Fitzpatrick: Racism still clouds Hall of Famer Pennock’s reputation
From Frank Fitzpatrick at Philly.com on November 7, 2014, with mention of SABR members William Kashatus and David Jordan:
Much as the sour scent of mushroom compost pervades his old hometown of Kennett Square, the taint from a single conversation clings unpleasantly to Herb Pennock’s reputation.
Sixty-seven years after his telephone call to a fellow baseball executive, the onetime Phillies general manager and Murderers’ Row Yankee is permanently marooned in history’s limbo, trapped between what we know of him and what we think we know.
The known is impressive. A Hall of Fame pitcher, Pennock retired in 1934 with 241 victories. In winning four championships as a Yankee, he compiled a 5-0 World Series record with a 1.95 ERA. As a GM, he shaped the pennant-winning 1950 Phillies. As a man, it appears, he was almost universally admired.
“Everybody here loved him,” said his grandson, Eddie Collins III, 70, of Kennett Square. “You’ll never hear a bad word about him.”
Read the full article here: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20141109_Racism_claim_still_clouds_Hall_of_Famer_Pennock_s_reputation.html
Originally published: November 10, 2014. Last Updated: November 10, 2014.