Juan Marichal---1971
Some fans will remember Juan’s 243
career wins during his Hall of Fame
career. Some fans will remember Juan
chasing Dodger catcher Johnny
Roseboro with a bat in a Hall of Shame
moment. But all fans will remember Juan’s
high leg kick, that none of us kids could
duplicate, though God knows we tried.
Juan would kick his leg so high that his
foot would disappear into the fog that
frequented Candlestick Park.
Occasionally his leg kick brought rain.
Watching his delivery made grown men
wince in phantom groin pain.
However, none of us will ever remember
Juan being in a perfect fielding position at
the end of his delivery, like in this 1971
card. Look at him. Glove up, in a
balanced position saying, “Hit the ball to
me.”
In an amazing twist of irony, the
“Dominican Dandy” closed out his 16-
year career in 1975 with two outings as a
Los Angeles Dodger. This in itself had to
make Giants fans again wince in phantom
groin pain… that is until they saw his
13.50 ERA.
(4/8/09)
career wins during his Hall of Fame
career. Some fans will remember Juan
chasing Dodger catcher Johnny
Roseboro with a bat in a Hall of Shame
moment. But all fans will remember Juan’s
high leg kick, that none of us kids could
duplicate, though God knows we tried.
Juan would kick his leg so high that his
foot would disappear into the fog that
frequented Candlestick Park.
Occasionally his leg kick brought rain.
Watching his delivery made grown men
wince in phantom groin pain.
However, none of us will ever remember
Juan being in a perfect fielding position at
the end of his delivery, like in this 1971
card. Look at him. Glove up, in a
balanced position saying, “Hit the ball to
me.”
In an amazing twist of irony, the
“Dominican Dandy” closed out his 16-
year career in 1975 with two outings as a
Los Angeles Dodger. This in itself had to
make Giants fans again wince in phantom
groin pain… that is until they saw his
13.50 ERA.
(4/8/09)
