BoBo Newsom made his major-league debut with Brooklyn in 1929 and wrapped up his playing career with the Athletics in 1953. In between he won 211 games and lost 222, pitching mostly for second-division teams.
When the St. Louis Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1954, ol? BoBo wanted to be a part of that, too. He had pitched for the Browns on three separate occasions during his career, and his bosses from the 1953 A?s ? GM Art Ehlers and skipper Jimmy Dykes ? had come to Baltimore to run the brand new Birds.
Newsom, 46 years old but looking at least a decade older, thought he could still pitch, but Ehlers had another idea. In Brooklyn, the Dodgers featured a rotund funnyman in a Dodger uniform as host of their TV pre-game show. “Happy Felton?s Knothole Gang” was a fan favorite, and Ehlers thought that BoBo could enjoy the same kind of success, despite no formal training as a broadcaster.
With the sponsorship of Esskay Hot Dogs, “BoBo Newsom?s Knothole Gang” debuted on Ch. 13 in 1954, along with the Orioles. I was too young to have watched it, but I?ve been told that to say that BoBo “lacked polish” would be an understatement. No matter, he?d wear an Orioles uniform and cap and encourage the youngsters to get out there and play ball.
Newsom also made appearances on behalf of the team and his sponsor, which brings us to the photo you see. I?ve owned this picture for many years but have no idea where it was taken. I know who took it ? the photo credit on the reverse says it was Francis DiGennaro. But, beyond recognizing Newsom, I have no idea as to who the kids are.
It?s apparent that it?s some kind of all-star team. Each young man is holding a trophy ? can any of those treasures still be around? ? and they?re each wearing a different team?s uniform. The teams represented are Lions, Tigers, Amoco, Bearcats, Cubs, Toppers, Junior Orioles and Bulldozers. These boys would all be nearing retirement age now, and I?m hoping that someone in the photograph can provide me with the details.
Though Newsom had pitched in the majors as recently as the previous season, I?m going to suppose that the players in the photo may have asked themselves how an overweight, middle-aged man could have possibly gotten anyone out. (“This guy pitched to Mantle? My dad?s in better shape!”)
Inasmuch as they may have never been to a big-league game before 1954, they may have assumed that this guy had more connection to Esskay Meats than to baseball. And, in fact, Newsom faced off against the Colts? legend Art Donovan in a hot-dog eating contest that year in a Baltimore restaurant. Donovan won in a rout.
I know someone out there recognizes a face in this picture. If you can provide some details, please write me in care of The Examiner, 400 E. Pratt St., Baltimore 21202. I?ll do a follow-up column once I get some details.
Phil Wood has covered sports in the Washington-Baltimore market for more than 30 years.
