Late March and early April signal the beginning of the major league baseball season is right around the corner.

Since the game evolved into a major pastime, baseball has been associated with hot dogs and apple pie (Remember the old Chevrolet commercial ... baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet).

Growing up, we can all remember some notable local “hot dogs” on and off the playing fields and courts.

This latest installment of my look back at YESTERDAY - a trip back in time to the late 1960s, the 70s, and the 80s - is a recollection of sports “hot dogs” as well as some legendary hot dog brands and other items.

Say Hey Phillie - Flamboyant Phillies players in the 1970s would have to include Guillermo “Willie” Montanez, the left-handed swinging first baseman from 1970-74. Montanez would flip and catch his bat before he reached the batter’s box, and did a neck roll. Montanez did a jump kick after hitting a foul ball. He had a one-handed flip to catch a foul ball and had a sweeping swoop on a throw across the diamond.

Montanez also incorporated a memorable home run trot in which he would sprint as he neared each bag and then hop on it. He labeled his homer “Montanez’s Revenge.”

He had 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first full year in 1971 when he finished runner-up as NL Rookie of the Year to Atlanta’s Earl Williams, who quickly faded away after an impressive start.

Roger Freed was a Phillies’ outfielder/first baseman regarded as a flake in his cup of coffee in 1971-72, and later outfielder Jay Johnstone held court in the mid-to-late-70s during the Phillies playoff runs.

Silly Sixers - The late Darryl Dawkins certainly qualifies as the flakiest Sixer in the 1970s. Dawkins, who claimed he was from the planet “Lovetron”, was tagged “Chocolate Thunder” for his numerous styles of dunks. He also became the team’s enforcer and shattered his share of backboards.

But Dawkins wasn’t alone with the likes of “Jellybean” Joe Bryant, named for his physique and dunks, and Lloyd “World” B. Free, known for his ability to get into the air.

One of my all-time favorite players was the late ABA standout and Phoenix Sun Connie Hawkins, who was the game’s first Dr. J. Hawkins - who could cradle a basketball in his palm - was recognized for his flashy dunks and court play in the late 60s until the mid-70s.

Flaky Flyers - The “Broad Street Bullies” typified the meaning of eccentric players with a true cast of characters that formed perfect chemistry.

Andre “Moose” Dupont, Bob “Hound” Kelly, Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, Don “Big Bird” Saleski, Bobby “The Chief” Taylor, “Cowboy” Bill Flett, and Orest “The Big O” Kindrachuck were ideal role players for the unit.

Bernie Parent always beat to a different puck, and head coach Freddie “The Fog” Shero was their perfect leader.

Eccentric Eagles - Remember Tom Dempsey? The kicker with the special right-footed shoe, because of a loss of toes, booted a then-NFL record 63-yard field goal with New Orleans in 1970. The following year, he was in Philadelphia and wore Green and White until 1974.

Ironically, the Eagles drafted Mark “The last of the straight-on kickers” Moseley in 1970, but they gave up on him. Moseley went on to a highly successful career with Washington and won the NFL MVP in a strike-shortened 1982 season.

The Eagles also drafted Tony Franklin, the barefoot kicker from Texas A&M in 1979 and he stayed until 1983.

USC tight end Charlie Young was the Eagles top pick in 1973, and the quirky Young had four productive seasons until the Birds sent him to the Rams in 1977.

Safety Bill Bradley was a unique talent and the team’s leaders in interceptions and tackles. Bradley was the team’s punter from 1969-75, and also was their holder.

Anyone recall Joe “Turkey” Jones? He was a colorful Eagles defensive end from 1974-75. But Jones is most remembered for his days as a Cleveland Brown, along with his sack of Pittsburgh’s Terry Bradshaw in a 1976 game that helped give Cleveland a much-needed victory.

Undoubtedly, the strangest bird was late linebacker/defensive end Tim Rossovich, who spent four years (1968-71) with the Eagles, and later had a stint with the Philadelphia Bell. Rossovich was renowned for eating glass, setting his hair on fire, and starting hotfoots among other bizarre acts.

Real Dogs ... As a kid in the 1960s and 70s, one had to have sung the Oscar Meyer song: “I’d love to be an Oscar Meyer weiner. That is what I truly love to be - or the Armor Hot Dog jingle: “Armor Hot Dogs ... The dog kids love to bite.” - that filled our heads.

Those who were Mets fans during the time and watched their games on WOR-Channel 9 could hark back to Shickhaus Franks with a character named Marvin in a cartoon ad. Ball Park franks began to emerge on the scene, and they developed a bigger presence down the road.

Burger King sold hot dogs on its menu in the 1970s until the early 80s until they became an unpopular product.

Hot Dogs in the 70s would be incomplete without the mention of the “Electrocutor.” It was a five-dog, rectangular holder with a sliding door across the front that “shocked” your treats. Many likley had one, or probably knew of someone who did.

Those Apple Pies ... McDonald’s introduced its “hot” Baked Apple Pie in 1968. They came in a classic red and yellow laced rectangular box, and they actually were hot. One could easily burn their hand, so it was wise to let the pie cool for a few minutes.

Burger King discontinued its Dutch Apple Pie in 2020. It appeared on the scene soon after the McDonald’s entry, and it was unique with its sliced format and served cold.

An April Bobby ... With April 1 a few days away, the Phillies made a forgettable signing on that date in 1976 when they signed former Cardinals and Reds outfielder/first baseman Bobby Tolan (ask a Phillies fan if he or she remembers him).

Tolan’s skills had slightly diminished due to knee injuries, but the left-handed swinger - who held his bat high in the air - still had a serviceable year with five homers, 25 RBIs and a .261 average. Tolan was released by the team the following year on May 25.

Chevys Lost ... Speaking of Chevrolet, did anyone own a Chevelle Laguna? It was born and disappeared in the 70s. It was considered the top of the line Chevelle and came in the bodies of a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. The car had a urethane front unlike other Chevelle levels.

A Long March Dream ... Throughout most of March 1976, Gary Wright’s classic “Dream Weaver” topped the song charts. It was a song that was ahead of its time, and shouldn’t be forgotten.

Do You Remember? ... Every week, I’ll mention a likely forgotten player from Yesterday. Remember Eagles running back Tom Sullivan? He was a workmanlike back from 1972-77. His best season was in 1973 when he rushed for 968 yards, and he also had a league-high 11 touchdowns in 1974 with 762 yards.