tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144035202024-03-08T18:41:30.923-05:00Glory Of Their TimesRambling commentary and musings concerning three fantasy/simulated baseball seasons with a touch of Negro League research interpiced within.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-18737260884631061202012-04-04T13:06:00.001-05:002012-04-04T13:39:21.597-05:00Happy Opening Day! After three years of silence ... I'm back. It is my intent to report on my 2012 fantasy teams and other baseball issues here on this blog. It appears that I will have three such teams plus some competitive predictions to share. So, let’s begin with the predictions:
1) the Pittsburgh Pirates will win 79 games this year. and;
2) the Yanks, Tigers, Rangers will capture division titles and be joined by the Rays and Angels in the playoffs with the Bronx Bombers capturing the gonfalon. In the NL, Atlanta, Cincy, SF capture the divisions with the Nats and Rockies sneaking in as wild cards. The Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant. October weather
My Fantasy Leagues include the following:
<b>Coal Cracker League</b>. A $50 entry fee makes this serious. A $20 side bet adds to the interest. Alas, my team does not have the feel of a winner. The boys are named Lancaster Catholic High School after my alma nad hopefully I will not embarass the name as I did last year when I finished last. Since it is a modified rotissiere league it is driven by current year MLB stats and begins today.
<b>Legends of Baseball.</b> A $0 fee covers administrative costs but this is a league with pride as the only reward. It is simulated baseball as opposed to fantasy and includes any MLB or Negro League player that you want to draft. My team is the Lancaster Red Roses and I expect to contend for a woild card spot. My stud is a gentleman named Oscar Charleston. If you know him ... God Bless! Opening day is tomorrow and the game enjine is Diamond Mind Baseball.
<b>California Winter League</b> is my own little experiment. It is a four team simulation with Hall of Fame players and several non-HoF but deserving Negro League players. This is an APBA solataire league - just call me J. Henry Waugh.
Let's play two!Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-84884783851108578322009-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002009-12-16T00:00:58.968-05:00340 Club Marching to a State Title?The mighty Crusaders of Lancaster Catholic High School are in the State Finals this weekend versus Greensburg Central Catholic at Hershey. Unfortunately I will be in NYC.<br />
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Two weeks ago I was in Shamokin in a windy, snow shower providing Karma to the boys along with gritty Jack Booth, who has been on the Catholic High sidelines since '65 (only stat man Sam Paone has been there longer), and the youngster Ron Boas.<br />
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Last weekend a classic gathering took place with 340 Clubbers myself, Chris Joyce, Booth, Boas, Lance Curtis, Tommy Discavage, Timmy Bucher, Kevin McCaskey, as well as Kenny Tiley, Paul Nicklaus, and Todd Emswiler (nephew of 340 resident John Emswiler). It is likely Sil was in attendance but he was in another section.<br />
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A good time was had by all; especially the Crusaders who found a way to gain revenge over Wet Catholic by a 23-21 in a game in which they committed no penalties, dropped no fumbles, tossed no picks, and gathered no yellow linen; no penalties and won by two.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-50532494857312859482009-06-14T22:23:00.002-05:002009-06-14T22:38:45.620-05:00Since we last met ...GLORY OF THEIR TIMES is no longer Harrisburg Giants or not even just baseball for that matter. Everyday brings a new twist. Oh, there is still some great baseball in The Beer League. However there is also boxing, golf, and horseracing, trivia and, hopefully, interesting sports lists. Here is what is upcoming this week:<br /><br /><strong>THE BEER LEAGUE</strong><br />Standings W L PCT GB<br />Buddha's Belly 22 14 0.611 <br />Allah's Angels 21 15 0.583 1<br />Yahweh's Yankees 21 15 0.583 1<br />Olympics 18 18 0.500 4<br />Nirvana Nites 17 19 0.472 5<br />Elysian Eagles 16 20 0.444 6<br />Valhalla Victory 16 20 0.444 6<br />Paradise Pythians 13 23 0.361 9<br /><br /><strong>This week's games</strong><br />Eagles Walsh 2-1 v Olympics Keefe 3-3<br />Victory Newhouser 1-4 v Belly Johnson 5-1<br />Pythians Paige 4-3 v Nites Smith 4-1<br />Angels Hubbell 3-2 v Yankees Gomez 3-2<br /><br /><strong>NOTES:</strong> That's not Joe Walsh of the Eagles, rather Ed ... make that Big Ed to you ... Walter Johnson tries for the 2nd time for win #6 ... Satchel Paige used to start games hurl three innings to satisfy fans and give way to Hilton Smith to finish up; now, this week its Paige v Smith; should be interesting ... the final game of this, the thirty-seventh, round pits a couple of New Yorkers against each other - the New York Yankees Lefty Gomez, still a Yankee v Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants, now an Angel; those two teams are tie for 2nd a game behind Buddha's Belly ... exciting week on the sandlot.<br /><br />Monday means the <strong>Wonderful World of Golf</strong>: Dr. Cary Middlecoff, a winner of three major titles, takes on Henry Picard, locally known as the professional at both Hershey Country Club and the Country Club of Harrisburg, in an effort to wrestle the King of the Hill title. Should Picard triumph again it is expected that either Sam Snead or Gene Sarazen will get the "stopper" assignment next week.<br /><br />Tuesday means a <strong>Trivia</strong> question.<br /><br />Wednesday means the bookie speaks and we see <strong>Tale of the Tape </strong>and <strong>The Morning Line</strong>.<br /><br />Thursday is the back nine of Monday's golf match.<br /><br />Friday means the week's big bout, <strong>Friday Night Fights</strong>: In the final quarter-final bout of Glory's Heavyweight Tourney Jack Dempsey takes on Sam Langford. Langford represents what Dempsey ducked during his championship reign - a Black man. In fact, the principal African-American that lurked in the shadows during Dempsey's reign, Harry wills, will be working in the Langford corner. Should be an interesting fight. I don't see Langford, who beat the great John L. Sullivan in the prelim, pulling off another upset. If Wills gets a shot somewhere down the road that may be another story.<br /><br />Saturday can only mean one thing, the <strong>Sport of Kings</strong>: Saturday's horse race features three great horses - Gallant Fox, Equipoise and Sysonby <br /><br />Sunday is when we wrap up one week and, as we do in this post, preview the next. It is also when we display a <strong>Sports List </strong>like this one:<br /><br />This week's depicts the twenty greatest horses of the Glory period (i.e. pre 4/47)<br />1 Man O' War<br />2 Count Fleet<br />3 War Admiral<br />4 Colin<br />5 Equipoise<br />6 Phar Lap<br />7 Seabiscuit<br />8 Whirlaway<br />9 Gallant Fox<br />10 Exterminator<br />11 Sysonby<br />12 Assault<br />13 Discovery<br />14 Challedon<br />15 Armed<br />16 Busher<br />17 Stymie<br />18 Gallorette<br />19 Sir Barton<br />20 Twenty Grand<br />SOURCE: Blood-Horse Magazine, 1999Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-82155837087810851412008-07-15T20:54:00.000-05:002008-07-15T20:55:27.269-05:00Saint Louis Browns<strong>July 14, 2008 Island Park, Harrisburg<br />A – 2,413<br />Umpires – Art Fields, Julip Arp<br /><br />StL 001 000 009 -10 14 0 LP – Jim Palmer<br />Hbg 032 100 54x - 15 18 1 WP – Willie Gisentaner <br />HR – Rev Cannady (2), John Beckwith 2 (3), Rap Dixon (2)</strong><br /><br />The Harrisburg Giants ended their season opening 8 game losing streak in spectacular fashion this afternoon on the island. The Giants scored 15 runs on 18 hits including four circuit clouts. John Beckwith (4 for 28 entering the game) went 4 for 5 with 6 ribbies. Dixon (.405 on the season) and Cannady added three hits each. This first win was a laugher until the 9th with the Giants entering the last inning. Willie Gisentaner was in control but when he yielded a leadoff double Manager Charleston turned the game over to Sam Cooper. Cooper faced three men who all reached; Wilbur Pritchard did Cooper one better facing four without an out. Finally, it was Miles Lucas turn and he got lucky with his second batter – after a double – when the ballpark barely held Brooks Robinson’s deep sacrifice fly. Baby Doll Jacobsen singled in the game’s final run before Lucas retired the last two batters. The entire lineup reached and scored in that closing stanza.<br /><br />Same two teams tomorrow and what promises to be an intense game with Charlie being hit with purpose pitches in both of the last two games and Earl Weaver managing the Brownies. It will be Chas Henry versus Miguel Cuellar.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-59917105187613175352008-07-15T20:49:00.003-05:002008-07-15T20:54:29.708-05:00Saint Louis Cardinals<strong>July 11th, 2008 Island Park, Harrisburg<br />A - 3,145<br />Umps - Julip Arp, Art Fields<br /><br />StL 012 301 040 -12 WP - Dizzy Dean<br />hbg 000 210 010 - 4 LP - Chas Henry<br />HR - John Mize, Lou Brock 2, Oscar Charleston, Enos Slaughter<br /><br />July 12th, 2008 Island Park, Harrisburg<br />A - 3,206<br />Umps - Art Fields, Julip Arp<br /><br />StL 011 005 000 - 7 WP - Bob Gibson<br />hbg 000 001 003 - 4 LP - Daltie Cooper<br />HR - Ken Boyer, John Beckwith, Edgar Wesley<br /><br />July 13th, 2008 Rossmere Base Ball Park, Lancaster<br />A - 4,002<br />Umps - Joe Dennison, John Craig<br /><br />StL 010 010 410 - 7 WP - Pop Haines Save - Lindy McDaniel<br />hbg 000 004 100 - 5 LP - Geechie Corbett<br />HR - Enos Slaughter, Red Schoendienst<br /><br />Umps - John Craig, Joe Dennison<br />StL 001 030 010 - 5 WP - Slim Sallee Save - Lindy McDaniel <br />hbg 000 003 100 - 4 LP - Cliff Carter<br />HR - none</strong><br /><br />NOTES: Rap Dixon is hitting .375 (12 for 32); Oscar Charleston .393 (11 for 28). The Crawfords post the Negro League clubhouse lead with a 4-0 + 12 record; the Cardinals topped that from the National League side with a 4-0 +13 record. Net in are the Saint Louis Browns which will feature Satchel Paige, The Giants are feeling confident about grabbing a win from the Brownies but Manager Charleston is making no guarantees.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-40886502823920903992008-07-15T20:38:00.003-05:002008-07-15T20:49:04.496-05:00Crawford Series<strong>2008-II Opener, July 7th. Island Park, Harrisburg, PA<br />Attendance 6,001<br />Umpires: Julip Arp, Art Fields<br /><br />Pittsburgh 100 020 230 - 8 12 1 WP - Satchel Paige <br />Harrisburg 020 110 000 - 4 7 0 LP -- Satchel Paige <br />HR - Oscar Johnson, Josh Gibson, Jud Wilson </strong><br /><br />Paige of the Crawfords, 9IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 10K, 0W<br />Paige of the Giants, 9IP, 12H, 8R, 8ER, 6K, 0W<br /><br />Satchel Paige celebrated the 102nd anniversary of his birth in spectacular fashion by pitching for both clubs today at Island Park. Unfortunately his pitching didn't live up to the usual standards. Combined though, he did pitch two complete games while striking out 16 batters and walking none. The game itself was much more competitive than the final score indicated. <br /><br />The Crawfords jumped in front when Cool Papa Bell singled, stole and scored on Rap Dixon's single. The Giants came back in the bottom of the 2nd with extra base hits by Heavy Johnson and Rev Cannady and a sacrifice fly by Frank Grant produced two runs. Johnson slammed a homer in the bottom of the 4th stretching the hometown lead to 3-1. In the top of the next inning, Sam Bankhead singled and scored on Judy Johnson's triple. Pat Patterson's sacrifice fly tied the game at 3-3. The Giants came right back in the bottom, on Rap Dixon's two out single, a steal and Oscar Charleston's tiebreaking single. <br /><br />The Crawfords went in front for good when Josh Gibson and Jud Wilson hit back to back homers. The fords added three insurance runs in the 8th. Paige, for the Crawfords, earned the win by recording the last 13 outs while yielding no hits. <br /><br />The two teams will grapple again tomorrow at 3:00 on the Island. It will be Daltie Cooper for the Giants versus Hall of Fame southpaw Willie Foster for the Crawfords.<br /><br /><strong>July 8th. Island Park, Harrisburg, PA<br />Attendance 4,981<br />Umpires: Art Fields, Julip Arp<br /><br />Pittsburgh 100 020 230 - 8 12 1 WP - Willie Foster <br />Harrisburg 020 110 000 - 4 7 0 LP - Daltie Cooper <br />HR - Jud Wilson</strong><br />The Pittsburgh Crawfords beat the Harrisburg Giants for the 7th consecutive today on the island. Jud Wilson homered for the second game in a row. Herb Dixon rapped four hits for the Giants in a losing cause. <br /><br /><strong>July 9th, 2008 Island Park, Harrisburg<br />A - 3281<br />Umps - Arp, Craig<br /><br />Pgh 100 013 002 - 7 WP - Harvey S - Double Duty Radcliffe<br />Hbg 120 100 101 - 6 LP - Red Ryan<br />HR - Bell, Cannady, Jenkins<br /><br />July 10th, 2008 Island Park<br />A - 2872<br />Umps - Craig, Arp<br /><br />Pgh 310 003 200 - 9 WP - Leroy Matlock<br />Hbg 030 003 000 - 6 LP - Willie Gisentaner<br />HR - Josh Gibson, Fats Jenkins</strong><br /><br />NOTES: The Pittsburgh Crawfords captured their 10th consecutive game Thursday afternoon on the Island. The fords four game sweep with a 12 run margin provided a target for the 15 remaining Negro League teams. The three best performances advance to the second round of games.Cool Papa Bell was 7 for 16 (.438), a couple of doubles, a homer, 5 steals, three walks, 5 runs scored, and 5 knocked in. Josh Gibson and Jud Wilson each slammed two homers in the series; as did Fats Jenkins for the good guys.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-39969742812545484652008-07-15T20:36:00.000-05:002008-07-15T20:38:37.874-05:00On Deck: Pittsburgh Crawfords<strong>TEAM:</strong> Pittsburgh Crawfords<br /><br /><strong>WHERE AND WHEN:</strong> Island Park, Harrisburg, PA, 12:00 p.m., Monday; 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday <br /><br /><strong>CRAWFORD PROBABLE STARTERS:</strong> RHP Satchel Paige, LHP Willie Foster, LHP Leroy Matlock, and RHP Roosevelt Davis <br /><br /><strong>HARRISBURG PROBABLE STARTERS:</strong> RHP Satchel Paige, RHP Daltie Cooper, RHP Geechie Corbett, and LHP Willie Gisentaner <br /><br /><strong>CRAWFORD TOP HITTERS:</strong> HOFers 1B Oscar Charleston, C Josh Gibson, CF Cool Papa Bell, 3B Judy Johnson, DH Jud Wilson<br /><br /><strong>HARRISBURG TOP HITTERS:</strong> CF Oscar Charleston, 1B Ben Taylor, 2B Frank Grant, 3B John Beckwith, RF Rap Dixon<br /><br /><strong>NOTES:</strong> The Crawfords hold a 12-8 edge, including five in a row on the way to the 2008-I Hoverter-Reed title. The opener will be played on Paige's 102nd birthday. In a unique twist only possible in fantasy baseball Satch will pitch for both teams. This year's Giants schedule will feature 32 all-star squads from each of 16 Major League and 16 Negro League franchises. After 32 series the three franchises from each organization with the best records will play the final six series with the best from each organization (after two series) advancing to the 2008-II Hoverter-Reed Cup.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-50823603426495315292008-04-13T19:31:00.000-05:002008-04-13T19:32:04.808-05:00On DeckON DECK FOR THE GIANTS<br /><br />TEAM: 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates<br /><br />WHERE AND WHEN: Cottage Hill Field, Steelton, PA, 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday<br /><br />PIRATE PROBABLE STARTERS: RHP Jack Chesbro (26-6 2.17), Deacon Phillippe (20-9 2.05), Jesse Tannehill (20-6 1.95), SAm Leever (16-7 2.39)<br /><br />HARRISBURG PROBABLE STARTERS: RHP Cliff Carter (5-8 5.32) in the opener, RHP Geechie Corbett (5-8 5.21) on Tuesday, LHP Willie Gisentaner (5-6 5.02) Wednesday, and RHP Chas Henry (3-4 3.34) in the finale. <br /><br />PIRATE TOP HITTERS: HOFers RF Honus Wagner (.330) and LF Fred Clarke (.316); CF Ginger Beaumont (.357), 1B Kitty Bransfield (.305) <br /><br />HARRISBURG TOP HITTERS: CF Oscar Charleston (.319), 1B Ben Taylor (.300), 3B John Beckwith (.285), RF Rap Dixon (.260)<br /><br />NOTES: 1902 is the only year that Pittsburgh, these Pirates, and Philadelphia, Connie Mack's Athletics, both captured their respective NL and AL pennants. Unfortunately, this was the last year before the birth of the World Series.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-6971664959395235322008-04-13T19:29:00.003-05:002008-04-13T19:31:04.131-05:001925 Hilldale DaisiesApril 11 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance 1,919<br />Umpires Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />HILL 100 020 010 - 4 LP - Phil Cockrell<br />HBG 201 011 10x - 6 WP - Willie Gisentaner, Save - S. Cooper<br />HR - Ben Taylor (4)<br />Feature: Hall of Famer Ben Taylor paced the Lawmakers attack with a pair of hits, including his 4th round tripper, and a sac fly. Willie Gisentaner hurled six strong innings and Wilbur Pritchard and Sam Cooper brought it home. Rap Dixon, Oscar Charleston and John Beckwith also had two hits each as the Giants pounded 12 safeties off Phil Cockrell. The same two teams will be back in action tomorrow at the uptown grounds. <br /><br /><br />April 12 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance 1,942<br />Umpires Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />HILL 202 013 002 - 10 WP - Red Ryan<br />HBG 000 000 220 - 4 LP - Chas Henry <br />HR - none<br />Feature: On March 30th I played a game at a Barack Obama rally and today, April 12, I played this game at a rally for Obama. This time the candidate was not present not that he witnessed the first game but he was in the building. Red Ryan picked up the win for Hilldale but was also at one point warming up for Harrisburg. Only in fantasy or simulated baseball can that happen. Otto Briggs three hits paced the Hilldale Daisie attack. The action moves to Lancaster for tomorrow's doubleheader.<br />April 13 Rossmere Base Ball Park, Lancaster, PA Sunday Doubleheader<br />Attendance 2,561<br />Umpires Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />HIL 422 100 410 - 14 WP - Nip Winters<br />Hbg 000 010 030 - 4 LP - Daltie Cooper 4-7 3.92 <br />HR - Wise Johnson (2)<br /><br />Umpires Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />HIL 102 103 020 - 9 WP - Rube Currie<br />Hbg 000 001 000 - 1 LP - Ping Gardner 4-8 7.07 <br />HR - none<br />Feature: The Hilldale Club, featuring Hall of Famers Biz Mackey, Judy Johnson, and Louis Santop swept this doubleheader in Lancaster. A relaxed Nip Winters won the first game despite permitting 11 baserunners. The Hilldale hitters pounded 22 hits enabling the relaxation. In the nightcap, Frank Warfield led the 16 hit attack with four safeties, George Carr and Mackey had three each. Rube Currie pitched a nifty five hitter for the victory. The losses leaft the Giants 12 games under .500 with only 42 games to play.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-58542571828671971642008-04-13T19:27:00.003-05:002008-04-13T19:28:57.014-05:001986 New York MetsApril 7 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance: 1,985<br />Umpires: Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />NYM 201 001 000 000 006 - 10 WP - Roger McDowell<br />HBG 000 000 400 000 001 - 5 LP - Willie Fordham 2-1 7.71<br />HR - Kevin Mitchell<br />Feature: Dwight Gooden was rolling along with two hit shutout into the 8th when he weakened yielding a walk to pinchitter Jenkins and a single to Spottswood Poles. Rick Anderson failed to shut the door and the teams went to the 9th tied at 4. Four Giant relievers matched Doug Sisk and Roger McDowell in keeping the score tied. However, in the top of the 15th Willie Fordham didn't have the stuff facing 11 batters and allowing six runs to take the loss. McDowell hurled a game five innings permitting only one run for the win.<br /><br />April 8 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance: 1,984<br />Umpires: Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />NYM 201 010 000 - 4 LP - Randy Nieman<br />HBG 001 011 11x - 5 WP - Ryan 10-7<br />HR - Fats Jenkins (3)<br />Feature: Jenkins hits game winner in bottom of 8th; Red Ryan hurls two scoreless innings for the victory.April 9 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance: 1,578<br />Umpires: Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />NYM 000 302 013 - 9 LP Bob Ojeda <br />HBG 009 120 11x -14 WP Cliff Carter 5-8<br />HR - Howard Johnson, Oscar Charleston (14), Cliff Carter (1), John Beckwith (8)<br /><br />April10 West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance: 1,632<br />Umpires: Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />NYM 103 101 000 - 6 WP Sid Fernandez <br />HBG 000 200 010 - 3 LP Geechie Corbett 5-8 <br />HR - Hernandez<br />Feature: The series ended 2-2 with the Giants bats coming alive against superior Mets pitching. Gooden, Darling, Ojeda and Fernandez pitched to a composite E.R.A. of 6.17. Hopefully this hitting attack will continue. In the key third game (4/9), Cliff Carter, Giant hurler, had a better game at the plate than on the mound as he went 2 for 3, with a Grand Slam and a walk. He went the route as a pitcher but permitted 9 runs to score.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-36896434573862707172008-04-13T19:27:00.001-05:002008-04-13T19:27:30.615-05:00TWIB: 4/7-13On the season, the Giants have a 47-57 .452 record which leaves them only four games over .500 for the six season run. Oscar Charleston is enjoying a banner year with a .313 average, 13 homers, and 75 ribbies. Rap Dixon is hitting .268, 9, 49 but with 18 steals and 64 runs scored. <br /><br />This week the action moves to West End Grounds (4th & Seneca in uptown Harrisburg) before returning to Lancaster next Sunday for a double header. Here is the schedule<br /><br />at West End Grounds<br />4/7-10 1986 New York Mets: Gary Carter, Dwight Gooden, Daryl Strawberry<br />4/11-12 1925 Hilldale Club: Biz Mackey, Judy Johnson, Louis Santop<br /><br />at Rossmere Base Ball Field<br />4/13 1925 Hilldale Club<br /><br />UPCOMING EVENT<br />April 26th, 3:00, the 1954-57 Harrisburg Giants will be honored at a banquet at 2020 Market Street. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered from Willie Fordham at 765-7565. There will be a nice ceremony including my presentation on Rap Dixon and all living members of this great team will be in attendance.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-79316059193084818812008-04-13T19:16:00.002-05:002008-04-13T19:25:58.818-05:001916 Indianapolis ABCsApril 4<br />Island Park, Harrisburg (A- 2,673)<br />Umpires Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />Indy 024 002 000 - 8 LP - Frank Wickware <br />HBG 003 010 60x - 10 WP - Willie Fordham (2-0 6.23)<br />HR - none<br /><br />Feature: Both lineups included Hall of Famers Oscar Charleston and Ben Taylor; that kind of shared lineup can only happen in fantasy baseball. Twice Indy's Taylor put Harrisburg's Charleston out at first and once Harrisburg's Taylor put his own self out. The ABCs jumped to the early lead 6-0 chasing Willie Gisentaner in the 3rd but the Giant's bullpen slowed the Indy train enough to permit the Giants bats to catch and pass them. The Giants scored 6 times after Carlos Washington stirring "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on his trumpet. The rally began when Taylor and John Beckwith singled to start the inning and after two outs - Bunny Downs drew a walk, and then Fats Jenkins, Spotswood Poles, Rap Dixon and Oscar Charleston stroked hits leaving the Giants up 10-8. Wilbur Pritchard held the ABCs in check in the 8th and 9th to earn the save; Willie Fordham, despite two shaky innings, picked up the win, his second of the season.<br /><br />***<br /><br />102 April 5 <br />Island Park, Harrisburg (A-2,413)<br />Umpires: Art Fields, Julip Arp <br />Indy 023 100 330 - 12 WP - Jim Jeffries<br />HBG 106 000 001 - 8 LP - Red Ryan 9-7 4.20<br />HR - Russell Powell, Fats Jenkins (2) <br /><br />#103-104 April 6<br />Rossmere Base Ball Park, Lancaster (A-2,698)<br />Umpires: Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />Indy 100 021 100 - 5 WP - Dizzy Dismukes<br />HBG 000 000 000 - 0 LP - Daltie Cooper 4-6 3.43<br />HR - none<br /><br />Umpires: Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />Indy 420 310 040 - 14 WP - Steel Arm Johnny Taylor<br />HBG 101 023 500 - 12 LP - Miles Lucas 6-4 4.79<br />HR - Rap Dixon (9), Oscar Charleston (13)<br /><br />Feature: The Indianapolis ABCs, after losing the opener, captured three straight and made a run on the Hoverter-Reed but in the end fell short. Their best performance was Dizzy Dismukes shutout. He yielded doubles to Oscar Charleston and Spottswood Poles and nothing else. Given the fact that Giant bats were hot, scoring 10 runs per game against the other ABC hurler, Dismukes performance stood out even more. Oscar Charleston, appearing in both lineups, demonstrated his Hall of Fame skills, by pounding 15 hits in 35 trips for a .429 batting average, four doubles, a triple, and a homer for a .686 slugging percentage, drawing 7 walks and being hit by one pitch for a .535 on base percentage and a spectacular 1.221 OPS! Ben Taylor, also playing for both teams, acquitted himself well going 11 for 31 (.355 AVG), with all singles (.355 SLG), and a walk (.375 OBP) and a 0.73 OPS. Ol' Ben also stole a base.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-63856837472672954602008-04-13T19:14:00.000-05:002008-04-13T19:15:29.659-05:001984 Detroit Tigersthrough games of March 30th the Harrisburg Giants had a record of 45-51 .469 ... the next opponent on the schedule was the 1984 Detroit Tigers (104-58 .642), managed by Sparky Anderson, which not only won the AL pennant and later the World Series but never trailed all year as they took first place on opening day and never trailed. Earlier this week they visited Island Park in Harrisburg; here is a summary of those games:<br /><br />March 31<br />Attendance 2,421<br />Umpires Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />Det 010 001 013 - 6 WP - Milt Wilcox<br />Hbg 012 020 000 - 5 LP - Miles Lucas (6-3 4.28)<br />HR - none<br /><br />April 1<br />Attendance 2,561<br />Umpires Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />Det 044 010 110 - 11 WP - Juan Berenguer<br />Hbg 220 003 000 - 7 LP - Ping Gardner (4-7 6.46)<br />HR - Lou Whittaker, Kirk Gibson<br /><br />April 2<br />Attendance 2,389<br />Umpires Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />Det 130 220 200 - 10 WP - Dan Petry<br />Hbg 040 021 000 - 7 LP - Daltie Cooper (4-5 3.44)<br />HR - Kirk Gibson, Larry Herndon, Edgar Wesley (4), Ruppert Jones<br /><br />April 3<br />Attendance 2,509<br />Umpires Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />Det 000 000 000 - 0 LP - Jack Morris<br />Hbg 000 100 000 - 1 WP - Geechie Corbett (5-7 5.20)<br />HR - none<br /><br />NOTES: For the second straight series the Giants escaped a sweep with a well pitched game in the finale. Chas Henry was the hero last time with a 3-2 win over the Saint Louis Stars; this time it was Geechie Corbett who limited the Tigers to three hits while walking five and permitting no runs. He was matched, almost, by Tiger ace Jack Morris who allowed only two hits. The only run came in the bottom of the 4th, when Rap Dixon led off with a walk and moved to 2nd on a ground out. Then Harrisburg's Hall of Fame first baseman - Ben Taylor - singled sharply to right to score Dixon. Corbett took care of his business the rest of the way. The loss stymied the hopes of the Tigers to make the Hoverter-Reed Cup Round Robin at the end of the season.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-19801963120052433862008-04-02T19:18:00.001-05:002008-04-02T19:18:27.419-05:00This Week in BaseballMar 31-April 3 - action returns to Island Park in Harrisburg with the Detroit Tigers of 1984 invading the island to take on the Giants. Here are the expected pitching matchups:<br />March 31 Milt Wilcox v Cliff Carter <br />April 1 Juan Berenguer v Ping Gardner <br />April 2 Dan Petry v Daltie Cooper<br />April 3 Jack Morris v Geechie Corbett<br /><br />Then it is the Indianapolis ABCs coming to town for single games on the island on Friday and Saturday followed by the traditional Sunday doubleheader at Lancaster's Rossmere Base Ball Park. The ABCs have yet to announce their rotation but the Giants are prepared to throw <br />Willie Gisentaner and Chas Henry in the Capital City followed by Carter & Gardner in the Red Rose City doubleheader on the 6th.<br /><br />In addition to this exciting action, the 2008 edition of the Harrisburg Senators open up their season with the following events:<br />April 1 Open Workout Session with free hot dogs<br />April 2 Annual Welcome the Senators Banquet at the Hilton<br />April 3 Opening Night v Akron Aeros (I intend on attending)<br />April 4 v Akron Aeros (ditto)<br />April 5 v Akron Aeros<br />April 6 v Akron Aeros<br />April 26 Harrisburg Giants Banquet at 2020 Market Street<br />June 30 12th annual Harrisburg Senators Negro League Commemorative NightTeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-62365689454185555062008-04-01T21:42:00.000-05:002008-04-01T21:44:27.328-05:00DevilWillie Wells collected 9 hits including a home run to lead the Saint Louis Stars to a three games to one triumph over the slumping Harrisburg Giants (45-51 .469). Cool Papa Bell delivered five hits, and a couple of steals. Mule Suttles had four hits, three of them long. All told those three Hall of Famers collected 18 hits in 50 at bats for a .360 average. Harrisburg's Hall of Famer - Oscar Charleston - went five for 13 (.385) in his own right including stepping up big in game seven knocking in two and magnificently handling the pitching staff as the Giants eked out a 3-2 win to avoid the sweep.<br /><br />at Cottage Hill Field, Steelton, PA<br />March 28<br />Attendance - 2295<br />Umpires - Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />StL 001 111 110 - 6 WP - Leroy Matlock<br />Hbg 000 001 200 - 3 LP - Daltie Cooper (4-4 3.08)<br />HR - none<br /><br />March 29<br />Attendance - 2303<br />Umpires - Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />St L 100 102 000 - 4 WP - Ted Trent<br />Hbg 100 000 001 - 2 LP - Geechie Corbett (4-7 5.73)<br />HR - A.D. Creacy<br /><br />at Rossmere Base Ball Park, Lancaster, PA<br />March 30<br />Attendance - 2,781 (236,328 ytd, 84 dates)<br />Umpires - Art Fields, Julip Arp<br />StL 205 001 000 - 8 WP - Ted Radcliffe<br />Hbg 000 000 000 - 0 LP - Willie Gisentaner (4-6 4.88)<br />HR- J.H. Russell, Mule Suttles, <br /><br />Umpires - Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />StL 000 001 001 - 2 LP - Logan Hensley<br />Hbg 101 001 00x - 3 WP - Chas Henry (3-3 2.73) Save - Sam Cooper<br />HR - Frog Redus, John Beckwith (7), Willie Wells<br /><br />NOTE: Double Duty Radcliffe threw a two hit shutout in the first game of the Sunday doubleheader and caught game two; however at the plate he went O for 9 and stranded 11 baserunners. Chas Henry, Pepe Lucas, and Sam Cooper put together a stellar game scattering 11 hits and a pair of walks but yielding only two solo home runs.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-53010583136235999372008-04-01T21:40:00.001-05:002008-04-01T21:42:34.667-05:00Catching UpSince the last post, the Giants bats have completely fallen on hard times and the pitching has fallen off a bit also. Accordingly the Giants find themselves with a 44-48 record with 14 series remaining before the Hoverter-Redd Cup Round Robin.<br /><br />The most recent series saw the Jints taking on the "We Are Family" Pirates from 1979 in a four game set at Steelton's Cottage Hill Field.<br /><br />March 24<br />Attendance - 2325<br />Umpires - Julip Arp, Art Fields<br />Pgh 010 001 000 - 2 LP - John Candelaria<br />Hbg 001 010 10x - 3 WP - Lefty Lucas 6-2 3.89<br />HR - none<br /><br />March 25<br />Attendance - 2,116 <br />Umpires - Fields, Arp<br />Pgh 530 700 001 - 16 WP - Bert Blyleven Save - Jim Bibby<br />Hbg 000 010 000 - 1 LP - Ping Gardner 4-6 5.87 <br />HR - none<br /><br />March 26<br />Attendance - 1,972 <br />Umpires - Arp, Fields<br />Pgh 300 000 000 - 3 WP - Bruce Kison<br />Hbg 000 000 000 - 0 LP - Cliff Carter 4-8 5.36<br />HR - Dave Parker, John Milner<br /><br />Match 27<br />Attendance - 1,678<br />Umpires - Fields, Arp<br />Pgh 031 000 000 - 4 LP - Don Robinson<br />Hbg 404 001 00x - 9 WP - Sam Cooper 3-5 4.37<br />HR - Oscar Charleston (12), William Owens (2), Bill Madlock<br /><br />The Giants came back behind a sterling, seven inning, 4 hit, no run, relief performance by Sam Cooper to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the last game of a four game series to earn a split. Oscar Charleston paced the attack going 2 for 4, with a walk, double and a round tripper, scoring three and knocking in two. Pitcher Cooper also had an RBI single.<br /><br />SEASON TO DATE LEADERS<br />Avg Oscar Charleston, .304<br />HR Oscar Charleston, 12<br />RBI Oscar Charleston, 65<br />W-L Red Ryan, 9-6<br />E.R.A. Daltie Cooper 2.92<br /><br />The Giants have won 44, lost 48; are scoring a paltry 4.16 RPG while allowing 5.05 RPG. Next team in will be the Saint Louis Stars featuring Cool Papa Bel, Willie Wells, and Mule Suttles.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-90002243655343032992008-03-09T19:02:00.000-05:002008-03-09T19:03:10.000-05:00Coming Attractions!Kids! Be sure to look in the April 4th edition of the Harrisburg Patriot for this year’s special Newspaper in Education feature on baseball and the Harrisburg Senators. It will be an insert in the paper that day and include interesting articles, tricky puzzles, pictures, important statistics and Senators schedule. Don’t miss this great annual feature. Let’s play two!!<br /><br />Parents! Be sure to consider attending – and bringing your children – to the Harrisburg Giant banquet on April 26th at 1 p.m. at the 20/20 Club at 2020 State Street in Harrisburg, PA. Tickets are only $25. The guest speaker will be Al Burrows of the New York Black Yankees. All surviving members of the Harrisburg Giants will be in attendance including Zeke Jones, Peter Dickey and Bobby Pae. I will give a brief talk on Rap Dixon and display some memorabilia. Call Willie Fordham (545 7565) or Jim Weedon (233 3950) for tickets.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-31745216617822096882008-03-03T22:54:00.003-05:002008-03-09T19:03:36.550-05:00Back to .500March 1, 2008<br />West End Grounds<br />Harrisburg, PA<br />CAG 001 000 101 00 - 3 LP - Marshall<br />HBG 200 000 100 01 - 4 WP - Ryan<br />HR - Poles (2)<br /><br />Spottswood Poles, two out, inside the park home run in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the homestanding Giants a tough, hardfought win at the uptown grounds. Jimmy Lyons gambled and failed to make the shoestring grab; the ball rolled to the wall while the speedy Poles rounded the diamond.<br /><br />March 2 [doubleheader]<br />Rossmere Base Ball Park<br />Lancaster, PA<br />CAG 200 000 000 004 - 6 WP - Marshall<br />HBG 010 100 000 000 - 2 LP - S. Cooper<br />HR - Lyons, Torriente<br /><br />Jimmy Lyons who gambled and failed to catch Poles game winner yesterday; returned the favor in Lancaster with his own inside the park game winner. Cristobal Torriente added a second two run shot of the 12th to put the game out of reach.