In Praise of Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson, the New York Yankees all-star second baseman of the 1960s and a perennial World Series hero, turned 90 on Aug. 19.
I had become a fan club member of his when I was 11, and when I joined the Yankees public relations staff in 1968 (he was two years retired by then), we reconnected and have remained adult friends all these years.
He has long invited me to visit him in Sumter, South Carolina, but I never did. Then a few months ago I had a “what am I waiting for?” moment and decided to go there from New York for the milestone birthday.
Bobby Richardson and Marty Appel
Accompanied by my wife Lourdes, we went for the weekend of Aug. 22-24. Talk about bringing something full circle!
Bobby and his wife Betsy (married 69 years), have lived in Sumter their whole lives. They have lived in the same ranch style home on Adams Avenue since he built it in 1960 after winning the MVP Award (a Corvette), for the World Series. He spent his entire 14-season baseball career in the Yankees organization. He retired at age 32, scouted for the Yanks and coached college baseball.
Christian beliefs govern their lives. They have five children, plenty of grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren, and close to the full assemblage was on hand for the milestone birthday.
We had a spectacular weekend, not only experiencing southern culture but marveling at the honor of his life. His door is always open. Neighbors stop by to say hello or bring baskets of fruit. Fans actually drive up to visit his trophy rooms; his address and number are listed and he welcomes them all and gives them a tour.
He is healthy, walks unaided, drives around town, stops into the same diner for breakfast four days a week, still has a beautiful signature and answers all the fan mail, up to 20 letters a day on average. A recent biography (“Impact Player”) and a newly produced PBS special (“Graceball”) have increased his popularity. (You can see Graceball for free at Bobbyrichardson.com).
His recall is sharp, and he checks in on old teammates regularly. They day before we arrived, he had a long phone conversation with Bobby Shantz, now 99. His double play partner Tony Kubek (soon also 90), is a regular caller from Wisconsin).
One thing that stood out during our visit was his lasting affection and appreciation of Mickey Mantle. At quick glance, one might not see the connection, one known for being part of Billy Graham crusades, one with a reputation for heavy drinking and carousing.
But they had a wonderful bond, and in Mickey’s last days before he passed away in 1995, Bobby was a bedside presence, and guided him into good standing as a Christian. A corner of one of Bobby’s “trophy rooms” is dedicated to Mantle, highlighted by a gift to him from the Mantle family thanking him for all he did.
One of the more cherished items in his collection is the bat with which he hit his 1960 World Series grand slam against the Pirates. He also drove in 12 runs in the Series, a record finally tied last year—after 64 years!—by Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers. (Bobby had just 26 RBIs in the regular season). Another memorable moment was his catching the final out of the 1962 World Series, a fierce line drive hit by Willie McCovey of the Giants, that gave the Yankees their last world championship for 15 years.
One of the planned events for his birthday was an event in the University of South Carolina, Sumter, at which I had the privilege of speaking and making a presentation. Then he signed hundreds of autographs, although for me, it was hard to believe anyone in Sumter didn’t have one by now. Everyone got a commemorative #1 pin, which must surely be burning up eBay by now.
For me, this was an inspiring visit, long overdue. His family could not have been nicer, and treated me as one of them. New friendships were formed with family members, who encouraged me to call him “Robert” as Sumter friends and family do. It was a beautiful visit.