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RIP Curt Simmons.
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Sad...
RIP, sir. |
Sad, thanks for posting
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I reserve the right to be wrong, but I believe he was the last living baseball player to have a card produced in the 1940s.
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As a kid I saw him pitch for St Louis in 1964 and 1965. He was left handed, as was I. I recall trying to imitate his pitching motion, the way he hitched that right leg after lifting it, reminded me of cocking a rifle, then he'd stride forward and throw. In my 8 year old brain, I had it down perfectly.
I can recall images, sounds, and plays from some of those old ball games. Vividly. And if I can do that, why can't I keep up with my car keys better? Both Aaron and Musial each separately listed Simmons as the toughest pitcher they had to face. I mimicked his motion so well (in my mind) that Hank and Stan might have had a tough time hitting me, too (from laughing). |
I spent a fun rain delay in a press box dining room years ago with Robin Roberts, Dallas Green, Former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and others. The stories flowed.
One I recall from Roberts about Simmons is that he, Simmons, used to tantalize Hank Aaron with a real slow curve ball that he could never hit supposedly. One day Aaron tried to go out and get the curve, hit a home run to right field but was called out by the umpire for stepping out of the batter box. So, Curt kept Hank from 756 Home Runs! |
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