Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2010

Pitcher Moe Savransky Savored the 1954 Reds

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Moe Savransky squeezed a lifetime of memories out of a one-year major league career. Don’t think Savransky pitched “only” for the 1954 Reds. His recollections could rival any all-star. Savransky wrote:

“In 1948, when I signed with Cincinnati, I signed a major league contract and traveled with the Reds until July 5th and then went to a minor league team to end of the 1948 season. I went to spring every year with the Reds and did well in spring training but in those years they didn’t bring us young up so fast. They preferred for us to get more minor league experience. In 1951. I came up to the Reds from Buffalo in the International League ‘triple A’ after our season was over. They called a cup of coffee. I was in the Army in 1953 (Korean war) and returned to Reds in spring training 1954 and had a great record and was notified when we were heading north to Cincy that I made the team by Gabe Paul the GM and Birdie Tebbetts the mgr. Of course, I was elated. In the day the Reds always played a day before any other (as they were the first big league team). Opening day was exciting and I was in the bullpen.



“When I played amateur ball, I played first base and outfield, as I was a good hitter. In ‘A’ Ball in Sally League I hit .325. The hitting champ hit .326. At Buffalo Bisons AAA I hit .278. At the Reds in 1954, I hit .500, 1 for 2. I could’ve been 2-for-2. I hit a shot to left center in front of the scoreboard. The left fielder was playing out of position in left center and caught the ball. My hit I got off Milwaukee pitcher was Gene Conley. A pretty good right-hander. (Incidentally, also played pro basketball, 6-foot-9).

The out that was caught was off a Hall of Fame pitcher, Robin Roberts of the Phillies, recently passed away. If you look it up, I scored more runs than at-bats, because I was fast. Tebbetts used me for a pinch-runner and scored a couple of times.”

Concerning my Sally League days in 1950, I was 15 wins. I had four shutouts in a row: a 4-hit shutout, 2-hit shutout, a NO-HIT shutout on July Fourth and one-hit shutout. My manager, Gee Gee Walker (ex-major league outfielder) wanted the Reds to bring me up. I was 19 years old. Head scout Pat Patterson said no, he’s young. Let him get more experience.

“My most exciting game I came in relief was against the Philadelphia Phillies. Robin Roberts was pitcher for the Phillies in Philly. The pitch he threw was to Bobby Adams (3rd base). Adams hit in the upper in left field. Roberts proceeded to retire the next 27 batters. I came into the game in the fifth inning. We trailed 3-1. I faced nine hitters, got all of them and left the game for a pinch-hitter. The final score was 3 to 1. It was a thrill to be a part of historical game.”

Moe’s recall of the game isn’t exact. The fine fellows at http://www.retrosheet.org/ fill in the gaps with their accounts of the Reds-Phils matchup. What’s important to remember is that baseball still has Moes, the men who relish every inning they were given. Make the most of their experiences, while they’re still here.

Cleveland’s Jack Heidemann, Teen Shortstop

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While many teens are working on their first car (or first beer), Jack Heidemann set his sights higher. The 19-year-old went from first-round draft pick in 1967 to major leaguer at age 19. By age 20, he owned Cleveland’s starting shortstop position.

I was intrigued with his youth. Legal drinking ages. Older teammates who might see him more as a little brother than a peer. Would teammates include him in post-game socializing? Heidemann responded:

“My roomie was Eddie Leon, All-American shortstop out of Arizona. Cleveland put him at second base for me to become their shortstop.

Being the youngest on the team, I just hung out…sometimes I got to go…sometimes I was by myself.”

Part of Heidemann’s stellar 1970 season included a 5-for-5 game. What did he recall?

“5-5 for five-five — well, I went 0-4 2nd game of doubleheader. Yuh!!!”

Looking at his career stats, I pointed out that his nine career homers were nine more than I hit in Little League. Did he savor details on one or two memorable blasts?

“Blue Moon Odom…Knuckleballer Jack Samford. I probably would have to look up to see when/where I hit ’em.”

