And he wasn't even a glove man. . .

[softball66]

But what a CATCH!




"Ah, but this glove was different.

"I knew when it hit the webbing, it wasn't going anywhere," Swoboda said. "It was a special glove. I had it broken in right, and I only used it in games. It was unlike anything I ever had on my hand before; it was ideally suited for a backhand play."

OK, without looking it up, who did Ron Swoboda rob in this world series?

[okdoak]

Was it Brooks Robinson in the 69 WS? Just a guess because I remember Swoboda's incredible catch better than I remember the batter. Also remember losing a whole dollar to my brother over that series. Thought he was crazy to take the Mets!

[softball66]

Brooks it was, two runners on. I remember watching the play later and thinking that "that was Swoboda!" Not exactly a household glove guy.
But I liked the way he talked about his glove that way.
Only play that involved circumstance like that was the 1951 World Series
Yanks and Giants and a lofty fly ball hit to right center (I think) with Dimag in center and Mantle in right and in between them. Joe called off Mickey at the last minute and that's when Mick's foot hit the sprinkler head, sprawled and had injured his knee doing so.
The batter?: Willie Mays. Three of the all time Greats of Centerfield, involved in the same play.

[okdoak]

My first summer job was sweeping the aisles at County Stadium during the Brewers first seasaon , 1970. I remember watching outfield practice one morning while leaning against my broom (did that alot). They would drop their heads and crouch at the last second and catch the ball behind their back. And this was in centerfield, 300+ feet from the plate! Amazing what even an "average" major leaguer can do. Definitely were no Mantles or Mayses on that team!

[softball66]

Great post OKDoak!!! So you were "batting" cleanup there in Country Stadium.
I think we would all be amazed and are amazed at what these baseball athletes can do with their bodies. That's neat about practicing catching the ball behind their backs etc. We can appreciate it more when we have to be very careful about catching the ball the correct way.
Practice, practice, practice and. . . some good athletic reflexes.

[okdoak]

Yup, you knew it was gonna be a "sweep" when I showed up. My older brother got the real plum job for a couple of home stands, though. He was picked to fill in for the guy who normally drove the relievers out in the modified golf cart they used, wearing a Brewers cap and jacket, and sat in the bullpen. I went to talk to him thru the chain link fence where a half dozen or so young ladies were hanging around. Here he's throwing his cap over the fence so they can write their phone numbers on the inside of the bill! Probably told them he was the new ace just brought up from the minors. I'm still jealous almost 40 years later!