Ex-Yankee Ron Blomberg shall be honored 50 years after making DH historical past
Ron Blomberg didn’t anticipate to make historical past heading into the 1973 season.
However coming off a hamstring harm suffered throughout spring coaching, Yankees supervisor Ralph Houk penciled Blomberg in because the DH within the group’s Opening Day lineup on April 6 in Boston.
“I noticed my title with ‘DH’ subsequent to it and I nonetheless wasn’t actually positive what it was,’’ Blomberg mentioned by telephone from Atlanta. “Mel Stottlemyre, who was pitching that day, mentioned, ‘How on the planet are you hitting for me?’ I mentioned, ‘I don’t know.’ ”
And solely due to a two-out rally in opposition to Luis Tiant within the prime of the primary, Blomberg grew to become the primary participant to take an at-bat as a delegated hitter.
Graig Nettles walked to load the bases with two outs to convey Blomberg to the plate and he walked to drive in a run.
“I used to be a DH by necessity due to the harm, however I obtained very fortunate,’’ Blomberg mentioned. “Thank God Nettles obtained on for me to get an at-bat. If I didn’t get it, [Boston’s] Orlando Cepeda would have gotten it. I see Cepeda on a regular basis and inform him, ‘You’ve obtained too many accolades, I’m so pleased I obtained one.’ ”
And it’s the explanation why the 74-year-old Blomberg will throw out the primary pitch at Yankee Stadium on Monday to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his historic April 6, 1973, at-bat.
Even after he beat Cepeda to the distinction, Blomberg didn’t suppose the place would final and folks nonetheless could be speaking about it half a century later.
“Who knew the DH was going to final 50 years?” Blomberg mentioned. “I by no means thought it was gonna final three months. I checked out it as being a pinch-hitter.”
It took Blomberg some time to imagine the DH was one thing that was going to stay round.
“Numerous us have been ready for baseball to do away with it, in all probability for about 5 years,’’ Blomberg mentioned. “As a result of each single yr, individuals would speak about eliminating it as a result of the Nationwide League wasn’t utilizing it.”
It wasn’t till the brand new collective bargaining settlement was finalized final yr that the NL lastly instituted the DH completely after utilizing it on a brief foundation through the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
“The DH place modified the entire sport and it nonetheless took nearly 50 years for the NL to undertake it,’’ Blomberg mentioned. “Some individuals nonetheless hate it, however I believe it’s nice.”
He famous he’s obtained loads of good firm now.
“Whether or not it’s Derek Jeter or Aaron Decide or any man getting back from harm, all nice gamers have been a DH sooner or later,’’ Blomberg mentioned. “Pitchers hitting has grow to be an out of date factor.”
Blomberg, the highest general choose within the 1967 beginner draft, was as soon as anticipated to be the Yankees’ subsequent large star, following within the footsteps of Mickey Mantle.
As an alternative, accidents derailed his profession and he by no means performed greater than 107 video games in a season.
When he was in a position to get on the sector, the lefty-swinging Blomberg produced, ending with an OPS of .832 over elements of eight seasons.
“I bear in mind being at Yankee Stadium and seeing Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio throwing out the primary pitch and pondering how cool that will be,’’ Blomberg mentioned. “I by no means reached the extent they did, clearly, however I’m very pleased with this and that folks nonetheless bear in mind me.”