For Hot Potato, Lefty Had the Right Idea

Lefty Gomez was a flake long before he reached the New York Yankees. I remember a game he was pitching for the San Francisco Seals against the Hollywood Stars at old (then new) Wrigley Field.

Halfway through the game, the Stars were coming to bat. Oscar Vitt, then manager of the Stars, on his way to the coaching box picked up the ball near the mound and handed it to Gomez. Gomez refused to take it. Vitt offered it again and Gomez backed away.

Vitt, knowing he had something going, pretended to toss the ball to Gomez. Lefty flinched and retreated. Vitt, now laughing, followed, pushing the ball toward the pitcher, but Gomez was in full retreat.

Finally when they reached the outfield grass, Vitt tossed the ball. Lefty almost went over backward avoiding it. With the ball safely on the ground, Gomez made the shortstop pick it up, then demanded a new ball to start play. He wasn’t going to touch that contaminated thing.

If it makes any difference, he shut out the Stars and shortly afterward was New York bound.

EDWARD MONTAGNE

Agoura Hills