We remember Vic Raschi (1919-88)

We remember Victor John Angelo Raschi who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on this day in 1919.   He died in 1988.

Vic Raschi, as we remember him, broke with the Yankees in 1946 and joined the rotation in 1948: 19-8, a 3.87 ERA & 18 complete games.

Raschi won 63 over the next 3 seasons, 21 each year. He was part of a great pitching rotation along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat.    He was super in 6 World Series:   5-3 and a 2.24 ERA.

In early 1954, Vic was traded to the Cardinals. On April 23, 1954 he gave up Hank Aaron’s first HR.  

Raschi played on the great Yankees teams who won the World Series in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 & 1953.

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"Sandlot" is a fantastic movie

Want to watch a great movie?   Try "Sandlot", the story about the boys and their sandlot team.

Once upon a time in Los Angeles, there was a sandlot baseball team.   They used to play ball every day, a story that most men my age will understand.

During one of their games, a boy hit the ball over the fence and it landed next to "the beast" or a big dog that scared the heck out of them.

What was the big deal?   The ball was signed by Babe Ruth and they were using it without dad's permission.

Well, I've given you enough of the story.   Watch it because it is fantastic.

You can get the movie here!

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.

1776: Juan Bautista de Anza and San Francisco

On this day in 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza arrived in what we now call San Francisco.  

It took years to settle the city by the bay.  By 1852, the population had reached 36,000.

Thanks to Sr. De Anza, we got songs like "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie.....the composer was John Phillips of Mamas & Papas.....

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1942: The Pride of the Yankees, my favorite baseball movie

What a great movie.   

This is the story of Lou Gehrig and I have to watch it every year.   You can catch Babe Ruth playing himself.   

Gehrig died in 1939 at age 36, a couple of months short of his 37th birthday.

His numbers are legendary:  .340 career batting average, 494 HR & 1,995 RBI.   Add to this 2,721 hits in 2,164 games PLUS the 2,130 consecutive game streak.  Lou played in 7 World Series and was the clean up hitter of the 1927 Yankees!

This is a Hollywood version.   However, it depicts Lou correctly.   Lou was a gentleman and a team player.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

1951 "RHUBARB": A cat inherits a fortune plus Ray Milland & Jane Sterling

It must be the start of a new season because those old movies about  baseball are on TV.  

I caught "Rhubarb", the cat who inherited a fortune, including a baseball team.   Frankly, it's hilarious!

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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