Fowler: Fred Caligiuri, oldest living MLB player at 99, has a great story to tell
From Chapel Fowler at the Charlotte Observer on July 17, 2018:
On Sept. 3, 1941, Fred Caligiuri sat alone in the Philadelphia Athletics’ dugout, ahead of a road game against the Washington Senators.
He was 22 years old, ecstatic about his Major League Baseball call-up and the crisp uniform that came with it.
He’d recently pitched twice for the Class B Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks in a playoff, so he didn’t know when he’d pitch again. But the answer would come quickly.
“That first game, I come out dressed up in that suit,” he said. “I thought I was really something. Here comes a guy down the walk — a big tall fella, with a little hat on. It was Connie Mack, the first time I’ve ever seen him. He got by me, threw me a ball and said, ‘You’re pitching today.’”
Read the full article here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/mlb/article214192669.html
Originally published: July 17, 2018. Last Updated: July 17, 2018.