Bill_McCurdy
08-29-2006, 09:26 AM
August 29, 2006. Former shortstop Al Naples, 54th oldest of 63 living former Browns, is celebrating his 79th birthday anniversary today.
Happy Birthday, Al Naples! :waving
Al Naples wasn't around the big leagues long enough to rate his own baseball card. He played in only two games for the 1949 Browns over a 24-hour period and that was it - forever! His big league career had come and gone in a single one day long period. Naples played his first Browns/MLB game on 6/25/49, and his second and last Browns/MLB game on 6/26/49.
Playing both games at shortstop, Naples went 1 for 7 and a .143 career batting average. He struck out only once, and he drew no walks or HBP trips to 1st base. His one hit was a double, but he scored no runs and picked up no RBI. That 100& double share of his total hits did boost his slugging average to .286. :rolleyes:
No matter how brief or modest, Al Naples used those 2 games in '49 to earn his way onto our current list of surviving former Browns. - Have a great day today, Al, and please think about attending one of our Browns banquets some time, presuming there are any more. You aren't the only short-time Brownie, and you will be welcomed with open arms anywhere the Browns and their small numbered, but loyal fans gather to celebrate the beauty of those good old days.
Happy Birthday, Al Naples! :waving
Al Naples wasn't around the big leagues long enough to rate his own baseball card. He played in only two games for the 1949 Browns over a 24-hour period and that was it - forever! His big league career had come and gone in a single one day long period. Naples played his first Browns/MLB game on 6/25/49, and his second and last Browns/MLB game on 6/26/49.
Playing both games at shortstop, Naples went 1 for 7 and a .143 career batting average. He struck out only once, and he drew no walks or HBP trips to 1st base. His one hit was a double, but he scored no runs and picked up no RBI. That 100& double share of his total hits did boost his slugging average to .286. :rolleyes:
No matter how brief or modest, Al Naples used those 2 games in '49 to earn his way onto our current list of surviving former Browns. - Have a great day today, Al, and please think about attending one of our Browns banquets some time, presuming there are any more. You aren't the only short-time Brownie, and you will be welcomed with open arms anywhere the Browns and their small numbered, but loyal fans gather to celebrate the beauty of those good old days.