« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: RIP Grady Hatton  (Read 5578 times)

Houston

  • Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
  • Posts: 1249
    • View Profile
RIP Grady Hatton
« on: April 12, 2013, 05:37:45 am »
Logged
"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." - Rogers Hornsby

Mr. Happy

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 23232
  • It's a beautiful day; let's play two
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2013, 08:20:02 am »
RIP. He was replaced by Harry "the Hat" Walker, who I liked as a manager.
Logged
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization. Agnes Rupellier

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius

juliogotay

  • Pope
  • Posts: 8738
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2013, 08:26:47 am »
Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 12, 2013, 08:20:02 am
RIP. He was replaced by Harry "the Hat" Walker, who I liked as a manager.

The players didn't.
Logged

Mr. Happy

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 23232
  • It's a beautiful day; let's play two
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2013, 01:17:32 pm »
Quote from: juliogotay on April 12, 2013, 08:26:47 am
The players didn't.

Hat made them all try to hit the ball up the middle, whether they wanted to or not. Why they opted to go with an elderly Leo Durocher as his replacement-must have been an AIS move.
Logged
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization. Agnes Rupellier

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius

strosrays

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2013, 04:13:43 pm »
Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 12, 2013, 01:17:32 pm
Hat made them all try to hit the ball up the middle, whether they wanted to or not. Why they opted to go with an elderly Leo Durocher as his replacement-must have been an AIS move.

I think the dislike for him was for reasons other than his hitting philosophy.
Logged

SoonerJim

  • Veteran Role Player
  • Posts: 437
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2013, 03:05:50 pm »
Harry Walker tried to turn Rusty Staub into a singles hitter. Jim Bouton's book showed the utter contempt in which his players held him
Logged

Col. Sphinx Drummond

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • Illuminati
  • Posts: 16760
  • art is a bulwark against the irrationality of man
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2013, 03:08:22 pm »
Harry Walker was a racist. Joe Morgan, Jim Wynn, Don Wilson, all hated him. In Morgan's book he calls Walker stupid and mean. In Wynn's book refers to him as a bad person and a worse manager.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2013, 03:12:22 pm by Sphinx Drummond »
Logged
Everyone's talking, few of them know
The rest are pretending, they put on a show
And if there's a message I guess this is it
Truth isn't easy, the easy part's shit

Mr. Happy

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 23232
  • It's a beautiful day; let's play two
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2013, 04:39:48 pm »
Quote from: Sphinx Drummond on April 13, 2013, 03:08:22 pm
Harry Walker was a racist. Joe Morgan, Jim Wynn, Don Wilson, all hated him. In Morgan's book he calls Walker stupid and mean. In Wynn's book refers to him as a bad person and a worse manager.

I hadn't heard any of that. I certainly believe you and his former ballplayers. And if he was a racist, then he falls significantly in my opinion. I just didn't understand why the club brought in an elderly Leo Durocher to replace him.
Logged
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization. Agnes Rupellier

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius

strosrays

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2013, 07:55:26 pm »
Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 13, 2013, 04:39:48 pm
I hadn't heard any of that. I certainly believe you and his former ballplayers. And if he was a racist, then he falls significantly in my opinion. I just didn't understand why the club brought in an elderly Leo Durocher to replace him.

He'd (Durocher) just come off of several seasons of somehow managing not to win the pennant with one of the better assembled NL teams of that era (albeit, FTC teams) - Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Ken Holtzman, etc. Including famously blowing a large lead in the NL East late in the season to the "Miracle Mets" in 1969. No wonder those fuckers up there believed they were cursed.

But Durocher'd had success in NEW YORK ... like, 30 years earlier.

So of course the Astros hired him.

Durocher tangled with the talented if erratic Panamanian outfielder Adolfo Phillips in Chicago, and IIRC he had some problems with Cesar Cedeno in Houston. Luckily, his stay with the Astros was brief.

I believe it was Harry Walker's brother who refused to speak to or shake hands with Jackie Robinson when the latter came up with Brooklyn in 1947.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2013, 07:57:09 pm by Dark Star »
Logged

Mr. Happy

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 23232
  • It's a beautiful day; let's play two
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2013, 08:03:58 pm »
Quote from: Dark Star on April 13, 2013, 07:55:26 pm

I believe it was Harry Walker's brother who refused to speak to or shake hands with Jackie Robinson when the latter came up with Brooklyn in 1947.

Dixie Walker?
Logged
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization. Agnes Rupellier

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius

strosrays

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2013, 08:36:25 pm »
Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 13, 2013, 08:03:58 pm
Dixie Walker?

Yes, I believe that is him.

He was one of the Dodgers who was open and vocal to Branch Rickey about his displeasure with baseball's integration, and Robinson specifically.

He reportedly changed his mind about Robinson and racism over the years, and later expressed remorse for his actions in 1947.

His story is an interesting one.
Logged

SoonerJim

  • Veteran Role Player
  • Posts: 437
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2013, 10:55:40 pm »
Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 13, 2013, 08:03:58 pm
Dixie Walker?

Dixie Walker was the one with the race problem. Harry Walker had other issues related to personnel management.
Logged

JimR

  • Contributor
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 29345
    • View Profile
    • McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2013, 09:20:50 am »
Quote from: SoonerJim on April 13, 2013, 10:55:40 pm
Dixie Walker was the one with the race problem. Harry Walker had other issues related to personnel management.

I think this is correct, but it is dangerous to disagree with Joe Morgan. he never is wrong.
Logged
Often wrong, but never in doubt.

