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Author
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Topic: Neil Armstrong and Giants pitcher Gaylord Perry
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Rusty B
Member Posts: 239
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 08-29-2012 05:12 PM
   
San Jose Mercury News recalls the story of Neil Armstrong and the one giant swing by Gaylord Perry. Forgotten among the touching tributes to Neil Armstrong in the wake of his death last week was a side note about the astronaut's place in Giants lore.Accounts vary, but the basic story goes like this: While watching the ragged swings of Gaylord Perry during batting practice one day in the 1960s, Giants manager Alvin Dark sniffed: "They'll put a man on the moon before he hits a home run." Perry hit his first career home run on July 20, 1969 — just minutes after Armstrong and Apollo 11 touched down on the lunar surface... |
Mike Z
Member Posts: 451
From: Ellicott City, Maryland
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 09-05-2012 03:51 PM
Thank you for posting this! I worked with Gaylord Perry when he was with the Seattle Mariners (1982–1983) and the Kansas City Royals (1983). He was really a good guy to know and work with. He threw the spitter and you could find the Skin Lube, a heavy Vaseline all over his shoes, cap and in his uniform. He gave me a t-shirt that said, "300 WINS AIN'T NOTHING TO SPIT AT!" and a signed peanut bag from his peanut farm. I wish I knew about his connection with Neil Armstrong and his 1st home run! |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 09-05-2012 04:09 PM
It sounds like a "too good to be true" type story (and funnier still, the sports writer's name is Jupiter?!)If anything, it was probably a joke made after the fact on that day for the paper. |
MOL
Member Posts: 98
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 09-25-2012 12:58 PM
Indeed it really happened, and here is the box score to prove it! |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1337
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-25-2012 01:49 PM
Thank you for the box score link.The box score tells us that Gaylord Perry hit the home run to Center Field and that he pitched a complete game for the win. |
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