171: Preacher Roe - MLB

Preacher Roe had a cup of coffee with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938, appearing in just one game. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings and didn't see another #MLB game until 1944 after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. But once he got to Pittsburgh, he became one of the National League's most reliable pitchers. He played with Pittsburgh for four years before being traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he became one of the best pitchers in baseball - period. His 1951 season, when he went 22-3 with a 3.04 ERA, is considered to be one of the best in history. Overall, Roe won 127 games. A four-time All-Star, Roe helped the Dodgers to three National League pennants and went 2-1 with an ERA of just 2.54 over the course of three World Series against the New York Yankees. Yet, as good as Roe was, his career is largely overlooked. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at Roe's journey to the Majors, the obstacles he had to overcome, and his near brush with death with my guest, David Jerome, whose new book, "The Life of A Professional Baseball Great From the Ozarks: Preacher Roe." Jerome, who went deep in his research about Roe tells us how Preacher got his nickname, how the family baseball team helped launch his career, and how his other profession, a grade-school teacher, helped shape the man he became.

Takeaways:

• Preacher Rowe's career is a testament to perseverance and overcoming adversity in sports.
• Rowe's remarkable achievements include leading the Dodgers to three National League pennants in the 1950s.
• Despite his success, Rowe remains one of the most overlooked pitchers in baseball history.
• The podcast highlights Rowe's colorful personality and his contributions to the Dodgers' legacy.
• Listeners learn about the influence of Rowe's early life and upbringing on his baseball career.
• The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing lesser-known sports heroes who shaped their games.

Links referenced in this episode:

• sportshistorynetwork.com
• sportsfh.infomail.com
• mcfarlandbooks.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Sports History Network
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• Brooklyn Dodgers
• New York Yankees
• Harding College
• McFarland