GIL HODGES
Hall of Fame Panel Discussion
Featured:
and
Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Legend
a/o: Dec. 1, 2021
HALL of FAME
GOLDEN ERA VOTE
DEC. 5, 2021
Showing posts with label Carl Erskine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carl Erskine. Show all posts
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Baseball's Last Games at Ebbets Field: Roy Campanella's Brooklyn Stars
From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Negro National League founded in 1920 by Hall of Fame member Rube Foster, I've been attempting to gather together into one inclusive series the major episodes wherein Negro Leagues baseball is prominently played at Brooklyn's fabled Ebbets Field.
ICYMI
Brooklyn's new ballpark is just six years old when Charles Ebbets opens its doors for an old acquaintance named John W. Connor, who had recently become part-owner of the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants. Under his direction, the Bacharachs in 1919 commence their invasion of New York City, the stronghold of his former business partner Nat Strong, who years earlier wrestled away control of the Brooklyn Royal Giants from Connor. With new alliances in place, tensions come to a head in 1920 when the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants famously battle the rival New York Lincoln Giants (whose owner colluded with Strong to keep other negro teams out of NYC) at Ebbets Field.
Fifteen years later a gentleman named Abe Manley is granted a franchise in the Negro National League. He along with his wife, Hall of Fame member Effa Manley, in 1935 found the Brooklyn Eagles club; they are the only negro team to ever complete a full regular season at Ebbets Field. The team features among others Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe and Hall of Fame member Leon Day. However, this turns out being their one and only season in Brooklyn as the Manleys relocate the Eagles at year's end to Newark where they would gain national acclaim.
Another ten years pass until negro league baseball returns to Ebbets Field when (Pittsburgh Crawfords owner) Gus Greenlee early in 1945 founds the United States Negro Baseball League to compete against the Negro National League-II and Negro American League. By May Branch Rickey catches wind and wants in on the action. In a press conference, he pledges support by making available the Dodgers organization's various minor league ballparks and Ebbets Field itself. All of which is a ruse. Branch Rickey intends to desegregate baseball and plans to expedite the process by hiring famed negro leaguer Oscar Charleston as manager of his new Brooklyn Brown Dodgers. However, Charleston's true primary directive is to secretly scout the league for Rickey. Within a few months, Branch Rickey decides upon infielder Jackie Robinson from the Kansas City Monarchs. Although not unexpectedly, Rickey's interest in the Brown Dodgers immediately drops. The team is resuscitated under new ownership and with help from Gus Greenlee, but the league folds midway through the 1946 campaign.
⚾ ⚾ ⚾
ROY CAMPANELLA's BROOKLYN STARS
Satchel Paige and the Negro American League
Stage Baseball's Final Curtain Call at Ebbets Field
Jackie Robinson was not the only player approached by Branch Rickey to integrate baseball. Negro Leagues great Oscar Charleston played a key role in scouting, backgrounding, and advising Branch Rickey of, among others, Roy Campanella. In fact, Campanella would later say he was "astonished" to learn of the volumes of baseball scouting, biographical, as well as intrapersonal information compiled about him (by Oscar Charleston, whose employment under Branch Rickey arguably qualifies him as Major League baseball's first-ever African-American professional scout).
In October 1945, Roy Campanella says he was in New York City as a member of a negro all-star team organized by Effa Manley, who arranged a five-game exhibition against Charlie Dressen's Major League all-stars to be split between Newark and Ebbets Field. When the two men crossed paths on the field, Dressen quietly asked Campy if he could have a minute of his time after the game. It was then Dressen asked Campanella if he would be willing to visit the Dodgers office in Brooklyn, who agreed. The veteran Baltimore Elite Giants catcher declined Branch Rickey's initial pitch. Campy says Ricky never communicated a clear distinction between signing with the Dodgers organization or his start-up negro circuit and left the meeting under the impression he was being lured into playing for Rickey's fledgling Brooklyn Brown Dodgers of the United States League.
It just so happened that Jackie Robinson stayed at the same Woodside Hotel (Harlem) as Roy Campanella. The two were preparing their negro all-star team to travel to Venezuela to play winter ball (Jackie was selected to play shortstop and Campy behind the plate). The ink from Jackie Robinson's recently signed contract with the Dodgers was not yet dry when he clarified for Campy Branch Rickey's true intentions. Campanella dispatched a telegram to the Dodgers office just as the team departed for South America. Rickey contacted Campanella while in Venezuela, who promptly signed with the Dodgers upon his return to Brooklyn. After first playing in the minors for Nashua, Montreal, and St. Paul, Campanella makes his Brooklyn Dodgers debut on Tuesday, April 20, 1948, against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds.
