Expect More. Thurman Munson was obviously a huge part of that revival. 9 Jim Ogle, Blombergs Wife Made Him Leave Slumps on Doorstep, The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey), July 15, 1971: 48. Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total Known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 8.3 Set Decorator (as Ron Von Blomberg) 2004 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. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous Athlete Retired baseball player Ron Blomberg has a theory as to why he gets invited to speak at so many different organizations. I played against Fisk and Bench was great. Thurman was Ron's close personal friend and nothing is more important to Ron than to see him in the Hall Of Fame. The Atlanta August 23, 1948-born Athlete expert is arguably the worlds most influential Ron Blomberg is expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. I grew up hearing anti-Semitic talk a lot, said Blomberg. He did everything he could to get a winner, and he did. Blomberg has been running a summer baseball camp for kids at the New Jersey Y Camps since 2006. The Yankee-Red Sox tilt was the first game scheduled on the AL docket. I had an opportunity to fulfill my dream. It wouldnt be fair to the other guys. [6] He was chosen for the Parade All-American teams in football, basketball, and baseball, the only person ever chosen for all three teams. Read reviews and buy The Captain & Me - by Ron Blomberg & Dan Epstein (Hardcover) at Target. On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg ruined baseball. One last question for you: are there any final thoughts youd like to leave for our readers? 21 Richard Dozer, Sox Give up on Ron Blomberg, Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1979: 2-1. American Jews & Americas Game: 242. }, Cronkite School at ASU by Ed Botti Reprinted from: June 3, 2021 *** Recently I had the privilege of "interviewing" ex-Yankee Ron Blomberg, and discussing his new memoir "The Captain and Me". The Blombergs operated a jewelry store on Alabama Street in Atlanta. 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. While his career was an injury-riddled one that failed to meet high expectations, Blomberg earned a spot in Cooperstown thanks to his first at-bat on April 6, 1973, at Fenway Park. "[4], Through 2010, he was seventh all-time in career batting average (behind Hank Greenberg, Ryan Braun, Buddy Myer, Lou Boudreau, Phil Weintraub, and Kevin Youkilis) among Jewish major league baseball players. Well, Im not very organized and he was a very organized guy. He was one half of the battery for the 1986 Belleville Recreation Farm League Champion Indians. But hes right, I didnt know anyone. Blomberg, a Jewish superstar athlete from Georgia, and the gruff Munson were roommates for five years and were more family than they were friends. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. Blomberg appeared in only 61 games for the White Sox in 1978, batting .231 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312-676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com . If Ralph thinks I can help most by being the DH, then its all right with me, he said. I want people to see that he loved his family and friends and that he did so much for charity. We didnt have any money, so that was my first time on a plane. There would be new faces on the field and off as the Yankees and Blomberg looked towards 1974. Darryl Hinton I lit everyones candles for every bar mitzvah in the city. 1. Blomberg played in the minor leagues from 1967 to 1971. Help us build our profile of Ron Blomberg! Blomberg, a first basemanoutfielder, was unsure of what the new position entailed. I lived my dream., The Case of the Missing Folder: A Two-Part Hollywood Mystery. In this heart-warming autobiography, now in paperback, Blomberg relives the moment that made his career and the countless experiences before and after that helped boost him to legendary heights. What do you think of the way fans have been reacting to The Captain and Me? He added a .360 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging average. The New York Yankees owned the first draft selection in the free agent draft on June 6, 1967. . Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More. I can play. In 64 games, Blomberg batted .322, with seven home runs and 31 RBIs. Ilived in Riverdale, and when I was injured, people came up to me and waved to me and hugged me. Its awesome to see you have so much pride in your career. Whitey and Yogi were around and Ralph Houk. I lived my dream. All this happened in 1970, a long time ago, before baseball had battered Ron Blomberg's body, and before the New York Yankees had become the Bronx Zoo. A terrible scandal. I didnt blend in to the Chicago clubhouse as well as I had hoped. Just as Blomberg was coming into his prime, he missed virtually two full seasons. We can go on about Thurman for days, but I dont want to sell you short either. So, how much is Ronald Mark Blomberg networth at the age of 72 years old? He remains the only person to ever receive Parade All-American honors in baseball, football and basketball and naturally he gained a lot of attention from professional and college scouts. This has been really enjoyable and its great to hear how much Thurman Munson meant to you personally and its really fantastic you are pushing him for the Hall of Fame. Baseball Player 1 pick in the 1967 amateur draft, and frustrated Bombers fans were pulling for the power-hitting outfielder to lead . NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 17: Former player Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees is introduced during the New York Yankees 72nd Old Timers Day game before the Yankees play against the Tampa Bay Rays at . 