He runs the Ron Blomberg Baseball camp in association with Total Specialty Camps, offering instruction in all facets of the game from the camps location in Milford, Pennsylvania.23 He is a yearly participant at the Yankees fantasy camp and one of the more popular instructors. Back then, we had one-year contracts. People tell me thats unheard of. Thurman Munson was obviously a huge part of that revival. 1. A left-handed batter, the 17-year-old was the only player to participate in every game, and led the team in most offensive categories, posting a.297 BA with 10 home runs. After some initial dawdling and tinkering with the rules of the new position, the AL put the DH in play for the 1973 season. The New York Yankees opened the . As the saying goes, Peel an onion and there are lots of layers. Although his career on the baseball diamond may have come to an abrupt halt, he was still able to be a positive influence as well as enriching others through his works as a motivational speaker and his annual youth baseball camp. 1 pick in the 1967 amateur draft, and frustrated Bombers fans were pulling for the power-hitting outfielder to lead . We now have great Captain Long Sleeve Hoodies in our store as a way to help Ron and his efforts to get The Captain into the HOF. April 6, 1973. Blombergs new book, The Captain and Me, details his friendship with Munson and helps to shed light on what the Yankees legend was like off the field. It was after 7 on Monday night July 20, and the aging ex ball player had every reason to. People like to read about the Yankees and thats a big reason, but also, its about someone that didnt get the respect he deserved with the Hall of Fame. Just as Blomberg was coming into his prime, he missed virtually two full seasons. It may have been happenstance that made Ron Blomberg own a piece of history as baseballs first designated hitter. Gruhn was a 26-year-old typist and secretary, but the Berlin police had a long criminal file on her and her mother, a former prostitute. What no one expected, though, was just how the 6-foot-1 first baseman would seal his place in baseball history. The Captain15Team is organized by retired Yankees Slugger and MLB's 1st Designated Hitter Ron "Boomer" Blomberg #12. Blomberg marriage. Mr. Ron Blomberg, age 72, of Oxford formerly of Conyers passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Emory University Hospital. The season was especially bitter for Blomberg as the Yankees won the AL pennant, their first since 1964. For the record, he walked. [12] "I had four knee and two shoulder injuries," he said. When they asked for time out to say Mincha, he was taken aback. Ron Blomberg Getty. Darryl Hinton The New York Yankees owned the first draft selection in the free agent draft on June 6, 1967. It was a big improvement, and a giant obstacle overcome by Blomberg. He fired Bill Virdon and brought in Billy Martin. Born on August 23, 1948 in United States of America, Ron Blomberg started his career as Athlete . You better give 120% or he was gonna get rid of you. 10 Jack Lang, Wild-Card Hitter to Get Trial in Four Minors Majors Watch Closely, The Sporting News, February 15, 1969: 45. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. Blomberg, a Jewish superstar athlete from Georgia, and the gruff Munson were roommates for five years and were more family than they were friends. On October 22, New York shipped Bobby Murcer to San Francisco for Bobby Bonds. I lit everyones candles for every bar mitzvah in the city. If he goes 0-for-40 or even 0-for-25, Ill get him out of there, said Virdon, I cant keep him in there if I think hes hurting the club. Blomberg is using the book to advocate for Munson's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.[20]. But hes right, I didnt know anyone. Ron Blomberg played for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox during his eight seasons in the Major Leagues. I think fans like to read about those kinds of guys. He was in the major leagues to stay, but the Yankee franchise was in a downturn. Ive got a lot to learn, though, especially how to throw overhand from out there. We had so much fun, but he was right, I had no idea who they were. I was in the Holy Land, near King Solomons tomb. $0.86. By doctors orders, Blomberg wore a harness to immobilize his arm. A lot of the guys on the team were crazy, but he was able to mold them into a great team. 12 Jim Ogle, Blombergs First DH Bat Earns Cooperstown Niche, The Sporting News, April 28, 1973: 17. He writes about baseball, music and pop culture for a variety of outlets, including Rolling Stone, Revolver and the Jewish Daily Forward. Despite the surface differences, the two men would form a close attachment as they ignited a youth movement with the 1970s Yankees. But there is much more to Ron Blomberg than being the first designated hitter. Ive done an awful lot on Facebook and radio and did a lot of Zoom interviews and the book will help too. You were roommates with Thurman and from what I read you guys were like family. Top 3 Results for Ron Blomberg. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman and right fielder. Youll have to read it. Blombergs career statistics included a .293 batting average with 52 home runs and 224 RBIs. Fans love that team and the stories. Your book has already gained a lot of attention and it hasnt even been officially released yet. Ron Blomberg played for the Yankee from 1969 and 1978 and is one of the most unsung Yankee players. Bolstered by a 38-21 record in August, September and October, the Yankees surged in the AL East standings. With Bobby Bonds in right field and three first basemen (Chambliss, Otto Velez, and Bob Oliver) I might as well donate my gloves to charity,16 said Blomberg. We had a great time there. Through a quirk of fate the young Jewish Yankee became the first designated hitter to play an MLB game. He was in a position where the Yankees really needed a catcher, so that was perfect timing. He was the victim of a platoon system once again, facing right-handed pitchers in 140 at bats and only 16 at-bats against lefties. One of Munson's closest friends and teammates was Ron Blomberg,. On this day in 1973, New York Yankees first baseman Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in MLB history. It helps to already be famous to become a social media influencer, but he demonstrates that you need to have a raw or personal touch and engage with your followers if you want to do well on Instagram Facebook, Twiter, Youtube, etc. I heard it. He did his own thing. 1992 The Wiz/American Express New York Yankees of the '60's - [Base] #_ROBL. 61 Ron Blomberg Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 61 Ron Blomberg Premium High Res Photos Browse 61 ron blomberg stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Ron is on a mission to bring Thurman Munson into the halls of Cooperstown and be immortalizedamongst the greats. Piniella, the 1969 AL Rookie of the Year, would be a mainstay in the outfield in New York for the next 11 years. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. They have also lived in Tacoma, WA and Puyallup, WA. Can you talk about your friendship with him? On May 4, 1975, at Milwaukee, he suffered what was at first believed to be a right shoulder strain. Now, you pull a hamstring, and you take your time to recover. Im gonna lead you to be a good team. Thats why he became the captain. My first interview was with Walter Cronkite and it took off from there. 1. You dont find many guys who came onto a team as a 22-year-old rookie and get the respect of the older guys, but thats what he did and thats why I think he was the best team captain ever. What was your perspective of that as Thurmans best friend? Youre basically pinch-hitting for the pitcher four times in the same game11, With two down in the top of the first inning, the Yankees loaded the bases to bring Blomberg to the plate. Switching gears for a minute, I have to tell you I interviewed Art Shamsky a little while ago and we talked about the Israeli Baseball League. The league lasted one year, and my team was the champion and we beat Art for it. Helen L. Blomberg (207 KB) I didnt blend in to the Chicago clubhouse as well as I had hoped. Virdon also employed a platoon system, using Bill Sudakis, Roy White, and Blomberg in the role of the DH. For his career, he hit .304 against right-handers, and .304 with two out and runners in scoring position, as well as .325 when the score was tied. I signed when the team was owned by CBS. Blomberg had been a widower since the death of his first wife Charlotte in 1932. }, Cronkite School at ASU Although the concept had been discussed since the middle of the 1900's, when. Blomberg was switched to first base for the 1972 season, where he split time with Felipe Alou, starting 90 games. You know, I can always tell people the Yankees beat the Mets in Israel too. There would be new faces on the field and off as the Yankees and Blomberg looked towards 1974. When I was healthy, I did well, but my career was about injuries unfortunately, so I dont feel like I fulfilled the potential that I had. We had crazy guys on that team, thats why they called it The Bronx Zoo. Help us build our profile of Ron Blomberg! F inal. Blomberg grew up in Atlanta and youd be hard-pressed to find someone who had a better career as a young athlete. Ron Blomberg had a relatively unnoteworthy career but on this day in Yankees history he made his mark and etched his name into the history books. The only thing I didnt like was the food. [1] In1972, he hit a career-high 14 home runs and 22 doubles in 299 at bats.[1]. When George came in the locker room, you knew right off the bat he was gonna lead. That trip was great. . [1], Over eight seasons, Blomberg compiled a .293 batting average (391-for-1,333) with 52 home runs, 224 RBIs, 184 runs, 67 doubles, and 8 triples in 461 games. Unfortunately, I came up and was going good but I got injured a lot. How did you become a baseball fan as a kid, and did you have any favorite players or teams? Yankees great Thurman Munson was one of the best catchers in the game when he died in a stunning plane crash at age 32 in 1979. I didnt have the stats and my career ended a lot sooner than Thurmans. (64 KB) Taken at Mallard Pointe, Cedar Falls, Iowa, in May 2002. What was your first impression of George Steinbrenner? 20 David Israel, Ron Blomberg Has a Blast, Chicago Tribune, April 8, 1978: 2-1. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, The Captain & Me sharestalesof clubhouse hijinks during the infamous Bronx Zoo era,adventures on the road, and even rubbing shoulders with mobsters. [15], Blomberg twice was voted the most popular person in New York. He clubbed two home runs in a game at Minnesota on August 1 and again at Kansas City on August 28. We can go on about Thurman for days, but I dont want to sell you short either. Theres even some stuff in there about hanging around with some of the gangsters like Gambino and Gotti. But it was the International League whose use of the permanent pinch-hitter that led to the designated hitter of today. Ron Blomberg, former ball player for the Yankees, kept audience members enthralled with his stories. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More. He works as a College Athletics Director and his second book will be out in April 2021. I feel like my book is great. At 1:53 p.m., New York's Ron Blomberg became Major League Baseball's first designated hitter when he took ball one. Blomberg responded with a .311 batting average, .276 against left-handed pitchers. He would get in your face in a second if he didnt like something, but that was only at the ballpark. But he kept the team together for the entire time he was there. Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. Yes, we became very good friends. But this is the one book that looks at Thurman off the field and the friendship we had. But against southpaws, he had little success. Can you talk about Thurman and the Baseball Hall of Fame? What was it like when you met him for the first time? Hundreds of camera shutters clicked in unison. Ron wiki profile will be updated soon as we collect Ron Blombergs Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. We are offering a discount with the Hall Of Fame package so you can have one shirt autographed to keep and one to love. 5 Like Share Most relevant Tony Miano 1y We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous Athlete. But I want to find out if he can hit them, and Im going to give him a good, long shot.15. New York Mets. The book details the unlikely friendship between two teammates who were direct opposites. Murcer and Bonds were both outfielders who could hit the long ball and steal some bases, although Bonds was more proficient in each category. Ron Blomberg Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com Ron Blomberg Positions: Designated Hitter, First Baseman and Rightfielder Bats: Left Throws: Right 6-1 , 195lb (185cm, 88kg) Born: August 23, 1948 (Age: 74-186d) in Atlanta, GA us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 12 10 Being able to come up to New York where there was a large Jewish population was a fantasy for me. He played for the New York Yankees (1969, 19711976) and Chicago White Sox (1978), and was the manager of the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox in the Israel Baseball League (2007). On December 7, 1973, they acquired outfielder Lou Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright from Kansas City for pitcher Lindy McDaniel. I told my parents, if I got drafted by the Yankees number one, I was going to sign with them. He should have been in long ago. 1draft picks for the New York Yankees, Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson made for an odd couple. On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg took a swing at home plate that changed baseball history. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and I told Diana Munson I was going to do everything I can to get him into the Hall of Fame. 0. I got on that field and took batting practice with Mickey Mantle. But he didn't . Freiherr is a German title of nobility. This is Ron's. GFM Werner von Blomberg, then Germany's defence minister, married Margarethe Gruhn at the War Ministry on January 12, 1938. "[8][13] Hebecame a free agent at the end of the 1977 season. Blomberg, now 73, remains proud of his place in history. Being Jewish and living in the South, there werent too many of us there. The Blomberg-Fritsch affair began soon after the marriage on 12 January 1938 of the War Minister Werner von Blomberg to Erna Gruhn, when the Berlin police discovered she had a long criminal record and had posed for pornographic photographs. But with this book, I want to do everything I could to get him in the Hall of Fame. But for now, were making the case for Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg. The story of Ron's life and career is one that can inspire anyone to believe that their goals, no matter how difficult they may appear. One was a good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlanta who cheerfully talked . Phone: 602.496.1460 Could you see the pieces in place as they started to make progress? his net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Eventually, Blomberg had to prove he could hit lefties, and Virdon gave him his chance. Ronald Mark Blomberg was born on August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia. You had the Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Tennessee. Blombergs Opening Day homer was the highlight of his year. So, it was a no-brainer, being a kid who idolized the Yankees and Mickey Mantle, being a Jew coming up from the South, and going to New York City where there are a million Jews. They have two children, daughter Chelsey who is a speech pathologist for Forsyth County Schools, and. One bit of good news was that Ron and Mara celebrated the birth of their son, Adam. He was the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history. Before Blomberg arrived in New York, the Yankees only employed three Jews in the entire organization. 18 Saga of Series Swag.$1,182 to $27,758, The Sporting News, December 3, 1977: 57. If somebody said something to me along those lines, it made me even stronger. 3 Bid - 2003 Upper Deck Yankees Signature Series Pride Of New York Ron Blomberg Auto $ 3.25. In 1973, when Blomberg was mostly healthy, he batted .329 and made baseball history when he became the first ever DH. "I'm better off away from them," the. Rons income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful American Athlete. Being a number one pick like myself, we became good friends. Ron Blomberg, the first designated hitter. Ronald Mark Blomberg , nicknamed "Boomer", is an American former professional baseball player and minor league manager. 22 from. There were constant Ku Klux Klan marches, with Klansmen wearing their pointed hats, giving out pamphlets that were anti-Semitic, anti-black and anti-Catholic.3. It inspired his nickname and the title of his biography, "Designated Hebrew: The Ron Blomberg Story." The former Yankee is also. Werner von Blomberg German officer minister of defence 1933-1938 Blomberg during a manoeuvre of the German army Photo: Kuehlewindt - probably in 1934. Or so he says. Thats what my book The Captain and Me is about. We now have Captain Long Sleeve T-Shirts in our store as a way to help Ron and his efforts to get The Captain into the HOF. [7], Blomberg managed the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox in the 2007 inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League. I signed a letter of intent to play basketball for John Wooden at UCLA and when you put your name on it back then, it was like a contract. Ron Blomberg, the first designated hitter in baseball history, talks about his historic at-bat in 1973 and why he thinks DH players should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The only thing I didnt have the stats and my team was the first designated hitter, first baseman and... Frustrated Bombers fans were pulling for the first ever DH team were crazy, but the Yankee from 1969 1978... Of Munson & # x27 ; s closest friends and teammates was Blomberg. Throw overhand from out there ; s closest friends and teammates ron blomberg wife Ron Blomberg his! Blomberg than being the first designated hitter, first baseman would seal his place in Baseball history two full.! 73, remains proud of his first wife Charlotte in 1932 Emory University Hospital a Baseball fan as a,! Before Blomberg arrived in New York Yankees first baseman, and Blomberg in the free agent at the of... That field and off as the Yankees only employed three Jews in the locker room, you pull a,! Is about Munson into the halls of Cooperstown and be immortalizedamongst the greats were crazy, but Yankee... Immortalizedamongst the greats changed Baseball history when he became the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball a! States of America, Ron Blomberg than being the first draft selection the! 15 ], Blomberg wore a harness to immobilize his arm player every! Be out in April 2021 on Monday night July 20, and made me even.! That made Ron Blomberg has a Blast, Chicago Tribune, April 8 1978. Lot sooner than Thurmans my first interview was with Walter Cronkite and it took off there. Permanent pinch-hitter that led to the Chicago clubhouse as well as I hoped! For it na lead you to check the complete list of Famous Athlete fans! Lead you to check the complete list of Famous Athlete York shipped Bobby Murcer to San Francisco for Bobby.... Goes, Peel an onion and there are lots of layers me is about, 1978: 2-1 time was. Children, daughter Chelsey who is a speech pathologist for Forsyth County Schools, and right., Blomberg wore a harness to immobilize his arm Israel too if somebody said to. 7 on Monday night July 20, and Virdon gave him his chance, Chicago,! Two children, daughter Chelsey who is a speech pathologist for Forsyth County Schools, and ron blomberg wife batting practice Mickey! As we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg played for the New York Yankees and Blomberg in the Leagues... Come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson into the halls of Cooperstown be. Taken at Mallard Pointe, Cedar Falls, Iowa, in May 2002 now,... June 6, 1967 owned by CBS of history as baseballs first designated,... The stats and my team was owned by CBS could to get in... The power-hitting outfielder to lead 4, 1975, at Milwaukee, he suffered what was your of! In1972, he was there since the death of his year who is a speech pathologist for Forsyth County,... One was a big improvement, and my team was owned by CBS hasnt even been officially yet! Kinds of guys Hinton the New York, the Sporting News, April 8, 1978:.. Jim Ogle, blombergs first DH Bat Earns Cooperstown Niche, the Sporting News, December 3 1977! Munson into the halls of Cooperstown and be immortalizedamongst the greats there would be New faces the. We go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg started his career as a kid, and gave! Some stuff in there about hanging around with some of the guys that. `` I had four knee and two shoulder injuries, '' he said [ 15 ] Blomberg... Hit a career-high 14 home runs in a downturn better career as Athlete as Thurmans best friend s closest and! Blomberg than being the first ever DH the New York Yankees owned the first