o/t bobby thomson dies

[Peter_Spaeth]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0...ml?ref=twitter

Needless to say, deepest sympathies to friends family teammates and fans. Arguably the greatest game yet played.

[ethicsprof]

a sad day, indeed

my deepest sympathies to family,friends,fans

barry

[Chris Counts]

Rest in peace, Bobby

[barrysloate]

Branca and Thomson lived nearly sixty years after their famous moment. A sad day for baseball.

[bigtrain]

Mr. Thomson lived for many years in the neighboring town of Watchung, New Jersey and I used to see and speak to him from time to time. He was a fine gentleman.

[Anthony S.]

Thank you, Bobby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrI7dVj90zs

[HRBAKER]

What a class act. I met Bobby a couple of times and he was always generous with an autograph or two through the mail over the years. RIP Bobby and my thoughts to his family on this sad day.

[Rob D.]

The world was a better place yesterday.

Condolences to the New York Giants family and Scots worldwide.

[tedzan]

I wll never forget October 3rd 1951. My two Brooklyn Dodger buddies and I ran from school at 3 PM to my house and
turned on the TV to catch the final play-off game of the season. It was the 9th inning and my Dodger buddies were
excited, as the Dodgers were leading 4-1. In the bottom of the 9th, Alvin Dark scored the 2nd RUN. Don Mueller and
Whitey Lockman were on 2nd and 3rd base, respectively. Dodger Manager Dressen replaced Don Newcombe with Ralph
Branca.

Bobby Thomson came to bat and the rest is history....as Bobby hit "the shot heard around the world" to win the NL
Pennant for the Giants. In August of 1951 the Dodgers were 13 games ahead of the Giants, so Thomson's Home Run
was a very sweet ending to a very exciting season.

Bobby was a real gentleman when signing at BB card shows. He'd always have a friendly conversation with everyone.

GOD Bless Bobby Thomson's soul and comfort his family.


TED Z

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's a good thing Bobby came through cause the next hitter didn't stand a chance -- some kid named Mays.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's a good thing Bobby came through cause the next hitter didn't stand a chance -- some kid named Mays.

Yes Peter by Bobby taking the pressure off it allowed young Willie to go on and have a productive career in the bigs.

[mr2686]

I find it odd that the Dodgers chose to go with Branca against a hot Thompson (Thompson already had 2 hits that day and had hit a homer off of Branca in their preivous meeting). Anyway, Mr. Thompson was a fine gentleman who's name will live on as a baseball legend. My condolences go out to his family.

[Peter_Spaeth]

In the ensuing World Series you had Dimaggio in his final games and Mays and Mantle as rookies. Not only that, they came together on one fateful play: Mays hit the fly ball where Dimaggio called for it at the last minute and a charging Mantle had to get out of his way, catching his foot in a drain and ripping up his knee.

[M's_Fan]

I recommend "The Echoing Green" by Joshua Prager. It tells the untold story about the shot heard around the world, and how the Giants were stealing their opponents signals and signaling them to the batter. Bobby actually admitted this to Branca and apologized just a few years ago. I admire Bobby for many reasons. May he rest in peace.



http://www.amazon.com/Echoing-Green-...p/0375421548#_

[tbob]

I doubt if any baseball player had to endure the numbing pain and tragedy that Ralph Branca had to endure. In that era, baseball was king and no sport came close. I haven't read the book but I wonder how Branca felt all these years later when it was revealed that Thomson knew what was coming thanks to the signs having been stolen all day long.

Father Pat Rowley, was a priest. When Branca asked: "Why me?" Father Pat told him, "Because God knew your faith would be strong enough to bear this cross."

[tedzan]

What's strange about Charlie Dressen's choice to bring in Branca is that in the 1st play-off game (of the 3), Bobby Thomson
hit a HR off Branca.

Obviously, Branca was devastated.....but, he and Thomson became great friends and were paired together at many signing
sessions throughout the years.


TED Z