<br /><br />CAG 002 110 000 - 4 WP - Williams S - D.Brown<br />HBG 100 000 000 - 1 LP - Henry<br />HR - none<br /><br />The American swept the doubleheader behind stellar pitching from starter Tom Williams and Dave Brown out of the bullpen.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-36616464063635205902008-02-29T22:55:00.002-05:002008-02-29T23:20:29.177-05:001921 Chicago American GiantsThis is Rube Foster's team he founded it, played for it, managed & coached it, administered it and owned it. In 1920, the C.A.G. captured the initial Negro National League pennant. Since 2007-II, the C.A.G. holds a 21-17 edge over the Harrisburg Giants. A sweep by the hometeam would tie the knot.<br /><br />February 29, 2008<br />West End Grounds, Harrisburg<br />Attendance: 2,401<br />Umpires: Art Fields & Julip Arp<br />CAG 000 102 100 - 4 8 0<br />HBG 000 003 000 - 3 7 0<br />HR - none<br />SB - Oscar Charleston (14), Dave Malarcher 2, Bingo DeMoss, John Beckwith (2) <br />WP - Otto Sparks Save - Jack Marshall<br />LP - Red Ryan 6-5 4.94<br />Feature: C.A.G. built a 3-0 lead that held until starter Sparks weakened; yielding consecutive hits and a long fly tying the game in the bottom of the 6th. However, Bingo DeMoss tripled off Ryan leading off the 7th and scored on Cristobal Torriente's grounder. Jack Marshall retired five in a row but gave up a two out 9th inning single to Bunny Downs setting up power hitting pinch hitter Edgar Wesley as the potential winning run. Marshall struck him out to insure the American Giants will leave town on Sunday still holding the career edge.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-72995173456249360712008-02-28T22:14:00.002-05:002008-02-28T22:43:32.799-05:001925 Pittsburgh PiratesThis was the last championship team in Pittsburgh for 35 years. Down 3-1 versus Walter Johnson's last hurrah Senators; the Bucs rallied for three straight wins to take the 1925 title. They treated the Harrisburg Giants just as rudely taking 3 of 4 at Island Park, Harrisburg<br /><br />2/25 Pittsburgh 2, Harrisburg 0<br />Attendance: 1906<br />HR - Glenn Wright, Pgh<br />WP - Specs Meadows<br />LP - Willie Gisentaner 2-5 5.34<br /><br />Three Fingered Gisentaner pitched well, 7IP, 6 H, 2 R, but his opponent - Meadows - was spectacular facing the minimum 27 batters, yielding two singles both erased by double plays.<br /><br />2/26 Harrisburg 6 Pittsburgh 1<br />Attendance: 1878<br />HR - Rap Dixon (5)<br />WP - D. Cooper 3-2 3.16<br />LP - Ray Kremer<br /><br />Rev Cannady and Hen Jordan each knocked in two runs in the 4th to lead the Harrisburg Giants to the victory.<br /><br />2/27 Pittsburgh 7 Harrisburg 2<br />Attendance: 2009<br />HR - Rap Dixon (6), KikI Cuyler<br />WP - Tom Sheehan<br />LP - Chas Henry 1-1 4.20<br /><br />Twin runs in the 5th, 7th, and 8th for the Pirates portended the victory. Tom Sheehan went a gutsy 6 innings and Jug Handle Johnny Morrison hurled the final three for the save. Cuyler, Carey, Wright, and Grantham had two hits each for the Corsairs.<br /><br />2/28 Pittsburgh 5 Harisburg 3<br />Attendance: 2265<br />HR - John Beckwith (5)<br />WP - Babe Adams<br />LP - Geechie Corbett 4-3 4.35<br /><br />Wiley veteran Babe Adams pitched 8 solid innings scattering 10 hits but no walks while yielding three runs. <br /><br />YTD<br />Harrisburg 31-29<br />AVG .243 led by Oscar Charleston .307, Beckwith .294, O.Johnson .286<br />HR 42 led by Charleston 9, Dixon 6, Beckwith 5, O.Johnson 4<br />SB 62 led by Charleston 13, Dixon 10, Jenkins 10, Poles 9<br />Runs 4.28 RPG led by Charleston 37, Dixon 36<br />E.R.A. 4.43 led by Daltie Cooper 3.16<br />Runs Allowed 4.88Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-47817048910526084362008-02-25T23:08:00.000-05:002008-02-25T23:25:58.857-05:002006-IIThe last time I posted - October 2006 - the Harrisburg Giants had a 55-55 record on their way to an 83-71 record against some of the greatest teams of all-time. Some have voiced the opinion that such a record is unrealistic and that the Giants could not have won series against such teams as the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers, and capture 23 of 30 versus contemporary major league teams. I must point out that this season (2006-I)as well as all years but one (2007-II)found a composite Harrisburg Giants team featuring as many as three Hall of Famers taking on a specific major league team from a specific season. In other words, it pitted the best players in the admittedly brief existence of the Giants versus a single year's team. In the exception year (2007-II) that same composite Harrisburg Giants took on composite major league teams and suffered a losing season. The overall record of the Giants - now in their 6th season of competion on this blog is 418-404 .509. While it might be suprising to some; given the rules of engagement (again, a composite all-star team vs. single season teams) I feel the result is within the realm of possibility.<br /><br />For those who need a refresher; all games are played using the APBA Major League Baseball Game. APBA has been the cadillac of baseball simulation games since its debuted in 1951.<br /><br />Tomorrow, the 2008-I season will pick up where it is about 1/3 of the season.Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-1161135188348848272006-10-17T20:32:00.000-05:002007-02-25T17:12:41.343-05:00Baseball Returns; Buck O'Neill PassesBack again … hopefully on a regular basis … if anyone was waiting I apologize.<br /><br />October 6, 2006, Harrisburg, PA<br />BUCK’s DEATH SHORTENS GAME<br /><br />The Hilldale Daises pounded the Harrisburg Giants at West End Grounds by a score of 10-0. The game, mercifully shortened by mutual acceptance of the ten run rule, became irrelevant after the following announcement made as the teams changed positions in the middle of the fourth inning:<br /><br />It is my duty to inform you that Buck O’Neil, star first baseman and manager in the Negro leagues, a pioneering scout and coach in the major leagues who devoted the final decade of his life to chronicling the lost world of black baseball, died this afternoon in Kansas City. He was 94.<br /><br />Subsequently it was announced that tomorrow’s game in Harrisburg would be part of a doubleheader with the second game being an all-star game featuring many legendary Negro League stars many of whom played with or against Buck during his storied career. A record West End Grounds crowd is expected.<br /><br />Giants southpaw Willie Gisentaner took the pounding while Hilldale’s Phil Cockrell hurled the events shortened shut out. Line score follows:<br /><br />1925 Hilldale Daisies 003 17 – 11 9 0 WP- Cockrell<br />Harrisburg Giants 000 00 – 0 5 0 LP – Gisentaner 6-7 6.51 E.R.A.<br /><br />1,982 fans attended seeing the Giants fall to 55-54 thus far in 2006-II.<br /><br />October 14, 2006, Harrisburg, PA - A record crowd of 4,013 fans attended today’s doubleheader honoring the late great Buck O’Neill. They were rewarded with two great games.