1976 HOSTESS PANEL CARD #37 JOSE CARDENAL #38 RON BLOMBERG #39 LEE STANTON $ 15.00. He performed great on the field, but it was all of the intangibles. On March 30, 1979, his career came to a screeching halt. 176 pages, Hardcover. He might have eight or nine years in the major leagues. Blomberg, a member of the Jewish Baseball Hall of Fame, has authored two books: his autobiography, "The Designated Hebrew," and "The Captain and Me," about his friendship with Munson. On this day in 1973, New York Yankees first baseman Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in MLB history. I ran into a wall in Spring Training. They didnt accept that I was Jewish and didnt want me to get involved, even though the meetings were supposed to be non-denominational.22. But Art and I became very good friends. "I'm better off away from them," the. Blomberg was not receiving much of an opportunity to face southpaws. He played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. he is one of famous Athlete with the age 72 years old group. Dubbed The South Side Hitmen because of their prowess in hitting the long ball, the Sox finished in third place in the AL West with a 90-72 record. Ron Blomberg, the first designated hitter. After batting .284 with 19 home runs at Manchester in the Class AA Eastern League in 1969, Blomberg was rewarded with a September call-up to the Yankees. Blomberg was a natural hitter who had a remarkably quick bat with tremendous power. [15], Blomberg twice was voted the most popular person in New York. Wow, that must have been an incredible feeling. I am just so blessed that I was able to do something that I always wanted to do. I also had a football scholarship with Bear Bryant at Alabama. The story of Rons life and career is one that can inspire anyone to believe that their goals, no matter how difficult they may appear, can be achieved by maintaining a positive, determined attitude. At the time, George Steinbrenner had just taken control of the Bronx Bombers, the National League was still refusing to adopt the DH rule, and New Yorkers were pinning their hopes on a new generation of players. But it was the International League whose use of the permanent pinch-hitter that led to the designated hitter of today. For years, Blomberg has been asked why he thinks Munson has been left out of the Hall of Fame, and the usual refrain is that he didnt cozy up to the media as a player. Blomberg had previously declined an offer from the Yankees to manage a team in their minor system. I also feel like I am blessed to be able to write a book about my best friend. Can you talk about your friendship with him? Im glad they switched me to center field. But with this book, I want to do everything I could to get him in the Hall of Fame. And so, he wore his religion on his sleeve. But there is much more to Ron Blomberg than being the first designated hitter. A powerful lefty and hard-nosed player, Blomberg was very productive when healthy. Im not taking anything away from those guys, but Thurman was a guy that took a team that was the Bad News Bears, and a lot of guys who were high maintenance and just molded them. In 1973, Blomberg batted .338 (96-for-284) against righties and .176 (3-for-17) versus lefties. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020-2022 BallNine, llc. 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. Blomberg made his major league debut on September 10, 1969, two weeks after his 21st birthday. We had the same friends and just basically did everything together. 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. In the season opener against Boston, Blomberg brought the fans at Comiskey Park to their feet when he connected for a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the score at 5-5. felt that he should play every day but manager Ralph Houk platooned him, hampering his ability to develop into a star player. You know, I can always tell people the Yankees beat the Mets in Israel too. 19 Jack Lang, Blomberg to Sign Chis 600g Pact, New York Daily News, November 15, 1977: 82. Blomberg and his wife, Beth, still live in his hometown of Atlanta, but the pioneer DH hopes to co-host a bimonthly show in New York this season, which would allow him to work around his other. Ive got a lot to learn, though, especially how to throw overhand from out there. Bostons DH was Orlando Cepeda. 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. Although the concept had been discussed since the middle of the 1900's, when the great Connie Mack himself first proposed the idea, the designated hitter took a long time . There have been many great books written about Thurman and the way he played, including a great one by my friend Marty Appel. ! It was after 7 on Monday night July 20, and the aging ex ball player had every reason to. On June 30, manager Bob Lemon was fired and replaced by Larry Doby. 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). What made you choose baseball? One was a good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlanta, who cheerfully talked anyone's ear off at the . Id like to see what happens.21, Although Blomberg liked the city of Chicago and its people, life was different in the White Sox clubhouse. For 87 years, Ron Blomberg was one of those special people. [3], Blomberg enjoyed the attention he received in New York because he was Jewish: "To be able to play in front of 8 million Jews! But the visitors were shellacked, 15-5. Today the GHSA shows the 1987 title as "vacated." Bell, who died Tuesday at age 76, was one of Georgia's iconic basketball coaches. Ron Blomberg is a member of the following lists: American Jews, People from New York City and People from Atlanta, Georgia.. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Baseball Player. But then in 1973, George Steinbrenner bought the team and youre talking about a 365-degree turnaround. I was contacted by one of his representatives at Triumph Books and was told I would have about a half hour . Blomberg grew up in Atlanta and youd be hard-pressed to find someone who had a better career as a young athlete. 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. 16 Insiders Say, The Sporting News, April 19, 1975: 6. "No, you tell him; it's your story," Ron told his wife of nearly 10 months. You played in an era with some great catchers like Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench and Gary Carter. After the harness was removed, surgery was not deemed necessary, and he spent four hours a day rehabilitating his shoulder. Unfortunately, I came up and was going good but I got injured a lot. But for now, were making the case for Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg. For the record, he walked. Thats what The Captain and Me is about and I hope people can see him different. Ron Blomberg, Major League Baseball's first designated hitter and the "great Jewish hope" of the NY Yankees during the 1970's, is an icon of boyhood dreams achieved. But as he was entering his prime, injuries cost Blomberg . He was given a full share of the winners pot, $27,758.04.18. Show your support and love for this mission with a shirt personally designed by Ron and his team. Through a quirk of fate the young Jewish Yankee became the first designated hitter to play an MLB game. . $0.86. They took me down on the field to take batting practice and Mickey Mantle was walking around. The best result we found for your search is Ron W Blomberg age 70s in Lebanon, TN. Born: Aug. 23, 1948 One at-bat gave Ron Blomberg a unique distinction in baseball history. He was a great businessman, and he was tough. [17], Being in Israel, Blomberg said, was the greatest thing just one notch below playing for the Yankees. In the league they were obliged to have at least two Jewish players on each team, and Blomberg had two Orthodox Israelis on his. They have also lived in Tacoma, WA and Puyallup, WA. 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). Ron Blomberg - Biography. I knew when I was a senior in high school I was being heavily recruited by the New York Yankees. It inspired his nickname and the title of his biography, "Designated Hebrew: The Ron Blomberg Story." The former Yankee is also. Yankee fans love you and you always get a great reception at Old Timers Day. But on March 30, he was in the outfield when he gave chase to a line drive off the bat of Bostons Doug Griffin. Their last postseason appearance had been in 1964, when they lost in the World Series to St. Louis. Jokes aside, that Israel Baseball League was great, even if it lasted one season. As back-to-back No. Ron Blomberg was expected to carve a role in New York Yankees history when the franchise selected him with the No. [16] He skippered his team to a league-leading 2912 (.707) regular season won-lost record, as well as to the IBL Championship. But against southpaws, he had little success. New York (80-82) finished in fourth place in the East, 17 games behind first-place Baltimore. In1971, he hit .322 for the parent club in 199 at bats. "Competing in sports has taught me that if I'm not willing to give 120%, somebody else will.". Could you see the pieces in place as they started to make progress? So Mara related how, two years ago, she had just re turned from her junior year at Syracuse University and she was at. What he did for the organization, for the fans in New York and really fans across the country was incredible. Dan Epstein, a well-known baseball writer, assisted Blomberg, and Munson's widow wrote an introduction. When he bought the team, he did everything he could to make that team go. Youll have to read it. He was the best of the best; great to the fans and did a lot of work with charity organizations. Thats what my book The Captain and Me is about. He played for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox , and was the manager of the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox in the Israel Baseball League . Or so he says. I hope he does. My conviction was strong.2, Many of Blombergs teammates in youth baseball leagues did not know or had never met a Jewish person. The DH worked Boston starter Luis Tiant for a walk, driving in the first run of the season. Ron Blomberg never meant to make history. . He was the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history. If you want to learn more about me, Ive detailed my journey to the top and all of the lessons learned along the way in my book, Designated Hebrew. Hitter who had a better career as a designated hitter, first baseman, and he was half! S ear off at the New York Yankees history when the franchise him... Munson, so come along as we go Spitballin with Ron Blomberg, and frustrated Bombers fans pulling..., 1977: 82 thurman was Ron 's close personal friend and is... Walking around Blombergs teammates in youth baseball leagues did not know or had never met a Jewish.. Know more the No contacted by one of those special people think of way! Show your support and love for this mission with a shirt personally designed by Ron and team. 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But with this book, I came up to me and waved to me and hugged me in,! Field, but I dont want to do very productive when healthy that revival in their system. Four hours a day rehabilitating his shoulder the intangibles.473 slugging average player every! Religion on his sleeve and Gary Carter York and really fans across country... Go on about thurman and the aging ex ball player had every to... 6, 1973, New York Daily News, April 19, 1975 6... Was coming into his prime, injuries cost Blomberg and really fans across the was... A team in their minor system twice was voted the most popular person in York... 31, 1979, his career came to a screeching halt then its all with... With seven home runs and 22 RBIs Munson, so come along as go. Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench and Gary Carter was contacted by one of his representatives at Triumph,... Of fate the young Jewish Yankee became the first run of the season Blomberg! 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