Today my topic is Johnny Roseboro. One of the things I often wished was that I had been able to see Campy play when he was at his peak. Even one year in LA would have been nice, but it was not to be. So for my formative years watching the game, our catcher most of the time was John Junior Roseboro.
He was born in Ashland, Ohio on May 13th, 1933. He enrolled at Central State University. He was signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent prior to the 1952 season and began his pro career with the Sheboygan Indians of the Wisconsin State League. He hit .365 to finish second in the batting race.
He missed the 1954 season due to military service. He also played for Great Falls, Pueblo, and Montreal before being called up to the Dodgers in July of 1957. He appeared in 35 games and hit .135.
With Campy’s tragic accident in the winter of 57 and the teams move to Los Angeles he was thrust into the starting role in 1958 and performed very well. He hit .271 and had 14 homers and 43 RBI’s. Defensively he was outstanding and threw out 25 of 42 runners who attempted steals. For you percentage geeks, that is 60 %. Not bad at all. He was a reserve on the all-star team in 58.
In 59 he regressed at the plate some, but his defense and ability to throw out base runners remained elite. He did not however have a very good World Series at the plate. But LA won its first World Series, and they can never take that away.
In 1960 his hitting again regressed, but there were few options in the minors and his leadership of the pitching staff while catching was still excellent. His caught stealing percentage was consistently around 40 or better and his fielding percentage always near the top of the league. And he was durable.
In 1961 he rebounded with the bat and slugged 18 homers, hit .251 and drove in 59 runs. He would never hit double digit homers again for the next 9 seasons of his career. Although he would continually drive in close to 40 runs a year and hit a personal high of .287 in 64. But his defense and leadership never wavered.
Even though his postseason numbers were never that great, he did make contributions. He hit a 3 run homer off of Whitey Ford in game 1 of the 63 series that put LA and Koufax in the driver’s seat on their way to a 4 game sweep of the Bombers.
And in the 65 series he got a 2 run single in game 3 that helped win that game and keep the Twins from going up 3-0. 65 was a tumultuous year for everyone in LA with the Watts Riots. And then on August 22nd in San Francisco it all came to a head.
Those of us who were alive then were probably watching the game on KTTV as the Dodgers in those days only broadcast the away games against the Giants on local TV.
Wills led off the game with a bunt single and eventually scored on a double by Ron Fairly. Juan Marichal thought that was a cheap way to get a hit. So when Wills came up in the second, Marichal sent some chin music that sent him sprawling to the ground. When Mays came up in the second, Koufax, who refused to throw at anyone for fear of injuring them because of his velocity, ceremonially threw one over Willie’s head.
In the top of the 3rd, Marichal uncorked a fastball that Fairly had to dive to avoid. The pitch caused home plate ump Shag Crawford to warn both benches that any further retaliations would not be tolerated.
So when Marichal came up in the bottom of the 3rd he expected Koufax to retaliate, but instead Rosey whistled the return throw to the mound right past his ear. A common practice it seems. Whether it actually hit his ear or not is open to debate. But Marichal turned and confronted the catcher.
Roseboro stood up and clenched his fists and what happened afterwards ignited a 14 minute brawl. Marichal struck Rosey twice with his bat opening up a scalp wound that would require 14 stitches to close. Koufax and Mays played peacekeepers.
Marichal was ejected from the game and subsequently suspended for 10 days, ( 2 starts ) and fined 1750 dollars. He was also not allowed to travel with the Giants on their next trip to Dodger Stadium, a 2 game set the Giants won without Marichal. But his suspension most likely cost the Giants a shot at the pennant.
Forgotten is the fact that the incident seemed to unnerve the usually calm Koufax and he gave up a 3 run homer to Mays that eventually won the game. They tried to get Roseboro and Marichal to meet and bury the hatchet, but Roseboro declined.
Dodgers won the pennant in 65 and then again in 66. But Rosey was mostly sharing the duties with Jeff Torborg by then. He did catch 2 of Koufax’s no hitters.
Most were incensed that Joe Torre won the gold glove for catchers in 65. Most felt he got it because of his hitting. Tom Haller and Roseboro were much better defensively.
After the Dodgers dropped to 8th place in 67, Rosey was traded to the Twins along with Ron Perranoski and Bob Miller for Zoilo Versalles and Mudcat Grant. While Perry and Rosey stayed with the Twins for multiple years, Grant and Versalles would only spend 68 on the Dodgers.
Roseboro made the all-star team in 69 as a reserve. His final all-star team selection. Over his career Rosey won two gold gloves, but was at the top of the list of defensive catchers for most of the 60’s.
