Ex-Dodger Pitcher Van Lingle Mungo Dies at Age 73
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PAGELAND, S.C. — Van Lingle Mungo, 73, who added his name and deeds to the lore of the Brooklyn Dodgers, died Tuesday at his home.
Mungo, who had of one of the best fastballs of modern times and one of the most memorable monickers in baseball, will be buried here today.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Feb. 15, 1985 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Friday February 15, 1985 Home Edition Sports Part 3 Page 15 Column 1 Sports Desk 2 inches; 56 words Type of Material: Correction
In a United Press International story that appeared in Thursday’s Times on the death of former Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Van Lingle Mungo, it was reported that Mungo’s name had been used in a recording of the song “Dodger Blues.” The name of that song is “Dodger Blue,” and Mungo’s name was not used. David Frishberg, who wrote “Dodger Blue,” had earlier written another song entitled “Van Lingle Mungo.”
The right-hander won 81 games for the Dodgers between 1932 and 1936, leading the National League in strikeouts in 1936 with 238. He compiled a 120-115 record with a 3.47 earned-run average during a 14-year major-league career.
Mungo achieved some measure of fame solely through his name, which briefly claimed the limelight years after his retirement in a 1970 hit recording, “Dodger Blues.” Sung in bossa nova style, the lyrics consisted entirely of old-time baseball names strung together.
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