Results tagged ‘ SABR ’
Brooklyn Dodgers. Where are they now. Luis Olmo
Luis Olmo Then
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Jackie Robinson, Senate president of Puerto Rico, Luis Munoz Marin and Luis Olmo.
| Name | DOB | Birthplace | Uniform # |
| Luis Olmo | 10/11/1919 | Puerto Rico | 21 |
I googled Luis Olmo and noticed I had an old post where I dedicated the post to Luis Olmo because my blog came in at #21 and in addition to Olmo wearing #21 it was his birthday that day. I had posted the above picture.
Luis Francisco Rodríguez Olmo known as El Jíbaro – The Hillbilly, was the second Puerto Rico to play in the Major Leagues. The first one was Hiram Bithorn who played with the Cubs in 1942.
El Jibaro played for the Dodgers from 1943 to 1945 then again in 1949. Luis Olmo became the first Puerto Rican to play in a World Series, during which he hit a home run and three hits in one game
Olmo lead the National League in triples in 1945. On May 18 of that year he hit a grand slam home run and a bases loaded triple in the same game. No other player accomplished that feat in the 20th century.
Olmo jumped to the Mexican League in 1946 because one Mexican team owner offered a higher salary than what Branch Rickey Sr. was offering. Olmo and several other jumpers were banned by MLB Commissioner Happy Chandler for going to the Mexican League. For Olmo the suspension lasted three years. Olmo returned to the Dodgers in 1949.
From the SABR bioproject by Rory Costello:
After his return in late June, Olmo got into 38 games for Brooklyn, batting .305/1/14 in 105 at-bats as he backed up Tommy Brown and Duke Snider. He got off to a hot start, getting 12 hits in his first 27 at-bats (.444), capped by a game-ending homer at Ebbets Field on July 17. Yet perhaps his most memorable contribution to the 1949 pennant winners was a sensational catch that he made at Ebbets on August 24 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brooklyn was up 2-0 in the fifth inning, but St. Louis had the tying runs in scoring position, and at the plate was the feared batter whom Ebbets fans dubbed “The Man” – Stan Musial. Olmo, always known as a fine outfielder, needed every foot of the old ballpark’s cozy dimensions, including the extra afforded by the corrugated exit gate in left field. He leaped and made the catch, snuffing out the rally, and the Dodgers went on to win, drawing to within one game of first. Brooklyn did not overtake St. Louis until late September, but the complexion of the race might have changed if the Cards had won that day. Baseball Digest wrote up the play in August 1961, and as late as 2009, it earned an entry in a book devoted to great outfield catches, Going, Going . . . Caught!
Olmo played for the Boston Braves in 1950 & 1951. In ’51 he only played in 21 games before being sent to the Triple-A Milwaukee Brewers. There he concluded his US career.
He joined Licey of the Dominican League. The remainder of Olmo’s playin career consisted of four Winter season in Puerto Rico. He was also scouting for the Braves. He was manager for several teams in Puerto Rico. The PRWL named him Manager of the year seven times.
Luis Olmo now:
Luis Rodriguez Olmo celebrating 90 years.
from SABR biography by Rory Costello:
Olmo began playing golf since 1968 and in 2011 still got out on the links twice a week, one of the reasons he remained so fit in his 90s. At one point, though, he was carrying more weight than was good for him – he dropped 50 pounds on doctor’s orders. In August 2009, after SABR’s Puerto Rican chapter and the Museum of Sports of Guaynabo celebrated his 90th birthday, Olmo said, “I just turned 90. I hoped to reach 80 and that has passed. I am playing extra innings. And I recall as if it were yesterday when I arrived in the majors. The baseball of today is the same as what I played. The only thing that has changed is the salaries.” Four days after his 92nd birthday, I asked Luis to what he attributes his long life. He said simply, with a little chuckle, “I been lucky. Living good.”
ref: pic, Colleccion Luiz Munoz Marin, baseball-fever, http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/a26bda17
Dodgers FanFest & SABR Day is Saturday January 26, 2013
I knew that the Annual SABR Day is scheduled for January 26, 2013. Now I am finding out that the Dodgers will have their first Winter FanFest on the same Saturday!
