Today I REALLY have to break away from my intentions. I started this project in hopes of being able to include at least one of my baseball cards in the countdown every day. For the number 18, though, quite honestly with the exception of a few old time Hall of Famers, and our special honoree mentioned below, there's a severe talent shortage at this number. That said, I apologize for some obvious "cut and pastes" from the dubya dubya dubya.
Ted "Big Klu" Kluszewski wore number 18 for the Cincinnati Reds. During his 14 season in Cincinnati, Big Klu hit 279 homeruns and batted .298. He was a four time All Star, and from 1953-56 he had home run totals of 40, 49, 47 and 35 while driving in over 100 baserunners in each, including a league-leading 141 RBIs in 1954. Shortly after the Big Klu joined the Reds in 1947, the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder cut off the sleeves of his uniform. He said he did so because the tight sleeves constricted his large biceps and shoulders, and interfered with his swing. He was elected to the Reds' Hall of Fame in 1962, and his number 18 has been retired by Cincinnati.
Our featured Hall of Famer today is Eppa Rixey, who wore number 18 during the final years of his career with the Reds. He was the National League's leader in career victories for a left-hander with 266 wins until Warren Spahn surpassed his total. Rixey was signed out of the University of Virginia (go 'Hoos!) in 1912, and his last season in the big leagues was 1933. Rixey finished his major league career with 266 wins, 251 losses, and a 3.15 ERA. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963.
Ted "Big Klu" Kluszewski wore number 18 for the Cincinnati Reds. During his 14 season in Cincinnati, Big Klu hit 279 homeruns and batted .298. He was a four time All Star, and from 1953-56 he had home run totals of 40, 49, 47 and 35 while driving in over 100 baserunners in each, including a league-leading 141 RBIs in 1954. Shortly after the Big Klu joined the Reds in 1947, the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder cut off the sleeves of his uniform. He said he did so because the tight sleeves constricted his large biceps and shoulders, and interfered with his swing. He was elected to the Reds' Hall of Fame in 1962, and his number 18 has been retired by Cincinnati.
Our featured Hall of Famer today is Eppa Rixey, who wore number 18 during the final years of his career with the Reds. He was the National League's leader in career victories for a left-hander with 266 wins until Warren Spahn surpassed his total. Rixey was signed out of the University of Virginia (go 'Hoos!) in 1912, and his last season in the big leagues was 1933. Rixey finished his major league career with 266 wins, 251 losses, and a 3.15 ERA. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963.Our special honoree is Bob Pedersen, the Treasurer of the United States Postal Service. Pedersen wore number 18 while pitching for the Tribe of William & Mary in the 70's, before embarking on his long and honored career in Corporate Treasury at the USPS. I'll work on getting a picture of Pedersen for next year's countdown!
No comments:
Post a Comment