RIP Stan Williams

A classic photo from the Polo Grounds, circa 1962 or 1963: Don Drysdale, Pete Richert, Stan Williams, Sandy Koufax, Johnny Podres. Koufax and Williams goofing around by exchanging gloves. Only Richert and Koufax are still alive.

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/sta...Gd0a1mJ9SiYIB8xOyhXaOVSwMUSBjrHnwtpk3MWnwjezA

 

Holy crap. He lived less than a mile from me, in Lakewood, CA. For forever, you could drive by his house, and he'd be out in his garage, in a folding chair, reading or doing whatever. Hottest day of the year, coldest day of the year.
About a month ago, my wife and I noticed that the garage door was never opened any more. We feared the worst.

 

Column: Stan Williams says he's gotten over blowing a pennant-clinching save in 1962, but he believes it made him an outcast with Dodgers
He had some lingering resentment to the Dodgers.

 

I saw "Dodgers" and "Polo Grounds" and did a double take at first. They were in town to play the expansion Mets, who played their first 2 seasons at the Polo Grounds before Shea opened.

I love old color photos like this.

 

Polo Grounds probably my second favorite ballpark after Ebbets.

 

Is the Roman Colosseum high on your list also?