Baseball's Bob "Hurricane" Hazle-- Part 2: Quite the Call Up!

BOB HAZLE  (1930 to 1992)

Played three years in the majors with the Reds, Braves and Tigers. He was a member of the 1957 World Series Champion Milwaukee Braves.  Played 101 games in his major league career, batting .310 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs.  Most all of that coming in his late season call up from the minors for the Braves in 1957.  He was a big reason they got to the World Series.

In music he would be called a One Hit Wonder.

Born in Laurens, S.C.

Hazle is best-known for his meteoric play for the Braves in 1957 when he was called up late in the season to replace injured outfielder Bill Bruton, but didn't play until the Braves' 100th game.  In less than three weeks, from August 9 through August 25, he batted .473 with 5 home runs and  and 19 RBI in just 14 games.

This unexpected burst of offense earned him the nickname of "Hurricane" after Hurricane Hazel which had struck his home state of S.C. in 1954.

That Was Some Start to His Career.  --CootHazel

1957 Was Quite a Year

We have just finished celebrating the 50th anniversary of quite a special year, 1957. In reflection, it was quite a remarkable year with many "turning point" moments occurring.

First thing was the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik which set off the space race.

Second was the Little Rock Nine, the nine black youths who entered Little Rock's Central High School.

Third , 1957 was the year the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to California and became the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fourth was Ghana, Africa's independence from Britain. Within ten years, 30 more former African colonies became independent.

Fifth, Ford's big mistake, theEdsel.

Then, sixth, in 1957, the first laser was made at Columbia university. This led to toady's CDs, microwave ovens, and less invasive medical procedures.

Seventh, one of the great bridge-building efforts, the "Mighty Mac." the Mackinac Bridge opened.

Eight, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a birth control pill.

Ninth, US Surgeon General Leroy Burney said that excessive cigarette smoking is a major cause for lung cancer.

Tenth, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss, had his first book published, ""The Cat in the Hat."

Eleventh, Betty Friedan began writing the "Feminine Mystique."

Twelfth--two guitarists by the names of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, met at a church fair in Liverpool, England.

Well, like them or not, these 1957 had quite an impact on the world.

From December 31, 2007 Chicago Tribune editorial "The end of a golden year."

This was a Remarkable Year Upon Further reflection. --Da Coot