Hot Stove #51 – Moses Lithograph and Van Horn High School – 50 Hot Stoves
Though little remarked in the press, Lonnie’s Hot Stove reached #50 in the last post. This all started in the afterglow of the 2015 World Series with the inaugural post going out on November 30, 2015. I can’t believe Hot Stove is now at #51. Of course I also can’t believe I turned 76 this month. Time flies when you’re having a good time. A list of the first 50 is at the end of this post.
Hot Stove #50 – Hitler, the Klan and Baseball
“Why did Hitler get hit with a baseball? He did ‘Nazi’ it coming.”
In 1917, there was a barnstorming team based in Kansas City that was very good – three of its players are in the Hall of Fame. The owner of that team is also in the Hall of Fame. The sponsor of that team is not as well remembered, but I became intrigued when I heard about a baseball jersey.
I’m going to give you (and myself) a break from the long form post. Mostly photos. “Write less, show more.” [Inside Hamilton joke]
The Polsinelli Firm: I joined my law school friend Jim Polsinelli at his Plaza firm in 1979. We had nine lawyers. Today we have around 800 lawyers in 20 offices around the country. If you are wondering what that has to do with baseball, take a closer look at the photo below. At first glance, you are watching Yadier Molina complete his home run trot. Now let your eyes follow down the left leg of the arch…to our St. Louis office. Wayne Tenenbaum was watching a Cardinals game on TV and gave me the heads-up that the Polsinelli name is in full and constant view at Busch Stadium. I’m guessing Coca-Cola paid more to be seen there.
It is time to return to picking the all-time lineup with my grandson Ian (who just turned 12). Coming up to bat – the catcher.
Campy and Yogi: When I first really embraced baseball, ages 10 to 15 or so, it was easy to think that the two best players in baseball were catchers Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella. In 1951, Yogi was the MVP of the American League and Campy took that award in the National League. Campy was MVP again in 1953. Yogi repeated in 1954. In 1955, they were each MVP and led their teams to the pennant (the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 Series – below, Campy batting and Yogi catching in that Series).
When Rita and I toured the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown last summer, we were drawn like most to the plaque room where 314 players, managers, umpires and executive are enshrined. That number will increase to 319 at the end of this month when Ivan Rodriguez, Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell, John Schuerholz and Bud Selig will be inducted. But those are not the only awards to be handed out on Hall of Fame Weekend. The other recipients are not “inductees,”, but they are a vital part of the fabric that is baseball.
[I happily interrupt this Hot Stove post to celebrate two big stories from Kansas City baseball. Yesterday morning, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum received a check for one million dollars from the Major League Players Association and Major League Baseball. Go NLBM! In the afternoon, Salvy Perez hit a grand slam to knock out Boston and lead the Royals to their fourth straight series win. Go Royals!]
I’ll start with last night. I had dinner with my Hot Stove editor. It was our 36th anniversary. Moose hit a walk-off homer. Scooter Gennett of the Reds hit 4 home runs. Scooter who? Tonight: Will the Warriors continue their perfect playoff run?
As a teenager, I devoured newspaper articles about sports and even read some books. But I was probably in my 20’s before I realized that sportswriting could also be literature, especially in the realm of storytelling. Frank Deford was a major part of that discovery.
Christian Colon was designated for assignment by the Royals and has been claimed on waivers by the Miami Marlins. But he will not be forgotten in Kansas City.
Christian Colon – Part 1: I will miss Christian Colon. He provided two of the most dramatic moments in Royals history and arguably has the most unique statistical record in post-season play. From Baseball Reference: