Sunday, November 24, 2024

1958 Yankee of the Past: Clint Courtney

"Clint was the first catcher ever to wear glasses under his mask. But this far from stops him from being one of the tough guys in the league. Clint has a tremendous spirit and will to win.
In 1952 he was named The Sporting News Rookie of the Year. In 1957, he hit .407 in 37 pinch-hit appearances."

-1958 Topps No. 92

POINTING A SPLIT FINGER
"Clint Courtney was catching for Washington and Manager Chuck Dressen wasn't using him much. Finally, Courtney got to catch and the first day he caught, he got a split finger.
Dressen came out of the dugout to look at it.
Courtney refused to show the finger to his manager.
'You don't know a catcher when you see one,' yelped Courtney in pain. 'How the heck would you know a split finger?' "

-Roger Birtwell, Boston Globe (August 1958 Baseball Digest)

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