Miami Marlins

[Jim]

Does anyone remember the Miami Marlins from the '50s? They were a Triple A affiliate of the Phillies. Wondering if anyone knows whatever became of some of the guys who played on those teams. Specifically, Woody Smith, Chuck Ortel, Bobby Valentine, Don Landrum, Frank Herrera, Johnny Bucha, Don Cardwell, etc.

[LouGehrig]

I remember them. Satchel Paige played for them. Valentine just got relieved of his duties in New York.

[Jim]

You are correct about Satchel Paige playing for the Miami Marlins, but unfortunately wrong about Bobby Valentine. The Valentine who played for the Marlins was an outfielder (center) and he was also a black man. We are talking about a baseball team from approximately 45 years back. The newly-departed Mets manager is not old enough to have played Triple A baseball that long ago.

[jellyfish]

That's what YOU think, Jim! I'll let you in on something. Bobby Valentine is older than you think. He lied about his age, just like his fellow Miami Marlin, Vernon "Satchel" Page.

[0077]

In 1957 a Pitcher by the name of Don Cardwell made his ML debut with the Phillies. Three years later he got traded to the Cards and a within two or three days after the trade pitched a No-Hitter against the Team that traded him.

[jellyfish]

Beg to differ, but Cardwell was traded to the Cubs, not the Cardinals, and he pitched that no-hitter at Wrigley Field. How do I know? Because I was there when it happened. I was just a teenager, and all the fans were swarming around Cardwell outside of Wrigley. He was totally mobbed! It was lots of fun, and I'll never forget it.

[Jim]

Bobby Valentine may or may not have lied about his age, but certainly he can't lie about his skin color. Even wearing a trenchcoat in the dugout would be of no avail.

[0077]

Jellyfish is right. Cardwell got traded to the Cubs and pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals.

May 13, 1960: Two days after being traded from the Phillies to the Cubs, Don Cardwell pitches a no-hitter. A brilliant, leaping catch of Carl Sawatski's drive by RF George Altman in the 8th inning saves Cardwell's gem. Ernie Banks' home run paces the
4–0 win, the first no-hitter against the Cards since May 11, 1919.

[bigreg]

Woody Smith was one of the best 3rd baseman in the 50's, he was with Miami 56-60, was an all-star each year and MVP of the Marlins 3 times!!! Those teams had Satchel Paige and Pancho Herrera, and Dallas Green on them. Woody later managed the class A marlins in 69,70 (then turned into the O's) 71, & 72. He won 4 straight FSL titles!!! what a winning record!!! Then the Baltimore Organization fired him!!! Can you believe that??? How do I know all this?? Woody was my father. He passed away Feb 04. He was a truely great baseball person and mind. He spent his entire life in baseball, he signed in 1946, played till 1962, then from 69-81 managed and then till the mid 90"s scouted. It was his life. He played winter ball in the islands all thru the 50's. He played for Havana in 56 and knew Castro very well!! Any questions about those Miami teams, I can surely help with the answers!! thanks for reading this. I am one of Woodys son's, Reggie. I was fortunate enough to be drafted in 76 and play 2 years in the minors, and my second year, my Dad was the manager, 1977 Waterloo Indians, We also won the 2nd half of the league that year!! Dad was a winner!!!

[DENNIS GOVEKAR]

Woody Held Was Their Shortstop, He Palyed A Few Years In The Majors With The Indians. I Played Little League Baseball There In Miami Stadium In Afew Championship Games In The Early 60's.

[Rickmac]

I remember the Marlins very well. The Valentine you guys are trying to identify is Fred Valentine, a center fielder (good speed, nothing else). Woody Smith was a huge fan favorite. I remember him playing a little for the class A Marlins that he managed when he was short of infielders because of a rash of injuries, probably 1969.

[RedSoxVT92]

Originally Posted by Jim

Does anyone remember the Miami Marlins from the '50s? They were a Triple A affiliate of the Phillies. Wondering if anyone knows whatever became of some of the guys who played on those teams. Specifically, Woody Smith, Chuck Ortel, Bobby Valentine, Don Landrum, Frank Herrera, Johnny Bucha, Don Cardwell, etc.

probably the only one of those guys on that list who were "succsessfull" was Don Cardwell. Pitched in the Majors for 14 years. Had a 102-138 record with a 3.92 era. Not to shabby. The others were either career minor leaugers or scrubs in the majors.

[NancyFoyeCox]

I remember the AAA Marlins very well. I spent a lot of time at Miami Stadium with my uncle Joe Ryan, who was their second general manager, in the 1950s. George Storer bought the team from Bill Veeck. Hall of Famer Pepper Martin was one of their managers back then. I remember all those guys you have mentioned, especially Satchel Paige. Sonny Hirsch, who eventually owned the AA or A Marlins, was a batboy for the team back in the 1950s. NANCY FOYE-COX

[SusanDurney]

Reggie...your dad certainly was a winner...and my first little-girl crush! My dad, Bill Durney, was not only the GM, but a friend of your dad's. I remember you, your brother, and your beautiful mother well. What great times we had in that classic ballpark! When my dad passed so suddenly, and way too soon, your dad helped me get through that. He was managing the club at the time. Woody Smith was a great ballplayer, skipper, and gentleman. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I can only imagine the stories he and my dad are sharing in the great ballyard in the sky! My very best to you and your family.
I'd love to hear from you.

[joekars]

Originally Posted by bigreg

Woody Smith was one of the best 3rd baseman in the 50's, he was with Miami 56-60, was an all-star each year and MVP of the Marlins 3 times!!! Those teams had Satchel Paige and Pancho Herrera, and Dallas Green on them. Woody later managed the class A marlins in 69,70 (then turned into the O's) 71, & 72. He won 4 straight FSL titles!!! what a winning record!!! Then the Baltimore Organization fired him!!! Can you believe that??? How do I know all this?? Woody was my father. He passed away Feb 04. He was a truely great baseball person and mind. He spent his entire life in baseball, he signed in 1946, played till 1962, then from 69-81 managed and then till the mid 90"s scouted. It was his life. He played winter ball in the islands all thru the 50's. He played for Havana in 56 and knew Castro very well!! Any questions about those Miami teams, I can surely help with the answers!! thanks for reading this. I am one of Woodys son's, Reggie. I was fortunate enough to be drafted in 76 and play 2 years in the minors, and my second year, my Dad was the manager, 1977 Waterloo Indians, We also won the 2nd half of the league that year!! Dad was a winner!!!

I hope you can help. My Father left me a Rawlings Miami Marlins Baseball. It is signed by a number of people. A few of the names are Jose Santiago, Ray Sanford,Dick Brown and others that are hard to read. I am not a hardcore Baseball fan, but am interested in the history of this ball. I know it is from the 50's. Thanks.
I don't even know how to use this site. But thought I would give it a try.

[Earl Hunsinger]

Originally Posted by Jim

Does anyone remember the Miami Marlins from the '50s? They were a Triple A affiliate of the Phillies. Wondering if anyone knows whatever became of some of the guys who played on those teams. Specifically, Woody Smith, Chuck Ortel, Bobby Valentine, Don Landrum, Frank Herrera, Johnny Bucha, Don Cardwell, etc.

I was a member of the 1956 & 1957 Miami Marlins and I am sorry to say that Woody Smith,Frank Herrera, Don Landrum, and Johnny Bucha have passed away.

Other players on the 56/57 Marlin teams that went on to the major leagues were: Don Cardwell, Tom Qualters, Ray Semprock, Bob Conley, Chuck Essegian, Don Landrum,Angelio Lepttrie, Bob Anderson, Gene Snyder, Ed Buchee,and Frank Herrera Manager Don Osborn later became the pitching coach for the Pirates. Last but not least was the colorful "Satchel Paige"

Woody Smith remained in baseball as a scout and minor league manager. I would be happy to discuss the Marlins with anyone interested.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Originally Posted by Earl Hunsinger

I was a member of the 1956 & 1957 Miami Marlins and I am sorry to say that Woody Smith,Frank Herrera, Don Landrum, and Johnny Bucha have passed away.

Other players on the 56/57 Marlin teams that went on to the major leagues were: Don Cardwell, Tom Qualters, Ray Semprock, Bob Conley, Chuck Essegian, Don Landrum,Angelio Lepttrie, Bob Anderson, Gene Snyder, Ed Buchee,and Frank Herrera Manager Don Osborn later became the pitching coach for the Pirates. Last but not least was the colorful "Satchel Paige"

Woody Smith remained in baseball as a scout and minor league manager. I would be happy to discuss the Marlins with anyone interested.

Thank you for posting, Mr. Hunsinger. Any time someone can add to the discussion through actual experience is a treat for this site.