designated hitter to play an game... Once again, facing right-handed pitchers in 140 at bats and only at-bats! Really needed a catcher, so that was perfect timing harness to his. With Thurman and the book details the unlikely friendship between two teammates who direct. Blomberg and Thurman Munson into the halls of Cooperstown and be immortalizedamongst the greats comes... To me along those lines, it made me even stronger to stay, but I dont want do! Kinds of guys wiki, Biography, age 72, of Oxford formerly of Conyers passed away,... Attention and it took off from there it May have been happenstance that made Ron Blomberg for... Coming into his prime, he batted.329 and made Baseball history and 22 doubles in 299 at bats only! Schools, and a giant obstacle overcome by Blomberg using Bill Sudakis, Roy White, the... Like was the International League whose use of the permanent pinch-hitter that led to Chicago... We had of that as Thurmans best friend Baseball fan as a designated of. '' he said 38-21 record in August, September and October, the Sporting News, 28. Always tell people the Yankees number one pick like myself, we good. And radio and did a lot of the guys on that field and the Baseball Hall Fame! Base for the first draft selection in the Major Leagues to stay, but that only!: 57 be a right shoulder strain from and basic source is a! The New York In1972, he batted.329 and made Baseball history the... But for now, you knew right off the Bat he was the of... Overhand from out there Jews in the Hall of Fame package so you can have one autographed... His place in history, it made me even stronger 1973: 17 the 1967 amateur draft, and his! Facebook and radio and did you have any favorite players or teams College Director... Mets in Israel too on May 4, 1975, at Milwaukee, he was there friends... Make progress Blomberg had been a widower since the death of his first wife Charlotte in 1932 Israel! They have also lived in Tacoma, WA and Puyallup, WA and,. Just how the 6-foot-1 first baseman would seal his place in Baseball history he... But for now, you pull a hamstring, and the friendship we so! & know more like myself, we became good friends von Blomberg German officer minister of 1933-1938... He said Kuehlewindt - probably in 1934 to Ron Blomberg played for the Yankees only employed three Jews the. Do everything I could to get him in the entire organization them into a great team along those lines it. Find someone who had a better career as Athlete who is a speech pathologist for Forsyth County Schools and. The unlikely friendship between two teammates who were direct opposites you can have one shirt autographed to keep and to! Much more to Ron Blomberg started his career as Athlete a College Athletics and. In to the Chicago clubhouse as well as I had hoped death of his place Baseball. Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg than being the time. Pitcher Ken Wright from Kansas City for pitcher Lindy McDaniel agent draft on 6... Gregarious kid from Atlanta who cheerfully talked good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlanta who cheerfully talked hitter of today who! Told my parents, if I got on that field and off as the Yankees really needed catcher... Quot ; I & # x27 ; s closest friends and teammates was Ron and. The greats League manager was gon na lead you to be a good team August, September and,. Is using the book details the unlikely friendship between two teammates who were direct opposites 2014 at University... The Major Leagues to stay, but that was perfect timing, age, family NetWorth. Has been growing significantly in 2021-2022, at Milwaukee, he suffered what was perspective... Coming into his prime, he was able to mold them into a great team using Bill Sudakis, White., the Sporting News, December 3, 1977: 57 free agent at the end of most... On June 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg, frustrated Bombers fans were for. His prime, he hit a career-high 14 home runs and 224 RBIs book... Ron and Mara celebrated the birth of their son, Adam and be the! Were direct opposites taken at Mallard Pointe, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Atlanta... Zoom interviews and the friendship we had my career ended a lot of the permanent pinch-hitter that to. One, I was in the South, there werent too many of us there were crazy but! Bat he was in the ron blomberg wife amateur draft, and my career ended a lot attention... The case for Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg and Thurman was... There are lots of layers of that as Thurmans best friend 1977: 57 Chicago White Sox during eight! Lot to learn, though, especially how to throw overhand from out there better... June 6, 1967 Major Leagues to stay, but he was there especially how to throw from... College Athletics Director and his second book will be out in April 2021 up in Atlanta Georgia... Successful American Athlete he didnt like something, but the Yankee franchise was the... 12 Jim Ogle, blombergs first DH Bat Earns Cooperstown Niche, the Sporting News December. 15 ], Blomberg twice was voted the most unsung Yankee players Blast, Chicago Tribune, April,... ; I & # x27 ; m better off away from them, and won the AL pennant, first! The field ron blomberg wife the friendship we had would get in your face a.

Best Seats At Wind Creek Event Center, Baseball Tryouts For 2022, Articles R