1951: BABE RUTH WORLD SERIES PLAYED IN HAMILTON

It was big news back in August, 1951 when Hamilton Township hosted the Babe Ruth World Series. In the photo above, we see Mr. Cliff Fovour, one of the founders of the league, throws out the first pitch. This was a red letter day in the history of Hamilton sports.

MANY THANKS TO MY FRIEND, GEORGE GOLDY FOR THIS INTERESTING INSIGHT INTO THE ABOVE COLUMN:

Tom

In 1951 the Little Bigger League came into existence in Yardville to give boys a place to play after Little League. Later it evolved into the Babe Ruth League and went national. I was in the athletic officials group at HHS in 51 and we were asked to umpire games for the league. A few of us did and we were paid a cap and shirt. (The days of volunteering). Later I spent 16 years at Switlik as a coach and manager 1972 to 1987. We were never allowed to host the world series in all the years because the facility was not adequate (covered stands, parking, etc) I believe they allowed the series to be held in 2001 because of the 50th anniversary.

 

George Goldy

1941: I'M SO OLD I REMEMBER THE ST. LOUIS BROWNS!

Well, maybe I don't remember their 1941 team but I sure do remember how they fought for last place in the American League with Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics. Bing Crosby keeps the St. Louis Browns alive for posterity in his role as a Priest in "Going My Way," where he appears a number of times in a St. Louis Browns warmup jacket. The "Brownies" went down in history when out of frustration at all their losses, they hired a "little person" who really stymied the opposition pitchers. 

1936: ROOKIE "JOE D" HAS A BAD DAY AT THE BALL PARK

I have been a Yankee fan 78 of my 80 years. I don't remember when Joltin' Joe was a rookie and a "goat" as the press cruelly knighted him back in his rookie year. However, Joe went on to an incredible career and it was my privilege to watch my hero in action in his later years prior to number 7, Mickey Mantle taking his place. Not only was Joe DiMaggio a baseball hall of fame legend, he and his brother Vince of the Boston Red Sox were taught the virtue of humility and class as they were brought up by a San Francisco immigrant family. Joe is currently playing center field in God's heavenly New York Yankee team.

1923: THE YARDVILLE "3M" BASEBALL TEAM 90 YEARS AGO

This is the first I had heard of an organized baseball club playing in the "Three M" league. Speculation would suggest that the three M's are for Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex or something similar. Unfortunately, the news clip didn't identify the whole team.

1937: SCHROTH SQUAD FOR THE NEW SEASON

Once again, a number of familiar names from my past, many of whom come from prominent Trenton families.
The "BASEBALL" folder in the Hamilton Local History Collection is growing by leaps and bounds. More to come.

I am posting this baseball related graphic again as a result of an email I received from Tony Siegel who, as you will see, is a real dyed in the wool fan of the game. Tony invites your comments and so do I.

Hi Tom:

I have enjoyed many of Ralph's baseball postings. Although I do not know him I love his tales of the Schroths and other Trenton memorabilia.I grew up in Trenton a rapid Baseball fan, the Phillies and A's to be exact as I was a fervent Yankee hater. I still am.

This baseball love and background perhaps helped to provide an impetus to allow me to think about working in Baseball when the time came. So when I got to Houston, Texas in late 1964 I set upon accomplishing just that. It is a long story but I did get to .be one of the two guys who operated the Astrodome scoreboard when it opened in 1965. The Phillies opened the season that year and I befriended Bus Saidt, who I used to "bootleg" listening to every night as my parents made me go to bed. I tricked them. Anyhow Bus had to dart out as the team had a flight that night so I had was given the honor of calling in his story to the Trenton Times for him. We became friends until his untimely death many years ago, In fact, I attended his funeral.

I am about to begin my 48th year in Major League baseball, the last seven with the World Champion Giants. We received a ring in 2010 and will get another on April 20 to commemorate winning the Series last year. It has been quite a ride.

So please convey to Ralph that his tidbits are greatly appreciated and look forward to more. Since my 98 year old mother is still alive an kicking in Trenton, maybe I can get to meet him one day.

You take care and "see" you on your web site.

Tony Siegle

Senior Advisor

San Francisco Giants

rockytony@aol.com

1936, 1948 and 1949 THE LUCARELLA BOYS

These are for you, Ralph and other local and national baseball fans from the golden years of the 30's, 40's and 50's. I am sure there are more Lucarella columns still to be found and will be sure to post them as they become available.