Andyzipp

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2013, 10:41:34 am »
Quote from: JimR on April 15, 2013, 09:20:50 am
I think this is correct, but it is dangerous to disagree with Joe Morgan. he never is wrong.

What would happen if Joe Morgan and HudsonHawk had a disagreement?
Logged

Andyzipp

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2013, 10:43:24 am »
Quote from: SoonerJim on April 13, 2013, 10:55:40 pm
Dixie Walker was the one with the race problem. Harry Walker had other issues related to personnel management.

Saw 42 over the weekend.  Once I got over the fact that it wasn't a documentary on dominoes, I enjoyed it.  Walker and a few other Dodgers (and moreso Ben Chapman) were not portrayed in any kind of flattering light.
Logged

MusicMan

  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 25931
  • Thanks for 2015
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #15 on: April 15, 2013, 10:56:17 am »
Quote from: Andyzipp on April 15, 2013, 10:41:34 am
What would happen if Joe Morgan and HudsonHawk had a disagreement?

It would start with an earthquake.
Logged
I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing AstroTurf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, torture of Bud Selig.

BUWebguy

  • Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
  • Posts: 2118
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #16 on: April 15, 2013, 11:50:47 am »
I didn't realize Jimmy Wynn had written a book... Anyone here read it? Is it good? He was before my time as an Astros fan, and I could stand to learn more about that time period in Houston's history.
Logged
"If you can't figure out that Astros doesn't have an apostrophe, you shouldn't be able to comment." - Ron Brand, June 9, 2010

JimR

  • Contributor
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 29345
    • View Profile
    • McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #17 on: April 15, 2013, 04:45:25 pm »
Quote from: Andyzipp on April 15, 2013, 10:43:24 am
Saw 42 over the weekend.  Once I got over the fact that it wasn't a documentary on dominoes, I enjoyed it.  Walker and a few other Dodgers (and moreso Ben Chapman) were not portrayed in any kind of flattering light.

Ben Chapman made Dixie Walker appear to be Martin Luther King on race relations.
Logged
Often wrong, but never in doubt.

HudsonHawk

  • Administrator
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 42689
  • Gentleman About Town
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #18 on: April 15, 2013, 04:54:07 pm »
Quote from: Andyzipp on April 15, 2013, 10:41:34 am
What would happen if Joe Morgan and HudsonHawk had a disagreement?

Getting my ankles bitten when I'm not even in the room.  Don't I feel special.
Logged
The rules of distinction were thrown out with the baseball cap.  It does not lend itself to protocol.  It is found today on youth in homes, classrooms, even in fine restaurants.  Regardless of its other consequences, this is a breach against civility.  A civilized man should avoid this mania.

juliogotay

  • Pope
  • Posts: 8738
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #19 on: April 15, 2013, 05:25:10 pm »
Quote from: JimR on April 15, 2013, 04:45:25 pm
Ben Chapman made Dixie Walker appear to be Martin Luther King on race relations.

Wasn't Ben Chapman the batter that was killed by a beaning?
Logged

HudsonHawk

  • Administrator
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 42689
  • Gentleman About Town
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #20 on: April 15, 2013, 05:28:39 pm »
Quote from: juliogotay on April 15, 2013, 05:25:10 pm
Wasn't Ben Chapman the batter that was killed by a beaning?

That was Ray Chapman of the Indians, who was beaned in 1920, and died the next day.
Logged
The rules of distinction were thrown out with the baseball cap.  It does not lend itself to protocol.  It is found today on youth in homes, classrooms, even in fine restaurants.  Regardless of its other consequences, this is a breach against civility.  A civilized man should avoid this mania.

Bench

  • Illuminati
  • Posts: 16476
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #21 on: April 15, 2013, 05:29:04 pm »
Quote from: juliogotay on April 15, 2013, 05:25:10 pm
Wasn't Ben Chapman the batter that was killed by a beaning?

That was Ray Chapman.
Logged
"Holy shit, Mozart. Get me off this fucking thing."

SoonerJim

  • Veteran Role Player
  • Posts: 437
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #22 on: April 15, 2013, 08:43:38 pm »
Quote from: BUWebguy on April 15, 2013, 11:50:47 am
I didn't realize Jimmy Wynn had written a book... Anyone here read it? Is it good? He was before my time as an Astros fan, and I could stand to learn more about that time period in Houston's history.

I read it. It's full of the "I'm grateful to have had the wonderful life I've lived" and belongs more in the sports inspirational category rather than the tell-all genre. There's not much of the latter. Jim Bouton's book says more about the Harry Walker era team than any other.
Logged

Mr. Happy

  • Fantasy Team Owner
  • High Order of the Ferret
  • *****
  • Posts: 23232
  • It's a beautiful day; let's play two
    • View Profile
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #23 on: April 15, 2013, 08:47:02 pm »
Quote from: SoonerJim on April 15, 2013, 08:43:38 pm
I read it. It's full of the "I'm grateful to have had the wonderful life I've lived" and belongs more in the sports inspirational category rather than the tell-all genre. There's not much of the latter. Jim Bouton's book says more about the Harry Walker era team than any other.

It's been a very long time since I read Ball Four, but I don't remember that much detail about Harry Walker in there.
Logged
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization. Agnes Rupellier

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius

strosrays

  • Guest
Re: RIP Grady Hatton
« Reply #24 on: April 15, 2013, 10:05:39 pm »
Keep in mind, Bouton admitted elsewhere in the book that anytime he heard someone with a southern accent, his first thought was "stupid."
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »