August 22, 1965 Juan Marichal hits John with a bat: https://youtu.be/TPLO2U6mLk4
John Junior “Johnny” Roseboro (Born in Ashland, OH on May 13, 1933 – August 16, 2002) was involved in one of the most horrible and dangerous black eyes in Major League Baseball as Hall of Fame San Francisco Giants pitcher attacked the Dodger catcher with a bat in 1965. After Marichal brushed back Maury Wills and Ron Fairly early in a game, Roseboro, from behind the plate, returned the ball back to pitcher Sandy Koufax grazing Marichal’s head on numerous occasions. Juan took exception to the gesture and retaliated by hitting Roseboro over the head with his bat three times, opening a two-inch cut in the catcher’s head. Johnny’s career was launched after the unfortunate automobile accident that paralyzed longtime Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella. He spent 12 years in the Dodgers organization (1954-1967) and had the great fortune of catching two of Koufax’s no-hitters and was the starting catcher in four World Series (1959, 1963, 1965, 1966) winning the title in 1963 and 1965. He was an eight-time MLB All-Star and won the 1961 and 1966 Gold Gloves behind the plate. After 12 years in Dodger blue, Roseboro played two seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1968-1969) and one with the Washington Senators (1970). John Roseboro finished his career with 1,206 hits including 190 doubles and 104 home runs, 512 runs scored and 548 RBI while batting .249 in 14 years. Behind the plate he posted a .989 fielding percentage with a 42% caught stealing percentage. Despite the unfortunate incident in 1965 with Marichal, Johnny Roseboro forgave the Giants pitcher and later became close friends with his attacker, going so far as to petition the Hall of Fame in favor of Marichal’s induction. Marichal thanked him in his induction speech.
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