Fritz Peterson, Former Yankees Pitcher

So my pleasure to introduce a guy who don't quite a bit about. Being met a guy -- of sports a minimum Red Sox and -- back in its early seventies ago I watched all the Yankee games to visit Connecticut kid. The one and only Fritz Peterson joins us via via an amazing invention called long distance all threats. I mean it's hard it's -- is Mike here in many were ball -- Where -- ready to rock I consider coming to Boston where were happy to promote that's fact you come to sign some autographs at field Castaneda sports -- store.

Yes I am I'm yeah. -- very interest in meeting him I never met him before but I understand he was a good friend Thurman Munson. And a and I know he's the man out.

He's a really good guys hard to be at a Yankee fan in this town it's all -- it's tough it's a tough living someone's got to do it and Phil's been a lifelong Yankee -- that. Huge big you know speaking of -- admit is favored Oakland players Mickey Mantle for its and a your book is called Mickey Mantle was going to happen. Awareness to a title.

Well yeah I know that's pretty have to figure out. But I I get prostate cancer and.

The year 2000. And I I have -- treated and it came back in 2006. Edit it scared me and I it was. Was wondering if I was going to be going to evidence that because there's a good chip that I made died from it you know everybody made I would -- yet -- pat -- I have a picture -- edit but. After that it happened when I got to the second time as they're thinking about my friends Mickey Mantle months in Mercer.

And if they were going to have that are.

Indicate it good chance the -- thirty.

About the Bible again beleaguered -- but I was scared that I -- and and.

I thought it I was writing this last year or years I'd let you know what it's a good title Mickey Mantle is going to haven't.

This is how I knew immediately got my attention.

Well yet you know that. Christians I know the evangelical people based -- now he's starting -- because. He knew he was quote quote born again under and he batted and that means he instantly that the lord. By July steady and all that I found that that it is that true. And I can't believe it or that. It.

lot of people have that misconception. But actually he's sleeping right now and when the lord comes Dickey will be in the first round.

He will put haven't that's why said that you know is going to have.

We don't you came in at a time when the Yankees were I remember I went to the World Series is 64 when -- ten years old. And the Yankees worry my a lot of people consider them. In a decline at that point even though they they went to the World Series got beat by the cardinals under Yogi Berra but shortly there after they went through -- maybe -- worst period. And history's first or overall team's success and you were as I was look at the numbers here. -- you really remarkably successful for a team that really wasn't that great behind -- act is that accurate.

Well it's very accurate my game and I -- and felt worse for Mel Stottlemyre because he'd he'd probably with a team like. The Baltimore was during that era or the old yankees would've been -- now right but because they had.

It was stopped and I don't think bad about my -- one I signed with the 81963.

They said you know is dodger pitcher you might look in the.

And it's good -- left and it actually that he's going to be in the World Series every year and you'll get that error and it it's a great idea so.

My first -- which was 66 we came in the last place.

Which was the first time since 1912 that the ink -- it there.

Yeah -- you that was it I was a little tough to run but some interesting and colorful stories. Of course from that Durban I got a first check out this stat that I read about -- the lowest earned run average in Yankee Stadium.

Yes and I couldn't believe they'll wanna heard it because in others so monster pitchers there over the years.

And I am what they did is they compiled they earned run averages only in Yankee stadium of all the pitchers whoever pitched there and.

It's 500 or more any. Okay and dull aptly enough I happened to be number one and I hit it too quiet you'll. And Whitey Ford is -- it to buy cyber -- and that's an -- yeah. I couldn't believe it it's floored me.

Threats that this is Lanny I'm looking at you erected and mean and left and -- I've been 33 career win three point 30 ERA what would you be worth today.

Well he's gonna use the -- troublemaker in the -- yeah. Yeah that's. I'm kidding but yet but I would imagine and I have started this many and -- I called bad to your favorite Mickey Mantle -- About the money issue in Italy he never beat Greg any but he forgetting what state that while he was still wide economic he only got two under. Thousand right so I caddie used edit my deadline thinking.

Well you know -- yeah I could get and twelve million today and -- right here Patrik. OPEC into it he handled it very well apart and I try to beat it to expect to lose a lot of sleep over -- yet.

Here's Jack has left handers right in it in today's marketplace. You know and -- my best man was bill lead his basement and -- well it is that not. And you know something about left handers -- I don't know what it is but they're they're just different you know. Is all about -- but he he talked about he had seventeen win seasons three years in a row and eight and unity talks about god I can even imagine what guy -- seventy games left hander now starting pitcher would get. You had three straight seasons with -- run average under three.

Well I didn't know it -- Yeah. Yeah there's a wide net and I get I winning isn't there a role where I think -- If you want fifteen or more.

668. To 720 yeah.

ended July when you do. When did you find the --

I actually became pull quote again aborted -- in 1976. -- because. Because I was leaving baseball at the time and I and and it felt lost. And I happen to be at a team -- any taps and if you remember at night it was Cleveland what what it Cleveland. Well actually present at Texas Rangers he gets a it was a Blyleven let the same time I got to -- the anti it was a real. Born to get her and he was dying of leukemia. And he wasn't even worried about bank and it my goodness my career leading and escape Diana and he's so it -- yeah. And so I we've spent a lot of time with -- and he ready -- need to lower respectively it either perspective. The -- badly in -- now in this issue I guess.

In since 2006. Since I it was. Thinking I might -- and may find out any answer pretty.

And I really delved into deeper meaning that for years now and he I don't.

And I just have one if you're cancer free again since it came back in 06.

Not that I'm in a research program right now I'm sick bed September 1 they go back to see what they're gonna it would mean that and I'm hundred good scary like actors -- answer but that -- the Nazis get lung cancer he never smoked but. And it's another story but you'd never know and in need this can't be serious it now. And studying it I found out there's good news for everybody out there. It's that side in the churches but. Everybody ought to happen.

Say what you know why I loss of them remember last Thanksgiving two to lung cancer she didn't smoke either we have our big Jimmy Fund their radio telethon coming up next week for. A Mike Andrews in the Jimmy Fund where we -- much is recant for cancer research it's just one that awful diseases that it affects everybody's life for its we will pray for you my friend. Eight thank you so much it -- under wonderful. It is it is great organization I got to ask you you know I have to ask you about the I don't know I know it's been. And that's because -- that you are talking about Billy the space man he had his weird moments -- but maybe not quite so what usual as the national headlines that -- you would UT made another lefthander Mike -- it's made. When you had the infamous family swapping thing -- us the the story. From your own mouth.

Well we were best of friends. And over I -- it yeah. That's us and we wrote together at a roller a lot to lose so we delivered everything each yet.

They came to -- you're making 69 and it and have for me replaced Jim --

Who was on love and and free thinker like as you're all analyst Mike yeah Mike felt like a brother to me.

At least that I am I really tried to keep him in with a team. The guys are all yankees forever that might -- out from the actors and that.

And it's have to break in -- from another organization with the players so. I helped them out and he really appreciate it we spent time together family our family yet.

The same age is there were two inside at the and he -- two girls and it's too important. And.

It just got to the point where. He did first seed Belmont was my ex wife. And then I saw them out with his wife and.

How are part of that for -- how -- with that simultaneous signed between those two. -- relations.

It's well. He was the first -- to say any. And he had told Mike Pearl -- out it was his wife of the and that. He it was in love with Maryland XY -- and I mean it floored her and I mean not that bad out of a person and likewise correct and it --

It ditching Intel -- are dead or did -- value that he was out of your life.

She she told me and that's why it now ex wife Mike's wife yeah. And and I really felt sorry for her and I -- like -- it. You know this is serious. And we we didn't know any better at the time we the just get into deep with the feeling in everything and with the kids that all of a sudden. We looked at each other side we're married to the wrong people issued Buick where an IB repair and you know the kids might my boys were. Mike is a real good. Person was always you know -- rough. Fund type of guy and I'm -- then he'd be better with my kids in -- and my current wife Susan is. Great with dead girls then that would work out in all of a sudden. Here we go right into Baltimore one -- lasting about someday we're going to be on the Arctic chill. You know the rest of the story and then next -- they had in. And 73 we were addressed this story.

I guess that's it. It isn't -- legal courts and a different era than anybody who lived through that there are now. You're you're a little bit older than me but you certainly went through the sixties when things were just bad things were changing from a cultural -- perspective as far as. That kind of thing I mean things were more free -- open or what have you but how did affect your relationships thereafter when when you made the switch. And indeed it did it did your friendship stay together.

Well OPEC of the sixties beleaguered -- eight did not. Like the -- out. It was like older or more conservative percent -- now Mike liked the beast needs it but I didn't act out in you want -- conservative. Like conservatism. And liberal and early seventies. It in an. We we never knew it would turn it is and I am not advocating people -- you know it was raw but it just happened. And now I know another answer and -- in the book too about the lord in all at. So it. More I read the book the more -- like it. And I pirated.

