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Tag: red sox

Al Niemiec Baseball Player Meriden Connecticut Native GHTBL

Wed. 11/12/25Mon. 04/27/26 by Weston Ulbrich

From Meriden to the Majors: Alfred Niemiec’s Baseball Odyssey

Like so many kids from Meriden, Connecticut, and every town in between, Al Niemiec had ambitious dreams of a Major League Baseball career. His dream became reality in 1934 when he was called up to the American League. That same year, Niemiec crossed paths with his idol, Babe Ruth, even snagging one of Ruth’s hotshot liners at second base.

Niemiec’s story is intertwined with the trade that delivered Ted Williams to the Red Sox, and yet Niemiec is best remembered for his groundbreaking legal battle against organized baseball, securing work rights for World War II veterans.

1933 Alfred J. Niemiec Meriden Connecticut Baseball Player — Al Niemiec, 1933.

Born May 18, 1911, Alfred Joseph Niemiec grew up on Meriden’s Ridgefield Street. His father was a city firefighter and his mother was a homemaker. Niemiec attended Meriden High School and graduated from St. Thomas Seminary (Bloomfield, CT).

He became an All-New England third baseman at College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA) under head coach Jack Barry, a fellow Meriden native. In the summertime, Niemiec appeared in the Middlesex County League for Meriden’s St. Stanislaus club. At the end of his senior year at Holy Cross, Niemiec was voted, “best all ’round man” on campus by his peers.

1933 Alfred J. Niemiec Meriden Connecticut Holy Cross Baseball 1 — Al Niemiec, Holy Cross, 1933.

He went on to impress in the minor leagues. Niemiec was signed by the Red Sox and assigned to the Reading Red Sox in the New York-Penn League. He appeared in 62 games and hit for a .306 batting average. He credited his manager, Nemo Leibold, for turning him into a true professional.

During offseasons, he coached Meriden’s St. Stanislaus Basketball Club as part of the State Polish League. Niemiec then proved to be durable after 137 appearances for the Kansas City Blues.

1934 Boston Red Sox Spike Merena Skinny Graham Mel Almada George Hockette and Al Niemiec at Fenway Park 1 — L to R: Boston Red Sox players Spike Merena, Skinny Graham, Mel Almada, George Hockette, and Al Niemiec at Fenway Park, 1934.

His flashy fielding and quick legs earned him a late-season call-up to Boston. Niemiec made his Major League debut at Fenway Park on September 19, 1934, smacking two hits with a run batted in against St. Louis. He went 3-for-3 with another RBI the next day.

1936 Al Niemiec Philadelphia Athletics Meriden Connecticut Native 1 2 — Al Niemiec, Philadelphia Athletics, 1936.

Unfortunately, his hot start fizzled, and his bat was inconsistent. Though he committed no errors for the Red Sox, he was shipped off to upstate New York to help the Syracuse Chiefs clinch an International League pennant.

1936 Al Niemiec Philadelphia Athletics Meriden Connecticut Native — Al Niemiec, Philadelphia Athletics, 1936.

Manager Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics saw potential in the 25 year old Niemiec. The A’s traded for him, along with $75,000 in cash in a deal involving Doc Cramer and Eric McNair. Mack had started his baseball career in Niemiec’s hometown of Meriden more than five decades prior to the trade.

Niemiec played 69 games for the Mackmen in 1936, alongside another Connecticut native, Pete Naktenis. After posting a dismal .197 batting average, Niemiec was plunged back down to the minors.

1936 Philadelphia Athletics Connie Mack Al Niemiec — 1936 Philadelphia Athletics

Although he captured another minor league title with the Little Rock Travelers, the Red Sox decided to trade Niemiec. On December 7, 1937, the Associated Press reported: “Beating other clubs to the deal, the Boston Red Sox today obtained Ted Williams, promising ‘kid’ outfielder, from San Diego of the Pacific Coast league for two players and cash.”

The two players were infielder Al Niemiec and outfielder Dom Dallessandro. Williams began his campaign as the game’s greatest hitter, while Niemiec found himself as far from home as ever.

1937 Little Rock Travelers Al Niemiec — 1937 Little Rock Travelers with Al-Niemiec (standing, far left).

Niemiec made the most of the Pacific Coast League. He shined as a defensive wiz for the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Rainiers. Niemiec anchored second base for the Rainiers and won three straight PCL titles. He often led the league in fielding percentage while sporting a respectable batting average.

Then, a more serious duty called. Alfred Niemiec enlisted in the United States Navy and rose to the rank of Lieutenant during World War II.

1940 Sicks Stadium Seattle Washington — Sick’s Stadium, Seattle, Washington, 1940.

When he returned to reclaim his spot with the Rainiers in 1946, Niemiec was 35 years of age. In just 11 games played, Seattle released him on grounds that he was too old for second base.

Unfazed, Niemiec fought back, citing the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, known as the G.I. Bill, which guaranteed veterans their old jobs for at least a trial period. The Rainiers sent him a dismissal letter which praised his loyalty but cut him anyway.

1940 Al Niemiec Seattle Rainers Baseball Meriden Connecticut Native — Al Niemiec argues with an umpire in Seattle, 1940.

Niemiec took his case to the Selective Service System, an independent agency of the United States government which slammed the Rainiers for violating the law. Backed by Major League Baseball, the team dug in, arguing Niemiec’s skills had faded.

The case landed before District Court Judge Lloyd Black in June 1946. His ruling stated that the team’s old age claim was a “hunch,” not cause, and their contract did not override the law.

1945 Seattle Rainers in Service Al Niemiec — Seattle Rainiers program with Emil Sick, owner, 1945.

Judge Black ordered the Rainiers to pay Niemiec $2,884.50—his contract value minus earnings from a brief stint with Providence and from a side-job as a beer salesman for a brewery, owned by Rainiers proprietor, Emil Sick.

Niemiec’s win in court rippled, and other veterans like John Yelovic and Larry Guay secured similar payments. His stand challenged baseball’s iron grip on players, and achieved a victory for veterans’ rights amid a game slow to change.

1946 Jun 26 All Baseball Involved in Niemiec Case 1 edited — *Niemiec* v. Seattle Rainier Baseball Club, 1946.

Niemiec’s last job in baseball took place in Great Falls, Montana, as General Manager. He resigned after one season and returned home to Meriden. He married Tessie Nowakowski of 82 Gale Street, Meriden, and they raised four children. An athlete in her own right, Tessie was a locally known basketball player for the Meriden Insilcos.