His career stats were a .249 BA, 1206 hits, 104 homers and 548 runs batted in. His career fielding percentage was .989. He caught 100 games in 11 of his 14 seasons. He later worked in both the Twins and the Dodgers organizations and owned a public relations firm in Beverly Hills. He made a few TV appearances and was in a movie called “Experiment in Terror ” that starred Glen Ford and Lee Remick. Big D and Wally Moon were also in the movie. He did a Mr. Ed episode with Leo Durocher.
He and Marichal made up in the 80’s and became friends. When Marichal was passed over his first two times on the HOF ballot, he personally appealed to the BBWAA to not hold the incident against him. Marichal was elected in 83 and thanked Rosey in his acceptance speech.
Roseboro died of heart disease on the 16th of August 2002 in LA at 69 years old. Marichal was an honorary pallbearer at his funeral. He said that Roseboro forgiving him was one of the best things that ever happened in his life. Well, if Rosey can do that, so can I.
He hit him with a bat!?!?!!
And only got ten games?
Yep, that was the punishment. Some felt he should have been suspended for the entire season. But things were different in 65. Each league had their own presidents back then and Warren Giles was the President of the NL. All suspensions were usually handed down by the league President, not the commissioners office like today.
Rosie forgave Juan which was heart warming and the Dodgers signed Juan which was not heart cooling.
They did become friends, and Rosie wrote to members of the BBWAA to not hold the incident against him.
You will notice in the photo of the fight that # 26, Tito Fuentes also had a bat in his hands, but he did not hit anyone with it. Most of the players credited Mays with keeping it from being worse than it was. Roseboro had boxing and martial arts training and he was really trying to get to Juan. Mays kept him from doing that and kept telling him he needed to be seen by a doctor. Roseboro missed the next 2 games. Not only did Koufax end up losing that game, he lost his next 2 starts. The only losing streak he had on his way to a Cy Young award.
Roseboro was a favorite of mine. My first Little League uniform I wore #8. (#7 was taken)
Did any of you read Jim Bowden’s analysis of the free agent shortstops after next year? He lists them from top to bottom as Lindor, Seager, Story, Baez, Correa, Gregorius, Semien, Simmons. Can’t argue that. I also think all of them will be solid contributors to whatever team they land on. We have the luxury of having the second best of all of them. Curious that his defensive numbers are negative across the board (the only one of the 8 where that is true) but according to Bowden he makes up for it with positioning, angles, and first step quickness. I guess the other guys, who are faster, don’t have have positioning and angle skills. Whatever, the point is we are going to get one of them and whoever it is will help us win games. As a former shortstop and infield instructor it would be cool for me to watch Arenado and Story (who has the most range in that group) work together in LA. I know, not gonna happin, but fun to think about. Simmons would be fun to watch too. Guy is smooth.
Does anyone else think Seager won’t extend, and will indeed test the market?
With Boros as his agent the odds are high that he will test free agency. But, how many teams can afford his price tag? And, there will be several other quality SS available as well.
I feel the Dodgers have a huge advantage to resigning him.
*He’d continue to play for a winning team and World Series potential annually with teammates that like and respect him.
*The Dodgers have the financial means to keep him.
*He stays in Los Angeles and plays in front of 45,000+ fans nightly.
*Finally, LA has a very friendly Dodger media market as opposed to what New York or Boston has to offer.
The team and fans need Corey Seager to remain a Dodger.
None of the free agent shortstops will want to be the last one standing.
In his early days with the Dodgers, Rosey was wearing #44. I think he switched numbers in 1960.
Well that would all depend on what extension offer AF makes. If it’s Mookie money he’d take it but I don’t think AF would give him that many years. I wouldn’t with his injury history.
Who in that group offers the most WAR for the next 7 years? Of Bowden’s top 3 my guess would be Lindor. Story’s splits home and away tell me no on him. Seager has less history than most on that list because of of his injuries. Is he over them? Who knows. It makes sense that we keep him, but I have no idea what his intentions are. Maybe he prefers the other coast. Whatever, ‘21 is going to be an interesting year. Will fans be back? At the rate we’re going, it’s doubtful. If Covid wins the first half of the year, extending is going to be dicey for many clubs. Mookie contracts? Improbable.
Can Seager put a full season together that compares to his 60 game season? If he and Boras think so, no extension this year.
If Boras does his usual drawn out process next year, the big market teams might sign one of the other free agent SS and competition for Seager may be among the smaller budget teams.
I just read that organizations have no clear idea what to expect come Spring, when and if the season starts on time and will fans be allowed in stadiums. All of that is not really that far off. With Covid spiking and a new administration taking over, what it might look like come late March is anybody’s guess. With so much uncertainty, one year provision ridden contracts are the order of the day. Provided Turner is on board, we are set at all positions for a start to the season. After that? Nobody knows.
