Leap of Dave: Jim Kaat

Showing posts with label Jim Kaat. Show all posts

Friday, December 31, 2021

Nolan Ryan vs. The White Sox You win some and you lose some

If you mention Nolan Ryan and the Chicago White Sox many people conjure an image of Arlington Texas August 4 , 1993. As depicted in the video below White Sox 3rd baseman

and future manager Robin Ventura took exception to being beaned by Ryan to start the inning rushed the mound and preceded to get pounded by Ryan.

I originally started this post a few months ago. Until that day, I never saw footage of this incident. I lived in Russian from December 1992 to November 1994 and even though I heard about the altercation had not seen the footage until now. The melee was near the end of a storied career by Nolan Ryan.

The Hall of Famer threw a record 7 no hitters from May 15, 1973 to May 1, 1991. He also took 5 other potential no hitters into the 9th inning. The first of these disappointments came against the White Sox on 8/7/1974 when Ryan was with the Angels.

Watching the last inning of tthat game was very nostalgic for me. The 1972-1974 Dick Allen era White Sox represent the beginning of my almost 50 year obsession with the White Sox. Listening to Harry Caray call the action years before he headed over to the north side and watching the likes of Allen, Jorge Orta, Ken Henderson and Bill Melton harkened me back to those early days. v

This game features 3 future hall of famers in prominent roles. Frank Robinson homered in the 2nd to give the Angels a 1 run lead. Jim Kaat pitched a 9 inning gem scattering 6 hits and only allowing 1 run on the Robinson smash. Through 8 innings Ryan was the star of the show until the 9th inning when should be hall of famer Dick Allen broke the no hitter by running flat out on a check swing. Click here to read a great account of the game along with a historical perspective of the time in which it was played. Perhaps

Monday, December 13, 2021

Minoso, Kaat, Hodges and Oliva make Hall. Dick Allen snubbed again.

On Sunday, December 5th of this year. The Golden Days Era Committee voted on the 10 candidates up for the Hall of Fame. Before they met I wrote my analysis here. We had a busy day on Sunday celebrating my Daughter's 16th birthday a day early and picking out and decorating our Christmas Trees. It wasn't until my daughter's actual birthday the next day, that I saw the results of the voting. The Committee voted to put Minnie Minoso, Jim Kaat, Gil Hodges and Tony Oliva in the Hall. In my opinion they are all worthy of induction. I am especially happy about Minoso and Kaat's election. also the look on my Dad's face when he heard that Gil Hodges, who hit a home run at the first MLB game he ever attended was one of the biggest thrills of my life.

However as much joy as I feel about who the committee did include pales in comparison to the misery I feel about the exclusion of Dick Allen who for the 2nd time missed the HOF by 1 vote, Allen was my first White Sox hero and in my opinion more deserving than any of the aforementioned 4 of enshrinement.

Some might say that I'm not objective, as I've already declared that He was my hero. The truth is he was my hero over 50 years ago and for years I accepted the story that he had not played long enough and was not a high character guy as legitimate reasons for him not being in Cooperstown.

Over the past 10 years as I have learned more about the racism he encountered in Philadelphia from the fans and the Press and as the advanced stats that were not available until a few decades ago that have validated his career as one of the best players of his generation have made me realize that my first White Sox hero is probably the best baseball player not in the Hall of Fame. (

Here is one of many fine articles that articulate why he should be in the Hall.)

I guess it is possible to be deeply disappointed and delighted at the same time. I am delighted that Minnie Minoso long career has finally been validated, and at the same time, I am deeply disappointed that Dick Allen's family could not celebrate along with Minoso's. I am also hopeful that in 5 years time when the committee meets again that Dick Allen's HOF caliber career will finally be recognized.