Al Niemiec loved his family, fishing, golfing and gardening at his home at 85 Gale Street (where Ceppa Field’s parking lot is located nowadays). The family eventually moved to the West Coast, and many years later, on October 29, 1995, Al Niemiec died at 84 in Kirkland, Washington.

1935 Mrs. Alfred Niemiec Tessie Nowakowski 1 — Tessie (Nowakowski) Niemiec

His legacy lives on today through his historic legal fight for veterans’ rights, but also through his surviving family members—some still in Meriden.

A descendent of Niemiec, A.J. Hendrickson, is Player-manager of the Record-Journal Expos in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League. After ten years in the Twi-loop, Hendrickson still swings with the same grit of his forefathers.

AJ Hendrickson Record Journal Expos Baseball GHTBL 3 — A.J. Hendrickson, Player-Manager, Record-Journal Expos, 2025.

Source

Obermeyer, Jeff. “Disposable Heroes: Returning World War II Veteran Al Niemiec Takes on Organized Baseball.” Baseball Research Journal, vol. 39, no. 1, Summer 2010, https://sabr.org/journal/article/disposable-heroes-returning-world-war-ii-veteran-al-niemiec-takes-on-organized-baseball/.

2019 Dave Bindas Hartford Board of Umpires

Wed. 04/30/25Thu. 05/01/25 by Weston Ulbrich

Remembering Longtime Umpire, Dave Bindas

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of David Mark Bindas of Newington (September 23, 1955 – March 31, 2025), a beloved umpire known for his dedication to local baseball. For over 50 years, he called balls and strikes with remarkable resilience. Since the 1970s, he officiated the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League, NCAA baseball, the New England Collegiate Baseball League, high school and youth leagues, including American Legion and Jaycee-Courant.

1987 Aug 21 David Bindas Umpire Newington Connecticut 1 — Dave Bindas knocked out by thrown ball, American Legion state championship, 1987.

Known for his wisecracking personality, Dave Bindas began his umpiring career with a humorous twist. While playing varsity at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, he once argued a call with an umpire, shouting, “I’m going to become an umpire!” He did just that. At 18, he attended
Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Florida and then joined the Hartford Board of Umpires. He followed in the footsteps of his father, also a Hartford umpire, and the two shared the field, working games together.

1990 Dave Bindas Baseball Umpire Hartford Courant Connecticut — Dave Bindas, Hartford Courant, 1990.

An avid Boston Red Sox fan, Bindas lived for baseball’s lighthearted moments, but he took umpiring seriously during the game. He was known for sprinting to a spot on the field to get a better view of a play. Everyone appreciated his hustle. For several years he mentored aspiring umpires by leading training classes for the Hartford Board. In the winter months, he ran up and down the basketball court officiating youth leagues in South Windsor. Perhaps he reffed basketball as training for his sprints on the baseball field.

In 2002, Bindas earned high praise from Jim Bransfield, a tough critic and sports writer for the Middletown Press:

“He’s a terrific umpire who hustles, is dedicated to his craft and for my money, is as good an umpire as there is around here.”
Jim Bransfield (1946-2018), Middletown Press

2011 Dave Bindas Umpire Muzzy Field Class LL State Championship Game Connecticut scaled — Dave Bindas umpires Class LL state championship, Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT, 2011.

Bindas’ most controversial moment came in the 2011 Class LL State Championship at Muzzy Field. With the game coming down to the wire between Southington High School and Newington High School, future major leaguer Sal Romano crashed a double that was supposed to score the winning run. However, Newington appealed to Bindas that the runner never touched home plate. He awarded the appeal and Newington ended up hoisting the trophy. His call made national news, and it became a subject of discussion between Cincinnati Reds announcers Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh when Romano was called up.

We think Bindas had the right call. See here: Home-Sick: Did Spruill’s Foot Actually Touch Home Plate? (Patch.com – Ken Lipshez)

2011 Umpire David Bindas Class center LL Baseball Championship — Dave Bindas (center), Class LL state championship, Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT, 2011.

Since the 1970s, Dave Bindas has been a constant presence in the GHTBL, earning camaraderie and respect from players and managers alike. Ron Pizzanello, a former catcher for the Vernon Orioles and current manager of the South Windsor Phillies, developed a strong bond with Bindas over hundreds of games with him behind the plate. Similarly, Tom Abbruzzese, longtime manager of M&T Bank, shared a connection with Bindas, rooted in their respect for the game.

“David would often compliment players on their exceptional performances. That alone was impressive on his part. I can also testify to the uplifting words of support that he would often express, especially to new baseball managers fielding teams for the first time.”
Tom Abbruzzese, Manager, M&T Bank

2016 Jun 1 David Bindas Umpire Class LL Playoffs Connecticut Baseball 1 — Dave Bindas makes a call at the plate, Beehive Field, New Britain, CT, 2016.

GHTBL wishes to express our deepest condolences to the Bindas family and especially to his two brothers. Rest in Peace, Dave.

“If I miss one, I tell them.”
Dave Bindas

2019 Dave Bindas and Dave Carter Hartford Board of Umpires Avon Connecticut 1 — Dave Bindas (left) and Dave Carter, Connecticut Board of Approved Umpires, Hartford Chapter, 2019.

In memory of David Mark Bindas

Sources

Blue Knights Lose Heartbreaker in 10, Patch.com, https://patch.com/connecticut/southington/blue-knights-lose-heartbreaker-in-10, 2011.
Some Umps Need More Training, Middletown Press, https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Some-umps-need-more-training-11909272.php, 2003.
Legion Assignment Makes His Season, Hartford Courant, 1990.

1946 Johnny Taylor Hitting Azules de Veracuz e1674849448718

Sat. 10/01/22Mon. 12/30/24 by Weston Ulbrich

Johnny Taylor: Hartford’s First Professional Black Athlete

John “Johnny” “Jackson” “Schoolboy” Arthur Taylor

Born: 2/4/1916 – Hartford, Connecticut
Died: 6/15/1987 – Hartford, Connecticut

Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor was a pitching phenom from Hartford, Connecticut. As a young man he set a national record for strikeouts in a high school game for Bulkeley High School. Taylor was nearly signed by the New York Yankees fifteen years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, but instead, he went on to throw a dozen no-hitters as an ace in the Negro National League, Mexican League and Cuban League. When the Hartford Chiefs signed him in 1949, Taylor became the city’s first professional black athlete.

1933 Johnny Taylor Hartford Bulkeley High School Class Photo — Johnny Taylor, 1933.

Born on February 4, 1916, to John and Etta, Johnny Taylor grew up in the South End of Hartford on Douglas Street and later on Roosevelt Street. He learned baseball in city parks and sandlots. Taylor and his sandlot teammates earned a small wage from the Hartford Senators by chasing down foul balls and home runs at Bulkeley Stadium. Not until Taylor’s senior year at Bulkeley High School did the right-hander pitch competitively.

