Monday, April 7, 2014

Today in 1944 - "A Brewer Tradition"

This photo comes from the Milwaukee Journal seventy years ago today, April 7, 1944.

A Brewer tradition is to have a shortstop as the team's lead-off batter. Dick Culler (above), who succeeded Tony York at the position, has been selected as the No. 1 hitter in the Brewer line-up. His predecessors were Eddie Stanky in 1942 and York last year. In 1942 Culler had a hand in beating the Brewers out of the pennant when his bay decided several important games in the final week of play. He was with St. Paul.
New Brewer shortstop Dick Culler spent 1943 with the Chicago White Sox, but when he was unable to unseat their starter Luke Appling. He was classified 1-A by his draft board early in 1944, and there was some concern that he would be unable to report to the Brewers' spring training camp in Waukesha. When camp started, however, Culler reported to manager Charley Grimm. Just days later, he was photographed taking batting practice at Frame Field.

I love the nylon jacket Culler's wearing. Shame his swing is obscuring the Owgust patch.

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