West, Sam F 1982-08-23

Sam West discusses his career in semi-professional baseball.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Sam F. West

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 23, 1982

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Lowell Blaisdell and Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Original involvement in sports, Roswell, New Mexico baseball team, Travel, Organization of semi-pro baseball, Status of baseball in Texas, Circuit played by rural semi-pro teams, Playoffs, Wilsey Moore, Recruited by Washington, Throwing at batters, Pitching, Pitchers, Lefty Grove, Minor league, Circuit played (again), Lubbock (1920s), Board approves placement of Texas Tech, West hit in head with ball, Managers played for, Rogers Hornsby, Bucky Harris and Jimmy Dykes, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Modern hitters compared to Ruth, Hank Aaron and Mark Schmidt, Playing National League teams, Batting against Carl Hubbel, Dizzy Dean, Petty Lyons, Difficulty of coming from behind, Rigors of schedule, Changes in temperature.

Tape 1, Side 2: Pay scale, Bucky Harris, Motivation of ball players, past and present, Rewards and distractions, Effects of free agency, Attendance and profits, Fans, Pitchers (again), Drinking among ball players, Hitters (again), Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Free agency (again), Satchel Paige and racial problems, Issues discussed by players, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Anecdote: shooting pigeons in Boston ballpark, DiMaggio (again), 42nd game, Pitchers, past versus present, Curve ball, Home runs, Sports writers announcers.

Range Dates: 1920-1982

Bulk Dates: 1920-1950s

Access Information

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Transcript:

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