Don Schwall was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I just drove past Wilkes-Barre on my way home from a weekend getaway on Monday afternoon. Small world? Sure it is.
Fun facts about Don Schwall:
-While playing basketball at the University of Oklahoma (he was 6'6"), Don was named to the All-Big Eight team in 1957. He signed with the Red Sox the following year.
-Boston called for the righthander in May of 1961 after he'd won 49 games in three-plus minor league seasons. His 23-6 record with the Class D Alpine Cowboys in 1959 was a standout.
-At age 25, the rookie proved that he was ready for the big leagues by winning his first five starts (5-0, 3 CG, 1 SHO, 1.31 ERA) and beginning his career on a 13-2 run before a late-season slump left his final stat line at a still-impressive 15-7 with a 3.22 ERA and ten complete games. He led the team in wins despite starting only 25 games, made the All-Star Team, and beat out teammate Carl Yastrzemski for American League Rookie of the Year honors.
-He two-hit the Orioles on June 13, 1962 as the Red Sox won 4-0.
-On September 8, 1962, he beat Early Wynn and the White Sox 10-5. In addition to scattering 12 hits and four walks in eight innings, D
-Schwall slumped to 9-15 with a 4.94 ERA in 1962, and was traded to the Pirates with catcher Jim Pagliaroni in the offseason. The Red Sox received Dick Stuart and Jack Lamabe in return.
-The change of scenery seemed to do Don some good, as he walked less than 100 batters for the first time the following year and lowered his ERA to 3.33. But the Pirates weren't great shakes (74-88), and he lost big again with a 6-12 record, including an eight-decision skid to end the year.
-After returning to the minors in 1964, he was moved to the bullpen the following season and boosted his record to 9-6 with four saves and a 2.92 ERA.
-He pitched decently but was used sparingly by the Pirates and Braves in 1966, and was released by Atlanta mid-1967 after appearing in just one game, ending his career at age 31.
-In parts of seven seasons, Schwall was 49-48 with a 3.72 ERA.
Don Schwall gave up one of the longest homers I ever witnessed. Boog Powell hit one over the hedges behind the center field fence off Schwall. It was the first ball in Memorial Stadium to get over those hedges. A true monster shot. That was in the 2nd game of a DH in June of '62. My first ever visit to Memorial Stadium. O's split with the Sox. I don't think I've ever been as excited to be in a ballpark as I was on my first visit to Memorial.
ReplyDeleteBob - I'm sure Don would be glad to know that he made your day 48 years ago ;)
ReplyDelete