On this Veterans Day I am elated to have run into the above vintage press photo featuring Don Sutton undergoing training with the US Army. It is dated to the winter of 1967 and was taken at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. This followed his second season as a Dodger starting pitcher. I've, so far, been unable to find much information about his time there.
UPDATE: I just found a brief mention about Sutton's time in Georgia. It is in The Bulletin from Bend, Oregon. It adds in the caption, "Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton is worried about his control. Pvt. Sutton, a basic trainee at US Army post in Fort Gordon, Ga., says he scored only a "lousy" 23 out of a possible 40 points on his dummy hand grenade throwing test. Sutton said he had trouble getting his curve across the target. Sutton is scheduled to be released from active duty shortly after the 1968 baseball season opens in April."
Another source, via Florida Today, 1968, states that he had a four-month stint with the Army Reserves.Having said that, I thought I would pass along a couple of websites that focus on Baseball military veterans. These are some great sources worth your time to check out. If you happen to know of any more please pass them along.
Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela was named the very first rookie to win the NL Cy Young Award -- barely edging out Tom Seaver of the Reds, 70-67. In 1986 Valenzuela is beat by Houston hurler Mike Scott in Cy Young voting. Scott received fifteen first place votes and Valenzuela received nine.
- I can never get enough stories on former Dodger Roy Gleason. Considering that today is Veterans Day this post by Phil Gurnee at Dodgers, Yesterday and Today blog is very apt -- "Roy Gleason a Career lost in the sun."
- Here's another Veterans Day post featuring former Dodger infielder Wayne Terwilliger. Via Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings; "Wayne Terwilliger details the hazards of The Battle of Saipan."
One of a rapidly declining number of living World War II veterans, Terwilliger has fortunately left behind vivid memories of the harsh realities of war in his memoirs. One of the first to enter the Battle of Saipan, he recounted his feelings from some 70 years ago on the morning of June 15, 1944, as he anxiously sat in his amphibious tank awaiting entry into the water.
- Via Bernie Pleskoff at Today's Knuckleball; "Pleskoff Scouting Report: Willie Calhoun."
My first scouting looks at Calhoun have come in the Fall League. From what I have observed so far, he is very much an offense-first player. Although he really hustles when he gets on base, he doesn’t have much speed and he doesn’t play great defense at second base. But he can use his huge lower body to drive the ball. He especially favors his left-handed pull side.
- Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider; "Corey Seager becomes Dodgers’ first Silver Slugger shortstop."
After one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by a shortstop, Corey Seager has been rewarded with the 2016 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for National League shortstops.Seager ranked among the NL leaders in hits (193, second), runs (105, fifth), doubles (40, seventh), multi-hit games (57, tied for second), extra-base hits (71, seventh), total bases (321, fourth), batting average (.308, seventh) and slugging percentage (.512, 10th). He also hit 26 home runs and had an .877 OPS.
- Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Dodgers outright Tsao to Triple-A."
- This is for the Oklahoma Dodger fans. Via Jacob Unruh at NewsOK; "OKC Dodgers unveil renovation plans for Diamond Lounge and Club."
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