Barry Sloate is the Trivia King this evening......Johnny Mize is the correct answer.
Mize did it in 1947...... 51 HR's, and only 42 K's
Time out for my Johnny Mize story......
November 1981......
I was fortunate to be set-up at a table adjacent to Johnny at the Meadowlands (NJ) BB card show. He was the star signing guest. I congratulated him for being inducted
into the HOF. He tersely responded with.... "It's about time".
I changed Johnny's demeanor by thanking him for his great performance in the 1952 World Series, where he single-handedly crushed the Dodgers with 3 game-winning
HR's (and was awarded the W.S. MVP). Johnny particularly appreciated my remembering that he had hit what would have been a "4th HR", that Carl Furillo reached into
the RF stands at Yankee Stadium and stole it. For approx. 3 hours we engaged in some very interesting conversations "talking baseball". After which, Johnny invited me
to visit with him if I was traveling near Demorest, GA.
March 1987......
Leaving the Great Smokey Mtn. area on our way to Florida, I drove to Demorest, GA and visited with Johnny. Johnny remembered me and was very cordial.....we talked
for an hour. One aspect of his career that always struck my curiosity was why he was traded twice during his great years with the Cardinals and the Giants, respectively.
Johnny told me.....he approached Southworth in 1941 for a raise, and told him...... "pay me or trade me". Southworth traded him to the Giants.
In 1949, Johnny asked Durocher...... "pay me or trade me". That Summer, the Yankees acquired the talents of "Big John" for their entire 5-year dynasty (1949 - 1953).
Johnny was a proud man who knew his talents and didn't let certain Managers get in his way. But, Casey Stengel was one smart Manager who appreciated Big John.
TED Z
T206 Reference
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