1933 Morgan Gardner Bulkeley High School Hartford Connecticut — Bulkeley High School, 1933.

Taylor had been snubbed by the Bulkeley baseball team as an underclassman. Alternatively, he pole-vaulted and high-jumped in track and field. When he made the Maroons baseball club as an upperclassman, Taylor joined a team comprised of an eventual major leaguer, Bob Repass and a future scout, Whitey Piurek. Bulkeley’s longtime head coach, Babe Allen, is credited with discovering the tall (6’0″) and slim (170 lbs.) Taylor, who had a high leg-kick, a whip-arm, a lively fastball and a sharp “12-to-6” curveball.

1933 Johnny Taylor Bulkeley HIgh School Baseball Team rotated — 1933 Bulkeley High School Baseball with Johnny Taylor (front row, second from left)

On April 28, 1933, Taylor won his first game against Hartford Public High School. Three days later he punched out 17 batters to defeat West Hartford High School. Then he tossed 19 strikeouts by the Hartford Hilltoppers, surpassing a record set by another Hartford native, Pete “Lefty” Naktenis. Taylor was also a proficient hitter, batting nearly .500 in his senior season. When the Maroons walloped an undefeated Weaver High School, he homered over the left field fence (claimed to be the longest high school home run at Bulkeley Stadium).

1934 Johnny Taylor Savitt Gems — Johnny Taylor, Bulkeley High School, 1933.

In Taylor’s final high school contest, he shattered his single-game strikeout record with 25 strikeouts against New Britain High school (a State of Connecticut record to this day). He won 8 games, finished with a .428 batting average and was named to the Greater Hartford Scholastic Team. The New York Yankees became interested in Schoolboy Taylor, until however, when Yankees scout Gene McCann learned that Taylor was black. McCann suggested that Taylor should claim Cuban heritage since white baseball barred black players. The light-skinned Taylor refused to falsify his heritage.

1933 Jun 3 Johnny Taylor Bulkeley Ace Strikes Out 25 Connecticut State Record — Johnny Taylor sets a Connecticut scholastic record with 25 strikeouts against New Britain High School, June 3, 1933.

After the Yankees passed on him, Taylor competed with the Home Circle club of the Hartford Twilight League. He twirled on the many diamonds of Colt Park on Wethersfield Avenue and at Bulkeley Stadium on Hanmer Street. At the stadium on September 10, 1933, over 5,000 fans witnessed a wild-throwing Taylor and he lost the game to his crosstown rival, Pete Naktenis. Taylor would later joined forces with Naktenis, winning a New England amateur championship organized by the United States Amateur Baseball Association.

1932 Bulkeley Stadium Hartford Connecticut Baseball Game scaled — Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, 1933.

Taylor continued to pitch on Connecticut’s semi-pro circuit. He hurled for Check Bread of the Hartford Twilight League, the Savitt Gems (Bill Savitt’s club) and Yantic of the Norwich City League. On August 21, 1934, he fired his first no-hitter for the Northwest Athletic Club of Winsted. That winter, he considered offers from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh of the Negro National League. Wanting to be closer to home, Taylor signed with the New York Cubans.

1935 Johnny Taylor Contract with New York Cubans — Johnny Taylor’s Negro League contracts, 1935.

The New York Cubans hosted home games at Dyckman Oval on the northern tip of Manhattan. The Cubans were owned by Alex Pompez and business manager Frank Forbes, and they signed Taylor for $175 per month and $2 per diem. New York’s player-manager was a versatile five-tool talent named Martín Dihigo. Other Cubans included Alejandro Oms, Cocaina Garcia and Lazaro Salazar. Midway through the season, the Cubans scheduled an exhibition with the Savitt Gems in Hartford, and Taylor threw a shutout victory against his former team.

1935 Johnny Taylor and Savitt Gems Business Manager Bernie Ellovich scaled — Johnny Taylor (left) & business manager, Bernie Ellovich, Savitt Gems, Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, 1935.

According to existing records, Taylor had 55 strikeouts for the New York Cubans in 1935. He fell a few short behind his teammate Luis Tiant, Sr. New York went 28-24 on the year, finishing third place in the Negro National League. A winning second half of the season helped them to qualify for the championship series. The Cubans faced a formidable opponent, the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Hall of Fame catcher, Josh Gibson. Taylor was tacked with a loss in game three of the series, then New York blew Taylor’s lead in game six, and they ultimately lost to Pittsburgh.

1935 New York Cubans Baseball Team Johnny Schoolboy Taylor scaled — 1935 New York Cubans (Johnny Taylor identified under “15”).

However, Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor was elected to the Negro League All-Star team. On October 13, 1935, he faced Dizzy Dean‘s All-Stars at Yankee Stadium. An estimated crowd of 20,000 watched Taylor whiff seven batters in seven innings. This time, Josh Gibson was his battery mate. After Dizzy Dean pitched a 3-0 complete game shutout, he complimented Taylor for his breaking ball, saying it was one of the best “drop balls” he had ever seen.

1935 Johnny Taylor New York Cubans Negro National League — Johnny Taylor, Pitcher, New York Cubans, 1935.

In 1936, Taylor received a raise of $10 per month from the New York Cubans. He was their undisputed ace, with a 5-2 record and 58 strikeouts, second in the Negro National League to Satchel Paige of the Pittsburgh Crawfords. That June, the Cubans scheduled a rematch in Hartford to face the Savitt Gems. Taylor, the hometown star, struck out 18 to blank the Gems once again.

1935 New York Cubans Johnny Taylor — Johnny Taylor and the New York Cubans, 1935.

Encouraged by Dolf Luque, a pitcher for the New York Giants, Taylor tried his hand at winter ball in Cuba. He traveled from Hartford to Miami and boarded a steamship for Havana in November of 1936. Taylor joined Martín Dihigo’s Marianao club at Havana’s Tropical Stadium. He struggled that season due to a serious back injury caused by a street trolley accident. Nevertheless, Taylor was popular with fans and was nicknamed “El Rey de Hartford” (translated to King of Hartford).

Johnny Taylor Havana Cuba — Johnny Taylor in Havana, Cuba, 1936.

When the New York Cubans dropped out of the Negro National League in 1937, Taylor threw for the Savitt Gems. Hartford-based jeweler Bill Savitt paid him to pitch from April to October. Taylor and the Gems defeated Will Jackman and the Philadelphia Colored Giants on three separate occasions in Hartford. One game was a 20-inning marathon in which Taylor set down 22 batters via the strikeout.

