Bob Oldis Stats

On June 4, 1962, Bob Oldis caught Maury Wills - who was in the midst of a 104 stolen base season - attempting to steal a base twice, the only game that year in which the speedster was actually caught stealing more than once. Here is another great story about Bob Oldis taken from the (highly recommended) pages of Bob Oldis: A Life in Baseball (Stephen Bratkovich, Levins Publishing, Page 35-37):

Ted Williams and Fenway Park are synonymous with the city of Boston. One of Bob Oldis’s favorite major league baseball memories involved both (and an unfortunate slip about one of Washington’s top prospects).

In 1954, for the third year in a row, Bob made the opening day roster for the Senators. This year, though, he spent the entire season with the parent club and was a full-fledged major leaguer when Washington went to Boston early in the season to square off with the Red Sox.

That year both teams had to exit their respective locker rooms through the Red Sox dugout to reach the field. The Red Sox dugout was along the first base side. Bob and his teammates had to walk across the field behind home plate to reach the visitor’s dugout on the third base side.

Bob recounted the events. “This was my first day in Boston. I went across the field as the Red Sox were taking batting practice. I spotted that big number nine, Ted Williams, and he stopped me.”

Williams said, “Hey Bob. Welcome to the big leagues. I hope you have a long career up here.”

It’s not often someone with the stature of Ted Williams calls you by name and welcomes you to your job. Bob, overcome by standing beside a two-time American League MVP and two-time triple crown winner, just a few of Williams’ accomplishments, decided to engage The Splendid Splinter in conversation. Although thrilled, “Thanks” was the only word Bob could get out of his mouth.

“By the way, Bob,” Williams said, “You got a pitcher by the name of Pedro Ramos. What kind of kid is he? What kind of pitcher is he?”

“He’s very young and he really can run,” Bob replied. “He’s got a good fastball and a hard curve.”

Williams kept probing the young catcher. “What kind of control?”

Bob responded, “He’s got good control.”

The four time batting champion (he would make it six by the end of the 1950s) wasn’t through with Bob. “Does he have a change up?”

“Nah,” Bob replied, “He never throws it. Just a hard curveball and fastball.”

Williams, forever a student of hitting and getting to know the opposing pitchers, had gotten what he wanted from the young catcher. Williams said, “Well, good luck. Hope you’re around a long time.”

Bob was floating on air when he turned and walked to the Senators dugout. He had just talked with the greatest hitter of the era, maybe the greatest hitter in baseball history. And The Splendid Splinter had just welcomed him to the big leagues. It could hardly get any better than this!

Bob reached the dugout, and over in the corner he saw two of his teammates, Eddie Yost and two-time American League batting champion Mickey Vernon. “Come here,” one of them yelled. “What did number nine want?”

Bob replied, “He welcomed me to the big leagues. Hopes I’m going to be around a long time. Oh, and he also asked me about our pitcher, Ramos.”

Eddie Yost turned to Mickey Vernon and said, “See, Williams already knows more about Ramos than we do, and he’s our teammate. He’s already looking forward to batting against him.”

Over a half-century later, Bob said, “I remember it plain as day. And I also wore number nine that year. Kind of a coincidence.”

Please buy the book at Itasca Books (Bob Oldis: A Life in Baseball).

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