September 3, 2025 • 41 mins
This episode is especially meaningful for me. Years ago, I painted a portrait of my father-in-law’s favorite player, Juan Marichal, in his iconic high-kick windup. Today, that same painting hangs in Marichal’s home—and I had the honor of sitting down with him for this conversation.
From 1960–1975, Juan Marichal was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball: 243 wins, 244 complete games, 52 shutouts, a lifetime 2.89 ERA, and 10 All-Star selections. He won more games in the 1960s than Bob Gibson or Sandy Koufax, and Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, and Pete Rose all called him one of the toughest pitchers they ever faced.
In this episode, Marichal reflects on his childhood in the Dominican Republic, the racism he faced early in his career, unforgettable moments at Candlestick Park, racing frogs with teammates, the 1962 World Series against the Yankees, and his pride in becoming the first Dominican-born player inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mike Koser (00:00):
Hi, I'm Mike Koser, and welcome to Lost Ball parks.
So today I'm talking withsomeone who holds a very
personal connection for me.
My father-in-law's favoriteplayer growing up was Juan
Marichal, the Dominican dandy.
And several years ago, as aChristmas gift, I painted a
portrait of Marichal for him inhis San Francisco uniform in the
(00:22):
middle of his giant leg kickwind up.
And uh he loved it.
Sadly, a couple of years ago,after a long, difficult illness,
my father-in-law passed away.
And man, is he missed.
I have great hope and assurancethat one day I'll see him
again, but yeah, he is uh somissed.
My mother-in-law returned thepainting to me, knowing just how
(00:46):
much it meant to both of us.
I never could have imaginedback then that standing over
that canvas with a brush inhand, uh that one day I would
have the chance to talk withJuan Marichal himself.
After all, we're talking aboutone of the greatest pitchers in
baseball history (01:03):
243 wins, 244 complete games, more victories
in the 1960s than Bob Gibson orSandy Koufax.
And here's the part that stillamazes me.
That painting that I gave myfather-in-law, I last month had
the honor of gifting to JuanMarichal.
And today, it hangs in his homein Florida.
(01:25):
So with all that in mind, it iswell, it's truly surreal for me
to say that joining me on thismonth's Lost Ball parks podcast
is Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.
Announcer (02:17):
Podcast Open.
Mike Koser (02:30):
It's great talking to you.
Juan Marichal (02:31):
Nice talking to you too.
Growing up in the DominicanRepublic, baseball wasn't just a
game.
It was everything to you andyour friends.
And I've heard that you lovedit so much that you may have
occasionally forgotten to go toschool.
Is there any truth to that?
Yeah, that's that's right.
I used to have uh little bit uhdiscussion with my mother about
(02:54):
school.
She always insists aboutgetting a good education.
Yeah, I used to tell her that II was gonna be a baseball
player.
Mike Koser (03:04):
She probably felt like, hey, that's great, but you
uh you still gotta go toschool.
Juan Marichal (03:09):
Well, she disagreed with me all the time,
but I I keep saying, Mother,don't worry, I gonna be a
baseball player, but I didn'tknow, I didn't know at that time
that being a baseball playeryou can make a living, you can
make money.
So I just want to be a baseballplayer because at that time was
a team in Dominican.
(03:29):
That team, the national team inthe Dominican Republic in 19 uh
48, uh was a plane crash, andthe whole team except one player
died on that crash.
Mike Koser (03:41):
Wow.
Juan Marichal (03:42):
That was the team that I want to be on, and
that's why I want to be abaseball player.
But thank God I think I have mydream come true.
I became a baseball player.
I was able to come to UnitedStates and then play in the
minor leagues for two and a halfyears and come out to the major
leagues.
Mike Koser (04:02):
When you were growing up in the 1940s, there
was there was always plenty toeat.
Uh baseball gloves andstore-bought bats, not so
readily available.
So you and your friends becameinventive, making the game and
your equipment out of whateveryou could find.
What kind of equipment were youplaying with back then?
(04:23):
Do you remember?
Juan Marichal (04:24):
Well, that's the that's a funny story, you know,
because we used to make glovefrom uh material that at that
time there was uh was aninstitution of the United States
that used to bring uh help toDominican Republic, you know, by
sending any kind of food to thecountry.
(04:45):
Those uh uh materials we usedto make what we call it trocha,
not a glove, we call it trocha.
It's like uh they're like afirst bass mitt.
Mike Koser (04:56):
First baseman's glove.
Juan Marichal (04:57):
Right.
So we used to climb in a treeand and cut a branch and make
bats.
And sometimes we need abaseball, and in a place uh
named Manzanillo, where theUnited Fruit Company used to
have the headquarters, they havea nine-hole golf course in
(05:19):
there where we look for a golfball to make a baseball.
Mike Koser (05:23):
Would you take cloth or some kind of material to
wrap around the golf ball to tryto make it bigger like a like a
baseball?
Juan Marichal (05:30):
Yeah.
Sometimes we got a stockingfrom my mother or my sister to
roll out that golf ball to makeit to the size of baseball.
And sometime we have to getlike two pesos to go to a
shoemaker and have the cover ofthat ball.
If we don't have those twopesos, then we have to roll it
(05:53):
from some kind of material thatwe can play with that ball.
That's how we play in everyfield we was able to.
That's how I grew up andthank God.
If I look back today, I say tomyself, how can you become a
baseball player from that poorarea?
You know, it was a very, verypoor area.
(06:16):
Came to this country and go allthe way to Major Leagues and
end up in Cooperstown.
Not too many people understandhow I did it.
Mike Koser (06:26):
It's such a great story, and I'm sure that you
remember vividly the day thatyou signed with the San
Francisco Giants in 1958.
How much was your signingbonus?
Do you remember?
Juan Marichal (06:37):
$500.
$500?
Wow.
Did it did it occur to you thatI mean, as you're signing that
contract, that you soon would beteammates with Willie Mays?
Well, at that time, you know,when uh the day I signed, uh the
day I became a baseballprofessional, at that time they
have a team in Dominican thatthey call it the Willie Mays
(07:02):
Negro League team.
They came to Dominican for athree-game series.
And the first time I saw WillieMays on the field.
But uh let me tell you, becomea baseball player and play in
the same field with the greatestplayer ever.
I think that was uh that was adream.
I thank God every day.
(07:23):
I say, man, I I have so many uhdisagreements with my mother.
Uh and look what I where I amright now on the same field with
the greatest player, WillieMays, Willie McCovey, Orlando
Cepeda, uh Bobby Bonds, uh TomHaller, uh Tito Fuentes, Chris
(07:47):
Spier.
So many, so many, so many greatplayers that I I feel so proud
I was able to play in the samefield with those guys.
Mike Koser (07:57):
I think the one thing that surprised you most as
you arrived for spring trainingin Sanford, Florida, uh that
first year was the level ofracism that you would encounter.
Juan Marichal (08:07):
Well, I remembered living uh uh from
Dominican, came to uh Miami, andthen we took a bus to uh
Sanford, Florida.
And I remember that we gotthere during the night, and the
next morning when we get up, Isaw a different group on the
yard, you know, uh outside ofthe building where we sleep and
(08:31):
eat, and uh the five differentfields where we play.
And I remember I asked a guyfrom Puerto Rico, I say, why we
see this group, you know, adifferent group of Latin, Negro,
white.
You know, I I didn'tunderstand.
So he said, Well, right here wecannot be together with the
(08:56):
white players.
So we have to eat in adifferent place, we have to
sleep in a different place.
So that really, that reallyshocked me up, you know, that
when I saw the difference of ourraces, I was so depressed that
I want to go back to Dominican.
The only reason I didn't goback was because I promised my
(09:17):
mother that I was gonna be abaseball player.
I figured this is theopportunity for me to become a
baseball player.
So I gonna try I I gonna try.
It was very hard for me.
See, I don't understand that.
We don't have that problem inmy country.
Uh I come to the biggestcountry in the world, and what's
(09:38):
so much different between humanbeings - you know, different
type of the uh communicationbetween white and and black.
