Tuesday, July 14, 2009

#156 Bob Sadowski

#156 Bob Sadowski
Wow, it's been three weeks! I didn't intend to take a lengthy break from this blog, but to be fair, I was on vacation for one of those weeks with very limited Internet access. Anyway, let's get back on the horse with Bob Sadowski. That's a very interesting backdrop behind Bob. I think that's a stadium overhang, and to my untrained eye it looks like Chavez Ravine. But as always, I welcome any corrections you may have to offer.

Fun facts about Bob Sadowski:

-A Pittsburgh native, he signed with the Cardinals in 1958 at age twenty.

-Baseball was the family business: his brothers Ed and Ted and nephew Jim all played in the majors as well.

-Was traded to the Braves along with Gene Oliver in exchange for Lew Burdette in 1963.

-Had a strong rookie season in 1963, posting a 2.62 ERA and 1.10 WHIP despite a 5-7 record.

-Twirled his only career shutout on September 5, 1963, blanking the Pirates on eight hits and striking out a dozen.

-Was useful in his sophomore season as a swingman, going 9-10 with a 4.10 ERA, five saves, and five complete games.

-Tied a major league record by striking out in all five at-bats on April 20, 1964.

-Started the last ever home opener for the Braves at Milwaukee's County Stadium, beating the Cubs 5-1 on April 15, 1965.

-Held Willie Stargell to one hit in 13 career at-bats (.077 AVG).

-Struggled in eleven games for the Red Sox in 1966, his final season in the majors. Finished with a 20-27, 3.87 pitching line in four seasons.
#156 Bob Sadowski (back)

4 comments:

  1. Kevin, love this blog, the O's, and 1965 Topps. I'm thinking that's a spring training facility, not Chavez Ravine (does Bob have his Braves home whites on?), but I could be wrong.

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  2. Kevin, Doug beat me to it. Those appear to be home whites but more than that the Chavez roof is much higher. From the angle of the shot it looks very much like a one deck stadium.

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  3. It is the Braves' longtime Spring Training stadium at West Palm Beach. Saw the Orioles play the Braves there several times in the 80s. For a while, the Braves shared the facility in the 80s with the Expos. Check out some Braves cards over the 25 years post '65 and you'll see it.
    '65 Topps is a great year!

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  4. Thanks for the help, guys! I thought Bob was wearing home whites, so that's why I left it up to the peanut gallery to lend a hand. You didn't disappoint me.

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