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KISS IT GOODBYE: Passing the hat for a home run

Yancy Street Gang Feb 03 2006 04:48 PM

Another thing that (I think) was new to me was Frank Thomas' stories about how in the minor leagues the fans would take up a collection for a hometown player after he'd hit a home run. I don't think I had ever heard of that. I wonder when the custom originated, how widespread it was, and when it died out. If I'm remembering the book correctly (it's been a few weeks now) that happened in more than one of Frank's minor league stops. It's hard to imagine today the fans collecting money to give to a player, even in the minor leagues.

Edgy DC Feb 03 2006 04:52 PM

I think it's gone on historically in the Carribbean nations. What interested me was that he made off with some pretty good hauls, even by today's standards. Considering the salaries he was getting, that was some good lettuce for a young man. One more reason that sticking around in minor league baseball long after your big-league prospects had fizzled was a worthwhile move.

Willets Point Feb 03 2006 04:57 PM

When I attended the Bermuda Cup Match the fans passed a hat for one of the cricketers for scoring 50 runs, but I've never seen it done at a baseball game.