[BrianL99]

One of our most famous residents passed away on Monday.

Sudden Sam McDowell lived in Hadley.

Sam McDowell - Wikipedia

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

One of our most famous residents passed away on Monday.

Sudden Sam McDowell lived in Hadley.

Sam McDowell - Wikipedia

R.I.P. Sudden Sam.

[Stu from NYC]

A great pitcher. Wonder why more players have not mastered the knuckleball?

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

A great pitcher. Wonder why more players have not mastered the knuckleball?

that's a good question, but it's a hard pitch to master.

BTW, Sudden Sam was not a knuckleballer. He had a great fastball, slider, curve and change-up assortment.

When he was "on" he was virtually unhittable.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Laker14

that's a good question, but it's a hard pitch to master.

BTW, Sudden Sam was not a knuckleballer. He had a great fastball, slider, curve and change-up assortment.

When he was "on" he was virtually unhittable.

oops. Didnt realize that Sam Malone of Cheers was partly based on Sudden Sam.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

oops. Didnt realize that Sam Malone of Cheers was partly based on Sudden Sam.

Pretty cool.

[Taltarzac725]

Norm!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

oops. Didnt realize that Sam Malone of Cheers was partly based on Sudden Sam.

Probably a little more than "partly".

Sam (McDowell, not Malone) had a serious drinking problem he overcame and earned the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, for his work as an advocate for recovery and sobriety.

I was lucky enough to be there for the Cheers wrap party day at the State House and later at Tom Kershaw's Bull & Finch Pub, where Jay Leno was broadcasting the Tonight Show. Quite an event.

[Caymus]

Too bad he spent most of his career with the Indians.