Fans: If you like home runs, you should have seen me play. I was baseball's top home run hitter in the years after World War II. I played only two seasons in the minor leagues and proudly served in the US Military from 1943-1945. I joined the major leagues in 1946 and led the NL in homers in my rookie year; in fact I led the NL in HR's for seven straight years - still an unbroken record. Baseball fans jammed the ballparks just to see me hit home runs. Over 5 million paid to watch the last place Pittsburgh Pirates from 1947-1950, and would not leave until after my final at bat in every game. In 1947, I batted .313 and hit 51 HR's and led the league with my .639 slg percentage. I had a great 1949 season and hit 54 HR's to become the first NL to hit over 50 HR's in a single season two times. For every 100 at-bats, I averaged 7.1 home runs, a percentage that is second only to Babe Ruth.
The Pirates traded me to the Chicago Cubs in 1953 and I retired from baseball in 1955 at the age of 33 due to a sore back. Perhaps you've seen me on TV as I am a long time Mets broadcaster.
