Growing up in Baltimore in the late ‘50s, Tom Phoebus dreamed of pitching for the Orioles. Once that dream came true, he made the kind of history that endures.
Phoebus is one of my memories as a just-turned teen who moved back to Baltimore in 1967 after being born there and moving away before I turned 2 years old.
Tom's neighbors in Baltimore were from the 400 block of Fawcett Street. When he pitched a complete-game win in his major league debut on September 15, only one other Oriole on their injury-riddled staff had pitched a complete game since August 6. His major league debut was postponed for two days because of rain and he listened to rock 'n roll music before his debut for relaxation. The Orioles could not put him their 1966 World Series roster because he wasn't on their regular season roster until after August 31.
I can remember listening to his no hitter with Chuck and Bill announcing on WBAL. I was 13 and listened to many games from northeast Pa. on my transistor radio 📻 Especially when the weather was nice and the reception better. His no- hitter was a highlight in 1968 for O's fans
Tom Phoebus is a very distant cousin of mine—a 5th cousin, 1x removed, on my mother’s side. Our common ancestor, George Summers (1746–1820s) of Somerset County, was in the Maryland Militia during not only the American Revolution, but also the War of 1812. He was 67 years old when he turned out for militia duty in the latter conflict, during the spring of 1814. Oh, and Tom was truly destined to be an Oriole… Do you know where the Phoebuses lived before they moved to Baltimore? In a small village near Saint Peters Creek, in Somerset County, called… “Oriole” (!) Tom’s grandfather, Isaac Bryan Phoebus (1896–1950) was born in Oriole, Maryland—so named, because large flocks of Orioles used to nest in the village trees. Pretty astounding.
Excellent story on PheeBee, as we called him. I was the Rochester Red Wing bat boy in 1961 and then the “clubby” from 1962-65 and can relate to many of the players you mention in your series. It was a special time.
Phoebus is one of my memories as a just-turned teen who moved back to Baltimore in 1967 after being born there and moving away before I turned 2 years old.
Tom's neighbors in Baltimore were from the 400 block of Fawcett Street. When he pitched a complete-game win in his major league debut on September 15, only one other Oriole on their injury-riddled staff had pitched a complete game since August 6. His major league debut was postponed for two days because of rain and he listened to rock 'n roll music before his debut for relaxation. The Orioles could not put him their 1966 World Series roster because he wasn't on their regular season roster until after August 31.
I can remember listening to his no hitter with Chuck and Bill announcing on WBAL. I was 13 and listened to many games from northeast Pa. on my transistor radio 📻 Especially when the weather was nice and the reception better. His no- hitter was a highlight in 1968 for O's fans
Tom Phoebus is a very distant cousin of mine—a 5th cousin, 1x removed, on my mother’s side. Our common ancestor, George Summers (1746–1820s) of Somerset County, was in the Maryland Militia during not only the American Revolution, but also the War of 1812. He was 67 years old when he turned out for militia duty in the latter conflict, during the spring of 1814. Oh, and Tom was truly destined to be an Oriole… Do you know where the Phoebuses lived before they moved to Baltimore? In a small village near Saint Peters Creek, in Somerset County, called… “Oriole” (!) Tom’s grandfather, Isaac Bryan Phoebus (1896–1950) was born in Oriole, Maryland—so named, because large flocks of Orioles used to nest in the village trees. Pretty astounding.
That is truly astounding. An Oriole from Oriole. Has to be the only one. Thanks for sharing this great history!
John,
Excellent story on PheeBee, as we called him. I was the Rochester Red Wing bat boy in 1961 and then the “clubby” from 1962-65 and can relate to many of the players you mention in your series. It was a special time.
Bill
What a great experience you had as the batboy and clubby.