I love, love, love this article, Tim! 💕♥️💕♥️ Big baseball fan. My Dad listened to every White Sox game on WCLF - “Chicago’s Voice of Labor” (CFL - Chicago Federation of Labor). I played on the Dyersville Beckman HS team in 1968 when we won the Summer HS Championship — before there were any Classes or Divisions. I’m still a ChiSox fan… Anyway, thanks for your beautiful and nostalgic tribute to the game and the gloves 😎.
Thank you John! Glad u liked it! I was a Twins fan, but pretty cool the Sox had 3 Iowa natives on their roster in late 60s--Duane Josephson/New Hampton (wife's HS), Jerry McNertney/Gilbert, and Bob Locker/George IA.
John already asked my spouse and myself to help--even tho he is a NYY fan, he and his spouse are 50+ year friends. Did not go to the World Series. My dad lived a few blocks from Comiskey growing up and his dad repaired shoes for the Sox, working out of s 35th street building.
Baseball trivia. Eli Grba attended my high school. Our house was purchased from the aunt of local star and MLB player Gerry McNertney.
My dad would tell private stories about the 50's Sox. He drove a dry cleaning delivery van that served many of the Sox; he was also bilingual and would help them around Chicago.
Thats very cool! I realize I forgot mention that Tom, the owner of Rusted Rooster in Traer, told me he was related to Rube Waddell. And McNertney appears extensively in Ball Four as you've probably read. I think he lives in Ankeny now.
As I write, I look at our bookshelves, one devoted to baseball. In our house, we have one well dedicated to baseball, primarily 1950 photos of my White Sox and of Negro Baseball League. I still have a Mel Ott bat from dad, who made the Minor Leagues, and like my grandfather both worked for the White Sox.
and I am not surprised you are a baseball fan. And my spouse is from SW Iowa (I am fro SE Chicago)
Sounds like my bookshelf--lotsa baseball history!!! The White Sox are kind of forgotten for "favorite team" status in IA--seems mostly Cards/Cubs/Twins/Royals. They never seemed to have colorful superstars you could get excited about. I remember they were always competitive w good pitching/fielding. Did you get to go to 59 World Series?
Also if you're in Des Moines, SABR is sponsoring an all-day event at Hoyt Sherman on Wed 5/27. John Leipa will be doing a program on Iowa baseball history. He'll also have stuff from his vaults there that rarely see daylight. Hope to see you there & spread the word! Thx Ralph!
I love, love, love this article, Tim! 💕♥️💕♥️ Big baseball fan. My Dad listened to every White Sox game on WCLF - “Chicago’s Voice of Labor” (CFL - Chicago Federation of Labor). I played on the Dyersville Beckman HS team in 1968 when we won the Summer HS Championship — before there were any Classes or Divisions. I’m still a ChiSox fan… Anyway, thanks for your beautiful and nostalgic tribute to the game and the gloves 😎.
Thank you John! Glad u liked it! I was a Twins fan, but pretty cool the Sox had 3 Iowa natives on their roster in late 60s--Duane Josephson/New Hampton (wife's HS), Jerry McNertney/Gilbert, and Bob Locker/George IA.
John already asked my spouse and myself to help--even tho he is a NYY fan, he and his spouse are 50+ year friends. Did not go to the World Series. My dad lived a few blocks from Comiskey growing up and his dad repaired shoes for the Sox, working out of s 35th street building.
Baseball trivia. Eli Grba attended my high school. Our house was purchased from the aunt of local star and MLB player Gerry McNertney.
My dad would tell private stories about the 50's Sox. He drove a dry cleaning delivery van that served many of the Sox; he was also bilingual and would help them around Chicago.
Thats very cool! I realize I forgot mention that Tom, the owner of Rusted Rooster in Traer, told me he was related to Rube Waddell. And McNertney appears extensively in Ball Four as you've probably read. I think he lives in Ankeny now.
As I write, I look at our bookshelves, one devoted to baseball. In our house, we have one well dedicated to baseball, primarily 1950 photos of my White Sox and of Negro Baseball League. I still have a Mel Ott bat from dad, who made the Minor Leagues, and like my grandfather both worked for the White Sox.
and I am not surprised you are a baseball fan. And my spouse is from SW Iowa (I am fro SE Chicago)
Sounds like my bookshelf--lotsa baseball history!!! The White Sox are kind of forgotten for "favorite team" status in IA--seems mostly Cards/Cubs/Twins/Royals. They never seemed to have colorful superstars you could get excited about. I remember they were always competitive w good pitching/fielding. Did you get to go to 59 World Series?
Also if you're in Des Moines, SABR is sponsoring an all-day event at Hoyt Sherman on Wed 5/27. John Leipa will be doing a program on Iowa baseball history. He'll also have stuff from his vaults there that rarely see daylight. Hope to see you there & spread the word! Thx Ralph!
very cool. Gerry coached at ISU for a while, I believe.. Rube Waddell. very cool
I recommend you read Bill Brysons book One Summer. America 1927. Lots of history including Babe Ruth.
Thanks Nancy! I love that book and everything Bryson writes!