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David Perlmutter's avatar

"...he sang it for years as the leader of Philly vocal group Rich Allen & The Ebonistics" Baseball and soul both? Neat.

The only other such case I can think of baseball and music coming together like that was Arthur Lee Maye, who fronted L.A. doo-wop group The Crowns and also had a modestly successful baseball career.

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Maye was much more prolific than Allen on the recording end — and waxed some great stuff!

But don't forget Lenny Randle & Ballplayers, whose 1982 single "Kingdome" is pretty sought after by R&B collectors these days! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0GZskssncE

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Michael Ortman's avatar

Thank you Dan. It didn’t feel complete until you weighed in.

Next up: can’t wait to see the plaques!! What an opportunity to put the Cobra in a pillbox cap loaded with Stargell Stars. And Allen’s should be fairly 70s in its own right, if they go with his modest fro and trademark glasses.

And Tiant will get his day, someday. Pitching stats are changing so much that guys like him and Tommy John will eventually be more appreciated. I’m confident Luis will make it to Cooperstown.

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Oh man - I didn't even think about the plaques! Yes, Pirates pillbox with Stargell stars, or GTFO!

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Dan Weber's avatar

Nicely done, Dan! I’m still seething about Sweet Lou too. And how ‘bout that apostrophe in echoes!

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Hahaha - I do love a good misplaced apostrophe!

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Mickey McMahan's avatar

I'll pay attention to the Baseball Hall of Fame when they elect Al Hrabosky, the Mad Hungarian, to the Hall. He brought some WWF entertainment value to the mound like no other.

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The Girl Can't Help It's avatar

Frustrating like the RRHOF - which I’ve given up on!

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Dan Epstein's avatar

I mean, I knew THAT was a crock of shit from the get-go...

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Toni DelliQuadri's avatar

Quite a story about both....I never had the details. Also, while jaded about any and all HOFs for just the reasons you allude to, your positive comments about Allen and Parker's induction was refreshing.

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Garrick Rawlings's avatar

Boy do I miss the baseball of yore - never thought I'd be saying that, making fun of the real old days and their funny mitts when I was a kid in the 70's. Nice trip down memory lane jamming along with "Mothership Connection." Saw Parker play at Wrigley a couple of times, back when it was still known as the Lakeview neighborhood, long before it was Harry Carey's Wrigleyville. Seats were cheap and easy to get, my Grandad thought the bleachers were not a good place to sit. The Cubs just sucked back then but I marveled, and was confused when the Pirates, Big Red Machine or Cardinals came to town and the the place was full - it was a hard lesson to learn that your team pretty much just sucked. It was OK, José Cardenal always cheered me up.

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