K-O-M League Flash Report

KOM League Remembered
Arcadia Publishing Co.
Book Information
October 21, 2004

At the outset let me apologize to any of you who have difficulty downloading files of this size. It won't happen again. However, I have had so many inquiries about the book I thought a brief flyer that Arcadia puts out to its clientele would provide more information than I ever could.

This will let you know, if you are in the media world, what to expect when the postman comes to your place of employment with a package a little smaller than a bread box.

If you aren't in the media but would like to have one of these books you can get it from just about anywhere. Arcadia has their contact points and keep in mind I have "a few" copies that I will sell at the same price and autograph them. However, I'll charge $3.00 more for packaging and postage.

My snail mail address is:

John Hall
1709 Rainwood Place
Columbia, Mo. 65203.





Stephanie Keller, Publicity Manager
Arcadia Publishing
773-697-0104, fax 773.549.7190
3047 N. Lincoln, Suite 410
Chicago, IL 60657
skeller@arcadiapublishing.com
For Immediate Release


Seven Seasons of Unbelievable Baseball

The KOM League Remembered, by John G. Hall
Images of Baseball
Price: $19.99ISBN: 0-7385-3340-8
128 pages/ softcover
Publication date: September, 2004


The KOM League Remembered commemorates the story of seven seasons of baseball dreams in images and stories collected from hundred of former KOM League players and their families. Using many never before seen vintage images, The KOM League Remembered is a fascinating look back into the Golden Era of minor league baseball in the Midwest and some of the true heroes of the game.

The KOM League Remembered author John Hall is a virtual museum of KOM League lore and history, and has included in this volume:
A detailed history of each of the seven seasons, from 1946 to 1952, of the KOM League in words and images
Rare photographs of some of baseball’s best, including Mickey Mantle, Bill Virdon and Joe Stanka
Data and from each season
Official KOM League correspondence that gives a feel for how baseball’s minor leagues were administered in the late 1940s and early 1950s

John Hall, a former KOM League batboy, has spent ten years collecting KOM history, photographs and memorabilia. He has published a KOM newsletter and organized League reunions since 1994, and is one of the Midwest’s foremost historians on the Golden Era of minor league baseball.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, on-line bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665. Contact Stephanie Keller at skeller@arcadiapublishing.com or (773)697-0104 if you would like to receive additional review copies, promotional copies to give away, photos for promotional use, or to contact the author for an interview.


Ed note: I did suggest some changes to the original version of this release as it indicated there were photos of Stan Musial and Andy Varga being one of the KOM League greats. It is a long story about Varga but he managed to progress backward from the Chicago Cubs to the Blackwell, Oklahoma Broncos within the span of one year.
###

-30-

The KOM League
Inquiry--Update
for
October 20, 2004
 
Important--again!!!
 
Due to a lack of concise writing the e-mail regarding a gratis copy of The KOM League Remembered requires clarification.  A number of readers sent a note saying they would take a copy if it was free.  Well, it is free to those in the print and electronic media.  That means if you write for a newspaper, magazine or other commercial venture you qualify.  That goes for those who host radio and TV shows and would mention the book to their listening/viewing audience or have Yours Truly on for an interview.
 
In a short span of time today I have had a number of people wanting the book who do not fit the aforementioned criteria .  There have been requests from three newspapers and one radio talk show host.  I'll let you know when the radio show transpires and you can tune in over the internet since it will be on the World Wide Web.
 
If any of you want a book but aren't in the media you will either have to purchase one at your local bookstore or order one from Yours Truly---and I'm not pushing book sales.
 
Sorry for any misunderstanding the first e-mail may have caused.  John Hall

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Subject: KOM League Flash Report for 10/20/04
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:06:12 -0500


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A ballplayer with the last name of Martin
 
We were at lunch today where there are a lot of former friends and associates that played baseball or other sports and one asked if we would ask you if you had any information on a ball player named Martin  probably born in Illinois in DuPage or Cook County born about 1890-1910  played in the Majors and then on the downslide played in Omaha (Western League).  Supposed to have had a good glove and bad bat.  His mother was a Cavanaugh.  Not much to go on maybe we can get a first name for him.  Thanks Molly and Dick McCoy.  This is not Pepper Martin.
 
Ed reply:
 
There were no Martins born in Illinois during the 1890-1910 era who played major league ball.  The only Martin to have been born in that state and
played in the majors was Frank Martin.  He was born in 1877.  The only Martins born between 1890 and 1910 and who later played in the majors were:
William Gloyd Martin --B. 1894 Washington, D. C.
Herschel Martin--B. 1909 Birmingham, Ala.  (managed in the KOM League in 1952.)
William Joseph "Smokey Joe" Martin--B. 1911 Seymour, MO.
Patrick Martin--B. 1894 Brooklyn, New York
Elwood Goode "Speed" Martin--B. 1893 Wawawai, Washington
I'll have to pass this along to the "big boys."  John
 
Follow-up note:
 
Hi John: 
 
 Before I forget we want to thank-you for the card for Dick's Mother we are putting them in a book for her she will enjoy reading all them after the
party next weekend it is the first time all our family will be together since ten years ago so we are looking for ward to that we have been busy
getting ready for all the company we'll have for a few days. What I am asking is about the baseball players you looked up for us last week and
after talking with the boys who where trying to find out something about a player named Martin and what you came up with they think it would have to be
Frank Martin whom you mentioned in you e-mail. so if you have anything on him I would appreciate you e-mailing it to us.  Thanks again  Molly and Dick
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Hip replacement
Since I have never been first at anything I no doubt won't be the first one to say I will be in Chanute on the morning of June 10. The way it looks now I will be having a hip replaced.  I didn't want to mess my newsletter up cutting that form out.  A check will follow for my subscription.  Hope you and your lovely bride are both doing well.  Dick Getter advised me to have the replacement.
Regards, Charlie Weber
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Grateful
 
John, Touching comments....thanks. Rusty Aton
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No book and where's Lou?
 
Hi John,
 
Never received my review copy of the book.
 
Craig Lammers
WBGU FM
148 1/2 South Main Street #3
Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402
 
Also a question on a former KOM player.  I've been recently researching Lou Ott's 1945-46 seasons in Zanesville Ohio, and have also researched his 1949 season in Iola.  Whatever happened to him?  I'm sure if you don't know another reader might.  Craig Lammers
 
Lou  was also a member of the Carthage Cardinals before he went to Iola.  I last saw Lou in 1996 at a KOM League reunion in Pittsburg, Kansas.  He was living in Indianapolis, Indiana at that time.
 
I sent newsletter to both him and his son Tim but haven't had any feedback for either for a number of years. 
 
Mr. Ott, Edward  "Lou"   4714 E. New York Street Indianapolis, IN 46201  
 
Mr.  Ott, Tim  1510 Park Vista Court Indianapolis, IN 46229  
 
If you are able to make contact tell them I would like to hear from either or both of them.
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Us and You
 
John, we were ahead of you, TWICE. And, we scored seven runs.  HA HA HA HA.  What do you think of that?  Joe Stanka
 
Ed note:
 
That note was received after the first game of the NLCS between Houston and St. Louis.  I told the writer that I thought the Astros should sign him and put him in the bullpen.  I surmised that the old Ponca City Dodger probably had better stuff than 80% of the Astro bullpen.  I also advised him that the only way the Astros could overcome the Cardinal is to have Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens pitch each of the remaining games and pray that they could go the distance.
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*****This is a five star e-mail*****
 
A devoted Ponca City Dodger fan.
 
John, Even before I opened your book, The KOM League Remembered, a flood of warm memories returned.  Once again I was a ten year old living on a small dairy farm 15 miles over in the Osage from Ponca City, OK.  After finishing the evening milking and a large supper my 12 year old brother Ed and I would gather all of our ball gloves, our best worn out ball and the radio and go out in front of our porch.  We would turn the radio high, warm up and wait for Bill Platt's clear voice to come on the air.  "This is Bill Platt broadcasting from beautiful Conoco Park, home of the Ponca City Dodgers and the proving ground for future Major League stars."  Ed and I would play catch, hard catch, until dark and I would dream--dreams of the time when I would be one of those stars.
 
I quickly turned to the Dodgers' first team.  Breezy Brzezowski, Gale Wade, Jim Baxes, Boyd Bartley--so many memories.  Every page a surprise and more memories.
 
The Miami Owls "Murders Row"--Gosh, there is Tom Kappele, our baseball coach my junior and senior years at St. Mary's, Ponca City.  He was an excellent coach and person.  Tom and his wife wrote for a Milwaukee newspaper years later.  The picture of Moses Yellowhorse brought back more memories.  I am a skinny 16 year old pitching for Fairfax American Legion in a game at Pawnee, OK in 1954.  I have just lost the game (2-1) walking in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning after striking out 17 of the 20 outs.  The home plate umpire comforts me with words I never forgot.  "Take care of your arm, son.  You have a Major League fast ball.  I am Moses Yellowhorse."
 
So many photos by Bob Dellinger, my brother's coach at St. Mary's in 1949 and 1950.  In late August of 1949 Dad found someone else to milk and he took Ed and I to Independence, KS to watch Lou Skizas and Mickey Mantle play the P. C. Dodgers.  The three of us were not surprised when Mickey made it to New York two years later, but we always thought Lou Skizas should have reached the majors earlier than he finally did.
 
The book mentions longtime Cardinal scout Runt Marr.  In 1955 a birddog scout took me to Vinita, OK for a tryout camp run by Runt.  I thought I did fine but Runt was not impressed.  He was one of several scouts that year that predicted that I would have more success dairying than throwing baseballs.  And they were right.
 
