Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2012 > June > 04 > Entry
Borbon: A Damon Runyan character
Pedro Borbon was a character out of Damon Runyan’s typewriter, except Pedro Borbon was not a piece of fiction, he was a real character, with point of emphasis on character.
If I hadn’t been there, if I hadn’t seen most of it in person, I would never believe the stuff I saw out of Borbon - on and off the field, mostly off.
Borbon, 65, a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, died Monday and there are those who say he might bite his way out of the coffin.
Among other things, Borbon was a practitioner of voodoo.
AFTER PITCHING FOR 10 years out of the Reds bullpen from 1970 to 1979, Borbon was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Hector Cruz. Borbon was so angry that he put a hex on the Reds and said, “They’ll never win another championship.”
Borbon pitched on championship teams for the Reds in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1979.
The hex worked. In 1981 it really worked. There was a players’ strike in 1981 that interrupted the season, so baseball decided to divide the season in two halves, with division winners of each half meeting in a playoff.
The Reds had the best record in all of baseball for all games in 1981, but they didn’t win either half and didn’t make the playoffs and Borbon snickered in delight.
Then in 1982 they lost 101 games, most in franchise history. When Pete Rose managed in the late 80’s, they had three second-place finishes and Borbon snickered some more.
FINALLY, IN 1990, Borbon said, “I’ve lifted the curse.” And the Reds went wire-to-wire to win the division and swept the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. They should have voted Borbon a World Series share.
When the phrase, ‘Rubber arm,’ is used, they should show people a picture of Borbon to display what it means. He could pitch and pitch and pitch. Not only did he never have a sore arm, he never applied a single ice cube to his arm during his entire career. Never took treatment. He must have left it all up to Jobu, the mythical idol worshiped by Pedro Soriano in the movie ‘Major League.’
FROM 1972 TO 1977, Borbon was in the top five in appearances every year. Manager Sparky Anderson never asked Borbon, “Are you ready?” He just called him to the mound when necessary.
From 1970 to 1978 he appeared in more games than any pitcher in the National League and his 531 appearances for the Reds remain a record.
General manager Bob Howsam is credited with many outstanding trades and one of the unheralded ones was when he traded outfielder Alex Johnson and utility infielder Chico Ruiz to the California Angels for pitcher Jim McGlothlin, infielder Vern Geishert and Borbon. Borbon was a throw-in on the deal.
BORBON WAS PROUD of his Dominican heritage and often talked of his hobby, cockfighting. And when Riverfront Stadium was invaded one year by cicadas, Borbon made a bundle by betting teammates he would bite the heads off cicadas. Then he did it — over and over and over as he raked in the $20 bills.
One day I walked into the clubhouse just in time to see equipment manager Bernie Stowe walk over to Borbon’s locker, carrying a glove he had repaired. There was a long strand of rawhide hanging from the glove, where Stowe had re-strung it. It was too long and dangled a foot or so off the glove.
Instead of using industrial-sized scissors, Stowe took the glove to Borbon and he bit off the excess rawhide in one snap of his jaws.
I was amazed and as I stood there gap-jawed, Stowe said, “Strongest, sharpest teeth you ever saw. He does that all the time for me.”
THOSE SHARP TEETH became national treasures during the 1973 playoffs when Cincinnati’s Pete Rose and New York Mets’ shortstop Bud Harrelson engaged in a second base wrestling match. A brawl broke out on the field with equipment and hats strewn around the infield.
When the skirmish was over, Borbon picked up a hat and put it on his head. It was a New York Mets hat owned by Cleon Jones. When teammates pointed at it and laughed, Borbon yanked it off his head and bit a hunk out of the bill.
Try that. Just trying biting the bill of your baseball cap. Then call the dentist.
THEN THERE WAS the time the Reds were to embark on a 10-day road trip and Borbon had just acquired a German Shepherd. With nobody to watch it, Borbon left a large bag of dog food and a tub of water for the beast and left with his team.
When he returned, he was shocked to see his apartment turned into an indoor pigpen, complete with locked-in odor and enough dog droppings to fertilize a football field. And the rented furniture was gnarled into splinters.
Borbon was nearly finished when the Reds traded him in 1979. By May of 1980 he was finished.
Gone but not forgotten.
When the baseball players struck again during spring training of 1994, baseball, in one of its dumber decisions, decided to try to play the season with replacement players, strike-breakers — a bunch of retired guys, guys who had been cut from major-league teams in the past, minor-leaguers with no chance to make it in the majors, truck drivers, physical education teachers and burger flippers.
Jim Bowden, general manager at the time, decided to pull a publicity stunt and announced that the Reds had a mystery pitcher coming to spring training camp to pitch for the Reds. He kept it a closely guarded secret.
On the designated day, in walked 47-year-old Pedro Borbon. It was a joke, but the thing is, Borbon was serious, and thought he really could pitch. And you know what? He probably could.
Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By Physical Education Instructor
June 6, 2012 4:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, are you trying to disparage all Physical Rducation teachers by calling them Gym teachers? My point has been made.
By Physical Education instructor
June 6, 2012 4:20 PM | Link to this
BTW Hal, thanks for the apology.
By jim t
June 5, 2012 3:13 PM | Link to this
Hal, as always great article. Pedro was a highly competitive individual. Still can see him taking the bite out of the Mets cap.
By johnbrisker
June 5, 2012 2:52 PM | Link to this
to PE instructor, stop verifying all the stereotypes applied to your profession and lighten up. Or get a “real” degree in something meaningful like Communications
By Jim
June 5, 2012 2:03 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the article Hal, and for bringing back the memories. Well done Hal.
By 70s Reds Fan
June 5, 2012 1:35 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to see so many fond memories of Pedro posted here. Like another poster, he absolutely was my favorite pitcher, and not just because he was colorful. He was a superb performer. His “rubber arm” always got a lot of praise because he could pitch so often. But on the rare occaision when he got some rest, he was essentially unhittable in the mid 1970s. It always disgusted me to see or listen to praise directed at miserable Clay Carroll. Pedro was the pitching star in those glory years. Clay Carrol was nothing but a batting practice tosser by comparison. RIP Pedro.
By TYGO
June 5, 2012 10:40 AM | Link to this
Great blog Hal. I too have many fond memories of Borbon; he truly was one of the most memorable characters to play the greatest game. As an aside, this is a blog by one of the most decent, knowledgeable and giving people in the business. Hal has overcome many obstacles including a tragic loss of most of his vision, yet he is one of the kindest, most accomidating people you will ever meet. Physical Education Instructor, take a hike and don’t come back. Take your bitterness and your obvious lack of self esteem and shove it. We don’t want you here. This is about baseball; not your fragile ego.
By DeeCeeTwo
June 5, 2012 10:01 AM | Link to this
Great story Hal. Borbon was a character, sorry to see him go the hard way out.
By Log Cabin John
June 5, 2012 9:52 AM | Link to this
Hal related this Borbon story to us DNI printers ages ago. Pre-game bets at the Dome as to who had the better arm: Cesar Cedeno or Cesar Geronimo. Using home plate as a pivot, each CF’er threw to dead center for distance. Cedeno’s toss hit the warning track close to the wall and Geronimo’s hit 4’ up on the wall. Pedro Borbon belatedly put up his $50 and Hal said his toss went several rows into the CF seats. When Sparky discovered what had happened behind his back, he fined Pedro $100! Good tale for sure.
By Charlie
June 5, 2012 9:44 AM | Link to this
Hey Grammar Police: You seem to be experiencing an issue with your caps lock key. You really ought to get that looked at before it develops into a full blown case of being an arsehole. Lighten up, Francis.
By what the F
June 5, 2012 9:13 AM | Link to this
Just read the article, it’s not Rocket Science……O maybe I’ll upset them too!!! Good story Hal
By JR
June 5, 2012 9:10 AM | Link to this
Pedro was definitely one of my favorites growing up. No doubt about it!
By DuerreChuck
June 5, 2012 8:57 AM | Link to this
As a kid growing up watching the “Big Red Machine” Pedro Borbon was my favorite pitcher. May God or Jobu bless you!
By Grammar Police
June 5, 2012 8:41 AM | Link to this
Hey Physical Education Instructor, we give up. How many difficult science classes are required for a BS Ed. degree? Are there any easy English classes required, too? LEARN WHEN AND WHEN NOT TO USE APOSTROPHES FOR POSSESSIVE AND PLURALS BEFORE CRITICIZING OTHERS WHEN USING THE WRITTEN WORD…
By Bob
June 5, 2012 8:22 AM | Link to this
Pedro’s escapades will always keep his memories alive, especially with Reds fans.I think I remember a story of a throwing contest between him and Johnny Bench in the Astrodome trying to hit a speaker in the roof of the dome?
By Randyman1956
June 5, 2012 2:06 AM | Link to this
Sorry to hear about Pedro. He was always colorful. I remember always being relieved when he and The Hawk came into the game. What an arm. I can’t recall who did it but was Pedro the one who turned the clothes dryer on with Dave Conception inside trying to break a Conception slump?
By Robert K
June 5, 2012 1:50 AM | Link to this
As was already pointed out, the line from the movie Airplane was awesome… Airplane the movie: “Pinch-hitting for Pedro Borbon, Manny Mota.”
By Robert K
June 5, 2012 1:46 AM | Link to this
Everyone is right - Hal wrote a great article and some people just need to take it with a grain of salt. Some people are just way too sensitive. Everyone else knew his point and he even acknowledged that. Great stories as always, get a sense of humor
By Colgar
June 5, 2012 1:33 AM | Link to this
My dad tended bar at Wiggins in Cincinnati where the Westin is now. He became friends with Manny Mota and Mota was friends with Borbon. One night while I was away at EKU, those two visited my house where my brothers and their friends played a table baseball game APBA. Each player had a card that represented them. Borbon’s card gave up a run in relief and Borbon got upset with the card. From my father’s description it was very funny to witness. Mota had to explain what was going on.
