Frankie Frisch

Born September 9, 1898, in New York City, New York, Baseball Hall of Fame Infielder, Frankie Frisch. This legend was a three-time MLB All-Star; four-time World Series Champion; and National League MVP 1931 as he played for the New York Giants, St.Louis Cardinals. Frisch batted over .300 in his last six seasons with New York. He was also an expert fielder and a skilled base-runner. In 1921, he led the National League with 48 steals, in 1923 in hits, and in 1924 in runs. Frankie was later the manager of the Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs.

Hello Old Sports

Each week on “Hello, Old Sports” Andrew and Dan Neumann examine a different sports history topic—baseball, basketball, football, hockey, boxing, and — sportshistorynetwork.com

The Sports History Network Podcast featuring Dan and Andrew Neumann, who speak on a variety of topics concerning American football, baseball and Basketball

The Dominican Cyclone

Pedro Jaime Martínez, born in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic, wasn't your average pitcher. He was a force of nature, a hurricane unleashed on the baseball diamond. His career, spanning 18 seasons from 1992 to 2009, left behind a trail of strikeouts, shattered records, and a reputation as one of the most dominant and electrifying pitchers in baseball history.

Martinez's journey began rough. Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, he bounced around teams before finding his true home with the Montreal Expos in 1994. It was there he started to unveil his arsenal: a mesmerizing four-seam fastball that kissed triple digits, a vicious cutter that made bats hum, and a mesmerizing changeup that left hitters frozen in disbelief.

In 1997, Martinez landed with the Boston Red Sox. This marked the beginning of his legendary chapter. He transformed into "El Grande," a three-headed monster on the mound. He won three Cy Young Awards in four years (1997, 1999, 2000), leading the league in ERA five times and strikeouts three times. His 1999 season was a masterclass: a 23-4 record, a microscopic 2.07 ERA, and a staggering 313 strikeouts. He was simply unhittable.

Louis Santop A Big Man Behind the Plate

Louis Santop wasn't just a powerful slugger and agile catcher; he was the first true home run king of Black baseball. Born in Texas, he burst onto the scene in 1910, forming a "kid battery" with fellow rookie Dick Redding.

Though statistics remain incomplete, his dominance is undeniable. He averaged over .350 and smashed monstrous homers. His career stretched across various teams, culminating in four stellar years with the Hilldale Daisies. While towering over the competition at 6'4", Santop wasn't just muscle. He was a skilled leader, named the All-Star catcher five times, and earned a better-than-average salary for his draw.

His legend extends beyond statistics. He faced down fireballs from Smoky Joe Williams and Cannonball Redding, broke Oscar Charleston's ribs in a fiery altercation, and even held his own against the legendary Josh Gibson as far as hitting the long ball. He was a box office sensation, mesmerizing fans with his power and grace.

Though denied the opportunity to shine in the segregated significant leagues, Santop's impact on Black baseball is undeniable. He paved the way for future stars, proving the incredible talent unjustly hidden from mainstream audiences. In 2006, his legacy was finally recognized with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Roberto Alomar and His Amazing MLB Career

Many of the opponents of this legend were challenged by his raw talent and skill that set him apart from his peers. Roberto Alomar played the position of Second Baseman/HD and Shortstop, wearing the uniforms of the San Diego Padres (88, 89, 90), Toronto Blue Jays (91, 92, 93, 94, 95), Baltimore Orioles (96, 97, 98) Cleveland Indians (99, 00, 01) New York Mets (02, 03) Chicago White Sox (03, 04) Arizona Diamondbacks (04).

Alomar, a Puerto Rican legend, carved his name in baseball history with a 17-year career marked by defensive brilliance and offensive prowess. For his MLB career, he batted 0.3, had a Base percentage of 0.443, with 210 career Home Runs, and 10 Gold Glove Awarded Seasons.

That astonishing amount of Gold Gloves is the most for any second baseman, as it cemented his defensive legacy. His smooth fielding at second and acrobatic plays wowed audiences for years.

He earned 12 All-Star selections, was an ALCS MVP, and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Despite on-field controversies, Alomar's talent and impact on the game earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, solidifying his status as one of the greatest second basemen ever.
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