Roy would spend his entire ten years Major League career playing only for Brooklyn. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1957, the trolley Dodgers played their last ever game at Ebbets Field. The next week, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1957, Roy Campanella unknowingly plays his last game as a Major Leaguer and member of the Dodgers. Walter O'Malley unceremoniously relocates Brooklyn's beloved Bums 3,000 miles away to Los Angeles after the regular season. Meanwhile, Campy locally still operates his own business - Roy Campanella's Choice Wines and Liquors - in Harlem. Shortly before he was due to report to spring training, tragedy strikes. During the cold and dark early morning hours of January 28, 1958, just five minutes away from his home in Glen Cove, Long Island, Campanella lost control of his car and crashed into a telephone pole. The accident would severely paralyze him for life from the chest down. Over four hours of surgery was needed just to save his life. In his 1959 autobiography, It's Good To Be Alive, Campy wrote that he left his Manhattan liquor store at about 1:30 in the morning. He blamed icy road conditions for the accident that occurred a few minutes after 3:30 a.m. However, according to author David Krell, there may be more about the accident than some would care to know.
Campanella spends most of the ensuing year in the hospital. The Dodgers graciously continue paying Campy's full salary throughout his year-long series of surgeries and rehabilitation. In October, Campy feels sufficiently improved and able to attend three games of the 1958 World Series at Yankee Stadium. By November, he is out of the hospital for good. Although wheelchair-bound, Campy remains forever positive and within time would eventually regain some functional use of his arms. By 1959, he reimmerses himself in his business affairs and even travels to Dodgers spring training at Vero Beach. Although he would never play a game for the Dodgers at Los Angeles, Roy Campanella is present when on May 7, 1959, a crowd upwards of 93,000 (the largest in baseball history) pack the Los Angeles Coliseum for a benefit exhibition game between the Yankees and Dodgers in tribute to the former Brooklyn great.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers still hold the lease on Ebbets Field. Local college baseball teams move in for portions of the 1958-1959 seasons. Brooklyn's LIU Blackbirds and St. John's University respectively plant their flag. Some of the visiting colleges include Manhattan, UConn, Adelphi, Rutgers, Bridgeport, Queens College, Fairfield, Hofstra, and NYU. At least thirteen games over a two-year span are known to have been played at the Dodgers now sublet former home.
In the summer of 1959, major league level baseball returns to Ebbets Field for one last curtain call. Just eighteen months after his near-fatal accident, Roy Campanella sponsors a negro team named the Brooklyn Stars, who would call the Bedford and Sullivan baseball grounds home. Two of their locally known competitors were the Gloversville Merchants (southern Adirondacks) and the Newark Eagles (unrelated to the Manley's club). However, the Stars' top tier competition arrives in the form of the Negro American League, invited to Brooklyn for a series of double-headers promoted by Roy Campanella. Five of the circuit's six teams make the trip to Brooklyn. In place of the Newark Indians, the Havana Stars join ranks with the Birmingham Black Barons, Memphis Red Sox, Detroit Stars, Raleigh Tigers, and Kansas City Monarchs.
July 12, 1959 - The Brooklyn Stars open against the Memphis Red Sox. Right-hander Frank Chevere and southpaw Mike Sanabria pitch for the Stars. Brooklyn also features Julio Rodriguez at second base, Larry Solomon at third, and Pedro Alomar in left field. The Detroit Stars take on Memphis in game two - New York Times
July 26, 1959 - "Roy Campanella's Brooklyn Stars will meet the Memphis Red Sox in the first game of a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m., at Ebbets Field today. The Stars are sponsored by the former Dodgers catcher to help promote Negro baseball in the metropolitan area." The second game features the Birmingham Black Barons versus Memphis - New York Times
Aug. 2, 1959 - "A Negro baseball doubleheader will be played at Ebbets Field today. In the first game, which will start at 2 p.m., Roy Campanella's Brooklyn Stars will meet the Detroit Stars." Detroit plays the Raleigh Tigers in game two - New York Times
Aug. 23, 1959 - "Satchel Paige will pitch for the Havana Cuban Stars when they meet the Kansas City Monarchs in the second game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field today. The appearance of the ageless right-hander will be a feature of the twin bill, which will include a game between Roy Campanella's Brooklyn Stars. Campanella is staging the Negro double-header." - New York Times
Aug. 24, 1959 - The Monarchs defeated the Brooklyn Stars in the first game, 3 to 1. Ted Moore and Don Bonner hit home runs for Kansas City. Satche Paige, who had been barnstorming with the Havana Cuban Stars, pitched the second game against the Monarchs. He yields one earned run on three hits, including a home run by Monarchs player/manager Herm Green, with four strikeouts in a three-inning starting effort. Havana defeats Kansas City, 6 to 4. Upwards of 4,000 fans attend the games - New York Times
The following is a shortlist of other active Negro American League players in 1959 who potentially may have participated in these games at Ebbets Field:
- Memphis Red Sox: Clifford DuBose-3b; Lonnie Harris-of.
- Detroit Stars: Arthur Hamilton-c; Joe Henry-inf; John Mitchell-of.
- Birmingham Black Barons: Willie Smith-of; Otha Bailey-c; Henry Elmore-2b; James Ivory-1b; Anthony Loyd-2b; Jesse Mitchell-of.
- Kansas City Monarchs: Ben Adams-p; Bob Wiggins-of; Samuel Allen-of; Larry LeGrande-c; Ira McKnight-c; Ted Rasberry-2b.
Led by the ageless great Satchel Paige, the aforementioned teams and players are essentially the last professionals to grace Brooklyn's fabled grounds in any meaningful type series of baseball games.
Originally researched by SABR's Rory Costello, these games represent perhaps the most obscure episode regarding noteworthy Negro League baseball being staged at Ebbets Field. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Howard Kellman, a native Brooklynite born in 1952, who since 1974 is the broadcaster of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians. He was not aware of these games. I've also had the privilege over the last two years of speaking with Campy's former teammate, pitcher Carl Erskine. I could not partake in a most recent podcast with my partner Sam, but he posed the question to Mr. Erskine for me, and Carl likewise was both unaware of these games taking place at Ebbets Field and of Campanella's involvement with the team.
During the years 1958-1959, International Soccer joins in taking its last bow at Ebbets Field. The last matches take place on Oct. 25, 1959; the Brooklyn Italians defeat Colombo in the second and final contest, two to nil. Over the next four months, it appears as if all 2.6 million denizens of Brooklyn took turns throwing rocks through every window, knowing their beloved ballpark at 55 Sullivan Place would soon cease to be - another victim of New York City's merciless and continually swinging wrecking ball. On Feb. 23, 1960, demolition commences on Ebbets Field. Roy Campanella is on hand to bid his former major league home good-bye, but not before providing Brooklyn's baseball fans one last hurrah at one of the most iconic ballparks ever constructed.
Thursday, December 03, 2020
Bedford & Sullivan Podcast: On the Consolidation of NYC's Five Boroughs
From the desk: A SAM MAXWELL PRODUCTION
Host: Sam Maxwell
GUESTS
BROOKLYN BOROUGH HISTORIAN
RON SCHWEIGER
On the Consolidation of NYC's Outer Boroughs
sixty-six minutes
The vote by Brooklyn residents to become
a member of New York City passed by a mere 227 votes!
