Baseball Legends: Nestor Chylak (Umpire 1954-1978)

“Ballplayers will cheat under any circumstances if they think they can get away with it. Our job is to prevent it.”

 

Nestor Chylak began his umpiring career in 1946, after World War II had ended. He had served in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. While fighting that battle, he nearly lost his sight, when shrapnel from an exploding shell wounded him. During his service in the Army, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

 

He started umpiring in the Pony League. He moved to the Canadian-American League in 1950, followed by the International League in 1952 and reached the American League in 1954. His career included many different highlights and firsts. He umpired in the first ALCS game in 1969. Then went on to umpire in the 1972 and 1973 ALCS games, serving as crew chief in two out of three series.
 

He also worked in six All-Star games and five World Series. Among the most notable World Series games was the seventh game of the 1977 series, in which he was behind the plate.

 

Baseball Legends: Sandy Koufax (Dodgers 1955-1966)

“Pitching is the art of instilling fear.” — Sandy Koufax

Sandford “Sandy” Koufax is arguably the best pitcher baseball has ever seen. As Casey Stengel once said, “Forget the other guy (Walter Johnson) Sandy Koufax for four years was the best pitcher in baseball. Whether Koufax at his peak was the most dominating pitcher ever is debatable, but he definitely was the most artful Dodger — graceful, with body arching through his long stride, his overhand delivery would fool batters with pitches that could be heard, but not seen. Stengel also remarked that ”umpires often can’t see where Koufax pitches go, so they have to judge from the sound of them hitting the catcher’s glove.”

Baseball Legends: Willie McCovey (Giants 1959-1973, 1977-1980, Padres 1974-1976, A’s 1976)

He may not be the most famous Giant, but Willie McCovey deserves a great deal of consideration when talking about the greatest players in baseball history. Overshadowed throughout most of his career by the other Willie on his team, McCovey was a true team player and rose above any petty bickering or bitter jealousy that may have eaten away at a lesser man.

Baseball Legends: Roy Campanella (Dodgers 1948-1957)

“I never want to quit playing ball. They’ll have to cut this uniform off of me to get me out of it.” — Roy Campanella

Roy Campanella, known as “Campy”, is considered by many to be one of the best catchers ever to play baseball. While still in school at the age of just 15, he played on weekends for the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League. He was MVP of the 1941 East-West all-star game, then jumped to the Mexican League in 1942 and 1943. He came back to the Giants and led the league in doubles in 1944 and in RBIs in 1945.

Baseball Legends: Ted Williams (Red Sox 1939-1942, 1946-1960)

“It was typical of him to become a Marine Air Corps pilot and see action and almost get shot down. He was a remarkable American as well as a remarkable ballplayer. His passing so close to a national holiday seems part of a divine plan, so we can always remember him not only as a great player but also as a great patriot.” – Vin Scully

Ted Williams made his Major League debut on April 20, 1939. In his first season he finished fourth in the MVP voting. Just three short years later he won the American League Triple Crown. His season of 1941 was overshadowed at the time by Joe DiMaggio, but it was one of the greatest in baseball history. He was hitting .400 going into the last day of the season, but played in the doubleheader anyway raising his average to .406 for the season. He is the last player to hit .400 in a season. In 1942 Ted won the first of two Triple Crowns. He hit .356 with 36 home runs and 137 RBI’s. He came in second in the MVP voting to Joe Gordon of the Yankees.

Baseball Legends: Billy Williams (Cubs 1959-1974, A’s 1975-1976)

“In baseball a player knows just two things: today and yesterday. There’s never a tomorrow until it gets here.” — Billy Williams

It’s amazing when you can remember how a player swings the bat after decades of not seeing him do it. Pictures of Ruth and Aaron are seen often in the media, but for someone to be called Sweet Swingin’ Billy it must be something special. From a very relaxed stance, and careful stride, this slim, wiry athlete would whip the bat through the zone in a way that could take the ball out of the park to any field.

Baseball Legends: Brooks Robinson (Orioles 1955-1977)

“I’m beginning to see Brooks (Robinson) in my sleep. If I dropped a paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.” – Sparky Anderson

When most fans think of defensive third basemen one name immediately comes to mind, Brooks Robinson. His nickname “The Human Vacuum Cleaner” describes his ability at third pretty well. He holds a career .971 fielding percentage in 2,900 Major League games. He also won the Gold Glove every year from 1960-1975. He led the AL in fielding percentage a record 11 times. He was selected to the American League All-Star team eighteen times from 1960-1974 as well. He even took home the MVP award of the midsummer classic in 1966. Numbers cannot even quantify what he did at the position. He made catches that all third basemen must now live up to.

Baseball Legends: Warren Spahn (Braves 1942, 1946-1964, Mets 1965, Giants 1965)

“Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing.” ~ Warren Spahn

The winningest left-hander in big league history with 363 victories, Warren Spahn ranks sixth on the all-time wins list. Those ahead of him on the list–Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Pete Alexander, Christy Mathewson and Pud Galvin–all played prior to the live-ball era. Thirteen times in his 21-year career he won more than 20 games in a season.

Spahn’s baseball career did not start with distinction; he was demoted to the minor leagues by Boston Braves manager Casey Stengel after refusing to throw at a batter. After the 1942 season concluded, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his tenure in the military, Spahn was honored with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for bravery. He was the only major leaguer who earned a battlefield commission during World War II.

Baseball Legends: Mickey Mantle (Yankees 1951-1968)

“Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said, ‘Sure, every time.’” – Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle (“The Mick”) is one of the most well known players to play the game. The card to the left might be one of the most well known cards other than the famous Honus Wagner T-206 card. He was an impact player on the Yankees almost from day one. He did not play well in his first stint in the majors. He thought that he played so badly that he actually called his dad to give him a ride home. His dad talked him into sticking it out, and we all benefited from that decision.

Baseball Legends: Bob Gibson (Cardinals 1959-1975)

“Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson, he’ll knock you down. He’d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Gold Glove boxer.” ~ Hank Aaron

One of the most dominating pitchers of the modern era, Bob Gibson played his entire career in a Cardinals uniform. He won two Cy Young awards, one NL MVP, two World Series MVP trophies, and nine Gold Gloves; he also appeared on nine All-Star rosters, and started the All-Star Game in 1972.