totally random, vol. 2

Today’s subject: Eric McNair. McNair, who was born and is buried in Meridian, is one of the best and perhaps least-heralded Mississippi-born players of any era. Nicknamed “Boob” after a popular cartoon character of his time, McNair played in the big leagues from 1929-42, hitting .274 for his career with 82 homers, 229 doubles and 633 RBIs. Good numbers for a middle infielder — he primarily played shortstop — even by today’s standards. McNair’s best season was 1932, when he hit .285 with 18 homers, 95 RBIs and a league-best 47 doubles for the Philadelphia Athletics. He got MVP votes that year, and in two other years, as well. He also played in two World Series, including the 1930 Fall Classic with the champion A’s team that included Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane and Rube Walberg, among other stars. McNair, who died suddenly of a heart attack at age 39 in 1949, would rate strong consideration for the shortstop position on Mississippi’s all-time team.
P.S. Jackson native Donnie Veal was re-signed to a minor league deal by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who cut him loose from their 40-man roster earlier this month. Veal, a lefty pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery, worked in Triple-A last year, posting a 4.35 ERA in 49 2/3 innings before his injury. Veal, who has some big-league time, passed through Pearl in 2007 and ’08 as a member of the Tennessee Smokies when that club was a Chicago Cubs affiliate.