And the winter games are stirring.
21 Zipps projections are pretty impressive for Dodgers. Best team in baseball with improvements coming! Can we have 2 parades next year?
We all assume that Boras will tell Corey to test the market in free agency, but I’m not sure that’s the case. With 5 excellent shortstops available to teams next winter and team revenues down for a year or possibly two, it might be smarter to take an offer from AF if it’s a reasonable one and Seager wants to stay here. Boras may be tough to deal with but he’s also probably the smartest agent out there. I’m figuring the odds are decent that they reach an agreement this year, IF both Corey and AF want to continue the relationship.
Happy Birthday to Justin Turner, Gavin Lux, Ross Stripling………………………………………………..and me.
I could never figure out why Andrew never offered me a contract. I have the right birthday and I play first base like Joc Pederson and hit like Rich Hill. Oh well, their loss.
Yep, their loss.
Happy birthday to you and anyone else who is still young enough to celebrate birthdays. Last one I celebrated was with friends at Camelback. SLO Tim was there. That had to be 7-8 years. ago. He gave me that Taxidea shirt. Miss that guy. He moved to Oargun and kinda dropped off the radar. I get a text from him maybe once a year. Good man.
It’s not the birthday I’m celebrating, it’s the fact that I’m still here and I know that I’m here.
Make sure you celebrate your next one Badger and remember that if I’m still around there is at least one person walking the earth who’s older than you are.
I get up every morning and if I feel pain, I know I am still alive. I celebrate them all. Just not with the same vigor I did years ago.
Happy Birthday Blue…seems like you have a lot of skills and they passed you over>? What a shame.
Thanks Bear. You and I both know I could have been a Hall of Famer.
Yep, actually you are in the bloggers HOF.
You are too kind, Bear.
Oh hell no! LOL..You trying to ruin my reputation?
I am inclined to go with STB. If the Dodgers and Corey can get together, now is probably the best time. It is not that it is all that foreign for Boras to have one or two of his clients sign extensions. Strasburg and Altuve immediately come to mind. The problem will be where Corey will want to play the rest of his baseball career. His fiancée went to high school with Corey. She was two years behind Corey, so they were not high school sweethearts. But she is from North Carolina as well, and she is close to her family. Will she want to stay out west for the next 10 years? Or will she want to be closer to home and her Mom. Just like many of the players, when they are dealing with Monopoly Money, quite often the wife can dictate. If she is cool with staying out west, Corey can stay a Dodger for life. We will have to see how this all plays out. If the two sides want to come together, they can. Maybe AF has an understanding one way or the other.
And have a very happy B’Day.
Thanks for the b’day wishes Jeff.
I could never understand why ballplayers listened to their agents and the union and almost always went for the highest dollar amount.
Quality of life has always meant a lot to me and that includes family and living where I want to. I would gladly have given up a few mil to do that. Now we just need to hope that Corey and his wife like living here.
If it makes you feel better all of those players you share a birthday with may not be Dodgers either come 2021. Happy Birthday Jefe’.
Thanks Fred.
Hadn’t thought about the fact that under the right (or wrong) set of circumstances, both JT and GL could be playing elsewhere in 2021.
I share my birthday with the Grand old flag. And that means a lot to me. Only Dodger I know born on the 14th of June was Newcombe. Baker was born on the 15th. And of course I share my birthday with our favorite president……LOL…
Happy Birthday, SingingTheBlue. Hope it is a special one. Very nice article, Bear. Thank you. I was so upset and angry when the Marichal/Roseboro episode happened. Glad that Roseboro had a good heart and forgave Marichal.
Thanks DBM.
I’ve always felt that Roseboro and Marichal actually becoming very good friends was the biggest part of that whole story. It teaches us something that we could definitely apply to the world we live in today.
BTW, maybe one of the funniest TV moments I have ever seen was when Mr. Ed slid at home and scared the #$%^&* out of Roseboro. I still see that seen in my mind as if it were yesterday. Admittedly, Mr. Ed was one of my can’t miss TV shows growing up. But now I can see it with the magic of youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlVr45CHOuA
It wasn’t the size of Mr. Ed that scared Rosie, it was what he said to him coming down the line.
Uh, he didn’t say anything Bum……Wilbur did, he told him to slide. Look at how high those outfield walls are. Dodger Stadium does not look like that any more.
I posted before I looked at the video. My version is funnier.
Yep.. a little. So what did he say?????
