Born in Poland, he was a World Series star and perhaps baseball's greatest-ever prankster. The post includes my narration of a feature article I wrote about him after I interviewed him years ago.
I met Moe at the 1992 Orioles Fantasy Camp in Sarasota. He was the manager of one of the teams and a big favorite of every player. He enhanced his reputation as a practical joker by bringing a boa constrictor to Camp one day, scaring the daylights out of Paul Blair.
Moe and I had a slight confrontation during one a game between his team and my Chicki's Big Knockers, managed by Wayne Krenchicki. I hit a ground ball down the first base line which was gloved by the first baseman about ten feet in front of the bag. I tried to dodge past the first baseman but he tagged me as I went by. After running past the bag and turning back toward the dugout, I noticed that the umpire had not made a call, so I scampered back to first. When I touched the bag the umpire called SAFE. I stood on first base as Moe and the umpire discussed the call. Moe asked the umpire to ask me whether I had been tagged or not. He said,
"He won't lie to you; he's a minister."
Which I was.
Fortunately, the umpire didn't ask me and I remained on first base.
I well remember Moe's World Series appearance at Dodger Stadium. I was watching the game with my best friend at his home, three thousand miles from Los Angeles in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, where I live today. I especially remember when Moe struck out Jim Lefebvre, which was his sixth consecutive strikeout. NBC showed a replay of the third strike, using a closeup of Lefebvre to expose his frustration.
Moe was, indeed, quite a character. I'm glad a had the opportunity to meet him.
I met Moe at the 1992 Orioles Fantasy Camp in Sarasota. He was the manager of one of the teams and a big favorite of every player. He enhanced his reputation as a practical joker by bringing a boa constrictor to Camp one day, scaring the daylights out of Paul Blair.
Moe and I had a slight confrontation during one a game between his team and my Chicki's Big Knockers, managed by Wayne Krenchicki. I hit a ground ball down the first base line which was gloved by the first baseman about ten feet in front of the bag. I tried to dodge past the first baseman but he tagged me as I went by. After running past the bag and turning back toward the dugout, I noticed that the umpire had not made a call, so I scampered back to first. When I touched the bag the umpire called SAFE. I stood on first base as Moe and the umpire discussed the call. Moe asked the umpire to ask me whether I had been tagged or not. He said,
"He won't lie to you; he's a minister."
Which I was.
Fortunately, the umpire didn't ask me and I remained on first base.
I well remember Moe's World Series appearance at Dodger Stadium. I was watching the game with my best friend at his home, three thousand miles from Los Angeles in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, where I live today. I especially remember when Moe struck out Jim Lefebvre, which was his sixth consecutive strikeout. NBC showed a replay of the third strike, using a closeup of Lefebvre to expose his frustration.
Moe was, indeed, quite a character. I'm glad a had the opportunity to meet him.
Great stuff, Len. Thanks for sharing.