Farewell Frank Robinson…
With the recent passing of Hall of Fame player-manager Frank Robinson, posted below are pages 117 and 118 from “Municipal Stadium, Memories on the Lakefront” highlighting Frank’s managerial debut with the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium on Tuesday, April 8, 1975, featuring the incredible work of former Cleveland Press photographer Paul Tepley.
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Always the skilled professional, Paul captured baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn addressing the crowd, Mrs. Jackie (Rachel) Robinson throwing out the first pitch, Frank with manager Bill Virdon of the visiting New York Yankees before the game as they exchanged lineup cards with the umpire crew (see April 10th below), fellow photographers at work, and infielder John Lowenstein shaking Frank’s hand after Frank’s historic first at bat home run (career homer 575), off Yankees starter Doc Medich.
Paul also captured 1st baseman Boog Powell (in the Tribe’s bright red uniform), with Frank after hitting his first home run for the Indians, and Boog with teammate left fielder Oscar Gamble in ‘full fro.’ Led by Frank’s home run, Powell going 3 for 3 with 2 RBI, 2nd baseman John Brohamer’s 2 RBI, and starter Gaylord Perry, who pitched a complete game with 6 strikeouts for his 199th career win, Cleveland beat New York, 5-3, with Sandy Alomar, Sr. going 0 for 2, Graig Nettles 1 for 4, Lou Piniella 0 for 4, Chris Chambliss 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI, and catcher Thurman Munson 2 for 4 with an RBI for the visitors.
In addition to the two-page spread above, attached are links to Cleveland Plain Dealer articles by veteran sports reporters Russ Schneider, Chuck Heaton, Robert Dolgan, and Sports Editor Hal Lebovitz dating back to April 8, 9, 10, and 13, 1975 for your pleasure. April 8th – Russ Schneider 1A– 1D – 2D / April 9th – Season opener coverage: Front Page – 2G – Hal Lebovitz-Chuck Heaton – G1 – G5 – Robert Dolgan – G7 – and Rachel Robinson featured in Mary Strassmeyer’s civic luncheon story / April 10th – Russ Schneider-official lineup cards 1E – 2E / April 13th – Rachel Robinson with Barbara Robinson.
In addition, attached are links to the day’s entertainment 16A – 17A / TV / and Automobile Ads 12D –13D – 14D! I’ve also attached pages from the Plain Dealer’s April 4th Friday Tab highlighting the local rock and roll scene that week featuring: Rock Beat with Anastasia Pantsios highlighting the competition between WMMS-FM (John Gorman), and new radio outlet M105 (WWWM-FM-Eric Stevens) / top records/LPs / Dance Chances / upcoming Belkin concerts / Jane Scott’s The Happening / Suzy Quatro at the Coliseum / and Charlie Wiener’s Bonzo Revue at the Viking Saloon!
WELCOME BACK, BILL VEECK NIGHT / June 11, 1976
I’ve also included pages 119 and 120 from “Municipal Stadium, Memories on the Lakefront” highlighting “Welcome Back, Bill Veeck Night,” on Friday, June 11, 1976, when Frank hit a thrilling 13th inning blast (career homer 584) into the left field stands to beat Veeck’s Chicago White Sox, 5-4, before a Municipal Stadium ‘Beer Night’ crowd of 11,984, including Charley Lupica (who captured national attention in 1949 for living atop a pole for 117 days), and former Indian Luke Easter. It’s a treat to see Frank surrounded by his Cleveland teammates including Duane Kuiper, Ray Fosse, Buddy Bell (who was batting .309), and catcher Alan Ashby!
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In addition to the two pages above featuring more of Paul Tepley’s work, here are links to game coverage from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: June 7 – Russ Schneider 1C – 2C / June 11 – 1B – 2B / June 12 –1C– 2C). Also attached are links to that night’s local TV (with Hoolihan & Big Chuck on WJW-TV8 at midnight after “Mary Hartman”) / area Movies / upcoming Belkin concerts / Dance Chances / Jane Scott’s The Happening column –p. 28 – p. 31 / Rock Beat with Anastasia Pantsios featuring Miami Steve / the new Smoking ban at area arenas / and Automobile Ads from Matadors to a Pantera – 15C – 16C – 17C!
As a fellow photojournalist on a much, much smaller level, it’s always a joy to showcase Paul Tepley’s work. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.
There’s plenty more to come! George Cormack
Editor’s note: You’ll find Jane Scott (with snippets from concert reviews), Anastasia Pantsios, Mary Strassmeyer, Chuck Heaton, Hal Lebovitz, Frank Robinson, Buddy Bell, Ray Fosse, Hoolihan and Big Chuck (with movie listings), John Gorman, Charlie Wiener, Bill Veeck, Jr., Belkin Productions concerts, Viking Saloon, and area dance chances among the thousands of names, plus hundreds of venues, events, movies, and even automobiles featured in Planner Project 2016!