[luzerr]

The first professional baseball game I ever saw was between the Miami Marlins and the Buffalo Bisons at Offerman Stadium in Buffalo in 1958. Phil Cavaretta, former Cubs star and N.L. batting champ, was the Bisons manager and their star was former Cleveland Indians slugger Luke Easter. The Marlins were affiliated with the Phillies at that time, but the following year the Phillies made Buffalo their top farm team. To accomodate the Phillies top prospect, first baseman Pancho Herrera, the Bisons released Luke Easter, who signed with the Rochester Red Wings and enjoyed several more good seasons (and remained a fan favorite in Buffalo). Herrera won the I.L. Triple Crown in 1959 and was the league MVP. I would be very interested in hearing more about I.L. teams of the late 1950s, and would be particularly interested in finding out if anyone has a source of individual player stats for International League players of that period.

[Yankwood]

I got to see Luke Easter play quite a few games for the Red Wings in the early 60's. He was a legend here in Rochester.

[Rod]

Hello to this great forum. Was just going through some items of mine that I collected during my 1950s childhood. Always a Phillies fan, was looking at my 1959 Phils Yearbook when I found a team photo of the 1956 Miami Marlins. Back then my Aunt and Uncle lived and worked in Cuba and South America and would often be in South Florida. They went to a 1956 Marlins game, then gave me the team picture because of the Phillies-Marlins association back then. By 1958 and 1959, I was regularly writing to members of the Phillies asking for photos. If my recollections are correct, I decided to send my Marlins photo to Don Cardwell since I knew he was in the Marlins pic. Well, not only Don signed the photo, but also got Tom Qualters and Gene Snyder to also sign! They were all members of the '56 Marlins and apparently in the Phils locker room when Don got the picture from me. He returned it to me, where I placed it inside my 1959 Yearbook. I completely forgot about it until I found it yesterday. While searching the history of the Miami Marlins, I found this great web site. Here is a link to my autographed photo and I hope former members of the team that have replied to this forum enjoy it! Click on, or Copy and paste this link into your browser's address bar: http://i15.tinypic.com/2wq51ki.jpg

[luzerr]

I am interested in players who were with both the 1958 Marlins and the 1959 Buffalo Bisons (the Phillies dropped Miami as their top minor league affiliate after the 1958 season and switched to Buffalo). The Bisons won the I.L. pennant in '59 with these players. Some of the names I remember were Jim Coker, Bobby Del Greco, Ruben Amaro, Bobby Morgan, Harry Hanebrink, Don Landrum, Ken Lehman, Max Surkont and Pancho Herrera. I believe all or most of these players were Phillies properties who were farmed out to the Bisons. All of them saw a substantial amount of major league action. Does anyone know if they played for the 1958 Marlins? Any pictures or stats from that time?

[tonimarie]

Mr. Hunsinger,
I'm so excited to get the chance to contact to you! I have a #17 Miami Marlins jersey and not matter how i search the internet i can NOT figure out who wore this number during those years. If you could help me out I would really appreciate it!! Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by Earl Hunsinger

I was a member of the 1956 & 1957 Miami Marlins and I am sorry to say that Woody Smith,Frank Herrera, Don Landrum, and Johnny Bucha have passed away.

Other players on the 56/57 Marlin teams that went on to the major leagues were: Don Cardwell, Tom Qualters, Ray Semprock, Bob Conley, Chuck Essegian, Don Landrum,Angelio Lepttrie, Bob Anderson, Gene Snyder, Ed Buchee,and Frank Herrera Manager Don Osborn later became the pitching coach for the Pirates. Last but not least was the colorful "Satchel Paige"

Woody Smith remained in baseball as a scout and minor league manager. I would be happy to discuss the Marlins with anyone interested.

[texehman]

After the 1960 season, Baltimore was looking to relocate their IL club. As it happened Rochester gave The Cardinals the boot due to the Don Landrum trade.So in 1961,many of the 1960 Marlins came to Rochester. Ron Samford,Barry Shetrone,Fred Valentine,Herb Moford,Chuck Oertel,Ray(Buddy)Barker.

[LarryTye]

Hello,

I am a former Boston Globe reporter off writing a biography on Satchel Paige for Random House.

I am trying to track down any old Miami Marlins players or fans who remember Satchel from his days there in the '50s.

Thanks very much,

Larry Tye
satchbook@aol.com

[b18collect]

I grew up in Miami and regurlarly attended Marlin games in the mid-1950s. In one game toward the end of the 1956 season, I was in the bullpen area with my mother and talking to Satchel Paige. Satchel got the call to warm up for a relief appearance. Satchell took a few warm up pitches and was summoned into the game. He paused and asked the bull pen catcher, Johnny Bucha I believe, for the ball. He asked my me if I had a pen. My mother dug through her purse for the pen I used for autographs and he signed the ball, "Best Wishes from Satchel Paige." Then he tossed it to me saying "Maybe this will be worth something some day."

true story :>)