Mike Koser (09:47):
And I'm sure it was a shock to your system after
that first spring training.
You and your teammates leftSanford, Florida and uh headed
north to begin your season withthe Michigan City White Caps.
But the Greyhound bus ride,that was something else.
Long hours, multiple foodstops, and then yet for you and
the other black and Latinplayers, there were places where
(10:10):
you weren't you weren't evenallowed to get off the bus and
eat.
You had to sit on the buswatching through the windows
while your other teammates, yourwhite teammates, ate.
What did that feel like to uhto be chasing this dream of
playing Major League Baseball,but still treated as if you
didn't belong?
Juan Marichal (10:27):
Well, let me tell you, those those days was very,
very difficult, was very hard,and thanks to a manager named
Budddy Kerr.
Every time we we stop in a in aplace where we can have
something to eat, he brings usto the kitchen side or door
(10:48):
instead of a front door to go tothe restaurant.
We cannot go in there all thetime.
He wanted to be sure that wehave something to eat.
And that man, let me tell you,that was some kind of human
being, you know, because he tookcare of us every day of the of
the week of the month of theyear.
(11:10):
So thanks to him, I think we'dmake our development much, much
easier.
Mike Koser (11:18):
Early in your career, there was uh a moment, I
believe it was at Colt Stadiumin Houston, when you were
playing against the Colt 45swhen there were some drunk fans
shouting ugly, nasty, racistinsults at both you and Felipe
Alou.
And that day, two of yourteammates, Jack Sanford and Jim
(11:39):
Davenport, decided that theywere not gonna stand for it.
Can you take me back to thatmoment?
What what do you rememberhearing and feeling?
And what did it mean to seeyour teammates step in and
defend you guys like that?
Juan Marichal (11:53):
Well, let me tell you, that was something that I
never forget.
Because uh that group of guysright behind our dog out, I
think they was drinking beer orwhatever, about I think they was
drunk.
They used to call us every timewe come from the field to the
(12:13):
dugout, hey hey, you a Kennedyboy, and they kept saying that
to us.
I didn't even know what theywas talking about, you know.
But Jack Sanford and JimDavenport, they went to the uh
seat.
They even have a little fightdefending the Latin and the
(12:34):
black player on the team.
Mike Koser (12:36):
That was such a pivotal moment for you to feel
like these other guys on yourteam had your back.
Juan Marichal (12:42):
Oh yes, that was very difficult.
Uh, we thanks uh Jack and Jimfor what they did, and I think
that was uh very, very kind ofthem.
Mike Koser (12:52):
Okay, let's rewind the clock back to where it all
began.
When you get called up to theGiants in July of 1960, you are
22 years old, and I'm sure theroad to Candlestick Park, to the
big leagues, it winds past athousand thoughts.
What do you remember most aboutthat first ride to Candlestick
Park?
Juan Marichal (13:13):
My ride to the ballpark was uh from Sacramento.
We played uh a game inSacramento where I win the game
two to one, and I remembertaking a shower.
My uh trainer came back to theshower and say, Juan, we got the
call.
I say, I don't expect any call.
So he said, No, the call fromthe Giants, they want you in San
(13:39):
Francisco.
I say, What?
You know, two days later, we'resupposed to play the all-star
game in AAA.
And I was uh choosing to be thestarting pitcher, and we're
supposed to get a nice watch asa gift.
And when he told me that I haveto leave that night, I said, Oh
(13:59):
my, I'm not gonna get my watch.
So the next day we took a busto San Francisco, and when we
got to the gate, the candlestickpark, there was Orlando and
Felipe waiting for me at thegate.
They took me to the clubhouseand introduced me to every
(14:25):
player on the team.
And the last player was WillieMays.
When I shake Willie Mays hand,I say, I couldn't believe it.
This this is a dream.
And uh I was so happy to bepart of that team.
That happened on July 10, 1960.
The manager was Tom Sheehan.
(14:47):
He came up to me and said,Juan, I want you to do your
routine of uh exercise andthrowing a little bit on the
side, and you're gonna be facingthe Philadelphia Phillies on
July 19.
And I say, Okay, Mr.
Sheehan, the day came the 19th,and that was uh my first game
(15:11):
at the Major League.
Russ Hodges (15:12):
How are you doing, everybody?
This is Russ Hodges, along withLon Simmons bidding you Welcome
to another Giants ballgame.
Tonight's game between theGiants and the Philadelphia
Phils is brought to you byBergie, the comfortable bear.
Mike Koser (15:25):
So you're on the field, you're warming up, when
they announce your name to thecrowd.
And in that moment, somethingstirred inside of you, something
that you had never quite feltbefore.
What was that?
Juan Marichal (15:41):
I never forget that feeling.
I was so, I don't know how toexplain what happened to me, but
was still kind of feeling very,very, very difficult for me to
take.
So I remember when the bat boycame with uh with a towel and he
(16:02):
handled me the my my jacket.
We both walked to the mound,and I had that feeling in my
body, and I said to myself, Isay, man, you can't you cannot
be pitching this way.
And I remember going to themound and throwing the seven
(16:22):
pitches before they called playball, and when the umpire called
play ball, and I saw the firstbatter of the Philadelphia
Phillies, and that feelingdisappeared, and I feel fine.
Mike Koser (16:37):
And what a game! What a first game.
You gave up one hit and struckout 12.
Juan Marichal (16:42):
Yes.
So, fans, that concludesanother Giants baseball
broadcast.
Mike Koser (16:46):
And in that moment after the game, a one-hitter,
and your first start, no less,you probably took a second and
thought back to what you hadtold your mom years before.
Mom, you're gonna be so proudwhen you hear my name on the
radio.
Announcer (17:06):
And it's taken over the outside corner, called a
strike.
Juan Marichal (17:10):
Yeah, I think she was.
She was very proud.
And uh I was so happy.
All my teammates, you know, uhcongratulating me for pitching
in one hitter.
I remember going to the eighthinning,
and the Philadelphia Philliescalled uh Clay Dalrymple as a
(17:30):
pinch hitter.
And Tom Sheehan came out to themound, and Orlando was my
interpreter.
And Tom Sheehan said, thisguy's a good fastball hitter, so
let's throw him some break ingball.
So the first pitch I threw himwas a break-ing ball.
He hit a blooper over secondbase for the first and only hit
(17:51):
of the game.
Mike Koser (17:52):
Okay, let's talk about Candlestick Park for a
moment.
Not the stats or the boxscores, but the but the feeling
of that place.
Announcer (17:59):
Gorgeous, gregarious, scenic San Francisco, a
fun-loving big league town whereGiants come to play.
Mike Koser (18:07):
What stays with you the most when you think back uh
and reflect on Candlestick Park?
Juan Marichal (18:13):
Well, let me tell you, I heard so many players
complain about candlestick, andI said to myself, if the hitters
complain about this place, itmust be good for the pitchers.
So I don't know because uhmaybe it was because my control
was so good.
Uh I don't think I have anyproblem with the wind and the
(18:35):
dust and everything and and theweather.
I remember one time we had tostop the game because of fog
that came over the mound on thefield, and we had twice I think
we we had to stop the game forabout 15 minutes until the fog
got through.
So many funny stories aboutcandlestick.
Mike Koser (18:57):
At candlestick, you certainly did have the cold and
the wind on your side as apitcher, and you used it.
When a hitter stepped in forfor the first time against you,
you had a way of making surethey felt it.
What was your approach early inthe game to make them think
twice about digging into the boxand feeling comfortable?
Juan Marichal (19:16):
Well, the first thing I checked the wind where
the wind was blowing, you know,and tried to stay away from the
hitter, not to hit the ball thatway.
And Willie Mays, he was, youknow, tell the the pitcher, the
starting pitcher, how to pitchto each individual on the other
team.
So I think that that reallyhelped the communication with
(19:40):
Willie that know every hitter...
we pitch a lot of good games incandlestick.
Mike Koser (19:44):
Okay, so I I want to ask you this.
I've heard that uh before somegames at Candlestick Park, that
you and a few of the guys wouldactually race frogs.
Okay, please tell me that'strue.
And how how exactly did thattradition get started?
Juan Marichal (19:59):
Well, uh, one of the players used to bring those
frogs to the clubhouse.
We used to have that in theclubhouse to make a race, you
know, and we bet on a differentfrog.
Sometimes we win, sometimes welose.
Mike Koser (20:16):
Did you name your frog?
Juan Marichal (20:18):
Oh, yes.
I remember Don Larsen was uhwas a guy that bringed a lot of
frogs to the clubhouse, and thatwas a lot of fun, you know.
Every time he bring a bag withuh full of frog, you know, to
the clubhouse.
Mike Koser (20:32):
So in 1962, you won 18 games and earned your first
All-Star selection.
And not just one game, therewere actually two All-Star games
played that summer.
The first was at DC Stadium.
Joe Garagiola (20:42):
Good afternoon, baseball fans.
This is Joe Garagiola,welcoming you to the District of
Columbia Stadium in the firstAll-Star Baseball game of 1962.
A beautiful day here inWashington.
Mike Koser (20:53):
Do you remember walking into that National
League Clubhouse for the firsttime?
What was that moment like foryou?
Juan Marichal (20:58):
I feel great, you know.
I say to myself, All-Star game,when they have the best player
on the field, you know, andbecome uh one of those
selections, you know.
I I feel so proud to be on thatteam.
And uh I win that game.
After that, when we played thesecond game in Chicago.
Announcer (21:33):
The second all star game of 1962 is being played in
Wrigley Field, Chicago.
Juan Marichal (21:43):
I also participated in that game, and
uh I remember in 1965 inMinnesota, I was the MVP of that
game.
Announcer (21:52):
Juan Marichal, who has the highest kicking delivery
in the business, completesthree scoreless innings,
allowing the American Leagueonly one hit.
Juan Marichal (21:59):
And those days, you know, make you feel so so
good, so happy.
And to participate in All-Star,I think that was awesome.
Mike Koser (22:09):
62 is a great year for you and the team.
You helped the Giants capturethe National League pennant and
earned a trip to the WorldSeries against the New York
Yankees.
That meant that you would stepinto Yankee Stadium for the very
first time.
So take me back to that Octoberday in 1962.
Joe Garagiola (22:27):
A beautiful day here at Yankee Stadium in New
York.
A bright sun shining.
The temperature, if you'relooking for the weather man's
temperature, is 65 degrees.
Juan Marichal (22:37):
Well, let me tell you, I remember it.
I think that was the first gameof the uh World Series.
I was select to be uh thestarting pitcher that day.
Juan Marichal pumping slow curveballs to his catcher Ed Bailey
18 and 11 on the season.
This is his first World Seriesstart.
I think that day was gonna be maybe the best game
(23:00):
I ever pitched at the MajorLeague level.
Um I pitched four innings.
I got Mickey Mantle strike outtwice.
Um was the situation where Iwent to the plate with men on
(23:23):
first and third.
Alvin Dark don't want me tohit into a double play.
Mike Koser (23:34):
Alvin Dark was your manager at that time.
Yeah.
Juan Marichal (23:37):
Yeah.
So they gave me their buntsign.
Announcer (23:50):
Game audio.
so the first pitch from WhiteyFord was a ball, and the second
pitch was a ball.
Now they got me taking, and thethird pitch was a ball.
So they got me taking on strikeone.
They got me taking, strike two,and what you think was the next
sign?
Mike Koser (24:08):
What was it?
Juan Marichal (24:10):
The squeeze play.
Mike Koser (24:23):
That's honestly so crazy.
It's game four of the WorldSeries, no less, and you're a
pitcher and you're asked to notjust bunt, but it's a squeeze
play, so you gotta get it down.
Juan Marichal (24:33):
Yeah.
That was a ball four, butbecause the sign was a squeeze,
I had to try to bunt that ball.
Mike Koser (24:41):
Yeah, right.
Juan Marichal (24:42):
And that ball was around my my ankle.
And I was trying to bunt thatball, and the ball hit my index
finger, and my nail came out.
And I had to leave that game,and I was so disappointed.
(25:21):
I was so...
I never forget that moment.
Even uh today, when I thinkabout that, that could have been
maybe one of my greatest gamesever.
And I I didn't get the chanceto win the game, but we ended up
winning the game 7-4.
I think Chuck Hiller hit a homerun in that game.
We win that game, but I didn'tget a chance to win the game,
(25:43):
and I don't have a chance tocome back and pitch another game
because I was out of the seriesbecause of injuries.
Mike Koser (25:51):
That World Series stretched on for nearly two
weeks because of the weather.
There were rain delays and morerain, and in game seven of the
World Series, there you are atCandlestick Park.
Joe Garagiola (26:01):
This is Joe Garagiola along with George
Kell, welcoming you to theseventh game of the 1962 World
Series.
This is it.
Forget the rest of the season,forget the playoffs, the
averages, what you did in thisballpark, that ballpark.
It's all wrapped up today.
Mike Koser (26:18):
But instead of getting ready to play, you're
watching the grounds crew pourgasoline over the infield and
light it on fire just to dry thefield.
Now, did that really happen?
Juan Marichal (26:29):
Do you know that when I tell that story, people
don't believe me?
Mike Koser (26:33):
I know, because it's so hard to believe, right?
Juan Marichal (26:36):
I remember those helicopters right on top of the
field and the grass, trying toget all that water off the
field, you know, and let me tellyou, that was funny.
I remember the team, bothteams, one got to Modesto and
practice, and the other one gotto Stockton and practice because
(26:57):
in San Francisco was rainingand raining and raining.
We can go to candlestick andcomplete the series.
But uh, after they do that, weplayed that seventh game, and
let me say, I remember whenWillie McCovey hit that ball to
Bobby Richardson.
George Kell (27:16):
George Campbell and Joe Gargiola at Candlestick
Park in San Francisco, and thisplace is a madhouse right now.
The Yankees lead one tonothing, the bottom of the
ninth.
The Giants have runners atsecond and third with two and
outs, and Willie McCovey is theman.
Here's the pitch to Willie.
There's a line straight toRichardson, the ballgame is
over and the world series isover.
(27:37):
Willie McCovey hit it like abullet.
A line running straight toBobby Richardson in second base,
and that ball got out of hisreach.
The Giants would have been thewinner.
Mike Koser (27:48):
By the way, Bobby Richardson, the great Yankee
second baseman who caught thatbullet line drive that Willie
McCovey hit to end the game inthe 1962 World Series, uh, to
end Game 7, was on the podcast acouple of years ago, and he
knows just how close they cameto losing that series.
Bobby Richardson (28:04):
And I got down, and it's really funny, but
Ralph Terry took one step orout towards me, and I sort of
wondered why he was looking outand he he went back.
He told me later he felt like Iwas playing out of position.
He was gonna ask me to moveover, and as it turned out, I
was right in the right place.
Juan Marichal (28:21):
And they win the series uh by winning the last
game two to one, and I, youknow, was a wonderful series,
but we we came second.
We lost the series from theYankees.
Mike Koser (28:35):
Uh in 1963, you led the league with 25 wins, uh,
threw a no-hitter at candlestickagainst the Colt 45s in June.
Uh and then just over two weekslater, you and Warren Spahn,
two of baseball's all-timegreats, go toe-to-toe in one of
the most amazing pitching duelsin baseball history.
What do you remember about thatnight at Candlestick Park when
(28:57):
it was just you and Spawn?
I think you're 25, he's 42, andinning after inning, both of
you refused to give in.
Juan Marichal (29:07):
Well, I remember after the ninth inning, Arvin
Dark wanted to take me out.
And Ed Bailey was my catcher.
And he came up to me and say,Don't let him take you out.
Win and lose.
That's a great game.
But don't let him take you out.
So I went to Alvin Dark andsaid, Mr.
Dark, I feel good, theweather's nice.
(29:30):
Please let me stay a few moreinnings.
So he agreed with me and he letme stay, you know?
Mike Koser (29:36):
Yeah.
Juan Marichal (29:37):
Now we're in the 14th inning.
And he came up to me again andsay, That's it.
That's it.
And I say, Mr.
Dark, do you see that man onthe mound?
I I was uh uh talking aboutWarren Spahn.
He said, Yes, what happened tohim?
(29:58):
I said, Well, that man is.
42 years old.
I'm only 25 and only that manstayed on the mound, nobody
gonna take me out of this game.
Oh man, that was that was bad,you know.
He got so mad.
He got mad and walked away fromme and I said, Well, if he walk
(30:18):
away from me, I got a chance tostay one more inning.
I went to the mound to pitch onthe fifteenth inning.
So thanks God, I got one, two,three, and come back to the
dugout, I say to Alvin Dark, youcan get some uh reliever.
(30:39):
Yeah, get somebody warm up.
I don't gonna pitch anymore, soplease uh get somebody.
So Warren Spahn went in becausewe were, you know, the uh uh
home team.
So he went in and uh he pitchedthat inning and so when I saw
that relief pitcher gettingready, coming to the mound, I
(31:02):
looked at my was a little lockerin the dugout where you put
your glove on your hat.
So I grabbed my hat, I put myhat on, I grab my glove, and I
run to the field.
Oh man.
Thanks God I also I got one,two, three.
So before I get to the dug out,I stop by first baseline,
(31:26):
waiting for Willie Mays toarrive in there, and I put my
arm over his shoulder and I say,Willie, Alvin Dark is mad at
me.
I'm not going to pitch anylonger.
So he tapped my back and said,Don't worry, I'm gonna win this
game for you.
That's a true story.
(31:46):
And he was a second batter onthat on that inning, and I can
see today I can see that ballwhen he hit it over the left
field wall.
Russ Hodges (31:58):
Long high drive to deep left field, tell it bye bye
baby.
Juan Marichal (32:04):
That was one of the greatest moments of my
pitching career.
How many pitches did you throwthat day?
227.
Unbelievable.
That's unbelievable.
I mean, that would never happentoday.
In the 1960s, it was still rareto see so many Latin players in
the big leagues, but the Giantsand the Pirates were different.
When you came to Forbes Fieldin Pittsburgh, it wasn't just
(32:26):
another road trip.
Uh it was something special, akind of unspoken brotherhood
among the Latin players.
You would talk before the game,share dinners after, dinners
with Roberto Clemente and uh uhManny Sanguillen.
And at a time when so much ofthe world uh you know in the
sixties felt divided, what didthat sense of connection and
(32:47):
community mean to you?
Well, I remember that at that time we had seven
Latin players on that team, onthat giant team, and the pirates
have seven.
So every day, you know, when weplay night game over there, we
used to go to the stadium likeone o'clock, two o'clock, just
(33:09):
to talk.
And 14 of us in the dug out.
And so many stories, you know,about different hitters,
different pictures, differentcities.
That was a a get together thatwas so wonderful that we was
able to to get together and talkabout, you know, different
(33:30):
subjects and get invited from uhRoberto to his home.
Manny ALou was uh with thepartners at that time, Manny
Mota was there.
So many players, you know, fromtwo teams, four team players,
you know, to get together forthree days in Pittsburgh.
I think that was wonderful, youknow.
That I never forget.
Mike Koser (33:52):
Clemente used to joke that if he wasn't playing
baseball, that he'd be achiropractor.
And I've heard that when yourback started acting up, that he
actually tried to fix you, hewould give you adjustments.
Is that true?
Juan Marichal (34:04):
Yes, he did.
And that's that's another truestory.
And I remember one time Robertotold me, he said, if the owner
of the team see me rubbing yourback, he's gonna fire me.
I say, oh no way, they're gonnafire you.
Those massages that he used togive me before I pitched, it
(34:25):
really helped me.
Mike Koser (34:26):
1966, the All-Star Game was held at brand new Busch
Stadium in St.
Louis, and it felt like it wasbeing played that day on the
surface of the sun.
Announcer (34:37):
Well, this is a brand new stadium here in St.
Louis, and this is the site ofthe 1966 All-Star baseball game,
and no matter who wins orloses, it will be certain that
it was said that it wasa hot hot day.
Yesterday the temperaturereached 105 degrees.
The temperature today alreadywell above 100, we've tried to
reach the weather bureau, andthe line is busy, but they
(35:00):
expect temperatures in St.
Louis today between 105 and 108degrees.
Mike Koser (35:05):
I've heard that at one point they stuck a
thermometer on the field and itread 152.
How on earth did you survivethat heat?
Juan Marichal (35:14):
Well, let me tell you.
I remember that I think thatthat game was in St.
Louis, right?
Mike Koser (35:19):
Yeah, Busch Stadium.
Juan Marichal (35:20):
Yes.
I remember that we used so muchwater on the dugout.
Announcer (35:25):
And they're running a little short of water.
So no matter what happens onthe All-Star field today between
the American and NationalLeague, everybody will remember
this one as the hot one in St.
Louis in 1966.
Juan Marichal (35:37):
One thing I remember as Sandy Koufax pitched
in that game, and he put uh onthat heat, he put some ointment
on his elbow that they call itcapsuline.
And that was so hot.
I don't know how he can try toput that on his elbow to be able
(35:59):
to pitch.
Because uh, you know, uhalready he was having some
problem with his elbow usingthat and that kind of weather.
I think that was very, very,very tough.
Mike Koser (36:10):
In 1983, you became the first native of the
Dominican Republic to beinducted into the Baseball Hall
of Fame, a moment of enormouspride, not just for you, but for
your country.
Juan Marichal (36:20):
It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to join the
baseball greats who areenshrined in the Baseball Hall
of Fame.
Mike Koser (36:32):
Can you take me back to that day?
Now, what 42 years ago?
What did it feel like to standin Cooperstown knowing how far
you'd come?
Juan Marichal (36:43):
Well, I feel so good.
I feel so proud because I don'tknow how many buses came from
Dominican by plane to New Yorkand uh fly to Albany or or drive
to Cooperstown, and I knewthere were so many people on
that field that came from thefrom my country to watch that
(37:05):
ceremony.
And my family, my kids, andthey were there with me, and uh
I think that was uh one uh themoment that I never forget.
That was great, that was uhsomething that I think that
every player that played in theMajor League would like to be
able to make that trip toCooperstown.
Mike Koser (37:28):
You love Cooperstown so much, didn't you tell your
wife that it might be fun tomove there?
How did that conversation go?
Juan Marichal (37:38):
Yes, I told her one time.
I said, I I think I'd uh Iwould like to live here.
And uh if you agree that youwanna you wanna come, uh we we
can move to Coopers town andshe say, Well, you go you're
gonna be here by yourself.
So cold in the winter.
I I I don't think I can standthat.
Mike Koser (37:59):
Juan, what an incredible career.
Such a such a gift to be ableto spend a little time with you
today.
Thank you so much.
Juan Marichal (38:05):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you for this uhconversation.
And uh it reminds me, you know,you know, all the good,
beautiful moments that I spentin San Francisco, and I spent
with all my teammates.
Some of them already pass away,where I'm so sad to see what's
(38:25):
happening to uh Mays, Orlando,McCovey, Bobby Bonds, uh, Tom
Haller, and and so many, so manyothers that already pass away.
I I remember all the good timewith all my teammates, and I
something that I never forget.
Mike Koser (38:42):
244 complete games, 52 of those being shutouts.
The numbers you put up, theythey will never be duplicated.
Um, thank you so much for thetime today.
Next time you're in SanFrancisco at Oracle Park, look
down the left field line justbelow the upper deck.
Among the retired Giantsnumbers, you'll see Juan
Marichal's number 27.
(39:03):
And then outside theLefty O'Doul Gate at the
ballpark, you'll find his famoushigh-kicking statue.
Marichal's greatness?
Well, just ask the greathitters of his day, Mickey
Mantle and Hank Aaronn, bothsaid he was one of the toughest
pitchers they faced.
Pete Rose called him the bestpitcher he ever faced.
Joe Morgan once joked that ifyou got a hit off of Marichal,
the umpires should stop the gameand give you the ball.
(39:24):
And one night, at DodgersStadium, he shut out the Dodgers
on just 78 pitches in a gamethat lasted only an hour and 35
minutes.
Truly one of the all-timegreats.
Thank you so much for listeningto this episode of Lost
Ballparks.
If you enjoyed it, make sure tosubscribe on Apple Podcasts,
(39:46):
Spotify, or wherever you listen.
And if you can, please leave areview.
It helps tremendously in uhhelping us get the word out.
Hi, I'm Mike Koser, and welcome to Lost Ball parks.
So today I'm talking withsomeone who holds a very
personal connection for me.
My father-in-law's favoriteplayer growing up was Juan
Marichal, the Dominican dandy.
And several years ago, as aChristmas gift, I painted a
portrait of Marichal for him inhis San Francisco uniform in the
(00:22):
middle of his giant leg kickwind up.
And uh he loved it.
Sadly, a couple of years ago,after a long, difficult illness,
my father-in-law passed away.
And man, is he missed.
I have great hope and assurancethat one day I'll see him
again, but yeah, he is uh somissed.
My mother-in-law returned thepainting to me, knowing just how
(00:46):
much it meant to both of us.
I never could have imaginedback then that standing over
that canvas with a brush inhand, uh that one day I would
have the chance to talk withJuan Marichal himself.
After all, we're talking aboutone of the greatest pitchers in
baseball history (01:03):
243 wins, 244 complete games, more victories
in the 1960s than Bob Gibson orSandy Koufax.
And here's the part that stillamazes me.
That painting that I gave myfather-in-law, I last month had
the honor of gifting to JuanMarichal.
And today, it hangs in his homein Florida.
(01:25):
So with all that in mind, it iswell, it's truly surreal for me
to say that joining me on thismonth's Lost Ball parks podcast
is Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.
Announcer (02:17):
Podcast Open.
Mike Koser (02:30):
It's great talking to you.
Juan Marichal (02:31):
Nice talking to you too.
Growing up in the DominicanRepublic, baseball wasn't just a
game.
It was everything to you andyour friends.
And I've heard that you lovedit so much that you may have
occasionally forgotten to go toschool.
Is there any truth to that?
Yeah, that's that's right.
I used to have uh little bit uhdiscussion with my mother about
(02:54):
school.
She always insists aboutgetting a good education.
Yeah, I used to tell her that II was gonna be a baseball
player.
Mike Koser (03:04):
She probably felt like, hey, that's great, but you
uh you still gotta go toschool.
Juan Marichal (03:09):
Well, she disagreed with me all the time,
but I I keep saying, Mother,don't worry, I gonna be a
baseball player, but I didn'tknow, I didn't know at that time
that being a baseball playeryou can make a living, you can
make money.
So I just want to be a baseballplayer because at that time was
a team in Dominican.
(03:29):
That team, the national team inthe Dominican Republic in 19 uh
48, uh was a plane crash, andthe whole team except one player
died on that crash.
Mike Koser (03:41):
Wow.
Juan Marichal (03:42):
That was the team that I want to be on, and
that's why I want to be abaseball player.
But thank God I think I have mydream come true.
I became a baseball player.
I was able to come to UnitedStates and then play in the
minor leagues for two and a halfyears and come out to the major
leagues.
Mike Koser (04:02):
When you were growing up in the 1940s, there
was there was always plenty toeat.
Uh baseball gloves andstore-bought bats, not so
readily available.
So you and your friends becameinventive, making the game and
your equipment out of whateveryou could find.
What kind of equipment were youplaying with back then?
(04:23):
Do you remember?
Juan Marichal (04:24):
Well, that's the that's a funny story, you know,
because we used to make glovefrom uh material that at that
time there was uh was aninstitution of the United States
that used to bring uh help toDominican Republic, you know, by
sending any kind of food to thecountry.
(04:45):
Those uh uh materials we usedto make what we call it trocha,
not a glove, we call it trocha.
It's like uh they're like afirst bass mitt.
Mike Koser (04:56):
First baseman's glove.
Juan Marichal (04:57):
Right.
So we used to climb in a treeand and cut a branch and make
bats.
And sometimes we need abaseball, and in a place uh
named Manzanillo, where theUnited Fruit Company used to
have the headquarters, they havea nine-hole golf course in
(05:19):
there where we look for a golfball to make a baseball.
Mike Koser (05:23):
Would you take cloth or some kind of material to
wrap around the golf ball to tryto make it bigger like a like a
baseball?
Juan Marichal (05:30):
Yeah.
Sometimes we got a stockingfrom my mother or my sister to
roll out that golf ball to makeit to the size of baseball.
And sometime we have to getlike two pesos to go to a
shoemaker and have the cover ofthat ball.
If we don't have those twopesos, then we have to roll it
(05:53):
from some kind of material thatwe can play with that ball.
That's how we play in everyfield we was able to.
That's how I grew up andthank God.
If I look back today, I say tomyself, how can you become a
baseball player from that poorarea?
You know, it was a very, verypoor area.
(06:16):
Came to this country and go allthe way to Major Leagues and
end up in Cooperstown.
Not too many people understandhow I did it.
Mike Koser (06:26):
It's such a great story, and I'm sure that you
remember vividly the day thatyou signed with the San
Francisco Giants in 1958.
How much was your signingbonus?
Do you remember?
Juan Marichal (06:37):
$500.
$500?
Wow.
Did it did it occur to you thatI mean, as you're signing that
contract, that you soon would beteammates with Willie Mays?
Well, at that time, you know,when uh the day I signed, uh the
day I became a baseballprofessional, at that time they
have a team in Dominican thatthey call it the Willie Mays
(07:02):
Negro League team.
They came to Dominican for athree-game series.
And the first time I saw WillieMays on the field.
But uh let me tell you, becomea baseball player and play in
the same field with the greatestplayer ever.
I think that was uh that was adream.
I thank God every day.
(07:23):
I say, man, I I have so many uhdisagreements with my mother.
Uh and look what I where I amright now on the same field with
the greatest player, WillieMays, Willie McCovey, Orlando
Cepeda, uh Bobby Bonds, uh TomHaller, uh Tito Fuentes, Chris
(07:47):
Spier.
So many, so many, so many greatplayers that I I feel so proud
I was able to play in the samefield with those guys.
Mike Koser (07:57):
I think the one thing that surprised you most as
you arrived for spring trainingin Sanford, Florida, uh that
first year was the level ofracism that you would encounter.
Juan Marichal (08:07):
Well, I remembered living uh uh from
Dominican, came to uh Miami, andthen we took a bus to uh
Sanford, Florida.
And I remember that we gotthere during the night, and the
next morning when we get up, Isaw a different group on the
yard, you know, uh outside ofthe building where we sleep and
(08:31):
eat, and uh the five differentfields where we play.
And I remember I asked a guyfrom Puerto Rico, I say, why we
see this group, you know, adifferent group of Latin, Negro,
white.
You know, I I didn'tunderstand.
So he said, Well, right here wecannot be together with the
(08:56):
white players.
So we have to eat in adifferent place, we have to
sleep in a different place.
So that really, that reallyshocked me up, you know, that
when I saw the difference of ourraces, I was so depressed that
I want to go back to Dominican.
The only reason I didn't goback was because I promised my
(09:17):
mother that I was gonna be abaseball player.
I figured this is theopportunity for me to become a
baseball player.
So I gonna try I I gonna try.
It was very hard for me.
See, I don't understand that.
We don't have that problem inmy country.
Uh I come to the biggestcountry in the world, and what's
(09:38):
so much different between humanbeings - you know, different
type of the uh communicationbetween white and and black.
Mike Koser (09:47):
And I'm sure it was a shock to your system after
that first spring training.
You and your teammates leftSanford, Florida and uh headed
north to begin your season withthe Michigan City White Caps.
But the Greyhound bus ride,that was something else.
Long hours, multiple foodstops, and then yet for you and
the other black and Latinplayers, there were places where
(10:10):
you weren't you weren't evenallowed to get off the bus and
eat.
You had to sit on the buswatching through the windows
while your other teammates, yourwhite teammates, ate.