Yes -- you want to be that way not have a how the kids later I imagine -- kids gone out now how to live how -- they look. Back of -- upon that is just being pawns in your lives.

Yeah I I would think get the older ones and I noticed is tech. Work and -- that it was anymore that it be waited for them either. Again today against. There was casualties of war which was the worst part of at all yup the younger kids who were to attack him. Both our our wonderful kids I mean the others are too but stated they were happy about it crap he's still -- their lives this. Younger what they're fine I think even within it and I don't know that three year difference in age. Usual bit more wisdom or lack wisdom or something I'd. They're okay we you know we we still talk about it now about the French it was Mike. Now Ornette friends I mean I I well I would love to see him sum payment is taught in my absence of -- Probably -- back in 1977.

Did you tell -- about this book.

Help. I I had taken on top of the lord at. Yet this is right it after I had become all court bordering Jenner. And I was database on he was with the Mariners and 77 and optimum. About the lord you money part of it you know he was appreciative that I was strained elbow. He didn't hear about.

What do you think he's gonna think about this book.

You know if he reached its Euro I think he's gonna like it because I think Wright did him real justice because I.

I'm not blaming anybody or more the blame at anybody and it -- and I'm sure that it's it's. But I don't think he or my ex wife pertinent. The upset with the book if they read -- you know you get kicked out spat at and you can say well that's terrible but it really isn't overall.

You know one thing I've learned you get one crack -- life and if you make mistakes you spent too much time harping on that mistake that you don't fulfill the rest of whatever -- meant to be here for.

Yeah exactly. And I'm trying to do and I felt I rushed the book a little bit because I don't know about my health. And I know it's that totally edited like tremendous English major would do -- If he gets good and get the big picture I think it's gonna be -- really good people to create.

Well I'm I'm -- invite people bound of his field to -- Cassidy sports rules torrents August where you will be signing copies of the book for -- of this weekend and -- but make sure we let them know. When you're going to be there and and that they -- meet you because you know. You've had pretty adjusting like net that whole thing with a swapping notwithstanding you pitched for the New York Yankees at the lowest ERA 133 ball games -- a ball park. You played -- Mickey Mantle and you you really. There were the only star pitcher on the team and a period of time where they did -- used stand bonds and I guessed right I mean as you and you would stand -- some pretty much right.

Share it and that would -- melt Stoudamire was really like premiere and I was always -- into with him. You know it was a hard time and it makes me tired even to this state thinking about -- out on the mound with the team we had behind as compared to what the Yankees used to.

How are Red Sox up at the Red Sox rivalry at the time because. You don't -- with a Red Sox went through this period of time where there were awful for a long long time you know the fans appear crazy they're rabid they hate the Yankees. But here you are in 67. You know pitching for the New York Yankees. And the Red Sox are going to this miracle season and suddenly the tides have completely turn your stories about Boston. Maybe the fans get -- purity thing with that rival.

All he aperture. Especially after. Marriage thing happened it was almost impossible to warm up from the in the -- out there the best you know I heard how quiet but 200 million times there. I capital and what you say which one -- I act up did you know I I -- it right away and I joked about it all attack. And I might white or white stone. They don't like -- joke about it --

If -- I'm I'm pretty liberal and so I say you know a case they traded wise it's houses I concede that. But the dogs. C'mon. You're at the dogs.

I get better deal out of it and carry. A couple. That's great that is absolutely the better deal no question about. It. That's funny that is just wild. Well. This one which is the best first of all with your health and you know again -- which yet you've been through this before. You've obviously got all the -- in the world and I hope your view and okay about that and I hope you get better and I hope -- doctor it's better that matter.

Yes thank you very much especially the back it and -- beautiful it is. It never hurts me probably more than myself. With my condition he is safe so many people's lives.

And and -- jobless you gotta save in my life to put that Mickey mail's gonna have and I think a lot better about my soul at --

that you'll see why can't have it. Fritz I want to have reported Boston and all the years that good guy -- come down and see yeah and and pick up a copy your book right there you'll sign it right there on the premises and at the at the sport's rules the right. Oh absolutely no wait a good deal and thanks thanks for joining us on the program thanks -- well. -- it emigrate making it merit for it's -- and former New York Yankee lefthander and while what do stories are gone.