The Fight of Their Lives

by John Rosengren

  75. He’s coming into his own.”: Ibid.

  76. how he takes the beating he does.”: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, June 13, 1964, and February 15, 1964; Roseboro, Glory Days, 185.

  76. covered in blood then return the next inning.: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, June 13, 1964; Joe Moeller letter to Jack Kelley.

  77. durability has become almost a legend.”: Unidentified newspaper clipping, August 1, 1964; unidentified newspaper clipping, January 23, 1965.

  77. He was the Rock of Gibraltar.”: Plaut, Chasing October, 60.

  77. with a hell of a jolt,” Roseboro recalled.: Markusen, The Orlando Cepeda Story, 46; Roseboro, Glory Days, 186–88.

  77. his head suddenly hit his shoulders.”: Los Angeles Times, September 6, 1962.

  78. was the ideal situation for me.”: Unidentified newspaper clipping, date unknown; Roseboro, Glory Days, 186.

  78. John behind the plate,” Moeller said.: Jim Moeller letter to Jack Kelley.

  78. he could hurt anybody,” Jeri said.: Author interview with Jeri Roseboro, August 28, 2013.

  Chapter Five: Summer of Fury

  82. tension was always there.”: Plaut, Chasing October, 13–15.

  82. anger in that first series of 1965.: Sporting News, May 22, 1965.

  83. the intensity the rivalry inspired.: San Francisco Examiner, August 23, 1965; thatsbaseball1.tripod.com; New York Times, January 22, 1989.

  84. the rumblings of revolution: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 176–77.

  85. he could not suppress his worries.: Time, September 5, 1960, and May 7, 1965; author interviews with Marichal, March 26, 2013, and July 19, 2013.

  85. didn’t hesitate to call for an inside pitch.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 178.

  86. most intense competitor I ever saw.”: Roseboro, Glory Days, 185; Ruck, Tropic of Baseball, 80.

  86. grounded out harmlessly to third base.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 178.

  86. clobbered a female Giants fan over the head with her shoe.: Wills and Celizic, On the Run, 177.

  86. grip the rivalry had on those it possessed.: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL4jLzPhYV8, published March 10, 2012, by Carl Neisser.

  87. the ridicule directed at his Dodgers.: Golenbock, “The Dodgers vs. Giants, 1951,” http://thatsbaseball1.tripod.com/id174.htm.

  87. automatic disdain so close at hand.”: Plaut, Chasing October, 12; Sports Illustrated, August 7, 1978.

  88. prefer Los Angeles to San Francisco live there?”: Plaut, Chasing October, 12.

  88. more than in San Francisco and Los Angeles.”: Plaut, Chasing October, 12–13.

  89. indignities inflicted on Sam Jones’ no-hitter.”: Sports Illustrated, August 7, 1978.

  89. (fn.) second nickname was “Sad Sam.”: Costello, SABR bio project on Sam Jones.

  89. for his contribution to their success.: Sports Illustrated, August 7, 1978.

  90. was like a war all the time.”: Time, September 3, 1965; Wills and Celizic, On the Run, 173.

  90. just hated the uniform.”: Plaut, Chasing October, 13; www.youtube .com/watch?v=lL4jLzPhYV8, March 10, 2012; www.baseball-almanac.com.

  90. get hit. And real good, too.”: Sporting News, May 15, 1965; Hano, “Can He Forget?” 98.

  91. assessed a $1,000 fine.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 178.

  91. (fn.) made $18,250,000 in 2012.: “MLB’s 25 Highest-Paid Players in 2012,” USA Today, http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/G3650.

  91. don’t mean those .220 hitters, either.”: Sporting News, July 17, 1965.

  91. in recent Latin American history.”: Time, May 7, 1965.

  92. any semblance of sanity,” Time reported.: Ibid.

  92. substituted Gaylord Perry for Marichal.: Marichal, My Journey, 172; Sporting News, May 22, 1965; Time, May 28, 1965; Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 176.

  94. revolution in his native Dominican Republic.”: Time, May 14, 1965, May 21, 1965, and May 28, 1965.

  94. pull over his car until they passed.: Author interview with Marichal, March 26, 2013; Sporting News, June 12, 1965.

  95. whittled the gap to two and a half games.: Sporting News, May 22, 1965; New York Times, June 28, 1965.

