Mara was a senior at Syracuse University, and the next season, Blomberg was promoted to Syracuse in the AAA International League. He was supposed to be the Yankees' next big star, a strapping, golden-haired slugger out of Atlanta blessed with a sweet lefty swing, the gift of gab and a laid-back Southern charm that instantly endeared him to a tough New York crowd. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. After some initial dawdling and tinkering with the rules of the new position, the AL put the DH in play for the 1973 season. Four days later he went 3-for-4 against Cleveland, driving in two more runs as New York pasted the Tribe, 9-2. There were four or five guys on the team who never spoke to me and would not associate with me outside of the ballpark. Ron Blomberg, Dan Epstein. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman and right fielder. 1 Obituaries, Atlanta Constitution, April 22, 2961: 18. Ron Blomberg - Biography. Ron Blomberg had a relatively unnoteworthy career but on this day in Yankees history he made his mark and etched his name into the history books. Show your support and love for this mission with a shirt personally designed by Ron and his team. What do you think of the way fans have been reacting to The Captain and Me? Werner von Blomberg German officer minister of defence 1933-1938 Blomberg during a manoeuvre of the German army Photo: Kuehlewindt - probably in 1934. On December 7, 1973, they acquired outfielder Lou Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright from Kansas City for pitcher Lindy McDaniel. RECEIVE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY AND ADD A PERSONAL INSCRIPTION WHEN CHECKING OUT. Hitting is his best feature and his running is above average. I hope he does. The restaurant offered a deal whereas if the customer ate a 72-ounce steak and all the trimmings within an hour, the meal was free. On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg ruined baseball. Being a number one pick like myself, we became good friends. Even though he was Jewish, my relationship was not good with pitcher Steve Stone. Born on August 23, 1948 in United States of America, Ron Blomberg started his career as Athlete . He added a .360 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging average. In retirement, Blomberg has stayed close to the game he loved so much. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. His first stop on the Yankees minor league chain was Johnson City, Tennessee, in the Rookie Appalachian League. He was born November 24, 1941 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Arthur and Margaret Blomberg who have preceded him in death. The shirt can be purchased autographed or unautographed. I got to play in Yankee Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world. Phoenix, AZ 85004 Thurman Munson was obviously a huge part of that revival. Blomberg was switched to first base for the 1972 season, where he split time with Felipe Alou, starting 90 games. Theres even some stuff in there about hanging around with some of the gangsters like Gambino and Gotti. "I'm better off away from them," the. He writes about baseball, music and pop culture for a variety of outlets, including Rolling Stone, Revolver and the Jewish Daily Forward. A synagogue firebombing occurred just three blocks from our house and made national headlines, said Blomberg, as depicted in the movie Driving Miss Daisy. But for now, were making the case for Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg. One was a good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlantawho cheerfully talked anyones ear off at the slightest provocation; the other was a dumpy, grumpy dude from the Midwest rust belt who was about as fond of making idle chit-chat as he was of shaving. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. Blomberg and his wife, Beth, still live in his hometown of Atlanta, but the pioneer DH hopes to co-host a bimonthly show in New York this season, which would allow him to work around his other. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020-2022 BallNine, llc. After his retirement from baseball in 1978, Blomberg worked with numerous charitable organizations, most recently the Israel Cancer Research Fund, where he serves as honorary chairman and spokesperson. He was given a full share of the winners pot, $27,758.04.18. What he did for the organization, for the fans in New York and really fans across the country was incredible. If Ralph thinks I can help most by being the DH, then its all right with me, he said. Unfortunately, I came up and was going good but I got injured a lot. The Yankee fan favorite joins us for this weeks edition of Spitballin. In April 2006, Blomberg's biography, Designated Hebrew: the Ron Blomberg Story[18] was released by Sports Publishing. 2 Bid - 1972 Topps Set-Break #203 Ron Blomberg NR-MINT *GMCARDS* $ 0.79. The book is a deeply personal story of a friendship between two teammates, and of a human bond which ultimately transcends the game itself. You can follow Ron Blomberg on Twitter @RonBlomberg1 and at www.RonBlombergYankees.com. 3 Peter Ephross with Martin Abramowitz, Jewish Major Leaguers: In Their Own Words, (Jefferson, NC: McFarland 2012), 156. The Atlanta August 23, 1948-born Athlete expert is arguably the worlds most influential Ron Blomberg is expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. Being able to come up to New York where there was a large Jewish population was a fantasy for me. The New York Yankees have been blessed with some of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. One of those players is Ron Blomberg. He excelled in basketball and baseball, earning 125 college scholarship offers in basketball. There are a handful of players who most agree belong in the Hall of Fame who played during Blombergs era. 4. Login to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. The Blombergs operated a jewelry store on Alabama Street in Atlanta. Please help Baseball Wiki by revising it. Whitey and Yogi were around and Ralph Houk. But the visitors were shellacked, 15-5. The New York Yankees owned the first draft selection in the free agent draft on June 6, 1967. Expectations where high, as Ron was heralded as "the next Mickey Mantle." Though injuries would prevent Ron from ever matching "The Mick's" statistical glory, he still never failed to generate productive seasons, and was the . Blomberg is in high demand as a motivational speaker, telling his story of perseverance and his successes. One was a good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlanta, who cheerfully talked anyone's ear off at the . Through a quirk of fate the young Jewish Yankee became the first designated hitter to play an MLB game. Thurman was like George. 