Giants Player Profile: Dick Dietz Signing for $90,000 in 1963, Dietz and his roommate, fellow bonus catcher Randy Hundley, became known as The Gold Dust Twins. Called up late in 1966, he hit a 410-foot homer off Sandy Koufax. Playing just 56 games in 1967, he was named the Topps all-star rookie catcher, but didnt become a regular until 1970. That year, he peaked in every offensive category (.300, 22 HR, 107 RBI), and homered in the ninth inning of the All-Star Game. Dietz is remembered for his role in a controversial umpiring decision during the 1968 season.The Giants were facing Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale, who was in the midst of a scoreless inning streak that would eventually reach a record-setting 58 and two-thirds innings. The Giants had the bases loaded with no outs and Dietz at bat. Dietz was hit by a pitch, apparently ending Drysdales scoreless innings streak. However, home plate umpire Harry Wendelstedt, citing a rarely enforced rule, refused to allow Dietz to take first base, claiming that Dietz did not attempt to avoid being struck by the ball. Drysdale then retired Dietz and the next two batters, keeping his scoreless streak alive. Beaned in mid-1971, Dietz played down the stretch in a tight race with L.A. with his head heavily bandaged. When the Giants clinched, Dietz grabbed a radio microphone to shout, The Dodgers can go to hell! Because of a clerical error, the Giants lost Dietz to the Dodgers in 1972, but he broke his finger in his first start for Los Angeles. Dietz died at age 63 of a heart attack in Clayton, Georgia on June 28, 2005. He was survived by his wife and children.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 01:21:47 +0000
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