What did that feel like to uhto be chasing this dream of
playing Major League Baseball,but still treated as if you
didn't belong?
Juan Marichal (10:27):
Well, let me tell you, those those days was very,
very difficult, was very hard,and thanks to a manager named
Budddy Kerr.
Every time we we stop in a in aplace where we can have
something to eat, he brings usto the kitchen side or door
(10:48):
instead of a front door to go tothe restaurant.
We cannot go in there all thetime.
He wanted to be sure that wehave something to eat.
And that man, let me tell you,that was some kind of human
being, you know, because he tookcare of us every day of the of
the week of the month of theyear.
(11:10):
So thanks to him, I think we'dmake our development much, much
easier.
Mike Koser (11:18):
Early in your career, there was uh a moment, I
believe it was at Colt Stadiumin Houston, when you were
playing against the Colt 45swhen there were some drunk fans
shouting ugly, nasty, racistinsults at both you and Felipe
Alou.
And that day, two of yourteammates, Jack Sanford and Jim
(11:39):
Davenport, decided that theywere not gonna stand for it.
Can you take me back to thatmoment?
What what do you rememberhearing and feeling?
And what did it mean to seeyour teammates step in and
defend you guys like that?
Juan Marichal (11:53):
Well, let me tell you, that was something that I
never forget.
Because uh that group of guysright behind our dog out, I
think they was drinking beer orwhatever, about I think they was
drunk.
They used to call us every timewe come from the field to the
(12:13):
dugout, hey hey, you a Kennedyboy, and they kept saying that
to us.
I didn't even know what theywas talking about, you know.
But Jack Sanford and JimDavenport, they went to the uh
seat.
They even have a little fightdefending the Latin and the
(12:34):
black player on the team.
Mike Koser (12:36):
That was such a pivotal moment for you to feel
like these other guys on yourteam had your back.
Juan Marichal (12:42):
Oh yes, that was very difficult.
Uh, we thanks uh Jack and Jimfor what they did, and I think
that was uh very, very kind ofthem.
Mike Koser (12:52):
Okay, let's rewind the clock back to where it all
began.
When you get called up to theGiants in July of 1960, you are
22 years old, and I'm sure theroad to Candlestick Park, to the
big leagues, it winds past athousand thoughts.
What do you remember most aboutthat first ride to Candlestick
Park?
Juan Marichal (13:13):
My ride to the ballpark was uh from Sacramento.
We played uh a game inSacramento where I win the game
two to one, and I remembertaking a shower.
My uh trainer came back to theshower and say, Juan, we got the
call.
I say, I don't expect any call.
So he said, No, the call fromthe Giants, they want you in San
(13:39):
Francisco.
I say, What?
You know, two days later, we'resupposed to play the all-star
game in AAA.
And I was uh choosing to be thestarting pitcher, and we're
supposed to get a nice watch asa gift.
And when he told me that I haveto leave that night, I said, Oh
(13:59):
my, I'm not gonna get my watch.
So the next day we took a busto San Francisco, and when we
got to the gate, the candlestickpark, there was Orlando and
Felipe waiting for me at thegate.
They took me to the clubhouseand introduced me to every
(14:25):
player on the team.
And the last player was WillieMays.
When I shake Willie Mays hand,I say, I couldn't believe it.
This this is a dream.
And uh I was so happy to bepart of that team.
That happened on July 10, 1960.
The manager was Tom Sheehan.
(14:47):
He came up to me and said,Juan, I want you to do your
routine of uh exercise andthrowing a little bit on the
side, and you're gonna be facingthe Philadelphia Phillies on
July 19.
And I say, Okay, Mr.
Sheehan, the day came the 19th,and that was uh my first game
(15:11):
at the Major League.
Russ Hodges (15:12):
How are you doing, everybody?
This is Russ Hodges, along withLon Simmons bidding you Welcome
to another Giants ballgame.
Tonight's game between theGiants and the Philadelphia
Phils is brought to you byBergie, the comfortable bear.
Mike Koser (15:25):
So you're on the field, you're warming up, when
they announce your name to thecrowd.
And in that moment, somethingstirred inside of you, something
that you had never quite feltbefore.
What was that?
Juan Marichal (15:41):
I never forget that feeling.
I was so, I don't know how toexplain what happened to me, but
was still kind of feeling very,very, very difficult for me to
take.
So I remember when the bat boycame with uh with a towel and he
(16:02):
handled me the my my jacket.
We both walked to the mound,and I had that feeling in my
body, and I said to myself, Isay, man, you can't you cannot
be pitching this way.
And I remember going to themound and throwing the seven
(16:22):
pitches before they called playball, and when the umpire called
play ball, and I saw the firstbatter of the Philadelphia
Phillies, and that feelingdisappeared, and I feel fine.
Mike Koser (16:37):
And what a game! What a first game.
You gave up one hit and struckout 12.
Juan Marichal (16:42):
Yes.
So, fans, that concludesanother Giants baseball
broadcast.
Mike Koser (16:46):
And in that moment after the game, a one-hitter,
and your first start, no less,you probably took a second and
thought back to what you hadtold your mom years before.
Mom, you're gonna be so proudwhen you hear my name on the
radio.
Announcer (17:06):
And it's taken over the outside corner, called a
strike.
Juan Marichal (17:10):
Yeah, I think she was.
She was very proud.
And uh I was so happy.
All my teammates, you know, uhcongratulating me for pitching
in one hitter.
I remember going to the eighthinning,
and the Philadelphia Philliescalled uh Clay Dalrymple as a
(17:30):
pinch hitter.
And Tom Sheehan came out to themound, and Orlando was my
interpreter.
And Tom Sheehan said, thisguy's a good fastball hitter, so
let's throw him some break ingball.
So the first pitch I threw himwas a break-ing ball.
He hit a blooper over secondbase for the first and only hit
(17:51):
of the game.
Mike Koser (17:52):
Okay, let's talk about Candlestick Park for a
moment.
Not the stats or the boxscores, but the but the feeling
of that place.
Announcer (17:59):
Gorgeous, gregarious, scenic San Francisco, a
fun-loving big league town whereGiants come to play.
Mike Koser (18:07):
What stays with you the most when you think back uh
and reflect on Candlestick Park?
Juan Marichal (18:13):
Well, let me tell you, I heard so many players
complain about candlestick, andI said to myself, if the hitters
complain about this place, itmust be good for the pitchers.
So I don't know because uhmaybe it was because my control
was so good.
Uh I don't think I have anyproblem with the wind and the
(18:35):
dust and everything and and theweather.
I remember one time we had tostop the game because of fog
that came over the mound on thefield, and we had twice I think
we we had to stop the game forabout 15 minutes until the fog
got through.
So many funny stories aboutcandlestick.
Mike Koser (18:57):
At candlestick, you certainly did have the cold and
the wind on your side as apitcher, and you used it.
When a hitter stepped in forfor the first time against you,
you had a way of making surethey felt it.
What was your approach early inthe game to make them think
twice about digging into the boxand feeling comfortable?
Juan Marichal (19:16):
Well, the first thing I checked the wind where
the wind was blowing, you know,and tried to stay away from the
hitter, not to hit the ball thatway.
And Willie Mays, he was, youknow, tell the the pitcher, the
starting pitcher, how to pitchto each individual on the other
team.
So I think that that reallyhelped the communication with
(19:40):
Willie that know every hitter...
we pitch a lot of good games incandlestick.
Mike Koser (19:44):
Okay, so I I want to ask you this.
I've heard that uh before somegames at Candlestick Park, that
you and a few of the guys wouldactually race frogs.
Okay, please tell me that'strue.
And how how exactly did thattradition get started?
Juan Marichal (19:59):
Well, uh, one of the players used to bring those
frogs to the clubhouse.
We used to have that in theclubhouse to make a race, you
know, and we bet on a differentfrog.
Sometimes we win, sometimes welose.
Mike Koser (20:16):
Did you name your frog?
Juan Marichal (20:18):
Oh, yes.
I remember Don Larsen was uhwas a guy that bringed a lot of
frogs to the clubhouse, and thatwas a lot of fun, you know.
