Can you give me the name of this great Hall-of-Fame pitcher?

Question

He played in the 1940's, 50's and 60's and had a career pitching record of 28 won, 31 lost and no saves.

10 points to the person that gives me the right name and best story about him.

Craig S. and Chipmaker I know you are out there.

"Don't ever look back, someone might be gaining on you"

"Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common."

"Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."

"I used my single windup, my double windup, my triple windup, my hesitation windup, my no windup. I also use my step-n-pitch-it, my submariner, my sidearmer, and my bat dodger. Man's got to do what he's got to do."

"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."

Answer 1

Foo, I haven't even had my coffee yet...

Satchel Paige.

A good Paige story? Hmm... he was better at telling them than starring in them... still... well, here's his "Rules for Staying Young":

1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
4. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society — the social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. And don't look back — something might be gaining on you.

Answer 2

It is Satchel Paige. Can you imagine what that record would have been had he been in the majors in his prime? His official date of birth is still not known but has been estimated as July 7, 1905. Could you see him vs Babe Ruth and Gehrig, or Cobb (that would have been interesting!!!)

Satchel was over 40 years old the entire time he played in the majors.
He earned his nickname, "Satchel," as a young boy, when he took a job carrying bags (and satchels) at railroad stations for passengers.
Satchel started his career in 1924 when he had a tryout with the Mobile Tigers, a semi-pro baseball team.
He went on to become the dominant pitcher of the ***** Leagues.
When the ***** League wasn't playing in the winter, he would go to the Caribbean leagues and pitch.
He claimed that the more that he pitched, the stronger he got, so he did not work out on his own.
He started 29 games in one month in Bismarck, North Dakota.
He claimed that he won 104 of the 105 games he pitched in 1934.
He would face major league players annually by playing against major league barnstorming teams.
He was brought into the major leagues in 1948 by Bill Veeck to play for Cleveland.
He holds the record for being the oldest rookie in the Major League.
In his first year with Cleveland, he went 6-1 with one save and a 2.48 ERA.
He ended his six-year major league career with a 28-31 record and a 3.29 ERA.
Joe DiMaggio called him "the best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced."
He retired in 1953.
He made a special appearance in 1965, pitching 3 innings for the Kansas City Athletics.
Pitching for the Kansas City Athletics made him the oldest player in the Major Leagues.
Paige did not commit a single error in 179 major league games

Answer 3

Dude it's Satchel Paige.

How about the story of his age?

When asked about the year Satchel was born, his mother said, "I can't rightly recall whether Leroy was first born or my fifteenth." On a separate occasion, Lula Paige confided to a sportswriter that her son was actually three years older than he thought he was. A few years later she had another epiphany – he was, she said, two years older. She knew this because she wrote it down in her Bible.

When Paige wrote his memoirs in 1962, he was not convinced about that version. He wrote, "Seems like Mom's Bible would know, but she ain't never shown me the Bible. Anyway, she was in her nineties when she told the reporter that and sometimes she tended to forget things."

Answer 4

Best story I ever heard was Dizzy Dean said that put him and Satchel on the same team and they could go fishing at the all star break and come back for the playoffs.

Answer 5

Leroy 'Satchel' Paige