I might be able to string this out a little longer, but I choose to end it now.
I am
VAN LINGLE MUNGO
I was a fine player, receiving more fines than any other player in the mid 30s.
I led the league in fines.
Augie Bergamo played against me in 1945, the year we both retired. In August he faced me on the mound and struck out 3 times.
Augie Galan was on the Dodgers in 1941, the year the Dodgers went to the World Series. See below, I never made it to the World Series, but was known for not being truthful. 1941 is partially explained below.
My career spanned from 1931-1945, but I only pitched over 100 innings in eight of those years.
I did strike out more batters than Dizzy in 1936, my only positive league leadership stat.
Both Augies, Bergamo and Galan, are in the song.
Spring training in 1941 the Dodgers trained in Havana. I bought Durocher a drink, had quite a few myself, and got involved with some loose women, who worked in our hotel. When the Dodgers left Havana, I missed the boat and before long found myself playing AAA ball that year.
In 1969 my fame and identity became well known with David Frishberg's song titled with my name. The SABR bio of my life goes into a lot more detail about my successes and failures.
This is the youtube link to Frishberg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tvphgpl_K8
Heenie Majeski, Johnny Gee
Eddie Joost, Johnny Pesky, Thornton Lee
Danny Gardella
Van Lingle Mungo
Whitey Kurowski, Max Lanier
Eddie Waitkus and Johnny Vandermeer
Bob Estalella
Van Lingle Mungo
Augie Bergamo, Sigmund Jakucki
Big Johnny Mize and Barney McCosky
Hal Trosky
Augie Galan and Pinky May
Stan Hack and Frenchy Bordagaray
Phil Cavaretta, George McQuinn
Howie Pollett and Early Wynn
Art Passarella
Van Lingle Mungo
John Antonelli, Ferris Fain
Frankie Crosetti, Johnny Sain
Harry Brecheen and Lou Boudreau
Frankie Gustine and Claude Passeau
Eddie Basinski
Ernie Lombardi
Hughie Mulcahy
Van Lingle... Van Lingle Mungo
The possibilities of misdirectional clues with the 37 players above is endless, but I sense the end in near.
It's time to begin work on #5.