Every time he bring a bag withuh full of frog, you know, to
the clubhouse.
Mike Koser (20:32):
So in 1962, you won 18 games and earned your first
All-Star selection.
And not just one game, therewere actually two All-Star games
played that summer.
The first was at DC Stadium.
Joe Garagiola (20:42):
Good afternoon, baseball fans.
This is Joe Garagiola,welcoming you to the District of
Columbia Stadium in the firstAll-Star Baseball game of 1962.
A beautiful day here inWashington.
Mike Koser (20:53):
Do you remember walking into that National
League Clubhouse for the firsttime?
What was that moment like foryou?
Juan Marichal (20:58):
I feel great, you know.
I say to myself, All-Star game,when they have the best player
on the field, you know, andbecome uh one of those
selections, you know.
I I feel so proud to be on thatteam.
And uh I win that game.
After that, when we played thesecond game in Chicago.
Announcer (21:33):
The second all star game of 1962 is being played in
Wrigley Field, Chicago.
Juan Marichal (21:43):
I also participated in that game, and
uh I remember in 1965 inMinnesota, I was the MVP of that
game.
Announcer (21:52):
Juan Marichal, who has the highest kicking delivery
in the business, completesthree scoreless innings,
allowing the American Leagueonly one hit.
Juan Marichal (21:59):
And those days, you know, make you feel so so
good, so happy.
And to participate in All-Star,I think that was awesome.
Mike Koser (22:09):
62 is a great year for you and the team.
You helped the Giants capturethe National League pennant and
earned a trip to the WorldSeries against the New York
Yankees.
That meant that you would stepinto Yankee Stadium for the very
first time.
So take me back to that Octoberday in 1962.
Joe Garagiola (22:27):
A beautiful day here at Yankee Stadium in New
York.
A bright sun shining.
The temperature, if you'relooking for the weather man's
temperature, is 65 degrees.
Juan Marichal (22:37):
Well, let me tell you, I remember it.
I think that was the first gameof the uh World Series.
I was select to be uh thestarting pitcher that day.
Juan Marichal pumping slow curveballs to his catcher Ed Bailey
18 and 11 on the season.
This is his first World Seriesstart.
I think that day was gonna be maybe the best game
(23:00):
I ever pitched at the MajorLeague level.
Um I pitched four innings.
I got Mickey Mantle strike outtwice.
Um was the situation where Iwent to the plate with men on
(23:23):
first and third.
Alvin Dark don't want me tohit into a double play.
Mike Koser (23:34):
Alvin Dark was your manager at that time.
Yeah.
Juan Marichal (23:37):
Yeah.
So they gave me their buntsign.
Announcer (23:50):
Game audio.
so the first pitch from WhiteyFord was a ball, and the second
pitch was a ball.
Now they got me taking, and thethird pitch was a ball.
So they got me taking on strikeone.
They got me taking, strike two,and what you think was the next
sign?
Mike Koser (24:08):
What was it?
Juan Marichal (24:10):
The squeeze play.
Mike Koser (24:23):
That's honestly so crazy.
It's game four of the WorldSeries, no less, and you're a
pitcher and you're asked to notjust bunt, but it's a squeeze
play, so you gotta get it down.
Juan Marichal (24:33):
Yeah.
That was a ball four, butbecause the sign was a squeeze,
I had to try to bunt that ball.
Mike Koser (24:41):
Yeah, right.
Juan Marichal (24:42):
And that ball was around my my ankle.
And I was trying to bunt thatball, and the ball hit my index
finger, and my nail came out.
And I had to leave that game,and I was so disappointed.
(25:21):
I was so...
I never forget that moment.
Even uh today, when I thinkabout that, that could have been
maybe one of my greatest gamesever.
And I I didn't get the chanceto win the game, but we ended up
winning the game 7-4.
I think Chuck Hiller hit a homerun in that game.
We win that game, but I didn'tget a chance to win the game,
(25:43):
and I don't have a chance tocome back and pitch another game
because I was out of the seriesbecause of injuries.
Mike Koser (25:51):
That World Series stretched on for nearly two
weeks because of the weather.
There were rain delays and morerain, and in game seven of the
World Series, there you are atCandlestick Park.
Joe Garagiola (26:01):
This is Joe Garagiola along with George
Kell, welcoming you to theseventh game of the 1962 World
Series.
This is it.
Forget the rest of the season,forget the playoffs, the
averages, what you did in thisballpark, that ballpark.
It's all wrapped up today.
Mike Koser (26:18):
But instead of getting ready to play, you're
watching the grounds crew pourgasoline over the infield and
light it on fire just to dry thefield.
Now, did that really happen?
Juan Marichal (26:29):
Do you know that when I tell that story, people
don't believe me?
Mike Koser (26:33):
I know, because it's so hard to believe, right?
Juan Marichal (26:36):
I remember those helicopters right on top of the
field and the grass, trying toget all that water off the
field, you know, and let me tellyou, that was funny.
I remember the team, bothteams, one got to Modesto and
practice, and the other one gotto Stockton and practice because
(26:57):
in San Francisco was rainingand raining and raining.
We can go to candlestick andcomplete the series.
But uh, after they do that, weplayed that seventh game, and
let me say, I remember whenWillie McCovey hit that ball to
Bobby Richardson.
George Kell (27:16):
George Campbell and Joe Gargiola at Candlestick
Park in San Francisco, and thisplace is a madhouse right now.
The Yankees lead one tonothing, the bottom of the
ninth.
The Giants have runners atsecond and third with two and
outs, and Willie McCovey is theman.
Here's the pitch to Willie.
There's a line straight toRichardson, the ballgame is
over and the world series isover.
(27:37):
Willie McCovey hit it like abullet.
A line running straight toBobby Richardson in second base,
and that ball got out of hisreach.
The Giants would have been thewinner.
Mike Koser (27:48):
By the way, Bobby Richardson, the great Yankee
second baseman who caught thatbullet line drive that Willie
McCovey hit to end the game inthe 1962 World Series, uh, to
end Game 7, was on the podcast acouple of years ago, and he
knows just how close they cameto losing that series.
Bobby Richardson (28:04):
And I got down, and it's really funny, but
Ralph Terry took one step orout towards me, and I sort of
wondered why he was looking outand he he went back.
He told me later he felt like Iwas playing out of position.
He was gonna ask me to moveover, and as it turned out, I
was right in the right place.
Juan Marichal (28:21):
And they win the series uh by winning the last
game two to one, and I, youknow, was a wonderful series,
but we we came second.
We lost the series from theYankees.
Mike Koser (28:35):
Uh in 1963, you led the league with 25 wins, uh,
threw a no-hitter at candlestickagainst the Colt 45s in June.
Uh and then just over two weekslater, you and Warren Spahn,
two of baseball's all-timegreats, go toe-to-toe in one of
the most amazing pitching duelsin baseball history.
What do you remember about thatnight at Candlestick Park when
(28:57):
it was just you and Spawn?
I think you're 25, he's 42, andinning after inning, both of
you refused to give in.
Juan Marichal (29:07):
Well, I remember after the ninth inning, Arvin
Dark wanted to take me out.
And Ed Bailey was my catcher.
And he came up to me and say,Don't let him take you out.
Win and lose.
That's a great game.
But don't let him take you out.
So I went to Alvin Dark andsaid, Mr.
Dark, I feel good, theweather's nice.
(29:30):
Please let me stay a few moreinnings.
So he agreed with me and he letme stay, you know?
Mike Koser (29:36):
Yeah.
Juan Marichal (29:37):
Now we're in the 14th inning.
And he came up to me again andsay, That's it.
That's it.
And I say, Mr.
Dark, do you see that man onthe mound?
I I was uh uh talking aboutWarren Spahn.
He said, Yes, what happened tohim?
(29:58):
I said, Well, that man is.
42 years old.
I'm only 25 and only that manstayed on the mound, nobody
gonna take me out of this game.
Oh man, that was that was bad,you know.
He got so mad.
