Facts, Trivia, Memories and More about Eddie Lopat

Transactions

Traded: July 30, 1955: Steady Eddie was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in return for Jim McDonald.

Memories

Zita C. from Tampa, FL wrote: Of all the memories, stories, etc. I could tell you about Eddie Lopat, one I will never forget is what happened on September 17, 1951. On that Monday afternoon I watched him beat the Cleveland Indians to another unrecognizable pulp, 2-1, and after the game I caught up with him because I had a burning question to ask him. I was as nervous as a cat, and the only thing I could think of to ask him was "Excuse me, Mr. Lopat...could I ask you something?" He looked at me, and then with four quiet words he had me in the palm of his hand: "Go ahead.  I'm listening." It was the way he said it; it relaxed me completely. I told him that I just wanted to ask him something about the slider. His response was to motion to me to follow him, and he drew me away from the mob at the clubhouse door and off to one side of the ballpark where he showed me, no ifs, ands, buts or bases on balls, how to throw a good one. That pitch became my strikeout pitch in very short order, and I built my arsenal around it and became a very good pitcher indeed. I ended up working with him for almost four years, and he helped me become an even better pitcher, with such addenda as the crossfire. I will always remember him for what he did. Steady Eddie, thank you.