1924: TRENTON TIMES GOES HIGH TECH!

In a recent post on this website, Ralph Lucarella, our resident "been there, done that" local Trenton area historian told of the times he went to watch the world series on the Trenton Times "Playograph." It must have been the wonder of the age! Just imagine watching a called strike, a base on balls, an error, a home run or any other play in a baseball game, all recalled within a minute or so as it happened many miles away! This 1924 Trenton Times photo and description of the affair is accompanied by a photo that shows the HUGE crowd watching the Playograph on the Trenton Times Stockton Street building. Today we have high definition LED and Plasma television that can see the stitching on a baseball. As that old Virginia Slim cigarette used to say, "You've come a long way baby!"

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...THAT PHOTO GIVES YOU SOME IDEA OF HOW POPULAR THAT ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORLD SERIES WAS AT CITY HALL. I RECALL BEING THERE WITH MANY FROM THE BURG AND ELSEWHERE. IT WAS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE OLD TIMES THAT ALONG WITH VAUDIVILLE IN THE THEATRES AND THE LOW COST OF LIVING MADE THINGS SEEM EASIER. BEST REGARDS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

1934: SCHROTH'S POST 93 BASEBALL

Thank you, Mary Ellen Devlin for this photo of the 1934 Schroth team as they visited President Franklin Roosevelt's Hyde Park home. It's a happy coincidence that I have a news photo of the team as published in the Trenton Times back in 1934.

1911: TRENTON'S MORRIS PARK

I must have spent an hour or more trying to tie this field into the early years of Wetzel Field. My reasoning? The name Morris Field made it seem logical that Trenton's Morris Avenue was the location of the above field. WRONG! Further investigation reveals that a Mr. William Morris was an executive in the old Tri-State League. It turns out that Morris Field was probably named for him and was located in North Trenton on the site of Junior 5 near North Montgomery Street and Holland Avenue. Opening season of the "Tri-State League" included teams were from towns that were also a part of the old Interstate League.

1897: WHO KNEW?

Where but at www.glover320.blogspot.com would you learn that a very large baseball field was located at the triangular area of Cedar Street (today's Cedar Lane), Chambers Street and South Clinton Avenue? Iremember reading about this field MANY years ago in a Harry Podmore column. Above is an extract from a July, 1897 game played there.

Blake Bolinger said...

Tom - I wonder if what's labelled as S. Clinton on that map is actually William Street. And I also wonder if there are plans to do anything with this big empty lot. Anyway, interesting to know of this prior use.

Blake Bolinger

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

HI BLAKE: YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! The map above is from 1905 and I would assume the So. Clinton Avene block was probably un-developed. Earlier articles regarding the Oval defined the borders as the triangle encompassing Cedar Lane, Chambers, and So. Clinton Avenue. Thank you for your very astute observation; it's what keeps local history completely honest, and I need all corrections. You will note that William Street has a "dog leg" at the crossing. Note also that the homes at the bottom are along South Clinton Avenue. Many thanks for the correction,

Tom

Stephen said...

Talk about coincidence. Today I was doing some genealogical research and one of the new folks I was looking at was Michael J. Kearns, born in England around 1874. In following his family I learned that his son, Edward Joseph "Teddy" Kearns actually played pro baseball. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=kearnte01 . It appears baseball was in his blood.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

1909: TRENTON TIGERS AT TRI STATE BASEBALL FIELD

The above graphics are primitive offset photos of a Decoration Day baseball game at Trenton's Tri-State field, located on W. State Street and now the site of the old Junior 3. The Tri State League was composed of teams much like the old Interstate League of the 1940's and early 1950's.

1907: TRENTON'S OLD "TRI-STATE"BASEBALL FIELD

This early offset newspaper photo is not as clear as I would like to see, but with a bit of Photoshopping I was able to bring out a semblance of recognition of one of Trenton's popular sports fields from the early part of the 20th century. The Tri-State league was much like the old Interstate League with teams from Lancaster, and other towns within the tri state area. It was also the host to numerous major league teams who visited for practice and exhibition games. It was located on land currently occupied by Junior 3 in the Cadwalader section of Trenton. The YMCA field was also located in that area, a bit east of the Tri-State.

1912: FENWAY PARK CENTENNIAL 1912 - 2012

There's no love lost between those of us who are Yankee fans, and our arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, or as my army buddy from Maine use to say, "the Sawks." 2012 marks the 100th year of the construction of Fenway Park. The dedication, coming as it did during the Titanic disaster in April, 1912, certainly had fans rooting for the Sox, and talking about the tragic sinking of the Titanic.

