Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth
Back in the day it was much, much harder to make the HOF; it was reserved for the truly top-tier, all-time great types. Even Duke Snider, who perhaps is one step up from Mize, didn't come close for years.
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Peter......and, anyone else here that may find this interesting
This is somewhat true, as there was a long queue. The Duke of Flatbush was inducted into the HOF 11 years after he was eligible. But, Johnny Mize had to wait 23 years.
November 1981......
I was fortunate to be set-up at a table adjacent to Johnny at the Meadowlands (NJ) BB card show. He was the star signing guest. I congratulated him for being inducted
into the HOF. He tersely responded with.... "It's about time".
I changed Johnny's demeanor by thanking him for his great performance in the 1952 World Series, where he single-handedly crushed the Dodgers with 3 game-winning HR's
(and was awarded the W.S. MVP). Johnny particularly appreciated my remembering that he had hit what would have been a "4th HR", that Carl Furillo reached into the RF
stands at Yankee Stadium and stole it. For approx. 3 hours we engaged in some very interesting conversations...."talking baseball". After which, Johnny invited me to visit
with him if I was traveling near Demorest, GA.
March 1987......
Leaving the Great Smokey Mtn. area on our way to Florida, I drove to Demorest, GA and visited with Johnny. Johnny remembered me and was very cordial....we talked for
some time. One aspect of his career that always struck my curiosity was why he was traded twice during his great years with the Cardinals and the Giants, respectively.
Johnny told me.....he approached Southworth in 1941 for a raise, and told him "pay me or trade me". Southworth traded him to the Giants.
At the start of 1949, Johnny asked Durocher....."pay me or trade me". That Summer, the Yankees gained the talents of the "The Big Cat" thru their 5-year dynasty (1949
thru 1953).
Johnny was a proud man that knew his talents and didn't let certain Managers get in his way. However, Casey Stengel was one smart Manager who appreciated Big John.
TED Z