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12-12-2025, 11:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-12-2025, 11:57 AM by
Mick.)
I grew up in Ohio. My father's first and middle names were Cassius Clay. I was a baseball star. I went to UMichigan where I met my wife and received my mechanical engineering degree and had a happenstance meeting with the new baseball coach: Branch Rickey. I dominated college ball. Frosh were not permitted to play on varsity, but in a scrimmage against the varsity, I struck out 20 batters. For my college career, I hit nearly .500, threw a no-hitter with Cy Young umpiring behind home plate. Rickey moved me to first base.
I signed a contract with the Pirates, but refused to report immediately, and Pittsburgh suspended me. I appealed to Mr. Rickey (already a lawyer) who pointed out that I signed the contract as a minor, therefore, it was invalid. When I graduated, I signed with St. Louis because Mr. Rickey was the manager.
In 1918, I enlisted in the army in the Chemical Warfare Service (commanded by Branch Rickey). I was about to go overseas when the war ended.
I hit .340 for my career, over .400 twice, nine straight .300+ seasons -- only Ty Cobb and I can make that claim. I played first base, but my fielding was so strong that I played second and third on occasion. I stole 375 basis and led the league four times in that category. I led the league twice in most triples. I was AL MVP in 1922 when both Ruth and Cobb were at the height of their powers. I had the longest hitting streak in the majors (41 games) until Joe DiMaggio broke it.
I pitched in parts of seven different seasons, mustering a 2.35 ERA and threw 12 complete games. Didn't give up an HR in 111 innings. In 1915, I beat Walter Johnson in a 2-1 complete game victory and in 1916 I beat him again 1-0.
As a fielder, I led the league in assists seven times (finishing second five times) and errors five times (after I had vision problems), double plays twice. .987 for my career, about average for the era.
I played for the Browns, and the Yankees offered St. Louis more for my services than they offered the Red Sox for Babe Ruth. I still hold the Browns/Orioles franchise records for hits, OBP, OPS, total bases, triples and stolen bases.
When I was 30, I had a sinus infection that was so bad, I had double vision and I was out for the year. I hit over .300 six more times, but was never quite the same after that.
When I retired, I scouted Jackie Robinson for Mr. Rickey and taught Jackie how to play first base (though I thought he would be a star second baseman). I worked with Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges and when I joined the Pirates, I signed Roberto Clemente and advised him to use a heavier bat...Clemente won the league batting title that season. I signed Bill Mazerosi. I even coached Frank Thomas later in life.
Two of my two sons played in MLB, a third was president of the International League. My daughter Frances was present when Ichiro Suzuki broke my single season hits record.
I didn't make the Hall of Fame until the fourth ballot.
Who am I?
Audaces fortuna iuvat