It was fitting that Al Jarvis' photo took up the final page.  I would listen to Bill Platt's description of Al slamming hits off Conoco Park's fence and I pictured him as a tall, large framed first baseman.  I was surprised when I met Al as a classmate at Northern Oklahoma Junior College at Tonkawa.  He was under six feet and almost slightly built.  Al was married to a dance instructor from Ponca City that taught all the local girls.  Everyone in Ponca City was shocked by his tragic death.  Like Tom Kappele, Al Jarvis was a fine person, a real gentleman.
 
John, thank you for the wonderful job you do to keep alive the memories of the KOM League and an era when baseball was our life's ambition.
 
Jimmy O'Neill
8475 S. 8 Mile Rd.
Ponca City, OK 74604
 
Ed note:
 
O'Neill must have purchased the book at Brace Books & More in Ponca City, Okla.This note makes it all worthwhile.  If I had the choice of writing a book that would sell a million copies or write one that  would sell 10,000 and evoke memories like the ones Mr. O'Neill expressed, I would choose the latter.
 
O'Neill's comments validate that the stories told in that book were without exaggeration and focused on an era when minor league baseball in the "Land of the Osage" was just as big a thing to a young man living there as it was to a city boy from Chicago, St. Louis or New York rooting for their favorites.
 
Mr. O'Neill mentioned twelve people in his note.  Nine of the twelve are only with us now in our field of memories-- Gale Wade, Boyd Bartley and Lou Skizas are the "survivors."
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World tour being set up?
 
One of the largest distributors of books and magazines in Central Missouri is Cowley Distributing Company of Jefferson City, Missouri.  They serve bookstores, military bases, supermarkets etc. throughout  a large sector of the Midwest.  Their representative found me by cell phone early this morning in Springfield, Missouri and inquired about my willingness to do book signings in various places. Since my life is as boring as that of a Maytag repairman I couldn't think of a single reason to decline such an offer.  Thus, in the next few days I may have a list of sites for the "World-tour" of the book signing for "The KOM League Remembered."   And then, I may be like Rodney Dangerfield, the no-respect fellow.  In that case all the "shows" will be "no-shows."
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Cincinnati reunion:
 
This note came by mail this week. "John, I finally finished the two cameras I had the snapshots on, if you can figure that out.  You may remember Bill Harbour couldn't make the first get together, because he needed an operation.  He had that operation to clear carotid arteries and he's fine now.  We really enjoyed the get together both times and looking forward to more in the near future."  Bob Curley
 
So time ago I passed along the names of all former KOM Leaguers living in the Cincinnati area.  They sometimes bring in other players like former Chicago catcher, Gordon Massa.  The group of KOM Leaguers is Bob Curley--Chanute 1946; Bill Harbour--Chanute 1948, Jack Hurley--Independence 1947 and Kenny Boehme--Iola 1951.  If any of you would like to see these guys in a single photo let me know and I'll download a copy.
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Making the world happier---one person at a time.
 
John,  I just received the photo of the 1954 Joplin Cardinals. What a gem it is too. It is an excellent reproduction. I feel right at home seeing the grandstand behind home plate.
I would guess that the man on the far left was the bus driver and it is the business manager on the right.
I just answered the phone and it was Jeff Fisher, head coach for the Tennessee Titans. it was a recording, of course. I have a PSL and he was wanting to make sure I showed up Sunday and made a lot of noise while Houston QB David Carr (from my adopted  hometown of Bakersfield, Calif.) was calling the signals. Fisher didn't need to remind me.
The third player from the left on the top row is Joplin's token black, CFer Don Smith. That same year, 1954, Tom Alston became the first black player for the St. Louis Cardinals. The guy in the middle in the
front row looks like a young Gene Green, but it is hard to say.
Green played for Rochester in 1957, along with Bill Greason and Dick Teed. I mention Teed because he was the manager for Bakersfield (Phillies) when I tried out with them in the early 1960s.  Green and Teed were catchers. Green broke a finger on Opening Day, but he ended up in the outfield and made the league 1957 all-star team.
Anyway, a great photo and I thank you immeasurably. Bryce
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Former player and minor league manager passes

"Just noticed in the Dallas paper that Johnny Sturm died on the 8th in St. Louis. The AP story noted that he was 'the man credited by many
with alerting the Yankees to a young prospect named Mickey Mantle.' A  guy I know has the full story in a book coming out soon."  Greg Olds
 
Ed note:
 
I was so sorry to learn of Sturm's passing.  Many of you fellows knew him from his days as the skipper of the Joplin Miners of the Western Association.  Sturm does get "considerable mention" in my upcoming Mantle book.  His memories were vivid and his account of young Mickey Mantle coming to Joplin and trying out with the Miners, and his retelling that part of history to Yours Truly  is probably the most in-depth account of that story ever contained in any document.  (Notice, I'm not claiming great writing, just that I gave him all the leeway he desired in telling his story.)
 
Just a few weeks ago I sent Sturm a letter requesting that he sign-off on the quotes he provided for the book.  My regret is that he won't be around to read the book that I promised to send him when it was published.  That is a nagging weight around my neck.  Many of the fellows quoted in the book are closer to the end of the trail than the beginning and thus it is an added impetus to finalize things with lawyers and publishers.

Tribute to Sturm from KCTV-Channel 5 in St. Louis
 
ST. LOUIS -- Johnny Sturm, the starting first baseman on the New York Yankees' 1941 world championship team and the man credited by many with alerting the Yankees' to a young prospect named Mickey Mantle, has died.


Sturm, whose season with the Yankees was his only one in the major leagues, was 88 when he died Oct. 8 in his St. Louis home of congestive heart failure, daughter Mary Noll of St. Louis said Friday.


Born on Jan. 23, 1916 in St. Louis, Sturm in June 1939 was playing with the Yankees' top farm club _ the former Kansas City Blues _ when that club played host to the Yankees in an exhibition game. The significance: it was the last game of the storied career of Lou Gehrig, his body and skills racked by the disease that would later bear his name.


"He was telling me that I'd be taking his place in a year or so," Sturm told the Kansas City Star in 1999. "He didn't think he was going to last too long as a player. He kept getting worse. He wore himself thin. He just couldn't shake himself loose of it."


Two years later, Sturm as a rookie took over Gehrig's spot. As the starting first baseman for the Yankees, serving as the leadoff batter during Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game hitting streak.


Sturm hit .239 with three home runs and 36 RBIs in 124 games that season. In the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, the left-throwing, left-batting Sturm played in all five games for the title-winning Yankees, batting .286 with two RBIs.


Sturm never played in the major leagues again. Two months after the 1941 season, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. While driving a tractor to clear land for an Army baseball field, the index finger on Sturm's right hand _ his glove hand _ was mangled and the top of that finger amputated.


Sturm returned after the war in 1945 but his comeback bid went nowhere as he was unable to field effectively because his right hand no longer would open and close fully since the tractor accident, his daughter said.


He was sent to the minors after the Yankees' spring training in 1946 and in 1948-49 managed the Yankees' Class C team in Joplin, leading the Western Association in hitting with a .360 average as a player-manager in 1948.


In 1949, Sturm got a call from the father of a young, switch-hitting prospect, asking that he give his son a tryout. Sturm obliged and couldn't believe what he saw from Mickey Mantle that day.


"In his first round of batting, he was hitting drives off the center field fence," John Sturm said his father often fondly recalled. "He was the most incredible player my dad ever saw. He was the fastest player my dad had seen."


Johnny Sturm successfully pressed the Yankees to take a look, and it wasn't long before Mantle was signed.


Sturm later served as a scout for the Houston Colt .45's, the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox.


In addition to Mary Noll and his son, Sturm's survivors include another daughter, Annette D'Angelo of Kansas City, Mo.; and seven grandchildren.


Sturm's wife, Florence, died in 1989.


His funeral was Monday.
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The world-wide clipping service of the KOM League Remembered
 
Yours Truly is indeed fortunate.  He has many friends and a few enemies around the globe.  Those who call me "friend" share a lot of newspaper clippings or full sections of special editions. 
 
In today's mail were three articles.  Two were from Bob Nichols, former Iola Indian, who resides in Canton, Ohio.  His "gift" included a feature from the Aug. 16, 2004 of the Canton Repository.  It featured some photos of the 1954 Class A city championship in Canton.  One of the fellows shown in a Gil Hodges batting pose was former Iola Indian and Topeka Owl, George Boselo.  Nichols played with Boselo at Iola in 1949.
 
Nichols claims that Canton is the home of the best amateur baseball in the Untied States. In that 1954 championship game, Nichols included all the guys on Canton's  first and second team who had minor league experience.  I'll confess ignorance but here are the names.  Maybe some of you fellow ran across a couple of these guys during the "fun part" of you life.
 
John Hiben
Bud Weisgarber
Vince Shupe
Jim Watson
George Boselo
Jim Vogelgesang
Bud Kramer
Nick Nonastgra
Ben Battista
Bob Horner
John Beamer.
 
The second submission by Nichols was the July 29, 2004 edition of The Repository.   This is the Pro Football Hall of Fame--Festival 2004 edition.  Nichols knows that I am mentally limited and can't possibly know anything about Amos Alonzo Stagg's game.  Thus, he said it was up to my discretion to pass this along to the most deserving or the person most desirous of owning an original copy.  Thus, if you would enjoy adding this to your collection send along a 5,000 word or less, much less, essay on why you should own this historical document.  If you send $5,000 you won't even need to compose the essay. 
 
The second contributor to eradicating Yours Truly's limited view of the "real world" was Don Potts.  Potts, like this editor spent a lot of hours as a minor league batboy.  One of the guys he got to know around the Rock Hill, South Carolina ball park was James Lamar Rhodes. During the 1954 World Series the world knew him as "Dusty."    The sports section of the 10/3/04 The Herald covered the grand parade in Rock Hill following the 1954 World Series that honored Rhodes.
 
Rhodes is now 77 years of age and lives in Henderson, Nevada.    That makes me wonder.  Where will Carlos Beltran and all the other phenoms of this year's championship series be in 50 years?  For sure I won't be around to document the results.
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The guy who started it all
 
Everything has a creator.  Back in 1994 I sent out my first and only intended newsletter.  A week after it was received Rex Simpson sent me a $20 bill.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.   Not willing to take money for doing nothing, I sent out a second edition in order not to feel guilty about taking money under false pretenses.  Due to Simpson's overly kind gesture the newsletter has been in existence over 10 years.
 
Another letter was received from Simpson today and included was his eleventh annual subscription.  He recently received his KOM League lapel pin and reports it looks real neat on his KOM League jacket.  He said that all he does is play golf and shoot trap when the weather is good.  He prefers bad weather since when he can't get out he sits in his easy chair and watches TV on his 36" screen.  He has attempted to get in touch with his 1948 Pittsburg Browns teammate, John Knoke in Florida.  So far he hasn't had success and hopes Knoke didn't get blown away by any of the big stores.  (Driving around northern Arkansas yesterday about the only radio station that you could get was KKOW in Pittsburg, Kansas.  There was a report that someone(s) had vandalized Jay Cee Park.  That, my friends, is the former home of the KOM League Pittsburg Browns.  Any justice meted out to the culprits will not be severe enough.   That is desecration of "holy ground" and is punishable by either death or life imprisonment.)
 
Another reason for liking Simpson goes back to 1995.  I was convinced at that time that a "KOM League Traveling Exhibition" would be a big hit in Ponca City.  I loaded a truck with memorabilia and set up shop in the Ponca City Library.  The "promoter" took me to all the radio stations in the area and we plugged it in the newspaper.  The entire basement of the library was filled with the great treasures of the KOM League.  It was in the Fall of the year and unusually warm for the date.  Thus, the air-conditioning wasn't turned on.  When the crowd gathered there sat Bob Dellinger from Stillwater, Okla.  (my first book editor), the fellow who convinced me that a KOM League program would bring out huge crowds, one person who thought there was a baseball memorabilia sale about to happen and Rex and Ginger Simpson who had driven all the way from McPherson, Kansas. 
 
I confess I felt sorry for everyone who made the trip but in spite of the "huge" turnout it was nice being among three friends and a couple of strangers.  Oh, there was someone else that I felt a bit sorry for---myself.  I loaded up that entire cache of KOM League material, tossed it into the bed of my pickup and dead-headed from Ponca City, Oklahoma to Columbia, Missouri. The next day was on the horizon before I pulled into my driveway.
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The small world!
 
Last night I pulled out my laptop after checking in toa motel in Springfield, Missouri.   I had a few messages in the e-mail and answered them.  I mentioned to one person that I was at a motel at Sunshine and National and that my day had started at Columbia, Mo. with working stops in Camdenton, Mo. and Prairie Grove, Arkansas.   After a 600+ whirlwind trip I arrived home this evening to this note.
 
"They say that a really good writer can transport his reader immediately to a different place.  Your short email just took me to the corner of National and Sunshine where Kathryn Ryer and her parents lived on the northeast corner while I was growing up and where we turned our bikes each day to go to Greenwood (high school)  on the SMS campus....and the exact spot where I heard on the car radio of our '47 Studebaker that Hank Williams had died in the back seat of his Caddy in some little village in West Virginia.
    Columbia and Camdenton both have many, many memories.  Used to date a girl whose father was the dam manager at Camdenton and Columbia was the annual site of the Future Home Makers of America convention each year. As the only male member, and a home eke student my junior and senior year, I had a very nice convention each year as the only male member.  The Battle of Prairie Grove was highlighted in one of my Civil War monthly publications this month.  It was a small but very bloody battle.  If you would like a copy of the article I will be happy to send it to you.
    My late brother-in-law and I ate lunch each Saturday during the mid - 60s at the Steak and Ale on Glenstone near Sunshine.  I sure miss him.  If you get a chance go to the corner of Sunshine and Campbell and then head south.  You will pass the Bass Pro Shop which was built where Shelby Raney used to manage the Shady Inn beer joint ( in the old Shady Dell School) on the corner - will pass by the BP boat sale yard which was built on our old Indian Ball field and will, a quarter of  a mile south, pass the natural gas meter houses on the west side of the road ( street now ).  The tiny house behind the grey metal meter houses was where I was raised from 18 months to 18 years of age.  My master bedroom suite now is larger than the entire house.
    Yes sir, Springfield after dark is one long whirl of nocturnal social life.  If, of course, the remote is working."
NG--Arlington, Texas
Ed note:
 
By reading NG's response can you tell me where I had supper last evening?  If you guessed Steak & Ale you win the prize.  The prize?  Well, that would be my leftover baked potato peel.  I did eat half of it.
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Special day tomorrow
 
October 20, 1960 was a day that shall live in infamy or one my wife will always remember.  It is when she got "hitched" to Yours Truly and has put up with my nonsense ever since.  I have Bob and Louise Nichols to thank for reminding me of the anniversary.  They sent along a card today to be sure and remind me not to forget the significance of October 20.
 
Here are a few events from that day in history, as if anyone really cares.
 
* Ralph Houk, 41, replaces Casey Stengel as Yankee manager.
* 1st fully mechanized post office opened, Providence, RI
* Clark Super 100 Octane gasoline was 23.9 cents per gallon--thus, I bought regular at 21.9. and drove from Bethany, Oklahoma to Carthage, Missouri in my 1959 stick shift, six cylinder, pink and white Edsel, picked up my marriage license, ate my "last supper" as a single guy at my mother's house and spent my honeymoon at Ginger Blue just north of Noel, Missouri.  Of course, my first pastorate was at Noel, my wife's first name is Noel and that is the reason for our enduring marriage.  My second pastorate was at Aurora, Mo. and it would have been impossible to find a wife by that name.
Here is a site that gives some other highlights from October, 20
 
http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/october_20.html
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Goodbye!
 
That's about all I know.  If any of you have anything to share, send it along.  It will probably be light-years more interesting than anything I can fabricate.  My sympathies go out to you Red Sox and Cardinal fans.  I think it is over for those two teams who have red on their uniforms.  Hope I'm wrong on that forecast but don't think so. 
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The KOM League
Flash Report
for
October 13, 2004
(Written kinda' late on October 12 and may
reach the Pacific time zones before the lights go off
for the night)
 
Information overload edition:
 
The feedback on Flash Reports is not usually as brisk as the one for October 11.  Thus, all the information that was received due to that report is being shared, else it will "fall through the cracks of my memory."
 
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The Crowder's contacted
 
Yesterday I was contacted by Molly and Dick McCoy who wanted the address of Joe Crowder's granddaughter.   I "fished around" and heard from both Rick and Jodie. 
 
Thanks a billion, John!
Jodie Crowder-Smith--in Missouri
 
 
It can be sent to my mom's house or to mine.
My address is:
Rick Crowder--In Nevada
 
When I saw the street address of Rick in Nevada I recognized the name.  It was the same one that Roy Mantle lived on before his death and not far from where Ray Mantle still lives.  If any of you have ever read much about the Independence Yankees or Joplin Miners you will recognize that Joe Dean "Red" Crowder and Mickey Mantle were kindred spirits.  Their paths crossed as far back as the Cardinal Junior league in 1947-48 when Mantle played shortstop  with the Baxter Springs, Kansas Whiz Kids and Crowder pitched for the Seneca, Missouri Indians.  They both loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed each others company right up to the time of Crowder's untimely death in October of 1953.
 
I'm going to share Ray Mantle's address with Rick and hopefully they can get together.
 
Rick, if you're still serving in Iraq I can send the address now or wait for your arrival back in the States.
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Slap my mouth!!
 
Where did you ever get the idea that politics was civilized as baseball.  No comparison, no way!  Bob Patterson
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Nothing is ever missed
 
"John;  Tunney had two sons, Max & Ronnie."   Nick Ferguson 
 
Ed note:
 
In the last Flash Report I was talking about the photo of the Whitebird, Oklahoma men's team that was taken in 1940.  I discussed the families of both Mutt and Tunney Mantle.   Nick Ferguson knew all that bunch quite well for the boys were together most of the time.  Ferguson ate many meals at the Mantle table. It wasn't mentioned in my statement about Floy and Tunney's younger son, Ronnie.  I'm not sure about Ronnie's whereabouts, if in fact he is still with us.  Seems to me like Max told me he had passed away but don't quote me on that.  When this message gets out I'll hear from at least a dozen people who will fill me in on Ronnie.
 
But, this little note gives me a great segue into talking about Ferguson.  He was so helpful in the preparation of the material for the Mantle manuscript including many great photos and anecdotal stories.  I pledged to him at the outset of putting the material together that the story of Mantle would be more accurate than anything that came before it (the early years) or I wouldn't publish it.  Now is the time to publish and let guys like Ferguson be the judge.   I've already received positive feedback from all the family members who have reviewed the draft.  It wasn't the worst stroke of fate that Merlyn agreed to write the foreword to the book.
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Matthew Robert Leroy Saban
 
 
Yes, he is kin to all the famous football coaches with the same last name.  Bob called this evening from Apache Junction, Arizona to order another book.  That especially pleased me for he is on page 65 of "The KOM League Remembered" where the wrong list of names got with the right team photo.  He is content to have the errata sheet placed on that page and is going to give the next book to his son.
 
During our conversation he remarked "I bet you can't guess who I ran into on the golf course recently."  I replied, "Let me try."
 
1.  Did he play in the KOM League?  Bob answered "Yes."
2.  Did he play for Carthage?  Bob answered "Yes."
3.  Is his name Johnny Mudd?  Bob answered "Yes, man you're on the ball."  (I wasn't on the ball, I just couldn't think of anyone else in Arizona who played with Carthage in 1951.)
 
I think since I can give Mudd's whereabouts that the 1951 Carthage Cubs would be interested in that bit of information as well as Lee Beran.  I'm not apt to tell you why Beran is interested but if you show up at the next KOM League reunion and ask him, he'll probably tell you.   On second thought, maybe we can get Mudd to join us at the next event and you can all watch him and Beran "go at it."  Enough said.
 
Oh, one more thing.  Saban wanted to know if I ever considered putting out a KOM League hat with "Majoring in The Minors" or "The KOM League Remembered" on it.  I had to admit I hadn't.  He suggested I poll the readers and see if any of them would want such a thing.  I assured him that I could probably peddle two such items and that would be it.  However, a company here in Columbia once had a problem with one of my orders and as a gesture printed up two caps that read "John Hall--KOM League Historian."  I wore each hat one time and I was begged by two reunion attendees to sell them the cap off my head.  With that kind of enthusiasm, I think I gave those two away.
 
If anyone wants a cap like Saban requested let me know.  I wouldn't even consider have any made up unless there was an order of at least one-dozen.  The set-up and embroidery along with the purchase of the caps are not cost effective without an order that corresponds with the number of months in a year.
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A nice letter--from the Dellinger house
 
Bob and Doris Dellinger were two of the prime reasons I ever considered writing a book--Majoring in The Minors.  I learned much from both and have felt inadequate in my writing efforts since Bob's death.  Doris encouraged me from "day one" to get on the Mantle book and see it to the end.  This was her note in today's mail.
 
Dear John,
 
It's such a pleasure to have a gen-u-ine autographed copy of The KOM League Remembered!  I had intended to order it, although I assumed it offered nothing on Bob.  However, I've read it and was astounded to see how many pix were credited to him.  No wonder my searches for KOM material for you didn't uncover them here.  Thanks from all us D's.
 
You've done a fantastic job--as usual.  No wonder you have the flu.  You never slow down.  Tsk! tsk!  Best to Noel too!  Fondly, Doris Dellinger
 
Now, about the major opus on Mantle.  Your first title is perfect.  At first I was really 'let down' that the publisher was not among the familiar "big" names.  Now, however, I think the book will live forever as a serious landmark--particularly as it is also being marketed.
 
I think readers will be delighted to browse the Mantle book and discover it to be highly detailed and done in great depth.
 
I'm so delighted that the batboy has done so well, and pleased so many for years to come.  Wouldn't Bob be proud!!
 
Tell Jessica her determination comes from her uncle John.  Her attitude is amazing for one so young.  You all take care, as we Okies still say.
 
Ed note:  
 
The publication and distribution is still fluid.  The attorneys have still not spoken and some "badly needed" signoffs are being withheld for reasons I can't even imagine.  You all stay cool and by Christmas I'll know the direction in which this is all headed.
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This Rusty isn't rusty!!!
 

"John, I received the file and it looks great. What part you sent will do just fine.
Thanks for all your help, I guess I just got into a hurry photo copying after seven hours at the Sporting News archive."  Rusty
Ed note:
 
The aforementioned note was received after I downloaded a 1.84 MB file to Rusty last evening.   He is a regular reader of these Flash Reports and I have never referenced any of his great writing.
 
I share the following article from the Springfield News-Leader since there are many former KOM Leaguers and readers of the Flash Report who were/are Springfield residents.  This was brought to my attention by Bryce Martin another fine writer in Tennessee.
 
Published February 29, 2004
Springfield had colorful association with baseball.
Warming weather and the gleaming new stadium in Jordan Valley Park have baseball fans dreaming of a pro team calling Springfield home - again.
Coincidentally, Springfield's colorful association with minor league baseball has been thoroughly documented in a 128-page thesis that helped earn Rusty Aton his master's degree in history from Southwest
Missouri State University in December.
Aton traces professional baseball here back to the Springfield Indians of 1887 and follows the sport through the Springfield Cubs of 1950. In-between he chronicles Springfield teams named Merchants, Reds,
Midgets, Jobbers, Redwings and Cardinals.
(By the way, I still think Springfield's next team should be the Base Pros.)  (Ed. note:  For those of you not familiar with the outdoor company Bass Pro,  headquartered in Springfield, that is a play on words.)
Aton, 28, says baseball "always has been my first love." He played outfield and first base and pitched some, but realized by the time he graduated from Kickapoo High School that he wasn't destined for the
big leagues.
Not as a player, that is. "I hope to someday be a major league general manager," confides Aton, who presently is a substitute school teacher.
Aton began researching local pro ball while earning his bachelor's degree in political science at SMS. He combed microfilm copies of old newspapers and the archives of sports publications, and conducted
interviews.
He found evidence of amateur town teams playing in the Ozarks as far back as 1867. And he learned that in the mid-1880s, cigar maker Albert Fischer fielded the semi-pro Springfield Reds.
By 1887, railroads had expanded travel horizons far enough that a professional league formed with Arkansas teams in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Hot Springs and Pine Bluff, plus Webb City and Springfield in Missouri. On that May 28, the Springfield Indians lost their inaugural game, 11-2, to the Hot Springs Blues.
The league folded in midsummer. For the next 14 years, Springfield fans had to be content rooting for amateur and semi-pro teams on area diamonds.
In 1902, the Springfield Reds were reconstituted as a pro team in the new Missouri Valley League. Opponents included such oddly-named squads as the Nevada Lunatics, Iola Gasbags and Jefferson City Convicts, as well as the more traditional Joplin Miners and Coffeyville Indians.
The Springfield team became the Midgets, but leagues came and went. Then 1920 began a golden age for pro baseball here:
. Citizens bought shares to form the Springfield Merchants to compete in the minor league Western Association. The name Midgets later was revived.
. Local product Herschel Bennett moved up to the St. Louis Browns, becoming the first homegrown player to make it to the major leagues.
. White City Park, at Boonville Avenue and Lynn Street, early on was dubbed "Baghdad on Boonville" because of its then-fashionable Mideastern decor. The stadium underwent a series of improvements,
culminating in state-of-the-art lighting for night games in 1931.
. St. Louis Cardinals boss Branch Rickey adopted Springfield into the Cardinals' farm system in 1931. He changed the team name from the Midgets to Redwings, then to the Cardinals.
. A "Knot Hole Gang" promotion that allowed kids to attend Redwings and Cardinals games free became one of the first racially integrated public activities in Springfield.
. Springfield Cardinals rosters included players who later would become major leaguers. Among those were Paul Dean, Mike Ryba, Johnny Keane, Mort Cooper, Lyle Judy, Mickey Owen, Frank Crespi, Blix Donnelly, Joe Garagiola - and, most famously, Stan Musial.
. After World War II caused the demise of the Springfield Cardinals, and White City Park gave way to the headquarters of the Assemblies of God, the Chicago Cubs revived minor league play here for the 1950 season, bringing young Mickey Mantle to town when his Joplin Miners played the Springfield Cubs in a short-lived stadium built at Madison Street and West Avenue.
Aton's thesis is chock-full of details, especially about the Springfield Cardinals of the 1930s.
He's looking for photographs of Springfield's pro teams that might be included in a book based on the thesis. (Have pictures to share? Call Aton at 887-0900 or e-mail him at rda160@ excite.com.)
For those who want to read his work now, Aton has provided the Springfield-Greene County Library with three copies.
Two copies are being bound, but the third is available at the local history desk at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Dusty wasn't dusty!!
 
John, As I told you during one of our earliest email exchanges, Rock Hill, SC, is just six miles south of my house and is where I grew up and did my
batboying for the local Class B Tri-State League team back in the early  fifties.
   
Last week the Rock Hill paper ran a sizeable article on Dusty Rhodes, marking the 50th anniversary of his feats in the 1954 Giants-Indians World
Series. There are several great pictures in the article, including one of Dusty back in his heyday, one taken fairly recently with Willie Mays at
some function and another recent one of Dusty all decked out in a nice suit. They also included a large, wide-angle photo of the parade Rock Hill
threw for him when he returned after the Series ended. He's riding down Main Street on the back of an open convertible and I was there that day
watching as he went by. Since Rock Hill was/is too small a burg to have ticker tape parades, as I recall a lot of the locals simply tossed uncooked
grits as he rolled past. (Joke! It's a joke!)
They said he's now 77 years old and living in Henderson, Nevada. (Hey, aren't cathouses legal out there?? That rascal!) My ciphering tells me he
would've been age 26 or 27 when he played here locally. Anyhow.....I've saved the newspaper article and am mailing it to you this
week. Thought you'd get a kick out of it. I'm also including another item which I'm certain you'll enjoy. You'll just have to wait on the postman to
find out what it is. Two hints: It's smaller than a breadbox and does not make any sort of ticking sounds.
Sending from Fort Mill, S.C. .......Don Potts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Art Boham
 
John, I just wonder if any of our  people knew or remember a '47 Joplin Miner named Art Bohman?  He was a good left handed pitcher, and we still see each other occasionally since he lives here too.
He and I tangled twice that year, when I was with Topeka. each won one. Good games as I remember. I don't know if Lee Dodson pitched against him that year, but they became teammates at Kansas City.  Also, was Joe Crowder at Joplin in '47?   I know he was in the Texas League when I was. About Jessica and several other of our people that are hurting, they are in my daily prayers. See you later. Bob Curley. -Covington, Kentucky
Ed note:
 
I can't speak to the issue if anyone remembers Art Boham but expect that a handful of this readership will have some recollection of the former Joplin Miner and Kansas City Blue.  Joe Crowder was at Joplin in 1950 after a season with Independence the previous years.  Curley would have run across Crowder in 1952 when he was with the Beaumont club.  Curley was with the Tulsa Oilers that same year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zeleznock to Keokuk
 
John, I would imagine you have been in touch with him, but just to let you know that John Zeleznock attended our Keokuk baseball reunion in August.  Although John didn't play with Keokuk, he played in the same leagues and on the same clubs with some of the Keokuk players.
 
BTW, I have received your book and have found it very interesting.  Nice pictures of a lot of former Keokuk Pirates.  Great picture of Don Hinchberger.  I have been doing some research lately and read up on Don's beaning with the 1949 Keokuk Pirates.  I would imagine that the beaning may have had some affect on his career.
 
Steve Smith--Keokuk IA
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Mentioned in SABR--get the point?
 
John,
From the fall Newsletter of the SABR Bibliographic Research Committee Newsletter .....
19. Hall, John G. The KOM League Remembered. Arcadia Publishers. Images of
Baseball Series (888-313-2665) (128 pp., photos, $ 19.99 ) 0-7385-3340-8; released in
September 2004; KOM stands for Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League.
Thanks for your time,
Ron Henry (auricle99@aol.com)
http://hometown.aol.com/auricle99/myhomepage/resume.html
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/baseballprofiles/?yguid=69825650
http://auricle.net (under construction)
http://ronhenry.net (under construction)
Computer geek and income tax consultant
Enjoying retirement as a SABRmetrician (Baseball historian and statistician)
Apartment 142
3031 Ewing Avenue South
Minneapolis MN  55416-4227
http://www.linden-hills.com/
(612)925-9114
 
Ed note:
 
I want to thank Mr. Henry for sharing that information.  Also, I hope to live long enough to have an address like his.  I noticed that the SABR reference gave the acronym "KOM" and then what it stood for.
 
Others called it "Keep On Moving" and one etching on the clubhouse wall, at Carthage, called it "Kiddies Opium Market."  Now I think it stands for "Kind Old Men."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Support from Texas
 
John,  Whatever it takes,  we will support you on the newsletter.
    
Also,  thank you for the update on Jessica we have been thinking about her.  Proud of her and her progress.   Dick Getter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another Caray fan!
 
John, I too consider Harry Caray a significant part of my youth.  When Harry moved to the White Sox and teamed with Jimmy Piersall, he commented that after twenty-five years with the Cardinals "instead of a gold watch I got a pink slip.". He and Piersall used to have a great time comparing their alimony payments.
 
Keep up the good work!  I'm happy for your success with your books.  Dave Richwine (CHS '59); (PSU '67)
 
Ed note:
 
I had to chuckle about the gold watch and pink slip statement.  For those of you old enough to remember, the "pink slip" may have been Caray's greatest Freudian slip of all time.  If any of you youngsters need that explained, let one of your elders tell you about it. This is a family oriented newsletter and I won't rehash that bit of history.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another offer of assistance
 
Hello Mr. Hall “Dad”

Would you like for me to ask Mr. Flannigans nephew to make me a copy of the ’54 Joplin team? I will then make you a copy.  I saw where you were going to try and make a copy from the one I sent you via email.  Let me know how things turn out with the photo you are trying to make.  God Bless,  Clint Chafin
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Will the Red Sox and Yankees do likewise?
 
The "handshaking" at the end of the Cardinals win was the idea of Larry Walker, a Canadian by the way. He thought the tradition in hockey should also be done in baseball as you witnessed.
However, I don't think that will happen with the BOSOX and Yanks, or do you?  Joe Turek, Jr.
 
Ed note:
 
I think Bush and Kerry are more apt to kiss each other on the lips than the Sox and Yankees changing pleasantries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tickets anyone?
 
Mr. Hall:
 
Just wanted to give you a heads up.  Bob Gibson has accepted our invitation to be honored at the Legends Dinner, March 28 in Tulsa.  If any of your readers and friends are interested in tickets they may reach me at 918 499-5337.
 
Thanks, for sending the KOM Flash Reports. 
 
You can refer them to the Tulsa Jim Thorpe Website:  www.jimthorpetulsa.com.
 
Appreciate your help.  Tommy Thompson
------------------------------------------------------------------------

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
October 11, 2004
 
Disclaimer: 
 
The Flash Reports, along with everything else, have slowed down in recent days.  The following are a few comments received over the past week.  There should be enough in this report to interest some and irritate the rest of the readership.  That is what is known as "Fair and Balanced."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Blow Hole" Richardson
 
Hi John, just finished reading another fine Flash Report.  I bet you knew I would be responding to it.  If you can send a copy of the picture that John Lafalier sent you, I would love to see it.  Not just to see the Mantles but also Winford Richardson.  He is a cousin [I think] of ours.  Later in life he had the nickname of "blow hole" as he had some kind of throat cancer and had a hole in his throat to breath with.  When he went on the boat with us, he always said "if we wreck, remember to put your finger in the hole so I don't drown".  He passed way some years ago.  So the picture has double meaning to me.
 
I'm glad your great niece is doing so well. She sounds like a "tough cookie".  She sounds like the kind of kid that you are proud to claim.  Hope she continues to improve.  Bobbie Crampton
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A free lunch, maybe?
 
John ~ Good to see a lot of input from those in Florida this edition. Any chance you could let them know we should try to have a Florida-based 'mini' reunion sometime in the future! It's great to hear from others so close to me -- after we left Kansas and Nebraska for Port Charlotte, FL it's been a little more difficult to be involved in the Midwest athletic history that I've been involved in for so many years.
 
Please feel free to pass my e-mail address along to anyone that might want to say hello or have lunch sometime -- cord@celebritydirect.net
 
Sincerely,  CORD G. COSLOR
 
Ed note:
 
I pass along all information that I receive from legitimate sources.  You gotta know that anyone who ever lived in Kansas or Nebraska and is now in Florida is looking for a connect with the past.  Believe me, I have been on both sides of that fence.
 
A true Midwesterner can never leave the harshness of the winters and  feel completely at ease in "Paradise."  We were ingrained with the doctrine that we were put on this earth to endure and what better way of doing so than to wage war with 10 foot snowdrifts.  Any Midwesterner who ever visited, in the winter  or retired in Florida, will confess that there is a twinge of guilt when their families are back on the plains facing north winds that bring the wind chill as far below zero as the temperatures are above that mark in "Paradise." 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Webster says!
 
John, The sniping at your spelling of "umbrage" in the last Flash Report caught my attention. My Webster's says it's "umbrage" and does not even list the word "umbridge."
Did I come into the middle of an inside joke here or what?  Don Potts
 
Ed note:
 
You came in the middle of my using umbridge in a Flash Report that was incorrect.  I immediately sent out an errata which corrected it and then the
whole crazy bunch started having fun with me.  John
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim Morrison remembered
 
Interesting article about Jim Morrison. I remember Jim well.  Hank Chott-1950 Iola Indians
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stanka says!

 
What is a blog, or blogging? Anyone who wants to know, go to Google, insert blog, and there's a pretty good explanation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note from a former big league pitcher who is still "big league."
 
This morning, I read with sadness the death of Ken Caminiti. I was reminded of how things have changed, in a lot of ways. Baseball, and otherwise. In the late 50's, a baseball player stole 2nd and someone mentioned "he's had his uppers today." I had to ask what he meant. I'm sure anyone reading this will now know what "uppers" are.
I didn't believe it, a baseball player taking drugs? Look what it has evolved to. The sky is the limit, if indeed there is a limit. But what scares me more is an issue close to "little by little." An example. A school teacher friend of mind told me this story.  In one of her classes, she mentioned that a certain student was told she had the highest grade on yesterdays test, and was to be congratulated for her 100% grade.
At which, the student replied "Thank GOD." The school principal was in the class at the time and informed the class that remark was out of line and could and would not be tolerated. However, in the next class, a student was asked why he had done a certain thing. At which he replied, "the devil made me do it."  The class laughed and nothing was said by the principle. I ask, what's wrong with that picture? J. S.  (Full name withheld in case his remarks are not politically correct with some of the readership.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments about Jessica
 
John, what a wonderful young lady your great-niece is. What a great outlook on life she has. We all could learn from her. And, those of us who are more fortunate can praise GOD we haven't had to contend with such as she has, and, wonder if we would have the same courage. Joe Stanka
 
Hi John,  Just FYI, Scott Hettinger is Corky's great-nephew.  Scott  is a real inspiration to everyone who knows him and I am sure he will be a great source of encouragement to Jessica as  she continues
her journey of rehabilitation.
Hope you and Noel are doing well.  Corky really is going to retire one of these days, but for now he can still be read online at www.tucsoncitizen.com/sports  Marge
 
Ed note:
 
Corky Simpson and Yours Truly were grade school pals.  Until sending out the recent article about Jessica I didn't know anything about Mr. Hettinger, let alone the fact that he is Corky's great-nephew.  His great-nephew and my great-niece are in similar circumstances in the same school except one is a student and the other a faculty member.
 
It was good to read the update on Jessica. I have thought about her often. Please give her my regards and tell her to keep up the good work.
Hank Chott

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beer & baseball!
 
John, How about the Griesedieck Bros. Cardinal Baseball Network? "GB means good beer." That was before Augie Busch took over in 1953.
I guess the 1940 Whitebird photo of Mantle and teammates was before the family moved to Commerce?
I asked in the past if you had a photo I could have a copy of regarding the last minor league team in
Joplin, the 1954 Joplin Cardinals. You didn't but now you do, so how about it? I wrote a letter to Bunny
Mick months ago and to my great satisfaction he answered. He didn't seem to recall much of anything
though about players from that '54 team I asked about -- Pepper Demott, Don Musenfechter, Centerfielder
Brown, etc. I think Don Deathridge may have played in an outfield spot.
Blog is from Web log. That is where the word comes from -- repeat after me: web log. They were originally
daily diaries, and still are for some.
Rodney Dangerfield had a one-liner that ranks right up there: "I was so ugly when I was born, the doctor
slapped my mother."
Ed reply:
 
I'll attempt to download that 1954 Joplin Cardinal  photo to a CD and see if my local photographer can make an 8 X10 glossy of it.
Harry Caray and Gabby Street used to do that ad and Street would say that "GB means good beer" and Caray would say "GB means Gabby's beer."  Guess I
heard that a few hundred times during each season.
The Mantles lived all over Cardin, then Whitebird, then on a farm owned by a Miami  doctor, Frank Wormington,  and 3 or 4 places in Commerce prior to Mutt's
death in 1952. (If any of the Mantle family reading this wants to verify these places let me know.  I can tell you Johnny Lafalier showed me six places where the Mantles lived
during a one-day visit with him back in November of 2002.  While we were wandering around Cardin, Okla. some long-time resident advised us of another home site of which Lafalier wasn't aware.)
Bunny Mick would not have remembered the 1954 Joplin Miners for that wasn't his year with that club.  He was at Joplin in 1953 and then McAlester of the
Sooner State League in 1954. His minor league playing and managing career was in the Yankee chain.
When I get time I'm going to get hold of Wendell Redden and see if he can identify the photo.  Otherwise, sometime next year I will go to the
Historical Society of Missouri and check to see if that photo was carried in the Globe.
The guys I can find on the '54 Joplin roster include:
Elmer Golden, Don Henderson, Don Smith, Ray Sanders, John Slachta, Gene Green (who I mentioned in the last report), Harold Crotts, John Zeleznock,
Bernie Kamenski, Ronald Kiser, George Smith, Angelo Del Porto, Marvin Nevins,  John Oliver, James Flanigan (source of the photos), George Scott, David Dexter, Robert Muesenfechter,
George Husted, Bill Langston, William Keppie, Al Daffner, Ed Johnson, John Robertson, Houston Stephens, Bob Castleman,  Chet DiEmidio (he was a former KOM Leaguer and still does
some scouting for the White Sox), Dick Ghelfi, John Herring, Norman Plitt, Jack Poppell, Warner Siebert, Paul Smith and Ray Yance.
Didn't see Deathridge listed for 1954.  There was a good player signed out of Joplin High by the name of Abner Edward Deatherage who played for both
Independence and Joplin.  He may have had a brother who played pro ball but hedidn't show up on the '53 or '54 rosters.
Paul DeMont split his playing time in 1953 first with St. Joseph and then with Joplin.
I know how Dangerfield felt.  May he rest in peace and now receive "some respect."
 
One more thing about Griesedieck & the Cardinals
 
This editor vividly remembers the last game of the 1952 season.  Harry Caray announced that the Griesedieck Brothers Brewery would not be sponsoring the Cardinal broadcastd in 1953 and that
his future on the air was uncertain.  My mother was at the ironing board that Sunday afternoon.  I was going through the house making some "unpleasant sounds." Losing the Carthage baseball franchise after the 1951 season and then facing the prospect that there would be no Cardinal broadcasts in 1953 was a bit too much to take.  My mother assured me that there would be baseball games on the radio the next year, but then what did she know about that subject since she didn't even know the names of two members of the Cardinal starting nine. 
 
I remember crying at that announcement.  No Cardinals or Harry Caray was just unthinkable.  That was at a time in my life that I thought crying was a sign of being a baby so would never do it where
anyone could see me. 
 
Then, when Harry came back on the air in 1953 extolling the virtues of Budweiser I thought he had become a traitor to Griesedieck Brothers and couldn't understand how he could change allegiances so quickly.  It was a part of growing up and learning about the "real world."   The biggest "bummer" of them all was listening to Caray broadcast Cub games.  Somehow it just didn't ring true.  How could my favorite announcer for my favorite team ever announce for an opposing team?  You Cub fans probably thought Caray converted to rooting for the Wrigley Field nine.  Wrong.  He was just there getting his paycheck.
 
Bryce's response
 
John, It appears you do have all the names for the '54 team.
Wow! John Zeleznock! Talk about a blast from the past.  I remember that guy. Also, Brown or Smith? It was Don
Smith who was the centerfielder for the '54 team. He was the black gentleman who lost his cap every time he
went after a fly ball. Green was the catcher who came in around the middle of the season. There must have
been an article in the Globe about his coming, and it must have been complimentary, because he was much
anticipated and much talked about by the fans who zeroed their attentions on him once he hit the on-deck
circle for the first time.
Robert (Bob) Muesenfechter was a lanky and long-armed pitcher.
Paul "Pepper" Demont was, as you noted, on the '53 and not the '54 team. It's hard for me to keep track of
those years since I wasn't  thinking much along those lines at age 9 and 10. He was a third baseman, as you
know, and way ahead of his time at the self-promotion end. He had 5X7 glossies of him with his autograph
made on the photo. I may still have one. I'm going through an old trunk where it would be. I don't
remember ever throwing it away. If I come across it, I'll make you a nice copy and mail it to you. Bunny
Mick, you're right, was manager for the '53 squad. He, of course, recalled DeMont.  I knew Bunny was with the
'53 team but I had other things on my mind, and my emphasis was elsewhere.
I remember a Deatherage for Joplin, for sure. An outfielder, maybe. I am not certain of the year.
John Zeleznock! What a pleasant recall!
I need to post about six or seven of your newsletters I am behind on. It will be a day or two.
John, I think Frank Martin must have remarried and married George W. Crowder's mother. I still haven't
tracked that down.
Ed note:
 
The reason Oliver's arrival in Joplin was so early anticipated was that he had played nearly 100 games at Ardmore in the Sooner State League and hit 34 homers.  That  won him the home run title even though he played the last 28 games of the season at Joplin.  His home run output at Joplin was three.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Curley back on line
 
Just to let you know I'm back on, John. Read the last few FR's and that was nice to see the article on Ken Boehme in it. Thanks too for sending another KOMLR Book and lapel pin. I just got my computer back last night. I'll be back at you later. I'm scheduled for a stress test Oct 13, and if that's ok, a gall bladder operation right after Nov 1.  Not to mention, my oldest grandson is getting married Oct. 16.  See ya,  Bob Curley.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Picture sharing
 
Hi John,  Would you send me Joe Crowder daughter's address we have a picture for her.    Thank you Molly and Dick McCoy.
 
Ed note:
 
There is no greater joy than sharing photos when they are prized for sentimental rather than monetary reasons.   Joe Crowder was a member of the Independence Yankees, Joplin Miners, Quincy Gems, and Beaumont Roughriders  before his untimely death in the Fall of 1953.  He died before his children ever got to know him and their only contact with his baseball past is what folks like the McCoy's are willing to share.
 
Last week I was the recipient of another photo that was sought primarily to place in the Mantle book.  The photo was of the eleven-man Whitebird, Oklahoma baseball team.  It wouldn't mean a whole lot to anyone but family members but it represented a bunch of hard-working lead and zinc miners who played baseball on the weekends and holidays during the summer for what little diversion they had from the misery of the mines.
 
When I got the photo I rushed it to the photography shop to get a negative made and a print for the book.   That kind of photo deserves to be back with the lender in as short a time as possible.  As I studied that photo I wondered who might appreciate a copy.  In that photo was Eugene "Tunney" Mantle and Elven "Mutt" Mantle.  They were brothers.  Eugene had one son, Max, and Elven had four including; Mickey, Ray, Roy and "Butch."   I placed a call to Max and Ray inquiring if they would like to have an oversized photo of their fathers baseball team.  Ray was excited about it stating that it had been many years since he had seen the photo.  Max's response was a little more surprising. He said, "John, I would love to have it for I don't have a single photo of my dad."
 
Max's dad died at age 34 and Ray's father passed away at age 40.  With this photo being taken in 1940 at Cardin, Oklahoma Ray's dad would have been 28 and Max's dad would have been 26.  I observed the photo for quite some time and it was striking the resemblance Max had to his father and Mickey had to his dad.
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Special note to the media!
 
If you are a member of the "fifth estate" and I promised that you would be receiving a gratis copy of "The KOM League Remembered" (book) and you haven't received it let me know.
 
That offer was made to sportswriters/editors, radio talk show hosts or TV personalities.  I have had feedback only from those who haven't received their copy.   If you want one and haven't received it just do the following.  If you received one and wish you hadn't use it as fireplace "fodder."
 
Name___________________________________________
 
Address_________________________________________
 
City____________________________________________
 
State_____________  Zip___________________
 
Organization______________________________
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Death of "Old Blue"
 
Like a great racehorse when its time is past, it goes out to pasture.  This past weekend "Old Blue," the KOM League truck, was retired after 250,000 miles on the highways and byways of America.  It is like taking a great baseball player and putting him in as a designated hitter or worse sending him "back to the bushes."   "Old Blue" could have probably gone a couple of innings in a pinch but "the boss"  (my wife) was adamant that "going the entire route" was out of the question when it came to future trips.
 
It was either send "Old Blue" to the bench or quit my "real job."  Thus, I decided it was time to start a relationship with a more "attractive model."  When the KOM League pickup now heads into your town it will be multi-colored  (dark green with brown trim) and it will be a Ford instead of the Chevrolet.
 
Many of you have shared your pickup photos so those of you interested in seeing the new mode of travel for this editor let me know and I download a photo of the more "sexy" replacement for "Old Blue."
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Did the Dodgers and Cardinals start a tradition?
 
I was stunned to see the baseball world emulate the National Hockey League after the Dodger/Cardinal finale.  They were hugging like Madonna and that flaky blonde who is always marrying some guy for a day or so.  (Hope baseball doesn't  take up the kissing aspect as well.)
 
I wondered if the show of respect was spontaneous or contrived.  Maybe contrived is the wrong word but I discovered later that Tracy and LaRussa worked that out before the series began.  I suppose that if two guys sniping at each other in political debates and campaign appearances can shake hands after their batttles,  then at least baseball players can do the same.  Baseball is at least as civilized  as politics, don't you think?
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No KOM League newsletter next month!
 
In the October edition of The KOM League Remembered it was formalized what had been spoken of in these Flash Reports--a reduction in the number of newsletters each year.  If you missed the diatribe here is the content of the issue that was contained on page 15 of the October, 2004 issue of that "seldom read" publication.
 
"Les" means more.

Hi John, This is Les at Tribune Publishing. Could you give me a call at your convenience? We have some price adjustments I would like to discuss with you. Also, I want to verify that this is still your email address.

Thanks, Les ______________ Sales Executive --Tribune Publishing Company--Columbia, Mo.
When someone with whom you're doing business tells you that there is going to be a price adjustment it never means the price is going down. For the last couple of months I have had a strange feeling when I took the newsletter in for printing that something was up. When I contacted the Sales Executive, with regard to the aforementioned note, my fears were confirmed. I was advised that the KOM League Remembered is the smallest volume commercial printing project of any publication at Tribune Publishing. Not only do they publish the local daily newspaper they also print the New York Times for Midwest distribution. On top of that they have a huge operation that puts out fancy color monthly and quarterly magazines for many organizations.  Thus, the KOM League Remembered is small potatoes in a large pot of stew.

The Tribune left me with two choices, either they would terminate printing the newsletter or I was facing a "stiff" price increase. Here is what it means in cold stats. 1. I have to increase the monthly printing volume by 66%. 2. The total price increase is 26%. 3. The 66% increase in number of issues printed would cost another 50 cents per copy for labels, hand labeling and postage if there was anyone wanting them. Since the number of subscribers will not go up that drastically I'll have a lot of extra paper at the end of each print run.  4. Long ago I made a solemn vow not to raise the price of the newsletter. Unlike the guy who said, "Read my lips, no new taxes," I'm not going back on my word and raise the rate of a publication that is currently too expensive for the benefits received. 5. Thus, that leaves few choices. One option would be to cease and desist publishing the newsletter. Currently, there are eleven issues sent to subscribers each year. A 26% reduction would mean 2.86 fewer editions per year. Since I don't know how to put out a ".86" edition I'll be cutting back two editions per year. That will put the number at nine issues per annum.  The new price increase goes into effect in September. Thus, I have "racked" what little brains remain and have come up with a tentative production sequence for 2005. January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and November. In other words the new KOM League calendar has effectively eliminated the months of February, October and December. I guess in order to keep in touch I could send Valentine's in February, Halloween cards in October and Christmas cards in December. If the one book, just released, or the one in the "oven" turn out to be money-makers I would put that into the newsletter fund and retain the number of issues per year at eleven. However, right now I can't count on either book being the salvation of the newsletter.

Once again, I first shared this news with the Flash Report readership. The suggestions ranged from going from a monthly to quarterly publication to another person saying, "Pass along the price increase to the subscribers."

Others offered ideas such as finding another printing company and submitting the material by electronic means. Then, the publishing of this newsletter could be done as easily in California or New York as it could here in Columbia.

Of course, there are always some erudite folks who think this editor should take a Sabbatical from his folly and either let this publication lay fallow for the Biblical seven years or turn it over to someone who could do it right.

One thing that you have never seen stated in any issue of this ten-year old publication is that it has any redeeming value of any kind. There haven’t been too many instances where apologies have been made for the composition, artwork or literary style, or lack of it, in this, whatever it is.

Long ago, in another life, I was a young minister. The music director of my church came and asked if I sang. I retorted, "Not out loud." That was enough for a person who had to line up special music each week. He commented, "You will be signing next Sunday." Once again I informed him that I was a charter member of the "Singing Impaired and Tone Deaf Society."

That did not dissuade the music director for he had heard a lot of bad musicians in his life and I was about to be added to that list.

The week of my debut passed quickly and I don’t bother to practice since it wouldn’t have made any difference. When I was about to give vocal rendition of a great hymn the director remarked, "Now don’t get up and announce before you sing that you aren’t any good for the congregation will know soon enough know if you are good or bad." And, he was right. After that time I never sang solo anywhere.

Since October is now on the schedule for being one of the non-priniting months and seeing that I had to use that month's issue to describe the new publishing schedule, there won't be a November edition.  I know that you will all survive that deprivation quite well.
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Flu shots
 
Hope you all got the flu shot if you wanted it.  My wife was a long time nurse. She used to give them by the hundreds.  That was when she had product coming in from over 20 manufacturers.   Today, there
are three companies putting out the vaccine.  When I asked her why the field had narrowed so drastically her reply was, "Liability lawsuits."   That didn't need any further elaboration.
 
By the way those shots work.  I have just about keeled over this past week from the effects of something that feels a whole lot like pneumonia is described.
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The good news!!
 
This time next month the political campaign signs will be torn down and the backsides used to advertise  "Garage Sales."   And all the congregation said "Amen" and heaved a sigh of relief.

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The KOM League
Flash Report
for
October 5, 2004


Passing of a former KOM Leaguer and Hall of Famer

When I pulled a small card out of the mailbox today I had a premonition that the news would not be good. The following note said it all.

"John Hall, it is with deep regret that I write to tell you of Jim's passing away. I am enclosing the obituary.

Jim so enjoyed his being on the mailing list of the KOM newspaper--he read it cover to cover--whether he knew people or not. He loved keeping up on the the 'old-timers.' He put a bumper sticker on our car--he was proud of his 'short' career with the KOM League.

Thanks to you for all the hard work in keeping up with everyone--I still remember the day you called about 'a Jim Morrison.' Keep up the good work--with warmest regards." Nancy Morrison

James O. Morrison

James O. Morrison passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2004. Jim was born June 5, 1930 in Ann Arbor to Mildred (Wilkinson) & John Morrison. After graduating from Ann Arbor High in 1949 he played minor league baseball in the Kansas- Oklahoma-Missouri league for the Cleveland Indians. In 1950 he began working for the Mich-Con Gas Company until entering the Korean War. He served in the Coast Guard from 1951-1954 then married Nancy (Brown) on September 11, 1954 at the First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor. In 1966 Jim became self-employed when he founded Morrison Gas Heating, from which he retired in 1992. Jimmy O was a member of American Legion Post #46 for over 50 years and an active member of the Ann Arbor Moose Lodge #1253. For 60 years, James a.k.a. Butler played fast pitch softball. He also played recreational basketball in the Ann Arbor City league for many years. Known as Mr. Ann Arbor Soft ball, an all-star shortstop, he was elected to the Michigan Softball Hall of Fame. After retiring, Jim enjoyed having coffee each morning at Bell's with the boys, playing golf, wintering in Arizona and deep sea fishing in Key West. He would discuss any sports with anyone interested and having read every line of the sports section, loved stats. He and Nancy were also volunteers with Motor Meals of Ann Arbor. He is survived by his wife Nancy; children, Mike and Gordie of Ann Arbor, Judy of Az, grandchildren; Robyn of Ann Arbor, Melissa (Robert Frost) of Fort Bragg, N.C. and Mike Jr. of Grand Rapids; and great- granddaughter Elizabeth Ellie. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Harold and sister Dorothy Asa. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 15th at the First United Methodist Church, 120 S. State, Ann Arbor (parking in structures after 3 PM). The family will receive friends at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel Monday & Tuesday 4-8 P.M. Memorials suggested to Ann Arbor Motor Meals or the Jim Morrison Memorial Fund for Veteran's Park Published in the Ann Arbor News on MLive.com on 9/10/2004

Ed note:

Each year I would hear from Morrison on his return from his wintering in Arizona. He mentioned in his last letter that he was having some health problems but was optimistic about the future. Some of you 1950 Iola Indians might remember Morrison from the early spring of that season.

If any of you fellows kept the 1950 clippings out of the Iola Register, Morrison is in the photo taken one day before the start of the 1950 KOM League season. He is third from far right on the back row. The sportswriter at Iola must have been prescient for the caption to the photo stated, "Indians, 1951 Version." He was looking ahead for that 1950 Iola team was just a notch or two ahead of this year's version of the Kansas City Royals.

For those of you guys who played with and against Walter Kohler, another Ann Arbor native, you will be interested to know that Morrison knew the family quite well and even visited with Kohler's widow many years after his being killed in the Korean War in 1952.
Errata from Sunday

I've got to send out more errata: Here is a sample of the "genius" of the readership.

JOHN, IT REALLY BOTHERS ME WHEN YOU SPELL UMBRIDGE AS "UMBRAGE" AND EVEN BOTHERS ME MORE WHEN YOU CAN'T SPELL REMEMBERED CORRECTLY. I AM REALLY JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THE PIN YOU SENT ME WILL BE RETURNED IF YOU CAN SELL ANOTHER BOOK WITH IT. BY THE WAY HOW CAN YOU GET THOSE WORDS TO JUMP RIGHT OFF THE PAGE? I NEVER COULD GET WORDS TO OBEY ME. HAVE A NICE NIGHT. WALT Babcock


John, The following will dispel forever any notions you may have on the need for good spelling.