BROOKLYN HISTORY
Monday, November 30, 2020
Bedford & Sullivan Podcast: Native Brooklynite and Voice of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians, Howard Kellman
From the desk: A SAM MAXWELL PRODUCTION
with
Sam Maxwell and Mike BTB
GUEST
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Sheepshead Bay, a graduate of Brooklyn College
sixty-minutes
Howard Kellman was born and raised in Brooklyn. He helped pioneer radio broadcasting of St. John's University basketball games and for the last forty-six years has been the play-by-play broadcaster of the famous (AAA)-Indianapolis Indians. Established in 1902, the Indianapolis club is the second oldest minor league baseball team in America after the Rochester Red Wings. Howard is good friends with Brooklyn Dodgers great Carl Erskine with whom he worked alongside in the booth, and with Howie Rose, for whom he filled in many times as recently as 2014 on Mets broadcasts. He takes us through his own near fifty-year career in baseball broadcasting and shares what life was like for a young man growing up in Kings County.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Howard Kellman, Broadcaster of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians Joins A Metsian Podcast
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING, MR. MET
With SAM, RICH & MIKE
GUEST
Howard Kellman was born and raised in Brooklyn. He helped pioneer radio broadcasting of St. John's University basketball games and for the last forty-six years has been the play-by-play broadcaster of the famous (AAA)-Indianapolis Indians. Established in 1902, the Indianapolis club is the second oldest minor league baseball team in America after the Rochester Red Wings. Howard is friends with Brooklyn Dodgers great Carl Erskine with whom he worked alongside in the booth, and with Howie Rose, for whom he filled in many times as recently as 2014 on Mets broadcasts. He takes us through his own near fifty-year experience in the game. The Indians have variously served as an affiliate of the Reds, Expos, Brewers, and Pirates, thus Mr. Kellman has witnessed the rise of many burgeoning stars. He recalls the wildly successful Montreal Expos affiliation with particular fondness. A clear baseball insider, he adds clarity to the ongoing reorganization of minor and independent league baseball. After which, Mr. Kellman transports us back to 1968 and his recollections of the New York Mets. To hear more about Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gil Hodges, Hank Aaron, Larry Walker, Jeff McNeil, Pee Wee Reese, the Indianapolis Clowns and the ABC's, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the city of Indianapolis itself as told to by a native Brooklynite, then please give a listen. Great conversation with Howard and partners Sam and Rich; you won't be sorry.
#LGM
Tuesday, August 04, 2020
Bedford & Sullivan Podcast: Talking Baseball with National League Greats, Carl Erskine and Frank Thomas
From the desk of: BEDFORD & SULLIVAN
A Journey Into the Golden Age of Baseball
with National League Greats
BROOKLYN/LA DODGERS STANDOUT
CARL ERSKINE
&
PITTSBURGH PIRATES SLUGGER
and ORIGINAL 1962 AMAZIN' MET
FRANK THOMAS
CARL ERSKINE
&
PITTSBURGH PIRATES SLUGGER
and ORIGINAL 1962 AMAZIN' MET
FRANK THOMAS
A Conversation Between
PITCHER vs. HITTER
Thank you, Sam, for inviting me!
Monday, July 20, 2020
Brooklyn Dodgers Great Carl Erskine Joins a Bedford & Sullivan Podcast
From the desk of: BEDFORD AND SULLIVAN
A SAM MAXWELL PRODUCTION
Sam Maxwell Draws Me Into The Bedford and Sullivan
Podcast Interview With Brooklyn Dodger Great
CARL ESKINE
Monday, August 06, 2018
Brooklyn Dodgers: Take Me Out to the Playground
From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS
To Bring You The Constant Variety of Bums
One out of every seven people in this country trace their family histories back through Brooklyn. The Boys of Summer are no different. Gone but hardly forgotten, the old Trolley Dodgers are still quite alive and well. Despite being scarred and broken, Dem Bums remain dear in the hearts of Brooklyn's citizenry, whom still wear their caps, t-shirts, jerseys, and jackets like a red badge of courage. Here in Kings County you might say New York City is still home to three teams. However, our municipal politico presently and historically have always demonstrated little or no interest in recognizing, preserving, or promoting Gotham's near 180 year baseball legacy - much less Brooklyn Dodgers history. Therefore, I make it my business to seek out and reveal FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS wherever they may be. This is the third installment in a series of reboots and original content featuring people, places, and things you may already be familiar with, and hopefully things you're not so familiar with.
- Fingerprints of the Bums: Street Art and Murals
- Fingerprints of the Bums II: Home Is Where the Heart Is
DODGER PLAYGROUND
Sullivan Place between Rogers Avenue and Nostrand Avenue
Renovations Completed 2002
This little oasis in the heart of Bedford
is within two blocks of old Ebbets Field.
Front Gates
Concrete Replica Ticket
Opening Day 1941
First base, third base, and catcher's mitt serve as water sprinklers.
I'm sure Campy would approve.
TD BANK
Bedford Avenue Across From Ebbets Field Apartments
McKeever Place between Montgomery Street and Sullivan Place
Another little known oasis on Staten Island,
Dongan Avenue and Hodges Place
LinkNYC WiFi Network/Park Slope, Brooklyn
This caught me by complete surprise!
Never Built New York
Dodger Dome, 1955
JACKIE ROBINSON HOME
1947 ~ 1949
Tilden Avenue, Brooklyn
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
BROOKLYN DODGERS ~ Carl Furillo Re-Visited
BROOKLYN DODGERS
The Brooklyn Historical Society: A Panel Discussion on Carl Furillo
With author Ted Reed who wrote ~ CARL FURILLO BROOKLYN DODGERS ALL STAR
On Saturday, March 26, 2011 - I attended a panel discussion held at the Brooklyn Historical Society regarding the career and post-Baseball life of former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger great, Carl Furillo. He was a Baseball Great who got a bad rap for several reasons. Based on decades of work put into his book, visiting author Ted Reed came to Brooklyn to discuss what he believes has been an injustice in perception against Carl Furillo. Also on hand to lend her insights and anecdotes was Judith Testa who authored the book; Sal Maglie - Baseball's Demon Barber.
A mad scramble for more chairs was an early indication a lot more old Brooklyn Dodger fans showed up for this event than had been anticipated. But there was plenty of room for everybody and seats for all. An educated guess based on the number of rows and length of rows, I'd say there was a little over one hundred, mostly former Brooklyn Dodger fans, with a sprinkle of folks too young to have lived through those days like myself.
There were eight members of The Happy Felton Knot-Hole Gang Alumni in attendance and many Dodger fans that were thrilled to share stories of the old days with me. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. We talked Baseball and Brooklyn...and yes, even trolleys. The gentleman seated to my left was also named Mike. His first game at Ebbets Field was in 1953. Another gentleman's first game was in 1949. The mention of Walter O'Malley's name still makes the veins in their necks pump vigorously with contempt for the man who took that team away from them and from the Borough of Brooklyn. Robert Moses doesn't escape their wrath either. But there is always the point of contention that O'Malley could have just paid market value for the properties he wanted in order to build a new home for the Dodgers. Robert Moses continually refused to condemn the land for O'Malley which would have let him buy the parcels more cheaply. So, as far as these gentlemen were concerned, the decision to move the Dodgers out of Brooklyn was ultimately O'Malley's. And righfully so, he will always be blamed for all eternity around these parts for taking our Bums away from us. That argument will be debated till the end of time.
Carl Furillo Jr. worked extensively with Ted Reed on the book over many years. They are great friends. He was supposed to have been in attendance for this discussion panel. But sometimes life isn't that accommodating. He lives a regular life like you and I, and presently resides in Pennsylvania like his Father did before him. He just started a new job and was unfortunately for us, obligated to work the weekend and could not attend.
Ted Reed was handed a microphone and the discussion was under way. I took notes as best I could. So, the following is just a loosely paraphrased review of the topics discussed regarding Carl Furillo.
They called him "Skoonj"
Why write the book? Carl Furillo's career ended 51 years ago. Ted Reed said it took 40 years to write this book. As it turns out, Carl Furillo was the only member of the famous, more prominent Dodger "legends" of this era not to have a book written about him.
Many of his peers and those in the Media (then and now) would not argue that Carl Furillo was maybe the greatest right-fielder of his day, and one of the greatest of All-Time. He had a superb arm; a cannon in fact. Carl Erskine marveled many times how Furillo threw out potential base hits to right at first-base. He played in seven World Series. Carl Furillo was a lifetime .299 hitter in 15 season and won the batting title in 1953 with a .344 average.
In 1960, the Dodgers released Carl when he was 38 years old. They did it by wire. But this was a second and separate matter that served to give Carl Furillo a bad rap because of the way things were handled between him and the Dodgers over salary. There were two episodes that played out to provide Carl Furillo with a smeared historical legacy. Mr. Reed also says the media bears a large responsibility for misrepresentations and that bad reporting about Carl Furillo must be dealt with. An old New York City and overly influential sports writer named Dick Young; Murray Allen; and even the author of the famous book "The Boys of Summer" Roger Kahn, Mr. Reed says, all served in their own way to further misrepresent Carl Furillo.
First, there is the matter of Jackie Robinson, and the mythical petition that supposedly circulated around the clubhouse formally protesting Jackie's signing and eminent playing for the Dodgers.
Was Carl Furillo one of those opposed to the prospect of playing with Jackie Robinson? The conventional myths and scuttlebutt; tall-tales and fables say Yes, - and that he was to be the one to work the petition around the room seeking signatures. All investigations, interviews with team-mates, team-executives, and even the Media established it was never clear a petition ever existed. The only document remotely related to this matter was drafted by Dixie Walker and submitted to the Dodgers by him, stating he no longer found it possible to continue playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, without clearly stating a reason why. That document does exist. But no petition is believed to have ever existed. And on top of that and more importantly, no one ever suggested Carl Furillo was on board with that petition. Dixie Walker never was traded by the Dodgers either.
This is where the problems and misrepresentations have their genesis. The Dodgers were conducting Spring Training in Panama in 1947. Carl Furillo was 26 years old at the time. Supposedly there was talk among the Southern ball players regarding a petition to thwart the signing of Jackie Robinson. In clubhouse conversation, Carl Furillo was asked ~ "Carl, what would you do if someone tried to take your job; your livelihood; your money?" Carl Furillo responded by saying something to the effect of, "I'd cut his fucking legs off!" Of course, he could have chosen a different tact and choice of words I guess, but at no time was that sentiment directly intended for an African-American; i.e.; Jackie Robinson. It's believed by all who say they have knowledge of the incident, Carl's comments applied to anyone who dared try to take his job, regardless of color. And as an Italian-American himself, he was familiar with insensitivity towards Italians and in general. As a matter of fact, the movie "The Jackie Robinson Story" once infuriated Carl Furillo Jr. for the way it disparaged Italians and says his Father was equally unappreciative.
So, that's the alleged quote that started Carl Furillo's misrepresentation. Later it was exasperated when Dick Young once wrote Carl Furillo was the lone Northerner to sign the petition against Jackie Robinson regardless that no one ever admitted to ever hearing Carl say he'd never play with Jackie. And Dick Young conveniently left out the fact he and Roy Campanella were very good friends. It was Young again who perpetrated the myth by saying Carl was the one asked to bring the petition around the room. The author of this book believes this was all part of the mythification of Branch Rickey, as it was he who interceded and had the petition squashed and started threatening players with releases and trades. In fact, no proof exists supporting the existence of a petition and that Carl Furillo was in accord with it.
Carl Furillo's release from the Dodgers evolved into a contentious affair. His legs were shot, but he could still hit. There was talk of trading him to the Yankees or the Red Sox. But that never happened. Instead, the Dodgers released Furillo on a Thursday by wire. But they released him while he was injured. Carl and then Dodger GM Bavasi engaged in heated arguments over salary owed because you can't release someone who's injured. There was also a snag over the next year's salary also. The short version is the Dodgers very matter of fact, told Carl Furillo to get a lawyer. It's said the Dodgers would have paid up because they never stiffed anyone before. But they wanted to settle on their terms. The two eventually did settle and Furillo got his money. But his net gain after legal fees left him with less than half of an original $64,000 dollar settlement.
Suing The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't sit well with mostly...everybody. It's just not the way people behaved and settled differences back then. Carl Furillo was now looked upon as selfish. Having this stigma held against him led to another problem he perceived to have adversely affected him.
He was out of Baseball and wanted to get back in as a coach if possible. He believes he was Black-Listed from baseball after his salary dispute with the Dodgers. He wrote a letter to every Major League Baseball team with nary a response. Between 1965 and 1967 he and Wes Westrum talked many times about him coaching. Wes Westrum was manager of the New York Mets at the time. He said he'd make a request to ownership. But Wes had to tell Furillo the Front Office said no. Even with Gil Hodges later managing the Mets, Carl Furillo still could not get back into Baseball. Gil never offered him a job. Carl was living in Flushing at the time.
Peter O'Malley always did his best to invite Carl back for Old-Timer's Games and for Fantasy Camps. But that's as close to the game Carl Furillo would ever get again.
In 1966, Carl Furillo was working at the Big Apple Supermarket. He then got a job as an iron-worker through which he gained employment with the Otis Elevator Company installing elevators during construction of the original World Trade Centers in NYC. That's where author Tim Reed and Carl Furillo met for the first time and the genesis of his book was born. The last job Carl Furillo held was as a night watchman; security guard. He passed away in 1969 at the age of 66 years old. (error - Carl Furillo passed away in 1989).
Mike.BTB
The Brooklyn Historical Society: A Panel Discussion on Carl Furillo
With author Ted Reed who wrote ~ CARL FURILLO BROOKLYN DODGERS ALL STAR
On Saturday, March 26, 2011 - I attended a panel discussion held at the Brooklyn Historical Society regarding the career and post-Baseball life of former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger great, Carl Furillo. He was a Baseball Great who got a bad rap for several reasons. Based on decades of work put into his book, visiting author Ted Reed came to Brooklyn to discuss what he believes has been an injustice in perception against Carl Furillo. Also on hand to lend her insights and anecdotes was Judith Testa who authored the book; Sal Maglie - Baseball's Demon Barber.