<br /><br />In the opener, the Hilldale Daisies nipped the Harrisburg Giants 8-6 with two runs in the top of the 10th inning of loser Sam Cooper. Nip Winters, pitching on two days rest in order to honor Buck O’Neil, went the route with less than his best stuff. John Beckwith slammed his 21st homerun of the season for the Giants.<br /><br />Hilldale 100 030 020 2 – 8 11 1 WP - Winters<br />Harrisburg 003 010 002 0 - 6 9 0 LP – S. Cooper 5-6 4.61 E.R.A.<br />HR – Beckwith (21)<br /><br />In the second game, scheduled as a tribute to Buck O’Neil, darkness fell with Solomon-like justice after 10 innings of a tie game between an Eastern Negro League All-Star team and a Buck O’Neill managed team from the West. Buck received standing ovations when he brought out the lineup card, switched pitchers, pinch ran, took the field, grounded out, and when he took a post-game bow.<br /><br />The West jumped to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd on Hilton Smith’s double and Willard Brown’s two run single. Josh Gibson’s mammoth homer tied it in the 6th only to see the West, on Mule Suttles triple and Minnie Minoso’s single, jump back in front 5-3 in the bottom half of the 6th. Sol White’s 7th inning single and Harrisburg’s Fats Jenkins’ 9th inning sac fly produced the tie.<br /><br />East 000 003 101 0 – 5 7 0<br />West 003 002 000 0 – 5 10 1<br />HR - GibsonTeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-1150136644371714132006-06-12T13:14:00.000-05:002006-07-10T21:06:08.826-05:00Classic Series About to Open; East wins ExhibitionOn the eve of the East-West Classic Negro League All-Star Series the East squad spanked the West 8-1 before 2,918 fans at Harrisburg's Island Park. The East received stellar pitching from starter Satchel Paige, who got the win, and diminutive fireballer Leon Day, who got the save. It was a combined two-hitter. Monte Irvin paced the attack with two solo homers while Harrisburgers Oscar Charleston and Rap Dixon also went yard. Louis Santop homered for the West's only run. Both Hilton Smith and Chet Brewer pitched ineffectively for the West. The East is considered a slight favorite in the five game series which begins tomorrow in Comiskey Park Chicago.<br /><p>West 000 010 000 - 1 2 0 LP-Smith</p><p>East 000 151 01x - 8 10 0 WP-Paige</p><p>HR- Irvin 2, Charleston, Dixon, Santop</p>Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-1149690116244798532006-06-07T09:21:00.000-05:002006-07-10T21:06:14.770-05:00Before Jackie Robinson, there was Cool Papa Bell<div class="Section1"><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This article appeared in the Allentown Morning Call one week before the death of Bob Peterson. It was written by his daughter Margie.</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Before Jackie Robinson, there was Cool Papa </span></b></tt><tt><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bell</span></b></tt><tt><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span></b></tt></span></pre><pre><tt><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >by Margie Peterson</span></b></tt></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">February 9, 2006</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:courier new;"><tt> </tt></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><tt>''There is a story that one day during the 1930s the </tt><tt>Pittsburgh </tt><tt>Crawfords [an all black professional baseball team] were playing in</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Forbes Field in </tt><tt>Pittsburgh</tt><tt> when their young catcher, Josh Gibson, hit</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>the ball so high and far that no one saw it come down. After scanning </tt><tt>the sky carefully for a few minutes, the umpire deliberated and ruled</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>it a home run. The next day the Crawfords were playing in </tt><tt>Philadelphia</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>when suddenly a ball dropped out of the heavens and was caught by a </tt><tt>startled centerfielder on the opposing club. The umpire made the only</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>possible ruling. Pointing to Gibson he shouted, 'Yer out -- yesterday </tt><tt>in </tt><tt>Pittsburgh</tt><tt>.' '' </tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt> </tt><tt>(snip)</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>I'm lifting a lot of this history from the book, because I'm fairly </tt><tt>sure the author won't sue me. He wouldn't want to loot his grandsons'</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>college fund. </tt><tt>As a semi-pro catcher in the late 1940s, my father, Robert W. </tt><tt>Peterson, played against barnstorming black teams. In 1966, he walked</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>into a </tt><tt>Harlem</tt><tt> liquor store owned by ex-big league star Roy Campanella</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>and started the interviews that would become the lifeblood of ''Only </tt><tt>the Ball Was White.''</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt> </tt><tt>Campanella told him where to find former Negro leagues stars Buck </tt><tt>Leonard and Judy Johnson, who was scouting for the </tt><tt>Philadelphia</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Phillies at the time. My father talked to them and they gave him more </tt><tt>names.</tt></span></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>In 1971, the year after ''Only the Ball Was White'' was published, the </tt><tt>Baseball Hall of </tt><tt>Fame</tt><tt> in </tt><tt>Cooperstown</tt><tt> inducted its first Negro leagues</tt></span></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">star â€" pitcher Satchel Paige. Sixteen others have since joined him.</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>This month, my father, who lives in </tt><tt>Lower</tt><tt> </tt><tt>Macungie</tt><tt> </tt><tt>Township</tt><tt>, is slated</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>to be one of 12 historians of black baseball to vote on players being </tt><tt>considered for induction. Unable to travel, he will vote absentee.</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt> </tt><tt>Over the years, my father has been asked: What's a white guy doing </tt><tt>writing about black history? Invariably, his reply is that it's</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>American history. ''Negro baseball was at once heroic and tawdry, a </tt><tt>gladsome thing and a blot on </tt><tt>America</tt><tt>'s conscience,'' he wrote in 1970.</tt></span></span></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt> </tt><tt>Everyone gets a legacy. Plumbers' kids learn how to fix leaky faucets.</tt></span></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">A millionaire's son wins a life of luxury. I was lucky enough to learn</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>a fascinating piece of American history at the feet of the guy who </tt><tt>wrote it. That's riches enough.