A Funny Thing Happened to Jimmy Piersall on Number 100 …
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On June 23, 1963, Jimmy Piersall, the often zany and controversial centerfielder for the Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets and the Los Angels pulled off one of the more unusual stunts in baseball history.
While playing for the Mets and leading off against starter Dallas Green of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 5th inning of the 1st game of a twin bill, Piersall hit … a solo homerun.
Knowing that it was a milestone, his 100th homerun, a memorable moment, Piersall celebrated by circling the bases — backwards.
Phils pitcher Green, who gave up the home run, was not exactly overcome with laughter. Nor was Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick who happened to be attending the game. Nor was Mets management who would hand Jimmy his release a little over a month later, on July 27th. The home run against Dallas Green and the Phils was Piersall’s one and only National League homer. Piersall would then sign with the Los Angeles Angels where he would end his career 5 years later.
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