REMEMBERING THE TRENTON GIANTS

Many baseball-minded visitors to this web site who have silver in their hair will remember the late, great, Trenton Giants Class "B" Interstate League team whose home field was on the Brunswick Circle and known as Dunn Field. The Trenton Giants team was the farm club of the New York Giants who played at New York City's Polo Grounds; another memory for those of us with silver or no hair. How I loved to listen to those games on WBUD, 1490 on the dial with studios on the second floor of the Prior Drug Store on the corner of Bridge Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Bus Saidt and Bill Hildenbrand's broadcasts were as good as any big time radio announcer of the day. (Byrum Saam, Mel Allen, Red Barber, Vince Scully, etc.)

Here's a little quiz for my fellow old timers:
Wilmington, Sunbury, Lancaster, York, Hagerstown, and Harrisburg. Assuming that you understand that Pittsburg is the PIRATES, Cincinnati is the REDS etc., finish the team names in the listing above. Also let me know if I forgot any of those interstate league teams.
No fair using Wikipedia! I took these out of my head and I expect you to do likewise!

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I COULD RECALL WHEN WILLIE MAYS WAS SCHEDULED TO REPORT TO THE TRENTON GIANTS AND HE DID'NT SHOW UP. WHEN HE FINALLY SHOWED THEY WERE SHOCKED AT HIS ABILITY IN THE OUTFIELD. WILBUR JACKSON WAS THE PLAYER I ADMIRED. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tom Glover said...

I remember WIllie's time as a Giant. I was a fan of Mo Cunningham and Wilbur Jackson. Remember Pete Pavlik?

Tom Glover

Thursday, March 22, 2012

1915: THE BROOKLYN "TROLLEY DODGERS"

Brooklyn New York, like all boroughs in New York City was alive with overhead wires and trolley tracks back in the late 19th and early 20th century. I imagine that one had to be very careful with all the trolleys moving to and fro as they moved about their daily routes. What better name for a baseball club than "Trolley Dodgers?" Of course, that great old team morphed into the "Brooklyn Dodgers," then moved all the way across the country where they became the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have fond memories of watching the very early telecasts of Brooklyn Dodger games once telecast on WOR-TV channel 9 with Red Barber calling the games. I seem to recall that Schaefer Beer was one of the sponsors. Remember Duke Snyder, Carl Furillo, George "Pee Wee" Reese, Ralph Branca, Sal "The Barber" Maglie, Leo Durocher? Those were the days.....the days of "dem bums!"

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...YOU'RE RIGHT! THOSE WERE THE DAYS. WHEN LITTLE GUYS LIKE "PEE WEE" REESE AND PHIL RIZZUTO WERE AMONG THE GREAT BALL PLAYERS. WHEN I WAS A KID, I ALWAYS FELT I HAD A CHANCE EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONLY 5 FT 7. TODAY, IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY THE BIG GUYS GET THE SCOUTS ATTENTION. THE BROOKLYN DODGERS HAD MANY OUTSTANDING PLAYERS AND EBBETS FIELD WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. REGARDS.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy,I used to watch the dodgers too but not too fondly as I was,am a Phillies fan:but mostly I remember that young red headed Irish guy named Vince Scully who was just breaking in. Vinnie is in 80's now,looks 50 and still has the greatest baseball voice ever and is one of Americas finest citizens

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tom Glover said...

HI LEE: I ALSO REMEMBER WHEN VINCE SCULLY WAS A ROOKIE BROADCASTER. MY TEAM HAS BEEN THE YANKEES. MEL ALLEN AND CURT GOWDY WERE THE PLAY BY PLAY GUYS AND WHITE OWL CIGARS THE SPONSOR FOR THE ENTIRE GAME.

TOM

Thursday, October 27, 2011

1969: HARRY LIEBERMAN DEMOCRAT CLUB

My father was on friendly terms with many in the early Lieberman political scene in Hamilton Township. He was a Hamilton Township Committeeman during the WWII years. My very dear friend Maury Perilli is shown in the photo as are numerous personal acquaintances. My Kuser School classmate Vinnie Brenna is there, as is another old time friend, Al DeMartin. I understand that the original founders of the BRL, including my friends Jack Lacy and Jack Zoller were among the founders of the league. If either of them read this post, I would sure appreciate a comment that would add to the "BASEBALL" folder in the Local History Collection.

