Tommy Henrich....68 years later....show us his cards.

[tedzan]

What can you say when a guy strikes out in the 9th inning of a World Series game, which then allows his team
to go on to win this pivotal game in the Series ? That's what you call "clutch swinging". Everyone surely knows
of Tommy's famous "3rd strike" passed ball play 68 years ago in 4th game of the 1941 World Series (Yankees vs
Dodgers).
Tommy, indeed, was one of the best clutch hitters to ever play the game. And, certainly one of the most reliable
hitters when his teammates were in scoring position that I remember seeing from 1947 to 1951.

Tommy lives in Ohio, he is 96 years old.



.......................1941 PLAY BALL.............................................. ....1950 ROYAL............................................. ....1949 LEAF

....................1949................Bowman.... .......1950....................................... ..1943 M & P....................................1950 DRAKE's


Some of the tougher Tommy Henrich cards on display here......so, let's see some your cards of "Old Reliable".


T-Rex TED

[Jay Wolt]

Here's a modern day issue that I was buying off of eBay when I took my kids to see him at a local show a few years ago.

[Exhibitman]

[Jacklitsch]

[Chris-Counts]

About five years ago, I was visiting someone in a convalescent home in Monterey not far from where I live and I casually asked a woman who worked there if they "had any old ballplayers living there." The woman replied, there's a man here they call "Old Reliable ..." I returned with a baseball and he signed it. I heard his family moved him to Arizona a short time later ...

[Oldtix]

[GehrigFan]

I think he still lives in Arizona - I was a sports reporter in the Verde Valley and went to his house to visit before coming to Dallas 12 years ago. He loved talking baseball and his wife finally made him stop talking! Great guy, and I still have several items he signed.

[tedzan]

I think this 1951 Bowman Hi# card of Tommy is his last card of the mainstream issues in the 1950's.


GehrigFan

Ten years ago I met Tommy at a BB card show in NJ. After the signing session, Tommy went around to all the dealer tables.
Talking and looking for certain BB related items. He stayed at my table for about half an hour talking baseball. Every vintage
BB card of Yankees player I had on display, Tommy had a story to tell me. He was one of the most enthusiastic story tellers
that I've ever met.





TED Z

[GoldenAge50s]

Couldn't let this thread of Ted's pass by w/out showing my pic & autos of one of the famous plays of the World Series---the '41 "passed Ball" incident!

Got this in 1993 when I set up at one of Mike Riccio's shows in Stamford CT where Mickey & Tommy were both autograph guests for the weekend.

I had the great pleasure to sit in the motel bar right after the Sat show w/ Tommy Henrich & drink Budweisers for about an hour & 1/2 while he told story after story about every Yankee he ever knew or played w/--from Ruth right up until he saw Mantle arrive for Spring Training in 1950.

Greatest thrill I ever had talking to a ballplayer and will never forget it!

[tedzan]

Thanx for posting your photo of Tommy Henrich's famous "3rd Strike" passed ball event in the 1941 World Series.

1941 was a magic season for Henrich. He had a career high of 31 HR's, and drove in 106 runs. Tommy was very
effective in 3 of the Yankees victories against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series. He singled, and scored
the go ahead run in the 8th inning in Game 3.
In Game 4, he came to bat with 2 outs in the 9th inning with Brooklyn leading 4-3. Henrich swung at a 3-2 count
breaking curveball for strike three. But, the ball got past catcher Mickey Owen. Henrich ran to 1st base. DiMaggio
then singled, and Keller doubled to score Henrich and DiMaggio. Joe Gordon later doubled to bring in 2 more runs.
The Yankees won Game 4 (7-4) to take a 3-1 lead in the Series.
In Game 5, Henrich hit a HR, enabling the the Yankees to win the World Series.

Thus started one of the most exciting rivalries in World Series play. The Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Yankees would
face each other 6 more times (1947 thru 1956).

TED Z

[tedzan]

Rick P

What town (city) is Tommy Henrich's restaurant in ?

Also, that's a really cool looking coaster, do you have an extra for sale or trade ?


TED Z

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Rick P

What town (city) is Tommy Henrich's restaurant in ?

Also, that's a really cool looking coaster, do you have an extra for sale or trade ?


TED Z

His Steakhouse was in Columbus, OH, back in the 1960's. (I'm not sure. There could have been more than one location, but I don't think so.)

[tedzan]

Jim

Thanks for the info on Tommy's restaurant.


TED Z