Goody Rosen

Canadian Clubber

 

Because baseball players are a proud race of men, Goodwin Rosen, diminutive New York Giant outfielder, was full of the wrathful spirit one day in April, during the 1946 pennant race. He had belonged to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, a year in which he attained his highest major league batting mark of .325. But the Dogers had cast him aside this April and had sold him, a move which Goody could interpret only as contempt, toward the Giants, the hated interborough rivals.

Generally a quiet fellow, without fire but with plenty of hustle, Goody decided to show his old mates that they would regret the move of the Brooklyn front office, which was responsible for the trade.

So, the first time Rosen faced his old companions, the two teams were locked in a double-header, with the Dodgers the heavy favorites, for the Giants were destined to have a poor season and the Brooks a very good one.

Rosen, trying hard to please his new fans and to show his old ones that he was still a potent player, was the outstanding hero of the day, as the Giants swept the twin bill. Goody hit a three-run homer in the nightcap to give his new club the margin of victory and generally strutted about like the sudden big shot he had become. When the afternoon was over Rosen was batting .714!