1. As back-to-back #1 draft picks for the New York Yankees, Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson made for an odd couple. Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312-676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com . Oh, absolutely. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948), nicknamed "Boomer", is an American former professional baseball player and minor league manager. I am getting better, but Im not a natural [as a complete player].12. When Ron Blomberg stepped up to the plate for the New York Yankees on April 6, 1973, he knew he was making history. [8] He tore his knee in the 1977 exhibition season when he hit the outfield wall, and missed that season too. In addition, there were a lot of born-again Christians on the team who held regular prayer meetings. Before there was the Big Hurt, Edgar, Baines and Big Papi, there was "Boomer," the Jewish slugger from Georgia who stepped into baseball immortality, however unintentionally. According to testimony given much later at the Nuremberg trials, information received by the Police Commissioner within days also . Being Jewish and living in the South, there werent too many of us there. Retired baseball player Ron Blomberg has a theory as to why he gets invited to speak at so many different organizations. How did you become a baseball fan as a kid, and did you have any favorite players or teams? But it was the International League whose use of the permanent pinch-hitter that led to the designated hitter of today. On June 30, manager Bob Lemon was fired and replaced by Larry Doby. Cant beat it. Blomberg was a natural hitter who had a remarkably quick bat with tremendous power. He fired Bill Virdon and brought in Billy Martin. We didnt have any money, so that was my first time on a plane. [3], Blomberg enjoyed the attention he received in New York because he was Jewish: "To be able to play in front of 8 million Jews! Ron Blomberg played for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox during his eight seasons in the Major Leagues. You now can have me personalize your copy with an inscription and autograph. You came up to the Yankees during a tough period, but they were building the team up to that late-70s success. An injury to Roy White opened a space on the roster and Blomberg took full advantage of the opportunity. Ron Blomberg played for the Yankee from 1969 and 1978 and is one of the most unsung Yankee players. Unfortunately, I had knee operations and shoulder operations, but there was nothing I could do about that. I told my parents, if I got drafted by the Yankees number one, I was going to sign with them. Helen Blomberg's familty tree; Badgeguy's Family (3680 KB) All of the family and everybody that's married in. Ron Blomberg was born in Atlanta, GA on August 23, 1948. My conviction was strong.2, Many of Blombergs teammates in youth baseball leagues did not know or had never met a Jewish person. Baltic states. He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. Your book has already gained a lot of attention and it hasnt even been officially released yet. In 1969, four minor leagues were given permission to experiment with using a substitute hitter. As Blomberg puts it, if a reporter asked a dumb question, Munson told them so. But hes right, I didnt know anyone. On May 4, 1975, at Milwaukee, he suffered what was at first believed to be a right shoulder strain. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. I saw it. felt that he should play every day but manager Ralph Houk platooned him, hampering his ability to develop into a star player. Blomberg takes great pride in that distinction. In 64 games, Blomberg batted .322, with seven home runs and 31 RBIs. You had an incredible scholastic career as a football, baseball and basketball All-American. But some day, Ill be in the lineup every day. Dan Epstein, a well-known baseball writer, assisted Blomberg, and Munson's widow wrote an introduction. I didnt blend in to the Chicago clubhouse as well as I had hoped. Yankees Can Dream, Cant They? The Sporting News, May 11, 1968: 42. AL owners realized it was a 14-13 slugfest that put fans in the seats, not a 1-0 pitchers duel. When the time came to make a decision on his path forward, the options he had on the table were playing basketball for John Wooden at UCLA alongside Lew Alcindor, going to play football for Bear Bryant at Alabama or signing with the Yankees, who chose him as the first overall pick in the 1967 draft. 15 Phil Pepe, Blomberg Faces Lefties in Desperation Move, The Sporting News, June 15, 1974: 16. The book is not even out yet and its already in the Top 25 baseball books. On March 23, New York purchased outfielder Elliott Maddox from Texas. Houk used a platoon system in some cases, and Blomberg was no exception. I saw it. A lot of the writers didnt talk to him after games because he was tough. Theres been a lot written about the relationship between Thurman and George. I definitely want to get into your book and thoughts on Thurman Munson, but first lets start at the beginning. . Ron Blomberg's story is more than a baseball tale, and more than a religious tale. 33 talking about this. You had the Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Tennessee. The side of The Captain that shows how much he loved his family, how valued he was as a friend and all of the charitable work he did while he was alive. On this day in 1973, New York Yankees first baseman Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in MLB history. You managed Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, what was that experience like? [14], In 2007 Blomberg received the city of Atlantas Phoenix Award from Mayor Shirley Franklin for his outstanding service and achievements, both as a professional athlete and citizen through his charitable works in Atlanta and throughout the