  96. 1965, both had won 91 games.: Time, June 10, 1966; Elysian Fields Quarterly, Winter 1998.

  96. August—with everlasting consequences.: Elysian Fields Quarterly, Winter 1998.

  97. reporter’s heart rate eventually stabilized.: Sports Illustrated, August 9, 1965.

  97. each other,” Time reported in August.: Time, August 13, 1965, and August 20, 1965.

  97. not so sure about him [Koufax].”: Sporting News, July 31, 1965.

  99. woman that would end their marriage.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 141–50; Sporting News, July 24, 1965.

  99. couple of games the final week of July.: Sporting News, August 7, 1965.

  100. remained taut throughout the nation.: Time, August 13, 1965.

  100. so hard and with such accuracy.”: Roseboro, Glory Days, 194.

  101. The Watts riot had begun.: Cohen and Murphy, Burn, Baby, Burn, 1–64.

  102. we are going to get kicked.”: Regalado, Viva Baseball, 137; Time, August 20, 1965, and August 27, 1965.

  103. ‘Why are they playing games?’”: Leavy, Sandy Koufax, 18; Sport, October 1967.

  103. the children some temporary relief.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 265; Cohen and Murphy, Burn, Baby, Burn, 117–20; Time, August 27, 1965; Wally Moon letter to Jack Kelley; author interview with Jeri Roseboro, July 29, 2013.

  104. reflected the violence in society.: Sport, October 1967.

  104. safe in the summer of fury.: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 159; Associated Press, May 17, 1965.

  104. and see our loved ones,” Juan said.: Author interview with Marichal, March 26, 2013.

  105. fear and anger, and holding it inside.”: New York Times, August 22, 2005; Kaplan, Greatest Game, 157.

  Chapter Six: Bloody Sunday

  117. He flashed them the finger.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 181–82; Marichal, My Journey, 119–29; Roseboro, Glory Days, 3–13; Kaplan, Greatest Game, 157–58; Wills and Celizic, On the Run, 165–69; Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, August 23, 1965; Herald-Examiner, August 23, 1965; New York Times, August 23, 1965; New York Post, August 23, 1965; Associated Press, August 22, 1965; Time, September 3, 1965; Sport, December 1965; Sports Illustrated, August 30, 1965; San Francisco Examiner, September 8, 1965; New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 23, 1965; Sporting News, September 11, 1965; Crawford interview with Gerlach, tape 1; photographs from San Francisco Examiner, Life, Sports Illustrated.

  117. dozen policemen guarding each entrance.: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, August 23, 1965.

  118. and listened to the game on the radio.: New York Post, August 23, 1965.

  118. We don’t want a riot here.”: Crawford interview with Gerlach.

  118. cannibals roam in Candlestick these days?”: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, August 23, 1965.

  118. 491st of his career put the Giants up 4–2.: New York Times, August 23, 1965.

  Chapter Seven: This Ain’t Over

  122. “Burn, baby, burn,” he chanted.: Author interview with Roger Guenveur Smith, May 26, 2011.

  122. tape wouldn’t be good for baseball.”: Chronicle Sports, September 4, 1965.

  123. heard he still had his famous appetite.: author interview with Jeri Roseboro, July 29, 2013.

  123. when somebody splits your head open.”: New York Post, August 23, 1965.

  123. looking for him or anything like that.”: New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 23, 1965; New York Times, August 24, 1965.

  124. “But she’ll get over it.”: Studio 42 with Bob Costas, November 24, 2009.

  124. in a room together for about ten minutes.”: Los Angeles Times, August 23, 1965.

  124. “Nothing was there
,” he joked.: New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 25, 1965.

  124. to Pittsburgh and napped fitfully.: Sport, June 1966.

  124. how Giles should deal with Marichal.: Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1965.

  124. good guy he was, and we gave him that.”: Regalado, Viva Baseball, 139.

  125. flail another on the skull with a bat.”: Los Angeles Times, August 25, 1965; Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, August 23, 1965; New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 24, 1965; New York Times, August 25, 1965.

  125. be paid prior to his reinstatement.: New York Times, August 24, 1965.

  126. pitcher’s suspension would hurt his team.: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 160–61; New York Times, August 24, 1965.

  127. he should keep his mouth shut.”: Los Angeles Times, August 29, 1965.

