If Your Birthday is June 28th...

...you share it with  Al Downing.  The Yankees first Black pitcher was a mainstay of their starting staff from 1963-'67; in '64, he became the first Yank since Allie Reynolds to lead the AL in strikeouts as the club won its history-tying fifth straight pennant.  But it was also the end of a dynasty.  Al authored three more quality seasons before being sidetracked by injuries.  After being traded to the A's (for Danny Cater), he quickly moved on to the Brewers before finding a second home with the Dodgers.  He enjoyed his most productive season in L.A. in 1971, winning 20.  Three years later, he was again part of history when Hank Aaron crushed one of his pitches for the record breaking 715th home run.

Following his playing days, Downing remained in Southern California and did well in broadcasting.  He announced Dodgers games on cable and also did radio work for the club's then-flagship station KABC.  But the Trenton, New Jersey native still found time to come back east.  I chatted with him at several Old Timers Days during the 2010, including 2019, when I snapped the top photo.

Below, Al is honored on the Wall of Fame at Binghamton, where in1961, he enjoyed his first big minor league season. 




 

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