If you're in need a short summertime diversion, you could do worse than a quick read of this piece by Jim Kaplan over at SportsIllustrated.com. It's an adaptation from his book The Greatest Game Ever Pitched about the classic 16-inning duel on July 2, 1963 between the Milwaukee Braves 42-year-old left-hander, Warren Spahn, and the San Francisco Giants 25-year-old right-handed ace, Juan Marichal, both destined for Cooperstown.
Because he was a superstar--although that word wasn't yet invented--I knew Spahn by name and reputation. But his career was played out before I came of age. Marichal, however, was very much a part of my growing up. As boys learning to play the game in the mid- to late-sixties, we all tried to imitate his distinctively high leg kick. If it worked for Juan Marichal, maybe it'll work for me.
It didn't.
Anyway, enjoy.
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I saw Warren Spahn pitch against the Giants at Candlestick. He not only won the game on the mound but hit a home run to provide the margin--3-2 win, I recall.
ReplyDeleteI envy you. As you read in the article, he almost hit one out in the game against Marichal.
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