Freddy Van Dusen signing day
Unfortunately, getting hit by a throw on the way to first base isn't a stat that has ever been tracked, so Craig Biggio will have to continue his hunt for the 271 pitch with his name on it this weekend. Today Ben Sheets pitches for the Brewers. He hit Biggio with a pitch June 29, 2001. The Brewers' Scott Karl hit Biggio on August 20, 1998, and the Cubs' Kyle Farnsworth hit him on August 20, 2002.
Today is also the 50th anniversary of Fred Van Dusen's signing with the Phillies. Hopefully the last 50 years have been kinder to Freddy than the few weeks following August 20, 1955, but he can still say he made it to the show once upon a time - I'm sure a good number of people who never had one at all would trade their major league career for his.
Tomorrow Victor Santos goes for the Brewers. He has never hit Craig Biggio with a pitch, and Biggio has never been hit on August 21.
Labels: Phillies
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In the spirit of Fred van Dusen: today's (Monday's) New York Times sports section has a long article about a guy in the Cubs organization named Adam Greenberg, who was hit in the head by the first pitch he saw in his first major league at-bat, on July 9 of this year. It was a pinch-hit plate appearance, so he did not play in the field during that game. He has not appeared in another major league game since, because he has been suffering from vertigo as a result of the concussion he suffered. He is currently doing a rehab assignment in the minors. I don't think that'll be his only appearance, but for now Mr. van Dusen has a kindred spirit...
The link to the Times article on Adam Greenberg is here. They require registration, but they don't require that you register with a real name or email address. Here's hoping Greenberg makes it back soon.
Also, I confused my self with this weekend's post - I had left myself a note that the 20th was the anniversary of Van Dusen's plunk but when I finally reread my post from last month I realized the 20th was the anniversary of his signing - the plunk was Septemeber 11, 1955. But, since it wouldn't be appropriate to memorialize anything else on that day, I think we can claim August 20th for the memory of Fred Van Dusen.
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