See Bobby Shantz at sports museum
RADNOR » When a baseball player uses the main tool of his trade, the baseball bat, he is gripping the most important single weapon in his arsenal. Each is customized to a certain weight, length and feel. The current exhibit at the Sports Legends of Delaware County museum features numerous bats identical to the ones used by some baseball greats during their professional career.
Visitors have the chance to actually grip professional model bats just like the ones swung by Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Hack Wilson, Mickey Vernon, Mike Scioscia and Frank “Home Run” Baker.
The museum, located at 301 Iven Ave., Wayne, is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The museum is truly excited to have as its very special guest the iconic Bobby Shantz, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Yankees. His appearance is in conjunction with that of three Delaware County baseball writers and a sale of baseball memorabilia at the museum from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 9.
Shantz was the winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1952 when he played for the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1958, he was a member of the World Champion Yankees.
Writer Rich Westcott appears with Bobby, together with fellow authors Rich Pagano and Bob Mclaughlin. Their appearance is in celebration of the 25 books that Westcott has authored.
No ball park in Philadelphia is more revered than Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium, located at Twenty-First Street and Lehigh Avenue, and few players who played on that field were as outstanding or memorable as Bobby Shantz. He made his major league debut there in 1949 with the Philadelphia A’s and his last major league appearance with the 1964 Phillies.
Besides winning the 1952 MVP award, Bobby was also an eight-time Golden Glove award winner and three-time AllStar. In the 1952 all-star game, he struck out three fearsome hitters of the era — Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial — in a row.
Mr. Shantz, a World War II veteran, is, at 92, the oldest living major league player to have won baseball’s Most Valuable Player award. Don’t miss this chance to see, upfront and personal, a true living legend of Major League baseball.
Also on display that day will be two of the most intriguing pieces of baseball memorabilia in the entire country. One is the National League Championship Silver Bat award that was presented to Roberto Clemente in 1967 by NL president Warren Giles. The other is a 25 inches by 42 inches horsehide having over 200 American League Baseball signatures of team players, coaches and managers collected by Mickey Vernon during the 1957 season at Fenway Park.
For information, call Jim Vankoski at 610-9094919.