207 - Fourth of July Fireworks and 20-Game Losing All-Stars

In part one, Craig and Rex recall some memorable Fourth of July baseball fireworks featuring the ubiquitous Guy Hecker, the irrepressible Boom Boom Beck and the simply legendary Rick Camp. In part two, they discuss the three Expansion Era (1961-2024) pitchers who made an All-Star team then went on to lose 20 games in the season. Also, Bobby Bonilla Day and what may have brought an end to  teenagers playing in the Major Leagues.

The three pitchers, by the way, are Turk Farrell, 1962 Colt-.45s; Mel Stottlemyre, 1966 New York Yankees; and Steve Rogers, 1974 Montreal Expos. This is notable only because in the Rick Camp Game, the New York Met pitching coach who made a 3:20 a.m. visit to the mound prior to Rick Camp coming to the plate was none other than Mel Stottlemyre.

Here is the Rick Camp Game video on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcZIs1tIGlg

Errata: Boom Boom Beck was 12-20 in 1933, not 1934. Nate Andrews was 14-20 with a 2.57 ERA in 1943, not 1942. The Yankees first African American player was Elston Howard in 1955 -- only the Phillies (1957), Tigers (1958) and Red Sox (1959) among pre-expansion teams took longer to sign African American players. The Texas Rangers drafted David Clyde in 1973, not 1974 or 75.

Episodes Mentioned:
195 - Looking Back at Houston's 1963 All-Rookie Lineup
183 - Len Koenecke's Sad and Tragic Trip Home w/ Bill Lamb (32:10, Delahanty)
149 - You Gotta Be Smart to Play This Game w/ Bill Bonham
127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I (42:00, neighborhood bars)
75 - If It's Something That Happens, It's Going to Be a Sad Day In Baltimore (27:00, Guy Hecker's record day) 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction, The Ed Delahanty Mystery
• 3:00 Guy Hecker's complete game times two 7/4/1884
• 4:16 Hooks Wiltse's near perfect game 7/4/08
• 5:27 Boom Boom Beck isn't happy; Hack Wilson isn't paying attention 7/4/34
• 7:57 The Rick Camp Game 7/4/85
• 11:43 The All-Star who lost 20 games - Turk Farrell
• 15:38 The All-Star who lost 20 games - Mel Stottlemyre
• 21:11 The All-Star who lost 20 games - Steve Rogers
• 27:55 Rex wishes everyone a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day
• 31:16 David Clyde signaled an end to teenagers in MLB