My first reaction was “Awe shucks!” but then I started thinking “Why not have SABR at Dodger Stadium?” It would be a great opportunity to pass the word around and see if more people want to sign up to be a member of SABR.
I was told at the last meeting that the location had not been determined. Last year it was at the LA Habra library. It was a great event with Del Crandall in attendance and High School coach Eddie Alvarez. Daryl Gribsby talked about his book “Celebrating Ourserves: African-Americans and the Promise of Baseball”.
Last year the Dodgers were having Open House at Dodger Stadium. I went a day before so I would not miss SABR Day. Last year I said the same thing “Why not have SABR DAY at Dodger Stadium.
From the SABR website at http://sabr.org, this is what i says:
SABR Day is an annual event that brings together SABR members and friends on the same day, regardless of where they live. The fourth annual SABR Day will be held on January 26, 2013. Check back on this page soon as we update our calendar with SABR Day events in your area!
Regional SABR meetings are open to all baseball fans — though we encourage you to join SABR if you like what you find — and are usually free to attend. Guest speakers often include current and former baseball players, managers, umpires, executives, scouts, writers and authors.
This will be the Dodgers first Fanrfest in the Winter. In the past two years we had events where we can volunteer along the players at places like cleanup the ocean and the La River and donating time at the La Food Bank.
I hope that they will still have events like these in addition to the FanFest. Look for more information to the Dodgers FanFest at http://dodgers.com
Update: Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin will also be at the FanFest!! Also lots of food trucks.
Tim Leary, Richard Santillan, SABR, Christy Mathewson, Baseball Reliquary
I love going to baseball events during the offseason! Last Saturday I went to the SABR meeting. Richard Santillan was there to show us the documentary on “Mexican American Baseball in California. I was running a little late to the meeting so I walked in while the film was in progress. I had gone to Olvera Street night before for Dia de Los Muertos so I got up a little late.
Richard was promoting his two books that he co-wrote “Baseball American Baseball in Los Angeles” and “Baseball American Baseball in the Inland Empire.” The next book “Mexican American Baseball in Orange County” is due to come out March 2013. I love the books! and like Richard and Terry Cannon say “It is a community project.”
The next guest was Tim Leary! We had been asked to take baseball artifacts and Barry and others showed some real original ones. I like the 1900 baseball cards
and the poster titled “World Championship Series” of the second game series played at the Polo Grounds.
Tim Leary brought his 1988 Silver Slugger award!
He also brought his 1988 World Series ring!
I really enjoyed listening to Tim Leary. He is a very knowledgeable baseball person. The Dodgers should have him as one of the instructors at the next Winter workouts at Dodger Stadium to talk to the future Dodgers. Leary works part-time for the Dodgers as part of the community speakers but the Dodgers should be fully utilizing his skills.
I am glad to be a member of SABR giving me the opportunity to be among SABR members that blow me away with their knowledge and to attend events where we get speakers like Tim Leary, giving us a chance to hear the person speak and ask questions. I prefer this more personal meeting than a crowded autograph signing where you are rushed thru the line.
Eddie Frierson in “Matty” An Eveving with Christy Mathewson
I am glad also that SABR member Rick told me about the play “Matty” an evening with Christy Mathewson. It was playing at the Fremont Centre Theatre. I went to see it Monday night. I loved it! Eddie Frierson plays Matty. National Public Radio called it “One of the year’s ten best plays!’ the Fremont Centre is a cute little cozy theatre that says it sits 50.
Next event: “Not Exactly Cooperstown”
Friday November 9 at 7:00 p.m. at South Pasadena Library for the screening of “Not Exactly Cooperstown” by filmaker Jon Leonoudakis.
I have seen the screening but I am going back! This program is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Library and the Baseball Reliquary. Audience members are asked to “dress Baseball” and a trivia contest with prizes will start the event. The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. It is just around the corner of the Fremont Centre Theatre.
Halloween Day, Debut of Dodger Talk, Birthdays, Births, Awards and SABR Meeting
The Jints had their World Series parade today on Halloween Day, an appropriate day for them with their colors. Congrats. Hopefully next year the Dodgers will be celebrating.
Today Wednesday is also the debut of Dodger Talk on AM570 with Jorge Jarrin. The show will air from 7 PM to 8 PM. Adrian Gonzalez will be a guest. Buena suerte Jorge!
Also today is Javy Guerra’s birthday. Javy turns 27. Do you remember when he dressed as a taco last year for rookie Hazing? If not, ehre is a picture as a reminder. Love the guys showing some legs!
That was a fun day in San Diego watching the guys get on the bus with their outfits.
There was a co-worker dressed as a taco today that reminded me of Javy’s outfit last year. I dressed as Sally from Nightmare before Christmas. There were a group at work dressed as Obama and Romney. There was another dressed as Clinton and there was Hillary Clinton too.
I was going to post two more pictures but the system is being difficult. I know is NOT this user.
Congratulations are in order.
I know I am late but congratulations to Clayton Kershaw on winning the Roberto Clemente Award! Well deserve kid! The last time the Dodgers had a current player win the Roberto Clemente award was in 1981 when Steve Garvey won it.
Also congratulations to AJ Ellis and his wife Cindy on their third child. Cindy gave birth in the car on their way to the hospital. What a woman! Since I am talking about births, congratulations to my friend Nora who gave birth to her first baby. She and Sax named her Pele June. I already bought her a Dodger outfitt. It is blue but is OK, the baby can wear blue too!
SABR meeting this Saturday November 1st.
Saturday is our next SABR meeting here in Los Angeles. Here is the information:
Allan Roth Chapter meeting (Los Angeles, CA)
The Allan Roth Chapter will hold its next meeting on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at the LA84 Library, 2141 West Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles, California. Meeting time: 10 AM.
Tim Leary, major league pitcher, is expected. Dr. Richard Santillan will discuss his books on Mexican-American baseball in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.
Show & Tell: Bring your baseball artifacts, folkart, and chatzkes. We all have baseball-themed items. The more unusual, the better. If you would like to present your research, please contact Barry Mednick.
To sign up for e-mail announcements from the Allan Roth Chapter, please click here.
I am looking forward to seeing Ricahrd Santillan again. Hope he has his latest book with him so that I can buy it. I don’t have any artifacts to take to the meeting but I am curious to see what other members take.
Last Post on SABR42! Captured screen “Former SABR member Ted Williams…”
I had a great time at SABR42 and I am looking forward to next year for SABR43 at Philadelphia. Also the next location for 2014 was announced. It will be in Houston. I have never been to either park.
The Mary Tyler Moore statue was within a block from the hotel so Abby and I had to get a picture there. 
There was a Farmers market so I am carrying some cherries in the bag. I also tried Cheese curds in one of the stands.
Keynote speaker MLB Historian John Thorn
Check out John Thorn MLB blog at http://ourgame.mlblogs.com his keynote speech is there.
Back outside we spotted this bar on wheels.
Jamey Carrol!
Local boy Mike Moustakas from Chatsworth High doing well with the Kansas City Royals
Bert Blyleven! look who his hero was!
A familiar face. Jonathan Broxton making it interesting recording his 22nd save
Abby, Kent, Norm from Canada.
this picture on the Twins’ screen reads “Former SABR member Ted Williams ….”
Twins Mickey Mouse from the All-Star game at Anaheim
So with that it was time to say goodbye to Minneapolis. Thanks for hosting SABR42! Thank you the local SABR chapter!
Come to a SABR convention! Here is a list of past HOF speakers as compiled by SABR member Max Kates.
