memories page 3
and still more memories
Park Beam
Another great player of the late 50’s that maybe no one in Ashland remembers much is Jasper Wheeler. I am not sure what became of him after little league because I have yet to find any other mention of him in any my Babe Ruth or American Legion memorabilia. He was 12 and a year older than me and he pretty much carried the ’57 Tigers to the American League championship and I believe the Ashland city championship.
I remember him as a quite kid who could do it all. I caught some good pitchers in all my few years of playing baseball in Ashland and I would have to say that he had a Jim Speaks fastball and did not need much else in Little League. And we had the leftie pitcher, Edwin Greene, who could throw the big hook. But what I remember the most about Jasper is the way he could hit. As most of you will remember, most of the fields, including CP-1, did not have full time outfield fences, except 17th St. LL. I think the temporary fences were only put up for special games and tournaments. The wood slat fences weren’t safe anyway. Of course, rival teams would call “time” and move the outfielders back, back, way back. He still hit home runs.
One game we were the visiting team sitting in the first base dugout which was parallel to 22nd St. I am sure most everyone will remember how far it was to the start of the dirt infield of CP-1 from home plate of the LL diamond. Jasper hit one to the infield of CP-1. We had a good view from that dugout. Most of you will say impossible, but the next year, my cousin, Howard Beam, hit one in the same direction but it took two bounces to make the dirt of CP-1.
In ’58, my cousin, Howard Beam, somewhat became the talk of the American League because of his physical size and his ability to hit the ball, especially the long, high ball. The only difference between him and Jasper Wheeler the year before was not having a full time outfield fence. Where as Jasper could hit deep rockets, Howard could bring rain with a lot of his long balls; he was a terrific low ball hitter for his size. When time was called and the outfielders were moved way back, Howard hit a lot of long outs that could have easily cleared a regulation fence. Of course, when they moved way back on Jasper, he still hit it over their heads. Jasper also had the speed and agility to leg out a lot of extra bases. Howard was easily a head taller than most of the 12 year olds that we played with, but his agility had not caught up with his growth spurts. Check out the final team picture in this group (6). Later, Howard became a pretty good tackle at Coles for me to run behind and get to the corner.
Oh, I did see Jasper’s name mentioned somewhere in the Babe Ruth articles, but I am not sure how long he was in Ashland….to bad, I would like to know more about him.
Oh 2, If you looked at some of the stat articles for ’57, you would notice that Algie Greene of the Tigers was a very good lefthander that had a mean curve and a great record.
Thanks again for letting me be a small part of your project…..
Larry Conley
I've been reading your emails and looking at some of those pictures on the website, and it sure brings back some memories.
Eddie Joseph
I have been reading with much interest the trip down memory lane. This has jogged my memory which I thought would never return. I know I have a picture of the American Legion All star pitchers (J.D.Browne, Glen Easterling,Eddie Perry, Jim Speaks, Harold Sergent, and myself). I came up thru the YMCA leagues (pony,midget,junior). Our team was Westwood Boys Club coached by Malcolm Conley, who sadly passed away 8-31-07. American Legion, coached by Marvin Hall and Bennie James, brought me closer to all the Ashland guys. I especially enjoyed those great years in Central Park and all the guys the Park brought together. Oh, by the way, Gary Bayless and the Fairview Eagles did beat Ashland ONCE. I know it was painful for the Tomcats. (NOTE: Gary Wright is apparently still in denial about this event.)
Mickey Sydenstricker
(In response to rumors that Mickey hit a ball “over the trees” in center field.” I remember hitting a ball that rolled past the trees, but I don’t think I ever hit one OVER the trees. (NOTE: This is another “urban legend” regarding CP-1.)
Joe Hood
I noticed on the Babe Ruth rosters that I was listed on the Yankees. I started on the Yankees and was traded or something to the Indians. I think two broken bats were involved. Ken Smith, the original manager of the Indians, had a heart attack during the season and Henry Tarter, the building custodian at the Imes Apts. on Winchester, took over. He had us practice early in the morning, sometimes even before the fog lifted. One morning someone gave me my first "chew." It didn't last too long and neither did my breakfast.
I was afraid I was going to die, and then I was afraid I wasn’t.
Paul Crawford
Just reading the emails has brought back an awful lot of good memories. I was on the Cardinals and we were playing Ed Radjunas' team. Ed was pitching and I hit a 3 run homer off of him to win the game in the last inning. My Mom got all excited and was clapping the lady in front of her on the back. When Mom finally settled down, she apologized to the other lady and explained that it was HER son who hit the homer! The other lady (Mrs. Radjunas) turned around and said she understood but that was HER son who was pitching! My Mom was really embarrassed.
In Legion ball I played for Bennie James and one day our catcher was sick and the other was on vacation. We would have to forfeit if no one would catch. Bennie had been trying to get me to catch for sometime, but I
wanted no part of that. But I agreed to for one game so we could play. Jim Speaks was pitching and I chased about 2/3s of his pitches to the backstop. That was the longest and most tiring game I ever played.
Jim Stephenson
I was privileged to be on the World Series LL champs (Giants)in the first year. I played Babe Ruth and hit a few over floodwall. I skipped Legion and played on Henry Tarter's semi-pro team, Ashland Redlegs, as did Reece Banks. We were the only kids on the team.
John Radjunas
I was just on a flight with Larry Conley and we discussed all the CP1 excitement and a ton of memories. Prior to this my brother Ed called me to tell me about CP1 Project, the website, and emails. This is very interesting, and considering I was an insignificant younger brother, all these names and accomplishments were of my "heroes". I remember all you "older guys" and remember well watching and playing ball at Central
Park.
Two of my older National LL teammates were Chipper Miller and Nick Jordan (Mich St All Big 10 linebacker).
One field that was used for baseball in the 50's was the first ever minor league for 8-10 yr olds. First league to hit off TEE. Played on a field between National LL diamond and Crabbe school (next to play ground equipment) starting in '57-'58. Joe Conley, Larry's brother, helped me remember Bruce Craft coaching our "Chicks" team sponsored by Troy Fairchild Motors. Troy invited all the "Chicks" out to his house on Rt 60 across from Cedar Knoll Golf to swim in his pool!!..what a treat!!
Gary Wright
Thank everybody for great info! I didn't realize there would be this much interest. Look for Mark Maynard's new CP1 article in the ADI MAGAZINE special edition that publishes in February! He has given our Project excellent coverage.
Dave Carter says the # of visits to the website continues to amaze him. (Some days, we have over 100 people coming to the site.)
The documentary is getting jump-started with a committment from Larry Conley to interview. Brandon Webb, Charlie Reliford, and Greg Gibson have already.
UPDATE:Trying to stay within the theme of this Tribute I want to attempt to do a sketch of ALL those 50's baseballers we want to honor. This is based solely on what I have been able to absorb from all the emails and phone calls to date. It is simply meant to help
you remember and stimulate discussion, not an award ceremony.
I am proud (and I'm sure many will join me) to know some of the backgrounds of Ashland area's 50's baseballers...where they went... what they did. Teachers, coaches, administrators, attorneys, accountants, ministers, entrepreneurs, managers, consultants, real estate and contractors, government and social workers, engineers, medical, police, military.... are just a few to mention. Some, in my
opinion only, fall into the "special noteworthy" category for our group's info. This by NO means lessens anything that anyone did.
Let's take time to offer this CP1 Tribute and say thank you to ALL the coaches and Dads who gave their ALL for us. **A partial list of 60 is at the end. Later a full list of players will be published for editing.
Two 50s players, Jim Host, and Bill Lynch went on to minor league baseball (later Patrick Arnold). Later, Brandon Webb, Don Gullett, Drew Hall, Charlie Reliford & Greg Gibson (umpires)made the majors.
MANY went on to play college baseball (Jim Host,Harold Sergent, J.D.Browne, Dixon Owens, Ed Joseph, Larry Conley, Jerry Henderson, Larry Castle, Ed Radjunas, Dick Fillmore, Jim Stephenson, Dan Myers, Steve Gilmore, Bobby Lynch, Don Lentz, Billy Workman, John Thomas, Johnny Mullins, Wayne Workman, John Sieweke, David Staton, Bobby Ison,Tim Huff, Don Eddy). Others went on to play college basketball (Larry Conley, Harold Sergent, Dean Church,David Patton,Larry Castle,Steve Cram, Jim Stephenson, Bobby Lynch, John Sieweke, Bill Kazee, Steve Gilmore, George Carroll, MIckey Sydenstricker, Jim Gallion). Patton and Castle coached at the college level. Larry McKenzie (Russell HIgh guy who played a lot at CP-1) was also a college basketball coach. Larry Conley, Bill Kazee, and Jim Stephenson are in their College's Hall of Fame. Dean Church is in his State's Hall of Fame. Sergent and Ed Joseph were All OVC.
Castle is in State's and National tennis coaches Hall of Fame. Some excelled in college football(Herb Conley, Dick Fillmore, Kendall Bocard, Nick Jordan, Larry McKenzie). We are represented by a Federal judge(Joe Hood), member of the President's staff(John Koskinen), State senator and SEC basketball official(George Conley), Ashland Mayor(Steve Gilmore), Ashland football coach and principal (Herb Conley), Ashland School Superintendent (Steve Towler), ADI Sports editor (Malcolm Conley) and later one of his successors (Mark Maynard),three West Pointers (Darryl Kouns, Bob Hilton, Dan Stephenson), a 7 Emmy and 2 Clio recipient (Dave Carter), Kentucky's best softball pitcher(Bill Selbee)...
Seven of our players excelled on the '61 best high school basketball team EVER in Ky (Larry Conley, Harold Sergent, Steve Cram, Gene Smith,Bob Hilton,Dale Sexton,Jerry Daniels). Jim Stewart, who started coaching in LL in the late 50's, came within one game of taking Ashland to Williamsport and the LL World Series in '63. Jim Host became a media mogul and Larry Conley announces TV national sports to us. One PGA golf pro(Dave McDowell).
Some info I found interesting: Ray Hoke pitched a perfect LL game and Chipper Miller batted .744. David Patton batted .450 & .500 in his Jr & Sr years for Tomcats. Corky Rice hit the 1st LL homer and Richard Wyant hit the 1st Babe Ruth homer over the floodwall.
Mayor Steve Gilmore pitched in the 1st LL (against Ed Radjunas) and the 1st Babe Ruth game.(Later in the 70's Mark Maynard reports that Kevin Williams pitched 4 NO HITTERS!)
Players who played on more than one State Championship team:Steve Hemlepp, John Radjunas, Bobby Lynch, Bill Lynch,John Thomas, Steve Hilton, Wayne Workman,Tim Huff, Bobby Ison, Johnny Mullins, Jocko Greening, John Sieweke, David Staton (his Dad was Central Park Supt and lived in that house IN the Park). After the Ashland Clippers, coached by Paul Kouns, there was an Ashland semi-pro team (Redlegs- with "Big Ed" Hughes,Jim Stephenson, Reece Banks) who played in the Eastern Ky League.
Minor league TEE-BALL started in '57 on the Diamond close to Crabbe School and the Indian Mounds. Mike Tussey created and managed a Stan Musial team in 1988 to within one game of World Series, and won the ONLY Musial State hampionship. He coached Little League, Babe Ruth, and Musial team at the SAME time.
**A few Coaches & Dads who were always there and to whom we say "Thank You": Chigger Adkins, John Artis, J.C. Ballard, J.Dillon Browne, Joe Cartwright, Leroy Castle, Charlie Chattin, Ellis Childers, Mike Ciminella, George Conley, Malcolm Conley, Charlie Cordial, Bruce Craft, Ken Craft, Joe Curtis, Tobe Ferguson, Charlie Fillmore, Donald Frailie, William Frazier, Fred Gearhart, Dale Griffith, Dave Hale, Marvin Hall, Woody Hall, Ray Hennecke, Charles Hood, Jim Host, Bennie James, Windy Kazee, Jack Kelly, Paul Kouns, Bo Leake, Jim Leighow, Jack Lynch, Tom Manly, Albert McDowell, Bill Miranda, John Oliverio, Dixon Owens, Charles Patton, Jack Patton, Stan Radjunas, Gerald Roberts, George Rupert, Bob Sang, Bill Selbee, Eddie Smith, Ken Smith, Jim Stewart, Henry Tarter, Jerry Walters, Bill Wellman, John Wellman, Carl Wheeler, Pots Wheeler, Cliff Webb, P.J.Wonn, T.R.Wright, Robert Wright Ray McKenzie, Bob Yancy.
I solicit your feedback.
Gary Wright
Many have written about their desire to "drive by the Park" when they visit Ashland to enjoy flashbacks of good times. Some also have this INSANE desire to walk out onto the field "just one more time". Enter the Wright clan. In November 2001 T.R.Wright's kids gather for a family reunion in Ashland. One "must" stop on our tour was "THE PARK". We eagerly walk toward CP1 and see gates locked and NO TRESPASSING signs with appropriate ordinances and $ fines. After quickly assessing the situation, I measure $ to satisfaction...thinking that knowing Mayor Steve Gilmore, Attorney Don Frailie & Judge Joe Hood may not be such a bad thing...staring at the DIAMOND thru chain-link fence...proceed to climb the 1st base dugout and JUMP to glory! I stand at ss and
360 span with my camcorder, enjoy 10,000 flashbacks, and finally rejump the fence. I get my "CP1 fix", my brothers and sisters continue to shake their heads, and my nephew high fives his old uncle for being so stupid!
FOLLOW-UP TO ABOVE: Gary’s wife had a different take on this memory.
HEADLINE: WRIGHT STILL INCARCERATED OVER CP1 VIOLATION-BAIL
SET AT $125,000!
Dave Patton
I hope you guys don't mind a few more memories from an old f---. This has really jogged my memory and I haven't thought about those times in a while.
Does anyone see the remarkable resembelance between Mr. Wright and Connie Mack? He looked just like him to me, even down to the "fedora".
I umpired for Mr. Chattin and coach Miller and called a bunch of games @ the Bluegrass field one summer. If you overran 3rd base you would hit the flood wall it was so close. Of course you didn't have any extra bases for overthrows. I probably called some of you "youngins" out.
Referring back to Rom Hursts throwing the runner out. I do remember it and Herb Conley and I talked about it this Xmas. As I remember it (and that doesn't mean it is correct!) we were in the bottom of the 5th against Holy Family and we had the "mercy rule" going. Herbie also had a nohitter going. Bobby Gilmore(I played more games w/him in my career than against him) came to bat /two outs and lined a bullet down the 3rd baseline. It hit the bag and caromed over into foul territory between cp-1 and cp-2. All Rom could see was the concession stand but he knew he needed to get it back to the infield. He threw it where he thought home was. It hit the light pole next to 3rd base just as Bobby was rounding the bag, Castle or Fillmore(whoever was playing 3rd that day) caught it and tagged Bobby out. End of game.
My sophmore year and Robert Wrights junior year we lost a heartbreaker in the Regional finals. We were the best team by far but didn't show it that day but anyway. We were so down that we decided to thumb to the State Tournament anyway. We got on the other side of Morehead (Farmers) and got stuck. couldn't get a ride. It was late at night and cold. There was an old barn beside the road so we spent the night in there.I talked w/Robert about this at Xmas and neither one of us could remember anything else but that. Since then for some reason I remember going in the old minor league park in Louisville to see a game. Don't know if was then or not. Don't beleive I would try that this day and time but we lived in the best times ever and in the best town ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 American Grafitti could have been shot there.
