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Picture Credits:
Jimmy Piersall's greatest contribution to the game was his insistence that the game should be played to have fun. And he never disappointed his following. He had a great sense of humor, even though he pushed it to the limits. He also had a sharp wit and used it with fans and sports writers. Being such a crowd pleaser and a good draw, the front office of every team he played on loved him, until he did something to anger them.
It was around the seventh inning when most of the fans were either drunk or tired of waiting for something else to happen, when it did. Mickey Mantle had just singled off Lopez and was holding at first base. Suddenly, without warning, while the next Yankee was at bat, two young punks jumped from the Bleachers and physically attacked Jimmy.
Joey saw it all, "Hey, look at those guys. They're boxing with Piersall," he cried to his cousins, while the stadium went into a frenzy. The announcer on the transistor radio (carried by John Albert) gave a detailed description of the incident as it happened. These young hoodlums got in a number of blows to Jimmy's head, but Jim fought back with a few of his own. Joey noticed the stance of one, just like he was boxing in the ring.
The creeps had had enough and turned tail and ran toward right field, followed close behind by an infuriated Jimmy Piersall. It was pure mayhem. Umpires, ushers, ground keepers, players from both dugouts, stadium security guards and several policemen converged on the two punks. As Jimmy was running after them, he was jumping in mid-air trying to kick them in the behind as he ran. He succeeded in kicking one of the ushers squarely in the backside as the man ran between Jimmy and one of the brutes. The poor usher fell flat on his face, his cap flew off as he fell. Jimmy didn't bother to stop, he continued to chase the hoods still trying to kick them as he ran.
The real highlight of this whole affair was when Mantle, on first base, seeing Jimmy's predicament, raced from the bag and intercepted one of the thugs in right field, tackling him to the ground and holding him there until the police hand-cuffed him and hauled him out of the park. His companion was surrounded and taken down by a crowd of ushers, security guards and police. Joey noticed Mantle's dash, "Johnny, look at Mantle, he's running to right. Look, he's got one down. He's got a headlock on the crum." Everyone was fascinated. John Henry was standing on his seat trying to get a better look see pushing on his cousin's Joey's shoulders for support. John Albert listening intently on the radio. Joey just transfixed and amazed!
Needless to say the entire stadium was in utter pandemonium. A full house of hysterical fans, hollering and screaming in a frenzy, everyone on their feet. It took a very long time to restore order, and the game continued. It was a Yankee victory, in the end. Jimmy had returned to center after being examined by a doctor. he was fit to continue. he didn't play the second game. Most people went home.
John Albert said, after the place calmed down a bit, "See, this was worth it. What a day!" His cousins couldn't have agreed more. They went home still talking about what had happened, and spent the rest of the evening telling the folks at home all about it.
Jimmy Piersall's career was winding down and he subsequently retired in 1967. He finished the 1965 season with a respectable .268 batting average, 2 home runs and 12 RBIs. Not bad for a part-time player (only 53 games and 112 at bats). He was honored with a ceremony by the Angels with a special night (May 27, 1967) presenting him and his wife with gifts and a $1,000 bond for each of his nine children. He worked for a time as a broadcast announcer for the White Sox. He became too controversial with his outspoken opinions and criticisms of club management. He was fired. His legacy of one zany and entertaining baseball player will be remembered by many fans.
~~~~ THE END ~~~~
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Footnote: A similar incident occured years earlier on September 10, 1961 when, with the Indians and playing a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, Piersall fought with a fan who had climbed down onto the field.
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Appendix:
James Anthony (Jimmy) Piersall
Born: November 14, 1929
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175
Teams:
Boston Red Sox - 1950, 1952- '58
Cleveland Indians - 1959 - '61
Washington Senators - 1962 - '63
New York Mets - 1963
California/Los Angeles Angels - 1963- '67
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Positions: OF (1614 games)
SS (30 games in 1952)
3B (2 games; 1 in 1952, 1 in 1959)
American League Gold Glove winner in 1958 and 1961
All-Star in 1954 and 1956
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