RIP Johnny Podres

[BYH]

Podres, who shut out the Yankees in Game Seven of the 1955 World Series to give the Brooklyn Dodgers their only World Championship, died last night at 75.

Remarkably, the losing pitcher in that game, Tommy Byrne, died Dec. 20.

RIP.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10575456

 

[EmbassyRow]

My father coached his sons when they were in high school. Our families are practically from the same town. I sent my mother a text when I saw this on the wire, to tell Dad.

My sister called me 30 minutes later. She wanted to know why Dad was crying.

RIP, sir.

 

[Colton]

Embassy: That is a wonderful post... thank you.

RIP, Mr. Podres

 

[buckweaver]

Johnny Podres left the most enjoyable impression, to me, in that HBO special on the Dodgers last fall. He just seemed like a guy you couldn't help but like.

RIP to a pitcher who had ice water in his veins for long after that Game 7.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Jim Fregosi will miss his racetrack running mate.

 

[PHINJ]

Johnny Podres made Curt Schilling a starting pitcher.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Johnny Podres made Curt Schilling a starting pitcher.

Wonder if his blog, SonOfHorny38 or whatever it is, will have anything today....

 

[casty33]

As a former Brooklynite and a big fan back then (when I was 9 years old), he will always be remembered for giving us our only World Series. I met Podres later when he was given one of our awards at a NY BBWAA dinner and he was indeed a nice person.

So I offer my heartfelt RIP.

 

[JBHawkEye]

Johnny Podres left the most enjoyable impression, to me, in that HBO special on the Dodgers last fall. He just seemed like a guy you couldn't help but like.

RIP to a pitcher who had ice water in his veins for long after that Game 7.

I thought about that HBO show today when I heard he died. I agree with what you said.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Yeah, I was kind of surprised the AP story didn't mention much about Podres' long career in coaching. Probably more accomplished in that respect than as a player.

And by my count, this leaves only Snider, Erskine and Loes alive among the 55 Dodgers regulars. Zimmer and a few other bench players are still living as well, but man, there's not many of those guys left.

 

[casty33]

Don't forget Don Newcombe, Steak. And Vin Scully.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Don't forget Don Newcombe, Steak. And Vin Scully.

Duh, can't believe I forgot Newk.

And the latest AP story does have a graph at the end about Podres' coaching career. The one I saw an hour ago made no mention of it.

 

[lantaur]

Johnny Podres made Curt Schilling a starting pitcher.

Wonder if his blog, SonOfHorny38 or whatever it is, will have anything today....

http://38pitches.com/2008/01/14/johnny-podres-passes-away/

Outside of the Lord, my wife and my father there was no person who impacted my life more than Johnny Podres.

 

[micropolitan guy]

I didn't read the linked story, so I apologize if this is a DB, but I believe Podres also taught Frank Viola his changeup when Podres was the PC for the Twins.

 

[writing irish]

Jim Fregosi will miss his racetrack running mate.

What's Fregosi up to these days?

 

[buckweaver]

Jim Fregosi will miss his racetrack running mate.

What's Fregosi up to these days?

Actually, he's one of the Braves' top advance scouts. He was a special assistant to Schuerholz for the last 4-5 years (although I don't know if he'll continue in that role under Wren.)

 

[SoCalDude]

Jim Fregosi will miss his racetrack running mate.

What's Fregosi up to these days?

About 280.

 

[spnited]

My firest real baseball memory --as a six-year-old son of a die-hard Dodgers fan -- was Game 7, 1955 Wolrd Series.
Johnny Podres is one of the reasons I have been a lifelong baseball fan. And to those of you who can never underestand what the Dodgers' 1955 World Series win over the "******* stinking Yankees" (the only way my father ever referred to the team the would later become the Evil Empire), read Thomas Oliphant's "Praying for Gil Hodges."


RIP Johnny. And thanks

 

[baskethead]

The pride of Witherbee/Mineville, N.Y. My family knew/knows the Podres family as well, and I got some pitching guidance from Johnny when I was a little leaguer. Great memories. Too bad he couldn't just give me his arm.

 

[Blitz]

My firest real baseball memory --as a six-year-old son of a die-hard Dodgers fan -- was Game 7, 1955 Wolrd Series.
Johnny Podres is one of the reasons I have been a lifelong baseball fan.
RIP Johnny. And thanks

Excellent story.
So, were those games for the Brooklyn Dodgers always hard sellouts?
Was it always a full house.?