The most unforgettable character I have ever met
By Johnny Orsino

Playing major league baseball during the golden era of the 60's, I caught great names such as Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Jack Sanford, Milt Pappas, Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Billy Pierce, Don Larson and many others. I hit against such great names as Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Denny McLain, Camilo Pasqual, Whity Ford and others. Everyone asks, "Who was the toughest"? "Who was the fastest"? A question I never hesitate to answer. Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, the 1 - 2 punch with the Los Angeles Dodgers has to be the my choice.

I'll never forget the first time I faced Sandy Koufax. It was 1961. I was with the Giants and we were playing the Dodgers in the Los Angeles Collisium. Juan Marichal was pitching for us. Both pitched outstanding, but Marichal pitched a 1 hitter and beat Koufax 1 - 0. I came up in the third inning with the bases empty. I always crowded the plate especially against lefthanders. Sandy threw one of his 98 miles per hour fastballs. I flinched and took the pitched which unknown to me was right down the middle of the plate. Bill Jackowsky the home plate umpire growled, "stiii-rike one". I backed away from the plate trying to get my composure back and glanced at Jackowsky. Knowing I was a rookie he looked at me, smiled and said, "what's the matter Johnny, did it SOUND a little low"? Believe it or not, I did get two hits off Sandy that night. Both were dieing quails just over the infield.

In 1958, playing for St. Cloud, Minn. In the Northern League, I came across a young lefthander just signed by the Baltimore Orioles by the name of Steve Delkowsky. Until this day, I have never seen anyone throw the baseball as hard and as fast as Steve Delkowsky. The first time we saw him was in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the Oriole team in the league. The players on the Aberdeen team couldn't wait to tell us about this new phoneme and the way he could throw the ball. He was warming up down along the left field line. As we watched him he kept backing up the catcher until the catcher was about 100 ft. away. From that distance he was throwing the ball well into the high 90's mph. He came in to pitch batting practice. The first three balls he threw missed the batting cage. Needless to say Steve had some control problems. The Aberdeen players refused to get in the batting cage, which ended Steve's workout for the day. He was so impressive we would check the box scores of the league to see how he was progressing. He would always have big strikeout numbers but also have serious control problems. Talking to the other teams that faced him there would be horror stories about his velocity and control. When he put it all together he was 'un-hitable.'

Aberdeen was scheduled to come to St. Cloud for a three game series so we knew we would have to face Steve. He didn't pitch the first two games but was scheduled to pitch the third game. Larry Stubing, our first baseman, Bob Quinn, a pitcher and myself made plans with Steve and two other Aberdeen pitchers to have dinner and a few drinks after the second game. We took them to our local restaurant and lounge. Bob had convinced a few of our local female fans to join us. The dinner turned into a severe party that begun at the lounge and ended up back at the hotel where the Aberdeen team was staying. We deposited the Aberdeen pitchers to their rooms at 4 am, obviously having problems finding their way. By the way, the other two Aberdeen pitchers were future major leaguers Dean Chance and Bo Bolinsky.

The next night was a beautiful but very humid evening. Steve started the game and looked very tough the first inning or so. By the fourth inning Steve's uniform was completely drenched with perspiration and you could see he had trouble focusing. He lasted another two innings and was relieved. We won the game. Knowing of our devious exploit, Steve bided his time but finally got even. A month later Steve beat us in Aberdeen pitching a one-hitter and striking out 18.

The next time we met was in 1963 spring training with the Baltimore Orioles. He had worked very hard through the Oriole farm system and seemed to be a shoe in to make the ball club as a long reliever. One week before we broke camp Steve hurt his arm. It turned out to be a career ending injury. I don't know where you are today, Steve, but I will never forget your amazing talent and how impressive you were.


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