Sal “the barber” Maglie

Sal Maglie: “The Barber” of Baseball
Discovered at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Niagara Falls, New York

During a recent visit to Niagara Falls, New York, I wandered into a small, quiet spot called St. Joseph’s Cemetery, where I discovered the columbarium housing the remains of Sal Maglie, a local baseball legend known far beyond his hometown.

Maglie pitched primarily for the New York Giants and earned the unforgettable nickname, “The Barber,” a nod to the “close shaves” he delivered to batters daring to crowd the plate. In baseball jargon, a pitch thrown near a batter’s head is often called “chin music”—and Maglie was a master at keeping hitters uncomfortable and off balance.

A Career Highlight: 1951 and “The Shot Heard ’Round the World”

The pinnacle of Maglie’s career came in 1951, when he led the league with 23 wins. That same year, he was a vital part of the Giants’ miraculous comeback in the pennant race, a chase that culminated in Bobby Thomson’s legendary home run, famously dubbed “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.”

Over a solid 10-year Major League career, Sal Maglie compiled an impressive 119-62 win-loss record. His fiery competitiveness was summed up well by teammate Alvin Dark, who said:

“He is the only man I’ve ever seen pitch a shutout on a day when he had absolutely nothing. Maglie got by on meanness.”

Salvatore Anthony Maglie passed away in Niagara Falls, New York, on December 28, 1992, at the age of 75. His legacy lives on as one of baseball’s toughest and most feared pitchers—a true craftsman of the mound.