Sadecki had his fine moments in his career. He really was awesome in '64 and pitched well for the Giants in '67 and even for the Mets in '71 (I saw him go the distance and beat the Braves that spring at Shea) but for the life of me I will never understand why the Giants, going back to as early as 1961, never just planted Cepeda in left field and McCovey at first. At times, skipper Alvin Dark was platooning two future Hall of Famers. Yes, Cepeda was stubborn and wasn't crazy about playing the outfield (this was before he started having knee problems) but Dark had a co-manager by the name of Willie Mays who could have easily coaxed and nurtured, both physically and mentally, Cepeda to feel comfortable in that position. The name Sadecki always reminds me of that Giant dilemma from when I was a kid. And I was a Dodger fan!
Sadecki had his fine moments in his career. He really was awesome in '64 and pitched well for the Giants in '67 and even for the Mets in '71 (I saw him go the distance and beat the Braves that spring at Shea) but for the life of me I will never understand why the Giants, going back to as early as 1961, never just planted Cepeda in left field and McCovey at first. At times, skipper Alvin Dark was platooning two future Hall of Famers. Yes, Cepeda was stubborn and wasn't crazy about playing the outfield (this was before he started having knee problems) but Dark had a co-manager by the name of Willie Mays who could have easily coaxed and nurtured, both physically and mentally, Cepeda to feel comfortable in that position. The name Sadecki always reminds me of that Giant dilemma from when I was a kid. And I was a Dodger fan!
I think you need to write your memoir, Jim. . . Baseball According to Montemurro. . . You can get a famous Dodger or Met to write the foreword.
I really like that title!
Loved it…fascinating bit if baseball history… and always delighted when the superstars don’t go to the Dodgers…
Every once in awhile one gets away. Thanks for reading, Dave.