Remembering Mike Hershberger and ’60s Baseball

Something made me think about Mike Hershberger, a pretty good player whom I remember as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Sadly, he died last year.

I did discover some interesting things about Mike and the mid-sixties White Sox. They had some really good records but did not win any pennants. (No bogus wild card then.) The closest they came to a pennant was in 1964 when they finished one game behind the Yankees. (The Orioles with MVP Brooks Robinson finished only two out but the Yankees did clinch the pennant on the next to last day.) It is worth noting that the Yankees had won 14 pennants in 16 seasons at that point, but would not win another for 12 years.

In the great American League pennant race of 1967, the White Sox were dealt a crushing blow when they lost a last week doubleheader at Kansas City vs the second division A’s, who moved to Oakland the next season.

Hershberger was then with the A’s and told friend, ex teammate, and ’67 White Sox fine pitcher, Joel Horlen that the A’s would beat the Chi Sox in that doubleheader. This despite going with two “kids” as pitchers.

The A’s “kid” pitchers were Chuck Dobson, who had a decent career and went (15-5) for the A’s first post season team in 40 years (1971) and Jim “Catfish” Hunter, who pitched on five World Series winning teams and is in the baseball Hall of Fame.

In searching about Mike Hershberger, I found an interview Hershberger had with Mark Liptak of “White Sox Interactive.” It was most informative and highly recommended.