August 24, 1919

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Joel Byers

On August 24, 1919, Cleveland Indians baseball pitcher, Ray Caldwell, showed the world how a real iron-man finishes a job. The Cleveland Indians were playing the Philadelphia A’s and leading 2-1. It was the bottom of the ninth with two outs and Ray Caldwell needed one more out for the complete game victory. Caldwell was on the mound, looking at the catcher for the sign when a bolt of lightning struck out of a clear sky, hitting Caldwell directly on his head, knocking him out cold and dropping all the other players on the infield to the ground. Caldwell was unconscious for over 5 minutes before he regained his senses. Did he seek medical help? Did he leave the game? Nope. He just got up, threw a pitch to the Philadelphia batter and got him to ground out to the third baseman, ending the game. Why’d he do that? Was it because he was a tough guy with a tough work ethic? No. It was because if he won the game, the Cleveland Indian’s manager would let him drink himself stupid that night. You just have to know what a man’s priorities are to properly motivate him.

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About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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