Header - Baseball by the Letters

World War II

Tip Your Cap to Pete Castiglione

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Infielder Pete Castiglione left us April 22. His obituary stated he was 89.

According to the always-helpful www.sportscollectors.net, Pete had signed 48 requests, but sent back blank cards for the first time in October, 2009. That’s a likely sign that a former player’s health is declining.

Pete put his baseball career on hold for four seasons to serve in the Navy during World War II. More about his boyhood days can be found from this fine Connecticut newspaper article.

For my book Collecting Baseball Cards, I looked to Pete for a memory about his four Bowman and one (1952) Topps card appearances. He wrote:

“Players were contacted by an agent representing the baseball cad companies. The fee in those days was either gifts or money. The companies usually gave you a few boxes of the cards. Very few players saved the cards in the late 1940s and 50s. My children played with the cards.”

I can’t say often enough to remember all of baseball’s over-80 retirees NOW. Their numbers are shrinking. They feel a sacred obligation to fans and the sport. Impressive penmanship, attention to detail and appreciation for baseball history are typical of the responses they send. Please, thank them today.

Johnny "Bear Tracks" Schmitz is 89

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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.

Johnny “Bear Tracks” Schmitz is 89

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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.

Barney Mussill, the True Phillie

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Pitcher Barney Mussill played for a team with an identity crisis.

To keep fan interest, the Phillies ownership and press toyed with the idea of giving the National League team a mascot, or even a logo. The temporary answer was the Blue Jay. Even at age 90, Mussill isn’t accepting such revisionism quietly.

“Once a Phillies baseball player, always a Phillies baseball player,” he began. “Blue Jays was never a popular name with the players. We were all true Phillies.”

(Cheers to Chris Creamer at www.sportslogos.net. He unearthed the forgotten logo of the day, along with the full story of the rise and fall of the alternative team name.)

“Ninety-five percent of all fans gave us a vote of confidence,” Mussill added. “We had a good team. Only a few good players missing.”

How did it feel to be playing with World War II as a backdrop? Wasn’t the news overseas overwhelming at times?

“We tried to stay away from the papers,” he wrote. “The fan had an opportunity to take a breather. We wanted to be the best we could be. We also helped as much as possible off the field.”

Nowhere does Mussill complain over missing the 1942 and 1943 seasons. On March 1, he learned he wouldn’t be going to spring training with the New York Yankees, the team that bought his contract from the Athletics in the prior fall. His call-up came from the draft board, not the majors.

Mussill disappeared from baseball’s radar after 1944. With his reply, he enclosed a pre-printed notecard reading:

“Barney Mussill, a pitcher with the ’44 Phillies, had a decision to make after that season: Continue playing baseball or go into the family sporting goods business. “I elected to go into business with my family,” he says. “We are still in business today. I feel I’ve never worked. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done.”

1944 Phillie Barney Mussill: Baseball Patriot

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Barney Mussill is one of baseball’s best boosters.

It’s sad history hasn’t given more acclaim to the World War II major leaguers. The 1944 Phillies pitcher was one of many who kept the game going at one of our country’s darkest times. That’s a victory no statistic can ever approximate.

Mussill reflected on those times in a stirring letter. For today, I’ll share only the conclusion of his response:

“Baseball is the only game that will last forever. You and I are proving that right now. Baseball and friends are forever.”

Amen.