1937 Johnny Taylor Savitt Gems Hartford Connecticut edited — Johnny Taylor, Pitcher, Savitt Gems, 1937.

Then on September 19, 1937, Taylor stunned the baseball world. As moundsman for the Negro National League All-Stars at the Polo Grounds, he tossed a no-hitter against Satchel Paige and the Trujillo All-Stars. After holding his opponents hitless through eight innings, Taylor retired George Scales, Spoony Palm and Cool Papa Bell in the bottom of the ninth. Taylor and his catcher Biz Mackey did not allow a runner to reach third base.

Good ballplayer. Yes, I hit against him. Didn’t get much on it.”
Buck O’Neil on Johnny Taylor

1937 Johnny Taylor Satchel Paige — Johnny Taylor (right) after tossing no-hitter for the Negro National League All-Stars against Satchel Paige’s Trujillo All-Stars, Polo Grounds, New York, September 19, 1937.

Taylor’s no-hitter made him a desirable free agent. He planned on returning to New York but wound up signing with Pittsburgh for $400 per month. Crawfords owner Gus Greenlee preferred Taylor instead of re-signing Satchel Paige. Taylor turned in an excellent season with 11 wins, while batting .368 as a utility man. He was one of league’s top players and participated in the 1938 East-West Negro League All-Star Game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois.

1938 Johnny Taylor Negro League All Star Game Comisky Park Chicago Illinois scaled — Negro League All-Star Game at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, (Taylor, standing second from left) 1938.

During the winters of 1938 and 1939, Johnny Taylor appeared for the Santa Clara Leopards of the Cuban League. The Leopards nabbed the pennant with Taylor on the mound and Josh Gibson behind the plate. Around this time, the Mexican League lured Negro Leaguers like Taylor with higher salaries. For $600 a month he became the ace of the Cordoba Cafeteros. He tossed for an 11-1 record, a 1.19 earned run average and was a local folk hero in Cordoba.

Man, did he have good stuff! Taylor would have been a major leaguer for sure if he hadn’t come along before they allowed colored boys to play in organized baseball.”
Roy Campanella on Johnny Taylor

1938 Santa Clara Mexican League Johnny Taylor — L to R: Indian Torres, Cocaina Garcia, Lazaro Salazar, Johnny Taylor, and Ray Brown, pitchers of the Santa Clara Leopards, Cuban Winter League, 1938.

In the summer of 1939, an eight team semi-pro loop formed known as the Connecticut State Baseball League. Taylor pitched for the New Britain entry against New London on Memorial Day weekend. Because he was a man of color, the New London club protested the game. Subsequently, the league banned black players. Without comment on the matter, Taylor returned to the Negro Leagues and pitched sporadically for the New York Cubans in 1940. He also appeared for the Homestead Grays and the Newark Eagles with his regular catcher, Josh Gibson.

1939 Johnny Taylor Cordoba Cafeteros Mexican League — 1939 Cordoba Cafeteros of Mexican League (Johnny Taylor identified as number “3”).

By winter, Taylor was back in Mexico. This time he joined the Veracruz Azules. The club owner, Jorge Pasquel, was a teetotaling liquor magnate who paid more Negro League teams. Pasquel bought Taylor a new suit each time he pitched a shutout. In 1941 with Veracruz, Taylor won 13 games while striking out 115. The club would be remembered as one of the finest Mexican League outfits of all-time.

A tall good-looking right-hander with the damnedest overhand curveball you ever did see.”
Monte Irvin on Johnny Taylor

1940 Johnny Taylor — Johnny Taylor, 1940.

Taylor once told Bill Lee, sports editor of the Hartford Courant, of his difficulties in the high altitude of Mexico City. His fastball didn’t have the same zip and his curve seemed to forget to bend. In September of 1941, he made a visit to Hartford with a team of Mexican League All-Stars led by Josh Gibson, Sam Bankhead, Ray Dandridge and Willie Wells. They squared off against the Savitt Gems, who started Pete Naktenis. Taylor and his All-Stars won in ten innings, as Taylor rung up 15 batsmen.

1946 Johnny Taylor Pitcher Veracruz Mexican League — Johnny Taylor, Veracruz Azules, Mexican League, 1946.

When America entered World War II, Taylor returned to Connecticut to work for United Aircraft in East Hartford. He continued to pitch for the New York Cubans on weekends. During the war years, he also tossed for the Savitt Gems, Fred Davey’s Waterbury team and Highland Lake Athletic Club of Winsted. Taylor went back to Mexico to suit up for Monterey after the war. This time he brought his wife, Estelle and son, John Jr. Estelle Singleton Taylor was a respected maternity nurse and the first black nurse at New Britain General Hospital.

1946 Johnny Taylor Josh Gibson Azules de Veracruz — 1946 Veracruz Azules – Johnny Taylor (4th from right) and Josh Gibson (4th from left).

Taylor hurled for Veracruz of the Mexican League until 1946, when he suffered an arm injury. At the time, the Mexican League sought to compete with Major League Badeball. White players like Danny Gardella, Sal Maglie and Mickey Owen signed with teams south of the border. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler blacklisted them for five years. The Negro National League handed five-year bans to eight players, including Johnny Taylor and Ray Dandridge. The suspensions were later shortened, though Taylor’s professional career was coming to a close.

1949 Johnny Taylor Hartford Chiefs — Johnny Taylor, Hartford Chiefs, 1949.

That was until 1949, when Taylor signed with the Hartford Chiefs of the Eastern League. In doing so he became Hartford’s first black player in organized baseball. He went 6-7 with the Chiefs, mainly in relief. The minor league club released Taylor in November. He later made his final pitching appearances in Hartford Twilight League old-timer games, alongside Pete Naktenis and Walter “Monk” Dubiel.

1942 Johnny Schoolboy Taylor Hartford Twilight — “Schoolboy” Johnny Taylor (left) and Satchel Paige, 1950.

After baseball, Taylor raised four children with his wife and worked for his father’s construction business. Taylor also became a trailblazer in the game of golf. He had learned to play golf as a teenager at Hartford’s Goodwin Park. Taylor frequented Edgewood in Cromwell (no known as TPC Cromwell), and he studied Ben Hogan’s book The Fundamentals of Modern Golf. Taylor was one of the first black men in Connecticut to hold a handicap card. He was made an Edgewood member in 1959, a year after Jackie Robinson had been denied membership at High Ridge Country Club in Stamford, Connecticut.