  127. is as big as your baseball talent.”: Sporting News, September 11, 1965.

  127. money to pay Marichal’s fine.: Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1965.

  127. some of those whiners really deserve it.”: Ibid.

  128. were both involved, both liable.”: Author interview with Lon Simmons, 2007.

  128. should have been much more severe.”: Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, August 24, 1965.

  128. shortstop had sidestepped the challenge.: New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 23, 1965.

  128. but you also want to be fair.”: New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 24, 1965.

  129. the misdemeanor of a single player.”: Pittsburgh Press, date unknown.

  129. would have been suspended for thirty days.”: Sporting News, September 11, 1965; Herald-Examiner, August 25, 1965.

  130. through the lens of this widespread attitude.: Sports Illustrated, August 9, 1965.

  131. “Especially if you’re a fiery Dominican.”: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 159; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 4, 1965.

  131. Frank Thomas’s head or calling him a savage.”: New York Daily News, August 25, 1965.

  132. a white man born in Pennsylvania.: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 159.

  132. he later wrote in his autobiography.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 210.

  133. and justify his outrageous conduct.”: New York World-Telegram and Sun, September 2, 1965.

  133. heard the journalistic chorus condemning him.: San Francisco Chronicle, September 18, 1965; Sports Illustrated, September 13, 1965.

  133. for playing in his own country.: United Press International, August 26, 1965; New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 24, 1965.

  134. and that is the real punishment.”: New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 24, 1965.

  134. in the days and years to come? Daley asked.”: New York Times, August 25, 1965.

  134. until September 2 and covered ten games.: New York Times, September 3, 1965.

  135. Matty Alou to pitch two innings.: Bjarkman, Elysian Fields Quarterly, Winter 1968; Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, August 24, 1965.

  135. I will pitch the second game, too.”: Hano, “Can He Forget?” 99.

  135. quarter that much, but I don’t.”: New York World-Telegram and Sun, September 2, 1965; Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1965.

  136. And Juan wept inside.: New York World-Telegram and Sun, September 3, 1965; New York Times, September 3, 1965; Sport, June 1966.

  136. remain one game behind the Dodgers.: Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1965.

  136. he could be with his family again.: Time, September 20, 1965.

  137. that Sunday to defeat the Cubs 4–2.: New York Times, September 3, 1965; San Francisco Chronicle, September 18, 1965; United Press International, September 4, 1965.

  137. probably made Giles seem prudent.: Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1965; San Francisco Examiner, September 8, 1965.

  138. heard the applause from the crowd!”: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 187.

  139. “He gave us confidence.”: Roseboro, Glory Days, 213.

  139. to contemplate through the long nights.”: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 161; Ellison, “After the Incident,” 89–90.

  140. before he could seriously harm Sherry.: Kurlansky, Eastern Stars, 83–85; Wilmington Star-News, September 21, 1965; Tri-City Herald, September 21, 1965.

  140. will punish fighting of any kind.”: Wilmington Star-News, September 21, 1965.

  141. if they were from the same background.”: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 162.

  141. especially satisfying series,” he wrote.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 214.

  Chapter Eight: That’s Not How the Story Goes

  144. killed, but if it’s going to happen . . .”: Sport, June 1966.

  144. be about the fight with Marichal.: Sporting News, January 22, 1966; Wall Street Journal, February 15, 1966.

  145. with a weapon. But I lost my head.”: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, March 3, 1966; Associated Press, April 18, 1975.

  146. He withdrew, became sullen.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 197–99; Devaney, Mr. Strike, 132–34.

  147. the feeling I had at the moment.”: Sport, June 1966.

  147. if he struck a batter with a pitch.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 16–18; Hirsch, Willie Mays, 347.

  148. drew an X across his heart.: Devaney, Mr. Strike, 134–37.

  148. for money but for appreciation.”: Saturday Evening Post, July 29, 1967.

  149. doesn’t have the pitches Marichal does.”: San Francisco Examiner, May 23, 1966.

  149. once again, a complete pitcher.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 190–91.

  150. disturbance, provided some measure of relief.: Sport, June 1966; Sports Illustrated, June 13, 1966; Time, June 10, 1966.

  151. Drysdale watched for strike three.: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 65–81.

  151. I can still pitch,” he wrote.: Ibid., 81.

  151. know where my vote would go.”: Los Angeles Times, September 4, 1966.

