Importance of Baseball in Sacramento in the 1930s

Learn how baseball was a bridge across races by having Japanese and African American baseball players during the 30's.

The History of Baseball in Sacramento Part 4/7 Male: Even in the midst of the depression, America was in a whirlwind of technological change. The first television broadcasts began in the 1930’s and in Sacramento another illuminating event was about to take place, the very first night game on the West Coast. Kevin: It was a really big deal because there had only been on or two night games played in the entire United States. Lou: It was a July date in 1930, six years before the Major Leagues had baseball at Crosely Field, Cincinnati Reds. Kevin: It’s now a commonplace that there’s night baseball, but in 1930 it was considered a daft idea, play baseball at night, what are you nuts? Male: The 30’s would be a time of more than just technological change. In 1936 Jesse Owens shattered racial barriers halfway around the globe, and in Sacramento cultural history was being made through baseball. Alan: Kenso Nushida was Japanese American who played for the Sacramento Solons in 1932. Kevin: He was a hero to many Japanese Americans of that time because he was a second generation Japanese and a son of immigrants who was playing America’s game, it was important. So this was a way that all these people became part of American life and the Coast league was the first gateway. Coming with Jackie Robinson in the 1940’s beginning with then the racial make up of baseball begins to change. Alan: In Sacramento, when we first broke the color line, if you will, in 1950, when two players come to Sacramento from Venezuela with Walter McCoy and Marvin Williams. Kevin: And again that’s a reflection of our society, our openness as a people, there are lots of different people who live here and there are lots of different people who played baseball and it’s one of the ways we come together as a people. Male: And Sacramento fans have come together over the years to see a diversity of talent, but will today’s fan remember yesterday’s greats? William Shubb: They have been a lot of baseball players that have go on and achieved great things from Sacramento. Frances: George Borchers was Sacramento’s first contribution to the Major Leagues, with what would become eventually the Chicago Cubs. Alan: Stan Hack is actually a baseball legend. Lou: Probably the most notable infielder whoever played the game here in Sacramento. Kevin: Played for Chicago Clubs for 16 seasons and is really regarded as one of the best third baseman of the 1930’s. Ala: Joe Marty has been described by older sports writers as probably one of the finest ball players to come out of Sacramento, he attend a Christian bride since high school and also sports star there one of the St. Mary’s in this sports star. And after that he went up and played for the Chicago Cubs becoming the first Sacramnetan to hit a home run in the World Series. Male: And there’s at least one Solons broadcaster who shouldn’t be forgotten. Alan: Tony Koester was the voice of the Solons and he would go to road games in the Bay area, he would broadcast local games, but those road games were very interesting to a lot of people because what he would do is recreate them. William: It was no secret to them that he wasn’t watching the game because they could see him reading the information off a ticker tape. Alan: He would make the sound of the bat by banging two pieces of wood together and he would have some background noise for various crowd actions. William: When he would announce the pitch he would slap the side of his leg. He’d say here comes to wind up, the pitch, ball one. I think that was more exciting to them than watching the game itself. Male: But there was one pitcher everyone had to see in person. Possibly Sacramento’s greatest ever. Lou: What made Tony Freitas great? He was dependable and I think that as a role model he was outstanding. Alan: Well, Tony Freitas was a guy that just felt like he could do anything. Time: He pitched a 17 and 2/3 inning game against Dizzy Dean. There are pitchers that don’t pitch 17 and 2/3 innings in a month, or two months time and he did that in one day. William: Tony Freitas played with the Sacramento Solons for 16 years. In six of those years, he had more than 20 wins, as I understand it, 45 shutouts. Lou: He was small in stature, but big in heart and big in desire. William: There’s a picture of him and he’s not much bigger than I am, and he’s holding seven baseballs in his hand. Male: A classic PCL player, we can’t help but wonder how good Freitas would’ve been in today’s game. And while he played only a few short years in the majors, he’s still known as the winningest left- hander in minor league history. William: It’s a shame that memory is so short. There are lot of people who I am afraid are just going to be forgotten in history unless we keep talking about them and what they’ve done. Tony Freitas is one of those people. Lou: He was still the most personable guy even in his 70’s when he would meet kids and visit with kids. Tim: There was more to him and more to his life than baseball and is a lot more. He had an incredible kind, loving, dedicated attitude and that’s what I miss, just that time with him. Male: For more than 20 years Freitas was Sacramento’s biggest sports star and he would be the key component to Sacramento’s biggest and most dramatic series.