1958 Johnny Taylor Walter Elliot and Pete Naktenis — L to R: Johnny Taylor, Walter Elliot and Pete Naktenis, 1958.

1969 Monk Dubiel George Balf Frank Strong and Johnny Taylor Hartford Twilight League — L to R: Monk Dubiel, George Balf, Frank Strong and Johnny Taylor, 1969.

In 1975, the Boston Red Sox were World Series bound, and Taylor planned a trip to meet an old teammate, Luis Tiant Sr. The dictatorship of Cuba allowed Tiant to travel to watch his son, Luis Tiant Jr. pitch at Fenway Park. Taylor and Tiant Sr. had a tearful reunion. A dozen years later, Johnny Taylor passed away after a battle with cancer. His memory lives on as a character in Mark Winegardner’s novel, The Veracruz Blues and as the namesake of Johnny Taylor Field in Hartford’s Colt Park (dedicated 2020).

1980 c. Johnny Taylor Hartford — John “Johnny” “Jackson” “Schoolboy” Arthur Taylor (1916-1987)

Sources

SABR article by Jon Daly, February of 2011.

Hartford Courant

Hartford Times

Alexander, Charles C. Breaking the Slump: Baseball in the Depression Era. New York: Columbia University Press, 2002.

Hogan, Lawrence D. Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2006.

Holway, John. The Complete Book of Baseball’s Negro Leagues—The Other Half of Baseball History. Fern Park, Florida: Hastings House Publishers, 2001.

Lanctot, Neil. Negro League Baseball: The Rise and Ruin of a Black Institution. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004.

Ribowsky, Mark. A Complete History of the Negro Leagues, 1884 to 1955. New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1995.

Bonus Photo Gallery

1932 Dyckman Oval New York Cubans — Dyckman Oval, New York, New York, 1932.

1933 Sep 3 Baseball at Bulkeley Stadium Johnny Taylor vs. Pete Naktenis — Dyckman Oval, New York, New York, 1932.

1913 Jack Barry Philadelphia Athletics Meriden Connecticut Infielder

Wed. 11/10/21Tue. 03/12/24 by Weston Ulbrich

Meriden’s Jack Barry, 5-time World Series Champion

Meriden, Connecticut, native Jack Barry was a reliable shortstop in the early years of the American League. Most notably, he played on Connie Mack‘s fabled $100,000 Infield. Mack, who also began his baseball career in Meriden, signed Barry to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1908. At the time of his signing, Barry was captain of the Holy Cross baseball team in Worcester, Massachusetts. He wound up playing eleven seasons in the majors and won the World Series five times.

1908 Jack Barry Philadelphia Athletics Meriden Connecticut — Jack Barry, Philadelphia Athletics, 1908.

1913 Jack Barry Infielder Philadelphia Athletics Meriden Connecticut — Jack Barry, Philadelphia Athletics, 1913.

Though Jack Barry had a mediocre .243 career batting average, he was a defensive wiz. He suited up for winning clubs every season of his career except for his rookie year and his last year. With Philadelphia, he earned World Series victories in 1910, 1911 and 1913. During the 1911 World Series, he slashed .368 against John J. McGraw‘s New York Giants dynasty, beating them in six games. Barry also appeared in the 1914 World Series but lost to the miracle Boston Braves. He was lauded by sportswriters as the A’s best glove and perhaps the best infielder in the American League.

1913 100000 infield Jack Barry Eddie Collins Stuffy McInnis Frank Baker Philadelphia Athletics — *$100,000 Infield* – L to R: Stuffy McInnis, Frank “Home Run” Baker, Jack Barry and Eddie Collins, Philadelphia Athletics, 1913.

Despite his talents, Barry was sold midseason in 1915 by Connie Mack to the Boston Red Sox, in part due to financial pressures caused by the nascent Federal League. Barry joined a Boston roster which included rookie pitcher, Babe Ruth. Alongside Ruth, Barry continued to win with a playoff bound club. At the 1915 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies and their ace, Grover Cleveland Alexander, the Red Sox took the series in five games.

1915 Jack Barry Boston Red Sox Infielder — Jack Barry, Boston Red Sox, 1915.

1915 Jack Barry Boston Red Sox Kneeling — Jack Barry, Boston Red Sox, 1915.

In 1916, Barry appeared in 94 games during the Regular Season and Boston would repeat as champions. However, Barry did not appear in a playoffs game due to an injury. Instead, he served as Assistant Manager during the postseason under Holy Cross teammate and Red Sox manager, Bill Carrigan. The next season Boston’s owner Harry Frazee promoted Barry to player-manager. However, by the middle of 1917, a patriotic Barry became one of the first professional ballplayers to enlist for World War I.

I consider it my duty to do all I can for my country…I’m no slacker. If I can be of any use, I’ll quit baseball.”
Jack Barry, Washington Times, July 29, 1917.

1915 Babe Ruth Bill Carrigan Jack Barry and Vean Gregg Boston Red Sox edited — L to R: Babe Ruth, Bill Carrigan, Jack Barry and Vean Gregg of the Boston Red Sox, 1915.

Barry and four other Red Sox players enlisted as yeomen in the Naval Reserve. They were called to active duty and ordered to report on November 3, 1917. Barry and his teammates were stationed at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston throughout the 1918 season. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth and the rest of the Red Sox captured another World Series. On the orders of his commanding officer, Barry managed a major league caliber team on the base. The servicemen were known as Jack Barry’s Charlestown Navy Yard nine, but they called themselves the Wild Waves.

1920 c. Braves Field Boston Massachusetts — Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920.

Barry’s Navy Yard All-Stars featured two future Hall of Fame inductees: Herb Pennock and Rabbit Maranville. Other star players included King Bader and Ernie Shore. The Navy used their star power to boost morale at home and abroad. The Wild Waves matched up against amateur, college and professional clubs and on a few occasions, performed before an estimated crowd of 40,000 fans at Braves Field and in Boston.

1935 Babe Ruth Jack Barry Rabbit Maranville Boston Braves Baseball — Babe Ruth, Jack Barry and Rabbit Maranville, Braves Field, 1935.

Due to Barry’s year-long absence from the Red Sox, owner Frazee hired Ed Barrow as Boston’s manager in 1919. Then in June, Barry was traded back to Philadelphia as part of a four-man deal. At 32 years old with an ailing knee, Barry was no longer the player he had once been. He retired a few weeks later. In his major league career, Barry compiled 1,009 hits, 10 home runs and 429 RBI in 1,223 games. Even though he never made the AL All-Star Team, Barry exhibited defensive dependability and winning intangibles.