A mad scramble for more chairs was an early indication a lot more old Brooklyn Dodger fans showed up for this event than had been anticipated. But there was plenty of room for everybody and seats for all. An educated guess based on the number of rows and length of rows, I'd say there was a little over one hundred, mostly former Brooklyn Dodger fans, with a sprinkle of folks too young to have lived through those days like myself.
There were eight members of The Happy Felton Knot-Hole Gang Alumni in attendance and many Dodger fans that were thrilled to share stories of the old days with me. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. We talked Baseball and Brooklyn...and yes, even trolleys. The gentleman seated to my left was also named Mike. His first game at Ebbets Field was in 1953. Another gentleman's first game was in 1949. The mention of Walter O'Malley's name still makes the veins in their necks pump vigorously with contempt for the man who took that team away from them and from the Borough of Brooklyn. Robert Moses doesn't escape their wrath either. But there is always the point of contention that O'Malley could have just paid market value for the properties he wanted in order to build a new home for the Dodgers. Robert Moses continually refused to condemn the land for O'Malley which would have let him buy the parcels more cheaply. So, as far as these gentlemen were concerned, the decision to move the Dodgers out of Brooklyn was ultimately O'Malley's. And righfully so, he will always be blamed for all eternity around these parts for taking our Bums away from us. That argument will be debated till the end of time.
Carl Furillo Jr. worked extensively with Ted Reed on the book over many years. They are great friends. He was supposed to have been in attendance for this discussion panel. But sometimes life isn't that accommodating. He lives a regular life like you and I, and presently resides in Pennsylvania like his Father did before him. He just started a new job and was unfortunately for us, obligated to work the weekend and could not attend.
Ted Reed was handed a microphone and the discussion was under way. I took notes as best I could. So, the following is just a loosely paraphrased review of the topics discussed regarding Carl Furillo.
They called him "Skoonj"
Why write the book? Carl Furillo's career ended 51 years ago. Ted Reed said it took 40 years to write this book. As it turns out, Carl Furillo was the only member of the famous, more prominent Dodger "legends" of this era not to have a book written about him.
Many of his peers and those in the Media (then and now) would not argue that Carl Furillo was maybe the greatest right-fielder of his day, and one of the greatest of All-Time. He had a superb arm; a cannon in fact. Carl Erskine marveled many times how Furillo threw out potential base hits to right at first-base. He played in seven World Series. Carl Furillo was a lifetime .299 hitter in 15 season and won the batting title in 1953 with a .344 average.
In 1960, the Dodgers released Carl when he was 38 years old. They did it by wire. But this was a second and separate matter that served to give Carl Furillo a bad rap because of the way things were handled between him and the Dodgers over salary. There were two episodes that played out to provide Carl Furillo with a smeared historical legacy. Mr. Reed also says the media bears a large responsibility for misrepresentations and that bad reporting about Carl Furillo must be dealt with. An old New York City and overly influential sports writer named Dick Young; Murray Allen; and even the author of the famous book "The Boys of Summer" Roger Kahn, Mr. Reed says, all served in their own way to further misrepresent Carl Furillo.
First, there is the matter of Jackie Robinson, and the mythical petition that supposedly circulated around the clubhouse formally protesting Jackie's signing and eminent playing for the Dodgers.
Was Carl Furillo one of those opposed to the prospect of playing with Jackie Robinson? The conventional myths and scuttlebutt; tall-tales and fables say Yes, - and that he was to be the one to work the petition around the room seeking signatures. All investigations, interviews with team-mates, team-executives, and even the Media established it was never clear a petition ever existed. The only document remotely related to this matter was drafted by Dixie Walker and submitted to the Dodgers by him, stating he no longer found it possible to continue playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, without clearly stating a reason why. That document does exist. But no petition is believed to have ever existed. And on top of that and more importantly, no one ever suggested Carl Furillo was on board with that petition. Dixie Walker never was traded by the Dodgers either.
