Atlanta Braves History: Rabbit Maranville starts at $125 a month (1911)

The third of five children, Walter James Vincent Maranville (Rabbit) was born on November 11, 1891, in Springfield, Massachusetts. His mother was Irish but his father and the Maranville name were French. Walter (then known as “Stumpy” or “Bunty“) attended the Charles Street and Chestnut Street grammar schools and played catcher during his one year at Technical High.

His father, a police officer, allowed him to leave school if he apprenticed for a trade, so at age 15 he quit to become a pipe fitter and tinsmith. To his father’s dismay, Walter devoted less attention to his apprenticeship than he did to baseball. He was playing shortstop for a semipro team in 1911 when Tommy Dowd, manager of the New Bedford Whalers of the New England League, signed him to a contract for $125 per month.

The 19-year-old shortstop batted .227 and committed 61 errors in 117 games. Not sure if that was worth the $125 a month or not.

Atlanta Braves History: 65 runs in 5 games (July 18, 2006)

With a 14-5 victory over the Cardinals on July 18, 2006, the Atlanta Braves become the first team since the 1930 Yankees to score ten or more runs in five consecutive games. During the streak, that includes two 15-run victories, Atlanta has tallied 65 runs.

This is stunning. And on my birthday to boot. 🙂

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“If it weren’t for baseball, many kids wouldn’t know what a millionaire looked like.” ~~Phyllis Diller

“He (Hoyt Wilhelm) had the best knuckleball you’d ever want to see. He knew where it was going when he threw it, but when he got two strikes on you, he’d break out one that even he didn’t know where it was going.” ~~Brooks Robinson

“He (Hoyt Wilhelm) had the best knuckleball you’d ever want to see. He knew where it was going when he threw it, but when he got two strikes on you, he’d break out one that even he didn’t know where it was going.” – Brooks Robinson

“There are only five things you can do in baseball – run, throw, catch, hit and hit with power.” ~~Leo Durocher

“He’s learning to say hello when it’s time to say good-bye.” ~~Frank Graham

Frank Graham noting how Yankees outfielder Bob Meusel was becoming more friendly late in his career.

“The team in first place on the Fourth of July will win the pennant.” ~~Unknown

I’ve heard this one a lot. Sometimes not true though.

“Yes, I have.” ~Joe DiMaggio

Hall of Famer Joe Dimaggio, responding to his wife Marilyn Monroe, who had told him of the reception U. S. troops in Korea had given her. “It was so wonderful Joe. You’ve never heard such cheering.”

“Yes, I have.”

“It is a beautiful day for baseball.” ~~Ernie Banks

Every day. Always. Forever.

“The trades you don’t make are your best ones.” ~~Branch Rickey

“You can’t steal first.” ~~Unknown

This one is an old baseball adage, supposedly first said by a manager who apparently wasn’t fearful of Eddie Mayo’s speed.

“Baseball is too much of a sport to be called a business and too much of a business to be called a sport.” ~~Phil Wrigley

“Give me some scratching, diving, hungry ballplayers who come to kill you.” ~~Leo Durocher