Rogan: Sports’ Forgotten Heroes: Sal Maglie
From SABR member Warren Rogan at Sports’ Forgotten Heroes on August 2, 2018, with SABR member Peter Gordon:
When Sal Maglie finally made his Major League debut at the age of 28, all the years of hard work and persistence had finally paid off. After going 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA, however, Maglie did not make the New York Giants the following season. Deciding to play in the Mexican League proved to be a double-edged sword. Maglie, under the tutelage of Dolf Luque, refined his skills on the mound; but commissioner Happy Chandler suspended all those who left the Majors for Mexico. After other players sued baseball to get back in, Maglie finally got another chance. At the of 33, Maglie put on his Giants uniform once again and this time he stuck. A totally different pitcher, this is when Maglie earned the nickname “The Barber”. He owned the inside part of the plate and was happy to give batters a close shave with his fastball. Maglie went 18-4 in his return season and proceeded to dominate baseball for the next five years – and also pitched in three of the greatest games in baseball history. Peter Gordon, a longtime member of SABR, joins the podcast to talk about the terrific career of Sal “The Barber” Maglie.
Listen to the full podcast here (scroll down to Episode 35): https://sportsfh.com/archives/
- Related link: Read the SABR biography of Sal Maglie, by Judith Testa
Originally published: August 3, 2018. Last Updated: August 3, 2018.