Happy birthday to my friend mike sandlock turns 99 today

[batsballsbases]

A Birthday shout out to my friend Mike Sandlock who turns 99 today!! I believe he is now the old living player! Still doing well. Has slowed down with the game of golf but still gets around! Happy Birthday Mike. A few photos from the interview I did with him! A True class act!! If you look in the first picture to the left those are scrap books filled with all kinds of clippings and photos. I spent hours looking thru all of them! Boy the stories he can tell... signature still not bad!!

[clydepepper]

Congrats, Mike and to you, Al.

Our biggest natural resource is our senior citizens...why not start a conversation with one today?

Thanks for sharing!

[1880nonsports]

thanks....

[sayhey24]

Happy Birthdy to Mike -- looking great!

Al -- what is that writing on the wall that identifies things? Is that his game bat?

Greg

[batsballsbases]

Hi Greg,
Yes is a game bat he used. The sign is kinda humorous says "Didnt make the hall of fame but enjoy anyways" He has lots of period photos of him and a few Jackie Robinson photos when they played together.

[jimivintage]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! So....is the Honey Nut Cheerios the secret to a long life? He has two open boxes of them in the kitchen!

[batsballsbases]

Jimi,
I dont know about that but in the lower cabinet was a big bottle of Jameson! I think that might be the key to life!

According to his '53 Topps he's 98 today

[batsballsbases]

Typo on the cards Born Oct 17 1915 I know that for fact.. Wikipedia has it right as he now has become the oldest living player with the Death of Connie Marrero in April of 2014 at I believe 102. Two days short of his 103rd birthday! April 25th 1911- April 23rd 2014.

And his 1954 Topps. Baseball reference has it right though, as do you obviously!

[freakhappy]

Happy birthday, mike sandlock!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[williamcohon]

I'll add my birthday greetings to the pile!

Funny thing about that 1953 Topps card - Mike is listed as a catcher, and pictured wearing a catcher's mitt, but doesnt it look like he's playing the infield?

[z28jd]

I posted the interview with Sandlock on Twitter and MiLB(minor league ball) tweeted it to their 93,700+ followers, so Mr Sandlock is getting some notice today. He last played for Syracuse in 1954(The Chiefs also tweeted it)

[t206hound]

happy birthday! I didn't look this up before, but Mike played on the '53 Pirates with my uncle Pete Castiglione (passed away in 2010). They also were both born in Connecticut. I bet Mike has some great stories.

[batsballsbases]

Thanks John,
If you still have the interview link post it up as you know Im very bad with that stuff! Enis Arden golf course in Greenwich is having a big lunchon for Mike today. Mike is there oldest member! But as I always say to him Mike your the oldest everything nowadays! He always laughs...

[batsballsbases]

Originally Posted by t206hound

happy birthday! I didn't look this up before, but Mike played on the '53 Pirates with my uncle Pete Castiglione (passed away in 2010). They also were both born in Connecticut. I bet Mike has some great stories.

Erick,
You are correct Mike would tell me that all the time they would play together when they were younger at the Bible St field (which is still there today)..

[ullmandds]

happy 99th mike!

[z28jd]

Here you go, Al.

http://blogs.piratesprospects.com/hi...irates-player/

Two-part interview, link to part two at the bottom of that link

[jimivintage]

Also noted is that he is depicted in a Phillies uniform on his 1954 Topps card...yet he never played for them.

[Rickyy]

Very cool..Happy Birthday to Mike!

Ricky Y

[GoldenAge50s]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

Also noted is that he is depicted in a Phillies uniform on his 1954 Topps card...yet he never played for them.

The Chiefs were a Phillies affiliate in 1954 and Topps probably assumed he would be brought up to the Phillies at some point that year. Mike had exactly 1 AB for Syracuse!

Pittsburgh sold Mike to the Phillies on Dec 19th 1953 in a cash deal.

[rhettyeakley]

[t213]

Here is his Hages.

Andy

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

The Chiefs were a Phillies affiliate in 1954 and Topps probably assumed he would be brought up to the Phillies at some point that year. Mike had exactly 1 AB for Syracuse!

Pittsburgh sold Mike to the Phillies on Dec 19th 1953 in a cash deal.

He was with the Phillies until June 1st, injured. Played during Spring Training, injured his knee during a home plate collision.

[Mountaineer1999]

Good stuff here on Sandlock. I remembered reading an article on him last year, Roy Campanella had given Sandlock credit in an Ebony magazine article on throwing out baserunners. Here's the article for those interested.


http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/04/04...anted=all&_r=0

[ccre]

So this is oct 2014. He's 98.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by ccre

So this is oct 2014. He's 98.

You need to read the whole thread. It has been pointed out that the cards list his birthday incorrect by one year. The baseball encyclopedia and baseball-sportsreference.com both list his correct birth year as 1915.


Mike Sandlock

Michael Joseph Sandlock

Positions: Catcher, Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Both, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 180 lb.

Born: October 17, 1915 in Old Greenwich, CT (Age 99.001) (All Transactions)
Debut: September 19, 1942 (Age 26.337)
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1945 season[*]
Teams (by GP): Dodgers/Pirates/Braves 1942-1953

Final Game: September 27, 1953 (Age 37.345)

[the 'stache]

Happy birthday, Mr. Sandlock! Many happy returns.