</tt></span></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Copyright (c) 2006, The Morning Call </span></tt></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></tt></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></tt></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></tt></pre><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></p></div>Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14403520.post-1149690000059902922006-06-07T09:20:00.000-05:002006-06-12T13:12:36.870-05:00Robert W. Peterson, Negro Leagues Historian, Dies at 80<div class="Section1"><pre><tt><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >Robert W. Peterson, Negro Leagues Historian, Dies at 80</span></b></tt></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Robert W. Peterson, whose pioneering history of the Negro leagues, </tt><tt>"Only the Ball Was White," recaptured a lost era in baseball history</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>and a rich facet of black life in </tt><tt>America</tt><tt>, died Saturday at a hospital</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>in </tt><tt>Salisbury Township</tt><tt>, </tt><tt>Pa.</tt><tt> Mr. Peterson, who lived in </tt><tt>Lower Macungie</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Township, </tt><tt>Pa.</tt><tt>, was 80. </tt><tt>His death was announced by his wife, Peggy, who said he had lung cancer.</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></tt> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>When Mr. Peterson's account of black baseball was published by </tt><tt>Prentice-Hall in 1970, little was known of the Negro leagues apart</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>from the memories of black Americans who had been thrilled by players </tt><tt>like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard. Black baseball had</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>flourished in a segregated </tt><tt>America</tt><tt> but was largely ignored by the</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>mainstream press and went out of business in the 1950's, soon after </tt><tt>the major league color barrier had been smashed.</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></tt> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>When Mr. Peterson was growing up in </tt><tt>Warren</tt><tt>, </tt><tt>Pa.</tt><tt>, he had seen some of</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>the great Negro leaguers in barnstorming games. He later played </tt><tt>baseball at </tt><tt>Upsala</tt><tt> </tt><tt>College</tt><tt> in </tt><tt>East Orange</tt><tt>, </tt><tt>N.J.</tt><tt>, and worked as an</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>editor for The World-Telegram and The Sun. When the paper closed in </tt><tt>1966, he turned to freelance writing and set out to learn the history</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>of the Negro leagues by interviewing the star players and studying </tt><tt>microfilm of black newspapers.</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Mr. Peterson was inspired by those memories from his boyhood. In the p</tt><tt>reface to "Only the Ball Was White," he recalled: "One summer day in</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>1939 a kid squatted on the bank behind home plate at Russell Field in </tt><tt>Warren</tt><tt>, </tt><tt>Pennsylvania</tt><tt>, fielding foul balls (which could be redeemed for</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>a nickel each" no small consideration in those days), and saw Josh </tt><tt>Gibson hit the longest home run ever struck in </tt><tt>Warren</tt><tt> </tt><tt>County</tt><tt>. It was</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>one of many impressive feats performed by touring black players that </tt><tt>excited the wonder and admiration of that foul-ball shagger. This book</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">is the belated fruit of his wonder."</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Mr. Peterson's book traced black baseball's history from the 19th </tt><tt>century and provided first-person accounts, brief biographies of</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>leading players, league standings and statistics. Writing in The New </tt><tt>York Times Book Review, Rex Lardner called the book "a worthy and</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">fascinating addition to anyone's baseball library."</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Many books on black baseball have been written in the decades since, </tt><tt>transforming a long-neglected chapter of baseball history into a</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">well-chronicled saga. </span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Mr. Peterson also wrote "Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early </tt><tt>Years," "Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football" and "The Boy</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Scouts: An American Adventure."</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Thomas, of </tt><tt>Westfield</tt><tt>, </tt><tt>N.J.</tt><tt>; a daughter, Margaret Peterson, of </tt><tt>Salisbury</tt><tt> </tt><tt>Township</tt><tt>,</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>Pa.</tt><tt>; and two grandsons.</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>In his memoir, "Hardball," Bowie Kuhn recalled that when he became </tt><tt>baseball commissioner in 1969, a debate had arisen over whether to</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>induct stars of the Negro leagues into the Hall of </tt><tt>Fame</tt><tt>. The Peterson</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>book, Kuhn said, "focused greater attention on the accomplishments of </tt><tt>Negro League players."</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>In 1971, Paige became the first Negro leagues star inducted into the </tt><tt>Hall of </tt><tt>Fame</tt><tt>, and he has been followed by 17 others. Mr. Peterson was</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>named to the 12-member unit that will vote Feb. 27 on the possible </tt><tt>induction of additional figures from black baseball. In view of his</tt></span></pre><pre><tt><span style="font-family:times new roman;">failing health, he had cast a ballot in absentia.</span></tt></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt></tt></span> </pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>In an epilogue in "Only the Ball Was White," Mr. Peterson called for </tt><tt>giving full honors at </tt><tt>Cooperstown</tt><tt> to Negro leagues stars. "So long as</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>the Hall of </tt><tt>Fame</tt><tt> is without a few of the great stars of Negro</tt></span></pre><pre><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><tt>baseball," he wrote, "the notion that it represents the best in </tt><tt>baseball is nonsense."</tt><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span></span></pre><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span> </p></div>Teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592365564189288754noreply@blogger.com4