The slugging catcher was the Orioles' first recognizable star, so popular he had a street named for him in Baltimore County. But he wasn't always awash in warm nostalgia during our 1999 interview.
I was 7 years old when the Birds came to town in '54, and Gus was my first hero. He had a legitimate beef about Memorial Stadium's original dimensions. 309 down both lines, but the huge wall jutted straight out to left-center...tough place to hit it out. His lack of speed was legendary. I think it was Charlie Eckman that gave him the nickname "Old Piano Back", like he was running the baseline with a piano on his back 😂. But he (along w/ Billy O'Dell) was our first All-Star, and I was there at the '58 game in Memorial Stadium.
Thanks for the story. I think he had a good run in Baltimore, even with the huge outfield and having to catch Hoyt. And it was 1982 before his HR record for a catcher was broken. I think the business side of baseball in those days was so unfair to the players and it's understandable that his feelings would be conflicted. But, he was good for the Orioles and all his young fans, like me.
That's a great oral history, much thanks.
I was 7 years old when the Birds came to town in '54, and Gus was my first hero. He had a legitimate beef about Memorial Stadium's original dimensions. 309 down both lines, but the huge wall jutted straight out to left-center...tough place to hit it out. His lack of speed was legendary. I think it was Charlie Eckman that gave him the nickname "Old Piano Back", like he was running the baseline with a piano on his back 😂. But he (along w/ Billy O'Dell) was our first All-Star, and I was there at the '58 game in Memorial Stadium.
Thanks for the story. I think he had a good run in Baltimore, even with the huge outfield and having to catch Hoyt. And it was 1982 before his HR record for a catcher was broken. I think the business side of baseball in those days was so unfair to the players and it's understandable that his feelings would be conflicted. But, he was good for the Orioles and all his young fans, like me.
Well said, Tom. A lot of guys from that era on ALL teams are conflicted because they had a tough time with their contracts and little to no leverage.