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| Linc Blakely |
Main Mausoleum, Sec. 9, Crypt 153, Tier 10
Lincoln Blakely was born in Oakland and attended Oakland Technical High School.
In 1934 Lincoln Blakely had a good shot at becoming the regular leftfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, but greed and his ego may have ended his big league career. After two good offensive games and a career of being underpaid in the minor leagues, Blakely took the advice of a newsboy and initiated a one-man sit down strike demanding more money. The Reds found a new leftfielder and Blakely never played another major league game. Harlin Pool ended up becoming the leftfielder for the Reds.
Blakely ended up playing only 34 games, batting just .225 in 102 at-bats and never hitting a homerun.
1 comment:
Story is not quite factual:
Oakland Tribune - Oakland California - 2 Feb 1935 - Saturday Page 8
by Eddie Murphy
Ernie Lombardi and Harlan Pool, both former Oaks, who returned unsigned contracts to the Cincinnati Reds because they believe they are entitled to more money, have received letters from the Reds' headquarters informing them that Larry McPhail, business manager of the Reds, will be in the Bay district in the next day or two to try to make adjustments to their satisfaction...
Lincoln Blakely, Oakland youth, also of the Reds, received his contract, calling for a substantial increase, some time ago, and singed.
... Blakely is alleged to have signed a blank contract with the Reds and when the team became hard up for outfielders one day last Summer, Blakely was called in and given an outfield berth. He hit the ball to all corners of the lot and played great ball, but when he received his pay check he was so thunderstruck by the small figures on it that he went into a slump.
Blakely visited the inner offices and when advised that was all he was to get he turned in his uniform and spent a few days watching the game from the stands. His bosses finally giving in to his demands because they needed him.
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