Interview with Robert G. "Bob" Lemon, May 15, 1979

Interview Summary

Bob Lemon was born in California. He was a pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball. Lemon describes his minor league career and military service in the Navy during World War II. He talks about Mel Harder and the players' pension plan, barnstorming with Satchel Paige in 1946 and 1947, Bob Feller's business enterprises and Bill Veeck as the owner of the Cleveland Indians. He also describes A.B. "Happy" Chandler's reputation with the players, and Lou Boudreau's term as manager of the Indians. He talks about Larry Doby as a player, his reaction to racial harassment, and his relationship with his teammates. He describes the 1948 pennant race, Lemon's 1948 no-hitter, the 1948 World Series, and Paige's abilities as a pitcher. Many Cleveland players are discussed: Dale Mitchell, Hank Edwards, Joe Gordon, Ken Keltner, Eddie Robinson, Jim Hegan, Thurman Tucker, Bob Kennedy, Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak, Steve Gromek, Don Black, and Bob Feller. Lemon describes the effect military service had on Feller's career and discusses World Series earnings. Some of the changes in baseball since 1951 are also discussed, such as scheduling, camaraderie among players, time spent with family, and commercialism. In addition, he covers the topics of Bill Veeck's promotions, Hank Greenberg as a general manager and negotiating with Bill Veeck.

Interview Keyword

Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Baseball Baseball Commissioner Bob Lemon

Interview LC Subject

Baseball--United States Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Lemon, Robert Lemon, Robert--Interviews

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.