Posted on 12/19/2010 9:03:12 AM PST by EveningStar
Phil Cavarretta, the 1945 National League MVP who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series appearance, died Saturday. He was 94.
(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...
ping
My father took me to Wrigley Field for my first big league game in 1946. He worked with a man who was a neighbor of Caveratta, and who arranged for me to meet him, shake his hand , and get his autograph on a baseball. Pretty big stuff fo an 8-year-old kid. RIP Phil, you were terrific.
I never saw him play since I am an American League guy, but I remember his 1952 Topps baseball card. Ninety-four is a good cruise.
What a wonderful memory to cherish. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ping
Interesting comment. My Dad played a lot of minor league ball—did a few weeks in the bigs in 1940. Off to the war. Since this was 1945 did you ever inquire if this gent served his nation—as a draft was on beginning in the fall of 1940? Always curioius as to the mindset of those that did not serve—versus a Bob Feller/ Ted Williams. Would have been hard to look in the mirror-for some—although he may have served in some capacity.
I have a picture hanging over our fireplace of my dad beating Phil Caveretta to first base for an out. Taken at Wrigley.
My dad was a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
RIP Phil
My dad was in the Navy during the war. Won 99 games for them over the course of the war. Pitched against all the great players who also served.
RIP.
According to Wikipedia, he was 4-F due to a hearing problem.
The Chicago Sun Times used two photos to illustrate its article on Cavaretta’s death. One that was available online was of the play at first base. If you look closely, Jackie Robinson is in the background of the same photo, but the pitcher beat Cavaretta to the base by a step.
I’ll have to go check that out and tell my wife.
My dad also pitched the first Dodger game that Jackie Robinson played in.
I find lot of trivia my dad was involved in. Too bad the war put a damper on his career.
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