The Washington Post published a contest for readers in which they were asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following were some of the winning entries:Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. Carcinoma (n.), a valley in California, notable for its heavy smog. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash. Bustard (n.), a very rude Metrobus driver. Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flatulence (n.), the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam. Semantics (n.), pranks conducted by young men studying for the priesthood, including such things as gluing the pages of the priest's prayer book together just before vespers. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you. Marionettes (n.), residents of Washington DC who have been jerked around by the mayor. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddish expressions. Circumvent (n.), the opening in the front of boxer shorts. Frisbatarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there. R. N. Mendez

John - I assure you that I will take no umbridge with this minor spelling foe-pa, and it will never be rememembered from this day forward. Have a great day tomorrow. Don Annen-Madison, Wisconsin



JOHN, THE SPELL CHECKER MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG AGAIN. WE CAN READ YOUR STENGELEESE. JOHN PALCHER -Dayton, Ohio
The "perfect" anniversary gift

John, the book and pins arrived -- thanks. Bob hasn't seen them yet but I know he will like them - today is our 57th wedding anniversary and I'm gonna give them to him for his gift - beats a new pair of socks. Thanks again, Mazi Hamric-Austin, Texas
Summer in Paradise

I would believe the Summer of 2004 has flown by for most people. However.....Here in Florida, where we have dealt with 4 major hurricanes in a 6 week period, the summer has seemed to drag on, despite it now being October. Today the temp was in the high 80's and humid, making me think I was back in Joplin, MO.Just another day in paradise.Take care,Kevin Purcell - Spring Hill, FL
Floridian looking for his zip code
John, We Floridians would like to see that cartoon Jim Jay sent you, so we would know our new zip code. Best Regards, Frank Hungerford
Order from Florida

John, I am mailing you a check for one of the books tomorrow...I am getting it for Ken Fentem here in Fort Myers.Thanks for all your work in keeping this league alive.Jim Brantley

Ed note:

Ken Fentem was one of Tommy Warren's hurlers to start the '51 season for the Miami, Okla. Eagles. Unfortunately, Fentem didn't pitch in enough games to make it into the Baseball Guide for 1952. However, he had an interesting life. One thing that he did that only one other KOM Leaguer to my knowledge accomplished, he was a professional wrestler.
Joe Pollock in the Tulsa World--October 3, 2004
From: Bobbie Crampton To: John Hall Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 6:41 PMSubject: A_23_10_3_2004.pdf

John I think this is the page on Joe Pollock. Sure hope I am sending it where you get the attachment. If not let me know and I will try again. Bobbie

Ed note:

If anyone would like to have the Tulsa World's photo of Joe Pollock that appeared in the October 3, 04 edition, let me know and I'll download it to you. It is 191 (KB) and you will have to view it on Acrobat Reader.
The book arrives in the carpet capital of America

Mr. Hall: I received your book yesterday, and am enjoying it already. It is fascinating to put a face on the names of these players that I only have read about.

Thanks--Terry Phelps-Dalton, Georgia

Ed note:

There's an idea for another book--"The Faces of the Flash Report Readership."
A few photos
Hello Mr. Hall (Dad),
Located a Joplin (1954) player and his name is Jim Flanigan. His nephew sent me these photos. Contact Phil _________ and he can get you Jim's address. Who are the members of the ’54 Joplin team?
God Bless, Clint
Ed note:
By virtue of Clint's submission I now have a photo of the 1954 Joplin Cardinals of the Western Association, another of Jim Flanigan with the 1953 Albany, Georgia Cardinals and a 1958 Winston Salem Cardinal team photo. One face in the 1954 Joplin photo was familiar. It belonged to Gene Green who later played for the St. Louis Cardinals et.al.. The 1958 Winston Salem photo included Vern Benson, Jim Hickman and Von McDaniel. That is all I recognized. I'll have to do some research on that 1954 Joplin photo.
I guess the early morning submission was a precursor of things to happen later in the day. In a rare occurrence, my body wouldn't leave the bed this morning. I finally propped myself up in a chair for a couple of hours and tried to read some e-mail. After messing up more than I accomplished I decided to lay down. I turned on the television around noon and figured I would sleep the day away. I had this dream that the Cardinals were playing the Dodgers and for every 4.8 outs the Dodgers got, the Cardinals in turn hit a home run. If any of you find out the score of that game let me know. I'm sure the Cardinals didn't hit five homers in the same game. Shucks, I was in such a stupor that I thought Mike Matheny hit a home run. Couldn't have happened.
John Lafalier comes through

For a very long time I have been on the lookout for a 1940 team photo of the Whitebird, Oklahoma baseball team. It was taken at Cardin, Oklahoma (three miles from Whitebird) in 1940. I knew when the photo was located that it would be very wide and probably taken on a Nilex 35mm camera. When the mail arrived on October 4 there was an item in a mailing tube. When I carefully removed the photo from the container I knew that it hadn't seen the light of day for many years. There were eleven players in that photo and a batboy seated behind a little sign that read, "White Bird Ball Team."

In the background are some mine tailing piles and the twelve people in the front are; Jay Hemphill, John Hemphill, Eugene "Tunney" Mantle, Hayden Brown, Leonard Brown, Ed VonMoss, Paul Townsend, Thurman Townsend, Winford Richardson, Elven "Mutt Mantle", Roy Heatherly and batboy Jack Von Moss. This photo is being given "special treatment" and will be included in the Mantle book when it hits the street. (Yep, I'm still working on it.)

Another interesting article that Lafalier shared was a contract that Mickey Mantle signed on April 1, 1960 with the Glenn Berry Manufacturers Inc.of Commerce, Oklahoma The purpose was his endorsement of:
Mens and boys overalls.
Mens and boys dungarees.
Mens and boys work pants.
Mens and boys work shirts.
Mens and boys work caps.
Mens and boys overalls.

To show the difference in endorsements back in the 1960's and what guys get today look at the compensation plan.
"As full compensation hereunder, the Company does agree to pay Mantle, during the effective term of this contract, a sum of money annually equal to 20 cents per dozen on the first 5,000 items sold each year; 15 cents per dozen on the next 5,000 items; 10 cents per dozen on the next 20,000 dozen items, and 5 cents per dozen on any quantity in excess thereof."

No one, except the IRS knows how much he made on those sales but he was guaranteed at least $1,500 for the initial year of the contract. Shaq, Michael, Tiger...eat your heart out.
What's a "blogger"?

Ernie Chastain--1952 Iola Indians

Ed reply:

A blogger is someone who puts a blog on a blogspot. Ask Dan Rather what a blogger is and he'd offer you a better definition that I can. It is anybody who puts information up on a website basically in narrative form. Someone does all my Flash Report like that and it is called www.johnhall.blogspot.com . I still don't know what the word means. Sounds more like booger to me.
Totally personal

A year ago in July I shared the news with some of the readership about a traffic accident in which my great-niece was involved. Many of you have been kind enough, in the intervening months, to inquire about her. This is a recent article from the Carthage Press.

Carthage teen rebuilding life a year after accidentBy Kaylea Hutson Of The Press Staff
A little more than one year ago, the life of then 15-year-old Jessica Blankenship changed literally in the blink of an eye.
While details remain fuzzy, Blankenship knows she was a passenger in a one-vehicle accident on a rural road west of Carthage.
Blankenship, then a rising sophomore at Carthage High School, was riding in the back seat and wearing a lap belt.
She suffered fractures to her upper spine and back and internal injuries.
In an instant, the aspiring swim team member, was left paralyzed from the waist down.
The driver and other passenger suffered only minor injuries.
After several weeks of treatment at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, and Rusk Rehabilitation in Columbia, Blankenship returned home last fall to begin to rebuild her life.
Last year, her days were filled with in-home therapy and homebound schooling.
Now, most days, the 17-year-old is able to attend class at the high school. On days she has therapy, she only attends class part of the day.
While the building does not have an elevator, a chair lift takes her up to the upper floors.
In the last year, Blankenship has learned to adjust to her new life.
"I don't do as much as I used to," she said. "But I still hang out with my friends.
"A lot think I'm kind of fragile. [But] I can do most things."
Before the accident, Blankenship was an athlete. She played basketball, volleyball and had trained to try out for the swim team.
She also served as a football manager her freshman year.
Now, her athletic endeavors focus on rebuilding muscle strength in her back, abdominal and upper torso.
She still swims and enjoys hanging out at the Fair Acres Family Y Pool, where she can wade and swim under water.
Three days a week, she undergoes therapy with the hope that she will continue to make progress in her recovery.
At first, doctors considered her injury a "complete" spinal cord injury. Now, it is listed as "incomplete" because she has some movement in her hips and upper thighs, leaving her with "extremely limited mobility."
Through the last year, Blankenship continues to remain positive.
"I'm a happy person," she said. "I'm basically like any other teenager."
She said support given to her by family and friends has made a world of difference.
"My mom and my sister helped a lot," Blankenship said. God helped a lot.
"I've prayed many many times."
Blankenship said that her faith sustains her through the tough times.
"It's helped me to understand," she said. "I know God didn't do this to me, he didn't cause this to happen ... it's taught me to be more patient. It's taught me about what is important.
"A lot of things [petty things] aren't important."
Even though she views life from a wheel chair, Blankenship said she remains the same person.
"I still like clothes and like to fix my hair," she said. "It's just not as important to me.
"There are more important things in life."
Blankenship enjoys listening to a variety of music. Right now, her favorite artist is R&B singer Usher.
She also likes to spend time with her friends either at her home or at the movies.
Her outlook on life and those around her has changed since the accident.
"It's made me understand things [and] the differences in people," she said. "Before the accident, I didn't know what people in a wheelchair went through, and never understand what they did on a day to day basis."
Blankenship has several dreams for the future.
Like any teenager, she wants to learn how to drive. Her car will just need to be equipped with hand controls.
She also dreams of attending prom -- she plans to decorate her wheelchair.
She also wants to pursue higher education.
Blankenship would like to combine an interest in law and medicine and become a forensic scientist.
"I'm not ever going to settle with being in a wheelchair," she said. "I'm always going to try and work harder and try to get my strength back to walk [again].
"Who knows, they come up with things all of the time to cure people and make them better."
In the meantime, she is taking one day at a time and concentrating on her school work.
She said it helps that one of her teachers, Coach Scott Hettinger, is also in a wheelchair.
Recently, Hettinger and another teacher helped fix her wheelchair when a wheel came loose at school.
Because the only wheelchair accessible bathroom is a boys restroom near Coach Hettinger's classroom, Blankenship relies on students in his class to "guard" the door.
Being able to talk to someone else in a wheelchair also helps, she said.
In terms of her immediate health, she will have a neuropsych exam this fall, to determine if a seizure she suffered shortly after the accident left any residual effects.
For now, Blankenship continues to pursue one dream.
"I want to walk again."
Blankenship is the daughter of Teresa Blankenship. Her mother is a Para at Columbian Elementary School and works with students in the special education program. She has one sister, Chelsea, 7.

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