Saturday, March 1, 2014

3/1: Pirates indeed, Forbes Field, Jumbo, Johnny Ray, The Sick One...

Pirates, indeed, Forbes Field, Jumbo, Johnny Ray, The Sick One...

  • 1891 - The Pittsburgh Alleghenys raided the American Association, further cementing its new nickname of "Pirates," by signing OF Pete Browning and P Scott Stratton away from the Louisville Colonels. 
  • 1909 - Barney Dreyfuss began construction of a stadium near Schenley Park in Oakland, to be named Forbes Field after General John Forbes of French and Indian War fame. 
  • 1915 - RHP Nick “Jumbo” Strincevich was born in Gary, Indiana. Called Jumbo because he was 6’1”, Strincevich was selected to play on the 1945 All-Star team but due to wartime travel restrictions, the game was never played. He was a Buc from 1941-48, starting about half the games he appeared in, and compiled a Pittsburgh slash of 42-40-5/4.05. 

 1979 Diamond Greats series

  • 1957 - 2B Johnny Ray was born in Chouteau, Oklahoma. He played seven years (1981-86) for the Bucs with a .286 BA before being moved to make room for Jose Lind. He was Rookie of the Year runner up in 1982 to Steve Sax, playing in 162 games and hitting .318. Ray also won a Silver Slugger award in 1983. 
  • 1965 - Roberto Clemente didn’t report for spring training, suffering from malaria. He made it to camp a month later and struggled until mid-May. He did rally, and won the NL batting title with a .329 BA, but only hit 10 home runs with 65 RBI, his lowest totals since 1959.

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