

[Edited on 6/29/2015 by Stephen]

Very cool alloak41 -- your dad could really hum the pea -- he'd feed 'em aspirins out there -- they couldn't hit your pop's stuff w/a snowshoe ( 😮 I love those old terms) -- looked up George Watkins too, that's bomb

Thanks, Stephen. One thing I remember is that no matter where we went in Houston - Restaurants, Astrodome, Summit, anywhere - invariably, people knew Pop. Every time it happened, Mom and I would look at each other and just shake our heads a little. It was uncanny for a city that size. Ol' Dad was quite a sensation in his heyday. OK, I'll stop bragging now.

hey man, mighty cool

My Pop, 1951 - Age 13

By all accounts, he was already throwing close to 90 MPH at this time. The year before this picture was taken he pitched a one-hit shutout in the Little League World Series finals in Milan, TN, striking out 17. That's 17 out of 18 possible outs if you're keeping score at home. He walked two, and the other out was made when the hitter bunted the ball right back to him.

Throughout Little League, High School, Legion, and College ball he pitched 10 no-hitters. He also pitched batting practice for the 1951 Houston Buffaloes, Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pictured in his Buffs uniform with Cardinal scout George Watkins, Hero of the 1931 World Series who homered in Game 7 to defeat Philadelphia.

Thank you for allowing me to brag a little...

No need for any kind of "apology". That is cool as hell.