This is where the problems and misrepresentations have their genesis. The Dodgers were conducting Spring Training in Panama in 1947. Carl Furillo was 26 years old at the time. Supposedly there was talk among the Southern ball players regarding a petition to thwart the signing of Jackie Robinson. In clubhouse conversation, Carl Furillo was asked ~ "Carl, what would you do if someone tried to take your job; your livelihood; your money?" Carl Furillo responded by saying something to the effect of, "I'd cut his fucking legs off!" Of course, he could have chosen a different tact and choice of words I guess, but at no time was that sentiment directly intended for an African-American; i.e.; Jackie Robinson. It's believed by all who say they have knowledge of the incident, Carl's comments applied to anyone who dared try to take his job, regardless of color. And as an Italian-American himself, he was familiar with insensitivity towards Italians and in general. As a matter of fact, the movie "The Jackie Robinson Story" once infuriated Carl Furillo Jr. for the way it disparaged Italians and says his Father was equally unappreciative.
So, that's the alleged quote that started Carl Furillo's misrepresentation. Later it was exasperated when Dick Young once wrote Carl Furillo was the lone Northerner to sign the petition against Jackie Robinson regardless that no one ever admitted to ever hearing Carl say he'd never play with Jackie. And Dick Young conveniently left out the fact he and Roy Campanella were very good friends. It was Young again who perpetrated the myth by saying Carl was the one asked to bring the petition around the room. The author of this book believes this was all part of the mythification of Branch Rickey, as it was he who interceded and had the petition squashed and started threatening players with releases and trades. In fact, no proof exists supporting the existence of a petition and that Carl Furillo was in accord with it.
Carl Furillo's release from the Dodgers evolved into a contentious affair. His legs were shot, but he could still hit. There was talk of trading him to the Yankees or the Red Sox. But that never happened. Instead, the Dodgers released Furillo on a Thursday by wire. But they released him while he was injured. Carl and then Dodger GM Bavasi engaged in heated arguments over salary owed because you can't release someone who's injured. There was also a snag over the next year's salary also. The short version is the Dodgers very matter of fact, told Carl Furillo to get a lawyer. It's said the Dodgers would have paid up because they never stiffed anyone before. But they wanted to settle on their terms. The two eventually did settle and Furillo got his money. But his net gain after legal fees left him with less than half of an original $64,000 dollar settlement.
Suing The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't sit well with mostly...everybody. It's just not the way people behaved and settled differences back then. Carl Furillo was now looked upon as selfish. Having this stigma held against him led to another problem he perceived to have adversely affected him.
He was out of Baseball and wanted to get back in as a coach if possible. He believes he was Black-Listed from baseball after his salary dispute with the Dodgers. He wrote a letter to every Major League Baseball team with nary a response. Between 1965 and 1967 he and Wes Westrum talked many times about him coaching. Wes Westrum was manager of the New York Mets at the time. He said he'd make a request to ownership. But Wes had to tell Furillo the Front Office said no. Even with Gil Hodges later managing the Mets, Carl Furillo still could not get back into Baseball. Gil never offered him a job. Carl was living in Flushing at the time.
Peter O'Malley always did his best to invite Carl back for Old-Timer's Games and for Fantasy Camps. But that's as close to the game Carl Furillo would ever get again.
In 1966, Carl Furillo was working at the Big Apple Supermarket. He then got a job as an iron-worker through which he gained employment with the Otis Elevator Company installing elevators during construction of the original World Trade Centers in NYC. That's where author Tim Reed and Carl Furillo met for the first time and the genesis of his book was born. The last job Carl Furillo held was as a night watchman; security guard. He passed away in 1969 at the age of 66 years old. (error - Carl Furillo passed away in 1989).
This is the Book.
Carl Furillo By Ted Reed
Judith Testa, author of: SAL MAGLIE Baseball's Demon Barber
She contributed many anecdotes complimenting the Carl Furillo discussion. Some were based on a real hatred that existed between Sal Maglie and Carl Furillo while the Barber pitched for the hated cross-town rival New York Giants. But it turns out, when Sal Maglie was traded to the Dodgers, he and Furillo became very good friends.
Another offering of hers was based on extensive interviews, anecdotes, reports of the account and everything else she could gather about a very famous locker room speech. Judith Testa red off a what she believes most closely recreates the profanity laced tirade and scolding of the Brooklyn Dodgers by their manager; a one Leo Durocher, as he admonished them regarding the eminent arrival of Jackie Robinson, and more Black ball players to follow. The speech was met with laughter and resounding applause. I admit, the messenger added to the humorous oddity of the moment.
Judith Testa. Ted Reed seated at right.
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Friday, August 13, 2010
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2001 Cyclones Pitching Coach, Bob Ojeda
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Brooklyn born, Met Favorite, LEE MAZZILLI
Brownsville ~ Tilden High School's ~ WILLIE RANDOLPH
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