1937 Jack Barry Holy Cross and Joe Cronin Boston Red — Jack Barry, Manager, Holy Cross, with Joe Cronin, Infielder, Boston Red Sox, 1937.

In 1921, Jack Barry was tapped to be head coach at his alma mater, College of the Holy Cross. His coaching days were just as successful as his playing career. He compiled the highest career winning percentage (.806) in collegiate baseball history and won the 1952 College World Series. Barry was head coach at Holy Cross for more than forty years until his death in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts at age 73. In 1966, he was among the first class of inductees to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Barry also became an inaugural veteran inductee of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, along with Lou Gehrig, Christy Mathewson and Joe Sewell.

1951 Apr 25 Holy Cross Jack Barry of Meriden — Jack Barry (right), Manager, Holy Cross, 1951.

A few miles away from where he grew up on Grove Street, Jack Barry was laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery. The City of Meriden and its residents honored his legacy by creating Jack Barry Little League. The youth league existed from 1950 until 2020, when it merged with Ed Walsh Little League, after Ed Walsh – another major leaguer from Meriden. In Worcester, Massachusetts, the Little League program has retained the name Jack Barry Little League to this day.

Sources

Meriden’s Jack Barry and the Wild Waves by Michael Griffen on Slideshare.net.
Jack Barry SABR Bio Project entry by Norman Macht.
Various articles found on Newspapers.com.

Thu. 11/19/20Wed. 02/17/21 by Weston Ulbrich

Greater Hartford’s Own Jose Birriel

Jose A. Birriel was born on November 14, 1964 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a young man Birriel showed great athletic ability, especially as a left handed batter and first baseman. The Boston Red Sox signed him at 18 years old. In his first year as a professional Birriel banged 10 home runs, 56 RBI and a .351 average for Elmira of the New York Penn League. The following season he led the Florida State League in fielding percentage, assists, putouts and double plays while hitting 16 homers for the Winter Haven Red Sox.

1988 Jul 2 Jose Birriel New Britain Red Sox — Hartford Courant excerpt, July 2, 1988.

By 1986, Jose Birriel was called up to the Double-A New Britain Red Sox. He quickly earned a reputation as a top defensive first basemen in the Eastern League. In 1987, Birriel had a breakout season with 10 home runs, 57 RBI, a .292 batting average, and a .991 fielding percentage in 117 games played. Birriel spent 7 years in the Boston Red Sox organization. During this time, he was selected to 4 minor league all-star games, set the all-time club record for most runs batted in, and on occasion, the lefty also showed a knack for pitching.

1990 Jose Birriel Society for Savings Hartford Twilight Baseball 1 — Jose Birriel, First Baseman, Society for Savings, 1990.

Hartford Courant excerpt, June 29, 1990.

Birriel was eventually promoted to Triple-A with the Pawtucket Red Sox in 1988. However he was only given 21 at bats and had 2 hits. He was released from the Red Sox that same year. The following summer Birriel was living in Hartford and joined the Society for Savings ball club in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League. As a member of Tom Abbruzzese’s team, Birriel hit 6 home runs in 62 at bats and was named an all-star. Birriel played a final season in the Mexican League in 1991 before ending his baseball career.

1988 New Britain Red Sox Hat — New Britain Red Sox hat.

Jose Birriel Baseball Stats — Jose Birriel career stats, Baseball-Reference.com.

Fri. 10/04/19Tue. 04/13/21 by Weston Ulbrich

Jeff Bagwell, From Hartford to the Hall

Born: 5/27/1968 in Boston, Massachussetts
High School: Xavier High School (Middletown, Connecticut)
College: University of Hartford
GHTBL: Malloves Jewelers
Cape Cod League: Chatham A’s
Drafted: 1989, Boston Red Sox, 4th Round, 109th Overall.
Traded: Boston Red Sox send Bagwell to Houston Astros for pitcher Larry Andersen in 1990.
Major League Debut: 4/8/1991
Awards: Rookie of the Year (1991), National League MVP (1994) and 4-time All-Star.
National Baseball Hall of Fame: 2017

1987 University of Hartford Jeff Bagwell — Jeff Bagwell (left) with teammates from University of Hartford, 1987.

1987 Malloves Jewelers Jeff Bagwell Twilight League — Jeff Bagwell (right), Malloves Jewelers, GHTBL, 1987.

1987 Bagwell Double Malloves Jewelers — Jeff Bagwell, Malloves Jewelers, GHTBL 1987.

1988 Jeff Bagwell University of Hartford Baseball — Jeff Bagwell, University of Hartford, 1988.

Jeff Bagwell Hartford Twilight — Jeff Bagwell, University of Hartford, 1988.

1988 Jeff Bagwell Chatham As Cape Cod Leauge — Jeff Bagwell, Chatham A’s, Cape Cod League, 1988.

Jeff Bagwell New Britain Red — Jeff Bagwell, New Britain Red Sox, 1990.

1990 Jeff Bagwell New Britain Red — Jeff Bagwell, New Britain Red Sox, 1990.

1991 Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros — Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros, 1991.

1991 Bowman Jeff Bagwell RC — Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros, 1991.

Jeff Bagwell Hartford Twilight Baseball — Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros, 2004.

View Jeff Bagwell’s MLB career batting statistics on Baseball-Reference.com

Tue. 01/08/19Sat. 01/29/22 by Weston Ulbrich

When Big Papi Rocked New Britain

Originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1992, David “Big Papi” Ortiz was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization in 1996. In 1997, he played first base for the New Britain Rock Cats. In his first Double-A season, Ortiz hit for a .322 average with 14 home runs, 56 RBI and even stole 2 bases. He was eventually promoted to the majors with the Minnesota Twins and hit .327 during his big league debut. Ortiz returned to New Britain for 9 games in 2001 during a rehab assignment. He was released by the Twins and signed with the Red Sox in 2003. Ortiz helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004, their first in 86 years.

1997 David Ortiz Big Papi New Britain Rock Cats — David Ortiz, First Baseman, New Britain Rock Cats, 1997.

After playing in New Britain, David Ortiz had an illustrious, Hall of Fame caliber career:

3× World Series champion (2004, 2007, 2013)
World Series MVP (2013)
ALCS MVP (2004)
10× All-Star (2004–2008, 2010–2013, 2016)
7× Silver Slugger Award (2004–2007, 2011, 2013, 2016)
2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2005, 2016)
Roberto Clemente Award (2011)
AL home run leader (2006)
3× AL RBI leader (2005, 2006, 2016)
541 career home runs
Boston Red Sox No. 34 retired

Tue. 11/06/18Tue. 02/24/26 by Weston Ulbrich

When Babe Ruth Barnstormed Greater Hartford

A young George Herman “Babe” Ruth visited the Connecticut Greater Hartford regions on multiple occasions. Like many big leaguers of his day, Ruth barnstormed the nation to earn additional pay. When he came to the Constitution State in the fall of 1918, Ruth was a 23 year old starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Ruth had won more games than any left-handed pitcher in the previous four seasons. He compiled a 2.28 earned run average and a .650 winning percentage during that stretch. His phenomenal achievements and large physical traits gave him instant appeal.

