Countdown To Christmas - Day 1

Here we are, 1 day from Christmas. Thanks to any and all that may be, or have been, reading my little blog. It's been fun, and tune in tomorrow (and later today) for some special posts!


Number 1... wow... so many to choose from. Earle Combs, leadoff hitter and the first #1 for Murderers Row, the '27 Yankees..... Pee Wee Reese, who played 19 seasons with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers..... Billy Martin, known as the on again-off again manager of the Yankees, who was an excellent player in his own right.... Rabbit Maranville, who played shortstop from 1912-1935.... The Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith....


While all are deserving of the honor, today's honoree is the all time home run king Sadaharu Oh, who smashed 868 round-trippers during his 22 year career with the Yomiuri Giants. Oh began his career in 1959 and hit 7 homers in his rookie campaign. Steadily improving every season, he lead the Nippon Professional league in home runs 15 times, and still holds the single season record with 55. For 22 years he averaged over 39 homeruns and 99 RBI a season. Oh was named MVP of the Central league 9 times, was a 20 time All Star, and won the Triple Crown in 1973 and 1974. Keep in mind his offensive statistics were compiled in seasons that were 140 and 130 games long. He later became manager of the Giants, and managed Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, where Japan beat Cuba 10-6 to win the championship.



Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith won 13 straight Gold Glove awards starting in 1980, and was a 15 time All Star. He began his career in 1978 with the Padres, then moved to St. Louis in 1982, where he played through the 1996 season. In addition to his 2,460 career hits, he amassed 580 stolen bases and in between doing backflips on the field, he achieved a lifetime fielding percentage of .978. His number was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996. He is pictured here on his 1993 card from my personal collection.


Billy Martin was a scrappy second baseman for the Yankees from 1950-1957 and was later known as the colorful and outspoken manager of the Yankees in the 70s and 80s. While most aren't aware of his playing ability, Martin was named MVP of the 1953 World Series, and was named an All Star in 1956. He managed the Yankees to the 1977 Series victory against the Dodgers. His number was retired by the Yankees in 1986.


Rabbit Maranville played 23 seasons in the National League, mostly with the Boston Braves. He was the shortstop on the 1914 "Miracle Braves" team. Maranville was a 5'5" baseball clown with a goblin face full of laugh lines. One of the most animated players in history his humor was antic and visible to the fans. Nick-named "Rabbit" because of his large ears and fast running style, he left a geact of wild nights and zany stunts. He never thought he would be elected to the Hall of Fame. Maranville passed away in January 1954 and was voted into the Hall by the BBWAA later that year in his 13th year of eligibility.