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KRANZBERRIESFrom IMrk KHW7.Sports EditorPERHAPS, BASEBALL history would have been different ifFrank Scalzi, pepperpot manager of the Colorado Springs SkySox, had less patience in his rookie year as a manager in 1947for* the Chicago Cubs organization.IT WAS SCALZI, who was originally signed offthe University of Alabama campus by the Cleveland Indians, who stuck with a youngster namedDusty Rhodes. Rhodes was the fellow who madeworld series history with his pinch-hitting againstCleveland in 1954-a series in which the Giantspulled an upset with a four-game sweep, f “I STUCK WITH Rhodes in his rookie year be-. * . -w*cause of his determination.” said Scalzi here■; i prior to a game with the Amarillo Gold Sox.| | “They wanted to release him several times be-SCALZI cause he was hitting only .150 in the early monthsof the season.* f“RUT DUSTY TRIED so hard, I had to go along with him.He just loved to play the game.” said Frank, “He worked hardlearning to pull the ball. And he came around and hit .326 that♦ »year.THIS FAITH by Scalzi in 1947 at Hopkinsville, Ky., paid handsome rewards for the New York Giants seven years later,THE 42-YEAR-OLD, five-foot, six-inch manager has had an interesting career.AT ALABAMA HIS roommate was Paul i Reart Bryant, formerKentuckv and Texas AM coach and now football coach of theiralma mater.4 II COULD TELL then that Bear would do all right,” said Scalzi“He was a great mixer and a hard worker. He was always looking out for me. I had made the All-America College baseball teamin 1935 and when scouts came down to talk with me, Bryantwould say, ‘You ought to give the kid $10,000.’ ”SCALZI DIDN’T get $10,000 for signing and one day when Bearwasn’t around to handle his business, Frank signed with theCleveland Indians organization. Also on campus in those days wereDon Hutson, the great end later with Green Bay, and Mel Allen,nationally known sportscaster.IT WAS ALLEN, as a student manager, who hung the tag ofSkeeter on Scalzi. He also was known as Wap and Squib.SCALZI WAS best man at the wedding of Buddy Blattner,former major league infielder and now sports announcer on television's Game of the Day baseball program. “I remember itwell,” said Frank. “He was married Aug. 25. 1941, in Las Vegas,Nev. It was on a Monday when we had a day off.”★ ★ ★BLATTNER AND Scalzi were teammates that voar at Sacramento under manager Pepper Martin, the old Gashouse Gangthird baseman. “I talked him into marrying her right then,”recalled Scalzi. “She had been down for a brief visit and hadreturned to St. Louis. They had planned to he married after theseason. Rut I told him he ought to get married right away. So acouple days later she came bark out and they got married.”SCALZI WAS WITH Cleveland part of the 1936 season hut didn'tappear in any games and then went to spring training with theIndians in 1937. Two years later he was sold to the Giants in midseason and he finished the 1939 season with the Giants. He hit.333 in 11 games as a utility infielder.“BOB SEEDS WAS with the Giants then.” he said. “I understand he lives around here now someplace. I'd sure like to see himagain.”ANOTHER OF SCALZLS contributions to the major leagueplayer talent is Jim Brosnan, a promising pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.“I HAD BROSNAN at Fayetteville in 1948,” he said. “He hadgood stuff but was tempermental. If they made an error or someone blooped in a hit, he'd throw his glove as high as those lights,”Scalzi said pointing to the light towers at Potter County Stadium.4 4And when he was taken from a game, he’d throw his glove intothe stands. He was really tempermental.”BROSNAN JUMPED the club “but I brought him hack,” saidFrank. He's calmed down now and he is grateful to Scalzi for hispatience.SCALZI LIKES TO gamble as a manager and he must be asuccessful gambler since three of his eight teams have won pennants and three raptured playoff titles. He’s managed in theCubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees and Chicago WhiteSox organizations. He also served as a scout for the Giants. Helikes managing because “I like to help the kids as much as T can.”“I*PLAY THE LAME on the knowledge of what my hall players ran do,” he said. “I like the long-shots. I try what comes intomy head and what I think is right at the time. It doesn't always work out but it seems right at the time.”HE’S STILL VERY active and when you go to the park, thelittle round guy with No. 33 on his hack taking infield practice isSkeeter Scalzi, an interesting fellow.o fc.
Newspaper Details
Amarillo Daily News
Amarillo, Texas, US
Fri, May 09, 1958
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Diane H.
USA 07 Feb 2021
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