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Bobby Richardson sits down with Brian to discuss his fascinating career with the Yankees, including stories about his legendary teammates, the 1961 se...
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My next guess was the right guy the right time for the New York Yankees because they never let him go he let the Yankees golf he's the author of impact player leaving a legacy on and off the field.
The starting second basis for the Yankees for a lot of years from 55 to 66.
Bobby Richards Richardson.
Welcome to our show thank you Brian we're really good it was a handsome guy at the covered -- to the right here with a smile on your face I'm 77 and I did get out of baseball in the early days but I sure enjoyed that not only playing -- coaching.
As well what I love about these books is you bring us back to America at that time.
Years and you growing up let me see -- probably drafted in my 52.
Actually is no draft at that time and -- graduated high school in 5353.
And so you brought -- -- what was life like in America and you own them.
-- my hometown as a small southern town and they love baseball my dad loved baseball.
And he afforded me the opportunities on Little League play right on up to American legion.
And my first year -- American legion we won the state championship regional championship playing in Charlotte, North Carolina against Richmond Virginia.
Took our team out to see a film for the game.
And the film was front of the Yankees -- to -- years Gary Cooper played the part of the film an -- -- -- great organization.
And I thought mantle and Babe Ruth played himself and -- -- -- played himself and Gary Cooper played Lugar and that's right.
And then I came back to something in the next year the New York Yankees have a farm club in my hometown of -- South Carolina -- Smith the manager.
Came out and watched me play high school baseball and that's when he said when you graduate -- -- to -- you have a chance society with the Yankees they were even rules then we US south or freshman.
I was I was a sophomore there were rules and he couldn't officially talked to me but -- graduation he was there we correspond to the Yankees kept in touch -- it was mildly at that time.
Sure enough today graduated now had a chance to sign with twelve of the sixteen -- -- America and -- Credible what kind of player look so that people want -- open this little guy.
There's late short stuff and his small town and never have the one home run and Omar career in Sumpter South Carolina.
With him so how would you describe yourself as a player back then.
It be hard to describe except.
I love the game and I it was a good fielder can field -- my position very well.
And I -- place a lot to a lot of excel and -- They cited till seven how many different levels of minor -- so you decide by the way just did not go to quick.
You decide you want to be yankees the Yankees are coming after you you can't believe you fortune and it was a -- -- that eventually side view from the wanted to originally saw you.
So you get this offer you decide to sign with the Yankees.
And for how much is it.
Well 4000 dollars if you got more than 4000 dollars in that particular year.
He had to go up and spent two years on the -- roster that would be a waste of time for seventeen year old to come to the Yankees for Kinney -- and it would just be a waste of time you not ready yet.
So the 4000 dollars that was an offer from twelve teams was including the first year salary as well as some moments applied that -- -- you dad making at the time.
His fellow American 5560.
Dollars a week something so for him to make that offer and him have such a hard job didn't cut marble.
He did Marlon granite tombstone business his father before him in that business and very comfortable lead and no we didn't have much money we always had everything we needed.
Food was there of course so Bobby Bobby -- here's our -- his book is out the story of his life impact player.
So you're you're out playing you get -- -- the Yankees was there -- surreal moment she saw how hard you dad working you have to work hard that this was thinking.
Did you ever sit back it's I cannot believe this is happening I did in fact.
The fellow that owned Coca-Cola bottling company in my hometown -- -- -- -- flight in New York coverage for the Yankees for your workout with the team for four days.
I've said I've never been on -- plane can -- -- -- the way we took the train from some truth to Florence to New York.
Checked into the hotel new Yorker took -- -- about the Yankee Stadium.
And for four days are worked out there were playing the Saint Louis browns at that time and for toward days I was asked to put on -- uniform.
And a walk on on the feel feel some ground balls at second base and shortstop.
And then take some swings with a ridiculous and batting practice and grew up in the stands and what's the game well and you are in the when you -- on the field Mickey Mantle -- describe the roster then he had Mickey -- yet Whitey Ford.
You have therapy yoga Rivera was there who has it was very nice to you invest SE but in particular Mickey Mantle who you might think he was is already a legend -- Ariza taken from taking over DiMaggio.
Would -- do for you that you'll never forget they would is actually in this.
Look well it is Brian and what happened after I feel the ground balls Chris Anderson come on in and take some swings -- -- -- -- -- frank Chris said he longtime coach and mainstay of the Yankees all those years had played earlier coach all those years and I stood there on the bad days that wasn't about to step in front of -- Mario Rivera but Mickey Mantle came up and put his armor I mean it's -- c'mon kid.
-- -- even take some swings.
And it started a friendship that's lasted a lifetime a dozen years in New York is his teammate.
We -- a little place together in Boone North Carolina after retirement and I remember one occasion he and I were there and we're both chairman grand marshals of a ski festival.
He didn't know how to -- united know how to ski and we filmed it on a -- like we knew were going to do.
And I do remember one other thing too we were -- helicopter flying to Charlotte the weather was bad -- like yesterday here in new York and windy cloudy a little bit of rain and and -- a -- man maybe you -- -- and -- that's my wife medical and have tritium and read the scriptures before we get on that to helicopters overhead there it is -- Oh and is he also said to will be here when you put his -- and he knew it would take -- picture and that's pictures also in the book that pictures in the book she said.
There was when I was out of the dugout he said come over here in he said the fire photographer shall follow me over there and sure enough the next day had a picture of me and most of New York -- -- -- A pointing out to me Yankee Stadium and Bobbie Richardson two year from the New York Yankees.
He's he could probably play today but he's not -- decide to retire at 31 -- decide you know it's gonna be journey to get out there and no one's guaranteed getting through.
They started to be level which is shorter triple -- and double -- And when you are ready so they -- you down if you data conversation with the coach but you -- seems optimistic this in any stress like oh my god I'm not gonna make it.
We do is there's something inside -- that said how many get the year I know I can do it.
Well there was one time when our turn to go home and but they had a shortstop there was really good ball player home run hitter and he got drafted for three months.
Now for three weeks and the National Guard I guess it was.
And I took his placement for a minute short stuff and -- fielded well enough about batting average was Paloma.
My -- at that time.
And so I was discouraged and I thought man maybe this is not cut off from me -- my dad came up and talk to me and the desire was still there and when the general manager said we want you to go to and play with boys near your age.
I -- toll in new York and I -- do well -- for twelve and pulley in new York and and I was skipped over class -- -- -- -- was invited to play with a Binghamton ballclub which was -- when you finally get to the Yankees -- -- short -- your second baseman.
And you -- at that time is Casey Stengel.
Who's -- genius but -- was it tough playing for a guy when you really didn't know what he would do next with you get a BP -- -- -- -- -- the starting lineup the next day.
I'm blessed because I'm not sure you ever learn by name but out here.
But I live look at the lineup and what he said -- -- we've got mr.
resume or you're gonna find a new position so that's that's a good god moved over to second base and Jerry Coleman took time to really teach me how to make the double play at that time even the -- vying for his position and would eventually taking the -- actually Billy Martin was.
The remark mrs.
segment Gil McDougall was are also at that time playing all -- position but it doesn't -- you have -- got down along the way.
He -- -- I had an idea that that girl that I thought was so beautiful and found that she was fourteen at the time I'm -- -- engaged.
Fred you're really read that book you know -- thirty.
I am fascinated by your life in and we'll kind of look at all the success you've had and every level.
But -- she decide to do that you ask your manager originally you're in the minor leagues and I go back and get married they go now to -- to the end of the year -- and yes Ralph how.
The the battled the decorated veteran -- it was a manager in general manager of the Yankees -- he said.
Well first of all -- was the owner of the ballclub that I went to your first Bob -- -- who later -- other ball clubs as well and he says silliest thing I've ever heard of -- into the season.
And then I went to Ralph houk and -- and actually go ahead take is -- long.
And so I did and I flew back to South Carolina -- -- -- married in the church there in Sumpter South Carolina.
Drove back out today in the -- and lost on the way and the Ozarks somewhere out there and it took -- a little over a week indicated your love and I finally got back.
But Ralph has been.
-- mentor because at a younger mentor in South Carolina but he's been the one of looked up to in my whole baseball career I was within my whole career to so Bob.
You end up getting to the big team but you didn't start until Billy Martin was traded.
And that must have been tough for you because Billy Martin Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle.
They were -- -- they were the -- in the clubhouse well the three names you mentioned what I until the Copacabana one night and they ran up a bill that was pretty much more than they had and so.
Billy Martin decided to sign the -- named the check conduct then typing and like that so they traded there are more intensity.
That you -- do that he can -- felt -- before I don't know familiarized there.
And I remember we waited outside for about an hour in Kansas City and Billy came over and finally just said album is it okay -- -- -- -- Kansas City and then UNN and you pleads for the Yankees for all those years you -- seven almost most -- teams UN you were a World Series MVP.
And they gave you Corvette and he said I'd rather have a station like.
I did my son has forty series and then I can't believe you did that I.
Couldn't get my family and that -- it was a two seater and I go back to South Carolina and I really traded it for a Jeep I had an old station wagon.
And I traded that Corbett -- -- news station wagon energy and -- you I want to bring it to some years it's standout number when you became World Series champion.
But number two you're MVP the World Series but most people think about 61 they did a movie on it and -- when Mark McGwire Sammy Sosa.
Actually broke the record later to be broken again by Barry Bonds.
People talk about the 1961 season.
What do you remember from that year.
Well -- remember first of all after the series was over.
That they made a sweatshirt with a number of home -- Roger Maris 61 Mickey -- 543 -- with no DH has -- over sixty home runs.
And I only have three that you and I wouldn't Wear this sweatshirt because I was embarrassed.
-- -- back to the season to be honest everybody on our ballclub was pulling for Mickey Mantle to be the one to break babe -- home run record.
And then of course when Mel Allen came home board and sending down to his doctor and the shot became an infection and couldn't play those less -- -- -- -- problems he was having some have problems says if that's correct and they formed an abscess in the hip when they got a bank shot to shot in the wrong way.
And it it was just he's a huge huge hole -- his hit -- the -- -- -- -- -- the 54 homers this is dead.
And and then in the 61 series he came back to play in the second or third game and you could after a time of metrics in the blow reducing to.
I just mantle was just the most courageous -- I think governor percentage but I heard his whole time correct yes right by the here's what I can't figure I've been locked rooms before now like -- your level just because I played soccer through college.
And is -- like the guys that are cool like the point is on the guys that are from other countries in my sport in particular others it try to fit in and don't.
You are very very religious guy you Christians.
Throughout this book you get -- you get that message and still today.
Yet you had -- carousing Billy Morton Whitey Ford Mickey Mantle.
Why did they embrace you you the -- of the inverse of them.
Well -- -- I can't answer that except to say that I really did have.
A tremendous report with all of my teammates we were like family Billy Martin for instance.
When after -- been a manager with the Yankees know I was coaching on the level in the South Carolina coastal Carolina university and I called him up and a civility.
Would you come down and -- a golf benefit we need to raise some money for athletics he set -- declined to.
He came down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina win a golf tournament down there he outbid everybody for everything -- it.
And then he wrote me a letter and -- that -- said -- -- retired number one you wore that number and I want you to know.
That as long as you're live -- you can play -- old timers games and continued to use number.
Any sign that your friend in god Billy Martin.
Well that's great and that was his number that was his number and I enables retired for him of course -- -- Oh go ahead well I was -- just mention a couple others Roger Maris for instance Roger would.
Come -- home and I say and then at Pinehurst playing golf gonna combined spent a couple days -- -- and he'd come and go out watch my -- -- American legion baseball Mickey Mantle on five occasions came down I've got a picture of my youngest son -- being born Richard -- is holding them in my front chart in South Carolina.
And then I I can just go on down -- I -- clean Boris memorial service in Atlanta Georgia.
-- was a great ball player best defensive third baseman all of baseball even though Brooks Robinson had fifteen gold -- -- there.
He had to go to the nationally to fifth pick up from the local -- tremendous ballplayer but I had that report with those guys on the apple even though -- came to -- you stay home.
Well I did Tony Koubek and I would go we would never milk -- his it was suggestions in the book that -- -- to.
To do some things that they would consider Audrey played ping -- -- that's my background -- on somebody just.
Even as it reaches can watch this you with the Tim Tebow VE day where -- -- -- -- you're religious views religiously you're also lead before role models were big deal you -- in our Roma.
His personality is different than mine I was never outspoken and I think one of the things I appreciated the most Joseph DiMaggio came back as a -- -- a British pension.
And he used or memorable occasion he says he Richie and -- when you go to California the phone monitoring will be Marilyn Monroe please tell her that I'm not making this trip.
And then when Joseph DiMaggio to it.
There was a sport trying to humbling that's for real.
This is for real well yes yes it is no no no no she would actually call if you -- totally -- is since the fall guy for life -- is here with me in the studio.
But your way.
-- but it's -- -- there was a sportswriter but name Greenburg and -- interviewed Joseph DiMaggio.
About three -- foremost before and and he said that took notes and he said some interest in things about you would like to send those note to -- And what Joseph was saying is that I didn't have that personality that Tebow -- I was very -- we go out to dinner together he knew -- -- a Christian.
I remember one time he came to and I -- -- say this I ran for congress I don't think -- that the book but you know actress have been my first check for 500 dollars and when -- put an old timers game DiMaggio was there and he said hey.
-- and I'll fly across the country don't experience and -- your hometown do anything you won't -- -- Chuck Colson magistrate -- -- book at that time -- born again and I gave Joseph the book can be said.
But it like that guy and I said well I didn't like some things about him but I think you appreciate the change in this life he said okay I'll take it.
And then decision magazine had an article that his brother events it was -- of course Ngo and Vance and -- was sitting down watching television one night and read in the newspaper his wife was there within watch Billy Graham on television the next night he put down the newspaper the next night.
He got on his knees in the same word as a group that chuck -- -- it was born again.
Clip that I had sent it to Joseph and his response to be was I got your letter.
But we had wonderful times together and what he was saying I didn't word on -- children I didn't make a big deal about it.
But I remember one time McCoy -- -- -- not to twelve Quayle and I was flying out to speak of American -- for a series of stop by sending.
-- Cisco and I went -- I gave him twelve Quayle and so have the chef prepared to time and we had a wonderful relationship and that's true -- teammates his guests were from -- -- in the -- well.
Ralph houk was my manager toughest guy I've ever met in all of baseball but.
I just had a great report -- team she.
You and -- in this book if you want to give your -- a book and say this guy achieved everything he wanted and his greatest achievement possibly was.
Being a dad first and 31 he said yeah I love the Yankees -- -- Stanley more I wanna be the -- and you left those stories in the color behind is all included.
Bobbie thanks so much for the for the great times you've given baseball fans for coming in telling the story really -- -- our country.