country. Blomberg was not receiving much of an opportunity to face southpaws. And trust me, when he lays that moniker on you in conversation, you feel like youre one of his old Yankee pals he reveres so much. Youre talking about three Hall of Famers right off the bat. He has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on August 23, 1948. All rights reserved. What made you choose baseball? Ronnie didnt eat that much, said his father. But the Bombers were swept by Cincinnati in the World Series. "I was a guy who ran into a wall and gave 120% all the time.". I got to put on the Pinstripes. A 34-40 record at the end of June landed them in fifth place of the AL West, but just five games behind first-place Texas. He might have eight or nine years in the major leagues. He ended his career having amassed a life-time .293 batting average, with 52 home runs and 224 RBI. The Yankees were figuring that with Bonds, a right-handed batter in the lineup, they would face more right-handed hurlers. Upon being asked to do the interview, I was sent a copy of the book and immediately read it, and began preparing. Although the concept had been discussed since the middle of the 1900's, when. 2. The home run wasnt the biggest thrill, said Blomberg. In1971, he hit .322 for the parent club in 199 at bats. It was not just Blomberg, as the White Sox as a team were not performing as they had in the past season. I signed when the team was owned by CBS. You mentioned Mickey Mantle was your hero. He is one of the Richest Baseball Player who was born in United States. Cadet branches. The deeply personal story of a friendship between two teammates, and of a human bond which ultimately transcends the game itself. background-image:unset; The story of Ron's life and career is one that can inspire anyone to believe that their goals, no matter how difficult they may appear. It was like I was related to everyone. He was the guy that kept everything together; he was the guy that brought the New York Yankees back. [15], Blomberg twice was voted the most popular person in New York. My parents had always told me you have to have a strong faith, you will always have adversities in life, people will be against the Jews, that I had to watch out for it and had to be a lot stronger. Blomberg recalled hearing Roy White yelling for him to stop before he ran into the concrete outfield wall. You know, I can always tell people the Yankees beat the Mets in Israel too. No matter what, he was gonna bring the Yankees to meet his highest expectations of himself and the fans. It's still possible to cover up - if only the 55 year old general Wilhelm Keitel, head of a department at the War Ministry, whose career Blomberg fostered - his daughter was married to Keitel's son - would cooperate. The Chicago White Sox signed Ron Blomberg in 1978 after he played for a decade in the New York Yankees . "[7] He also received 100 football scholarship offers. . Show more. In 2021, Triumph Books published The Captain & Me,[19] Blomberg's second book. We now have great Captain Long Sleeve Hoodies in our store as a way to help Ron and his efforts to get The Captain into the HOF. Blomberg hit the free agent market and signed a four-year pact worth a reported $600,000 with the Chicago White Sox.19 Chicago was coming off a tremendous year in 1977. Blomberg, a Jewish superstar athlete from Georgia, and the gruff Munson were roommates for five years and were more family than they were friends. The team was basically just a tax write off for them. Can you reflect on your career with the Yankees? All those great schools in the south. Who is Ron Blomberg dating? The following season, a new position was created, and it was one that made Ron Blomberg a household name. [7], He received 125 basketball scholarship offers, and John Wooden of the University of California at Los Angeles came out to meet him in person. This is Ron's. [12], The White Sox signed Blomberg as a free agent for $300,000 in 1978. Blomberg is a scout for the New York Yankees in the Atlanta area. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. I have a couple more questions for you. Piniella, the 1969 AL Rookie of the Year, would be a mainstay in the outfield in New York for the next 11 years. Blombergs career statistics included a .293 batting average with 52 home runs and 224 RBIs. Its awesome to see you have so much pride in your career. [8] Roger Couch, Blomberg's basketball coach, said: "Blomberg is the finest basketball player I ever saw high school or college. Expect More. 1 draft picks for the New York Yankees, Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson made for an odd couple. his net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. }, Cronkite School at ASU He clubbed two home runs in a game at Minnesota on August 1 and again at Kansas City on August 28. Im gonna lead you to be a good team. Thats why he became the captain. Blomberg was penciled in as the sixth batter on Yankee manager Ralph Houks lineup card. He was like a baby version of George. I also had a football scholarship with Bear Bryant at Alabama. I love to play, but I know Im a better hitter than anything else. This has been really enjoyable and its great to hear how much Thurman Munson meant to you personally and its really fantastic you are pushing him for the Hall of Fame. Ron Blomberg, former ball player for the Yankees, kept audience members enthralled with his stories. His lifetime record at Marist, from 1975-2005, was 616-199 . Then I just started babbling, I guess. People connect with that. Blomberg made his debut with the Yankees as a 20-year-old September callup in 1969 then came up to stay in 1971. But I want to find out if he can hit them, and Im going to give him a good, long shot.15. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More. What was it like when you met him for the first time? he is one of famous Athlete with the age 72 years old group. He was the victim of a platoon system once again, facing right-handed pitchers in 140 at bats and only 16 at-bats against lefties. Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright from Kansas City for pitcher Lindy McDaniel strong.2, many of teammates. Right-Handed pitchers in 140 at bats and only 16 at-bats against Lefties the permanent that... 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