1918 Babe Ruth Red Sox Pitching — Ruth warming up, 1918 World Series.

Ruth’s first appearance in Connecticut came after the 1918 World Series, wherein the Boston defeated the Chicago Cubs. A victorious Ruth pitched 29 ⅔ scoreless innings (a mark not broken until Whitey Ford recorded 33 ⅔ innings in 1961).

Attending the World Series was James H. Clarkin, sole proprietor of the Hartford Senators of the Eastern League, who tried to recruit both teams to play an exhibition game in Hartford benefiting American soldiers of World War I. When his offer was declined, Clarkin landed Babe Ruth instead.

1918 Babe Ruth Boston Red Sox World Series scaled — Ruth and Boston Red Sox win 1918 World Series.

When Hartford’s rabid baseball fans received reports of Ruth’s arrival, they were clamoring to see him in action. Days after winning his second World Series, he appeared in several exhibition games throughout the state.

His initial stop was in New Haven at Lighthouse Point Baseball Park. He played first base for the semi-pro New Haven Colonials. Ruth slugged a home run in a 5-1 loss against the Cuban Stars made up of players from the Negro Leagues.

1918 Sep 15 Babe Ruth Arrives For Todays Game 2 — Hartford Courant, September, 15, 1918.

The next evening, on Saturday, September 14, 1918, Ruth departed from New Haven and arrived in Hartford. He attracted large crowds of people hoping to meet the budding superstar. He was driven into the city by Manager Curtis Gillette of the semi-pro Hartford Poli’s baseball club to lavish accommodations at Hotel Bond on Asylum Street. The Hartford Poli’s were known as one of the “fastest” clubs in New England.

The following day Ruth joined the Poli’s on the Hartford’s top-notch diamond at Wethersfield Avenue Grounds. They opposed the Fisk Red Tops of Chicopee, Massachusetts. While pitching and batting third, he recorded two hits including a double off the “Bull Durham” tobacco sign on the center field wall. Then he threw a complete game shutout, allowed four hits and led the Poli’s to a 1-0 victory.

Ruth beat his Red Sox teammate, Dutch Leonard, who guest starred on the mound for the Fisk Red Tops. Another Red Sox counterpart, Sam Agnew, played catcher for the Poli’s and drove in the game’s only run. Ruth and the gang entertained a Hartford crowd of more than 5,000, earning $350 for his appearance.

1918 Babe Ruth World Series Red — Babe Ruth, Boston Red Sox, 1918.

A week later, Ruth appeared at the Wethersfield Avenue Grounds for the Hartford Poli’s in a doubleheader. In the opening game, the Poli’s went head to head with the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft company nine. Five Major Leaguers including Ruth appeared that day. He was the starting pitcher and hit third in the lineup. Even though Ruth threw a quality start, he was outdueled by his Red Sox teammate and Pratt & Whitney guest star, “Bullet” Joe Bush, who won the pitcher’s affair 1-0.

1918 Babe Ruth and Joe Bush Boston Red — Babe Ruth and “Bullet” Joe Bush, Boston Red Sox, 1918.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Ruth and the Poli’s faced an army base nine from Fort Slocum near New Rochelle, New York. Ray Fisher, former Hartford Senator turned New York Yankees ace, mowed down Poli batters and Fort Slocum put down the Poli’s 4-1. Ruth played first base, hit a single and scored Hartford’s lone run. A crowd of about 3,000 people were in attendance for this rare occasion; the only doubleheader featuring Babe Ruth in Hartford.

1916 Ray Fisher New York Yankees 1 — Ray Fisher, New York Yankees, 1916.

The Babe came back in autumn of the following year. This time he brought most the Boston Red Sox to Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut, where Ruth would set a new record. On September 21, 1919, he played first base and hit fourth for the Boston versus Bristol’s semi-pro juggernaut, the New Departure Endees. The team was sponsored by New Departure, a division of General Motors, and a manufacturer of ball bearings for automobiles, planes, ships and military equipment.

1919 Babe Ruth and Eddie Goodridge of New Departure — Babe Ruth & Eddie Goodridge of New Departure, Muzzy Field, 1919.

Also on the field for the Red Sox was Hall of Fame outfielder, Harry Hooper who had two hits and a run on the day. Though it was Babe Ruth who stole the show. “All eyes were pointed at the famous baseball mauler,” according to the Hartford Courant when he blasted the first ever home run at Muzzy Field.

1919 Babe Ruth and New Departure Manager Lester Sigourney at Muzzy Field — Babe Ruth and Lester Sigourney, New Departure Manager, Muzzy Field, 1919.

1919 Babe Ruth at Muzzy Field DeWitt Page left and Judge William J. Malone right — L to R: DeWitt Page, Babe Ruth and Judge William J. Malone, Muzzy Field, 1919.

Hooper was on first base when Ruth connected with a pitch thrown by New Departure’s Freddie Rieger, a star pitcher for the Pittsfield team in the Eastern League. His homer sailed over the right field fence before 5,000 adulated onlookers. The Red Sox won 6-2 over New Departure and the game was remembered as Connecticut’s most thrilling sporting event of the year.

1919 New Departure Baseball Club 1 — New Departure Baseball Club, 1919.

Babe Ruth 1st Muzzy Field Home Run — Babe Ruth marker at Muzzy Field, 2014.

While the rest of the Red Sox went home, Ruth manned first base for with the Hartford Poli’s on September 28, 1919 at Poli Field in East Hartford. The Poli’s were met by the New Britain Pioneers, the Hardware City’s top ball club. Mayor of Hartford, Richard J. Kinsella threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch and posed for a photograph with Ruth.

1919 Babe Ruth and Mayor Richard J. Kinsella Hartford Connecticut — Babe Ruth and Mayor Richard J. Kinsella, Hartford, Connecticut, 1919.

The Babe hit two balls over the right field fence but was only allowed one base for each long ball due to a “short porch” ground rule. Earlier that day he had hit a batting practice homer said to be struck over 500 feet. A crowd of more than 6,000 witnessed the Poli’s shutout the Pioneers 3-0,

1919 Sep 30 Babe Ruth Poli Field East Hartford Connecticut 1 — Spectators at Poli Field, East Hartford, Connecticut, 1919.

