E-2, Mick-ay?

Mickey Owen, a former catcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers whose All-Star seasons were overshadowed by one fateful inning, has died at the age of 89. Game 4 of the 1941 World Series. 9th inning. Two Out. Dodgers lead 4-3 and are one strike from evening the series. Ace reliever Hugh Casey let loose a curve that appeared to strike out Yankees batter Tommy Henrich. Owen was fooled and despite having set an NL record for consecutive chances without an error, couldn’t hold the pitch, and Henrich reached safely. Faster than you can say Rich Gedman, the Yankees had rallied for a 7-4 win, taking a 3-1 lead in the series, which they won the next night, leading to the oft-repeated headline, “Wait ‘til Next Year.” Although better known for his defense, strong arm and leadership, Owen made history the following season as the first player to pinch-hit a homer in an All-Star Game. After World War II, Owen was one of about a dozen players who challenged the indentured servitude endured by major league baseball players at the time by signing to play in the Mexican League and was blackballed from the majors until 1949. After his career ended, Owen founded the well-regarded Mickey Owen Baseball School in Miller, Mo., and served as sheriff of Greene County in Missouri and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor.