friend of Bobby Richardson

[larietrope]

I've had the pleasure of knowing Bobby Richardson for a long time. Back when restaurants could seat people we had a Friday morning club called the romeos, (retired old men eating out). Of course I've collected his cards also. I do kid him that I can afford his cards, I can't Mickey Mantle.
But best of all the cards are the stories he tells. We treat him like anyone else because he values our friendship and can be himself.
He brought many a famous player to our small town. Back in the 60's a local reporter kept after Bobby to bring someone famous home with him. At a high school football game the reporter noticed Bobby across the way with someone. He later saw Bobby and asked who it was. Bobby replied, no one special. It was Roger Maris.
I also got to know Tom Brewer who played for Boston. He ate lunch every Sunday in my aunts restaurant in Cheraw, S.C. until he passed away.
Thanks for reading.

[ALR-bishop]

Thanks for posting

Saw him play in person in the 1964 series, but I was rooting for the Cardinals :-)

[quitcrab]

I was lucky enough to drive him to and from the airport last year. He was signing at a baseball card show . What a nice man . He gave me a signed copy of his book and was nice enough to sign a card for me.
He played in 30 consecutive World Series games... that is one bb record that will never be broken !

[Volod]

Never forget watching the seventh game of the 1962 WS in a barracks dayroom at Stead AFB when Willie McCovey hit the screaming line drive that appeared about to give the Giants a win. But Richardson intervened. Nice personal account that you provided. I have to wonder if perhaps Bobby, knowing Maris well, wanted to spare him from having to deal with the press for any reason.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

A number of years ago Mr. Richardson was in town for a paid speaking event. As he began his speech he stopped, stepped around the podium and called out to a local who was a former minor league team mate of his and walked down to shake his hand and give him a hug. That made that gentleman feel like a million dollars. What a class act.

[bgar3]

Played against his South Carolina team in 1970 and my recollection is that his shortstop was Whitey Ford’s son. My grandfather always thought he was was the best player in the “clutch” he ever saw.

[EldoEsq]

I love stories like this... Thanks for sharing!

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[larietrope]

Yankee stadium had a water cooler in the home dugout and when Mantle would strike out, he would often kick the water cooler several times and cuss.
Afterwards, he'd pass Bobby siting on the bench and say, "sorry Bobby."
Mickey respected Bobby and knew he was a man of Christian values.

It's been said in a game at Yankee Stadium, playing the Detroit Tigers, a kid was mercilessly taunting Al Kaline in the outfield constantly saying, "Kaline, you're not half as good as Mantle. Finally having enough of it, Kaline said upon trotting off the field, "kid, nobody's half as good as Mickey Mantle !"

[cannonballsun]

My first baseball recollections (however hazy) were of 1960 World Series. What a great hitter he was, at the greatest of times. His production was as good as anyone in the World Series.
He was my favorite player, back in those days.

[Harliduck]

The other night my wife was looking over my shoulder as I was looking through my 1961 Topps set binder, and she stopped me..."WHO IS THAT? Those eyes, he is so good looking!" I chuckled, that's Bobby Richardson...I think that may be the first time she has commented on any of my cards...haha.

I'm a big fan too...loved his book.

[jiw98]

Bobby Richardson is a class act all the way. He was at a banquet at our church to raise money for a mission trip to Africa. Bobby was an absolute pleasure to talk with. My son and I got to set with Bobby during the meal. While we were setting there Bobby looks at my son and asks "How did a young man from Michigan become a Yankee fan". My son says to him "When I was younger I was watching a movie called Pride of the Yankees. I really liked the movie and became a fan that day". Bobby had a surprised look on his face says to my son "you know when I was a younger I went to the theater to watch a movie called Pride of the Yankees and when I walked out I said that I wanted to be a New York Yankee some day".
Bobby stayed for quite some time after dinner to sign autos for anyone that wanted one. He told stories from his playing days that were really fun. He sure played with some interesting characters.