A Conversation With Former Orioles Pitcher Dick Hall

[Frobby]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-conversation-with-former-orioles-pitcher-dick-hall/

[Moose Milligan]

This was a really cool read.

The part about pitching to Ted Williams was my favorite part.

Quote

“I remember thinking, ‘He’s 40 years old and not as quick with the bat anymore, so I’ll throw him high fastballs.’ Nobody really paid any attention to me — I was just a halfway decent sneaky pitcher — but he actually studied all of the pitchers. I started him with a high fastball, up around his chin, and he chased it. Williams was famous for never swinging at bad pitches, but he chased this one. Problem. He hit it into the bullpen.”

 

[LA2]

On 11/4/2020 at 4:08 PM, Frobby said:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-conversation-with-former-orioles-pitcher-dick-hall/

Thanks for the link. Really enjoyed reading it. Hall was always one of my favorite players on those teams for his awkward pitching motion, unbelievable control, and ability to hit for himself.

[WillyM]

Good to hear that Dick is still around.

It was said that as Hall goes, so go the Orioles.  He was on the Orioles' pennant-winning team in 1966, though he did not participate in the World Series that year.  He was traded to Philadelphia following that season, then returned to the Orioles in 1969 and played in the World Series in 1969, 70, and 71, after which he retired.  I think I'm on safe ground in saying he's the only person who played on pennant winners during each of his last four seasons as an Oriole.

[DrungoHazewood]

On 11/4/2020 at 5:08 PM, Moose Milligan said:

This was a really cool read.

The part about pitching to Ted Williams was my favorite part.

 

Williams was four-for-eight off Hall, with a double, a homer, a walk and a K.  All in three games in 1960 when Hall was with the KC A's.

[TWpj]

This addition the thread is not remotely germane to the topic but I’ll add it any how. Going back about 15 or 20 years ago, maybe not that long, my parents were friends with Dick Hall’s daughter, as they lived in the same area of Harford County and had kids who went to school together(Dick Hall’s daughter and my parents, my sister went to school with Dick’s granddaughter). Someone had tickets to a Maryland basketball game and we all drove down to College Park. I had the privilege to sit in the back seat with Dick and while I don’t have experiences with many current or former professional athletes, I can tell you that Dick Hall has to be one of the nicest ones ever, as he was one of nicest guys I’ve ever met in my life. He was extremely down to earth and while I can’t tell you much about the content of the conversation(probably because my dad dominated it with Orioles talk, which was fine with me), he was happy to engage. Was an awesome experience. 

 

Feel free to remove if not appropriate.