Ott reaches two milestones

[rcl986@aol.com]

It was on this day, June 1, 1941, that Mel Ott hit his 400th Home Run and gathered his 1500th RBI in a Giants 3-2 win over the Cinncinnati Reds. Both in the same game. Not bad for 5'7" guy who was mistaken for the Giants batboy when he first joined the team in 1926. Of course he had grown to a mammoth 5'9'' and 180lbs by the time he reached these milestones. I'm sure the Polo Grounds right field dimensions may have given Mel a bit of help along the way. Great player, Great park.

[Brownie31]

It was on this day, June 1, 1941, that Mel Ott hit his 400th Home Run and gathered his 1500th RBI in a Giants 3-2 win over the Cinncinnati Reds. Both in the same game. Not bad for 5'7" guy who was mistaken for the Giants batboy when he first joined the team in 1926. Of course he had grown to a mammoth 5'9'' and 180lbs by the time he reached these milestones. I'm sure the Polo Grounds right field dimensions may have given Mel a bit of help along the way. Great player, Great park.

rcl:

These two feats by Ott came just days before Lou Gehrig's
death. Ott and Gehrig, two solid, dependable team men who
both died tragic deaths way before their time.

The world of baseball was a better place for the both of them.
And also for the glorious Polo Grounds.

Brownie31

[rcl986@aol.com]

Quite true Brownie. I think Gehrig's death however, is all the sadder by the fact that at the time of his demise he was working for the U.S.Postal Service in New York. My understanding is that following his retirement he was turned down for a job with the Yankees organization and took the PO job to help make ends meet.
Perhaps someone out there could shed some further light on this.

[Brownie31]

Quite true Brownie. I think Gehrig's death however, is all the sadder by the fact that at the time of his demise he was working for the U.S.Postal Service in New York. My understanding is that following his retirement he was turned down for a job with the Yankees organization and took the PO job to help make ends meet.
Perhaps someone out there could shed some further light on this.

rcl:

You are right that Gehrig was treated shabbily by the Yankees
(as was Babe Ruth), however I think the job he held was with
the parole board in New York City.

Either way, Ed Barrow's Yankee front office was the epitome
of cold blooded arrogance. A tradition that continued under
George Weiss.

Brownie31