DAILY DIRT: It was Quincy native Ostermueller who should be credited with famous saying

Daily Dirt for Sunday, March 2, 2025

Ostermueller was also a key figure in a famous movie … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,217 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Probably not many Quincy residents — or local sports fans — know much about a guy named Frederick Raymond “Fritz” Ostermueller.

And until a few days ago, I honestly didn’t either.

I had seen Fritz’s name on some lists of MLB players who were born in Quincy, but never looked much into his background. I knew the Quincy High graduate had been a pitcher, but that was about it. He played in MLB from 1934-48, a period when there was no ESPN or other 24-hour media services that monitored a player’s every move and statistic.

Folks, we should give Fritz a little more credit than he’s ever received. Not only did he win more than 100 games in the big leagues — pitching for the Red Sox, Browns, Dodgers and Pirates — but he coined one of the most famous baseball-related phrases that MLB fans have heard over and over and over.

Through the years, the saying, “Home run hitters drive Cadillacs; singles hitters drive Fords” has been misattributed (most of the time) to legendary announcer Ralph Kiner.

Through the years, Kiner himself said numerous times it was Ostermueller who first cracked that line. But often when the phrase is used nowadays, it is credited to Kiner by an announcer who has obviously has not done his homework. So when you hear that remark this season — and you most definitely will — just smile and think to yourself, “Nope, Fritz is the one who said that”.

Ostermueller’s other claim to fame was being portrayed (by actor Linc Hand) in the movie “42” that deals with the life and career of Jackie Robinson. In the film, Ostermueller hits Robinson in the head with a high pitch, presumably feeling he did not belong in the major leagues because of his race.

In reality, Ostermueller’s pitch hit Robinson on the left wrist. Ostermueller later claimed it was a routine brushback pitch without any racist intent. According to reports, Ostermueller’s family has always denied that he was a racist and the scene was just “a movie ploy.” 

Later in life, Ostermueller became the owner-operator of the Diamond Motel in Quincy. He died Dec. 17, 1957 of colon cancer. He was 50 years old.

Ostermueller’s career record in the majors was 114-115 with a 3.99 ERA. Eight times he won 10 or mores, with a high of 13 three different seasons. He wasn’t a terrible hitter wither, showing a .234 career batting average.

Ostermueller is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

2. Did you know (Part 291)

• That giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep per day. They do most of the sleeping whole standing up. Know the feeling.
• That Denny Hamlin (51), Junior Johnson (50) and Mark Martin (40) are the drivers with the most won a to have never won a NASCAR championship.
• That it was 36 years ago when Milli Vanilli released “Blame It On The Rain”.
• That the first Blockbuster movie rental site opened in 1985. The last closed in 2014 after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
• That the first email sent occurred in 1971. According to recent data, approximately 347.3 billion emails are now sent globally each day. 
• That sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins. 

3. Some more songs that are turning 50 years old in 2025:

• “You Sexy Thing,” by Hot Chocolate
• “Rock and Roll All Night,” by KISS
• “Sister Golden Hair,” by America
• “Oh What A Night,” by the Four Seasons
• “TNT,” by AC/DC
• “Born To Run,” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Lover Roller-coaster,” by the Ohio Players
• “Kashmir,” by Led Zeppelin
• “Love Hurts,” by Nazareth
• “Evil Woman,” by ELO.
• “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac

Feel a little older now? I thought you would.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Kind of feeling sad after coming across the 1965 hit from the Seekers, “I’ll Never Find Another You,” while looking up some of the songs for today’s Thought No. 3. Seekers’ lead singer, Judith Durham, died in 2022 at age 79. What a great voice she provided us. In her younger years, Durham envisioned becoming an opera singer. Personally, I’m thankful she wound up in the world of pop music.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He’s more sloth than dolphin.