Pitcher Johnny Schmitz recorded a decade of solid left-handed success. A two-time All-Star, he was the National League’s strikeout leader in 1946.
All this may pale in comparison to owning one of the greatest nicknames of his day.
Source after source claims that the moniker “Bear Tracks” refers to Schmitz’s gait to the mound.
Everyone except Schmitz.
“Bear tracks: I got that name in spring training in 1938 with Milwaukee of the American Association,” he writes. “In Hot Springs, Arkansas, they took a picture of me putting on my shoes sitting in the stands. They saw I had big feet.
“I like that name.”
Schmitz seemed modest about his quick return to the majors in 1946, following his World War II military service.
“We (the Cubs) had a good ball club when I came out of the service,” he remembers. “We finished in third place. I was 11 and 11. We didn’t get many runs.”
Upon sharing the tribute from Dodger hurler Rex Barney that Schmitz could drop his curve into a coffee cup (full interview from a 1996 Baseball Digest), the veteran lefty’s smile seemed to leap off the page.
“Rex Barney was right,” Schmitz notes. I beat him 1 to 0. You know, there was only one left-hand hitter in their lineup. I always got the best (opposing) pitchers when I pitched. They (Dodgers) had the best club in the league.”
Schmitz concludes with…
“I am now 89 years old, going on 90 Nov. 27.
Thank you.”
It’s my pleasure, Mr. Schmitz.