Books and articles about Ron Fairly

In a ML career'rh)''@@that spanned 21 seasons, Fairly was a good hitter whose talents were sometimes overshadowed by a stunning lack of speed. When asked in his final season if he'd lost any speed, he replied, "There was nothing to lose." In both 1963 and 1967 he tied a ML record by having no triples in 150 or more games. A consistent hitter who hit at least 10 home runs 14 times, Fairly also walked often enough to post good-to-excellent on-base averages. DHing for the 1977 expansion Blue Jays, he hit a career-high 19 HR. Versatile enough to play the outfield despite his lumbering style, the steady Fairly was better suited to first base, leading NL first base in fielding in 1963. He took over at first base for the Dodgers in 1962, but surrendered the position to Gold Glover Wes Parker in 1966. Fairly returned to the outfield.

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After several years of declining batting averages, Fairly was traded to the expansion Expos in 1969 in the deal that returned Maury Wills to Los Angeles. After he escaped the vastness of Dodger Stadium, Fairly's batting average and power rebounded. Starting in 1974 he was less of a full-time player; only with Toronto in 1977 did he play more than 110 games again. (JFC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 29, 1961: Duke Snider's pinch home run and Ron Fairly's RBI hit give Los Angeles a 5–4 win at Pittsburgh. The Dodgers take over first place from the Reds. » October 2, 1962: Just 25,321 fans are on hand at Dodger Stadium to see Don Drysdale (25–9) and Jack Sanford (24–7) square off. After 35 straight scoreless innings, the Dodgers break through for seven runs in the 6th to lead San Francisco by 2. The Giants score twice in the 8th, but a 9th-inning sacrifice fly by Ron Fairly sends Maury Wills home with the winning run 8–7. The Giants tie an National League record by using eight hurlers in a 9-inning game. At four hours and 18 minutes, the game is the longest 9-inning affair in NL history. » October 6, 1965: Minnesota's 6-run 3rd inning routs Dodger Don Drysdale, subbing for Sandy Koufax, and sparks an 8–2 Twins win in the first game of the World Series. Jim Grant gets the win allowing just one hit, a home run by Ron Fairly. Mincher and Versalles homer for the Twins. Koufax sits out the opener because it is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. » June 11, 1969: Maury Wills returns to Los Angeles with OF Manny Mota. IF Paul Popovich and OF Ron Fairly are traded to Montreal. The Expos then send Popovich to the Cubs for OF Adolfo Phillips and P Jack Lamabe. Adolfo, popular with his teammates shakes hands with everyone while leaving, except manager Leo Durocher. » August 1, 1974: With the Cards (54-50) toppling the Pirates, 5–2, in 11 innings, the Phils beat the visiting Expos to remain tied for 1st in the East. Del Unser's 3-run homer is the big blow in support of Wayne Twitchell's 6th win in nine decisions. Ron Fairly has a homer, his 11th, for the Expos. » July 7, 1975: In an 8–6 loss to the Cardinals, Giants catcher Marc Hill -- as well as the Cards -- ties a mark last accomplished in 1905 when he tags out three Cards runners at home on throws from the outfield. The three Cards dealt out are: Ken Reitz, in the first inning. on a throw from LF Gary Thomasson. Reitz tries scoring from 2B on a Mike Tyson single; Ron Fairly in the 6th inning thrown out by RF Bobby Murcer on a Tyson fly ball; Bake McBride in the 7th thrown out by LF Chris Arnold when he tries to score on a Willie Davis fly.