Twins Brawls (Video): Roger Erickson Vs Bobby Grich April 22, 1978

Of note: this post was largely composed live, during a sunami-like migraine before the All-Star Game in Minneapolis in 2014- with little or no editing taking place. If that doesn't qualify me as a throwback gamer, I don't know what will. I had the feeling as if the video's principal actors were putting the hurt on ME, instead of one another at old Metropolitan Stadium. Just a small diversion for me from the hullabaloo and hype engulfing the Minneapolis area.

Left to right: (jackets) Twins Jose Morales, Geoff Zahn, (hatless) Angels starter Frank Tanana; Ron Jackson holds Twins pitching coach and legend Camilo Pascual, while Glenn Borgmann runs interference from the side.

I'd completely forgotten about this crazy melee on Saturday, April 22, 1978 (box) and was it ever. One minute rookie Roger Erickson is tossing an errant one inside, and the next thing you know, the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention is breaking out! Bobby Grich was among the most intense, and valuable second basemen of the 1970's and 80's. He had an excellent OBP, power numbers, besides having one of the nicest, shortest swings (1972 All-Star Game video) you'll ever see. I'd choose him in a minute if compiling a fantasy all-time legends team. His SABR bio packs a pretty good punch *ahem* of info about him.

Yep - I can totally believe Rod took Dave LaRoche into storage closet

and beat the crap out of him for lipping off in a team meeting in '72

The California announcers (Don Drysdale and Al Wisk? Angel fans in the house, a little help?) were correct - Grich looked ready to punch anybody - beer sellers, ticket takers, Calvin Griffith, his own teammates, besides any of the patrons sitting near the Angel dugout throwing beverages and paraphernalia at him that day. That last was my favorite part of the video.

As it was, Twin Rich Chiles came out of nowhere to put a truly huge blind side hit on Grich, while future-Twins Ken Landreaux and Ron "Papa Jack" Jackson was seemingly everywhere . Also easily seen at the fisticuff fiesta is former Twin Lyman Bostock (#10 of Angels), and Twins Tony Oliva (coach, #6), Rod Carew (#29) and shortstop Roy Smalley (#5). The Sporting News (see mischievous Mauch grin in pdf) of May 13, 1978 asserts that is was indeed Carew that got in the quick head jabs on Grich's angry skull as he lay on the ground-some deft, stop-action views confirm that claim. The Grich quotes are doubly interesting as he implicates Twins Manager Gene Mauch as the instigator of the brushback.

And you thought charging the mound was a new thing?

Amazingly, only Grich was tossed out, the game resumed, with '65 Stars Oliva and Pascual being the only people on the premises who may have required any antibiotics or band aids. Welcome to 1970s baseball everyone, where Wild West lawlessness often prevailed (see link, "Disco Demolition"). Lost in the shuffle is this: the-then 21 year old Erickson righted himself to last 8 innings, though losing to the top lefty Tanana. It was his fourth major league start ( see popup stats), and his second against the Angels.

Look at this, and tell me Grich wasn't a bit wired as a habit...

(hover cursor on the screen to reveal audio button)

As Herb Carneal so eloquently put it: "So long, everybody!"

Remembering: "Disco" Danny Ford 1975-1978

Would not stretch out without the playing of
"Shining Star" or "Give Up The Funk"

[updated from original post, March 5, 2010]


1975. "Do The Hustle." Studio 21.  Saturday Night Live. "Saturday Night Fever." Leisure suits.  Hip-huggin' synthetic double-knit baseball uniforms.  The provocative, green and plaid jumpers worn by my female classmates at St. Wenceslaus Elementary. And..."Disco" Danny Ford, a true sign of his times, joined the Minnesota Twins out of spring training. 


Dan, seen here gettin' his groove thing on to Parliament Funkadelic, was a talented, if not always attentive outfielder for our Twins. He really could do a lot of things well, a fellow with tools, but...

He goes down in Twins lore as the guy who one day, September 5, 1978 (BBRef game box), slowed down on the basepaths between third and homeplate, high-steppin and elbows pumping for maximum effect (for the ladies, apparently). He then turned and watched the next baserunner make his way home on a basehit (Jose Morales). The problem?  In doing so, he allowed himself to be passed on the basepath by the oncoming teammate.  According to the baseball rules book (see below link), that second baserunner should be ruled "out" -  and so it went down.

Managing the Twins was tougher-than-nails Gene  Mauch. known for his steely stare when things weren't going well by him, besides having the ability to make grown men wet their pants in fear.  So, he definitely had the respect of the Twins players. 

He also knew the baseball rule book inside-out, better than even the umpires.  If he'd been cast instead as Charlton Heston to play Moses in the Ten Commandments, he'd likely have found loopholes to confound The Almighty. That is, for most every other rule except for Baseball Rule 7.08H, which is impervious to any other interpretation than what is obvious.

Check the card of Mauch from 1978, in one of his light-hearted moments. Imagine this as his reaction to the baserunning folly crime above.

Never let substance get
in the way of style, kids.

According to no less an expert witness than Roy Smalley, here's what transpired after Ford's un-triumphant boogie to the dugout: "You can keep right on going..." growled the manager through clenched teeth as Ford approached the dugout (implying he should feel free to get dressed and go home)," not wanting to look at the abomination standing before him.  "What are you talking about?" said Ford, walking towards Mauch. "I can't stand to look at you...Get the hell out of here." So, Ford indeed left as requested, and thus the nickname "Disco Dan" was born. 

Right after his dirty deed. ..Danny just being Danny. And those White Sox

 vintage knickers! Richard Olsenius/Star Tribune Minneapolis-St.Paul. From
Bob Showers, "The Twins At The Met."

Danny did go on to redeem himself, adopting one of the most incredible closed batting stances ever seen in history, while playing for two pennant winners in subsequent years. He was a major factor in the 1979 California Angels pennant year, and clubbed a homer against the Philadelphia Phillies and Steve Carlton (for Baltimore-see video) in Game 3 of the 1983 World Series. 

I remember standing near the players entrance at Met Stadium (aerial photo) with my cousin before a game in '77, when we spied Ford making his way from the players lot.  In roaring past two young autograph hounds, he displayed far more speed in evading us than he did on the famous play described earlier.  And in the process, certainly looking every part the disco dancin' lovin' young man he was cracked up to be.  But a breathtaking brush with fame for me, nonetheless! Think of the Twins pride that would have swelled our chests had we known we were in the presence of a future Playgirl centerfold (see story). Which would call into question our judgement regarding our choice of heroes, in a way.

Dan Ford was certainly not alone in this instance. Check out the list of famous players in this link's list!!

Passing Runners on the Bases

5/9/2016 - In the bottom of the second inning, Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto's fly to CF just cleared the fence. Marcell Ozuna returned to 1B in case the ball was caught as Realmuto rounded the 1B bag.

As our Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Herb Carneal would say: "So long, everybody!" - TT


[Thanks to Bob Showers, and background info, "The Twins At The Met."]