February 1977: Martin Dihigo, Hall of Fame

We remember today the life and times of Martin Dihigo, the great Cuban player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.   He was inducted in Cooperstown this week in 1977.

Dihigo was born in 1905 and played in the Negro Leagues from 1923-47.

Dihigo was 42 by the time that Jackie Robinson broke “the color line” in 1947. 

We do know that Buck Leonard, the legendary player and manager of the Kansas City Monarchs said this: 

“He was the greatest all-around player I know. I say he was the best player of all time, black or white. He could do it all.”

He hit .304 over a 12 year career in the Negro Leagues.

We recorded a show in 2013 about Martin Dihigo.   Click below.

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.

 

Listen to "Martin Dihigo, Cuban American success story" on Spreaker.

1959: The day that "the music died"

In 1972, Don McClean introduced our generation to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in the # 1 song"American Pie". 

It started like this:     

"A long, long time ago...I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died."

The "day the music died" was years ago, a big triple loss for pop music. 

McClean's tune got me very interested in Buddy Holly, a native of West Texas.

 

I bought his records. I visited his grave during a business trip to West Texas about 20 years ago. I have followed the creation of The Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, TX.

 

I learned that Paul McCartney was also a huge fan of Buddy Holly. He toured England in 1958!

 

The Beatles recorded Holly's "Words of Love" in one of their early LP's. The Rolling Stones recorded "Not fade away", another of Holly's songs.

 

Buddy Holly was only 22 but ".....In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Holly #13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

 

You can hear Buddy Holly's influence in every rock song recorded over the years. You can specially hear it in garage bands or every 15-year old who has played a rock guitar.

 

Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in the same plane crash. They were not as popular as Holly but Valens had incredible potential since he was only 17!

 

The day "the music died", a sad day in the history of rock.

 

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.