I saw that when I was a kid. And thanks for sharing that video. Sandy, Willie D, Rosey, Leo, and yep, Moose Skowron were in it. Alan Young played Wilbur. I remember him best from the 60’s movie ” The Time Machine” with Rod Taylor. He played his best friend, Cool movie. Very funny TV show. I also remember a Munster’s episode with Leo where Herman tries out for the Dodgers. classic stuff. The Mr Ed clip had to be from 1963 It was the only year Skowron was a Dodger.
Yeah Bear, I noticed Moose with his #14 (the same as Gil’s). That clip had to be from 1963 as that’s the only year that Skowron played for the Dodgers.
Exactly what I said and only a couple years after Gil left.
Oops, I just noticed that you mentioned the year above. Sorry Bear I must not have read your entire post.
No biggie. I have done it a few times myself.
That’s I needed that today.
I agree Jeff. Sometimes fans forget the role wives play in the decision making. I am thinking O’Day with the O’s. His wife did not want to leave the east coast so he stayed out there. I also think that even as powerful an agent as Boras has to do what his clients really want, and I think that will have a lot to do with where Seager ends up. We, well we are nothing but spectators in the great baseball mystery’s. Who gets who.
Here’s some interesting news. Arizona instructional league just finished and Baseball America talked to a number of baseball people to find out which players most impressed them.
The hitter who most impressed scouts, etc in the entire Az league was none other than our own Michael Busch.
I don’t have a subscription so couldn’t access the article. If anyone here subscribes, maybe you could fill in some of the other tidbits from the story.
Per Kyle Glazer and Baseball America:
Busch earned universal reviews as the top hitter in Arizona. He took high quality at-bats, turned around upper-90s velocity and showed home run power to center field and both gaps. His balance, bat speed, hand-eye coordination and strike-zone discipline all drew high praise. Evaluators were split on Busch’s defense at second base, but he earned consistent grades as a plus hitter with plus power.
Thanks Jeff. I’m interested to see that evaluators were split on his defense. I always thought it was considered below average. Just another reason we need the DH.
I have a tendency to only believe the evaluators who spoke positively about his defense.
I agree. If he can consistently make the routine plays close to 99% he will be fine.
A couple of baseball items in the news today. I do not expect much more until next week. Former Dodger Mike Bolsinger has a suit against the Astros saying they ruined his career with their cheating. Mike was on the Blue Jays in 17 and the Stros bombed him twice and he says because of that he has not been able to get another job in baseball. uh, Mike, you were not that good to begin with. And Jed Hoyer signed a 5 year deal to run the Cubbies. After Turkey day and this weekend, some things will start to move. Non tender day is Dec 2nd, and the meetings right after that. Laker fans holding their breath hoping for a Davis contract.
Does anyone know where Seager winters? Yankee Stadium is 10 hours by car from his home town in NC.
According to his Bio, he resides in LA.
I stand corrected…according to the 2018 Media Guide, Corey lives in Kannapolis North Carolina
Well if Bowden is right then we’ll know where Corey doesn’t want to play next year!
Just heard this question, why are men getting their temps checked before being allowed to enter buildings because I never seen a man up and walking around that hat a higher than normal temperature.
That’s I needed that today.
Lots of payroll on this list.
https://www.pitcherlist.com/hardhit-9-statcasts-best-hard-contact-metric/
Report now circulating that the Rays have notified teams that they are open to trading Blake Snell. Do the Dodgers kick the tires?
Yes. Ruiz and Gonsolin and whatever.
You know that Andrew will at least make the phone call to Neander. Three years remaining at an average salary of about $14MM. That’s quite the bargain.
The Rays will probably start the negotiating at Lux, May and Ruiz. No way Andrew does that. He might come back with Ruiz, Gray and Busch. I don’t think that would be enough, especially considering that none of those three might be ready to step into a Rays lineup to begin 2021.
I’d be interested to hear what everyone else here would offer, keeping in mind that Snell is one of the best pitchers in baseball and the Rays don’t have to trade him.
Whan Whatever should make it happen.
We don’t need him.
After all, he’s only good for 5 2/3……….
He could probably go more than 5 2/3 as long as we don’t trade for Kevin Cash also.
Not Lux. Remember he was a Top 5 prospect just a few minutes ago. Not May either. He may be better than Snell. Ruiz, sure. Busch, ok. Snell is good, but he has only had one great year and it was 3 years ago.
In the 1980’s, A&W tried to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder by selling a 1/3 pound burger at a lower price. The product failed because most people thought the 1/4 pound was bigger.
Well, 4 is bigger than 3.
Or maybe people who eat a lot of McDonald’s hamburgers are just not that bright.