This Man Had a Wonderful Life
Last summer when baseball's All Star Week Fan Fest came to New York, it included a feature display on Bill Werber, a truly fascinating baseball character. He celebrated his 100th birthday last summer -- and was still doing interviews during which he reminisced about breaking into the majors on the team commonly known as Murderer's Row. As baseball focused on Yankees history that week, Werber, the last surviving teammate of Babe Ruth -- and later a standout player on the Cincinnati Reds -- was honored, as well. (Click on the picture to read the text from the exhibit.)
One of those people any fan would enjoy having the chance to chat with over a round of cold beer. Imagine, this man played with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Bill Dickey!! He and Dickey, both crafty guys, had the rare distinction of being able to beat the Yankees' legendary numbers 3 and 4 -- albeit in card games on the mammoth train rides that were a part of 1930s baseball.
Last year he marked his 100th birthday With his memory still strong, Werber, welcomed reporters to his North Carolina home -- such as Steve Politi of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger. Clearly, he enjoyed being the last link to a hallowed time.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/01/former_yankee_billy_werber_100.html
He made his mark in Cincinnati -- where he played for the Reds 1940 World Champions -- and even on TV. On August 26th, 1939, Werber was the Reds' leadoff batter in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. As the visiting team, Cincinnati hit first -- in the first major league game ever telecast. NBC's still-experimental New York TV station broadcast the game, thus making Bill Werber the first big leaguer ever to bat on TV!
One of those people any fan would enjoy having the chance to chat with over a round of cold beer. Imagine, this man played with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Bill Dickey!! He and Dickey, both crafty guys, had the rare distinction of being able to beat the Yankees' legendary numbers 3 and 4 -- albeit in card games on the mammoth train rides that were a part of 1930s baseball.
Last year he marked his 100th birthday With his memory still strong, Werber, welcomed reporters to his North Carolina home -- such as Steve Politi of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger. Clearly, he enjoyed being the last link to a hallowed time.http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/01/former_yankee_billy_werber_100.html
He made his mark in Cincinnati -- where he played for the Reds 1940 World Champions -- and even on TV. On August 26th, 1939, Werber was the Reds' leadoff batter in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. As the visiting team, Cincinnati hit first -- in the first major league game ever telecast. NBC's still-experimental New York TV station broadcast the game, thus making Bill Werber the first big leaguer ever to bat on TV!
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