| Matty: Old-time Baseball with Christy Mathewson |
| Sports Superstars |
  Written and performed by Eddie Frierson. Play Summary: Christy Mathewson (Eddie Frierson), Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Giants, shares insights about life in the big leagues. The pitcher talks about his childhood in the quiet town of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, at the end of the 19th century and his early desire to play major league ball. Matty recalls the peppery locker room speeches of the famous Giant manager, John McGraw, who turns a losing ballclub into a championship team by preaching hard work and equal treatment. Next, Matty relates the bizarre story of a rookie ballplayer named Fred Merkle whose failure to touch second base after making what appeared to be a game-winning hit earned him the ruinous nickname, "Bonehead" from the New York press. Matty also remembers Charley Faust, the looney human good luck charm of the Giants whose story is a baseball classic. Matty's tales of oldtime baseball contain a number of timeless rules for the game of life: 1) give your friends names they can live up to; 2) throw your best pitches in the pinch; 3) be humble and gentle and kind; and 4) if you are able to touch just one life in a positive manner you have succeeded in your own. Web Site: http://www.matty.org Grades: 3-12 Subjects: T Cost: $350
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