Hall of Famers to speak at SABR conventions
- 1979:Cool Papa Bell (SABR 9, St. Louis)
- 1982:Sparky Anderson (SABR 12, Baltimore)
- 1989:Phil Rizzuto (SABR 19, Albany)
- 1990:Bob Feller, Bob Lemon (SABR 20, Cleveland)
- 1992:Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst (SABR 22, St. Louis)
- 1993:Bobby Doerr, Dick Williams, (SABR 23, San Diego)
- 1994:Robin Roberts, Nolan Ryan (SABR 24, Arlington)
- 1995:Bill Mazeroski (SABR 25, Pittsburgh)
- 1996:Bob Feller, second appearance (SABR 26, Kansas City)
- 1997:Jim Bunning, Pee Wee Reese (SABR 27, Louisville)
- 1998:Orlando Cepeda (SABR 28, San Mateo)
- 2000:Monte Irvin, Tony Perez (SABR 30, West Palm Beach)
- 2003:Pat Gillick (SABR 33, Denver)
- 2008:Bob Feller, third appearance (SABR 38, Cleveland)
- 2010: Phil Niekro (SABR 40, Atlanta)
How I wish I would have joined earlier and gone to the conventions from the first year I joined.
I left with my luggage a little heavier with more reading material from the convention plus a few more books that I bought.
SABR42 Babe Ruth, Roy Campanella, Ted Williams & Willie Mays played in Minnesota
What a treat to go into the Twins Archive room. We met the Twins curator Clyde Doepner!
I would love to go thru stuff here! Those Sporting News would be a nice start.
There is all sort of treasures in this room
A Hole in One by plaque by Harmon Killerbrew
Thanks Clyde! I think this would be a great job.
Now we are the Visiting Clubhouse.
Are you confy Kent?
Kent looks like he is giving a sign. 
I like my shadow
Abby taking a picture of Babe Ruth
The Babe when he played for the Saint Paul Saints
And here is Walter Alston and Roy Campanella
Ted Williams played for the Millers
Willie Mays also played for the Millers.
OK…that is enough pictures for a post so one more coming up with pictures at the Throwback game.
SABR42 in Minneapolis part dos
So after the library Brenda took us thru the Skyline walk then on to the streets for the tour of downtown. The City Hall is a beautiful building.
The Lakers played here
We went inside The Metrodome
The famous roof
Part of our SABR group. Notice how the seats are ….standing up. They lower them for football games. The Golden Ghopers baseball team plays here.
The seat that commemorates Kirby Puckett’s 1991 World Series Game 6-winning home run.
Back at the hotel listening to Twins GM Terry Ryan. He is a good speaker and funny.
At Target Field getting the tour
I love this picture
The first SABR group was at the top while
The second SABR group was on the field. I took the picture from above.
The Twins logo. Twins Minnie and Paul shaking hands across the Mississipi
Abby in the Press Box along other SABR members
Phone with the Twins logo. Hello?
Part 3 coming up with games pictures including the game with the Throwback uniforms.
SABR #42 in Minneapolis
One of the best things about SABR is meeting with friends you have made thru SABR. After meeting Abby and Kent last year at SABR41 in Long Beach, you would always see the three of us together. The three of us said we would keep in touch with each other. Less than a month later, Abby emailed us about a SABR/Baseball Prospectus event at Citi Field. Kent could not make the trip in August but I did. In addition to seeing Citi Field, Abby and I went to watch a Cyclone game.
Kent is a Dodger fan and a Red Sox fan. Abby is a Yankee fan and you all know I bleed Dodger Blue.
I was remembering that last year Kent wanted to try his first In-N-Out burger. Well, he asked the front desk how far was the closest In-N-Out. The shuttle did not make it that far so we took a taxi. Because we did not want to miss the next session, we had the taxi go thru the drive thru. We quickly ate at the hotel and headed to the next session.
The following day as the bus tour was heading to Lake Elsinore where we were going to catch the Storms against the Rawhides, I looked out the window and saw an In & Out place, I suddenly remembered that I had my car parked at the hotel! I turned to Kent and told him that I had remembered about my car a day late. I remember the taxi was not cheap. Funny I can remember baseball facts but had completely forgotten about my car.
I did not need a car in Minneapolis. I had been there the year before when the Dodgers played there 6/27/11 to 6/29/11. Both Abby and I arrived in Minneapolis in time to take the library tour and the tour of downtown that Brenda was given. This library has a piano! I love libraries!