  152. “turned into a wake,” Roseboro wrote.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 218.

  153. rejected. He cried at the news.: Ibid., 218–22.

  153. Juan’s hero status in his native country.: Author interview with Marichal, July 19, 2013.

  153. didn’t even make the Baseball Guide?”: www.baseball-reference.com; Atlanta Journal, April 16, 1967.

  154. victims of a subtly functioning prejudice.”: Saturday Evening Post, July 29, 1967.

  154. sting of prejudice and resented it.: Sporting News, August 5, 1967.

  155. Giants might trade him after the season.: San Francisco Examiner, March 27, 1967; Sporting News, November 11, 1967; unidentified newspaper clipping, November 7, 1967.

  155. seven seasons of professional baseball.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 140–41; Roseboro video interview with Sharp.

  155. The trade spoiled all that.: Author interview with Shelley Roseboro, July 26, 2013; Ashland-Times Gazette, February 5, 1970.

  156. a chant it’ll scare you to death.”: Roseboro, Glory Days, 229–32; Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 1, 1978.

  156. Take this, or you’ll never work again.”: New York Daily News, May 6, 1987; Sporting News, July 5, 1969.

  157. best thing that ever happened to me.”: Sporting News, January 10, 1970; Roseboro, Glory Days, 234–40; Roseboro video interview with Sharp.

  158. comeback from his subpar ’67 season.: Author interview with Marichal, March 26, 2013; Houston Chronicle, July 29, 1968; Marichal, My Journey, 174–76.

  159. is about 25 games each year.”: Sporting News, January 8, 1972; Associated Press, May 10, 1969; United Press International, September 14, 1969; scouts.baseballhall.org.

  159. not ready to ask forgiveness himself.: Author interview with Marichal, March 26, 2013; Roseboro, Glory Days, 1–13.

  160. became the ordeal I dreaded,” he wrote.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 30–32; Roseboro video interview with Sharp.

  162. course, no one gets that chance.: Roseboro, Glory
Days, 241–46.

  163. critics considered it a telltale mark.: Kaplan, Greatest Game, 153; Sporting News, September 12, 1970, and January 2, 1971.

  163. indicative of his immediate effectiveness.: Sporting News, January 2, 1971, August 28, 1971, and January 8, 1972; All-Star Sports, date unknown.

  164. the Dodgers despise him in a game.”: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, September 15, 1971; Sporting News, October 2, 1971.

  164. but he had made his feelings clear.: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, March 12, 1975.

  164. he looked like a has-been.: United Press International, February 29, 1972.

  165. I was never back to my old self.”: Marichal, A Pitcher’s Story, 182–83.

  165. Koufax as the best pitcher in the game.: Sporting News, April 28, 1973.

  165. across the country to a different league.: Marichal, My Journey, 181.

  165. suspicions, releasing him in October 1974.: Associated Press, June 12, 1974.

  166. Both men smiled broadly.: Marichal, My Journey, 184; author interview with Rafael Avila, August 26, 2013; Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, March 15, 1975; United Press International photograph, March 17, 1975.

  166. forget old wars,” Durslag rationalized.: Long Beach Press-­Telegram, March 1975; Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, March 14, 1975.

  167. he could redeem himself.: Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 1975; Los Angeles Times, March 1975; Studio 42 with Bob Costas, November 24, 2009.

  168. and returned to his family.: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, April 18, 1975; Marichal, My Journey, 184–85; author interview with Fred Claire, 2007; author interview with Rafael Avila, August 26, 2013.

  168. would have solved a lot of problems.”: Associated Press, April 18, 1975.

  Chapter Nine: Johnny, I Need Your Help

  170. “Baseball gets in your blood,” he said.: Unidentified newspaper article by Dick Miller, February 5, 1972; Roseboro, Glory Days, 267; Roseboro video interview with Sharp.

  171. baseball, he was willing to do so.: Roseboro, Glory Days, 247.

  171. when you’re just an ex-ballplayer.”: Ibid., 257.

  171. Young’s column validated Roseboro’s aspirations.: New York Daily News, March 25, 1970.

  172. in the staunchly conservative Orange County.”: Unidentified newspaper clipping by Dick Miller, November 18, 1972.