In “A Christmas Story” the “Old man” says: “The Sox traded Bullfrog…” I’m assuming the “Bullfrog” was Bill “Bullfrog” Dietrich. But who was he traded for–I can never make out the name–and did this trade really happen in Dececmber of whatever year “A Christmas Story” is set? (When the “Old Man” gets a blowout, you can see the plates on the car-but I can’t make out the year on it.–Fine, I’m deaf, blind and can’t spell. Ya happy now?)
Drollman: Over 200 posts with a spelling mistake!
The movie wasn’t set in any particular year (well, some time in the late 40s/early 50s) and the name of the ballplayer was fictional.
Why exactly would you think otherwise?
“Why would you think otherwise?”
1: In his book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, Jean Shepard claims much of the content is based on true stories. (Great book!! Funny stuff-and plenty of it, not just the stuff used in the movie)
2: There really was a ballplayer named Bill “Bulllfrog” Dietrich who did play for the Sox.
- Why don’t you want me to know? It is a conspiracy? A little knowledge never hurt anyone.
Consider it an inquiry into the continuity of the film and the times.
Drollman! Over 200 posts with a spelling mistake!
My point is that, unless a work of fiction claims to be based on a true story, it’s silly to try to tie it into actual facts.
Whether Shepard based this on actual events is unclear; he is a storyteller, so by definition, he lies when it makes a better story.
Further, I doubt even Shepard would have claimed that the movie the gospel truth. Do you really think that they call the fire department because someone gets his tongue stuck on a metal pole? Do you really think a department store Santa would kick a child? Do you really think a child Ralphie’s age would really think Santa was not only real, but more powerful than his parents?
According to the best online site for baseball stats, Bill Dietrich changed teams a few times.
The only trade that could potentially fit into your hypothesis that this was a true trade referenced in the movie:
In 1946, Bullfrog played for the White Sox. In 1946, he played for the Philadelphia Athletics.
A team change that does not fit:
In 1936, Bullfrog racked up a lot of moving expenses. He started the year with the Athletics, moved to the Senators, and ended up with the White Sox. However, since each move was in-season they clearly fall out of the realm of Christmas timing.
So, let’s revisit 1946-1947.
Baseball Library has no mention of a trade in Dietrich’s chronology.
Baseball Almanacalso fials to specifically mention a trade.
Finally, a comparison of players on the 1946 White Sox and the 1947 Athletics reveals the following players played on both teams:
Bill Dietrich - meaning, if he was traded he was the only one that went Sox to A’s.
Compaing the 1946 A’s to the 1947 Sox reveals:
Jack Wallesachanged teams
Unfortunately, after searching for Wallaesa references on google, nothing shows any trade information. So, there is a possiblity that a Dietrich for Wallaesa trade happened during the offseason between 1946 and 1947, but without better research tools, it will take someone smarter than I to finish the puzzle.
Anybody have a paper copy of the Baseball Encyclopedia handy? I know my edition has a full listing of trades. I’d say that that would clear up any doubt, but mine is in another state right now.
According to this website, the movie is set in 1940. The site includes screen captures from the movie that show the Little Orphan Annie decoder ring with “1940” imprinted on it, and the Old Man’s license plate with the last few letters of Indiana and “40” in the corner.
I’ll try to help. I have a copy of the Baseball Encyclopedia here, 8th Edition is the one I grabbed, there are also several from other years on the shelf. This says (on page 2327) that Bill Dietrich was traded on July 1, 1936 by PHI to WAS for Waiver Price. And on July 20, 1936 by WAS to CHI for Waiver Price. Those are the only listings in the “TRADES” sectoin under Bill Dietrich’s name. Also, written after the teams he was traded to, there is an “A”. If that means anything to you. This is my husband’s book and it’s actually the first time I’ve ever picked it up in my life.
Sorry, if anyone is checking, it’s on page 2373 of the 8th edition.
Yup. The Baseball Encyclopedia lack of an entry seem to confirm that Dietrich was not traded away from the Sox. He was probably released by the Sox and caught on with Athletics the next year. If he was released, it was unlikely it’d happen around Christmas (more likely in October, when the 40-man roster was set).
The “A” means it’s referring to the American League teams in the respective cities mentioned, as opposed to the National League teams (N).
Thanks, I know some baseball fan out there would give it a yea or a nay.
In the meantime: People can debate LOTR and talk in Klingon is if it’s a real, but I can’t ask bout a line from a peice of fiction? 
Jack & Rose are not real–but The Titanic is.
The Wizard of Oz is a children’s bedtime story–Kansas is a real place.
Ralphie and Randy were not realy brothers–Little Orphan Annie really was a radio program all those years ago…
So…my OP stands.
Drollman!Over 20 posts with a spelling mistake!