To be continue… Pictures coming.
Upcoming Dodger Road Trip & SABR Convention. I Can’t Wait!
Dodgers are on the road on a 10 day road trip. They split the first two games in Colorado. Today the game is at 12:10. Nathan Eovaldi goes against Alex White. Then is on to Philadelphia for a four game series. They finish the road trip with a three day weekend in Seattle and that is where I will be with Lorena & Rosie. We leave Thursday morning.
Here is Lorena & Rosie from our trip to San Diego. We are cheering on the nice Dodger start at Petco Park. See you at the airport ladies!
SABR 42Convention
I will also be going to the SABR convention in Minneapolis June 27 to June 30. I will be rooming with my friend Abby who I met last year at the SABR convention in Long Beach. After meeting Abby who is a Yankee fan and Kent who is a Red Sox fan, the three of us hang around together for the rest of the conference. Looking forward to seeing Abby, Kent and the rest of the SABR members attending.
I went last year to Minneapolis during the same days when the Dodgers played there. I spent my birthday there with Lorena, This year Abby and I will be celebrating our birthdays there.
I contacted SABR member Emily who I met last last year at the SABR convention in Long Beach. I also saw her at the SABR Fall League conference. She is a Mariner fan so I am hoping to see her at Safefo Field. Emily is the one with a soda drink. Her mom next to her. The lady in back has a teenage daughter that is so much into baseball & SABR.
I miss my boys in Blue. The last game at Dodger Stadium with the Brewers, I spent it in the Left Field Pavilion. I had a blast there with friends. Thanks Ernest for the ticket! Here is a picture that Jon SooHoo took a few days ago. Here is Deuce, brother Vic to the right of me and Ernest in the back. Deuce & Ernest sit in the LF pavilion.
Here is a group picture from the LF pavilion
Maybe in between Seattle & Minnesota I can sneak a quick trip to Oakland. Dodgers play there in the middle of the week middle of June.
In the meantime It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!
Jim Gilliam and the number 19
In the MLB fan blogs, my blog came in at
I dedicate it to Jim Gilliam.
Jim Gilliam made his major league debut in 1953.
Quoting Jim Murray: They broke him in easy. All he had to do the first year was replace Jackie Robinson.
He proved capable, batting .278 with a team-leading 125 runs for the NL champions. His 17 triples led the NL, and remain the most by a Dodger since 1920; he was second in the league (behind Stan Musial) with 100 walks, and third in the NL with 21 stolen bases.
For his excellent season he earned NL Rookie of the Year honors, as well as The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award.
Gilliam played his entire 14 year career (1953 -1966) in a Dodger uniform
Junior was part of the first all switch hitting infield in Major League history, with Maury Wills, Wes Parker, and Jim Lefebvre.
Gilliam hit behind Maury Wills when he launched the modern stolen base era with 104 in 1962. He was the ultimate team player sacrificing himself for the good of the team.
Gilliam taught Jim Lefebvre how to bat behind a base stealer, as Lefebvre did behind Lou Brock in 1974, when he stole 118
Gilliam contributed to four World Series clubs and seven pennant winners.
His glove is on display in Cooperstown.
The Dodgers used him at every position in the field except for pitcher and catcher.
In 1965 he was replaced at third base and became a first base coach but after injuries and dismal hitting average at third, the Dodgers activated Gilliam who went on to contribute with his hitting.
Jim Gilliam passed away prior to the start of the 1978 World Series at which time his number was retired and the Dodgers wore a commemorative patch on their sleeve in his honor.
Los Angeles Times sports columnist Jim Murray penned a tribute for Gilliam, the versatile non-star. His effort to describe Jim’s end began with these words:
“I guess my all-time favorite athlete was Jim Gilliam. He always thought he was lucky to be a Dodger. I thought it was the other way around.”
I love reading old columns from Jim Murray.
In Colorado: Dodgers stop the losing streak by winning 6-2!
ref: SABR, Jim Murray’s columns, Truebluela, pics from Sport Illustrated & google
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