Baseball trivia poems

[wdl]

First, I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. My name is Walter, but my friends call me by my initials: wdl.

I'm a retired teacher who has many interests; one of my passions is baseball and baseball trivia. Over the years, for my own amusement, I've written hundreds of baseball trivia poems or rhymes (some of these aired on the radio years ago). I thought I'd throw one out.


HE WAS BORN NOT FAR FROM THE NATIONAL ROAD;
IT WAS FROM HERE TO THE PLATE THAT THIS YOUNGSTER STRODE.

NINE SEASONS...FOUR TEAMS..TWO-FIFTIES LIFETIME, IT SEEMS;
CINCY..SOX..SAINT LOUIE AND THE BENGALS, SHORT ON HOMERS, LONG ON
SINGLES.

GOODBYE “NEEDLE,” GIVE A “HOOT,” “DIZZY” COMES ALONG TO BOOT;
SKIDS AND SLIDES..GEORGE TO HIS RIGHT..AND EVEN GEORGE JOINS THE
FLIGHT.

HIS PLAYING DAYS OVER, HE’D NOW BE A SKIPPER;
FROM THE PETTUS BRIDGE TO THE WILLAMETTE RIVER.

FOR CHIEF WAHOO, HE’D TRY BRINGING LIGHT AFTER DARK;
BUT THE ECLIPSE WAS COMPLETE, HE’D NOT LEAVE HIS MARK..

HE’D FINISH HIS CAREER AT THE TIGERS’ WINTER HOME;
BUT THE SHADOWS WERE LENGTHENING; NO LONGER TO ROAM.

Who Am I?

I realize it's tough, but you may be up for the challenge.
I'm actually giving away prizes. You can read all the particulars on page 5 of my website: www.harnessmaven.com (harness racing is another one of my passions).

wdl

[RuthMayBond]

I've done trivia, and poems, but never combined the two :bowdown::bowdown:
Check your e-mail, I just sent the correct answer :pray:

[wdl]

The correct answer has been provided: Johnny Lipon.

Lipon came up as a young kid out of Martins Ferry, OH (just across the river from Wheeling, WV; it was also the birthplace of Cleveland Browns tackle and placekicker Lou "The Toe" Groza). Lipon came into "the Bigs" as one of its
youngest players. He played for four teams. He was mostly a singles, Punch-and-Judy hitter. His fielding was barely adequate.

Lipon's nickname was "Skids." He was involved in a blockbuster trade that sent him, George Kell, "Hoot" Evers and "Dizzy" Trout to the Red Sox for Johnny Pesky, Walt Dropo, Bill Wight, Don Lenhardt and Bill Hatfield.

Lipon later played briefly for the Havana Sugar Kings of the International League. He then began a minor league managing career. One of his stops was Selma, AL, the scene of a Civil Rights movement confrontation at the Gen. Edmund Pettus Bridge. He would manage the Portland Beavers in the PCL (located nr. the Willamette River). He did briefly manage the Cleveland Indians (Chief Wahoo); he had replaced Alvin Dark. However, Lipon's won-loss managerial record with the Tribe was, well, let's put it: "Nothing to write home about."

He finished up managerial career in Lakeland, FL. He died in Houston TX.

[RuthMayBond]

Lipon came up as a young kid out of Martins Ferry, OH (just across the river from Wheeling, WV; it was also the birthplace of Cleveland Browns tackle and placekicker Lou "The Toe" Groza). My boss lived around the corner from him :eek: