K-O-M League Flash Report

The November 30, 2003
Edition of the
KOM League Flash Report
Cleaning up the leftovers
from Thanksgiving

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Reunions--(Please read and then take action)

Recently, The History Channel carried a program on the 490th Squadron that was known as the Burma Bridge Busters. They were a brave bunch of young flyers who flew low altitude bombing raids out of what is now Bangladesh with the goal of knocking out bridges to impede the progress of the Japanese Army and to cut off re-supply routes.

An interesting aspect of this group is their annual pilgrimage to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit their former comrades-in-arms. Making comparisons of that reunion and those of the KOM League are striking.

Many times I have wondered what would have happened had the attempt to get the former KOM Leaguers together 20 years earlier been made. It took 43 years
for the idea to come my way and many of the fellows I have queried stated that they probably wouldn't have been interested in reuniting very many years prior to that for they had other things going on in their lives that were more important, or so they thought.

In listening to the attendees at the 490th Squadron reunion they didn't get together until the 30th anniversary of their time together facing their enemy and death at every turn. Since that time most of the former squadron wouldn't miss the event for anything. The numbers dwindle each year and at the annual memorial service someone rises to read the names of those who have passed on since the last reunion and it is a highly emotionally charged ceremony.

In one segment of the program some younger people attended the reunion to speak with the survivors who had known their loved ones first-hand. The old squadron members seemed to be pleased to tell the stories of their fallen comrades to the survivors who were seeking some insights from the past from those who know their loved ones in their prime and then the often early termination of life.

One of the veterans laughed when he said that the same stories are told each year and embellished a little more with each recitation.

As I watched that program, I saw such great parallels with the reunions that have become annual affairs for former KOM Leaguers, family and friends. I am sure that the sense of camaraderie is greater among former soldiers, than ballplayers, since they faced death together and their lives were dependent many times on the actions of the group or another individual.

There is one thing that most former ballplayers relate when they retire, that being they miss the camaraderie of the clubhouse and the road trips. Most guys know when it is time to hang up the spikes but are never quite ready to terminate those moments of their youth when they initially had the aspirations of playing baseball until they died.

Having been fortunate enough to have attended eight KOM League reunions there are many things that come to mind. The single greatest memory is, those who attend on a regular basis seem to be young men once again even if for only a brief two to three day period. Another obvious thing is that there is no "us and them" or team distinctions any longer. It is now a "family." Fellows who have reached three score and ten, and more, have found a forum where they can share stories and aspirations with peers who understand what they are saying and know it isn't bragging. And, if a little bragging does occur the braggart can be brought back to earth, gently.

Most of the fellows who have attended past reunions either return or would if circumstances permitted. Yours Truly has made a pact to "run the notice of the 2004 into the dirt." It is acknowledged that what I have to say has very little meaning. For the next reunion to be something special it will take the efforts of everyone who plans to attend to do a little "selling" to former teammates. (If you wish to contact someone and invite them to join you at the reunion let me know and the address will be supplied.)

Many times fellows will plan to attend and then when they find someone they wanted to see isn't coming then they too stay home. That snowball effect has hit the reunion efforts on two occasions, 2002 & 2003 being no exception. I could draw a flowchart of how that happened, but won't.

There are a large number of readers of the Flash Report who have attended previous KOM League reunions. I would like to solicit comments from you if you plan to attend or even if can't attend for some reason. In your own words, without my outlining the format, please respond to this question. What have the KOM League reunions meant to me? If they have been an "all-world" bad experience go ahead and "lay it on me."

Note: (If this request doesn't generate some response it may run in every upcoming Flash Report until June 2004.)

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We were "almost" twins

Besides our love for writing and baseball, we have one other thing in common. Dr. McNew also brought me into this world 64 years ago. I'm a little older,
as my birthday is June 11. Your message made it sound as if you were born at home. If you were, that's another thing we have in common. My parents lived
about three miles north of Avilla, and Dr. McNew came to the house. I doubt that would happen anywhere today.

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving day. We're in Carthage as my mother is in Freeman Hospital in Joplin. She fell and broke her right femur nearly
three weeks ago. Because she has two artificial knees and two artificial hips, this break has really caused a lot of suffering. She will probably never walk
again. She is scheduled to go to rehab tomorrow, but the doctor said if she walks, it will be at least three months. I think her fall may be even harder for my
dad. Keep both of them in your prayers. My wife's brother-in-law also died this past Tuesday in Colorado. She'll be heading to Colorado soon. Even though
there have been some calamities in our family, we're still grateful for the blessings God has given us. Homer Hall-Nashville, Tenn.

Ed reply: We could be twins. I was born at home.

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Off to the Olympics


Hi John & Noel, A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Amy is flying into Tucson today and we will be having Thanksgiving dinner at our youngest daughter's (Jenny) home
this afternoon.

Corky and Amy are flying to New Zealand on Saturday where Amy is competing in the Tri-World Triathlon World Championships on December 6th. Amy continues to amaze us all with her accomplishments as a disabled athlete.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving day. Love, Marge and Corky Simpson-Tucson, AZ

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A message from a '52 KOM Leaguer

Hi John: Thank you for the Thanksgiving Greeting. Jean and I are both fine. I have two new knees and Jean has one, but we are doing great and remain a very active couple. We go to Fl in the winter and to Canada in the summer. We have five grandsons and one great grandson. So far God has been very good to us. We have much to be thankful for this holiday season.

We sincerely wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas and above all a peaceful 2004. My God bless our many young people who are serving in many different parts of the world and keep them safe. All our best. Bob and Jean Gordon-- Bartlesville/Pittsburg 1952.

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Turek?

John, I used to play on a fast pitch softball team, "Broeker Cigars" I think that was the name. We had a guy named Ed Turek playing first base. Is he related to
Joe Turek Jr. I think he also went to the same High School I did, McKinley. I heard Ed Turek is in a St.Louis Hospital.I think he has a son who is a
Priest. Bob Mallon--'49 Independence Yankees

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A note from "The Cherokee Kid."


Just wanted to wish you all the best for today. As you can see by this attachment, I am fairly new at celebrating this holiday but I am learning, he he.."The Cherokee Kid--Billy Jack Cornsilk-'52 Ponca City Dodgers.




Cherokees Didn't Celebrate American 'style' Thanksgiving until 1885. . .



The Cherokees were raising corn as early as 1,000 BC. Before European contact the Cherokees already participated in a ceremony giving thanks for crops and it was a form of worship in what is known as the "Green Corn Ceremony." This traditional dance and festival was a very important ceremony for the Cherokees. This ceremony was the beginning of the New Year. Our ancestors gave thanks for the corn crop that they saw as a continued life for them. It was a time for forgiveness and grudges to be left behind - starting anew. A part of their celebration was fasting, then gathering at the ceremonial grounds to play stickball, dance and have a big feast.

As settlers moved inland, Native Americans they encountered, including the Cherokee, assisted the early settlers and traders with food and supplies. This was a continual process not just a single meal. The Cherokees also taught the early settlers how to hunt, fish, and farm in their new environment. They also taught them how to use herbal medicine when they became ill. Sadly, as more people came to America, they didn't need the Native Americans help anymore and the newcomers had forgotten how the natives helped the earlier Pilgrims. Mistrust began to grow and the friendship weakened. The Pilgrims started telling their Native neighbors that their native religion and native customs were wrong. The relationships deteriorated and within a few years the children of the people who ate together at the first Thanksgiving were killing one another in what led to the King Phillip's War. In 1736, Christian Priber, a Frenchman, established himself among the Cherokees, learned their language, and taught them the European Christianity until he was arrested by the English and put in prison at Charleston, South Carolina. Even though the Cherokees worshipped in their own religion, the work of the missionaries converted some Cherokees to the European Christianity.

The first known Cherokee converted to European Christianity was 1773. In 1801, the first permanent Christian Mission in the Cherokee Nation was called Moravian Mission. It was located at Springplace, which is in present-day Georgia. As more Cherokees became Christians the custom of observing the English National Thanksgiving Holiday became common.D. W. Bushyhead, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, signed a proclamation on Thursday, November 26th, A. D. 1885 for Thanksgiving to be practiced by the Cherokees. The Proclamation reads, "The Cherokees have abundant reason to rejoice. They are favored in all things that should make a Nation prosperous and a people happy. They have an indisputable right to an area of land sufficient for the needs of generations of Cherokees to come. They have a perfect form of Government, wise laws, unsurpassed educational facilities for their children and money enough of their own invested to make these blessings permanent. It is true this Nation is neither numerous, wealthy nor powerful compared with many others, but it stands and relies upon the plighted faith of a Nation that has become the strongest on earth by reason of its respect for human rights. Today the major population of the Cherokee members celebrates the National Thanksgiving Holiday. There are a few Cherokees and other Native Americans who still celebrate the Green Corn Ceremony in July and the National Thanksgiving Holiday in November.

Cherokee Kid
Native Son


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Bremerton, WA the official sales site for sales

I am at it again John, do you have any more of the first addition Mickey Mantle cards? I have a couple of friends that would like to give their grandkids a set of cards and I told them that I would ask you.

Hope that you and Noel have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Dale Hendricks--1947-48 Ponca City Dodgers.

Ed Comment: "Ask and ye shall receive." Well, that is what Dale did and he got his heart's desire. Any of the rest of you wanting any of these sets are in luck. I have a stack left and when they are gone...well, they will be gone.

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This one goes back to 1941--A chip off the old rock!

My dad is Ralph Germano and he played for the Carthage Browns many years ago. He is now 85 yrs old and lives here in Arvada, Colorado. I have some pictures of him in his uniform and some box scores saved in a scrapbook. He pitched against Stan Musial and lost by one run. He tells a great story about that game. He can't hear too good but he still remembers many of his experiences. I noticed his name listed on a website and found your name as writing a book Majoring in the Minors.
Ralph "Rocky" Germano Jr.


Ed reply:

Sure nice hearing from you and learning about your dad. He was with St. Joseph, Mo in 1941 when the team transferred to Carthage, Mo the day Lou Gehrig died. The team was on the road in Muskogee, OK the day of the shift from St. Joseph to Carthage. Your dad threw a no-hitter that night. (The St. Joseph, Missouri Pony Express Riders officially became the Carthage Browns at the conclusion of that game.)

I have located most of that former 1941 Carthage team or know of their fate. Ask your dad if he has a team photo of that 1941 Carthage team. I came close to finding one a few years ago. It was circulating around the sports office of the Carthage Press when someone misplaced it. I wrote the book about baseball in Carthage from 1938-1951. I did quite a bit of research on the team for which your dad played.

I can tell you for sure that Musial didn't hit your dad very well and he has even mentioned that. Musial remembers everybody who got him out. Stan turned 83 on the 21st of November. I hear from Stan's daughter quite frequently. I will mention your dad to her and maybe she will bring up his name to her dad.

I send out a KOM League Flash Report that puts a lot of the old-time players in touch on a regular basis as well a publish a monthly publication called the KOM League Remembered. The year your dad was at Carthage it was a member of the Western Association. Ask your dad if he recalls Stan Musial knocking himself out hitting the wall with his head in Springfield one evening.

Note: As bad as the St. Joseph/Carthage team was in 1941--40 wins and 96 losses--there were some guys who made a name for themselves. Denny Burns from Tiff City, Mo. took over the managerial reigns from Gus Albright on June 29, 1941. Burns once hurled for the Philadelphia A's and Connie Mack called him the kid with a million dollar arm and a $1 brain. Jim Bilbrey and Kenny Gables both had a shot in the Majors later on. Bilbrey had his cup of coffee with the St. Louis Browns and Gables made it up with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Frank Mancuso, the catcher, had been with the New York Giants as a bullpen catcher before arriving in town later went back to the top with the St. Louis Browns. Another member of that club, the late Mike Mandjack, had been a lineman for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Even though Carthage was a St. Louis Browns affiliate a number of the players were assigned by the Boston Red Sox. The farmhands of those two Major League affiliates didn't fill all the bill and the Carthage Baseball Association recruited fellows from amateur teams from around the area such as Avilla. One of the members of that club was the minor league legend, Battle Malone "Bones" Sanders. Sanders wound up in the KOM League a couple of times during managerial vacancies. At the time Bones played at Carthage he was residing at Corsicana, Texas. Prior to Carthage Sanders had played in the Arkansas-Missouri League which folded after the All-Star game in 1940.
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Gear slippage

John, Due to some slippage in my cerebral gears I sent Thanksgiving greeting and left out the wish's for a Happy Birthday and continued good health and fortunes. Sorry, consider this a HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. KOM CREATOR. Dave Newkirk

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A note on Chicago Cub letterhead

John---

Appreciate your sending me the KOM League Newsletter on a complimentary basis. Know it is a labor of love and your efforts greatly appreciated by all who receive them.

Enclosed is a little something to help with the mailing costs.

The ranks are thinning out but occasionallly a name from the past will bring back old memories. Kindest regards, E. R. "Salty" Saltwell.

Ed note: At Thanksgiving all I can say to Salty is "Thanks for the 'little something.'" Salty was very kind to me when I first attempted to locate so many of the former KOM Leaguers who wound up in Carthage with the Cubs. Salty provided copies of forms which profiled scores of guys. Had it not been for Salty some of you receiving this Flash Report would never have been found. So, if you regret my locating you just blame it on Salty.
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To Walt Babcock and Charlie Weber:

Hey, the checks arrived in the mail on Saturday. Thanks

Babcock, I have a question. Who wrote that Christmas letter? That thing says your team won the softball championship and division playoff with a record of 30-7. It further states you hit a respectable .556. Sounds a bit fishy to me. What league was that, how many teams were in it and what position did you play?
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The KOM League
Special Turkey Day Edition
11/27/39


Admission: Sixty-four years ago this date Cecil C. Hall went to the barn in the back yard of his residence at 1226 Valley Street in Carthage, Missouri to help the family milk cow deliver a calf that was named "Babe." Shortly after his departure out the back door Dr. Tom McNew came through the front one. Around noon Cecil excitedly entered the house and exclaimed, "Honey we have a new calf." To wit his wife Lucy Ellawee Hall replied, "Well, you have a baby son." Since that day the son born to Cecil & Ellawee has gone about his duty of pestering everybody with whom he has ever come in contact. With that explanation, "Welcome
to the Thanksgiving edition of the KOMFR."

Thanks to those who sent birthday cards such as: Bobby--don't call me Robert-- Newbill, Sam Dixon & Harry Crandall.

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Charlie knows now what he has missed

John I just finished reading the flash report and now realize what I have been missing all these years. I certainly would like to have a copy of the tape you were talking about. What a great bunch of guys.The cost of the tape is no problem just be sure you charge enough.I got cards off to both Pappy (Walterman) and Duane (Zimmer) . Will close wishing both of you a great holiday. Charlie Weber. (Part of that great double play combination of Mantle to Weber to Newbill.)

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Amazing story of the day Kennedy died--from a KOM League family who lived in Dallas.

John, We thought we would like to share with you our experiences when JFK was killed here in Dallas.

Dick was at his office which at that time was down town Dallas. I was shopping and was at Neiman Marcus store downtown, trying on clothes. Had our 4 year old daughter with me at the time. We left the store to get my car, it was bedlam downtown, sirens going off everywhere. My car was in a lot close to Neimans and we got inside. We had to drive by the Texas School Depository to get home. Home at that time was in Irving just west of Dallas. The authorities were swarming every where.. As I drove by the depository they opened a manhole directly in front of me and I had to stop. Everyone had guns out and pointed at the manhole. I made our daughter lie down on the floor in the back. They looked in our car and let us go on.

Our neighbor at the time was the chief of police of Irving, their daughter was our baby sitter. At first Oswald's wife and baby were taken to that home for safe keeping, they said. Another was one of the doctors, Charlie Baxter, who attended him at Parkland. When he came home we heard what was really happening at Parkland, Jackie had his brains in her hands, they knew he was dead immediately. This was a very, very conservative neighborhood we lived in. At that time there were a lot of neighbors who belonged to the John Birch Society. We understood that everyone who lived in our neighborhood had their phones tapped for sometime.

No matter where we traveled after that, outsiders blamed us for the killing, we certainly had absolutely nothing to do with anything nor did anyone we knew. People who lived back east at that time thought if you were from Dallas you must be responsible. It really got us teed off because of their ignorance.. It is really strange how life has turned out, the grandson in law of John Connally and Nellie Connally was best man at our grand daughters wedding this past spring in Austin and the grand daughter Katie Connally Love read the Bible verses before the ceremony. The couple are my grand daughters best friends. Nellie Connally has her book on the market.

Sometime we will tell you some good stories when we get together.. Mark Connally is married to our daughter in laws best friend , they were Pi Phi's at Univ. of Texas together and lived together before she married Mark and Becky married our Kerry. They were all in each others weddings.

Anyway life is strange sometimes. At the time of all of this I had written a letter to my parents in Iola and told them all about that day and experience, my mother kept the letter and returned it to me before she died. Another grand daughter copied the letter and used it for a history class not long ago..

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We intend to, all of our children will be here plus grandchildren. We always have a great time together. Special regards to Noel, and just one more thing, the menu for the reunion sounds wonderful, and just think, Noel nor I have to clean up afterwards,,, what a PLUS. J. Getter. (Dick Getter played for the 1949 Iola Indians and concluded his professional career in the Texas League in 1960.)

Ed Note: See why I love sharing these reports with readers all over the place? The Getter's are the first people I have ever known who were in the midst of the turbulence of the post-Kennedy shooting and not "too post" at that. If you read these Flash Reports regularly, you can learn something.
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KOM League video a "smashing hit"

JOHN, I'M TIRED FROM LAUGHING BECAUSE I VIEWED THE HOWARD HUNT AFFAIR, OR HIS DOG AND PONY SHOW. T HANK YOU FOR COPYING IT AND SENDING IT TO ME. I ENJOYED LISTENING TO MAX MANTLE, YOU, GALE WADE, BOB SPEAKE, CHARLIE WEBER, WARREN LISTON, LEE DODSON, & SAM DIXON.

HOWARD HUNT IS A PAIN IN THE ARSENIC AND WITHOUT HAZEL HE WOULDN'T KNOW WHEN TO COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN. THE CRIPPLED DAVE NEWKIRK ONLY USES HIS CRUTCHES FOR A MEANS OF DEFENSE. HE'S GOT NERVE CALLING ME "BLABCOCK" IN YOUR LAST KOMLR. IN THAT VIDEO HE WAS THE BIGGEST MOTOR-MOUTH OF ALL, INCLUDING HOWARD HUNT. IN FACT, HE OUT DID HUNT BY MAKING HUNT LOOK LIKE A VERY SHY FELLOW FROM BROOKLYN. THE VIDEO WAS WELL WORTH THE $100 YOU CHARGED ME FOR IT AND IT REALLY BROUGHT BACK THE GOOD TIME WE HAD THAT NIGHT.

THANKS, AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THOSE OLD BROKEN DOWN BALLPLAYERS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT COLUMBIA REUNION IN JUNE. SOUNDS AS IF NOEL HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL, IF SHE CAN KEEP YOU FROM INTERFERING WITH HER PLANS.

BY THE WAY THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL(AS USUAL). BEST REGARDS, WALT (as in Babcock)

Ed Note: If any of you think Babcock paid $100 for that tape then you don't know the guy very well.

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To Rusty Aton--a note on which Yours Truly was copied.

In my research of Billy Martin's military service record, I was surprised to discover the number of past, present, and future big leaguers of the post-Korea era played ball in the service and for semi-pro clubs in the National Baseball Congress tournament. I'm convinced that a thorough search of the NBC Yearbooks would yield a lot of big league/military vets. I'd already accounted for Herzog, Owen and Lumpe off this club, as well as a few off the Wichita Bombers (Darrell Spencer), Goodland Tigers (Martin, Lenny Green, Zach Monroe) and more. There is a wealth of information among the readership of the KOM Flash which I've never really tapped in any kind of systematic way. A lot of these guys played on those clubs, and/or served in the military, but did not appear in the big leagues.. Since you're planning to expand the scope of the Baseball and Armed Services database project to include minor leaguers, you'll find this a very helpful group. Make sure that John Hall is aware of what you're working on and I think you'll find him to be a great ally.

The beauty of putting your document on the public SABR.org website is that other interested folk can see where you're at and comment, make additions or corrections along the way.. Good luck on the project..

Rod Nelson

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Attention: Former KOM Leaguers with Military Service

John, Rod Nelson and I have begun a Yahoo group to build a file of Ballplayers (Major and Minor League) who were veterans of the Armed Forces.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SABRVets/

Your readership is most welcome to join this group and/or download our most current file at http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?a=cms,c,523,5,176.

This file describes the service records of Major League Ballplayers who are veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-American War(s), Boxer Rebellion, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Viet Nam War, Gulf War(s) or peacetime.

It is a compilation of work from several interested parties. Although it is an attempt to be complete, there is no doubt that there are missing and incorrect entries. The Egroup has as its purpose to discuss this file and provide more or corroborating data. Sources include the Encylopediae (MacMillan, T&T, TB), Who's Who in Baseball, Baseball Registers, Who's Who in the Major Leagues, the 1943 Commissioner's List and Gary Bedingfield's Baseball in Wartime.

Anyone with questions may write me, Ron Henry (auricle99@aol.com) or Rod Nelson (SABRscouts@aol.com).

Thanks for your time, Ron Henry


Ed Reply:

There are some notable KOM Leaguers with distinguished service records. Leroy Bergee--Blackwell '52 wrote a book about the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, where he was highly decorated and Kendall Moranville-- Miami '50 commanded the Fifth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Many of the early KOM Leaguers were heroes of the European Theater and Pacific battles. Others left the KOM League for the Korean Conflict and Walter Kohler--Carthage '51 and John Lazar--Pittsburg '50 lost their lives in that undeclared war. I have some reason to believe that James T. Pickett who hurled for the 1947 Ponca City Dodgers was also killed in the Korean Conflict. He was a native of North Platte, Nebraska.

One former KOM Leaguer probably saved the life of Jack Buck during the Battle of Remagen Bridge. That guy was a Medical Corpsman by the name of Frank Borghi who was on the Carthage Cardinal roster in 1946-47 and in 1950 led the USA to the greatest upset in World Cup Soccer history. He was the goal tender when the US team defeated England 1-0. Currently, a movie is being made about that feat. Borghi and that bunch were from "The Hill" in St. Louis that produced the likes of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. In fact, they all know each other.

Plea:

If you served in the Armed Forces and played minor league baseball get in touch with Mr. Henry. I am sure that there are scores of great stories about the military service that have never been shared in print previously. I have heard many amazing tales not the least of which was the one Jack Garner (brother of actor James Garner) weaved for me one evening during a long distance telephone call from Palm Springs, California.

When Jack was at Bartlesville in 1946 his last name was still the one he was born with, Bumgarner. Jack shared the mound duties with a WW II veteran from Oklahoma City by the name of Irl Reed "Ike" Henderson. Jack swears that during the entire 1946 season Henderson never slept. He finally discovered the cause for his teammate's inability to sleep. During the Ward "Ike" was a tail-gunner in the big bombers. He confided in Garner that on 12 different mission the plane in which he was performing his duty was shot from the skies over Europe. Each of the twelve downings took the life of every crew member but him.

As hard as I have tried to find Henderson nothing has succeeded. However, Garner said that during the latter part of his baseball career he was in Florida and had a call from Henderson. His old teammate wanted him to have dinner with him and a special friend. When Garner showed up for the dinner engagement he found that the third person in the party was Evangelist Billy Graham. Garner reported that over the years Henderson had worked through his post-war traumma and became a Baptist minister.

If Henderson is still on this earth he will be celebrating his 80th birthday next year.

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Is there a "Wolfe Preservation Movement" in the works?

John ~ RE: Stoney Creek Inn - Nice choice! Great accomodations! Tell Noel that she "done good" with selections. I tried to charge our room to your account and they said, "Sorry, Mr. Hall's credit was not approved"..... Regardless, probably you, Liston, Babcock, Howie and Dixon have the "Premiere Suites" all locked up. Look forward to seeing "all" in June 2004. Take care, Jim Jay

P. S. - Look for $10 bucks from me to help the KOM paper reach Jack Wolfe in Southern California in 2004.

Ed Note: I want everyone, including Jack Wolfe to know that I did not start this fund raising effort to get the KOM League Newsletter to him each month. Just remember--KOM League readers want as many "fellow sufferers" as they can get.

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A new reader

Hi John, Mike would like to receive flash reports is it possible to put him on the list?his email is bccaddie@aol.com. HOPE YOU AND YOURS HAVE A HAPPY THANKGIVING!!!!!...Steve

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Sharing addresses

John, If Charlie Weber will allow it would sure like to have his e-mail address Dave Newkirk

Ed Note: I checked it out with Charlie. For a $100 fee Charlie agreed to allow Newkirk to have his e-mail address. (Of course, I'm kidding.)
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A Thanksgiving Greeting

John, Wanted to wish Noel and yourself a very Happy Holiday, and assure you all we old worn out gamers have you to be thankful again this year and many to come. Dave Newkirk
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It isn't easy linging up reunions

Hi John, I hope you don't take offense to what I will say. I don't want to be mean, but, I have to wonder if the reason we are having the next meeting in Columbia, if that is where it will be, is because you live there? It makes it somewhat farther for me to drive you know. And, have you checked out the place you would want us to meet?

Have you talked to them about price of room? Have you asked about decent food, etc..? And, such as above. Walt Babcock has told me you are thinking about Wendy's for the first meal, and the "get away banquet" at McDonalds. Is that true?
Just asking. Bye, stanka

Ed reply:

Let me try to answer every question.

First of all, I am thinned skinned and I do take offense at your comments but that won't prevent me from addressing your questions.

1. The meeting is in Columbia since that is where I live. It is not that I don't want to leave town but one of the conditions of my release program is that I can't leave the county.

2. I did check the place out and the outdoor privies are two holers that come equipped with old Sears & Roebuck catalogs. No corn cobs in this facility.

3. I talked tothe motel about the room prices but they said they don't disclose things like that until folks check out. They claim that they do a better business that way.

4. The food tain't much but is tasty. Lots of grits, hominy, oatmeal and turnip greens. Its good stuff if you put butter and honey on the hominy, grits and oatmeal and vinegar on the greens.

5. One problem you have is your source of information. I am sure you don't believe a thing Babcock says. Our first meal isn't going to be a Wendy's and our last isn't going to be at McDonald's. The sequence is just the oppositie. Remember "M" comes before "W" in the dictionary and also on the list of the "World's Greatest Gastric" eateries.

If anything changes on the reunion front I'll let you know. If you have any "pull" with my probation officer possibly I could be allowed to get out of the county for a couple of days and thus could hold an event closer to Fulshear, Texas.

Stanka's reply:

Thanks, that mite of info helps, somewhat. See you in Columbus (sp), at burger king.

Ed Comment:

Now, can you all understand why it is so difficult to plan a reunion and get a crowd to show up?

To show how things get rolling here is a note that Joe Stanka sent to Walt Babcock that I "happened" to run across. "I hate to be a tattle-tale, and maybe cause hard feelings between friend s(?), but think you should know. I inadvertantly told John Hall what you told me about our eating establishments next June at Columbia. I am
of course refering to the fact you passed to me that we would be eating at Wendy's & McDonalds. And he said, and I quote, "you know better than to listen to anything Walt Babcock says". Now to me, that translates to you don't know what you are talking about. As I said, maybe I shouldn't have told John what you
said, nor what he said about you. I certainly don't want to cause trouble between you two, even though Sam Dixon tells me that both of you have told him that neither one of you thinks much of the other. Best regards, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving." stanka

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Maybe three Turek's will attend the 2004 reunion.

I don't think I have informed you that your dad called me a couple of weeks ago. He was wanting a set of the Mantle cards to
give to one of his grandson's for Christmas.

We had a nice conversation and I invited him to the reunion. He said that he was interested. I told him he should get hold of you and youth both
could attend. I hope he stays interested. John Hall

Reply:

Hi John-I noticed his name on the one list. I would love to attend and I know he would. So, I'll work on it and will probably bring the wife too.
Take care, Joe Turek, Jr.

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A new reader

Hi John, Mike (McCann) would like to receive flash reports is it possible to put him on the list? His email is bccaddie@aol.com HOPE YOU AND YOURS HAVE A HAPPY THANKGIVING!!!!!...Steve

Note from Mr. McCann

John, Thanks again. Also, do you know any ex-players who may have played for the Binghamton Triplets of the Eastern League. I just finished a book entitled "Baseball in Broome County" covering the Crickets, Bingos, Triplets and Mets. I would love to speak with any you know of. There are a number of ex-players who never made it to the majors who I have not corresponded with. Thanks, Mike McCann

Ed Note:

You all know that I lay claim to the Sergeant Schultz line of Hogan's Heroes, "I know nothing." However, you guys know everything. If you know anybody still living who played for the Binghamton Triplets get in touch with Mike at the e-mail address on the first line of this segment. You can be sure he has spoken with Steve Kraly.

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The Mystery History Professor--revealed

Mr. Hall, Dr. Polley is my husband, and I have been passing these along to him -- he really enjoys them! Needless to say, he was amazed that Stan Musial's grandson is in his class.

Mary Paulsell
Columbia Entertainment Company
Broadway Bound -- booked for your 2004 reunion at Stoney Creek!

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Count the Beran's "in."


John: I'm hoping the invitation is still open for Jerry and I to attend the KOM league reuion on June 3.4.5 in Columbia. Sure sorry to hear that Bob Speake broke
a bone in his leg or something like that. It was also unfortunate about Pappy Walterman and his wife's accident. Ours prayers are with them. By the way, Donna Cochran was in the picture with Brandy Davis, myself and Branch Rickey in the dressing room at San Bernadino, Calif in l952. I'm not sure whether Brandy showed you the picture.

See you in June,'04. Lee Beran

Ed Reply: We'll look forward to seeing the Beran brothers in Columbia. Did you really mean Donna Cochran? I'll bet you meant Donnie. I don't recall seeing the photo of you Brandy, Donnie and Rickey. Maybe if I mention it I'll hear from Brandy about it. Jerry and Lee escaped the KOM League and played for Hutchinson in the Western Association.

However, they had three brothers who played from 1946-1949. Joe started at Miami in 1946 and then moved on to Ponca City, in 1947 & 1948. Eugene was with the Iola Cubs in 1947 and Bob was with Ponca City in 1949. Joe, Eugene and Lee have passed away.

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The Chastain's are "in."

Ernie Chastain became so impressed with the Stoney Creek Inn website that he made reservation there for the 2004 reunion. He is hoping that his wife will be able
to make the trip with him from Oklahoma City. Each day Ernie spends at a KOM League reunion equals the number of days he was on the 1952 Iola Indian roster. Great story!! If you come to the reunion you will probably hear the version of the story from Ernie himself.
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Genealogy, KOM League Flash news and the Army website

Hi John, I realized as I was reading through the packet of information you sent me on the Nealy's that I never thanked you for sending it. How completely,
utterly, rude of me. I have enjoyed reading through this material more than you could possibly know.

I enjoy reading the KOM newsletters too.

In your last newsletter someone provided a soldiers address for us to send Thanksgiving/Christmas or whatever messages. I would certainly be willing to
help this individual send cards and letters to our soldiers over there. Also, I don't know if people know this but you can post messages on a generic
page for all the soldiers to read. The main entry is http://www.army.mil/ and then on the left hand column there is a box that says "To our Soldiers"
and this is where you can post messages to the soldiers. The Army web site also provides information about who has been lost in the war as well as other
updates and information.

Ed Note: The foregoing note is from a cousin Major Jane Nealy who serves her country as a member of the U. S. Army. The only name that "the masses" would recognize from our family tree is former K-State and Chicago Bull power forward, Eddie Nealy.
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Cassius to Ali


Attached are some pictures I thought you might enjoy seeing. My boss, Andy Salisbury, is very involved in a charitable foundation called Close To A Cure that is raising money for research towards a cure for Parkinson's Disease (which Andy has). Last week the CTAC group had it's first two large fund-raising events. One was a luncheon on Thursday held at the Duke Mansion and the honored guest was Muhammad Ali. Andy and his wife Camille flew up in Rick Hendrick's private
jet to Benton Harbor, Michigan that morning to pick up Ali and they spent the day with him. Andy said that Ali was terrific and that he really seemed to enjoy being with people. He posed for many pictures and signed books, boxing gloves, etc. He signed two coffee-table type books for Andy and in one of them he signed as many as 30 picture pages--on the pictures of himself as a young boxer, he signed it "Cassius Clay." He also likes to doodle on napkins and there was an impromptu auction for two of his napkins he drew during the luncheon--one went for $2,000 and the other one for $10,000! On the rides to and from the airport, he asked to go through some black neighborhoods where he waved and stopped and talked to people. Andy said that it was a hoot to see the reaction of the astonished residents of Boulevard Homes and the Cherry neighborhood when they realized who it was. Anyway, the events seemed to be a big success and we're hoping that a lot of money will be raised for research at Duke and Emory.

Ed Note: I was quizzed before the aforementiond e-mail was sent to ascertain if I were pro or con on the Clay/Ali topic. The questions came from a former minor league batboy by the name of Don Potts. When Don found out that sending that material to me was fine he sent along some great recent photos of his sister and the gang that entertained Mr. Ali recently. If there was ever a case to be made about punching somebody in the head too many times Ali is the poster child for that. Does boxing serve any social redeeming function in society? That is a question, not a comment.
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Memories are made of this

John, I saw the Mick play at Yankee Stadium (prior to the big renovation) in 1962. I was attending Syracuse Univ. and had a roommate from Brooklyn. We spent a few weekends at his folks' home and once we rode the subway over to the Bronx for a Yankees-K.C. game. I got a huge kick out of watching Mantle, Moose, Yogi, Ford, et al get an easy win. I believe Tommy Byrne pitched that day, not too long after the Yankees had acquired him from K.C. Those were the days when folks accused K.C. of being just a farm club of the Yankees, due to the numerous deals they made that sent a lot of K.C.'s best talent to N.Y. My first visit to the Big Apple and the first game above Class B I'd ever seen.

I remember buying pizza in Brooklyn at 15 cents/slice and it was the best I'd ever had. They had lots of hole-in-the-wall places with a window overlooking the sidewalk...just walk up to the window, buy your pizza and stand around the street gobbling it down. Ahhh, the memories. Don

Ed Note:

Was there ever any doubt that the old KC A's for most of their existence was a minor league affiliate of the Yankees just as they had been when they were the Blues
in the American Association?
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Comments from the "Last Flash"

Finished your Flash awhile ago and appreciate all the news!

1. I will be mailing you $15.00 tomorrow for the tape you made during the Carthage reunion.

2 My!.......my mouth is watering just reading about all we will be eating next year at Stoney Creek Inn. I hope you charge enough for this "shin-dig" as it appears
the food alone should amount to quite a bit.

3. Good to know that someone is going to help with the California economy.

4. That's an interesting story about Ed Wilson and Musial's "spikes". Undoubted Musial recognized Ed's fine character even back then.
I never played with...or against Ed...as I had "hung up my pro spikes" by the time he came into the KOM League but, I did get to know him during our trip
to your home for our FIRST get together in 1995.
I drove Ed's Van...and smoked his cigarettes...although I had quit smoking by then. ....I told Ed that " I didn't stop smoking...I just quit buying"....and he really got a kick out of that through the years. Sure glad he married Jean as she has been an asset to all of our reunions....and the e-mails she sends.

5. Don Anderson's comments that July 9th, 1951 is understandable. Those of us that have been cast aside by management sometime in their careers can understand his reaction. Getting to know Don at our reunions....makes me believe that he really was lashing out at the management and not the players....although his words stated otherwise.

6. Man, that Springfield Generals website is great. I didn't check all of it but what I saw was outstanding.

7. I read Casey Casebolts' comments about what Thanksgiving means to him and his sister in Chanute. ....all instilled by his Loving Mother who he lost in 1969....six months after his marriage. I am fortunate that she let him go down to Katy Park and hang out with an ex "young boy of summer" and his American Legion baseball team.

8. Because Thanksgiving is also your Birthday....I hope Noel allows you to have a second piece of pie.

>>>>>>>>HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN.<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Take care'--Sam Dixon

Ed Note: The rumor of my birthday was exaggerated. There has been a moratorium placed on them for the next decade. I got a card from Bob Newbill which depicted an old fellow standing in front of a mirror with major baldness. What he did have as far as hair was sideburns and they were standing on end. The card read, "CAUTION--It ain't a good idea to mix that Rogane and Viagree stuff..." That's right, Bob Newbill that mild-mannered ex-Independence Yankee actually sent that.
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An update

The most asked question I get is, "How is the book deal going?" Well, there aren't any deals as yet but there are some things in the works. The next question usually goes something like, "Can you tell me what is in the works?" The answer is, "I can, but won't." That isn't being canterkous but cautious. The latest thing to happen to the manuscript is that it heeded the admonition of Horace Greeley. He encouraged the young men of his generation to "Go West" while he stayed in New York and got rich.. The potential for the dissemination of Yours Truly's latest writing effort could exceed my wildest expections if one of the avenues being pursued pans out.

As I indicated earlier, nothing is finalized. When it is, I will shout it from the highest hill or moan about it from the lowest valley. I believe there are six people in the world who know where the last manuscript was sent. That is a small number in that there are three people "in the loop" as far as production issues are concerned. There is a print shop employee who binds these things for me and is getting excited that something is about to happen. Then, there is my wife and mother who watched me go from "droop" to animated mode in just seconds this morning after a long distance conversation.
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Thats it for now!

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for Thanksgiving Week
2003
Note: The following items are presented in the order in which they were received this past week, except the first item in this report. If you plan to attend the 2004 KOM League reunion, pay special attention. If you haven't planned on attending the reunion this may cause you to re-think that decision.

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Report on the Open-house at Stoney Creek

This past Thursday evening my wife and I had a rare occassion, a night out. We were guests at the open house of Stoney Creek Inn where the 2004 KOM League reunion will be held. To sum it up, "The Place is Fabulous." I mentioned to my wife that about a half day could be spent during the reunion just looking around at all the decor. I am not sure that some of you will want to leave after the reunion concludes.

We were shown all the lodging accommodations as well as the banquet rooms we will be inhabiiting. All of the food caterers were on hand serving their specialites that ranged from finger foods, main course entrees and desserts. Of course, most of the fare was sampled and I can now guarantee no one will leave the next reunion complaining about the quality or lack of food.

Most of last evening was spent attempting to decide upon the meals for each of the five "eating events" scheduled for the reunion. Then, the task was to put together the numbers for the registration fee. Columbia is at the top of the list in cost of living among the towns in Missouri. The food costs I have checked out range 13% above what was expended in Carthage. The food in Carthage, while good, was limited to basically one caterer. The spectrum of caterers in Columbia and the surrounding area is quite extensive and varied.

Each of the eating events will be a culinary delight. Also, the meals are going to be selected based upon the desires of each participant. There will be different meat selections at each event and even meatless meals for those requesting them.

The meats will always include the selection of either beef or chicken in some form. The caterers that have been lined up even include those of the gourmet variety.

This is the bill of fare that my wife and I have worked out for the eating part of the reunion:

Thursday June 3, 2004--Evening get-together.

Hors D'Oeuvres served buffet style

Carved top sirloin butt for finger sandwiches
Chilled sliced turkey and ham for finger sandwiches
Spicy Chicken drummies (caterer's term)
Cheese display with crackers
Vegetable tray with dip
Assorted fruit tray.

*At each eating event, coffee (regular and decaf), tea, bottled water, sodas are served. There is even a Western "watering hole" for those who wish to purchase the stronger stuff. (However, not recommended if the guy plans on staying in playing shape.)

Friday Luncheon

Roast Round of Choice Angus Certified Beef with brown sauce or brown sauce with mushrooms and shallots
or
Chicken Breast Parmesan with warm Parmesan Sauce on the side.
Wild Rice
Seasoned Green Beans
Buttered Corn
Spring Salad Mix
Fresh Fruit Bouquet--Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, Guava and Graes.
Dessert: Hot Apple Cobbler

Friday Banquet

Carved Choice Top Round of beef and served with horseradish sauce or hot mushroom and shallots sauce
or
Chicken breast with orange pepper sauce
Baked potato with sour cream
Sauteed whole green beans
Scarlett's corn
Ceasar salad
Fresh Melon display
Blackberry cobbler

Saturday Luncheon

Soup, Salad and Sandwich Buffet

Chilled Sliced Turkey Breast
Chilled Sliced Corn Beef
Danish Ham
Sliced Swiss, Havarti and American Cheese
Assorted Breads and Condiments
Cucumber-Onion-Tomato Salad
Chicken Noodle Soup

Saturday Banquet

(This one is Hoss's Theme Dinner Buffet--I have tried Hoss's meats and they are "above average." I voted them "the best of the best" at the Thursday evening "pig out.")

Hickory Smoked Ribs
Beef Brisket
Smoked Chicken
Market BBQ Beans
Potato Salad
Tangy Cole Slaw
Au Gratin Potatoes
Tossed Salad
Dinner Rolls
Apple Cobbler.

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November 17

Prior to the hip replacement surgery, I passed along well-wishes to Charlie (Metro) thru a mutual friend, Tom Altherr who co-wrote his biography Safe by a Mile. Tom reported to the Rocky Mountain SABR Chapter this past weekend that Charlie is recuperating at home and encourages folks to drop him a line at: 7890 Indiana Street; Arvada CO 80007-7123. Rod Nelson


John, Amen. I better get a copy of that tape, in fact if I had it by Thanksgiving I would up the ante somewhat. Hopefully, my two daughters from Iola will be joining the rest of the clan on that holiday. If Liston is or was soooofast how come he isn't already healed up? Please let me know the cost of the reunion pictures. newk

Ed Note:

The tape Newkirk referenced was the one mentioned recently that was taken in front of Precious Moments following the last banquet. I ran around for a week attempting to get the tape reproduced. I even tried it on my old VCR and found out it wouldn't recognize digital input. My son took the digital tape to his house and ran me a copy. He called to inform me that I didn't have a 60 minute tape but nearly two hours worth of material.

So, he ran me a copy, purchased me a new VCR that recognizes digital and input I have been running those tapes off 24 & 7 for the last couple of days. If anyone wants a copy of the tape where Max Mantle is telling stories about his famous first cousin (most you have never heard) on the first part of the tape and then seeing a bunch of old ballplayers sitting around telling jokes and lies for the last half it would be a good thing to have for those cold winter nights when you need a laugh or two. The guys on the tape are: Max Mantle, Bob Speake, Warren Liston, Dave Newkirk, Sam Dixon, Lee Dodson, Charlie Weber, Howie Hunt, Walt Babcock, Gale Wade and a few cameo appearances by guys and gals "coming and going" into and out of the Precious Moments Motel.

If you want one the price is $15. That is the amount Warren Liston paid for his and he isn't prone to overpay for frivolous items.

November 18--A real Dear John letter.

Dear John, (this sounds appropriate)

In the Wolfe Den we have been going through some heart wrenching evaluations, trying to see if any fat can be cut out of the budget. We had Arnold and Maria over to the house the other night and of course the subject of "Making the Hard Choices" came up during dinner. He was saying that if he turned back the Auto Registration increase that I should at least cut out some of my subscriptions that I have authorized over the years. I agreed, how can you disagree with that guy? Now that the inauguration is over and it's time to step up to the plate. As tough as it is, I am not renewing my subscription to the KOM League Remembered for the next year.
It has been at least a Five year run, longer than my whole career in baseball and has been every bit as much fun. Thank you John, you have become much more than just an editor you have become a real friend. If the pickup ever finds itself in Southern California and You and Noel are in the front seat, give the Wolves a call and we'll leave the light on for you. Jack and Janice Wolfe, PC '51

Ed Note: I wasn't aware that the KOM League Remembered would be able to help the California economy. However, if you prevail long enough good things happen. I sure hate to lose Jack from the mailing list but he is the kind of person who will make Arnold successful. What Jack doesn't realize is that he won't escape much of the KOM League Remembered for in one way or another most of that information winds up in these Flash Reports, sans the photos.

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Ed Wilson


ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, JUST THOUGHT I WOULD DROP YOU A LINE TO LET YOU KNOW I SENT A BIRTHDAY CARD TO STAN THE MAN, HE WAS ED'S HERO, I SURE ENJOYED THE FLASH REPORT, I ENJOY READING ALL ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET SINCE KNOWING ED. I FEEL I'M ONE OF THE FAMILY NOW. SEE YOU AND NOEL IN JUNE. I KEEP REAL BUSY HERE.I REALLY LIKE THE EXERCISE PROGRAM I TEACH. I HAVE 20 TO 30 PEOPLE COME 5 DAYS A WEEK. JEAN WILSON.

Ed Note: Ed Wilson's contact with Stan Musial occurred in 1941 when Stan came to Topeka as a member of the Springfield, MO Cardinals. Ed was the visiting team batboy for Topeka. He recalls that Stan came to the park one day with two pair of shoes. He was breaking in the new pair by wearing them in batting practice and then going back to the old pair during the game. Ed had never owned a real pair of spikes. Stan told him that by the time the Cardinals returned to Topeka he would have the new shoes broken in and he would give Ed the old pair. Ed eagerly awaited the return of the Cardinals. When they showed up he went looking for Musial but unbeknown to Ed, Stan had been sent to Rochester of the International League in the intervening weeks. Ed was quite disappointed but still held Musial up as his favorite.

Ed went on to star in American Legion ball in Topeka and then was signed by Fido Murphy and sent to Miami, Okla. for the 1948 season. He played in the Kitty League before ending his career with the 1952 Iola, Kansas Indians. Ed became a good friend in the years after I located him. He spent many a Sunday evening telling me about his love of baseball and the career he enjoyed.

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November 18, 2003

John, please save a copy of Warren "on" in front of the of the hotel at Carthage - I'll send you a check in the mail today for $15.00 - is that enough? Let me
know & I will be good for it since I am now officially a Wal-Mart associate!

I can't let the opportunity go by to let my children see for themselves how much ALL of the KOML guys mean to their father! Yes, even Babcock & Howie - and who would believe Newkirk unless they had really met him - just to mention a few!

Warren's recovery is going well - he's back to almost 100% but is behind in the tree brushing, and everything he does for the Christmas tree rush. Your Snoopy plane is ready & let us know if you are in a reasonable distance & we will meet you for lunch & deliver it! Everyone who sees it wants one! It's just a small token of our gratitude for all you have done for these old guys who get a chance to be young again - even if it is only for 3 days at a time - I'm not sure they could last any longer! I loved you issue of pictures from the reunion.

Tell Noel for me that I'm not sure retirement gets any better! Delores Liston

Ed Note:

Appears I am going to have to head toward Kansas City to see my Snoopy gift. Hope I can get there by Christmas so that I will have something under my tree.
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Charlie Weber reports


First off I want to thank you for the kind words about me that was in your weekly report .I think it was over stated some.You can mark me down as a yes for the reunion. Am waiting hear from Mallon, I feel bad that I haven't been in contact with him.No important news to report from here. I was surprised to hear from Getter What a nice couple they are. Excuse mistakes having a problem mastering this. thing. Give my regards to lovely wife. Charlie
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The Generals have a web-site

John, Who is AL BILLINGSLY and do you know if he has anything to do with the Springfield Generals. I am coaching the Generals now and wondered if the reunion he was speaking of was that of the 1954 team that lost the championship game of the 1954 NBC World Series. Next year of course will be the 50th anniversary and we are again fundraising to get together a team of mostly current college players who can get the team back to the series again. Last summer the Generals nearly made it, losing in the championship game of the NBC Regional tournament in Nevada, Mo.
If you want, feel free to pass this along to Al, if he is in fact related to the team. I would love to hear from him and perhaps have some of the players through out the first pitch.

Thanks,

Rusty Aton
1336 W Plainview
Springfield, MO 65810

(h)- 417 887-0900

Springfield Generals website address

John, go to www.eteamz.com/springfieldgenerals and look under the pictures page...there is the picture of the 1954 team with all players, including Whitey (or "Darrol"). Herzog. The 1953 picture has former Springfield Cardinal fireballing-- but extremely wild-- right hander Wilbur "Bill" Davis. I believe Dadis is in the 1954 picture as well but not all players are actually listed.

Rusty Aton

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"Tomorrow" appreciated

I read the poem about "Tomorrow" and it really hit home Sam. Thanksgiving was always my mother's "big day" even more so than Christmas I guess. When it was her time, much too early at the age of 60, she passed away one week before TG in 1969, six months after my marriage. TG has always been more than special since that time and we always spend it with my sister and family in Chanute. My sister has family numbering 30 or 40 and there are always at least 20 more "strangers" who have no place to go, some others to take dinner to at the hospital or nursing home, another friend who is a shut-in, and also a few stray dogs, cats, birds etc. My sister is a SAINT with a heart as big as the world!!!! For her, I retyped your poem and forwarded it to her son from me. (She knows I did not write it though!!)

We are both sentimental people so, after all these years, there are still a few tears that flow at TG when we remember MOM. This year your poem might contribute a few more. For that, I say thank you Sam the Man. You too are SPECIAL to me!!
Casey Casebolt
Vice President
Sales and Marketing
Gerson International


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Anyone wish to join in sending a card to a member of the Armed Forces?

The following came from a "faithful" reader. I promised to send SPC Maute a card. Then I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if he got flooded with cards." I know that none of us know this young man but he is out there serving each of us without knowing our names. There is no great push on this, but if you would like to brighten the life of a young away from home this is your opportunity.

" just need you to tell me FLAT OUT - yes or no. I volunteered to get some military names from my church and send out Christmas Cards. Then I thought - to save on my own expense (Cards/postage), I would ask a few people if they would be willing to drop these soldiers a note. I found this guy and thought that you may
like to drop him a note - do not feel obligated. It will not change my high regard and respect for you one way or another - would you like to drop him a note?

SPC. Darren Maute (915-01-04)
E/CO 187th MED BN
2051 Harney Rd.
Suite 187
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234

Darren is married and is in AIT training (whatever that is) in Texas. Just let me know if you are able to do this - if you can't I totally understand! Robin D.



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Did I know?

Enclosed is the Mike Werbach obituary. Did you know that Branch Rickey died Dec. 9, 1965 at Columbia, MO? Did you know that Stan Musial was a Class C pitcher before going to the outfield? Just checking in on you, John. Harry Crandall--1950 Ponca City Dodgers

Ed Note: Harry, I got the Mike Werbach obit and your two questions. Yes, I know that Branch Rickey died at Boone County Hospital here in Columbia. He collapsed at the Boone Hotel while making a speech into his induction to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. I have it from a reliable source that the Columbia Tribune was covering the story. The reporter came back to the office and reporter that Mr. Rickey had collapsed. When asked if Mr. Rickey was dead or alive the guy couldn't answer so he was sent back to check it out. Rickey was living in St. Louis at the time but was never taken back to St. Louis. He lingered until December and then passed away here in Columbia. The reporter who witnessed his attack later went to the Miami, Florida Herald and was the guy who broke the news of the Gary Hart(pence) dalliance with Donna Rice. Small world eh?


Yes, I knew that Stan pitched Class C baseball. While a member of the Springfield, Missouri Cardinals in 1941 he pitched a few times during his tenure with that Western Association club. That is the same year he wound up with the St. Louis Cardinals after a stopover in Rochester. Of course, Stan also pitched in the Major Leagues. He pitched to Frank Baumholtz in the last game of the 1952 season in a ploy to draw a crowd. I heard the game and if I am not senile I recall that the left-handed hitting Baumholtz hit right-handed and either lined out or hit a sharp grounder to third baseman, Tommy Glaviano. If any of those details are incorrect, I will hear from somebody.
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Small world

I also thought it was kind of funny that Dr. Polley, who is my history professor, reads the articles you send out.


Thanks again, Brian Schwarze (Stan Musial's grandson.)

Ed Note: I too think it is "funny" since Dr. Polley is either getting the KOM League stuff off the blogspot or someone is sharing it with him. In either case it is good to know that there is one more reader out there than I was previously aware.


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November 19 --Pocatello

Thanks John, for the 1948 Pocatello Cardinal team photo that Mr. Danielson sent you. Yes I have that same photo hanging in my den(doghouse) along with a
number of the other teams I was on. What was the connection with Danielson and that team? I forget. I sent Stan the man a birthday card yesterday. Sure
hated to hear about Pappy and Mrs. bad accident. I'll get a card off to them toot suit. Thanks again, John for your thoughtfulness. Bob Curley

November 20, --Masterpiece


John: "Received your monthly masterpiece yesterday here in TX. I was intrigued by the 'poor photo fiasco'. I couldn't help but think that an apt reply would have been to quote Don Anderson as he was leaving the Carthage dressing room for the last time. I am sure you remember. Len Van de Hey."

Ed Note: Some words are immortal. The quote referenced by Van de Hey were uttered shortly before noon on July 9, 1951. The Carthage Cubs had just returned from a six day trip to Ponca City and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Eight days prior to that I got off the Carthage bus after being left behind for a while at Pittsburg, Kansas. I wasn't looking forward to July 9 with great anticipation.

No team, while on the road, had their uniforms laundered. When the Cubs got back from Ponca City very early on the morning darkness of July 9 all "you know what was about to break loose." Jack Sheehan was there to introduce Al Reitz as the new manager. I was at the park early to get the "smelly" uniforms out of the duffle bag and sorted so that Jimmy Howerton could pick them up and take them downtown to be cleaned and pressed for the evening game.

The batboy was not invited to the team meeting where Don Anderson said his good-bye's. But, I got the complete rundown afterward. Don's words had something to do with chickens. It went something like, "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken droppings." But, like Harry Truman, he used a more descriptive word for "droppings." Many years later I reminded Don of that comment and he admitted that if he said it, he shouldn't have. That Carthage club turned around in the second half of the season and wound up winning their only championship in their KOM League life.
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Bob Mallon in a new book

John, I agree with Max Mantle. The first time I saw him (Mickey Mantle) run it was stunning, I could not believe a man could run that fast.John, you might remember the letter I wrote in 1949 I think I described him as "LIGHTNING." John that letter and the 1949 picture is in a new book just out. "Something To Write Home About" Author is Seth Swirsky. Bob Mallon



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A Keokuk reunion and memory

Hello John,

My name is Steve Smith. I believe you have talked with Shane Etter who I am working with.

As you may know, we are attempting a Keokuk IA baseball reunion next summer. I just wanted to pick at some of your experiences with the KOM league reunion (which is the only one its kind that I know has been done) as to what events worked and what events did not work.

We are considering a reception for players only on Friday night w/registration. Saturday is a brunch as a local rooming house where many players stayed, then a program Saturday afternoon about Keokuk baseball history and a banquet Saturday evening to honor the returning players. Anything that worked or didn't at similar actives you had would be appreciated. We are then concluding with a golf outing on Sunday morning.

John, your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve Smith--Keokuk IA

Just about anything works with regard to these events, since the guys are so happy to get together on a regular basis. Good food comes first. Put out a large spread and find the best caterers available. If you are not spending at least 85% of your budget on food you are probably skimping on that commodity. Don't let some outsider dictate what you do. Someone invariably comes along at the last minute with a great idea as to how to increase attendance but it is usually an ulterior motive. Let me be more specific. We had one fellow plead with me to have a program for the old ballplayers. He took over an hour to tell about his "Fantasy Baseball" camp experience. He was talking about the "old-timers" who in reality weren't born when the KOM Leaguers were playing the game. Our reunion attendees couldn't have been more bored with anything had someone really tried hard to bore them.

That is the only instance that I know of that "laid an egg" at any of the eight events of which I have conducted. Be sure recognition of everyone attending is made the focal point of the reunion. By the way, make sure every picture you take flatters the person for you won't know when someone with a lot of vanity will get all bent out of shape over not being flattered. (This happens on an infrequent basis.)

If your guys are 70 or older forget about an old-timers game. Most would be willing to put on the spikes and would feel 19 again, for a short while. Then, reality sets in and you might need the services of an emergency room.

Keep your programs to a manageable time limit. Remember, us old guys "hear the call" every 15-30 minutes.

That brief summary is off the top of my head and are by no means comprehensive. I can print your note in my Flash Report and with a readership of around 500, many of whom have attended KOM League reunions, and you may get some insights the guys wouldn't share with me for fear of hurting my feelings. I can't imagine anyone caring about whether they hurt my feelings or not, but it could happen. Oh, have some type of souvenir item to send home with the attendees. A miniature baseball bat, cap, t-shirt with league logo is always popular. Have your event video-taped if possible. Down the road some member of a players family will want a copy.
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November 22, 2003

Good morning, John....Today is Nov. 22, 2003...Big game between the OSU Buckeyes and Mich. Wolverines..Go Bucks!

It has also been 40 years since JFK was assassinated in Dallas...Just about everyone remembers where they were when they got
the news...I was in third grade at St. Denis in Versailles, OH when our teacher, Sister Mary Alphonsine walked back into the room and
wrote on the blackboard that our president had been killed. We were dismissed from school at that moment and did not go back until the
following Tuesday.

Having seen so many TV documentaries concerning this event it is difficult to distinguish what we actually remember from that weekend
in 1963 and what we've seen on TV since then. I do remember learning some new words...among those were "assassinated" and "caisson".

Ed Hoke
Troy, OH

Ed comment:

Forty years is so long ago yet in many ways it seems like yesterday. Each of us have our own recollection of that day in 1963 when the leader of the free world was felled by an assassin. I was working the downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma beat for the Fuller Brush Company. Around 12:30 I went to my little F-85 Oldsmobile and turned on the noon country music program of Billy Parker on KVOO. Around 12:35 the program was interrupted by the news that Kennedy's motorcade had been fired upon. I recall driving around for another 30 minutes intently listening for the next bulletin. At the top of the hour the voice came across that the President was dead.

I had never experienced anything like that in my previous 23 years and 11 months and 3 weeks and four days of life. Around 1:30 I grabbed the display bag and was back on the street entering one business after another. Most of the establishment's employees were in shock. I decided that it was about time for me to call it a day. I went past a restaurant that also served alcoholic beverages. I stopped to get a Coke and noticed that there was a lot of reveling inside. I asked the bar tender/soda jerk if he had heard that the President had been killed. He said "Sure we did, they is why we are celebrating." That was a pretty callous attitude and I think I departed that establishment without taking the Coke with me.
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Steve Danielson made this one possible

Hi John, Thanks for the picture, but I have a question (is it normal for a man my age to get a little twinge in the middle of my stomach when I think about those times when I had big dreams) I almost feel like getting the old glove out and throwing a few .Thinking about those years you ask your self," what if", could I have made it. It is hard to give up dreams no matter how old you get. Jim Cobb-Twin Falls and Independence Yankees 1949.

Ed comment:

Steve Danielson's dad played on many New York Yankee minor league clubs in the 1940's and 50's.. Every so often he sends me a photo of Twin Falls, Binghamton, Joplin clubs etc. inquiring if I recognize any of the fellows in the photo. Invariably, there are a handful who are recognizable. The latest photo send was of the 1949 Pocatello club. I recognized John Hurley, Paul Slaughter, Bob Newbill, Jim Cobb and Bruce Schroeder as former KOM Leaguers. Since Newbill and Cobb are on the e-mail recipient list I downloaded that photo to them. That was what precipitated the note from Jim. This was my response to that note. "You express the same feelings that everyone who ever loved the game felt. Get out the glove and go for it."

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A new reader--his grandpa knew Mutt and "the kid."

If you are writing a book about Mickey Mantle, you should speak with my papa. He worked in Picher for Mickey's father," mutt". He used to give Mickey rides to school and could tell you a lot of stories.

Nick A.--Tahlequah, OK

Ed reply:

If you would like to send me his address I would send him some of my KOM League stuff. Sounds to me he is probably in the 70's age range as are MOST of my old ballplayer readership.

Nick's reply:

I don't know any of them. I am only 29. My grandpa would know a lot more to tell you.

Ed reply:

I'll send your grandfather a KOM League publication and inquire as to whether he would like to speak with me about Mutt and Mick.

Nick's reply:

Sounds good to me. I remember my papa (grandfather) telling me about Mickey wanting them to come to Kansas City to watch him play. I believe they went and watched him. My granny said they did not tell Mickey they were there though because if he knew they were there, then he would insist on them coming down to sit where he would have tickets. They didn't want to "bother" him while he was working.


Ed reply:

He had a lot of the folks come up from home to watch him in KC. Some of his cousins have sent me family snapshots taken at old Memorial Stadium in Kansas City.
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Real art is from the heart

John: This is a note that I share from an inquiring former Leavenworth, KS friend about his possession of a limited edition art print of the Mickey Mantle painting that I had prepared for my friends in Commerce, Oklahoma in 1988.

My very good friend, Tony Mayer, representing the estate of the late George Mayer from Miami, OK owns that original Mickey Mantle art painting today. It is one of my best. Probably always will be.

Dear _______:


You are kind with your comments. This art print that you have of Mickey Mantle may be one of my best ever ... and there is a reason which is very personal to me.

Like you ... I, too, lived in Leavenworth, KS as a lad where I attended Leavenworth's Immaculata HS as a freshman before moving to Miami, Oklahoma before my HS sophomore year (1957).

Miami is three miles from Commerce, OK (MM's hometown).

Best move I ever made (albeit, thanks to my parents). I had the chance to play GREAT football at MHS as a Wardog and Juco football and track as an NEO A&M Golden Norseman in Miami with terrific coaches; associate myself with tremendous athletes from that Northeast Oklahoma area of the time that included Mickey Mantle and his twin brothers Roy and Ray; future Heisman Trophy Winner Steve Owens (Oklahoma Sooners RB-1969), still a dear friend of mine, NY Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry and many others; plus I became introduced to art through the unique talents of famed Oklahoma State Capitol Building muralist Charles Banks Wilson from Miami, OK who has inspired my own art career to this very day.

When you look at your Mickey Mantle print ... just understand that the image that you see is NOT painted from afar. It is an image that is imbedded in my heart and soul ... born of the earth of the day; the spirit of people that I know; and the pencils, paints and brushes of my youth that I still use today.

he rest of the story of your art print is more interesting. I can share.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Sincerely..............Ted Watts, Sports Artist

Ed comment:

There is no claim that this Flash Report rivals the Drudge Report or any of those big internet sites for great reporting. However, I doubt that there is a site out there that shares as much "stuff" from such a wide range of readers. It is definitely limited in mass appeal but due to guys sharing their innermost feelings it does provide at least a "small connection" to the past. If you know of anyone who might be interested in such material send along their e-mail address. By the same token, if you receive this thing and despise it worse than castor oil let me know and I will cut off the supply.
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A note from a "real" baseball man

This is a note from Dave Chase who has two jobs. One he is the President/General Manager of the Memphis Redbirds and he is also the Executive Director of the National Pastime: Museum of Minor League Baseball. He wrote, "It has been some time since I’ve written you—sorry. I’ve just penned notes to Mr. & Mrs. Pappy Walterman and to Duane Zimmer. All in response to your Flash Report.

You provide a fantastic service to the baseball community—Thank you very much. Come visit us in Memphis. Best, Dave Chase."

Ed Note:

The real fantastic service was what Dave stuck his neck out for a couple of years ago. He insisted that I appear on a pre-game show prior to a Memphis Redbird game. The host of the show wasn't sure he wanted to interview a former Class D batboy but admitted later he was glad he did. Had it not been for Dave's persistence this editors voice would never gone out over the airwaves in the Volunteer State. That about ended my "radio career." I haven't been heard from many times since. Do you reckon my 15 minutes of fame are history? I do.

I'll probably be back at this station around December 1. Happy Thanksgiving.

-30-

KOM League
Special Report
11/18/03

This isn't a violation of the promise to cut back on Flash Reports. The following two items merit immediate attention. John

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Bulletin:


November 18, 2003--John, Something you may wish to look into is information on Pappy Walterman and his wife (Gladys.) My secretary's husband attended a meeting of the American Legion and it was reported that Pappy and his wife were in a severe car wreck. He said they were told that Pappy has some ribs broken and an injured leg.His wife has a broken leg. I know nothing more. My secretary is on vacation but relayed what she knew to me. Her husband attends meetings on
the District level and I take it this is where he heard about it. Norma Maring

Ed Note:

I immediately starting making calls to American Legion Posts around Foristell, Mo. along with looking for any Walterman in eastern Missouri. Luckily, the first person called was Pappy's brother. I learned that Pappy and Gladys had been in very serious car--18 wheeler crash near the truck stop on I-44 in Foristell on Saturday evening November 8.

I was finally able to track Pappy down at St. Johns Hospital in St. Louis while Gladys is in St. Louis University Hospital. According to Pappy an 18-wheeler turned left in front of them and ran right over the hood of the car trapping both he and his wife inside. The trucker claimed he never saw the car. Pappy had broken ribs, broken ankle, facial cuts and a broken hand behind the knuckles. Gladys was air-lifted to Lake St. Louis where her injuries were determined to be so serious that she was sent on to St. Louis U. Hospital. She has a shattered hip, broken leg, severe knee injury, broken ankle and other unspecified injuries.

In typical Pappy fashion he described the accident and said the air bag was about the size of a football bladder and "didn't work worth a shit."

It appears that Pappy may be able to return home later this week if his daughter comes to care for him. Gladys has a much longer time left in the hospital and the prognosis is that she will not be thinking about attempting to walk before February.

Pappy wanted to know how I learned about his accident and I told him there are a lot of people out there who know and care about him and Norma Maring was the one who provided the information. I told him that anything he needed was available for the asking. He became pretty emotional at that point and expressed his appreciation to all the KOMers for caring about him. I told him that is what "family" does. He fought back the emotion long enough to tell me someone brought him a Bob Gibson autographed baseball. Then he said, "They probably had to pay for the autograph." I told him it didn't matter as long as he had the ball.

Although Pappy is a Cardinal fan I am sure that hearing from you fellows will mean more to him, in the long run ,than the Gibson ball.

Send cards to Pappy at:
33 Cedar Street
Foristell, MO 66348.
(For the next couple of days you can reach Pappy's room by calling 314-567-2402)

To send cards to Gladys use this address: (I will send flowers to Gladys on behalf of the KOM League friends.)

Gladys Walterman
St. Louis University Hospital
3635 Vista
Room 526
St. Louis, MO 63110-2539

Strange how things work out. In the last couple of weeks I have asked the readership to send a birthday card to a former member of the 1941 Springfield, Mo Cardinals. Now, I am asking that a get well card be sent to both Gladys and Oscar Walterman. Oscar was a member of that 1941 club along with Stan Musial.
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A note from Sue Zimmer


Once again, I am sorry it takes me so long to get back to you with updates but it has been quite difficult around here. Duane was back in the hospital last week in pretty bad shape. He had a permanent catheter placed and a blood transfusion. We are back at home and it is a roller-coaster ride. He is in a hospital bed and alert and talking one day and sleeping and fairly nonresponsive the next. Today is a good one as we helped him up and into the wheelchair to the kitchen for an hour or so. He has been so pleased to get cards from so many of the guys and watched the whole tape from Sam (Dixon). My nephew from K.C. sent me a book called Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan which I have found very helpful. If you have not read it, it might help you at some time. My prayers are with you and I know that you are praying for us. Sue Zimmer

Duane can be contacted at:
3104 Englewood Drive
Bellevue, Nebraska 68005

Small things mean a lot to folks at times like this.

Newkirk, Liston and Babcock wanted a copy of the reunion tape mentioned in the last Flash Report. I think Duane needs one to bring a smile to his face. It will be on the way shortly, Sue.

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for the week of
November 16 thru 22, 2003

A good faith effort:

In the future the plan is to cut down on the number of Flash Reports. I tend to believe that in the quest to put out information there may be some things printed that would be best "left on the shelf."

There are things in this forum that would never be considered as material for the KOM League newsletter. However, most of the time my judgment on what to print and what to sweep under the rug is pretty good. But the times you put something in print that offends someone or that a person never intended for you to use is something that you regret deeply and causes a few nights of sleeplessness.

So, in future Flash Reports the reportage is going to have to improve and the way to do that is not to put my fingers in motion, on the computer keys, until I have thought things through more clearly. Will I still make mistakes? You bet. Will I still be obnoxious? Undoubtedly. Will I quit publishing these reports? Not likely.

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A daring venture

"John; The tape that worthless Babaloean spoke of was the one you and I discussed previously. I believe we discussed a bid price to the nature of the data included. If Babaloean is coming to Columbia I will have to give this some deep thought, but will probably try to be there. I am sure I can find a suit of armor somewhere. Control Hunt???? Who is gonna control Blabcox?" newk

Ed note: Some things need a bit of interpretation. The note above was from Dave Newkirk and the Babaloean is a reference to Howie Hunt and the Blabcox is a reference to the shy but adorable, Walter Babcock. The following few words will explain things in a bit more detail.

After one of the banquets at the last KOM League reunion a number of old ballplayers convened an impromptu discussion and joke telling session in front of the Precious Moments Motel. There was nearly an hour's worth of tape still in the video camera and I cast caution to the wind and turned it on. It captured the likes of Howie Hunt, Dave Newkirk, Warren Liston, Charlie Weber, Bob Speake and Gale Wade and a few "cameo appearances" doing what they do best---laughing, Oh, did I mention Walt Babcock was in the presentation? Yep, he was there with his Santa face and two cents worth of stories.

At the conclusion of the reunion I was asked to produce that tape for public consumption and I refused. After viewing it from start to finish during the weekend of November 15th I am glad that I kept the thing under wraps. It is dynamite. The only redeeming features of the latter part of the tape are Dave Newkirk, Bob Speake and Gale Wade telling Harry Chiti and Ryne Duren tales.

Attempting to understand Howie Hunt can be a challenge. He is a Don Rickles type storyteller and he claimed on the tape that Iola won 35 games in 1950 and he and Emil Jurcic won 25 of those games. Howard explained how each of them won 12 games a piece. He attempts to explain that apparent discrepancy in mathematics. Quite frankly, he never convinced me.

In recent days both Walt Babcock and Dave Newkirk have requested copies. I called around town today to inquire of the cost of transferring the Hi8 Video tape to VHS format. It is possible to duplicate these things but too costly to produce very many of them . No shop would give me a discount on volume prints. Of course, very few people would want one anyway.

This tape has some social redeeming value since the first part has Max Mantle telling stories about his first cousin that are told from a first-hand standpoint. Max relates stories regarding Mickey's speed as well as the story of the fishing trip they embarked up when Mantle was sent home by the Yankees in '52 because of a rash. After seeing the stringer of fish in the newspaper the Yanks ordered him back to the Big Apple. Max swears Mickey went from home to first in 3.1 seconds from the left side and 3.2 from the right.

Many today refute those claims of unheard of speed. However, when asked how fast he was, Max said I was the fourth fastest of the Mantle clan . He claims that he was clocked in the 100 yard dash at 10.2 and Ray and Roy Mantle were faster than he was and Mickey was faster than Ray and Roy.

So on the front end of the tape you have Max Mantle sounding more like Mickey than Mickey himself and on the rest of the tape are the KOM League Benchwarmers.

This tape is NOT for family viewing and Parental Guidance would be recommended. It isn't X-rated since Bob Speake, Charlie Weber and Gale Wade kept it from going over the edge. I have four blank VHS tapes and believe that will be plenty to fill all orders. Since Newkirk and Babcock both want one that will leave two. Let me know if you want to be a part of the lottery for the other two.

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Speake should have been in Newland

John,

After reading about Bob Speake’s misfortune in Biloxi, Mississippi, I concluded that Bob would’ve been better off in Newland, NC, where in late October a year ago he was reunited with Gale Wade and Dave Hillman, teammates from the 1956 Los Angeles Angels team that featured Steve Bilko and Gene Mauch and won the Pacific Coast League championship. Last Thursday (Nov. 6) Gale, Dave and I again met at Hardee’s in Newland. We even sat at the same table where Bob blamed Gale for telling him, “Plenty of room!” when he broke an arm crashing into the wall at Sportsman’s Park in 1955. In turn, Gale accused Bob of yelling “Plenty of room!” when he was nearly dismembered by an industrial-sized lawnmower that he came within inches of hitting after he crashed through a fence at San Diego’s Lane Field in 1956. In retrospect, Bob would’ve been better in Newland with Gale and Dave, a 21-game winner for the Angels in ’56. There was “plenty of room” for Bob at our table.

Gaylon White


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The Florida boys will be on hand

JOHN, I PLAN ON ATTENDING NEXT YEARS KOM LEAGUE REUNION IN COLUMBIA, MO. I THINK THE GROUP OF THE SPRINGFIELD, MO. BASEBALL BUDDIES ARE ALSO PLANNING A REUNION VERY CLOSE TO THE DATE OF THE KOM REUNION, THE LOCATION AND DATE IS UNKNOWN. OF COURSE ALL OF THIS IS TENTATIVE. PUT ME ON THE LIST TO ATTEND. I WILL COMING ALL THE WAY FROM FLORIDA, KEEP ME POSTED.

AL BILLINGSLY

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Oops, I goofed

Hey, you left Don Keeter and myself off of the reunion list!!! How can you forget the life of the party? Sincerely, Mike Witwicki

Ed Note:

This is the list of names as of late Friday evening November 14, 2003. The train headed toward the next reunion is now picking up a head of steam.

Len and Kathy Vandehey

Casey Casebolt

John Palcher & wife

Jim Jay & wife

Dick and Joan Getter

Jean and Joe Stanka

Lee Dodson

Sam Dixon

Bill and Delores Clark

Frank Hungerford

Me and Noel

Norma Maring

Ray Haley—maybe

Don Cochran and wife

Jean Wilson

Jean Wilson’s son and daughter-in-law--probably

Delores and Warren Liston

Joan and Bob Speake

Charlie Weber

Martha and Stan Klemme

Brandy Davis

Herb Heiserer

Mary Ann and Bob Mallon

Lou and Paul Hoffmeister

Marge and Walt Babcock

Don Keeter

Mike Witwicki

Willie Sharp-probably

Mr. & Mrs. Al Billingsly (Probably many of the Springfield Generals)

Marge and Pet Maropis


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Warren Liston--former flyer

Dear John, boy rider;

I know you are on the road this week but it will be there when you get back. Must be nice cruising around the beautiful state of Missour in the fall. That's
why I call you "boy rider."

This is to certify that Delores and I will be at the June, 04, reunion, if I don' pull any more silly stunts like diving over a wall. Also, I think you can count on Willie Sharp. Talked with him last night and he said he likes the idea of a reunion in Columbia. Don't know about Charlie McCormick. Haven't talked to him for a while.

About the wall dive: It just came back to me what I was thinking just before disaster occurred: I was thinking I'd like to hurtle off into space. Remember
me telling you about Leo Kedzierski? He would be walking along the summer streets of a KOM town, look up at the sky and say: "I think I'll hurtle off into
space." Or sometimes: "Think I'll just veer off into space "

Well, I guess I tried it--and it just didn't work. It's all Leo' fault. Is it too late to sue? The good news is that I think I've found Delores a job. Had interview today at Wal Mart. Sounded positive and she'll work about 2 days a week, starting next week if all goes well. Then we can afford Columbia.

If you want, I'll put in a word for Noel. Ain't no use having her hanging around the house all day, young as she is.

Another thing: That Newkirk fella is always making wisecracks about me, especially my speed (or lack of it). Tell him to lay off or I will deck him again!

Keep hustling; spring is just around the corner! Yours, Warren T.Liston (former flyer)

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Mike Witwicki's Guestbook

http://www.legacy.com/Denver/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonId=1572667


If any of you wish to send your condolences to Mike's family you can click on the above URL. The following are the messages posted to that site. I will be available until December 6, 2003.


With deepest sympathy and many good memories!

Mike Witwicki

Mike Witwicki (Mattoon, IL )
November 14, 2003
ccmall@advant.net


On behalf of the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri league and the Ponca City Dodgers for whom Mike pitched in 1950 our sincere condolences go out to Rosie and the family. John Hall Editor--The KOM League Remembered
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A comment about the special photos shared with the "few" Flash Report readers who are on the "photo list."

John; The only picture that I got the first time was of the horse having a bad hair day.

The ones of the buildings really took be back home to the Ozarks for a few minutes. Damn I miss that country. Texas is good for making money but north Texas is butt ugly. The Ozark Mountains are prettier in the dead of winter than North Texas in the spring. Thanks for thinking of me and sending the pictures. NG

Ed Note: NG, I guess us guys living up here in poverty-land have some things for which to be thankful.


John: This is just a beautiful photograph that embodies both the vintage years and Stallion Qualities of the KOM Leaguers, and ... oh yes ... with your 'special' touch of humor. As usual, you have done a top job. Thank you for sharing this with me. I may look at this wonderful graphic a bit differently than others ... and know that you do, too! Maybe others can see the nice blend that you bring to photography (like this) ... and all of your writings.

I always think that you and your work are gifts that we give ourselves! .............Ted Watts


That is hilarious - are you sure he doesn't have a wig on? Robin Douglas

Ed Note: The reference was to a Shetland pony with dark hair except on the mane which was blonder than Betty Grable before she lost hers. That photo was taken across the street from the highlight event of last week. The highlight of last week, of which there were few, was the sighting of a spectacular specimen. It was a dreary, misty afternoon on Veterans Day. I was headed West on Highway 96--old Highway 66-- four miles East of Carthage, Missouri when I spotted what I thought was a chicken hawk or turkey vulture atop a telephone pole. I drove about 200 yards past the sighting before slamming on the brakes and pulling off to the side. I grabbed the digital camera and started walking slowly back east on Highway 96. Every few paces I would snap a photo knowing that shortly that bird would take off. I got directly underneath that telephone pole and the big guy looked down at me long enough that I could capture another photo. Then the creature took wing and glided east by northeast. That white head, gold beak and white tail on a six foot wing-span verified that I was seeing a rare site in my old stomping ground--A bald eagle.


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Making their intentions known


John, Bob and Mary Ann Mallon will plan on being at the 2004 reunion. Bob Mallon--Highland Ranch, Colo.

Hi John: You can add Lou and myself to the list of people who are planning on attending the reunion next year. In fact, right after your October 2 newsletter I called Stoney Creek Inn to make our reservation. We are both looking forward to it and if it's anything like last year it will be great. Take care and have a great Thanksgiving. Paul Hoffmeister -Arlington Heights, Ill.

Marge and I are doing very well, and hope to attend our next reunion in Columbia, Mo. Pete Marpois--Burgettstown, PA

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Curley's cues

John, while reading an old 2002 Readers digest in the Curley library, I ran across the following which I thought you and the other accomplished linguistics
and thesaurus hounds among our number would like to read:
Readers of William Safire's "On Language" column in the N. Y. Times Mag. were asked to give sports-related definitions for common words;
-Superficial: A really good referee.
-Beleaguered: Stuck in the semipros.
-Hermit: Girl's baseball glove.
-Saturnine: Baseball team that plays on weekends.
-Truncate: Tailgate party given by a compact car owner.
-Wrinkle: A small hockey arena.
-Haiku: Signal to center from a Japanese quarterback.

I've been trying my darndest to come up with some, but the only thing I can think of that's any ways close is: -Dictionary: A windy Sam Dixon........ ( no offense Sam).....Bob Curley--Covington, Kentucky
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John, An updated "Patient Report" from Joanie Speake on Bob's leg break. Regards, Frank Hungerford

Good news!! Bob now has a walking fiber glass cast with a removable shoe.Dr will see him again next week, do another x ray and some time after that will put him in a walking brace. I've had that before and it isn't bad at all. This beautiful weather is a little hard on him as he sits and looks at all the outside work he planned on doing but it'll still be there when he is recovered. His golfing friends come out and play Dominoes ------after they've golfed the day before. So, we are doing fine and healing is taking place, in fact the Dr said that started the moment it was broken!! Amazing!! Thanks for caring. Appreciate your prayers as the weeks go on. Love to all, Nurse Joan
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A few thoughts shared by a friend

Just in case you did not see it....the following is a quote from an "Ann Landers" article from
a few days ago that I feel everyone I know would appreciate.


"Tomorrow Never Comes" by Norma Cornett Marek

If I knew it would be the last time,
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly,
And pray the Lord your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time,
That I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and a kiss,
And call you back for just one more.

If I knew it would be the last time.
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would tape each word and action,
And play them back throughout my days.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I would spare an extra minute or two
To stop and say,"I love you,"
Instead of assuming you know I do.

So just in case tomorrow never comes,
And today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you,
.....And hope we never will forget,
....Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
....Young or old alike,
....And today may be the last chance,
....You get to hold your loved one tight.
....So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
....Why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes,
You'll surely regret the day
That you didn't take that extra time,
For a smile, a hug or a kiss.
And you were too busy to grant someone
What turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
And whisper in their ear,
Tell them you love them very much, and
You'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say,"I'm sorry"
"Please forgive me,""Thank you," or "It's OK".
And.......If tomorrow never comes,
You'll have no regrets about today.

Note:
I can look back on my life where I wish I would have followed the above advise more closely.

Strange......as we get older, we find ourselves doing more of what is suggested above.

Take care' Sam Dixon-Lawrence, Kans.
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Danny Bass update

Danny is doing fine! Everything checked out OK so it must have been a drop in blood pressure. Another good sign: his prostate number went down. I guess the new medicine is really working. It's not really a medicine, but vitamins and they seem to be doing the job. He doesn't have to go back to that Dr. til next year! Stay well and enjoy the fall season. All the best to Noel.....The Bass' (Danny Bass played for the Chanute Giants in 1948 and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland)

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Another Independence Yankee slated for the reunion

John: Just got through making reservations with Stoney Creek for the June 3-6 Shindig..If I don't make this one then I know I'm hexed. Hated to miss the last one, I really was excited about seeing Bunny and Bill Virdon and the rest of the guys. Had a business meeting yesterday with my associate's lawyer, an old interior lineman for the Missouri Tigers. He played sometimes during the mid-seventies, his name: Mark Clark. Maybe you remember him. Looking forward to the reunion. Herb Heiserer-Atlanta, Georgia
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Ed Reply: In your honor the next reunion is going to be called "The Return of Herb Heiserer to the KOM League." I think this will ensure a "full house." People will be coming from far and wide just to shake your hand, get your autograph and get your opinion on a wide range of issues.
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She "Loves Mickey" and the Dixie Chicks

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOHN FOR THE "MANTLE "PICTURE!! I LOVE IT!! AND SPEAKING OF "LOVE" --THE "DIXIE CHICKS" ARE ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE GROUPS!! I WILL CONTINUE TO BUY THEIR MUSIC AS I ALWAYS HAVE-AS EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION-RIGHT?? I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY THINK THE WAY THEY DO-AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE CONDEMNED FOR WHAT THEY THINK. MAYBE SOME ARE JUST AFRAID TO SAY WHAT THEY THINK OR FEEL -BUT I DON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST THEM. THEY STILL MAKE GREAT MUSIC!! SO I HAVE SAID ENOUGH ON THAT SUBJECT-BUT WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING THEIR MUSIC-I WILL BE THE FIRST IN LINE!!! SINCERELY-MARIE RUSSELL( OH BOY-BET I HEAR AN EARFUL ON THIS ONE)

Ed Note: In thinking through this thing I suspect if Mickey was still alive he would like them also. He was a huge fan of country music and had a large collection of 33 1/3 RPM albums at the time of his passing. I once took a photo of the collection he had. I can tell you that it is highly improbable any human being could have bench pressed the tonnage those records represent.

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The world of acronyms according to B. M.

A M.L.B.player was driving his new S.U.V. after trading in his R.V. on his way to see his C.P.A., decided o check the M.P.H. - M.P.G. and RRM's on he T.A.C. also the G.P.A. . He was very concerned about his baseball STATSas to R.B.I.- IP - ERA, O.B.P. - K's and BB's.

He aleady had a stress test - E.K.G. and a M.R.I. but he was anxious about his 401-K.

Last week he had checked his resume. It stated he had attended M.I.T. but he failed his S.A.T. but had passed R.O.T.C.and became a Lt., in the USMC and was sent to Vietnam, The V.C. captured him and he was M.I.A. and later beacame a P.O.W. The list of P.O.W.'s was broadcast on the B.B.C., picked up on N.B.C. and C.B.S.. They reported he had played in the K.O.M.

The C.P.A. he visited had a heart attack and called 911. They sent the E.M.S. who arrived P.D.Q. and performed C.P.R. On arrival at the E.R. the R.N. called the DOC The DOC pronounced him D.O.A. All this happened while his wife was going thru P.M.S. on the Q.T.

John, I'm waiting to read the spin you alone can do with this type of weiting. Send it to Readers' Digest. They pay $400.00 for this type of writing. Go For It !!!

BEST TO YA; AWL a.k.a. Bob Nichols --Canton, Ohio

Ed Reply:

Bob, I couldn't improve on this one. I can only say that you have read too many of these Flash Reports. Maybe it is time from the both of us to funnel or efforts ASAP into another line of work. I once did a very large document on acronymns regarding the Federal Certification of the MMIS for the HCFA in Washington, D.C. for increased FFP for Title XIX. All I got out of it was a free trip from Topeka to Albuquerque to address a national conference on AFDC. After that I went AWOL from the Department of SRS in Kansas and took the same job with the DOSS in Missouri. A couple of years later Kit Bond got elected governor of Missouri and I was SOL. So you see, I know acronyms and they haven't been good to me. jgh.
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Charlie Metro and other issues.

Hi John, Thank for so much for the copies of The KOM League Remembered that arrived in the mail this past week. It's nice to have examples of how a "well-oiled" league newsletter should look like!

Question: A few weeks back in one of your Flash Reports, I saw mention that Charlie Metro had undergone some type of surgery. He's a former Kitty Leaguer and I'd like to share this news with the players as he came to our reunion in September. I must've deleted this particular Report as I cannot find it. Could you refresh my memory?

Thanks! Kevin McCann


Ed Reply: This appeared in the October 27, 2003 edition of the Flash Reports. "By the way Charlie Metro is having \hip surgery on Tuesday and he will be laid up in bed for awhile and if anyone would like to write to him email me at bearswon@yahoo.com and I will give you his address, Thanks Steve Danielson."

Ed note: Yours Truly would have never brought up the subject. However, Kevin mentioned that the newsletter was a "well-oiled." He hit the nail on the head. Last November I had a few editions remaining and placed them on the floor of my truck in the back seat area. I had purchased a bottle of peanut oil and it tipped over on the way home and saturated those editions. I attempted to save them. I tried airing them out and all sorts of things that didn't work. Once peanut oil gets to the rancid stage it is time to take drastic measures.


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Since Charlie got his computer

John, Can you send me Charley's email address? Bob

Ed Note: There have been a number of people wanting Charles Weber's e-mail address. It must be that he is a fine guy with whom people wish to communicate. Of course, Charlie's address was passed along to Bob Mallon. They were teammates on the 1949 Independence Yankee club.


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GREAT PICTURES!

THAT EAGLE IS MAJESTIC...AND THOSE FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THAT STORE FRONT BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES! MILLIONS OF THEM IN THE CITIES ....BIG & SMALL.

TOO BAD THE CHIEFS COULDN'T SCORE YESTERDAY! WORKED MY ASS OFF AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND...BUT IT'S THE
LAST TIME TO MOW THE LAWNS IN 2003.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

TAKE CARE'--Sam Dixon

Ed reply: Now is the time to forget the grass and start thinking of Thanksgiving dinner. Have a great holiday. The Chiefs scored yesterday, just not enough. Funny how things go. The Chiefs were 9-0 and the Rams 6-3. Neither played very well. With a good game the Chiefs would have been 10-0 and the Rams could have easily lost, going 6-4. But, things went the opposite way and now the Chiefs are 9-1 and the Rams 7-3 and after all the hoopla there is only two games difference between the Kansas City Rams (west side of the state version) and the St. Louis Rams. Things change in a hurry and you go from "Toast of the Town" to "toast" in a big hurry.

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Have you invited anyone to the 2004 KOM League reunion recently?

Big doings are going to be happening at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, MO this coming June 3-4-5. Special entertainment, great food and a few other things are in store. My wife has threatened me with great bodily harm if I mention all the things SHE has in mind for the upcoming event. This editor might be considered a "raw rookie" at planning such things but the lady who has put up with me for 43 years knows how to do things right. If I listen to her everyone will have a great and memorable time in Columbia this coming June.

This coming Thursday evening my wife and I will be guests of the Stoney Creek Inn at their special grand opening. At that time we will be looking into other ways to make the reunion an event better experience. We will be looking over the offering of all the food caterers with whom Stoney Creek contracts for meals and we will be sure to sample all the cuisine to make sure the perfect food is secured for the June affair.

You can always go on-line at www.stoneycreekinn.com to see for yourself what is in store. All the accommodations at Stoney Creek will be covered by the $68 room charge. A registration fee has yet to be set. Shortly after the open house on Thursday, November 20 I will sit down with the numbers I have for food costs, entertainment and incidentals and put together a registration fee. That is why I need to hear from you if you think you might be able to attend. The first projection of a registration fee will be predicated on 100 attendees. If the number decreased then the registration fee will have to be adjusted upward. If the number exceeds 100 then the fee will decrease. There are certain "fixed costs" that have to be paid whether 1 or 1000 people show up. HELP!!!
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-30-

KOM League Flash Report
for 11/14/03
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003


Hello and goodbye:

This hasn't been the best week in recorded history. This Flash Report is a prime example. Somehow I can't get the print font I want to work and this edition resembles someone attempting to write an anonymous message by cutting words in various fonts out of magazines.

I am attempting to catch up after a week on the road and then shut down this operation for a few days. The KOM League newsletter is due at the print shop in three days and there is no way under cloudless skies that is about to happen. While on the road I spent five hours one evening in a Joplin motel writing as much as I could while construction guys beat and drilled the walls long after I should have been asleep.

When I went to shut down the computer I attempted to save all the work done that evening and it wound up in "la la" land. I have never found it and won't. Upon my return home I started once again on my "main computer" and the program has aborted three times. I am now about to ready to conclude that I made a wise decision while on the road this week. I went to the Carthage Park Cemetery and and selected a burial plot and tombstone for my wife, myself and son. It seemed the right thing to do on a dismal Fall afternoon and just hours after spending some glorious moments with my "plumbing physician." I think in the vernacular of the medical profession they call themselves urologists.

All of the aforementioned occurred on Veterans Day. My son called on my cell phone to tell me he was having a bad day. I told him to spell it out. So his was his scenario:

He went to a government office to take care of some business and it was closed. He decided to cook a dish for lunch that required tomato sauce. He didn't have any so went to the store for some. He tried to pay with a credit card but the thing didn't work. He paid cash and headed home with two cans of tomato sauce. He opened the tomato sauce and being accustomed to draining green beans he poured one can of sauce down the drain. That necessitated another trip to a different store where he found a prepared tomato concoction on sale. This product was in a jar, something along the lines of Ragu. He went home and put the ingredients in a pan and decided he needed a little cooking oil. He pulled the cooking oil from the cabinet and poured it into the tomato base concoction. The problem was the cooking oil was actually Pine-Sol. So, down the drain went all the ingredients.

He headed back to the store and this time bought the ingredients for stuffed mushrooms which includes bacon, mushrooms (of course), garlic and bread crumbs. He made his tomato concoction once again and in taking the mushrooms out of the oven he laid them too close to the edge and they all fell in the dirty dish water. The tomato concoction was edible so after finishing that off he took his four registered English Cocker Spaniels for a walk around the neighborhood. One of the dogs located a chicken bone on the walk and my son had to do surgery on the scene to extract the bone. He decided a walk in the park would be a better idea so he headed off for a romp in the park. One of the dogs is the first to get in the truck after such an outing. So, upon getting the other three dogs in the truck he was headed toward home thinking his woes had ended. Shortly into the trip home he counted dog heads and there were only three. So, back to the park he went in search of the dog who is "supposed" to be the first one into the truck. Fortunately, he hadn't wandered far.

Arriving home my son was ready for another snack and went to the refrigerator. When he opened the door he jarred lose the second jar of tomato concoction that he had purchased that morning and placed on top of the refrigerator. It fell to the floor hitting his hand on the way downward and then shattering on the floor.

I laughed as he recited that story. He didn't see the humor. I told him when he repeated that story to anyone else to add the following. "Dad went to Carthage and purchased my grave site and gravestone at the same time all this was happening back in Columbia."

When I thought that I could spend the rest of the week without incident, the cell phone rang. It was my wife, she was frantic. She had just attempted to move a cast iron coffee grinder from a low perch to the top of cabinet. On the journey toward the top it decided to go back from whence it came. It didn't quite land in the same place from where it had started its journey. It came crashing down on the top of the kitchen stove. No problem right? Wrong. The kitchen stove is one of those ceramic tops and the condition of that thing resembled what happened to Humpty Dumpty. So, while traveling around Southwest Missouri I was on the telephone with the place that thing was purchased attempting to secure a replacement top so that I could cook something to eat when I got home.

By that time I knew no one else would have a problem so I ambled off Interstate 44 and headed home via the scenic route. Shortly past the sites of Miller, Stockton and other towns leveled by tornados this past spring the telephone started ringing once more. The first call was from Harry Crandall informing me of the death of a former Ponca City Dodger--story in this report.

I got thinking along the way that communication is a great thing but can sure mess up the serenity of a trip. I don't know about anyone else but nothing ever seems to happen until you leave home and everything goes down the tubes. Maybe I have a role to play in the scheme of things after all.

Welcome to this Flash Report, as flawed as it is.

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Update from Mrs. Joan Speake

John, haven't had much time on the computer lately due to being nurse again!! What happened was we were with the group we've been getting together with somewhere since Bob retired. This year was Biloxi, Mississippi. You know a lot of the guys who are also KOMers. Lilburn Smith from Spfd. and Bob were riding in the golf cart together, Bob got out , walked in front of the cart and Lilburn stepped on the gas and hit his right leg breaking the fibula down close to the ankle. He got a walking fiberglass cast today after having a splint for a week and a half, too swollen to cast before. So he is happy to be able to put a little weight on it now with crutches and will gradually increase the weight, go to a walking brace and then 1 crutch. Columbia Reunion sounds great, new facility and all. We will probably plan on going and I'll have Bob call for reservations. He can use the phone!! Have a good week, Joan

Bob said he hit a home run off of Lilburn about 50 years ago and Lil finally got him back!! Lilburn felt terrible about what happened---just one of those freaky accidents.

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Charlie Weber now on-line

My daughter bugged me so much I had to buy a computer. Spent one day reading all the KOM info. Haven't been able to get the disc to play but it played on my daughters.No earth shaking news to report from here.Play golf with Don Bruss several times a week; he is doing fine healthwise.Looking forward to another reunion if one is being planned. Enough for now hope this finds you and your sweet bride well.

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Abe Lincoln beats out Santa Claus a. k. a Walter Babcock

HI JOHN, I FEEL IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR AN UP-DATE AFTER THE LATEST REUNION. SANTA SHEARED HIS BEARD AFTER THE BICENTENNIAL CONTEST. I WAS PRONOUNCED THE WINNER OF THE BEARD GROWING CONTEST, BUT UPON GOING FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE ACCOLADES OF A WINNER (EVERY ONE CHEERING AND CLAPPING), THE DAM JUDGE ANNOUNCED A MISTAKE HAD BEEN MADE AND I WAS NOT THE WINNER. A HAND SELECTED
JUDGE AT THAT, ALL FIVE JUDGES WERE MY FRIENDS, SO THAT KIND OF TELLS YOU IN A HURRY WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE. THE POLICE CHIEF(POLITICS) WAS ANNOUNCED THE WINNER. HE WAS DRESSED AS ABE LINCOLN AND SANTA DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE. IT WAS ALL IN FUN AND EVERYONE HAD A GOOD TIME.

THAT WAS A FUN REUNION AND WE HAD A VERY GOOD TIME, EXCEPT FOR THE ANTICS OF ONE HOWARD HUNT. I AM MAKING A RESOLUTION THAT HE SHOULD NEVER BE INVITED TO ANOTHER REUNION UNTIL HE LEARNS TO GET HIMSELF UNDER CONTROL. HAZEL CAN'T EVEN CONTROL HIM ANYMORE. MAYBE LISTON SHOULD BE IN THAT CATEGORY ALSO.

JOHN, YOU OUT DID YOURSELF AGAIN AND I AM SORRY I HAD TO LEAVE EARLY. THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A SEND OFF I GOT WITH THAT "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" AND "JINGLE BELLS". I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT AND I THANK STANKA AND FRIENDS FOR THAT. (AS AN AFTER THOUGHT MAYBE EVERYONE WAS JUST GLAD TO GET RID OF ME OR MARGE). I WISH SPEAKE AND BARBARA WADE WOULD HAVE SHOWN THEIR CARVING AND
PAINTING TO US. I GUESS THEY KEPT THEM EXCLUSIVELY TO FRIENDS.MARGE CARVES FULL SIZE DUCKS AND OTHER BIRDS, SO MAYBE AS YOU SUGGESTED THE NEXT REUNION COULD BE AN EXHIBITION OF TALENT.

THAT LEADS ME INTO THE NEXT SUBJECT. THE NEXT REUNION IN COLUMBINE. IF MOST OF THE LAST REUNION ATTENDEES KNEW I WAS GOING TO BE THERE YOU WOULD FILL THE PLACE. (THERE WAS NEVER ANY CONCEIT IN MY FAMILY BECAUSE I HAD IT ALL.) YES, MARGE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME AT THE LAST REUNION SHE HAS SUCCEEDED IN GETTING ME TO COMMIT MYSELF TO GOING. HER COMMENT WAS,"SINCE ,JOHN, IS HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME GETTING ANYBODY TO SHOW UP MAYBE WE SHOULD PLAN TO GO. SO, WE WILL BE THERE WITHOUT SANTA. THIS SHOULD BE THE DADDY OF ALL REUNIONS IF YOU LET NOEL DO HER THING.

MY THE WAY, WHO WAS THAT WOMAN IN THAT FRONT COVER ADDITION WITH ME? SHE LOOKED SO NICE. THANK YOU, FOR PUTTING US ON THE FRONT COVER.

I AM GETTING LIKE LISTON AND DON'T KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP. SEE YOU AT THE NEXT ONE. I HOPE YOU GET A BUNCH OF BALL PLAYERS AND WIVES TO COMMIT TO THE COLOMBIA REUNION VERY SOON BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASIER FOR NOEL TO GET IT TOGETHER.

BEST REGARDS, WALT Babcock

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Death of Mike Werbach

WERBACH, MICHAEL E. Husband of Doris; father of Paula, Dana, Chris, Doug, Lisa; grandfather of 10. Funeral Mass, today at 11:30 a.m., Notre Dame Catholic Church, 2190 S. Sheridan Blvd. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery. Memorial donations suggested to American Cancer Society, 2255 S. Oneida St., Denver, CO 80224.

Published in the Denver Newspaper Agency on 11/6/2003.

Anyone interested in signing the guestbook for Mr. Werbach can click on the following:

http://www.legacy.com/denver/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonID=1572667


Inquiry sent to Dave Newkirk:

By the way, didn't Mike Werbach play some semi-pro ball in Wichita in the early 50's. He died around Nov. 6 in Denver.

Newkirk's response:

John; Mike not only played semi-pro there he was from there. We pretty well grew up together played sand lot and legion with and against each other. Mike was sorta my old crowd as a kid. I moved to Augusta, Ks mid term of my soph. year so we didn't hang out together quite as much but both of us continued to play around Wichita as kids. there weren't that many teams back then. We both played on the WRL Super Market team and both worked at the store, sometime will tell you about the woman who honked every few steps that use to shop there Mike got me in big trouble over that one. I have always asked Dick Sanders about him and that was the only source I had with him.

Another one of the fellas of my past that I do miss many times a year any more. Glad to hear Warren Liston is coming along ok at this age it is scary thinking about how far back a person can come after an accident like this. Hope Speake is back rolling again Be sure and give him my best, he is pretty much a class act at all times. If you can save me a couple extra of the newsletters, will be glad to pay for them. Lordy I hate to hear about Mike, puts another hurt in this old mans heart but more and more I come to realize that's part of the bad side of this life.I am very thankful if did know people like him and Jim Hansen, but it still hurts to know they are gone Thanks a million for thinking of me. newk

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Not the Dixie Chick's, Chuck

When I read in the flash report where you were saying what the music was going to be at the next reunion, (it said Chuck Day) I looked at it
quick and thought it said Chick Day so I assumed you meant The Dixie Chicks???? I know you are a big fan of theirs. And this on Veteran's
Day!! Oh well, I have been quiet since the baseball playoffs. Lois B.


Ed Note:

Chuck not Chick is right. The Dixie Chicks will soon be the "Dixie Hens" so they better cackle while they still have time. I don't think too many
country fans are flocking (no pun intended) to feather their nests by purchasing CD's.

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Wanted--Steve Kraly

Hi John, Through my searching for a 1946 Binghamton team photo I was referred to Mike McCann, I called him on the phone and sure enough he had the photo along with almost all the Binghamton teams photo, we could have talked all night anything you need to know about Binghamton baseball he seems to know,In fact he writing a book, he looking for anyone that played for Binghamton so I told him about your flash report and he is very interested in receiving it. He also mentioned he was looking for team photos of Steve Kraly, I believe he was on the 49 Independence team with Mickey and Bob Mallon wasn't he? His email is bccaddie@aol.com KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.....Steve Danielson
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Almost, a compliment from Walt Babcock

JOHN, I WAS THINKING OF THE CARTHAGE REUNION AND WAS TRYING TO REMEMBER SOME OF THE OFFERS YOU MADE. I WOULD LIKE A CD OF THE PICTURES YOU TOOK, A CD OF THE LONG VERSION OF THE POWER POINT RENDITION (WHICH YOU DID ONE HELL OF A JOB WITH AND I KNOW IT WAS A LONG PAINSTAKINGLY DIFFICULT JOB TO DO). HOW ABOUT A COPY OF THE VIDEO YOU DID OUT IN FRONT OF PRECIOUS MOMENTS. SEND
BILL BEFORE YOU DO IT AND I WILL SEND CHECK. THANKS, JOHN, FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THOSE OLD BALL PLAYERS. I WASN'T INCLUDING MYSELF.

IF YOU CAN THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD HAVE, LET ME KNOW. JUST THOUGHT OF ONE MORE THING, I NEED TWO COPIES OF THE FRONT PAGE EDITION. THAT TURNED OUT VERY WELL.

JOHN, I HOPE I HELPED YOU GET MORE PLAYERS TO COMMIT TO GOING TO REUNION. BY THE WAY COLUMBINE & COLOMBIA WERE INTENTIONAL.
BEST REGARDS, YOUR TRUE FRIEND, WALT


Ed Reply:

I can fill your order for most of the items immediately. The video taken in front of the Precious Moments has never come out of my camera. I guess there is a way to reproduce it. I will check around and see when that can be arranged. The CD's and the videos won't cost you much. The front page of the newsletter will "cost you dearly." I will speak to my accountant to see how much I can charge for those extra copies without getting into tax difficulties.

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Jim Snyders--Independence '52


HEY JOHN JIM'S BIRTHDAY IS THIS MONTH ALSO 11/26/1927 BIG 74 THIS YEAR HOPING TO SPEND THE EVENING WITH HIS CHILDREN THAT ARE AROUND THIS AREA. DINNER PARTY THE OLD KNEE [NEW KNEE] IS HEALING NICELY CAN GET RID OF THE WALKER SOON . THAT THING CAN MAKE ONE FEEL AND LOOK OLD. TAKE CARE THE SNYDERS IN SNOWY South Dakota.
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Dear Kitty League friends,

MELVIN “MEL” IVY

Marion, Ill.--Melvin “Mel” Ivy, 88, died 1:45 P.M., Saturday, November 8, 2003
at his residence.

Mel was born November 27, 1914 in Williamson County to Elijah “Pal” & Ida (Deaton) Ivy. He married Mary Ann (Borum) Ivy on July 2, 1934 in
Bethalto, Illinois. She preceded him in death on January 16, 1983.

He was a retried coal miner & farmer. When he was younger he played minor league baseball. He attended Marion Second Baptist Church. He was a member of the Marion
Eagles.

Survivors Include.
Sister & Brother In Law: Mary & J.D. Dungey of Marion

Special Friend & Caregiver: Dortha Williams of Marion

Step Daughter: June Webb of St. Louis, MO.

Step Grand Daughter: Penny Payne of Alton, IL.

Also survived by several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, three brothers and step daughter.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Dr. Bob Wagner officiating. Burial
will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral
Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Memorial envelopes are available at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.

Here is a direct link to Mel's obituary on the funeral home's website. Until Bill Witmer wrote me tonight, I didn't realize there was an online guestbook you could sign. It would be nice if there were a LOT of Kitty Leaguers and families who could sign the guestbook. I'm sure it would mean a lot to his family.

Sorry to bother everyone with the constant e-mails!

Kevin McCann

Here's the link:

http://www.hughesfuneralhomes.com/Pages/obitShow.php3?ID=759


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Add "astute" to the list


John, It was astute of you to notice that someone in an obit referred to the old minor league as "semi-pro." I have noticed that all my life. In fact, in Nashville there is the Nashville Sounds, a Triple-A minor league team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. I would make a bet that on any given game day at least one-third of the people at a Nashville Sounds game could not tell you the distinction. Most people I talk to think they are a semi-pro team. The man who used to own the team liked to walk around at the games and talk to the fans. He said that nearly every game someone would ask him about a Sounds player by saying, "Do you think he'll ever make pro?"

Do not ever give the American public too much credit.

Bryce
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Hi John. I tried to email Van at vgreenwood@cstn.net but it was not a good address. Must have been changed. Can you provide me with a current email address?
Thanks.

Ernie Chastain

Ed Note:

This is the only address I have on Van. I know some of you who know Van communicate with him so send along his e-mail address for Ernie's sake.

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John - fyi...

Mickey Mantle's Family Decides to Sell Some Treasures (nytimes.com)
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/10/sports/baseball/10MANT.html

Mickey Mantle's Family Decides to Sell Some Treasures
By RICHARD SANDOMIR

Published: November 10, 2003


ince Mickey Mantle's death in 1995, his family resisted selling its trove of his artifacts and memorabilia. When Arlan Ettinger of Guernsey's auction house in Manhattan spoke over the past few years to Danny Mantle, one of Mickey's two surviving sons, the answer was always no.

But several months ago, the family began to change its mind. First, Ettinger thought of trying to persuade Danny; his mother, Merlyn; and his brother, David, to consign 10 items to a sports auction that he held last month. In one of Ettinger's early visits to Merlyn's high-rise apartment in Dallas, she excitedly suggested selling the initialed alligator cowboy boots that her husband loved.

The showpiece of her living room is a glass display case: there, Ettinger could see Mantle's three most valuable player awards, the Silver Bat award he won for his 1956 American League batting title and numerous significant balls.

Merlyn Mantle is a pack rat. Boxes were opened. Out came their life in photographs, documents, jewelry and plaques. There were, in particular, Mantle's contracts: his Haggar Slacks endorsement deal, but more important, his first baseball contract, to play for the Independence (Kan.) Yankees for $140 a month, and a $1,150 bonus, in 1949. And each of the 18 he signed to play in the Bronx; his annual salary never rose beyond $100,000 from 1963 to 1968.

"They asked: `What do you think of this? What do you think of that?' " Ettinger said, "It was clear we were going beyond 10 items."

Ettinger now saw plenty for one all-Mantle auction, and he told Danny Mantle that it would benefit from being done sooner rather than later. "Today you have a population with a large percentage of people who remember going to the ballpark to watch Mickey," he said. "Another 10 years from now, that's less likely to be the case.'

The process, the Mantles said, was painful, but in Merlyn's heart, she said, she feared what fire or theft would do to the collection. She was rarely at her apartment, because she raises her 14-year-old granddaughter, Mallory, in her late son Mickey Jr.'s house in the Dallas suburb of Highland Park.

"We cried over this," David said. "It's in our best interest for the family to let other people enjoy Dad. We've always had to share Dad with the public, and this takes it farther than we imagined."

The proceeds from the auction, which will take place Dec. 8 at Madison Square Garden, will pay to send the four Mantle grandchildren to college and to buy them their first homes, David Mantle said.

"I've guarded these trophies for years," Merlyn said. "I'm getting old and I don't want to have to worry about a robbery. I want to protect it."

She added: "It all means so much to us, but we thought about it and said yes. Still it's very emotional."

Merlyn and her sons will sell two of Mickey's three M.V.P. awards, his 1962 World Series ring, the Silver Bat, all his contracts (which show the evolution of his signature, with its distinctive M's), signed book manuscripts, the snowshoes he wore to Alaska on a trip with Bob Hope, the balls he hit for his 511th, 512th, 520th, 521st and 532nd to 535th home runs (as well as his 16th World Series homer) and game-used gloves.

The 1957 and 1962 M.V.P. awards could fetch the most money. In August, Roy Campanella's three National League M.V.P. trophies sold for $340,000, including $155,000 for the 1951 award. "With all due respect to Roy Campanella's memory, he wasn't Mickey Mantle," Ettinger said.

The family is also selling less grandiose pieces from Mantle's life: an insurance policy, notes from a speech, coasters from his Country Kitchen restaurant, a ball Richard M. Nixon signed for him, posters, drawings, scrapbooks, photos, a passport, a bankbook, Yankees pay stubs, stock certificates, a Stetson, appointment cards from the Mayo Clinic and telegrams from the saloon owner Toots Shor and the Yankees owners Dan Topping and Del Webb.

"We feel this is good stuff," Merlyn said. "And you can't make any more of it."

There are no pieces of the magnitude of Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball, no formerly hidden collection of pristine autographed bats and balls or drawers full of game-worn uniforms. Mantle gave away some valuable pieces. How much, no one knows. "He was a wonderful, generous person," Merlyn said, "who would give you the last dollar he had. I know what he came home with when he retired: a glove and shoes in a bag."

David Mantle has another view of his father's munificence. He did not know or care about his value. "Others had foresight, and he was taken advantage of when he was drinking," he said.

The family is not selling everything. It will retain his 1956 M.V.P. award, Hickok Belt, 500th home run ball, the tape measure that the Yankees' traveling secretary used to record his 565-foot home run, some World Series home run balls and numerous World Series rings.

"And," Merlyn said, "I've kept all the love letters Mick wrote me from the time we met."


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Brandy Davis

The article about Mantle reminds me that Brandy Davis called the motel in Joplin while I was attempting to write the newsletter. I really wrote a great article after he hung up about our conversation but it aborted along with everything else I attempted to write that evening. So, in the past few minutes I attempted to recall that conversation. It follows. Brandy, if I got anything wrong let me know before I put it in the next KOM League Remembered.

Oh, how did Brandy Davis remind me of Mantle? He told me about the auction that is coming up at Madison Square Garden next month. I did notice that Mickey's copy of the 1949 Independence Yankee contract is going to be included in the sale. In one of my conversations with Merlyn she said she wasn't aware of such an item. I told her that the one Cap Tole, President of the Independence Baseball Association sold in 1995 was the team copy and that Mickey would have received one. I told her that I couldn't imagine that Mutt or Lovell would have destroyed or let go of that thing. I was happy to learn that the family has found it and it is my guess that item will bring $50,000, or more, at auction. If the bidding starts low I would be able to go as high as $25.00.

Okay, here is the Brandy Davis conversation. (This is being developed for a newsletter item)

Brandy Davis caught up with this editor by telephone one evening in November. I was in a Joplin motel after a long day on the road doing my "real" job.

Davis declared that he owed me a long letter for he had seen so many names, places and incidents in recent editions of this publication that brought back some pleasant memories. He was very pleased to learn that his teammate from the ‘51 Bartlesville Pirates, Donny Cochran had been located. He expressed the hope that they could reunite at Columbia at the next reunion.

As a great booster of the KOM League "revival," Davis does what he can to find former KOM Leaguers and apprise them of what is happening. Each year he attends the Carolina Scouts meeting at Whispering Pines. This year he reported that former Carthage Cardinal hurler Don Schultz and Ponca City Dodger catcher, Jack W. Blaylock were on hand. He apprised them of the upcoming KOM League reunion and said that he was working on both of them to attend.

Jack Wanda Blaylock is one of the best KOM League trivia questions. He was the first KOM Leaguer to make it to the big leagues. He was did some catching for the 1947 Ponca City Dodgers. However, due to injuries suffered during his piloting day in World War II his arm was in no condition to stay with the game of baseball in a playing capacity. Branch Rickey wanting to honor the young man for his service to his country brought him to Brooklyn where he was made bullpen coach for the 1948 season. If any of you have an old team photo in some publication of the ‘48 Dodgers you can look it up.

Another name that Davis saw in a recent article was that of Atlanta Constitution sports writer, Furman Bisher. Back in 1958 Bisher and his young son visited with Davis when he managed the Dodger farm club at Columbus, Georgia.

Recent issues of this publication brought Davis to mention the numerous among the "faithful" who have died. He suggested that Baseball America be contacted and those recently deceased players names be passed on for inclusion into their obituaries. I informed him that at least two fellows monitored this publication and the KOM League Flash Reports for such information.

Baseball scouts, of which Brandy is still pursuing, seem to know more about what is going on than anyone else. He asked me two questions in that recent telephone conversation. The first was, "How long did the players of his generation have to be on a Major League team before they were eligible for vested retirement?" The second was, "How long do current ballplayers have to be around the Major League scene to received the same benefits.?" I go the first question correct by answering, "Five years." The second question I missed. The guys now are vested after one game. Is that fair?

The guys who played between 1947 and 1974 get absolutely nothing unless they were black players. That concession was made by the owners. On top of that the black players service was counted if their time was in the National, American or the Negro leagues of that era, according to Davis.

Don’t be surprised if in the near future that you read where some litigation is initiated to make the retirement benefits more comprehensive and cover the guys who played between 1947 & 1974 who got "left out."

On another subject, namely baseball scouts, there could be something in the works to give them some protection under a collective bargaining agreement. That is all I know or can say at this time about that. If you see something in the news in upcoming months remember where you first saw it.

Scouts are treated about as unfairly by the baseball establishment as any group affiliated with the game. Think that is an exaggeration? Well, let me put it this way. How many can you name who have been elected to the Hall of Fame? Don’t bother to rack your brain for the answer is zero. Now, name some of the more notable scouts and what they brought and "put on the table" of Major League teams.

These guys get very little glory. Marge Schott in a cost-cutting move once proposed to get rid of scouts for all they did was "watch baseball games." Without Tony Lucadello, Tom Greenwade, Runt Marr and a cast of thousands a bunch of names now in the Hall of Fame might never have been there.

I have nothing against radio announcers, news paper reporters, and baseball owners being honored but what is the basis of the myopia about scouts?

Davis said that of the 100 top sports books of the last century, Alan Simpson’s work on scouting was recently heralded as the 53rd best on that list. If memory serves me correctly it is entitled, "Dollar Signs and Muck."



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Jack McKeon

Hey Mr. Hall. I hope all is well. Do you know where Marlins manager, Jack McKeon, played minor league ball (teams or level)? I know he was signed by the Pirates organization in 1949. My Dad, Bill McFarland, crossed paths with him somewhere in ’49 or ’50. One night at Busch Stadium a few years back the two of them spoke before a Cardinal game. Until now I had forgot about the connection. Continued good luck in all that you do Mr. Hall. Take care and have a great day!

Kevin McFarland--Son of Bill McFarland--KOM League 1947


Ed Reply

Jack was at Greenville, Alabama in 1949. He was at York, PA in 1950 and also with the Gloversville Gloves of the Canadian American League in 1950. He was with Uncle Sam in 1951 and then went to Hutchinson, Kansas of the Western Association in 1952. He spent 1953-54 at Burlington, North Carolina and another stint with Hutchinson in 1954. In 1955 he was at Fayetteville/Greenville of the Carolina League and from 1956-58 was with Missoula, Montana of the Pioneer Legue. He was with Fox Cities of the Three-I League in 1959. If your dad was with McKeon it would have to have been prior to 1954 since the Pirate organization released him on September 28, 1954.
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Reminder

There is going to be a KOM League Reunion June 3-5 in Columbia, Missouri. What have you done lately to ensure you are going to be in attendance? Also, have you taken any steps to invite some of your former teammates to join you?

Here is a list of those who have expressed an interest in attending the reunion.

Len and Kathy Vandehey

Casey Casebolt

John Palcher & wife

Jim Jay & wife

Dick and Joan Getter

Jean and Joe Stanka

Lee Dodson

Sam Dixon

Bill and Delores Clark

Frank Hungerford

Me and Noel

Norma Maring

Ray Haley—maybe

Don Cochran and wife

Jean Wilson

Jean Wilson’s son and daughter-in-law

Delores and Warren Liston

Joan and Bob Speake

Charlie Weber

Martha and Stan Klemme

Brandy Davis

Joe Turek

-30-

The KOM League Flash Report
for The Week of
November 10, 2003

The KOM League truck has been delayed a few hours prior to hitting the road for the week. After a few minutes with a" medical guy" and parting with some of my health insurance benefits the week will continue. There were a number of items that came to the attention of the KOM League Hall of Fame's necrology section over the weekend.

Unfortunately, it appears that the KOM League publications are reporting on a number of deaths not only from its ranks but also from two other Class D leagues. Kevin McCann and Cliff Chafin share their obituaries on a regular basis. Since the players in those two leagues parallel the operation of the KOM League it is likely that some of you fellows will recognize some of the names.

If it serves no other purpose there are a "number" of baseball researchers who stop by and visit the KOM League publications, looking for obituaries to put in their record books and even in the national publication, Baseball America.

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Bad news Saturday

The following note was received in the Saturday November 8th mail.

"Dear John, Sorry so late. Jerry died 9/5/02. He had a triple bypass and contracted staph infection and was sick for nine months. He died from heart failure and the staph." Kathy Jackson
Ed Note: This is the profile found in Majoring in the Minors regarding Gerald Jackson

Gerald (NMN) Jackson (C RF) B. 5/5/28 Torrance, CA. Reported 6/15/50 --Rel. 07/14/50 D. 9/5/02 Corning, CA

1950 Aberdeen, S.D., Northern League and Iola, Kansas KOM League.


The news of the deaths of George Erath and Gerald Jackson was followed by a note announcing the passing of the brother of Independence Yankee, Keith Speck.

"John, Just finished talking to Keith Speck. He says he is feeling great. Will be going to Arizona in February. He said his younger brother who was 73 died last
September. Heart attack on the first hole playing golf. He was a very good pitcher in the Southern League until he had arm trouble." Bob Mallon--1949 Independence Yankees



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Comment regarding Curt Flood

Huh? Like Frank Robinson and Vada Pinson, Curt Flood attended McClymonds HS in Oakland, was coached by George Powles and signed by Cincinnati Reds scout Bobby Mattick. He debuted at age 18 in 1956. What was Erath's role? Rod Nelson

Ed Note: Erath owned (part owner) of the High Point-Thomasville baseball franchise and was a white guy who let a black guy join his team. He made a wise choice by taking on the eventual league leading hitter. John

Reply from Rod:

John - thanks, this is fascinating.. I take it that High Point was a Cincy affiliate and Flood was a quite the phenom. So, was Flood a pioneer in that regard, too - as in first black on that club, first in that league? Did F.Robby and V.Pinson also come up thru High Point?

Ed Note: I am not an expert on High Point but do know that Frank Robinson broke in with Ogden, Utah in 1953 and in 1956 Vada Pinson started his career with Wausau, WI in the Northern League.

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Connie Swensson remembers George Erath

Dear John,

Sorry to hear the George Erath died. For whatever the reason, I remember the last regular game I pitched in 1949. It was against the Cubs and George and I were the pitchers. I was going for my 13th win and George was going for his fifth. We scored once in the bottom of the third. they scored twice in the fourth. We scored one more in the 5th. They scored one more in the top of the ninth. That run was the winning it turns out.


The part I remember was laying two perfect bunts down them third base line my first two at bats. My third at bats George threw me two fasts balls that looked like two small aspirin tablets. I was ready to give up on the third pitch when much to my surprise he threw me a high curve ball right in the middle of the plate. Since I could see the pitch, I was able to bloop it over the second baseman for a hit. I was due up in the ninth and Bart had the nerve to have to have Dick Ehlers bat for me. I will always think if Bart would have let me bat we could have won my 13th instead of losing my third. Oh well, I guess that's what memories are for.

Connie Swensson--1949-50 Ponca City Dodgers and all-time KOM League ERA leader.

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Batboy to batboy!

Jim Jay of Kansas City attends all the KOM League events. We came to know each other through the "Carthage connection." For those of you who remember the beautiful Jackie Pendleton and her cousin Warren then I can tell you that Jim Jay drew from that same gene pool, somehow. Batboys speak in cryptic notes and this is how he handled the last Flash Report. This editor's remarks are in black and Jim responded in red.

I haven't had a comment regarding a "joint reunion". But that isn't surprising. I have been pushing the 2004 reunion real hard and have only come up with five responses. My readers are slow to anger and even slower to action, it appears.
I'll be your "6th" response. I'd be there at your "joint" in 2004. Jim



Nick was grateful
Nick Najjar called over the weekend to get the telephone number of Sam Dixon and to have me to pass on to Jim Jay that he was thrilled to have been remembered on his birthday. Sam sent Nick a card as he does each year and it thrills Nick to be remembered in that manner.

We do love Nick and his nice mellow voice (that gets ones attention). Glad he had a Happy Birthday. JIM

Bye!
That's about all for a few days. Today it is out the door and on to the roof to clean out the gutters of the remnants of summer. Next week the KOM League truck goes back on the road. So, if I don't fall off the roof or get lost on some back road this week I'll be back at this station in a week or so.

Thanks for the reminder, my "condo" gutters are getting full, I'd best give maintenance a call..... and take care of yourself and that neat KOM League truck. Jim
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From November 8th.

Just a little Sat. aggravating. You're the victim of the day. Usually it is wife Jean. When I tease and she gives me "that" look, I tell her "honey, I'm just aggravating" At which point she replies, "yes you are." When asked to stop teasing, I tell her I'm trying. Her reply is "true, you are the most trying person I know." I am trying to figure out what she means by all that. Later. stanka

That was the second note that Joe had sent to get my Saturday morning off to a rousing start. This was his first e-mail. "Hi John, I hear through the grapevine that there is a possibility of a KOM reunion next year. Is that correct? That would be nice. In the unlikely event that it happens, you might consider letting me, and the rest of the potential attendees know of potential plans. I.E.: where, when, etc. If it is true, do you have a city in mind? Probably Carthage huh? Don't keep us in the dark about this. bye, stanka

I had planned to take a day away from the computer but Joe Stanka had my adrenalin going. My wife asked what I was doing. I told her I was answering Stanka's inquiry about the next reunion. She got all over my case for not telling him previously. Incredulously, I looked at her and said, "Don't you know he is pulling my leg?" She still


Ed Reply:

Joe: I too have heard the rumor but not sure that you can count on it. Someone told me that they heard it was going to be in Columbia around June 3-4-5. However, what kind of sense does that make since Columbia never had a KOM League team and until this year never had a minor league team? That Columbia team reminded me a whole lot of the 1950 Iola and Chanute ballclubs. If I have to recite their won-loss record then I would have to tell you how the Columbia team fared and I don't want to do that. But, I hear better things are in store. The Columbia club went through three managers in its initial year in pro ball. The ownership feels the talent is there if they had a good manager to bring out that talent. So, they went out and hired Jack Clark. Yes sir, the same Jack Clark who played over in St. Louis for the Cardinals and out in San Francisco. Someone said he got the boot recently as the LA Dodger batting instructor.

The KOM League reunion attendees have been invited to be the guests of the Columbia team which is officially known as the "Mid-Missouri Mavericks," if indeed the rumor is true that the 2004 reunion is to be held in Columbia. Some wags around Columbia aren't sure that Jack Clark coming to town is going to turn the baseball situation around but time will tell, as they say. They cite that the 2003 Columbia team is the same core group that left Canton, Ohio after a dismal 2002 season. But, even if Jack Clark can't turn the Mavericks around he will draw a few more folks to the ball games in Columbia just so they can get his autograph. The same wags who are sure that the Mavericks aren't winners are the same ones who claim no one would want an autograph of the current crop of players.

Some "baseball insiders" aren't very optimistic about the future of the Mavericks in Columbia. However, there is always Springfield, MO. Yours Truly has viewed a brand new facility in the heart of downtown Springfield that John Q. Hammonds--a guy with a ton of money--has built. The thing is that the stadium was built on the premise, "If you build it they will come..." Well, I have been told that if certain things transpire that some part of the Mavericks would be mightily interested in the Springfield operation as a Double A representative even with a Class A team located a few miles south of that stadium at Ozark, Missouri.

Joe that is the answer to the question to your most recent e-mail. If we get a reunion set up for 2004 you will be the first to know. If it is scheduled for Columbia and no one wants to attend but you and Jean we can hold it at my home and you can come down to the KOM League "Press Room" and help me prepare these Flash Reports. I have ceased publishing the newsletter since I can't think of anything to write and also the subscriptions have fallen to such a state that I can't even afford staples to hold the pages together anymore. Thanks once again for your penetrating and informed questions.
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Baseball is #1

A few days ago a inquiry came to the KOM League from the son of a former KOM Leaguer wanting to know how he could become a "bird-dog" for some Major League organization. Of course, this corner knows about as much regarding scouting as he does NBA basketball. However, there are some readers of this publication who know a whole lot about most anything. So, I referred the writer to a Los Angeles Dodger "bird-dog" who showed up for a session of the most recent KOM League reunion.

The wannbe scout who wishes to remain anonymous had this response to being referred to Dodger "bird-dog" Lindy Snider. "Mr Hall - Thanks a million. That's a great idea. I will drop a line to Mr Snider. Is he related to Duke? That would be incredible if something could work out. I will have 20 years in police work next summer, and in all honesty, I've seen more than I ever cared to. I've worked robbery, homicide, criminal intelligence, and special investigations as a detective, and a change of pace would do me good. After all... baseball has always been #1 anyways. Once it gets in, it never gets out of your system" Anon.
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Reunion Entertainment Set

The KOM League talent scouts have been out and about in recent days and have secured the musical talent for the 2004 reunion.

Friday, June 4, Chuck Day and his Barber Shop Quartet will be doing what most of the former KOM Leaguers couldn't --sing in unison and on key.

Saturday June 5. Broadway Bound, affiliated with the Columbia Community Theater will present an evening of great music from the hit Broadway shows of the 1940's and 50's. Everything from Damn Yankees to Oklahoma will be on the program as well as some special songs selected especially for the occasion of the KOM's visit to Columbia. Aside from great entertainment, outstanding food and the chance to see how much weight the old batboy has lost --or will by that time-- you will get to meet with your old teammates and newly found friends. If you haven't made your plans to head to Columbia in June you had better start making preparations now by calling the Stoney Creek Inn at 800 659 2220. Tell them you're with the KOM League and they will probably give you the special reunion rate. Sure they will give you the rate as long as the rooms are available.

If you are the least bit curious as to where the next KOM League event will be held just click on www.stoneycreekinn.com It will show you what to expect a whole lot better than I can describe it.


If you plan on attending the reunion be a caring person and invite a former teammate to join you. If you don't the whereabouts of someone you played with or against some 50 years ago the chances are pretty good that Yours Truly can put you in touch with that person or persons.

Stanka show this to your wife. I am sure she will remember this announcement long after you have forgotten it.

Yours Truly and his wife will be at the grand opening of the Stoney Creek Inn the night of November 20, 2003. They will have live entertainment as well their whole entourage of caterers. Each will attempt to outdo the other. That evening a commitment will be made with most outstanding caterer at that grand opening and that entity will be signed up to do all the catering at our upcoming event.

This is going to be an above average event, as KOM League reunions go, so plan on joining the crowd.
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A note from Broadway Bound

Mr. Hall, Thanks so much for sending this on. My husband is enjoying it already. We are honored to be included in the fans of old-time baseball.
I rehearsed with the Broadway Bound troupe on Saturday afternoon and we are booked for June 5, 2004. We're planning on some great numbers for your group.
Hope our paths cross before then! Thanks for inviting us, Mary Paulsell.


Ed Note: A recent Flash Report was sent to the Paulsell's. Both Mary and Charles will be in attendance at that event. Charles, aside from being a baseball fan, is affiliated with the Columbia Fire Department.

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Just say when!!

Had a note from a "fair weather" reader today requesting his name be taken from the Flash Report list. He had ulterior motives for being on the list in the first place. He thought he could use this vehicle to make a financial profit but there are ways to guard against that happening and he opted out.

There are some out there who are probably wearying of these reports. So during November I am offering anyone who wishes to be taken off the Flash Report list to send me a thesis in 10,000 words or less--hopefully a whole lot less-- and your name will be eradicated, taken off, expunged, erased and obliterated from the KOM League address database.

To my knowledge these reports go back to May of 1999. In that span of time 1,714, 888 words have spewed out through these Flash Reports (not counting this report). Can you even imagine how many pages that represents? I have heard that some of you have kept all these Flash Reports since "day 1" but somehow I doubt it. I do have all the 1.7 million words and images on my hard-drive should anyone ever desire to see the entire "package." I am only kidding. I wouldn't download that to anybody. It would crash your system and would cause the cutting of an entire Florida pine grove to come up with enough paper to print it all.

Back to the number of pages issue. Using Times Roman 12 print, and single spacing, printing all the Flash Reports would require 3,752 sheet of paper which would require the utilization of 7.5 reams of paper. Back in Carthage we would say, "That's a whole gob of paper." Or as one of my old parishioners used to say, "The only problem with you is that you are a man of few words--but you keeping using them over and over."
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The Yungs coming to Columbia

John, Hope you didn't fall off the roof and had a good road trip. 2nd. Darlene and I plan to be at the reunion in June, but have not made reservations yet. 3rd. No one has compared me with Jack McKeon, but I'd be so honored. 4th. In the latest KOMLR, the marker for Mrs. Mantle shows birth as 1901, your narrative has 1904. Not that it makes a lot of difference, but I note you had trouble with Stan Musial's birth date too. 5th. If we hadn't lost our first string quarterback earlier in the season, the Mule (Central Missouri State University) and Gorilla (Pittsburg State University) football score would have been different. That was quite a game. Our freshman quarterback did himself "good" but just not quite good enough. Oh well, Next year. 6th. We are going to Branson for the week of Nov 14-21. I'll send Stan his birthday card from there. Have another good day. Eldon


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Ed Reply: I fell off the roof but the good news you will be at the reunion. Mrs. Mantle was born in 1904. The picture I had didn't show the date too clearly. I hated to doctor the thing but the straight line on the 4 was not viewable. I marked over that with a pen and it made the rest of the four invisible. I guess you are telling me the Mules lost to Pitt. State. I didn't check many of the scores from yesterday. Have a good trip to Branson. You and I might be the only two sending Stan a card, sure hope not thought. John
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Note from the Kitty League

Dear Kitty League friends,

We lost a member of the Kitty League family on Saturday with the passing of Mel Ivy. Mr. Ivy played five seasons with the Paducah Indians, Fulton Tigers, and Hopkinsville Hoppers in 1935-36, 1938, and 1941-42. He was also player-manager for the Tigers in 1941 and the Hoppers in 1942.

Visitation will be at Mitchell Funeral Home in Marion, Illinois on Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m. with funeral services at the same location on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Flowers are acceptable though the Ivy family would prefer donations be made to the Hospice Group in Marion.

I have been asked to be a pallbearer and will proudly represent all former Kitty League players at the funeral. I will also be making a donation to Hospice on behalf of all Kitty League players. If anyone would like to contribute toward this donation, please e-mail me or mail a check to my home address.

As a side note, there will be a special section on Mel Ivy and those players who've died during the past year in the next issue of The Bull Pen. So far I have the names of Leo Martindale ('50 Jackson-Fulton), Jim Murdaugh ('36-37 Jackson, '37-38 Lexington, '39 Bowling Green), and Eddie Erickson ('50, '52-53 Fulton). If anyone can add to this list, please let me know.

Sincerely, Kevin McCann
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Close, but no cigar

John, One of your writers was close when he referred to Vic Power getting caught red-handed with Billy Martin's wife as flagrante. The actual phrase is flagrante delicto. No cigar, though.

I found that on Oct. 22, 1938, Louis Kinman of Iola, Kan., married Kizzie Duncan of Jefferson City, Mo. Time flies. Bryce
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Speake injury details unknown

"Hi, We must have missed the article about Bob Speake's misfortune. what happened?" Paul Hoffmeister

Ed Reply:

He evidently fractured his leg. The only reference I have heard is the one Frank Hungerford mentioned in his brief and not too descriptive e-mail. Let you know when I know more.
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We lost another great ballplayer. It's a very sad day in baseball. Clint Chafin


Wm. Mayes Dobbins

Wm. Mayes Dobbins -MT. VERNON - Wm. Mayes Dobbins, age 78, of 611 East Dobbins Street, Mt,. Vernon (Georgia) , died Friday, November 7, at his residence after an extended illness. He was a native of Cobb County, living in Macon and Savannah for several years and moving to Mt. Vernon in 1951 as Teacher/Coach at Mt. Vernon-Ailey High School. He was a US Veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater. He was 1946 graduate of Lanier high School in Macon, earning his B.A. from Mercer University in Macon, his Master Degree from Peabody College in Nashville,Tennessee, and a degree in Administration from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro. He was a Montgomery County High School Coach, leading two girls teams to State Championships in 1961 and 1971. In 1978 retired as Principal of Montgomery County High School. From, 1950 to 1954, he played semi-pro baseball (Ed note: It was professional baseball. jgh ) with Georgia-Alabama League, the Florida State league and the Georgia State league. In 1977, he was inducted into the Mercer University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a member or the Montgomery County Board of Education, member of the Mount Vernon Post of the VFW, the Vidalia Moose Club, the Rocky Creek Golf Club and was a lifetime member of the Georgia High School Athletic Association. He was a member and Elder the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, where he formerly served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, Secretary and Treasurer. -Mr. Dobbins is survived by his wife, Patricia Winburn Dobbins of Mount Vernon; one son, Dobby Dobbins of Kennesaw; two daughters, Debra D. Gay of Ailey and Donna D. Brice of Mt. Vernon; one sister, June Hart of Prosperity, South Carolina; two brothers, Samuel Douglas Dobbins of Prosperity, and Hugh Lee Dobbins of Fairburn; six grandchildren, Tamra Brice, Dominique dobbins, Gabriel Gay, Tanner Brice, II, Turner Brice and Carmen Cay, and several nieces and aunts. -Funeral services for Mr. Wm Dobbins will be held Sunday, November 9 at 1P.M., in the Saliba Chapel on the campus of Brewton Parker College in Mount Vernon with Reverend David Blalock and Reverend Robert Conner officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Vernon City Cemetery. -The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 434, Mount Vernon, GA 30445. -The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 5:00 until 7:00P.M., all former Athletes of Coach Dobbins are asked to serve as Honorary Pallbearers and to be at Saliba Chapel at 12:30P.M. -Murchison Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Telegraph on 11/9/2003.


Ed Reply: I notice that the person writing the obit. didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro club. Anyway, they got his career outlined.
I notice that the person writing the obituary didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro organizations. Anyway, they got his career outlined. It is sad that the guys are passing the scene in even greater regularity. Some day they will only be remembered by what is in a microfilm library or in some record book which will never reveal the intensity that they played and loved the game when it still was a game.
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Our guys are going far to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?
to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?I notice that the person writing the obit. didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro club. Anyway, they got his career outlined.

Our guys are going far to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?
I notice that the person writing the obit. didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro club. I notice that the person writing the obit. didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro club. Anyway, they got his career outlined.

Our guys are going far to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?
Anyway, they got his career outlined.
I notice that the person writing the obit. didn't understand baseball classification too well. He had the Georgia-Alabama, Georgia State and Florida State Leagues as being semi-pro club. Anyway, they got his career outlined.

Our guys are going far to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?
Our guys are going far to quickly. Someday, and not too far into the future the old Class D Leagues are only going to be footnote in history. First hand accounts of that era will only be salvaged by old newspaper columns and a notation in some record book that will carry nothing of the passion those fellows had for the game. Sad, isn't it?

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
November 8, 2003

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Bulletin:


Telephone call early Saturday morning from Shirley Erath, revealed the death of her husband George Erath of High Point, NC. George was a member of the 1949 Carthage Cubs and was involved in one of the more "amusing" incidents in KOM League lore. He was the hurler who made the pitch that Mickey Mantle skied to centerfield at Carthage, MO on August 28, 1949 athat Bill Hornsby never saw and it came down, hit him in the head and dimmed his lights. Mantle got an inside the park homer on a rather routine fly ball and he never forgot that incident.

Civic leader Erath dies
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.asp?brd=1332


George Erath, the philanthropist, business leader and athlete from whom the High Point University baseball field gets its name, died early Friday after declining health at the age of 76.

Ed Note: I attempted to bring up that article, however, the High Point Enterprise requires that a person have an account to access their stories.

Thie following notice was secured through the Greensboro, NC News and Record.

GEORGE S. ERATH
11-08-2003


HIGH POINT— Mr. George S. Erath, 76, resident of 107 Prestwick Drive, died Nov. 7, 2003, at the High Point Regional Hospital.


A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Ken Broman-Fulks and Dr. Jacob C. Martinson officiating. A private inurnment will be held at the church columbarium.


Mr. Erath was born July 10, 1927, in Chicago, Ill., the oldest of three boys to George Glennon and Edith Benson Erath. He attended the Lane Tech High School, which was an all-boys school, and in January 1945 attended the University of Indiana on a football scholarship. Mr. Erath was drafted into the Army in October 1945 and, in March 1946, was sent to Europe, where he played both football and baseball for the Army. In August of 1947, he returned to his hometown of Chicago. He enrolled to High Point University in the fall of 1949 and received a bachelor's degree in business in 1952. In 1953, Mr. Erath enrolled in the University of North Carolina Graduate Program and received his M.B.A. in 1954.


Mr. Erath was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He served the High Point Community as chairman of several boards and received numerous community awards, including High Point Chamber Citizen of the Year in 1997 and the High Point Community Foundation Award in 2002. Also in 2002, the High Point University baseball field was renamed the George S. Erath Baseball Field.


Mr. Erath is survived by his wife, Shirley Truitt James Erath, of the home. Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Flash (Deborah) James Gordon of High Point and Mrs. Rob (Marion) Compton of Lawrenceville, Ga.; three sons, Ronald James Jr. and wife Mary of Salem, Va., George Snider Erath II and wife Shawn of Jamestown and Michael Glennon Erath and wife Elizabeth of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, John Erath, of Hagerstown, Md.; 16 grandchildren. Mr. Erath was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Edward H. Erath, of Los Angeles, Calif.


Visitation will be held at the residence from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and in the church parlor at First Presbyterian Church following the service on Monday.


Memorials may be directed to the George S. Erath Baseball Field, c/o High Point University, 833 Montlieu Ave., High Point, NC 27262.


Cumby Family Funeral Service, 1015 Eastchester Drive, High Point, is assisting the Erath family.


Online condolences may be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com


Ed Note: You fellows who knew George can pass along condolences throe the Cumby Funeral home web site cited. Any major league player today should in some measure tip their hat to George Erath. He is the fellow who gave Curtis Flood his first baseball opportunity and you all know what Flood did to pave the way for mediocre players to make meteoric salaries.




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The Flash Report errata for November 7, 2003


Errata #1
John, I am sorry that I didn't catch this but dad's birthday is Nov. 21st, not the 20th! Janet Musial Schwarze

Ed Reply: You're right, I inadvertently hit the wrong key. I should know your dad's birthday since it is the same day as my mother's and if I miss hers by a day I am in big trouble. Thanks for the note.

Errata #2

Thanks for the Bartlesville roster. I did notice on the 1951 roster that my year of birth and my home state are wrong. My birthday is 08-29-32 and I'm from Salem, Arkansas. It was listed right on the 1950 roster. Regards, Don Cochran.

Ed Reply: Thanks for the update. You'll be hearing from E. C. Leslie before long. I'll get the rosters corrected. I am continually updating those things.

What I had done on the 1951 roster was putting Salem, Ore. instead of Salem, Ark. That is a few thousand miles difference.

Errata #3

John: Can't figure out why you had a mountain climber on your list (Tommy Heinrich). Sorry John. I was attempting to kid you regarding the spelling.

Ed Reply: I know you are supposed to spell his name like a well-to-do chicken but I found an extra "I." Tommy Rich Hen, I men Hen Rich.

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Ohio will be represented at the next KOM League reunion.

JOHN,

I LOVE THIS STUFF. WANT TO LET YOU KNOW (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT) THAT THE DAYTON NEWSPAPER IS PUTTING NUMBER THREE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. SI BURICK, RITTER COLLETT AND NOW HAL McCOY ARE IN THE WRITER'S SECTION. ALL COVERED THE CINCY REDS.


CAN YOU SEND ME FRANK HUNGERFORD'S NEW CYBER SPACE ADDRESS. IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME I GET IT HE CHANGES OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.


I DO DEFINITELY PLAN TO ATTEND THE REUNION TO PICK UP SOME STUFF FOR MY U. of DAYTON CLASS.


JOHN PALCHER

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Hello “Dad” Mr. Hall,

Would you please send me a complementary (I hope I spelled that right) newsletter. If you have an extra one please. Did you get any comments about the Joint Reunion idea?

Take Care and have a GREAT WEEKEND! Your Son, Clint Chafin--Moultrie, Ga

Ed Reply:

I haven't had a comment regarding a joint reunion. But that isn't surprising. I have been pushing the 2004 reunion real hard and have only come up with five responses. My readers are slow to anger and even slower to action, it appears.


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Death of a KOM League fan

John, We got news today that Kizzie Kinman died last night. She and her husband owned the music store where many of the guys hung out in Iola. This is
about all we know at this time. Getter

Ed Note: This editor had the chance to meet Kizzie at one of the KOM League reunions and she was a great lady. She was a long time Iola Indian fan and shared with me many personal photos of her time around the Iola players basically during the 1947-48 seasons.

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Nick was grateful

Nick Najjar called over the weekend to get the telephone number of Sam Dixon and to have me to pass on to Jim Jay that he was thrilled to have been remembered on his birthday. Sam sent Nick a card as he does each year and it thrills Nick to be remembered in that manner.

I guess that either in the Flash Report or the KOM League Remembered the old practice of listing the birthdays is going to have to be revived. I doubt that many of you recall or still retain the listing of birthdays that were carried in the old newsletters. If you have a birthday and haven't sent it to me you might want to do that in order that it can be entered into the database. If you are still around but have quit having birthdays you might want to apprise me of that also.


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Boo on the Postal Service

Received the latest issue of KOMLR and much to our dismay: The front cover was missing! Now I know you usually have a picture of some thing or some one on the cover, but we'll never know who or what it was! Also the first page was gone as well. Please let us know what it was about. As usual, another gem from John!....The Bass'

Ed Note: The foregoing note was received from Silver Spring, Maryland. But it could have been from any of the six cities in this country where the KOM League newsletter is eagerly anticipated each month. Most of the readership wouldn't notice, or care, if half the thing was missing. It would save them from wading through it every 30-days or so. However, if you are one of the families who use the periodical each month for starting a fire in the fireplace and need all those sheets, please let me know when the newsletter arrives minus some of its parts.
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November birthdays of which I am aware

Bartlesville
Ray Budway --16
Wesley Nettles --23 (Deceased)
Claude Willoughby--14 (Deceased)
Jim Fink--28
Charles Stock--23
Rolf Moeller--21
Ken Boyd--29
Benjamin Perry--20
Sal Campagna--21
Don Hedrick--16
Charles Sauvain-12
Nick Ferrante--23
Ernie Garcia--7

Carthage
Johnny LaPorta--19 (Deceased)
Thomas Harrison--22
Galen Bowman--3
Virgil Estep--27
Jacob Jacobson--1 (Deceased)
Donald Stange--27 (Deceased)
Duane Zimmer--16
Ernie Aiken--12
Burton Coffman--30 (Deceased)

Chanute
Archie Kelly--6
James Abbott--4
Louis Bejma--6 (Deceased)
Richard Hibbler--6
Robert LeBlanc--13
John Van Meter--15

Independence
Bob Signaigo--13
Billy Bagwell--28
Paul Flores--29
Michael Armstrong--4
Tim Hastings--25
Don Ottoson--4 Deceased)

Iola
Walter Rzepczynski--11 (Deceased)
Nick Najjar--3
Harold Sollars--7 (Deceased)
William Scheffel--26 (Deceased)
Donald Berry--28 (Deceased)
Tom Guinn--24 (Deceased)
Richard Masley--17

Miami
Marvin Busey--25 (Deceased)
Roy Buffalo--22
John Gierek--19
John Davenport--27 (Deceased)

Pittsburg
Dan Kantor--5
Sal Nardello--15
James Plowman--15
Robert McEvilly--14

Ponca City
Howard Hill--8 (Deceased)
Ronnie Wiblemo--28 (Deceased)
Dale Copps--17 (Deceased)
Don Fleisch--21 (Deceased)
Calvin Bryant--29 (Deceased)
Ronald Stuart--11 (Deceased)
Paul Sizemore--24 (Deceased)
Ernie Jordan--4
Mike Krmpotic--4
Cliff Ohr--18
George Scherger--10
Ted Downey--6

Of all the aforementioned names it is impossible to tell you if all the guys shown as not being deceased are still alive. Many have never been located and some of those who have been may have passed away by now. The oldest player on this list is Nick Najjar who was born 11/03/1918. However, close on his heels is former Miami Owl, Roy Buffalo. Roy is 19 days younger than Nick. The person with the oldest birth date is Claude "Sleepy" Willougbhy was born in 1888. He managed the Bartlesville Oilers in 1946 and his son Keith played on that club.

Of those for whom November birthdays are indicated, 38.3% have passed away. The whereabouts of 28.3% are unknown and 33.4% are still with us at last report. However, there is one bit of data missing. There are probably some readers of this report who played in the KOM League and have November birthdays. If that is the case send along your date of birth. I personally think November was a great month to be born.

If you see a name to whom you would like to send a birthday card let me know and I will forward the address. If you see a name of someone who owes you money from your playing days the information will probably not be shared.

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Does this sound familiar?

While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and resumed their trip.

When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table. She didn't miss them until after they had been driving about twenty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.

All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up one minute.

They finally arrived at the restaurant. As the woman got out of the car to retrieve her glasses, the man yelled to her,

"While you're in there, you might as well get my hat too."
Submitted by Jean Wilson--Widow of the Ed Wilson--Miami '48 and Iola '52

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Hey gang, a new reader

Dear John (this is not really a Dear John Letter nor is it to the football player nor the movie star nor my uncle John Hall of Kokomo IN):

Rod Nelson has sent me a few copies of your KOM Reports and I find them fascinating. I would love to receive them regularly, be pointed to the URL where they are archived and subscribe to your quarterly Reports).

I have been an ardent baseball fan since seeing my first game in the 1944 World Series. I was born in Chicago, raised in Southern Illinois (Paris/Danville), but have been in Minneapolis since 1950. I have been in and out of SABR since 1977 and began building baseball related data bases in 1953 (http://hometown.aol.com/auricle99/myhomepage/resume.html).

In the 1960's, I spent many an afternoon and evening sitting at Eddie Webster's Bar by the old Met Stadium, chewing fat with the likes of Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, Whitey Ford, Pete Ramos, Joe Pepitone and other infamous Yankee drunks. And I bought the house vacated by Vic Power when he was hurriedly shuttled off to LA after being caught in flagrante with Billy Martin's wife.

Looking forward to your very interesting writing, I am
Sincerely yours,

Ron Henry (auricle99@aol.com)
H&R Computing
Suite 142
3031 Ewing Avenue South
Minneapolis MN 55416-4227
(612)925-9114

Ed Reply:

Welcome aboard. This is one of the vehicles used to talk of old-time baseball. Go to Google.com and type in KOM League Flash Reports and you will be reading this "stuff" until your hair falls out or you get double vision.

I assume the item you describe as being a subscription is the KOM League Remembered. Unfortunately, it is a monthly not a quarterly publication. Most readers probably wish it was a yearly periodical.

I'll put you on the Flash Report list immediately. If you want to subscribe to the printed KOM League Remembered the address is:

John Hall
1709 Rainwood Place
Columbia, MO 65203

The bad news regarding the newsletter is that the price is $50 a year.

Thanks for getting in touch. John Hall--Editor, Author, Batboy or for others I am "Pastor, Founder and General Overseer of the church of the KOM League faithful."

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Bye!
That's about all for a few days. Today it is out the door and on to the roof to clean out the gutters of the remnants of summer. Next week the KOM League truck goes back on the road. So, if I don't fall off the roof or get lost on some back road this week I'll be back at this station in a week or so.

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
11/7/03

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Donny James Cochran--1950-51 Bartlesville Pirates

In preparing this article let me say how inept this editor has been over the years in tracking down former KOM Leaguers. Since the inception of the search, back in 1994, one of the names at the top of the list was Don Cochran of the 1950 & 51 Bartlesville Pirates. This is a guy who was straight out of Salem, Arkansas High School who had a 5-2 record in 1950 and went 18-6 in 1951 and was on the same pitching staff as Ronnie Kline who went 18-4 and on to a long major league career.

Every attempt at locating Mr. Cochran was unfruitful. This past Saturday I was cleaning out the "mess" in a basement storage room. In that room is every letter, card or item sent me since 1994 by former KOM Leaguers or anyone else making comments about anything related to the old league. Of the scores of boxes and thousands of letters there was a card that fell from a box as it was being restacked. I picked up the card and noticed that it was from Mrs. Jake Thies (Jake was a KOM Leaguer who later played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.) She was thanking me for the great reunion her husband Jake had just attended in Pittsburg, Kansas. That was 1996.

I read her note once again, for the first time since 1996, and noticed that she mentioned her sister-in-law still lived in Salem, Arkansas and knew Betty and Don Cochran. Tucked inside that card was a note bearing the address of Betty and Don. I figured that I must have made an attempt to contact the Cochran's back in 1996 and that it had to have been the wrong family.

Anyway, I dialed the number from the seven year-old note and got a recording. I mentioned that if I had made contact with the Cochran who played for Bartlesville that I could be called collect. When no call was forthcoming for a few days I decided that I was never going to locate the former Bartlesville pitcher. At my wife's insistence this past Wednesday evening, I tried once more and guess what? That's right, you guessed correctly.

The Cochran's have lived in Kansas City for 50 years. Following an arm injury while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans, Don packed up and headed to Kansas City where he worked for General Motors for 30 years and has been retired for more than 20. He loves retirement and manages to keep busy golfing from Missouri to Palm Springs, CA where he "winters" for three months each year. While at New Orleans he recalled "We had some good guys like Bob Purkey, Frank Thomas, and Dale Long." Don had an 8-6 record in 1952 for Danny Murtaugh's Pelicans, and in 1953 had no decisions due to arm trouble. So, in an abbreviated career he went 31-14. Minus the sore arm and being in the Pirate organization at the time he would most likely have spent some time with the big club in Pittsburgh.

When I mentioned that a number of his former Bartlesville teammates have inquired about him I promised to mention that to those who have e-mail access. Don was happy to learn that we have KOM League reunions and that the next one will be held within 135 miles of his home. He plans to join us in Columbia. If any of you guys want to get in touch with Don let me know and I will send you his telephone number, home address and e-mail access. He said that he thought there was an old Bartlesville scrapbook laying around somewhere and he was going to "dig it out."

Donny James Cochran (P) B. 8/29/32 Salem, Ark.
1950-51 Bartlesville, KOM League. 1952-53 New Orleans, Southern Association.

Followup:

Each member of the 1950-51 Bartlesville Pirates on the e-mail file were sent the message that Cochran had been located. This is was the first response. "John, thanks for the information on Don Cochran. Don, Ron Kline and I were roommates as well as team mates. I will be contacting him immediately. Thanks again!" E. C. Leslie


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More memories of the late Mike Lemish

John, First got to know Mike Lemish when he was pitching for Okla.City. He would quick pitch you before you could blink an eye. Mike also pitched for Ray
Murray down in Harlingen in the Texas League. Ray and I had been roomies in 55, so when we were in Harlingen he and I went fishing and Mike came along.
While out in the Gulf fishing, we all got very seasick. That was the last time I saw Mike. I believe that was 1960. Dick Getter

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Another comment regarding Fireball Jackson

John, They were all residents of "Leavenworth Federal Motel," you made your own bed though. Played against Satchel about the same time but Fireball could throw a little harder and didn't take all night to get on the mound. Check those NBC annuals I sent you and you will see a lot more. newk (Newk as in Dave Newkirk not Don Newcombe.)

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From here on call me Jacque

Hello Jacque. So good to hear from you. Yes, this is the George Hosp you are thinking about. You would have known him today if he were still alive
but he did put on a lot of weight. He was a good guy. Have a good day. Van Greenwood

Ed Note: This note was in regard to the mention in the last Flash Report of the death of former Carthage Cardinal and other minor league teams, George Hosp. This is playing ports-of-call. 1946 Alba, Missouri Aces and Carthage, MO Cardinals.1947 did not play. 1948 Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis., Northern League, and Seminole, Sooner State League. 1949 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin State League.
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Just call him thrilled

John, That's unbelievable ! I made your newsletter ! Thanks for putting the Garnell piece out there for your readership. Lloyd was a bonafide good guy who would have gotten a kick out of the KOM stories. Thanks again. Joseph Spickard

Ed Reply: How did I get Pickard out of Spickard? I've gotta get that hearing aid adjusted.

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Jim Snyders on the mend


HI JOHN. WANT TO LET YOU AND ALL OF JIMS FANS TO KNOW THAT JIM IS RECOVERING FROM KNEE SURGERY A REVISION ON OCT 21ST ID SAY HE'S ON THIRD BASE COMING INTO HOME THOSE BASEBALL GAMES MUST BE HARD ON THE OLD KNEES WE ARE ENJOYING THE FLASH REPORTS THE WINTRY DAYS. THE SNYDERS --1952 Independence Browns

Ed Note: Doesn't it sound cozy? Sitting around the old computer terminal on snowy nights in Sioux Falls, South Dakota being entertained by reading the KOM League Flash Report? That sounds about as much fun as watching cement harden and the sidewalks roll up at night in small town America.
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Looks like some more pictures are on the way

JOHN I HOPE YOU GOT THE PICTURES I SENT, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE YET, AS I JUST SENT THEM YESTERDAY, JUST WANTED TO SAY HELLO TO YOU AND NOËL AS I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU LATELY; HOPE YOU ARE BOTH DOING FINE AND ENJOYING
TIME TOGETHER. A GOOD FRIEND JEAN WILSON. (Wife of the late Ed Wilson.)

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Another reader recalls the dynamite truck blowing a crater in I-44

Hey John, I am still out here every morning anxiously awaiting the arrival of the FR!!!! Never get enough of your writing. I have finished the
"project" and was very pleased with your efforts. John, it has a wonderful story line. Have you heard any further from TL?

You are right about how things seem to "trigger" memories. The note about the I-44 explosion brought back memories of a great friend and co-worker
from the 60's when I was with Ben Franklin company in KC. Our Traffic Mgr. was a guy named Herb Eskelin and through his previous employment he somehow
was a member of the Board of Directors of Tri-State. I can remember when that incident happened just as if it were yesterday. I traveled that road
many a days too and never thought about that particular stretch being "different" until now.


The note from Norma regarding Jim Woods (Iola '50) certainly triggers memories also. I know the very house she refers to. When I returned from Carthage I called my sister immediately to let her know about my visit with Jim and his wife and my not knowing he had any connection to the KOM. Again, it is a small world. I
think I told you he was wrestling coach for all FIVE of my nephews at CHS.(Chanute, Kansas High) I can also still see Keith and Norma Maring every morning, down there at the pool, skimming the water or sweeping the deck, getting ready to "baby-sit"
all of the kids in Chanute for another hot, summer day. Listen to this.That is the first place I ever ate a FROZEN SNICKERS candy bar, the best
there is, and last night I sneaked a peek in the freezer(few days after Halloween of course) and there they were----a bag of FROZEN SNICKERS. So I
had to have one!!! I always get stuck with buying the candy and for some strange, unknown reason, there are always TOO MANY Snickers!!!!! Isn't
that strange??????

Keep up the great work John and let me know the progress with TL. Casey Casebolt
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One former KOM League back on line and another has a leg fracture

John, I am back in cyber space with a new computer and ISP, and also realized that I am considerably in arrears in annual subscription which I will attempt to correct.

Just received the November 2003 edition of The KOM League Remembered, and noticed the dates for the next KOM Reunion.

We former Springfield Generals just completed our annual get together at Biloxi, Mississippi last week. One of our open action items was identifying a place and date for our next reunion in 2004. We procrastinated in this regard, but as we have tied our Generals Reunions several times in the past to the KOM Reunions and/or Springfield High School Reunions, your announcement of the June 3-5, 2004, dates at Columbia will spur us to action. Hopefully, we can get several (such as Billingsly, Haley, Hungerford) who missed the Bartlesville and Carthage 2003 reunions to attend the Columbia reunion.

We did have one casualty at our Biloxi reunion, but I'll let Bob Speake to fill you in the details of his fractured leg. Frank Hungerford

Ed Note:

I was happy to hear Colonel Hungerford is back on line and that he may be "dragging" many of the Springfield Generals (great amateur club of the 1940's--'50's) up to Columbia for the KOM League event.

As happy as I was to hear from Hungerford I was sorry to hear about Bob Speake's misfortune. I have a card on my desk that I am going to address and get in the mail to him. Here is the address if you wish to do likewise.

Mr. Bob Speake
4722 SW Urish Road
Topeka, KS 66610

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Recent trivia question was ignored:

This was a quote from the last Flash Report. "Here is a trivia question that some baseball 'nut' will crack in seconds. What did Leo Durocher, Ben Chapman, Jack Saltzgaver, Tony Lazzeri, Jake Powell, Tommy Heinrich, Roy Cullenbine, Billy Johnson, Oscar Grimes, Aaron Robinson, Bobby Brown, Cliff Mapes, Mickey Mantle and "Nobody" have in common? If you think you know the answer place it on the back of a new $20 bill and rush it to the KOM League quickie quiz. The first respondent is the winner. None of the other $20 bills will be returned. (Okay, I'm kidding about the $20 bill. But think over that question.) If you answer that they all played for the Yankees that is only part of the answer."

Either no one read that question, or they thought I was really attempting to line my pocket with $20 bills. So due to the lack of demand for an answer I am providing it anyway. Each of the aforementioned New York Yankees wore #7. Now who was "Nobody" you ask. Well, in 1947 & 1948 "Nobody" wore #7 for the New York Yankees.

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How to get the newsletter

John, can one subscribe to your newsletter paying by credit card or paypal? Thanks, TC

Ed Reply:

I don't have any method to take any of those types of payment. I accept gold bullion, silver certificates, Federal Reserve Notes, checks, money orders, rookie Mantle cards or anything else of value. When a guy can't afford any of the aforementioned I sometimes let my generous impulses take over and send it as a gift. John

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How to find anybody

John, I just got hold of my 5th grade class picture with all the names below, and I know a number of them who are deceased but am sure there are others
who are gone that I'm not aware of. Would you kindly tell me how you go about finding out that info. I've seen the results of your efforts in that respect.
I'd appreciate that info, if you will, Thanks in advance, Bob Curley

Ed note: Bob played in the KOM League in 1946 so you know that 5th grade class picture was taken in the early days of the Roosevelt Administration.

After reading one of the previous articles and my inability to locate Don Cochran for nine years I won't claim any expertise.

I think I know how Bob could find every living former 5th grade classmate. He could run a story in the Cincinnati, Ohio Inquirer--he lives near there--and announce that he had just won the lottery and intended to give $1 million to all of his former classmates. They would come of Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio in numbers that far outnumbered the size of the class.

Short of giving away money Bob is going to have to work at this one.

1. Go to Switchboard.com and enter the first name, middle initial and last name of the male classmate you are seeking. Limit your search to the general area in which your school was located.

2. If the name is rather rare you might even do a national search. Just put in the name and leave the state preference unmarked.

3. If you don't find a name of the person you are seeking, look for the last name of that individual in the town where you attended the 5th grade. (It was Covington, Kentucky, right?) You can call the people with the same last name of your classmate (helpful with females since most of them probably married) and inquire if they know the existence of that person.

4. Before spending a lot of time on Switchboard.com you may will to log on to the Social Security Death Index to see if that person is deceased. If they are not on the Death Index you have a good chance of locating them.
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I am glad the manuscript is completed


Last night Hallie Mantle, the family historian who has been gracing this earth with her presence since the very early part of the 20th century called to make comments about the recent KOM League newsletter. She is always very kind but wanted to make sure I had my details of births, deaths and family migration in proper order. I think that I do and after conversing with her for a few minutes she agreed that my logic was air-tight.

One of the things that took a great deal of research was to figure out when the Mantle family migrated from Missouri into Oklahoma or Oklahoma Territory. There is a reel-to-reel tape which John Edward Mantle--Mickey's great uncle, born in 1867, recounted to Hallie before his death. He knew the entire story of the move from Missouri to Oklahoma. Hallie informed me that some of the cousins had heard Mickey's great uncle tell the story of the trip from Missouri to Oklahoma. I knew the material couldn't make it into the book but figured I would enjoy hearing it. I found a cousin Joy and her husband Levi in a southern Arkansas directory. I called and now the only regret I have is that I didn't gain permission to record the conversation.

According to Levi and Joy, both in their eighties, Uncle "Ed" John Edward Mantle, was sixteen years the senior of his brother, Charles Edwin--Mickey's grandfather. When John Edward struck out for Oklahoma he was insistent his brother Charles come along for he feared the young man would drink too much if left alone in Missouri. Joy claimed, "Uncle Charlie could drink just as much in Oklahoma as could in Missouri, and did."

According to the story John Edward shared with the family, the Missouri leg of the trip ended at Seligman, Missouri which is on the state line just north of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. John Edward claimed in his oral history that was the last civilized place he saw during the rest of the trip into the Adair, Oklahoma area. John Edward, Charlie and the rest of the group made the trek in two wagons. One of the wagons was purportedly a wide one and the other narrow. They were pulled by mules and for most of the journey those making the trip walked. John Edward said the wagons were always at a severe angle due to the steepness of the terrain.

Family legend has it that Charles shot a turkey as they entered Oklahoma and it served as a well-appreciated meal. However, the trip took its toll on man and beast and after crossing into Oklahoma from Arkansas one of the mules fell over. A group of cowboys came down the road and saw the predicament the Mantle clan faced. The cowboys asked if they had any pepper sauce on the wagon and the Mantle's were able to fill that request. The cowboys took two bottles of the hot stuff and forced the mule to consume it. After that he got up and didn't stop until he found water according to the tale.

The cowboys got into a discussion with the Mantle party and inquired what they planned to do when they arrived at their destination. The Mantle's responded that they were going to write letter back home to Missouri and let the family know they had made it. One of the cowboys replied, "Letters, there's no need for education in Oklahoma. The only letters you need here is 'letter go' and 'letter rip.'"

Now you realize why this segment will never make it into "the book." However, for us Southwest Missouri, Northeast Arkansas & Northeast Oklahoma natives it gives a glimpse of the migration of the Mantles that really didn't end until 1935. Linn, Missouri-Adair, Spavinaw, White Bird, Cardin and Commerce, Oklahoma were the biggest city any of those folks saw until they veered off to places like Pryor, Oklahoma.. In one of the last remarks Joy made during our telephone conversation she said, "Wow!! Pryor was a big town. They had a picture show. They had an outdoor theater and we didn't have a car so we took our picnic basket and blanket and sat on the ground."
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Reminder

A couple of weeks ago this readership was reminded that Stan Musial will celebrate his 83rd birthday on November 20. I had cleared it with his daughter Janet and she approved. Thus, we want to flood Stan with a surprisingly large number of birthday cards. His birthday is just two weeks away so get those cards and be getting them in the mail in the next 10 days or so. Please!! Thank you, John Hall

Mr. Stan Musial

85 Trent Drive

Ladue, Mo. 63124


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Remember--the 2004 KOM League reunion will be held June 3-5 at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, Missouri. Hope you plan to attend and also invite a former teammate or friend. If you need a telephone number or address of anyone you played with or against in the KOM League let me know and it will be provided.
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This disease will someday afflict every aspirant who ever decided to put on a baseball uniform.

Subject: A.A.A.A.D.D.

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how is manifests itself:

I decided to wash my car. As I start toward to the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first but then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I
take out the trash anyway.

I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my
desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Diet Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Diet Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

I see that the Diet Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Diet Coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Diet Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote.

Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, we will be looking for the remote, but nobody will
remember that it's on the kitchen table.

So I decide to put it back in the living room where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day; the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Diet Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers
aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did
with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.
I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message to close friends you know, because I don't remember to whom it has been sent.

Don't laugh - if this isn't you yet, your day is coming! And if I have sent this to you before....well, now you know why you're getting it again.

Shared by a "faithful" but "forgetful" reader of the KOM League Flash Report

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
November 5, 2003

Think about it: One year from now the citizenry of this country will be talking about the recently concluded presdential race. Names that are in the news today will be a footnote in history within a short time. When I was going about my daily tasks in three centers of commerce today I ran across some Jimmy Dean whole hog sausage that was outdated. Always trying to find the irony in anything--that is to keep me from going insane doing a mundane task--I asked myself, "Next year at this time will the world know of Howard Dean or will he trail the likes of Jimmy Dean--whole hog sausage king; James Dean--Rebel Without a Cause, John Dean--Watergate figure; Jerome Hanna 'Dizzy' Dean and brother Paul 'Daffy'--baseball hurlers, in name recognition".

Our lives are a whole lot like political terms of office. Things change and do so rapidly. If you doubt that, make a list of the things that are the most pressing issues/concerns/fears/ in your life. Then next year at this time make another list and compare them. You will likely see that the old Biblical adage of "give us this day," is about as far as most of us need to fret over things that will only tend to make us miserable creatures.
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Bill Goff--baseball researcher

I checked stats that I have available regarding a Charles Deese. I did not find any such records. The last name reveals two players with the last name Deese. One Bob Deese a pitcher played minor league baseball 1943 through 1952 and a Paul Deese played in California minor league 1957 thru 1959.
Just though I would pass this along. Stay Well. Bill Goff

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Nothing is ever really lost

John: We are back to the small, small world department again. The buildings you photographed in Halltown, Mo. were four miles from the farm where I was raised. Before I-44 was built we used to drive past these buildings on Route 66 every time we drove to Joplin or Carthage. There used to be a little 'convenience' store in the log cabin in the 40's and 50's that served travelers on Route 66. If you want to get a real feeling for that unique Chicago to LA roadway listen to Nat King Cole's version of "Route 66".

Out on I-44 about a mile from Halltown and a quarter mile from Route 66 is a section of I-44 that looks a little different than the adjoining pavement sections. This was the site where, 20 years or so ago, a little organized labor difficulty got real ugly. A small, non-union truck line was engaged in hauling explosives and had repulsed the earlier organizing efforts of the St. Louis based Teamster's Union. On a subsequent dispatch of high explosives by the non-union firm from Springfield to the mining areas on the Oklahoma border, it seemed that a group of union 'sympathizers' had gathered in a car that was following the explosive laden rig. At a point near Halltown, Mo. one member of the union related group following the non-union truck took a shot at the rear of the explosive truck. The bullet, as you might guess, set off the truck load of high explosives - blowing the truck and its driver into a fine mist while more than moderately surprising the car load of shooters who later claimed that they were just trying to 'warn' the non-union truck line. The result of their 'warning' was a huge hole in I-44, traffic tied up for days, prison for the shooters and a large crack in the ceiling of my parent's stone house about 2 miles from the explosion. Mother said it sounded the same as when my father's Cities Service natural gas regulator station near our home blew up under 600 psi of pressure on the south edge of Springfield in the early '50s. A friend went to the site of the truck explosion days later and collected a few tiny fragments of slivered aluminum from the truck and gave some to me. They are in one of my files entitled "Collective Bargaining - St. Louis Style".

See John - as you told me one time.....Nothing is ever really lost. Someone, somewhere knows something about it. Welcome to Halltown, Missouri, and a slightly unique section of I-44.
Neil

Ed Note:

The foregoing was as a result of my "photo of the day" that gets sent out to anyone who ever lived in the Midwest and wish they still did.It is a small world.

I remember the Tri-State Motor Transport accident like it was yesterday. I was living in Topeka, Kansas at the time and kept close tabs on it. The truck was out of Duenweg, MO and shortly after that incident they changed their name to an acronym, TSMT.

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Leon Griffeth

John-I read Furman Bisher's note and I just found that Leon GRIFFETH played for the Philadelphia As in 1946, a pitcher. He was born, it was reported, in 1925. Anyhow, he always comes into my son-in-law's automotive place, hale and hardy, and kidding around with him. My son-in-law always says I need to meet him and talk baseball with him. Thanks for helping me find this old ballplayer. --Bill O'
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Another old photo from a A's --Yankee game of 1956.

Hi John, Came across another picture. All mother wrote on it was Yankees at Kansas City. Can you tell me who some of the players might be? Bobbie

The foregoing is in regard to a family snapshot taken at Memorial Stadium in Kansas City in 1956 by some of Mantle's cousins. The photo in question was fairly easy to identify. I noticed Billy Martin getting ready to lead off with Casey Stengel and Mickey Mantle near the dugout. One Yankee player was throwing in front of the Yankee dugout. Since I am now officially old and even lazier I would appreciate it if someone could tell me who wore #19 for the Yankees in 1956. On second thought don't look it up for me. The guys looks too much like Bob Turley not to be him. So, it had to be Bob Turley.

A tip: If you are ever curious about the roster of any Major League team, past and present you can click on http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1956&t=NYA This will give you the roster for every team by year, including the number the player wore.

Here is a trivia question that some baseball "nut" will crack in seconds. What did Leo Durocher, Ben Chapman, Jack Saltzgaver, Tony Lazzeri, Jake Powell, Tommy Heinrich, Roy Cullenbine, Billy Johnson, Oscar Grimes, Aaron Robinson, Bobby Brown, Cliff Mapes, Mickey Mantle and "Nobody" have in common? If you think you know the answer place it on the back of a new $20 bill and rush it to the KOM League quickie quiz. The first respondent is the winner. None of the other $20 bills will be returned. (Okay, I'm kidding about the $20 bill. But think over that question.) If you answer that they all played for the Yankees that is only part of the answer.

Reply to Bobbie:

Okay, here you go. Take a close look at the guy on the left walking toward the dugout. That is Casey Stengel. If you look closely he appears to have something in his right hand. Well, what that is is Mickey's head. He is looking back toward the grandstand. How about that? That is probably the reason that photo was snapped. Notice the some of the fans in the box seats looking straight at Mickey. I still don't know who #19 is but #1 is Billy Martin. The guy with the rake was a groundskeeper for the A's.

If you look toward the right field stands you will see some houses up toward the top of the photo. They are across the street from that old stadium and Mickey once hit one in the front yard of one of those houses. John

One day later...Bobbie's reply:

John, you just amaze me!!!! I thought that was a glove or something he (Casey Stengel) was carrying. Now that you said it was Mick, I blew it up and sure enough it looks like Mick. Thanks so much, you really know your stuff. Bobbie

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Bob Hamric can now read the Flash Reports

I got a new printer and am now printing up all the KOM Flash reports for him which he is enjoying. I had stopped for a while when I had to hand feed the printer one sheet at a time. Thanks for all that you do. Mazi Hamric

Ed Note: This is a reminder that should you miss any of these Flash Reports you can go to Google.com and type in KOM League Flash Reports and like a miracle, thousands of these things will appear before your very eyes. It will remind you of your worst nightmare. Those things are on blogspot and other sites. Click on the following and it will lead you to many of them.


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=lgtech-kb&q=The+KOM+League+Flash+Report&btnG=Google+Search


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Fireball?

John, Fireball (Jackson) wasn't that good we beat his brains out twice in Wichita, My two Daughters in Iola said to tell you hello. newk
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Word from an old Cub outfielder

John: Enjoyed your paragraph stating your take on Sosa's sign language after his home runs. Maybe its coded sign language thanking the craftsman that corked his bats. Personally I always thought when someone crossed themselves it was a form of cheating. They were in fact asking for someone else to assist them in their endeavors. I never figured out what the hand to the crotch meant, but a great number of ballplayers used this sign. It may have been their age. Hormones can cause these uncontrollable behaviors. Also thought the Fireball Jackson saga was hilarious. Did the bird dog scout title evolve from a scout who signed a jailbird? Was Fireball Jackson a member of the hard-time all time baseball team. With his record he must have led the league in stolen bases. Enough already - thanks for the e-mails. Don Annen --1950 Carthage Cubs & 1951 Topeka Owls.


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Regarding the last Flash Report

Great stories John.Really enjoyed them. Ernie Chastain--Iola Indians
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Hey Nick ~

Happy Birthday, my friend! .....and many more, in good health.

KOM League "fan", Jim Jay

(Kansas City Athletics batboy - 1956 & 1957)

Ed Note: This was a birthday wish send to Nick Najjar on his 85th birthday this past Monday.

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Player stats are appreciated

John--Thanks for forwarding those player stats to me! Very interesting that Griffeth started out at age 21 with the Philadelphia As, and then never made it back up there again (or so the record would suggest). But he certainly pitched a good many years. And I'm not sure that other fellow was the right Deese, but perhaps.

Thanks again. --Bill O'
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JOHN-WOULD YOU PLEASE SAVE ONE OF THE NEWS LETTERS FOR ME? I WILL SEND YOU AN ENVELOPE. I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE OF THE "MANTLES" AS WE WERE FRIENDS DURING OUR GRADE SCHOOL YEARS AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM SINCE. WHEN WE LEFT WHITEBIRD DISTRICT-WE LOST TOUCH. SINCERELY- MARIE RUSSELL

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A former teammate of Tom Saffell
Your mentioning Tom Saffell brought back some memories in the Fireball story. I played with Tom at Selma ,Ala in 1947. I knew that Tom had gone on up to
Pittsburgh, but knew nothing else about him. John, you bringing back memories is your greatest forte. Ray Birch, 1948 Bartlesville Pirates.

Ed Note:

That bringing back memories is a great idea. Maybe I should start a publication and call it The KOM League Remembered or Brining Back the Memories of a Bygone Era. On second thought maybe I should forget it, no one would subscribe to anything like that.


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A new Class D newsletter recognized--The Kitty League

To Kevin McCann: Congratulations!! That is a great newsletter. You did good! Now, until all those guys pass from the scene you have a full-time job. As they pass away you will hear from widows, children and grandchildren. The newsletter will become more important to the families as their loved ones pass away. Be
sure when you print the story of a death in one of your issues that you have about 20 extra copies printed up for each death. The family will request
extra copies and as a good editor when they ask you how much they owe you for those extra copies you have to reply, "Oh, don't give it a second thought."

Thanks for that maiden issue. John

Reply from the Kitty League editor:

John, Thank you for your kind remarks. I'm glad you like how it turned out. In your most recent Flash report, you mentioned having some extra issues of your most
recent newsletter. If you still have on extra left, could I get one? Martha Weeks kindly gave me an extra she had from a few years ago and I'd love to see
how the current model looks.

Thank you for inspiring me to write the Kitty League newsletter. Whether you believe so or not, you are doing a great job and bringing a proud smile to the
faces of many former players, their families, and fans!

Sincerely,
Kevin McCann

KOM League editor's reply:

The current model of the newsletter isn't any better or worse than ones you have seen in the past. They are the same error filled missives that I
started out doing in 1994. You would think practice makes perfect but I am living proof to the contrary. Send me the best snail mail address and I
will send you a "few."

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Somebody enjoyed the 2003 Reunion PowerPoint presentation CD

Hello John and Noel,

Thank you John for sending the package with the discs and the Mickey Mantle cards..............It is greatly appreciated! I know that took time for you
to copy those discs. Not only are the faces and names unforgettable, one is reminded of some of the stories that are likewise.

I went home to Chanute this past weekend. While there I visited with Jim and Jackie Woods for a few minutes. We live across the alley there from
each other, in fact their home faces the swimming pool. Jim asked if I had received any of the KOM issues since the reunion in Carthage. I not only
answered yes but told him there was a great snapshot of him in the reunion edition. He stated, "I gave John $50 and asked him to send me the
subscription, maybe he doesn't have my address." I told him I remembered in Carthage when he told Jackie and I he had just given you $50 so he would
be on the mailing list. I also told him I would e-mail you his address and maybe you still have a copy of that edition you could mail him. Their
address is: 501 So. Katy, Chanute, KS 66720.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Columbia next June. It will probably be a max of two days, but that is 110% better than no days.

Please take care and may Tom Turkey be good to and Noel and your family at Thanksgiving!

Cheers, Norma Maring (1950 Queen of the Chanute Athletics)

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Great fastballers and jailbirds of the past

John,

Is it possible that the Deese in question is Bob? He was Robert William Deese so I don't know where the Charles would come from (I only see 2 Charles Deese's who have died who would fit the approximate age, one from South Carolina and the other from Alabama). Bob Deese was born 11/22/20 in North Carolina (as are about half the people in the country named Deese), started out as a SS with Lynchburg in 1942, then in the military 1943-45, back to Lynchburg and Houston in 1946, apparently was out of O.B. in 1947 and then began a run in the North Carolina State League from 1948-52 as an infielder/pitcher with Albermarle (his home town), Landis, Elkin, Lexington and Statesville. His last year and a half he was a player-manager. His batting averages in the N.C. St. were .327, .323, .308, .304, .323 with a 25-24 pitching record. He died in January l983.

The piece on Fireball Jackson was most interesting. In the spring of 1960 I was on the field before a Vancouver exhibition game with USC talking with Jim Dyck and Red Merritt and all of a sudden there was something that sounded like an explosion, they said you gotta see this, Steve Dalkowski was warming up on the side with Frank Zupo and it actually looked like the ball was coming out of a howitzer. Part of this may have been an illusion because Steve wasn't a big guy but I have never seen anything like it before or since. I saw Nolan Ryan a number of times but the only time he might have been up to Dalkowski was his no-hitter at Detroit.

Blackie Schwamb who pitched for the Browns briefly in 1948 was convicted of murder in 1949, starred for the San Quentin baseball team for 10 years and was still young enough to play for Hawaii in the PCL in 196l after he was released.

Bill Thomas holds career records in the minors for wins, losses, innings despite an interruption in 1930 when he was at the Oklahoma State Reformatory for stealing auto parts and another 2 1/2 years in the late 1940's when he was suspended from baseball for consorting with gamblers. He eventually died in a flop house in Oakland after having used the name of a former teammate for some years. In 1928 a Roy Counts was playing for Phoenix when it was discovered he was escaped convict Lester Fisher who was returned to Oklahoma to serve the rest of his sentence. I have never been able to confirm if Fisher was at the same institution as Thomas in 1930 but if he was it would probably be the only time two active minor leaguers were on the same prison team.

Oklahoma prisons seem to get more than their share of ballplayers. Ron Williamson was a catcher in the Oakland organization in the early 70's and spent 11 years on death row until he was exonerated on DNA evidence.

I think you have written about Tommy Warren and his time in prison (wasn't it in Oklahoma also?) but have forgotten the details.

Bob Hoie (West Coast baseball historian)

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This editor's rural photos eclipse baseball in reader interest

Your "rural ramblings" are a classic collection of real life. Priceless. I've saved each and every one of your photos. Jeff D. Simpson

You found my weakness, that is a good shot of the pups. I bet that they are a hand full. Thanks once again. Dale Hendricks 1947-48 Ponca City Dodgers.

John I really enjoyed the fall pictures. The one of the tree spaniels peeking thru the rail made me think of my good friend Nick. He's a 26 year Marine
veteran, and he's recuperating from an operation he just had last Tuesday. It has to do with prostate cancer, and thus far he's doing very well. He's a great
dog lover, so I forwarded that one to him. He'll enjoy. Thanks. Bob Curley-Chanute Owls and "almost" roster member of the Cincinnati Reds.

For the dog and cat lovers in the audience I share with you an e-mail from a former batboy over in South Carolina--Don Potts.

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DAILY DIARY

> > 8:00 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
> > 9:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
> > 9:40 am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite!
> > 10:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
> > 11:30 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
> > 12:00 noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
> > 11:00 pm - Oh Boy! The yard! My favorite!
> > 4:00 pm - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
> > 5:00 pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
> > 5:30 pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite!
> > 6:00 pm - Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
> > 6:30 pm - Oh Boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My favorite!


EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DAILY DIARY

Day 183 Of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair, must try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmm, not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell
the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my
advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is
obviously a half-wit.

The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current
placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

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The new Cubs "straight jacket"

The photo of the new Cub jacket was shared with a few readers who can accept downloads. One reader had this to say about that bit of pictorial spoofery. "The Cubs jacket is great. That poor guy (the one who kept Alou from "possibly making that catch) works for the same company as a friend of my baseball nuts step-daughter. They are going to great lengths to protect the guy. He is in real danger. Big city thought processes are demented. Like poor pitching and fielding is his fault.

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Oops! Almost forgot

On my way out of Versailles, Mo. this morning I ran into one of the Flash Report readers, Joe Pickard. He is a Frito-Lay distributor. He had some remarks about the recent Fireball Johnson story and then told me the tale of his cousin, Lloyd Garnell. He said that Lloyd pitched for the LA Cubs in the 1930's and had some success until hurting his arm. Lloyd went into studio work in Hollywood and came up with an underwater camera that made him a rich man. For many years he was the underwater photographer for "Sea Hunt" that starred Lloyd Bridges.

Joe said that Lloyd, later called "Goldie" had a nice home in Hollywood and a big swimming pool. The day Elvis Presley died Joe was swimming in Goldie's pool when he came out and announced the "King" had died. Now, all that doesn't have much of anything to do with baseball except, Joe wanted to know if I could capture some of the data from his cousin's brief baseball career. I call upon the readership once again for HELP!!!

The following were some quick lookups I did regarding Lloyd "Goldie" Garnell's life behind the scenes in Hollywood.

-30-

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
November 4, 2003

Editorial comment: Most of these reports are a boring as watching an early season National Basketball Association game. Ho! hum! However, there may be one story in this report that you will find interesting. If you find it let me know. I will be continuing my pursuit of putting 1,000,000 miles on my KOM League truck doing my "paying" job next week. I won't be around all that much but if you have a good story send it along. That monthly newsletter needs some good stories. The November edition should be coming into your homes in the next few days if it hasn't already reached you.

If you don't get the newsletter but would like a complimentary copy you can have it by sending a SASE to my home address. (Only 15 are available so let me know by e-mail if you want one.)

1709 Rainwood Place
Columbia, MO 65203

About the most novel photo in the latest edition is the last picture taken of all the Mantle children prior to the death of Mickey, then Roy and step-brother, Theodore Davis. The photo was taken at the funeral of their mother, Lovell Mantle. Ray, Butch and Barbara are also in the photo.


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Former Carthage Cardinal and member of the Alba Aces passes.

Obituaries
Published: 2003-08-19 Joplin Globe
George Hosp

George Russell Hosp, age 75, of Joplin, passed away at 6:33 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at a local hospital.

Born July 25, 1928 in Joplin, he was the son of the late Russell Howard Hosp and Georgia Pearl Smith Hosp, and lived in the Joplin area his lifetime. A salesman for TAMKO, he retired in 1988 with 40 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, having served in Germany as a medic. He was a member of Christ’s Community United Methodist Church and the Encourager Sunday School Class. He was a volunteer for St. John’s Auxiliary, past Worthy Patron of Webb Chapter No. 204, Order of Eastern Star, and a former Joplin Little League coach.

Survivors include a daughter, Pamela Hosp, of Joplin; two sons, George Robert Hosp and William David “Bill” Hosp, both of Joplin; one brother, John Hosp, of Joplin; one sister, Helen McLaughlin, of Duquesne, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Russell, Sarah and Jennifer Hosp, Michaela Dawn Hosp, Matthew David Hosp, Elizabeth Kathleen Stauffer and David Russell Stauffer.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Christ’s Community United Methodist Church, with Rev. Chris Sloan officiating. Fellow TAMKO employees and spouses will be seated as a group. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Mortuary. The family will be at the home of the daughter, Pamela Hosp, 3320 South Park, in Joplin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program or Christ’s Community United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry.


Ed Note: This one was found scanning the Social Security Death Index lately. George was a member of the 1946 Carthage Cardinals. He had been signed by Runt Marr after playing for the Alba, MO Aces. By the way TAMKO was a manufacturer of roof shingles. As a kid I recall their slogan was, "Tamko roofs, have one on the house."


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Story of the week

The last Flash Report was sent one week ago tonight. Can anyone believe that I refrained a whole seven days without sending one? When last I corresponded it was mentioned that a dinner was planned one week ago tonight between the Bill Clark and John Hall families.

When there is time to sit and eat with the Clarks many things are learned. After having flunked a tryout with the 1948 Carthage Cardinals, Bill Clark went on to become many things including a weight lifter, sports writer, umpire, referee and baseball scout. His tenure with the San Diego Padres is just coming to an end.

When the Halls joined the Clarks at the local Chinese eatery the "chit-chat" was casual. Shortly before showing up for supper, the Clarks had a visitor. Bill told me it was Fireball Jackson picking up his personal belongings. Well, that meant nothing to me since I had never heard of Fireball and further couldn't understand why his personal belongings would be at the Clark home in Columbia, MO.

Well, that little tid-bit of information got the "wheel of baseball's elite researchers" in full motion. Clark spun a tale of that fascinated me. Back in the early 1960's, reputedly, the fastest pitcher in the Midwest or anywhere else, was pitching for the Lansing, Kansas White Sox (some accounts showed them as Red Sox.) Now, don't assume it was a town team. It was comprised of inmates of the Kansas State Penitentiary. By 1963, Fireball was serving 10-21 years for robbery. It was well known to all major league scouts that Fireball was "off-limits" due to the fact the warden didn't want him released. A good pitcher is difficult to replace and especially when you can't recruit and all the players come to play due to decision of some court or judge.

Clark figured he had an angle that other scouts didn't. He lined up a weight-lifting mete at the Kansas State Penitentiary when he figured the "behind the wall White Sox" would be playing a game. During day one of the meet there was no game and on the second day when Clark didn't see any baseball activity he inquired about Fireball. The activities director at the prison asked why he was inquiring of Fireball and Clark told him that he was a (bird dog) scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The activities director arranged for Fireball to throw for Clark. According to Clark, "He was the fastest guy I ever saw." Recalling that Dalkowski once came to a tryout Clark was holding, long after he had left pro ball, Clark admitted that Fireball wasn't as fast as the Dalkowski.

Anyway, the case was made that Fireball could throw hard. Clark call the Pittsburgh home office and told them that he had found the this guy in prison and that he was sure he could work out an arrangement to get Fireball paroled. Clark had a parole officer friend here in Columbia, MO and he agreed to take him if Kansas would release him. They did, and the Pirates sent out Chet Montgomery who signed him to a contract.. In 1964 Fireball was assigned to Reno of The California State League.

Things went well that season but Fireball bolted the team late in the season. Someone had absconded with a car that was owned by the Reno club and they put out a warrant for his arrest and Clark and the Pirates were notified. A few days elapsed and Clark received a call from Fireball. Clark told him that he was a wanted man. Fireball explained that he left Reno by bus and knew nothing of the car heist. That issue was quickly cleared up and Fireball headed back to Kansas City.

Shortly after his return to Kansas City he took $27 from a cab driver and then went across the state line into Kansas City, Kansas and relieved another cabbie of $12.
Once again, Clark intervened and the officials were ready to parole him back to Columbia but the FBI got involved and Fireball finished out his Kansas sentence and then got into some "big trouble" in Kansas City, Mo. that made him "eligible" to became a resident of the Missouri State Penal system until this past Sunday. During the commission of his last crime there was a shoot-out with the Kansas City police. The KC police shot and killed Fireball's brother. In the state of Missouri if your accomplice is killed by the police you are charged with that murder. That is what got Fireball time at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City and later time at the Moberly Medium Security facility, the penal facility at Tipton and The Church Prison Farm from whence he was released this past Sunday.

I had mentioned this incident to baseball researcher, Ray Nemec in Napierville, Illinois and he in turn got hold of William Weiss in San Mateo, California. Over this weekend the articles of Fireball's three arrests and the personal profile he completed in 1964 for Mr. Weiss was FAXED to me. To say the least it was fascinating reading.

Fireball first got into trouble by robbing a gas station. When he joined the baseball team at the Kansas State Prison he was an immediate success. He reputedly struck out more batters in one season than any other pitcher in the 100-year history of that institution. (In 1963 Fireball struck out 252 batters in 20 games.) Before Clark secured Fireball's parole the Lansing White Sox went 20-0. (The arithmetic shows that Fireball started and won every game that year.) When Fireball left for the 1964 season at Reno the Lansing nine slumped to 13-9 against outside competition. Now you see why the warden didn't want him paroled.

Fireball really wasn't a fireball at Reno. He got into 23 games. He started 18 and completed 2 of them, one being a shutout. He was 7-10 and in 97 innings gave up 88 hits, 80 runs, 15 wild pitches, 11 hit batsmen and 82 bases on ball.

In an Associated Press article of 1/16/65 the headline read, "Joy For The Pen Nine: Fireball Has Returned."

When Fireball pleaded guilty before District Judge William J. Burns he explained that he returned from the season at Reno broke and longing for luxuries he had become accustomed to in organized baseball.

Fireball put on his profile in 1964 that he had played Ban Johnson League baseball for Helzburg Jewelers in Kansas City. He was a native of Osawatomie, Kansas and had a fondness for art. His father was an itinerant Baptist minister who attempted to subsidize the family by also doing some house painting. Clark recalls that the family couldn't care for all the children and the youngest of Fireball's brothers had been placed in the Boy Industrial School at Topeka.

After Bill Weiss heard from Ray Nemec he made a call to former Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder, Tom Saffell. Saffell was Fireball's manager at Reno in 1964. Weiss included this in his note. "When I asked him (Saffell) if he remembered Fireball Jackson he laughed and said, 'I certainly do. He was my opening day pitcher.' (Lasted 1 1/2 innings and gave up four runs.)

One day late in the season, Jackson failed to show up at the ball park for pre-game practice. Jackson, along with some other Reno players, rented a room in a house not far from the park. Tom said the landlady told him that Jackson had taken off and had stolen a handgun. There was never anything regarding an automobile. Tom figure the gun must have been the one used in the holdup. I have some questions. I his term for robbery was 10-21 years and he just got out of prison recently, he must have been in for some other crime(s). Since he went back to the Kansas prison in 1965, were those other crimes committed in Missouri since Clark says he was just released from the Missouri State Penitentiary?

Would John Hall have any information about his later life? Regards Bill (Weiss)?"

Ed Note: Well, as it turns out John Hall now knows more than the he did just one week ago tonight and probably more than he ever wanted to know about Isaiah Leon "Fireball" Jackson. What I have learned is that Fireball and his brother--Moses I think was his name--committed a crime in which they got into a shoot out with the Kansas City police. The police shot Moses and Fireball was convicted of his brother's murder even though he was shot by the police. That is the law in Missouri. If you are involved in a commission of a crime, as an accomplice, and your partner is killed you get to pay for that crime.

Mr. & Mrs. Clark have befriended Fireball over the years. In his time in prison he had a lot of time and he did voluminous amounts of murals. Mrs. Clark said some is good and other she wouldn't give a dollar. When Fireball would accumulate too many items to house in his cell the Clark's would go to Moberly or Jefferson City and pick them up and store them. When he served time at Tipton all art was forbidden and they had to go and retrieve all his art supplies until he was transferred to the Church Prison facility. Mrs. Clark said Fireball and his friend did a great job of cramming a lot of art into the car last weekend. However, she said that she still had about 11 large works of Fireball and if I wanted to see them to come over and take a look before he comes to retrieve the rest of life's work.

Fireball won many awards for his art. One he calls "My Masterpiece" won a purple ribbon at the Missouri State Fair a few years ago.

Hey, there were some other good stories bandied about at the recent supper between the Clarks and the Halls but they will have to wait. In fact, maybe I will leave well enough alone for I never imagined that the mention of one person, Isaiah "Fireball" Jackson would create such e-mail and FAX submissions. My only hope is that Fireball has successful life for the time remaining and he can rest assured that he never had better friends in his life than Bill and Delores Clark.

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The late Mike Lemish remembered

John I knew Mike Lemish very well, was always joking and was one of the few people who ever one upped me clowning around. newk (Dave Newkirk)
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Try Griffeth instead of Griffith

John: I think you'll find that Leon spelled his name this way: Griffeth. I remember him vaguely. maybe from one of the colleges in North Carolina. ---furman bisher
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Reuniting close friends after 46 years

John; I saw a letter , in your last flash report, from Everett Ralston. While you're not doing anything - send me his e-mail address. I haven't seen him since 1957 and he was a good friend. How do you find time to work a full time job and keep up with all the KOM stuff? How many recipients do you have for your reports?

Best Regards- Amos
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A bat and a great gentleman

John, I have been a fan of the greatest gentleman and player who ever played since 1943.I remember having one of Stan's cracked bats with his thin handle.We put
a screw and some black tape on the handle and used it. Living in the Clinton- Peabody area cracked bats were all we had. Bob Mallon

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Reaction to last Flash Report

John: That statement about playing future Major League games in a Latin country is exactly right! .........Especially for the Marlins. Ol' Pug..."the kisser" is something that I thought I would never see! Just as bad are all those Latinos....crossing themselves (multiple times)...then pointing to the sky. [ Do they think that GOD will allow them to beat an opposing team....with that B_ _ _ S_ _ _ ? [ Talk about show boating! ]

I can imagine what I would have said to one of those when they came to the plate back in the 40's and 1950.... Say....shouldn't we make our Motel reservations for....Wed. night...June 2nd ....thru Sat night June 5th. ? [ Four (4) nights.] I'll wait on your reply before I call for reservations.

Take care'--Sam

Ed Note: I won't get into the "religious observances" of some of the players. I noticed one Sammy Sosa did all that stuff when he homered. I guess he was asking Divine approval for cheating. Don't want to hurt any Cub fans feelings but I was having a difficult time rooting for them to make it to the World Series so Sammy could hog the spotlight. If there is a just universe guys like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ronnie Santo were more deserving of having God shine his face of approval on their efforts. Of course, that is just a biased, bigoted, opinionated and above all fair observation by this editor.
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November 4, 1918

Unless Alex Coleman, one of the catchers for the 1946 Chanute Owls, is still alive then November 4, 2003 is the birthday of the oldest living former KOM Leaguer, Nicholas Najjar. Nick called the day before his 85th to let me know he was doing fine and having the time of his life being a friend to his granddaughter who will turn 1-year old on November 5.

Nick's recollection of his KOM League days is still vivid. He recalls beating Lee Dodson 7-4 in one game and Ross Grimsley Sr. 2-1 in another. He can still give an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of every batter he faced during his time in the KOM League. He saw the league from a different perspective in 1948 when he hired on as an umpire.

Want you guys to know that Nick plans to attend the next reunion. He said that he will head will make it if he doesn't head to Wichita after getting off the plane in KC like he did back in 2001 when the event was held in Carthage.

If you would like to send greetings to Nick by e-mail click on this address, it belongs to his son.

Najjar, Nicholas (OCD)
Nicholas.Najjar@ocd.state.ma.us
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The Musial gift received

The brief case that Janet Musial-Schwarze mentioned she would send to an old guy if he wanted it arrived during my time away from Columbia last week. It has a profile of Stan on the front swinging a golf club with the inscription "Stan Musial Invitational 2002." It also came with a nice writing pen on the inside that carried the same inscription. I told my wife I was going to carry it to work with me to "show off" but she informed me that I would be doing nothing of the kind.
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Bartlesville ballpark

I had a long conversation on Sunday with Jim Bole of Bartlesville, Okla. He filled me in on the restoration of the old Western Association and KOM League downtown ballpark that has been completely renovated. It was the home of the American Legion World Series this year and Bole reported it was a great success. He said that the area around the park had been renovated and that the old Dewey-Portland cement structure it was even painted on the outside about the color of brick. He talked a very long time and said the idea for the restoration of that park was born on a Fall afternoon in 1997 at a bookstore in Tulsa, Okla. I couldn't imagine how that came about. He reminded me that I was there with some former KOM Leaguers signing my book "Majoring in The Minors." He said that he was so inspired by the group of former players who showed up and learned so much about that rich history of that old park that the book signing became the embryo of what has come to fruition in the intervening years.

I told him that might be a "stretch" but that if the writing of the history of the KOM League could encourage a group to embark upon a project to spend a few million dollars in renovating an old icon like the Bartlesville park then I was pleased.
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Photo reminded Bob Curley of Fido Murphy's low-income housing.

While on the road last week I took some photos of some rustic structures along old Route 66. I share those with anyone who is interested and about a dozen people take me up on the offer. One of the photos taken was of an old service station west of Halltown, Missouri that was a small log house at one time. When Bob Curley saw the photo he remarked, "I enjoyed the pictures John. That second one kinda reminded me of my sleeping quarters right outside the ballpark at Topeka. What the heck, it was free. It sure made that dollar three eighty go a lot further....."

It was ironic that Curley made mention of that housing arrangement. In my perusal of the old Sporting News collection that I inherited recently from Bill Clark, it was mentioned in a 1947 edition that Fido Murphy had set up some free housing for his players. Now I get some comprehension of the type of living quarters Fido provided.
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You can't win them all

JOHN --Could you find the stats on a pitcher named Charles Deese? I think he played for Atlanta in the Southern Assoc. back about the time of WWII.
I met his son today, and he was telling me about his Dad (now deceased), but he didn't know much more about his baseball career. He shared with me that he wished he'd listened more to his Dad about playing ball, but he was hard-headed at the time (teen). We've got gorgeous baseball weather here in the Carolinas today --- 80s, full sunshine all day, and dry !!!
--Bill O'

Ed Reply:

I have gone through the baseball stats for 1942 through 1947 and can find nothing for a Charles Deese. I don't have any books for 1940 or 1941. They start at 1934 and go to 1938. I may have to call in Baseball Researcher #!1, Ray Nemec, on this one.

Note to Ray Nemec:

Did Charles Deese play in the Southern Association in the 1940-41 era?


Reply from Ray Nemec:

I don't see a Charles Deese having played pro-baseball. Here is what I have on Isaiah Jackson, thanks to you.


Ed Note: There are an awful lot of people out there who believe with all their heart that a father, uncle, grandfather etc. played professional baseball. Wish I had a dollar for every obituary that I have seen that said "so and so" played baseball at the Major League or Triple A level and they never got past a D or C league. There isn't anything wrong with D and C leagues but it must be the "thing" to say Triple A. I have seen references where a fellow played Triple A ball in the KOM League. It was a good league but not that good.

Also, there are fellows who played professional baseball where no documentation can be found to substantiate the fact that he did. One instance happened at Miami, Okla. in 1951. I have probably related this story in the past but it is good enough to revive. Tommy Warren (one of the more colorful gentlemen who ever played the game) was managing the Eagles that year. There was an ardent fan who for lack of a better term was "mentally challenged." Tom promised the fellow all year that he would let him play in the last home game of the season. According to ace Miami right-hander--Charles "Buddy" Closs, Warren brought the 26-year old fan into the clubhouse before the game and wrote up a contract. The contract would make him legal to play if anyone caught him entering the game. Around the fifth inning the young man went in as pinch-hitter and struck out. After the game Warren went back to the clubhouse and flushed the contract down the drain. It wasn't about to plug up the drain since the contract had been written on toilet paper.

That name in that line-up puzzled me greatly when attempting to document the rosters of each of the KOM League teams. Most of the time when a player reported to a club the local newspaper mentioned it. The box score of that name carried that young mans last name. Quite by accident, while doing some research, I ran across that "pinch-hitters" name in a Joplin Globe story of 1952. (His initials were JAM) That young man had died in a Joplin Hotel quite mysteriously and no one could account for his reason for being there. At least the fellow had a few months to tell all his friends and acquaintances that he had once played professional baseball. (And that is a true story-Believe It or Not.")

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