When relations between the United States and Japan broke down in the prelude to WWII, no one was more despondent than Lefty O’Doul, who had fallen in love with and become an unlikely icon in the island nation. As the two nations tried to repair their relationship, Lefty was called on 71 years ago this week to begin a goodwill tour with his San Francisco Seals. Mike and Bill recount the life of O’Doul and then special guest Yuriko Gamo Romer, of Diamond Diplomacy (http://www.diamonddiplomacy.com/), discusses how the tour did, indeed, begin to heal old wounds. Plus, happy birthday to Smoky Joe Wood and Roy Smalley III!
The Twins start their game against the Giants on the right foot, as their first 8 batters get hits against Madison Bumgarner, tying a major league record, on their way to a 9 – 2 win. Ben Revere has two hits and two RBI in the frame. The Twins alternate four singles and four doubles and Bumgarner departs after one third of an inning, having given up 8 runs on 9 hits; his only reprieve comes when his opponent, Carl Pavano, comes to bat as the number 9 hitter and strikes out.
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June 21, 2011
