Thursday, September 10, 2009

Dodger Correspondence: Al Epperly

Al Epperly had quite an amazing professional career. He played pro-ball for 17 seasons and had two stints in the Majors with the Dodgers and Cubs. The crazy thing is that his Major League appearances were 12 years apart. He played for Chicago in 1938, and then the Dodgers in 1950. His letter below explains it a bit.
I think the greatest thrill in Baseball was winning my first start in the Major Leagues on my nineteenth birthday in 1938. I was with the Chicago Cubs and beat the Phillies 21 to 2.

My second was in 1951 with the St. Paul ball club in the American Association when I won 21 games and lost 5. This took in the whole season and the playoffs. All these games were as a relief pitcher.

After hurting my arm in 1938 and re-injuring it badly in 1941 I was told I would never pitch again. I started pitching underhanded and had several good years as a relief pitcher until I quit after the 1954 season.
He taught himself how to pitch again and found himself back in the show.
(click to enlarge)

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