Blow Out the Candles March 4

Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance was born in Orient, Iowa on this date in 1891.

 1992 Conlon Collection #447

Dazzy led the NL in strikeouts for seven consecutive years (1922-1928).  He really only began his major league career at the age of 31 but ended his career with 197 wins and 2045 strikeouts.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Is there a ballplayer from the 1920's or 30's that didn't take a picture with the Babe?

"Back in Nebraska I knew a cowboy who, when he saw a horse, a gun or a dog that he liked, would say ‘Ain’t that a daisy,’ only he would pronounce ‘daisy’ as ‘dazzy.’ I got to saying, ‘Ain’t that a dazzy,’ and before I was 11 years old, the nickname was tacked on me." - Dazzy Vance

V is for Vance
The Dodger's very own Dazzy;
None of his rivals
Could throw as fast as he.

--Ogden Nash

Lefty O'Doul was born in San Francisco, CA on this date in 1897.

 1992 Conlon Collection #377

Not exactly Babe Ruth, but Lefty was a player who converted from pitcher to outfielder and ended his career with a .349 lifetime average.  The card  above gives a good summary of his career (click to enlarge).

Lefty, seen here in 1935, is credited with helping popularize the game of baseball in Japan and was enshrined in the Japanese Baseall Hall of Fame in 2002.

The bar and restaurant O'Doul founded,  Lefty O'Doul's is still operating in San Francisco.

Sportscaster Tim Weigel was born on this date in 1945.

If you grew up in the Chicago area and are of a certain age you'll fondly remember Tim.

Tim died in 2001 at age 56 after battling brain cancer.

Tim's two kids, Jennifer and Rafer are both in the broadcasting business.