Classic Clippings -- Moon Man

Today's classic clipping features "Moon Man", Jay Johnstone and his wife from the early 1970's.

This one just screams for a new caption.  I dare you.

Classic Clippings -- Play at the Plate

This shot is from the Rangers-White Sox game played at old Comisky Park on April 15, 1975.

Lovitto, who had previously driven in Dave Nelson with the lead run, broke for home on a pickoff attempt of Willie Davis (yes, that Willie Davis).  Joe was out at the plate but Steve Hargan closed out the Sox in the bottom half of the inning for the win.

Classic Clippings -- 1726

1726 was the total number of home runs hit by these three gentlemen at the end of the day this paper came out.

I believe it's from August 16, 1973.  The Braves were in town for a three game set.  On the left is Cubs coach Ernie Banks, middle is Braves skipper Eddie Mathews and holding the ball is Hammerin' Hank.  Banks and Mathhews will always be linked by the the number of home runs each hit in their Hall of Fame careers, 512.  On this day Hank would belt #702 off Jack Aker.  It came in the top of the 8th inning as part of a 9 run outburst that made a winner out of Joe Niekro who had entered the game in the 7th with the Braves trailing 2-0.  Coincidentally, Joe's brother Phil was the 15-1 winner the previous day pitching a complete game.  The Braves swept the series outscoring the Cubs 31-5.  Both teams would finish the season in 5th place with almost identical records.

This was on the back of the photo.

  Kaat would finish the year 4-1 for the Sox and would follow that up with consecutive 20 game win seasons in 1974 and 1975.  Coco Laboy's brief career was over but we still remember him.

PS I'd like to think that kid still has the ball.  Not  a bad trio of signatures.

Classic Clippings -- Joy of Scoring

Grant Mulvey after scoring a goal in his rookie season of 1974-75.  If you'd like to read a bit on Grant check out his bio on Joe Pelletier's Greatest Hockey Legends.com.

I'm assuming this is one of the quarter-final games of the Stanley Cup playoff in 1975. There's a blurb on the back side that quotes Mel Stottlemyre about signing with the Tigers after having been released by the Yankees. --- I just did a little more research and found that the exact date is April 18, 1975.

Classic Clippings -- Steve Stone Illegal Bat Incident

This must be from 1974 or 1975.  I can't find anything about it on the web.  Does anyone remember what the story was?  Pine tar, ala George Brett?

(To see this properly you'll need to click on it.)

Classic Clippings -- Juan Marichal

Back before the internet and Google Images many of us used to clip pictures from newspapers and magazines.  

Here are a couple I found.  If you forgot Juan Marichal played for the Dodgers (I did) it's understandable.  He only started two games, quite unsuccessfully, before hanging them up for good.

I found this on the web.