In the morning, I have the great privilege of working with Cal Neeman, Sr., grandfather of Collin (of LBG Gallery fame!) and his golf professional daughter, Suzanne. They’re coming in from St. Louis, and we’re going to have a ball of fun. It all starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. with breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I’ve persuaded young Luke (Ted) to join us – it wasn’t hard…just had to offer a ‘tall stack’ of Moma’s Homemade Pancakes – so things will be in full swing (or is that ‘hit’?) before the traffic clears. Ted better warn his right triceps though, because it's about to meet its match: Cal for years was catcher for the Chicago Cubs and could fire a 'frozen rope' to second base without leaving his squat. Now that's a Papa Bear Right Triceps!
Last night, May 19, 2008 Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto hit an inside the park homerun against the Houston Astros. The last Cub catcher to do that?
July 17, 1959......Cal Neeman
Last night, May 19, 2008 Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto hit an inside the park homerun against the Houston Astros. The last Cub catcher to do that?
July 17, 1959......Cal Neeman
Great stuff, tradekid. Thanks! Now, for those so inclined . . .
Last night, May 19, 2008 Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto hit an inside the park homerun against the Houston Astros. The last Cub catcher to do that?
July 17, 1959......Cal Neeman
Just off the phone with Cal Neeman, Sr. (CalSr). As usual, the gifted ones discount their achievements:
"I just did a good job at rounding the bases."
"It's always a fluke when someone hits an 'inside the park' home run", he said. "A funny bounce off the wall, a wrong-side throw to the relay man. That kind of thing."
From 'The Man' himself, here's the story behind Cal's homer:
Chicago Cubs versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bottom of the 8th.
Cal hit a "semi-line-drive" -- -- into left field. Pirate left fielder Bob Skinner had the innings mixed up and thought it was the bottom of the 9th. With the winning run at second base and now faced with his own 'make or break' play, he knew he had either to 'trap' the ball on the fly or field it and throw the runner out at home. He chose to trap it and missed.
Quoting Cal:
"Bob Skinner tried to make a great play, but the ball got by him. There was no error, and in his own mind, no reason to try to get the ball. So, he simply heads for the clubhouse! And the centerfielder, Bill Virdon, who's supposed to back him up, just follows him in."
Finally, shortstop Dick Groat, who did know what was going on, retrieves the ball from the ivy against the fence and relays it in. All of which was too late to nab Our Hero, who crosses home plate with a 3-run homer.
"I could run," Cal said, "but not good enough for an 'inside the park' home run. Like I said, something strange has to happen."
Interestingly, both Virdon and Skinner went on to become sucessful big league managers.
"All on a play," says Cal, "that would have Little League managers across the country pulling their hair out."
Soto's inside the parker was an actual home run except 2nd base umpire, "Country" Joe West, blew the call (as usual). Replay showed the ball caroming off the MinuteMade park facade above the yellow line. Actual home run but West doesn't give an indication. Center fielder confused because he saw it hit above the line. Ball took a weird bounce away from him allowing Soto to touch em all.
Yep, I remember Bob Prince, the late Pirate announcer, making the call on that play---and the reason I remember it is because my mom, a HUGE Pirate fan, was screaming at Bob Skinner (his nickname was "Dog") through the radio. Those were the good old days. Very little TV coverage and had to rely on radio announcers to "paint the picture" for you. Thanks for the replay CalSr. Was Clemente as good as I thought he was when I was a kid?? (sorry for the mini threadjack!)
And I see Dick Groat whenever I play Champion Lakes Golf Course--he owns the course and works the counter during the summer and takes your money---nice guy and very humble.
– so things will be in full swing (or is that ‘hit’?) before the traffic clears. Ted better warn his right triceps though, because it's about to meet its match: Cal for years was catcher for the Chicago Cubs and could fire a 'frozen rope' to second base without leaving his squat. Now that's a Papa Bear Right Triceps!
-- into left field. Pirate left fielder Bob Skinner had the innings mixed up and thought it was the bottom of the 9th. With the winning run at second base and now faced with his own 'make or break' play, he knew he had either to 'trap' the ball on the fly or field it and throw the runner out at home. He chose to trap it and missed. 
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