Moe Drabowsky---1962
Born in Ozanna, Poland, Drabowsky
is one of four native Poles to don a
major league uniform. Known as one
of the game's top pranksters,
Drabowsky also had a few highlights
scattered throughout his 17-year
career.
Signed by the Cubs as a Bonus Baby
in 1956, the right-hander would also
hurl for the Braves, Reds, Athletics,
Orioles, Royals, Cardinals and White
Sox. Drabowsky would finish with an
88-105, 3.71 mark... but he collected
many more laughs along the way.
His pranks included giving
Commission Bowie Kuhn a "hot foot",
slipping sneezing powder into the air
conditioning unit of the visiting teams
locker room and crank phone calls
from the bullpen phone.
In his obituary by ESPN.com (June
12, 2006), the site recalls his favorite
gag during a game at the old
Municipal Stadium in Kansas City:
"I had pitched there for a few years
so I was familiar with the phone
system. I knew the extension of the
Kansas City bullpen and you could
dial it direct from the visitor's
bullpen," Drabowsky once recalled.
"One game, Jim Nash of the Athletics
is cruising against us in about the
fifth inning. So I call their bullpen and
shout, 'Get Krausse up' and hang up.
"You should've seen them scramble,
trying to get Lew Krausse warmed up
in a hurry," Drabowsky said. "It really
was funny."
He also had an infinity for snakes, as
the slithering reptiles could show up
at any time.
"Players seem to be more serious
now," he told the AP in a 1987
interview. "I would tend to believe
they don't have as much fun. You
don't find the same kind of
characters in the game today. Egos
are a big factor. And the guys are
making so much money."
On the mound, Drabowsky
distinguished himself on several
occasions.
He rescued a wild Dave McNally for
the Orioles in Game 1 of the 1966
World Series by tossing 6-2/3 innings
of 1-hit shutout relief to help
Baltimore in a sweep of the Dodgers.
His 11 strikeouts established a Fall
Classic record for relievers.
Drabowsky also notched the first win
in Kansas City Royals history pitching
in relief on Opening Day in 1969.
He also gave up Stan Musial's
3,000th career hit and was on the
losing end of Early Wynn's 300th
victory.
And if this all leaves you wanting
more, all we can suggest is to have a
pirogi.
(7/29/08)
is one of four native Poles to don a
major league uniform. Known as one
of the game's top pranksters,
Drabowsky also had a few highlights
scattered throughout his 17-year
career.
Signed by the Cubs as a Bonus Baby
in 1956, the right-hander would also
hurl for the Braves, Reds, Athletics,
Orioles, Royals, Cardinals and White
Sox. Drabowsky would finish with an
88-105, 3.71 mark... but he collected
many more laughs along the way.
His pranks included giving
Commission Bowie Kuhn a "hot foot",
slipping sneezing powder into the air
conditioning unit of the visiting teams
locker room and crank phone calls
from the bullpen phone.
In his obituary by ESPN.com (June
12, 2006), the site recalls his favorite
gag during a game at the old
Municipal Stadium in Kansas City:
"I had pitched there for a few years
so I was familiar with the phone
system. I knew the extension of the
Kansas City bullpen and you could
dial it direct from the visitor's
bullpen," Drabowsky once recalled.
"One game, Jim Nash of the Athletics
is cruising against us in about the
fifth inning. So I call their bullpen and
shout, 'Get Krausse up' and hang up.
"You should've seen them scramble,
trying to get Lew Krausse warmed up
in a hurry," Drabowsky said. "It really
was funny."
He also had an infinity for snakes, as
the slithering reptiles could show up
at any time.
"Players seem to be more serious
now," he told the AP in a 1987
interview. "I would tend to believe
they don't have as much fun. You
don't find the same kind of
characters in the game today. Egos
are a big factor. And the guys are
making so much money."
On the mound, Drabowsky
distinguished himself on several
occasions.
He rescued a wild Dave McNally for
the Orioles in Game 1 of the 1966
World Series by tossing 6-2/3 innings
of 1-hit shutout relief to help
Baltimore in a sweep of the Dodgers.
His 11 strikeouts established a Fall
Classic record for relievers.
Drabowsky also notched the first win
in Kansas City Royals history pitching
in relief on Opening Day in 1969.
He also gave up Stan Musial's
3,000th career hit and was on the
losing end of Early Wynn's 300th
victory.
And if this all leaves you wanting
more, all we can suggest is to have a
pirogi.
(7/29/08)
