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 Clete Boyer-“Morganna the Kissing Bandit” Photo Gallery
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Another Edition of “From the Lighter Side”:

A Novel – And Exciting! – Way To End a Batting Slump!

As Harry Caray used to say: “Ahh, you can’t beat fun at the old ballpark!” I think this is what Harry had in mind…

It was fifty years ago last month, August 31, 1969, a game between the Braves and Cubs in Atlanta. This was the first year of divisional play and the Braves were in fourth place, but only 1.5 games back, locked in a tight pennant race with the Giants, Dodgers, and Reds for the National League East title. The Cubs, meanwhile, were in first place in their division and had no idea what the baseball gods would soon have in store for them at the hands of the “Miracle Mets.”

On this particular day, Clete Boyer, the Braves’ slick-fielding third baseman, was mired in a 1-for-17 slump that had dropped his average to just over .240. The game was scoreless in the bottom of the fourth when the Braves’ Orlando Cepeda ripped a one-out double. That brought Boyer to the plate.

What happened next took everyone in the stadium by complete surprise. An attractive 23-year old exotic dancer, Morganna Roberts, better known as “Morganna the Kissing Bandit,” leaped over the fence, bolted on to the playing field, and made a bee-line for the startled Clete Boyer standing at home plate.

(As far as I could tell, there doesn’t appear to be a photo of the Clete Boyer-Morganna incident, so instead, in the featured photo below, we see “Morganna the Kissing Bandit” launching a surprise attack on Don Mattingly.)

Here’s Boyer’s recall of the…shall we say… “unusual” incident: “I heard a commotion from the stands and suddenly there she was…She came up to me, put her arms around me and said ‘Clete, you’re the greatest.’ Then she kissed me on the cheek.”

Needless to say, the fans erupted in laughter over the scene. After Morganna was escorted off the field to applause from the stands, Boyer, his composure eventually restored, proceeded to break out of his slump by ripping a line-drive RBI single, putting the Braves up 1-0. The Braves eventually lost 8-4, but Boyer had his best game in weeks, finishing 3-4.

Yes, a novel way to break out of a slump had indeed been found!

Not only that, but the incident seemed to jump-start the entire team. The Braves commenced on a 20-6 tear and won the National League West division title going away, finishing three games over the Giants. No word was given on whether the Braves voted Morganna a share of the post-season bonus money! They were eventually swept by the Mets in the first-ever divisional series.

And as for Boyer? He stayed hot with a 12-for-26 hitting spree including two doubles, a homer, and six RBIs in the next seven games. Funny what can get a ballplayer going, isn’t it?

Morganna later told her version of the story: “He kisses good. I told him I loved him. He said, ‘I love you, too’.”

And what’s good for the goose is good for the gander…or something like that! A week later, Boyer showed up at the club where Morganna was dancing and returned the favor. He jumped up on the stage in the middle of her act and planted a “smooch” on her, saying, “Now we’re even!”

If Morganna was looking for publicity to boost her career, the scheme worked like a charm. It paid immediate dividends. Following her “surprise assault’ on Boyer she became something of a national sensation. She was arrested a few days later for jumping in a fountain in a bikini during the dedication of the city’s new Equitable Building. Morganna later claimed the publicity from the stunts netted her a cool 100 grand from her night club act and other personal appearances. Spreads in Playboy and other magazines soon followed,

Later “victims” surprised by the “Kissing Bandit” crashing ball games included: Cal Ripkin, Jr., Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, George Brett, Steve Garvey, Dickie Thon, and Wes Parker. None of the later assaults had the same effect as the first with Boyer. Her shtick was soon wearing thin and she eventually faded from the scene to whereabouts unknown today.

Clete Boyer finished the 1969 season at .250 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI, earning his only Gold Glove. Over his 16-year career, he hit .242 with 162 home runs and 654 RBI. He was a member of two Yankee World Series Championships (1961 and 1962). Clete tailed off in 1970 and was released 30 games into the 1971 season after feuding with General Manager Paul Richards. He then played four seasons (1972-75) in Japan before retiring as an active player.

Boyer later served as a coach with the Yankees and Oakland Athletics under manager Billy Martin. He passed away in 2007 at age 70 following a brain hemorrhage.

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Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

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