Books and articles about Willard Marshall

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A slow-footed but sure-handed outfielder, Marshall had one of the most powerful throwing arms in the league. At the Giants' spring training camp in 1942, the polite, unheralded youngster so impressed manager Mel Ott that he started the season as the Giants' regular left fielder. After a slow start, the lefthanded-hitting rookie came on strong, finishing with a .257 batting average and 59 RBI in 116 games. Following a three-year stint in the Marines, Marshall rejoined the Giants in 1946. He had his best season the next year, contributing 36 home runs to the club's NL record total of 225, and driving in 107 runs. Although he never approached that homer or RBI figure again, he hit a career-high .307 for the Giants in 1949, and later had several solid seasons with the Braves and Reds. (FS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 18, 1947: The Giants shell the Dodgers, 10–4, with Jackie Robinson hitting his first home run, off Dave Koslo, in the loss. The Giants counter with six homers—2 apiece by Bobby Thomson and Bill Rigney, and one apiece by Johnny Mize and Willard Marshall. Scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher: he watches but does not manage the game. » July 18, 1947: Willard Marshall of the New York Giants hits 3 consecutive HRs, as Larry Jansen beats the visiting Reds. » August 25, 1947: The Cubs Billy Jurges, shifted from coach to active player two days ago, smashes a two run homer in the 10th to give Chicago a 9–7 win over the Giants. Also homering are Bob Scheffing and Andy Pafko for Chicago and Willard Marshall (31) and Bobby Thomson (24) for the Giants. » September 1, 1947: Jack Lohrke hits a homer off the Braves, number 183 for the season for the Giants, breaking the 1936 team record held by the Yankees. Mel Ott's club had hit 5 HRs in a doubleheader against the Cubs August 24 to break Chicago's 1929 NL record. The Giants will finish with 221 HRs, led by Johnny Mize, Walker Cooper, Willard Marshall, and rookie Bobby Thomson. » June 20, 1948: Johnny Mize, Willard Marshall, and Sid Gordon of the Giants hit HRs in the eighth inning in a 6-4 win against Murry Dickson of the Cardinals. » May 9, 1949: The first-place Giants win their 7th in a row as Sheldon "Available" Jones stops the Cubs, 7–2. Aided by ten walks and homers by Sid Gordon and Willard Marshall, the Giants pin the loss on starter Ralph Hamner, who allows one hit in three innings. » December 14, 1949: In a major trade, the Giants get Alvin Dark and Eddie Stanky from the Braves in a swap for Willard Marshall, Sid Gordon, Buddy Kerr, and Sam Webb. » May 6, 1950: The Boston Braves hit five home runs in a 15–11 trouncing of the Reds. This gives them a National League record 13 home runs in three consecutive games, breaking the Giants mark of 12 set in July 1, 2, 3, 1947. Luis Olmo, Earl Torgeson, Bob Elliott, Willard Marshall, and Sid Gordon hit the five today. » July 6, 1951: At the Polo Grounds, the Braves smack two HRs (Willard Marshall and Walker Cooper) in the top of the third, only to have the Giants answer with three HRs—by Westrum, Thomson, and Mueller—in the bottom of the inning. The Giants outslug the Braves for the game 12–10. » August 19, 1951: In Boston, the Braves score five in the 6th and roll over the Dodgers, 13–4. Warren Spahn picks up his 15th win and his 21st complete game. A 2nd-inning homer by Willard Marshall, off Ralph Branca, starts the scoring. » December 10, 1953: The Reds trade OF Willard Marshall to the White Sox for infielders Rocky Krsnich, Connie Ryan and P Saul Rogovin. The Sox also pick up Cass Michaels from the A's.