May 25, 1919 – There are hidden talents to many of the athletes we celebrate that go beyond what they do while playing their particular sport. Former right-fielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Casey Stengel caught the attention of not only those in attendance at the game at Ebbett’s Field in Brooklyn where the Pirates were the battling Stengel’s former club the Dodgers but the national media was dazzled too.
When this mighty Casey came up to bat in the seventh inning, the Brooklyn crowd cheered their former star. Stengel then stepped up near the plate and tipped his hat to the fans and as he did he released a sparrow from under his baseball cap that flew agitated into the New York sky. Apparently, the right fielder had caught the bird while out in the field during the bottom of the sixth.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Edward “Butch” O’Hare: Capone, Cardinals, and a Chicago Legacy
This is one of those stories that you certainly can not make up: happiness,
The Oakland Raiders in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The 1970 Oakland Raiders dug themselves a hole by not registering a win until
Great Rookie Running Back Seasons During The 1970s
During the 1970s, there were several outstanding rookie running backs whose first year in
Super Bowl X: A Retrospective on the Thrilling Final Drive
We have finished reviewing the first 50 Super Bowls, and if you want to
NFL Player Profile: Tyreek “The Freak” Hill
When you are looking through the latest NFL odds, a man you will often see
The Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The Vikings began the 1970 season by getting a small measure of revenge for
Selling Baseball: How Superstars George Wright and Albert Spalding Impacted Sports In America
George Wright and Al Spalding are two of the most important figures in 19th
The Los Angeles Rams in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The 1970 Rams were 8–3–1 going into week thirteen, but they needed to win