Pat McGlothin at Smokies Park

Tuesday evening the Tennessee Smokies hosted the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.  The Smokies also honored Pat McGlothin.  Pat pitched for the Dodgers in 1949 and 1950.  His only catcher was Roy Campanella.  He was a team mate of  Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, and Jackie Robinson.  He faced Ted Williams seven times in one wartime military game, striking him out five times.  Ted never got got a hit.  Pat threw three no-hitters in his professional career.  He also managed the Smokies in 1954.  And he's a nice guy.

A few months ago several members of the East Tennessee SABR Chapter had lunch with Pat and interviewed him.  We wanted to support Pat so we met up at the ball park.

Ed and his son Will joined Diamond and Slugger, the Smokies' mascots.  Ed is a world class magician, focusing on close-up magic.  He recently won second place in the International Brotherhood of Magician's Gold Cups Close-up Contest.  He also has a fantastic collection of Negro League memorabilia.

Will Ripley, Diamond, Slugger, Ed Ripley

Joe Gallagher, sporting the Manhattan cap, was involved in the Mets broadcasting for many years.  George Aubrey, sporting the Moxie cap, is my father.  He is a SABR member, but resides in Arizona.

Joe Gallagher, Diamond, Slugger, George Aubrey

George watching Pat sign

Pat signed for about an hour and a half.  He was very gracious with his time, posing for photos, listening to people tell their stories, laughing along with them.

Ezra "Pat" McGlothin

Before the game started Adam Kline, the Smokies Director of Media Relations, gave us a tour of the press box where we met Mick Gillispie, Director of Broadcasting.  Both great baseball guys.  Thanks.
I'm not a fan of the Blue Wahoo's uniform numbers.

In the fourth inning, the sky started to turn dark and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees.  My dad and I decided it was best to leave.  They pulled the tarp out not long after we hit the concourse.

We actually made it out to the parking lot when I decided to call my dad back inside for a "put your head in the hole" photo.

I made arrangements to get another interview with Pat.  All in all a good night.