By Irishguy
June 5, 2012 1:20 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the article, always enjoy Pedro Borbon stories. He certainly was a colorful guy.
By Brad
June 5, 2012 1:07 AM | Link to this
RIP Pedro. I remember being young and asking my parents what voodoo was after hearing the announcers talking about it.
By Mark
June 4, 2012 10:46 PM | Link to this
I was big Borbon fan when I was a kid. I had a shirt that had his number & name on the back. He came out to his car after the game & got excited when he saw the shirt. I met him on several occasions as a kid & he was always gracious & ready to pose for a picture or sign an autograph. I have them to this day. I only regret I will never get to meet him again.
By Borbon Fan
June 4, 2012 10:45 PM | Link to this
I was big Borbon fan when I was a kid. I had a shirt that had his number & name on the back. He came out to his car after the game & got excited when he saw the shirt. I met him on several occasions as a kid & he was always gracious & ready to pose for a picture or sign an autograph. I have them to this day. I only regret I will never get to meet him again.
By Mark
June 4, 2012 10:44 PM | Link to this
I was big Borbon fan when I was a kid. I had a shirt that had his number & name on the back. He came out to his car after the game & got excited when he saw the shirt. I met him on several occasions as a kid & he was always gracious & ready to pose for a picture or sign an autograph. I have them to this day. I only regret I will never get to meet him again.
By Bill Wiley
June 4, 2012 10:16 PM | Link to this
If I remember correctly from the mid-70s,if a team brawl broke out on the field, whether Pedro was in the dugout or warming up on the far side of the field, he would storm into the midst of the melee with the appearance of absolute glee.
By Mike n The Creek
June 4, 2012 9:55 PM | Link to this
I heard Pedro this spring on WLW do an interview. His English didn’t improve any over the years - I barely could make out a word! As far as PE teacher - REALLY! Guess comprehension was not part of that difficult curriculum! Or perhaps you were cuncessed recently in a dodge ball game in the gym!
By Martha
June 4, 2012 9:54 PM | Link to this
Why is there a link on her to re-Tweet but not for Facebook? If I just enter the web address, it doesn’t always adequately link back to the story. It should be elemental to have a Facebook link on every story - how else are people supposed to share your fantastic stories with the world at large?
By Hal McCoy
June 4, 2012 9:45 PM | Link to this
Gym teacher: Normally I don’t respond to comments, but I have to respond to yours. I was not disparaging any profession. I was merely pointing out that during the strike baseball was hiring anybody it could find to play, whether they could play or not. And some WERE teachers. My wife is a teacher and I respect what she does a heck of a lot more than I do. I would never disparage what she does. Man, I’ll bet your students just get a real hoot out of your sense of humor.
By Lew
June 4, 2012 9:39 PM | Link to this
Should be “Pedro Cerrano”…not “Soriano”.
By retired
June 4, 2012 9:27 PM | Link to this
Geez you morons a relly good teachr would take in stride.It’s story about a character that has passed away not about you mediocre moron who needs to pound his chest every time he teaches a class.Grow up!!!
By Capt. Oveur
June 4, 2012 9:06 PM | Link to this
Airplane the movie: “Pinch-hitting for Pedro Borbon, Manny Mota.” Wow PE Teacher! With that kind of knee jerk reaction, I hope your dumb as* isn’t teaching my kids. Sounds like your temper “needs some serious correction.”
By Physical Education Instructor
June 4, 2012 9:04 PM | Link to this
I didn’t miss the point; YOU did, McCoy clan member. I’m insulted by Mr. McCoy’s lumping of professional educators,as if flipping burgers and driving trucks were its equal in effort and/or cost. I am also insulted by a supposed ‘retired educator’, who refers to a fellow instructor in the unprofessional term:”phys ed teacher”. This abbreviated term is never used, if respecting the educated educators,in Physical Education circles. You should have learned this long ago, ‘retired educator’.
By iker
June 4, 2012 9:00 PM | Link to this
Great memories of Pedro Borbon brought me a big smile.Thanks Hal for the article.They just don’t make players as durable as him anymore. R.I.P
By Retired Teacher
June 4, 2012 8:42 PM | Link to this
Phys Ed Teacher - You missed the entire point. Did you even read the article. Of course most phys ed teachers are not major league material. If you’re insuted by that, then that’s your problem.
By Physical Education Instructor
June 4, 2012 8:30 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I guess the mystery man could have been worse, Hal; it could have been a mere Physical Education instructor. I am surprised that the American Federation of Teachers are not jumping all over your uninformed as*. Do you have any idea how many difficult science classes are required for a Bachelor of Science in Education degree? Your misguided opinion of Educator’s needs some serious correction.
By StuttgartTim
June 4, 2012 8:28 PM | Link to this
Great story Hal. He was indeed a character.