Tag Archives: 1950s

Celebrating “The Giants Win The Pennant” – 1951

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The Giants Win The Pennant

Eddie Stanky & Leo Durocher Celebrate Bobby Thomson’s Dramatic Game Winning Home Run

This Wide World syndicated photograph did not end up running in many newspapers. What might appear at first glance to be a fight is actually a celebration.

The Giants and Dodgers tied for the best record in the National League in 1951. To advance to the World Series, a three game playoff was set.

The teams split the first two games.

Game three ended on what many baseball historians consider the most dramatic moment in the history of the game. Continue reading →

Gil Hodges Hits A Ball That Solly Hemus Can’t Catch

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Gil Hodges Fly Ball Just Out Of Reach Of Solly Hemus – 1951

You Dropped Something Sol!
Brooklyn, NY – St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Sol Hemus loses his hat as well as Gil Hodges’ high fly to center field in the third frame of the game with the Dodgers, July 21. Coming in to help Hemus are centerfielder Wally Westlake (17) and leftfielder Harold Rice (39). Darting back to second base is Card second sacker Red Schoendienst. Ump is Lon Warneke. Brooks’ Jackie Robinson, who tried to score on the play was out at the plate. Brooks won 3-2. credit: Acme 7/12/1951

Over an 11 year career, Solly Hemus batted .273 in 961 games. Hemus became the Cardinals manager in 1959 and was fired part way through the 1961 season. Solly Hemus would have been 100-years-old this year, but he passed away at age 94 on October 2, 2017. Continue reading →

Before The Trade Deadline Philadelphia Athletics Acquire 6 New Players -1951

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Philadelphia Athletics Trade For 6 Players – 1951

ATHLETICS SHOW OFF THEIR SIX NEW PLAYERS
Phila, PA – Obtained in trades with the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox in the last two weeks, these husky ballplayers are shown in the uniform of the Philadelphia Athletics for the first time as they turned out for the game against the New York Yankees on Saturday. From left they are: Allie Clark, from the Indians; Gus Zernial from the White Sox; catcher Ray Murray from the Indians; outfielder Dave Philley from the White Sox, and infielder Lou Klein and pitcher Sam Zoldak from the Indians. May 14, 1951 Photo: International News Photos-  Sonnee Gottlieb

With the major league trade deadline now August 1, teams have to decide if they are in contention or not. With expanded playoffs it makes it a lot harder for a general manager to stay the course or improve the team while possibly mortgaging the future by trading away potential assets.

The Philadelphia Athletics in 1951 did improve in the standings Continue reading →

New York City July 4, 1958 – Where Is Everyone?

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The Deserted City – New York July 4, 1958

Where Did They All Go?
New York – July 4, 1958 This lonesome little dachshund has the center of Madison Avenue, normally a busy thoroughfare all to himself as millions of New Yorkers left the city for the holiday weekend. Some three million jammed beaches in the New York area. Photo was made at Madison Avenue and 30th Street. photo: AP Wirephoto

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Jump, Scooter, Jump! Phil Rizzuto In Action

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Phil Rizzuto – 1950

New York – Bob Dillinger of the Athletics slides safely back to 2nd in the first inning of game with Yanks here, 7/5 as Phil Rizzuto leaps for throw from catcher Yogi Berra. The ball went over Rizzuto’s head . Yanks won 12-8. credit: Acme Telephoto July 5, 1950

As Red Sox great Ted Williams once said the margin of difference between the Yankees and the Red Sox was very slim, but that the Yankees had Phil Rizzuto. “If Rizzuto had been in Boston we’d have won all those pennants instead of New York,” Williams said. Continue reading →

Dick Groat A Rare Star Of Both Baseball & Basketball Dies At 92

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Dick Groat Who Set Duke Basketball Records & Was National League MVP In 1960 Is Dead

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Dick Groat hitting during the 1960 World Series. photo: Marvin Newman

In 1952, when Dick Groat was 21-years-old, Duke University’s sports publicity department published an entire pamphlet heralding his achievements.

In 1950-51 Groat put up 831 points with 261 free points shattering records at Duke, the Big 5 (North Carolina schools) and the Southern Conference.

Groat, who was five feet eleven, Continue reading →

Surviving 29 Hours In The Shark Infested Atlantic With No Life Jacket

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No One Saw How Or When Arne Nicolaysen Went Overboard

The Astonishing Story Of A Seaman Who Was Alone In The Ocean For A Day and Two Nights With No Life Jacket, Food, Water Or Anything To Hold On To

Arne Nicolaysen holding life preserver on British ship Surveyor

Reading the story entitled “Man Overboard” about Arne Nicolaysen in Robert Littell’s 1961 book It Takes All Kinds (Reynal & Compnay) you come to the realization that some human beings are incredibly resilient.

Nicolaysen was able to survive an agonizing 29 hours in the ocean without any flotation device, food or water, while sharks kept approaching him. The fact that it was hours before anyone on his ship discovered that Nicolaysen was missing, made his rescue seem even more unlikely. Between 15 – 20 ships passed by without hearing his calls for help or spotting him bobbing up and down in the endless expanse of the ocean.

Nicolaysen’s story is frightening, dramatic and ultimately inspiring. Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #138 – Jean Simmons

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Jean Simmons – Early 1950s

If you say the name Jean Simmons most people under a certain age will think of the outrageous singer and bass player for KISS, Gene Simmons.

And as big of a rock fan as I may be, I will always think first of the actress whose first name is spelled Jean, not Gene.

Jean Simmons (1929-2010) had a 65 year career as an actress full of interesting and prominent roles. The one role she did not get, helped bring about another successful career. Continue reading →