1948 (Circa 1948) CHET KUZMA AT WETZEL FIELD

Ralph Lucarella, Chet Kuzma, Noel Goeke, Reynold Funari, and many visitors to this blog are members of "The Greatest Generation." I have enormous respect for those Americans who grew up in the very depths of the Great Depression, many of whom served our country during the horror that was World War II, too many of them making the ultimate sacrifice. I try very hard to take the extra time to acquire good quality photos and articles and the extra time to embellish them via "Photoshop" in order to allow visitors to copy them into their computers for their photo albums, scrap books, family heirlooms etc. The photo of Chet Kuzma that his son Ron sent me was scanned at 600 dots per inch and was of exquisite quality. As I looked at it's full size, you could actually determine that Chet is wearing a wool baseball uniform!Thanks again, Ron. Your Dad, along with many other persons who appear on this website are preserved for posterity, or at least as long as www.glover320.blogspot survives!

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM AND RON....CHET KUZMA PLAYED ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS MY BROTHER "CHUCK". THAT WAS IN 1948 WHEN I WAS IN THE POST OFFICE AND MY BROTHER WAS PLAYING WITH THE SCHROTHS IN THE AMERICAN LEGION TOURNAMENTS. THAT'S A GREAT SHOT OF CHET AT WETZEL FIELD. THOSE BASEBALL UNIFORMS WERE MADE OF FLANNEL AND WERE VERY HOT. WETZEL FIELD'S CLUB HOUSE WAS STILL UP WHEN I LAST VISITED IN 2007. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Michael said...

Tom:

Just got back from aa week at my beach house where computers are verboten! Immediately sat down to check you column, and darn you did it again. This past week was spent with my son Mike Jr. from Pennington, and my beautiful little grand daughter Emil, along with Son David and my grandson Aleksander. Don't you think we were trying to tell the kids about our "Cousins" 1st, 2nd and 3rd's. Of Course Chet's name came up, and here you publish this great photo. Chet of course was my hero, and I had bragging rights on him. I also went to Jr. Four with his sister Lillian. I noted before, that Chet's Dad; Pete was raised by my grandmother, and assumed the family name when he migrated from Poland.
A wonderful family who we were all proud to be related too.

Thanks again.

Mike Kuzma

Friday, August 19, 2011

1948 (Circa 1948) Chet Kuzma at Wetzel field

I received the above email from Ron Kuzma who saw the photo of his Dad, Chet Kuzma in an earlier Glover320 post. Ron sent me this circa 1948 photo of his dad Chet at Wetzel field. Many thanks, Ron.
I am also posting your email requesting the addresses of Ralph and Mike, both of whom are regular
visitors to this website. They will undoubtedly be contacting you. Thanks again for visiting this website.
I hope you return often.

Michael said...

Tom: Thanks for publishing Ron Kuzma's email address. Immediately upon reading the posting,I wrote to him. Wow you have reunited me with my cousin Arlene Marren, now Chet Kuzma's son. You are a real treasure. Keep up the great work. Mike

Saturday, August 20, 2011

THANKS, MIKE; IT'S NICE TO BRING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TOGETHER. "LOCAL HISTORY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH."

TOM

1936: SCHROTH'S PRACTICING AT HETZEL FIELD

There you are again, Ralph Lucarella! Right in there with all of Trenton's notable baseball players in the 1930's. I would bet that you, and many other visitors will find many old friends and acquaintances in the lengthy listing of candidates. I see Harold "Bus" Saidt among the players listed.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....BUS SAIDT AND I WERE BOTH SELECTED TO PLAY ON THE 1936 SCHROTHS TEAM. IT WAS AT A TIME WHEN THE HAMILTON LEGION HAD A VERY STRONG TEAM AND DEFEATED US FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SCHROTHS WENT TO THE STATE FINALS EACH YEAR BEFORE THAT BUT IN THAT GAME PLAYED AT THE CADWALADER PARK FIELD, THEY REALLY PLAYED GREAT. IT WAS GREAT TO BE CONNECTED TO THE SCHROTHS TEAM AND LATTER ON, MY BROTHER "CHUCK" WENT ON TO PLAY ON THE 1948 SCHROTHS WHEN THEY WON THE AMERICAN LEGION WORLD SERIES IN INDIANAPOLIS. BUS SAIDT BROADCASTED THAT GAME BACK TO TRENTON AND WE FELT VERY PROUD TO BE THERE WITH MANY OTHER TRENTON PEOPLE. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011