He got mad and walked away fromme and I said, Well, if he walk
(30:18):
away from me, I got a chance tostay one more inning.
I went to the mound to pitch onthe fifteenth inning.
So thanks God, I got one, two,three, and come back to the
dugout, I say to Alvin Dark, youcan get some uh reliever.
(30:39):
Yeah, get somebody warm up.
I don't gonna pitch anymore, soplease uh get somebody.
So Warren Spahn went in becausewe were, you know, the uh uh
home team.
So he went in and uh he pitchedthat inning and so when I saw
that relief pitcher gettingready, coming to the mound, I
(31:02):
looked at my was a little lockerin the dugout where you put
your glove on your hat.
So I grabbed my hat, I put myhat on, I grab my glove, and I
run to the field.
Oh man.
Thanks God I also I got one,two, three.
So before I get to the dug out,I stop by first baseline,
(31:26):
waiting for Willie Mays toarrive in there, and I put my
arm over his shoulder and I say,Willie, Alvin Dark is mad at
me.
I'm not going to pitch anylonger.
So he tapped my back and said,Don't worry, I'm gonna win this
game for you.
That's a true story.
(31:46):
And he was a second batter onthat on that inning, and I can
see today I can see that ballwhen he hit it over the left
field wall.
Russ Hodges (31:58):
Long high drive to deep left field, tell it bye bye
baby.
Juan Marichal (32:04):
That was one of the greatest moments of my
pitching career.
How many pitches did you throwthat day?
227.
Unbelievable.
That's unbelievable.
I mean, that would never happentoday.
In the 1960s, it was still rareto see so many Latin players in
the big leagues, but the Giantsand the Pirates were different.
When you came to Forbes Fieldin Pittsburgh, it wasn't just
(32:26):
another road trip.
Uh it was something special, akind of unspoken brotherhood
among the Latin players.
You would talk before the game,share dinners after, dinners
with Roberto Clemente and uh uhManny Sanguillen.
And at a time when so much ofthe world uh you know in the
sixties felt divided, what didthat sense of connection and
(32:47):
community mean to you?
Well, I remember that at that time we had seven
Latin players on that team, onthat giant team, and the pirates
have seven.
So every day, you know, when weplay night game over there, we
used to go to the stadium likeone o'clock, two o'clock, just
(33:09):
to talk.
And 14 of us in the dug out.
And so many stories, you know,about different hitters,
different pictures, differentcities.
That was a a get together thatwas so wonderful that we was
able to to get together and talkabout, you know, different
(33:30):
subjects and get invited from uhRoberto to his home.
Manny ALou was uh with thepartners at that time, Manny
Mota was there.
So many players, you know, fromtwo teams, four team players,
you know, to get together forthree days in Pittsburgh.
I think that was wonderful, youknow.
That I never forget.
Mike Koser (33:52):
Clemente used to joke that if he wasn't playing
baseball, that he'd be achiropractor.
And I've heard that when yourback started acting up, that he
actually tried to fix you, hewould give you adjustments.
Is that true?
Juan Marichal (34:04):
Yes, he did.
And that's that's another truestory.
And I remember one time Robertotold me, he said, if the owner
of the team see me rubbing yourback, he's gonna fire me.
I say, oh no way, they're gonnafire you.
Those massages that he used togive me before I pitched, it
(34:25):
really helped me.
Mike Koser (34:26):
1966, the All-Star Game was held at brand new Busch
Stadium in St.
Louis, and it felt like it wasbeing played that day on the
surface of the sun.
Announcer (34:37):
Well, this is a brand new stadium here in St.
Louis, and this is the site ofthe 1966 All-Star baseball game,
and no matter who wins orloses, it will be certain that
it was said that it wasa hot hot day.
Yesterday the temperaturereached 105 degrees.
The temperature today alreadywell above 100, we've tried to
reach the weather bureau, andthe line is busy, but they
(35:00):
expect temperatures in St.
Louis today between 105 and 108degrees.
Mike Koser (35:05):
I've heard that at one point they stuck a
thermometer on the field and itread 152.
How on earth did you survivethat heat?
Juan Marichal (35:14):
Well, let me tell you.
I remember that I think thatthat game was in St.
Louis, right?
Mike Koser (35:19):
Yeah, Busch Stadium.
Juan Marichal (35:20):
Yes.
I remember that we used so muchwater on the dugout.
Announcer (35:25):
And they're running a little short of water.
So no matter what happens onthe All-Star field today between
the American and NationalLeague, everybody will remember
this one as the hot one in St.
Louis in 1966.
Juan Marichal (35:37):
One thing I remember as Sandy Koufax pitched
in that game, and he put uh onthat heat, he put some ointment
on his elbow that they call itcapsuline.
And that was so hot.
I don't know how he can try toput that on his elbow to be able
(35:59):
to pitch.
Because uh, you know, uhalready he was having some
problem with his elbow usingthat and that kind of weather.
I think that was very, very,very tough.
Mike Koser (36:10):
In 1983, you became the first native of the
Dominican Republic to beinducted into the Baseball Hall
of Fame, a moment of enormouspride, not just for you, but for
your country.
Juan Marichal (36:20):
It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to join the
baseball greats who areenshrined in the Baseball Hall
of Fame.
Mike Koser (36:32):
Can you take me back to that day?
Now, what 42 years ago?
What did it feel like to standin Cooperstown knowing how far
you'd come?
Juan Marichal (36:43):
Well, I feel so good.
I feel so proud because I don'tknow how many buses came from
Dominican by plane to New Yorkand uh fly to Albany or or drive
to Cooperstown, and I knewthere were so many people on
that field that came from thefrom my country to watch that
(37:05):
ceremony.
And my family, my kids, andthey were there with me, and uh
I think that was uh one uh themoment that I never forget.
That was great, that was uhsomething that I think that
every player that played in theMajor League would like to be
able to make that trip toCooperstown.
Mike Koser (37:28):
You love Cooperstown so much, didn't you tell your
wife that it might be fun tomove there?
How did that conversation go?
Juan Marichal (37:38):
Yes, I told her one time.
I said, I I think I'd uh Iwould like to live here.
And uh if you agree that youwanna you wanna come, uh we we
can move to Coopers town andshe say, Well, you go you're
gonna be here by yourself.
So cold in the winter.
I I I don't think I can standthat.
Mike Koser (37:59):
Juan, what an incredible career.
Such a such a gift to be ableto spend a little time with you
today.
Thank you so much.
Juan Marichal (38:05):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you for this uhconversation.
And uh it reminds me, you know,you know, all the good,
beautiful moments that I spentin San Francisco, and I spent
with all my teammates.
Some of them already pass away,where I'm so sad to see what's
(38:25):
happening to uh Mays, Orlando,McCovey, Bobby Bonds, uh, Tom
Haller, and and so many, so manyothers that already pass away.
I I remember all the good timewith all my teammates, and I
something that I never forget.
Mike Koser (38:42):
244 complete games, 52 of those being shutouts.
The numbers you put up, theythey will never be duplicated.
Um, thank you so much for thetime today.
Next time you're in SanFrancisco at Oracle Park, look
down the left field line justbelow the upper deck.
Among the retired Giantsnumbers, you'll see Juan
Marichal's number 27.
(39:03):
And then outside theLefty O'Doul Gate at the
ballpark, you'll find his famoushigh-kicking statue.
Marichal's greatness?
Well, just ask the greathitters of his day, Mickey
Mantle and Hank Aaronn, bothsaid he was one of the toughest
pitchers they faced.
Pete Rose called him the bestpitcher he ever faced.
Joe Morgan once joked that ifyou got a hit off of Marichal,
the umpires should stop the gameand give you the ball.
(39:24):
And one night, at DodgersStadium, he shut out the Dodgers
on just 78 pitches in a gamethat lasted only an hour and 35
minutes.
Truly one of the all-timegreats.
Thank you so much for listeningto this episode of Lost
Ballparks.
If you enjoyed it, make sure tosubscribe on Apple Podcasts,
(39:46):
Spotify, or wherever you listen.
And if you can, please leave areview.
It helps tremendously in uhhelping us get the word out.
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