A few months later, on January 5, 1920, Babe Ruth was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Red Sox for $125,000 cash and $300,000 in loans. His services were sold after Ruth refused to return to the Red Sox at a salary of $10,000 per year. The Yankees struck the deal of the century.

Ruth went on to smash his own home run record with an astounding 54 dingers in the 1920 season, while batting at .376 clip. New York only made Ruth bigger, better and in higher demand to fans across the country. Fortunately for cranks in Connecticut, the Babe kept coming back to play for the Poli’s.

1920 Jan 6 22Babe22 Ruth Purchased By Yankees — Hartford Courant, January 6, 1920.

By the end of 1920, the New York Yankees were runner-ups in the American League behind the Cleveland Indians. As the season came to a close, Manager Gillette of Hartford persuaded Ruth to join the Poli’s once more. Again they faced the New Departure squad at Muzzy Field.

1920 Babe Ruth To Play for Polis scaled — Babe Ruth coming to Muzzy Field, Bristol, Connecticut, 1920.

On October 2, 1920, The Babe hit clean up for the Poli’s, played every position except pitcher and went 4 for 4 with 3 singles and a double. Nonetheless, New Departure shutout the Poli’s 7 to 0 thanks to crafty pitching from Gus Helfrich, a minor league spitball hurler from the New York State League. Extra trains and trolleys were scheduled to Bristol that Saturday afternoon, allowing 10,000 fans a chance to see Babe Ruth one last time at Muzzy Field.

1920 Babe Ruth Muzzy Field Not So Fast — Babe Ruth at Muzzy Field, Bristol, Connecticut, 1920.

1920 Babe Ruth Muzzy Field Gift — Babe Ruth at Muzzy Field, Bristol, Connecticut, 1920.

Connecticut’s amateur and semi-pro baseball clubs regularly hosted Babe Ruth and in return, he left a long-lasting impression. In Greater Hartford and beyond, Ruth earned baseball thousands of new fans. He barnstormed throughout the East Coast in grand fashion, ushering in the home run era and baseball’s Golden Age (1920 to 1960).

1920 Babe Ruth Muzzy Field Lifts One a Mile High — Babe Ruth at Muzzy Field, Bristol, Connecticut, 1920.

1920 Babe Ruth Muzzy Field — Babe Ruth at Muzzy Field, Bristol, Connecticut, 1920.

Ruth retired in 1935 after leading the New York Yankees to their first four World Series wins. Ten years later, he took the final at bat of his career for the Savitt Gems at Hartford’s Bulkeley Stadium in an exhibition game.

1945 Savitt Gems Babe Ruth — Babe Ruth on the Savitt Gems, Hartford, Connecticut, 1945.

Sources

Hartford Courant Database on Newspapers.com

The “Babe Comes to Hartford by Ronald Bolin

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Thu. 03/01/18Thu. 03/25/21 by Weston Ulbrich

World Series Club Features Bobby Valentine

Bobby V reminiscences about baseball in West Hartford.

Stamford, Connecticut, native Bobby Valentine has not been following baseball as much this past couple of months due to his nonstop busy schedule, however, he made time to visit West Hartford to speak to the World Series Club about the common passion everyone in the room shares: baseball.

“This is the baseball time of the year. Some people here love the sport of baseball and they asked if I can come up and I said absolutely. For a free meal I’d do anything,” Valentine said with a grin. “I just wanted to get into the game with the crowd and answer their questions about what we all love and it’s the game of baseball.”

Valentine, 67, was introduced by his former player, Gary Burnham Jr., who played under Valentine in 2009 in Japan. To this day, both men remain close and, for Burnham, it was a no-brainer to introduce his former manager.

“I built a great relationship with him and now he’s just really a great friend,” Burnham said. “I am just super happy to be here and it’s an honor for me to introduce such a great guy.”

This is not the first time Valentine has spoken to the organization; he has made two prior visits in the 1970s and ’80s. However, baseball was different then and he is intrigued to see the new direction MLB is taking with the implementation rules to speed up place.

“I think the game should be quicker,” Valentine said. “You know all these mound visits are probably going to be the things of the past and all we have to do is have the younger generation understand the competition.”

Valentine says during his managing career, he did not believe in mound visits and had his pitching coach go to the mound to speak to his pitchers. If Valentine had to count, he says he probably made 10 mound visits during his professional managerial career.

Valentine, like other baseball junkies, is also looking forward to the new Yankees slugging tandem of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton and the potential of what the two sluggers can produce. The Connecticut native also expects the new Yankee skipper Aaron Boone, who he worked with for two years at ESPN, to excel under pressure in New York.

On the other side of the Boston/New York rivalry, Valentine expressed mixed feelings on the Red Sox signing J.D. Martinez.

“Well, I think if he is healthy, he is the necessary piece to that puzzle. I think if he was left-handed he’d fit a lot better than him being right-handed,” Valentine said.

For Len Montanari, who has been a member of the World Series Club for 15 years, said it was a treat for people like Valentine to come to their meetings and reveal the insights of the shenanigans that happened behind the closed doors.

“For a baseball fan in the winter, it is like going through withdrawal,” Montanari said. “(Valentine) is a very colorful guy and he has an extraordinary history. He was fired by George Bush while at Texas, its fun to hear the backstory about things like that.”

Although Valentine’s passion for baseball continues, he remains focused on his tenure as Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University.

– Written by Kimberly Pena, Hartford Courant

League Notes

– Gary Burnham Jr. is now the GM of the newest team in the GHTBL, the South Windsor Phillies and the league is ecstatic to have him involved. Gary owns a property management business and has a family of five of his own who live in South Windsor.

– Special thanks from the GHTBL goes out to the Worlds Series Club, especially to Tim Brennan, his family and the Montanari Family.

Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League

Connecticut's Classic Summer League Since 1929.

Tag: red sox

From Meriden to the Majors: Alfred Niemiec’s Baseball Odyssey

Remembering Longtime Umpire, Dave Bindas

Johnny Taylor: Hartford’s First Professional Black Athlete

John “Johnny” “Jackson” “Schoolboy” Arthur Taylor

Bonus Photo Gallery

Meriden’s Jack Barry, 5-time World Series Champion

Greater Hartford’s Own Jose Birriel

Jeff Bagwell, From Hartford to the Hall

When Big Papi Rocked New Britain

When Babe Ruth Barnstormed Greater Hartford

World Series Club Features Bobby Valentine

Bobby V reminiscences about baseball in West Hartford.

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