Thanks to the baseball braintrust at http://www.retrosheet.org/, I did. In order, the nine pitchers Heidemann blasted homers against included:

John Cumberland; Chuck Dobson; Dick Bosman; John “Blue Moon” Odom; Eddie Fisher, Jim Hannan, Ken Frailing, Rudy May; Bill Lee

By the way, Heidemann’s autograph still looks like the facsimile on his Topps cards!

Pirates Pitcher Ron Necciai Won’t Brag

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READ MY BOOK, PLEASE!

I received those sentiments from Negro League great Buck O’Neill and basketball star Bob Cousy in response to questions.

Ron Necciai, the man who pitched his way to baseball history in 1952, isn’t bragging about it. I was stunned when his letter didn’t mention the book he stars in: Rocket Ron

That was my biggest question. On May 13, 1952, he struck out 27 batters in an Appalachian League game. The problem? In the days before ESPN or the Internet, how could the world know quickly of such a feat? How fast could word spread? I’ve seen some tiny minor league attendances, too. Imagine setting a record for only a few hundred people! Necciai’s only comment:

“Sporting News and most papers did cover story.”

The majors called. However, control problems limited Necciai to just one win. The last-place Pirates didn’t help. I found a loss and a no-decision for Necciai against Cincinnati in September (thanks, http://www.retrosheet.org/), in what might have been his finest outing of his one-season stint in the bigs.

“No particular game stands out. Good and bad all the same.”

How sad…

Lastly, I asked about his health. He coped with stomach ulcers. A rotator cuff injury ended his career. Has he wondered if his fortune would have been different with today’s treatments?

“Medical care given me by Pirates and Branch Rickey Sr. was finest available.”

Necciai closed on an optimistic note:

“Baseball is a great way to make a living. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Loved Cardinal Willie McGee? Scout Hal Smith Brought Him To St. Louis!

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Fans in the late 1950s seemed to have double vision. Wasn’t there a catcher named Hal Smith?

Which one?

Two names. One position. Hal R. Smith wrote a fun letter, acknowledging that he wasn’t alone in baseball.

“The first time I met the ‘other’ Hal, he was with Kansas City and we played them in a pre-season exhibition game. And would you believe — I was on third base and he picked me off! Of course, I got a little lecture from (manager) Fred Hutchinson for that little event.”

I asked about his three hits and six RBI versus the Giants on May 8, 1957. He told me of his fleeting fame:

“The thing I remember about that is this: I was invited to be on Frankie Frisch’s post-game show. I figured I’d get a gift of maybe $25 or a pen and pencil or even a pair of slacks, which was usually what they did back then. Well, I got a six pack of Brylcream. I am bald-headed so that really came in handy. I still have a ‘five’ pack left!!”

Smith worked for years as a Cardinals scout. His insight scouting the Yankees’ AAA team compelled the Cardinals to ask for Willie McGee in a trade. Smith remembered:

“When I saw Willie in Nashville, he really impressed me with his speed and his defensive ability and he was a switch-hitter. Whitey Herzog was manager at that time and I knew that Willie was his kind of player.”

To learn more about this storytelling catcher, including details on his book, check out his website. By the way, his book is titled The Barling Darling: Hal Smith in American Baseball

Wouldn’t you like to have a nickname based on your hometown, too?

Bill Renna Savors Red Sox Pinch-hit Fun

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“Big Bill” Renna is still smiling. Just read between the lines of his letter.

His love of the game kept him going, even when pinch-hitting work was all he could find. In 1958, he converted 15 hits into 18 RBI for the Red Sox. Imagine Renna’s joy as he recounts one success off the bench:

“Against Washington In Washington, I was put in to pinch-hit. the count was 3-0 — and I looked down at the third base coach. He gave me the hit sign. Pinky Higgins was our manager and he let me hit. I hit a home run on the next pitch!!!”


Even though his last game for Boston happened more than 50 years ago, Renna still savors every inning.

“I was very fortunate to be able to play pro ball. I wanted to be a ball player from the first time I was a kid!!! I feel bless that I was able to play — and play in the period of time that I did.

I think it was wonderful.”

So are you, Bill.