copyWrite By Mark House

In the be-g-Inning, there was native ball of the Choctaw captured by Catlin on a canvas to be seen by all. To follow, a tattered and torn sphere charging west with the spirit of Major-General Abner Doubleday's pre civil war innovation. Hereafter, the primitive and spirited sphere found it's way across the muddied waters of the Arkansas river. The courageous crossings leading survival minded soldiers and territorial pioneers to play their game of nine upon the north and east prairies of past times.

From those days forth and from Indian Territory south and east, a boot dusted coal mining muleskinner metamorphed into the patriarch of ukla humma base ball. Narrowly escaping a blast in Krebs coal hole number eleven, fate favored the original "Iron Man" as Father Joseph McGinnity's future halls with fame were ordained by this mystical and westward moving sphere. Concomitantly, this transforming sphere with everlasting spirit journeyed into Oklahoma Territory and it's new borne township known as Oklahoma City. A city freshly staked with run of the land claims to ukla humma's red dirt plains and to base ball's predestination as "America's Game."

​Idiosyncratic research indicates professional base ball in Oklahoma City was officially born late in the nineteenth century on June 11, 1891. On this date, the father and obstetrician of Oklahoma City's base ball, Walter R. Jennison, implemented the standard methods of organized professional approach when he enthusiastically ordered all black uniforms for a team to be recognized as the Pirates. Within a brief two days following, the maiden voyage of these red dirt base ball buccaneers would launch Oklahoma City into a distinguished dominion of professional status against a Guthrie nine on the road in Oklahoma Territory. This prevailing as the authentic point of transition in Oklahoma City's one hundred thirty year old plus base ball history. A transition where Captain Jennison and his Pirates engaged in a specified activity (base ball) within a spirit of paid occupational status rather than just a casual association with what was yet to become vigorously known as "America's Favorite Pastime."

A select and rare few humans with interest, along with some early twentieth century teammates and players, possess solid evidence of one Eugene Albert "Gene" Barnes as deserving the hallowed ground and grand title "Father Of Oklahoma City Base Ball." This being a true and fair assessment based upon the many great and early day contributions made towards Oklahoma City's game of base ball by this prominent Oklahoma City trailblazer named Gene Barnes.

Mr. Barnes, Kansas born in 1873, is noted for his youthful participation within Oklahoma City's sandlot pastures soon after the first land run settlers staked out their sections of Oklahoma Territory in 1889. Barnes certainly earned what is now antiquated recognition of being a rarity within himself. A teenage base ball organizer and young pitcher who stepped off a south bound train from Kansas sauntering into what had to have been a raw but magnificent realm of territorial town team base ball. A majestic prenatal realm that included Barnes' young Oklahoma City Browns, Bob Overstreet's older "Dudes," Will Barrett's "Prints," the Oklahoma City Hoo-Hoos and the Oklahoma City Lightning.

A sixteen year old Gene Barnes helped erect Oklahoma City's first base ball grandstand. It was constructed near what is now the nationally historic Oklahoma City Municipal Building site (aka City Hall) and adjacent to what used to be First Street and Walker Avenue. In 1889, the specific location was recognized as "Old Doc Higgins" quarter. With empty beer kegs from a nearby saloon located two blocks east at First and Harvey, and, with local lumber yard donated 2 x 12's, Barnes and a conglomerate of land run pioneers scrapped together what he personally identified as a "pretentious, portable structure." This to oblige anticipatory enthusiasm of Oklahoma City's original "89er" base ball fans.

Barnes said the portable grandstand was constructed on Higgins' quarter to specifically accommodate a series with Guthrie. The park had no actual fence with no streets nearby and only a barbed wire fence at the section line. "We played Guthrie a game there and played two games at Guthrie winning all three," said Barnes. Although not remembering the scores, Barnes remembered the Overbay brothers playing for Guthrie and specifically John Overbay umpiring the games up in Guthrie. "We had to travel by train as it was too far for horse and shay," remembered Barnes.

The most original "89er" players to exist include pioneering men of many talents. Tom Potts was a feed man; Jim Armour, telegrapher; Red Bradford, printer; Byron D. Shear, attorney; future Texas Leaguer Bert Dunn, carpenter; Ed Boismier, plumber; Perry Howe, telegrapher; Frank "Kid" Morey and Tom Dyer were both lathers; Ed Johnston, printer and recognized as a "great" pitcher; Usher Carson, real estate agent; Cliff Scott, nephew of Oklahoma City Journal publisher A.C. Scott; and Roy Allen who was "not' related to "Snake" Allen of the futuristic Oklahoma City Indians ball club to come. Only a select few and best of these players would form the foundation of transformation into the Oklahoma City Pirates in the summer of 1891.     

It was a young Gene Barnes, later to become emergency interim manager in 1904 and a part owner/majority team stockholder in 1905, who personally journeyed with Walter Jennison and his bushwhacking 1891 Pirates on an excursion of proficiently scheduled base ball contests that concluded in the grass roots dust on your boots prairie town of Wellington, Kansas. Some fifty years following such an impressionable time, Barnes, sharing from his personal eye witness experience with and of the Pirates, their methodical organization and bountiful success in Kansas, publicly recognized the Jennison brothers as "the real pioneers of base ball in Oklahoma City."

Walter R. Jennison and his brother Harry organized and played for the first professional base ball club representing Oklahoma City. The Jennison brothers built, owned and operated Oklahoma Territory's very first cotton gin in Norman. They were also pioneers of the early day cotton gin industry in Oklahoma City and several other territorial locations. 

Bob Stoops is not the first coach from Ohio to venture into Oklahoma's sporting arena and claim success on its fields of guts and glory. The originating Pirate's player/coach, Walter R. Jennison, transplanted some actual professional minor league management and playing experience in Oklahoma City from Springfield, Ohio. Jennison served as a player and one of three managers of the Springfield base ball club during Oklahoma's land run year of 1889. Springfield compiled a record of 61-48 to finish second to the Canton Nadjys in Ohio's Tri-State League. 

Migrating from the north and east and into the territory along with people, religion, education, agriculture, music and most everything else was the game of base ball and Walter R. Jennison. Arriving in Oklahoma Territory on a mid summer train engineered by an engineer of the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe Railroad in the year of 1890, Jennison was found playing second base for a competitive Norman town team with his brother Harry handling the catching duties from behind the plate. The two brothers arrived in time to anchor a Norman base ball club finishing up a skeleton but undefeated four game season with their final two against the Purcell Black Stockings.

Game highlights with the Jennison brothers include a July 4, 1890, morning ride south with the Norman nine on that same Sante Fe Railway. The Black Stockings of Purcell cordially greeted the team from Norman as they stepped off this now antiquated train. The boys with black sox proceeded to escort Norman's nine to the Hotel Clifton where a "sumptuous" dinner awaited all players. After disposing of the "sumptuous" cuisine, both clubs headed for the picnic grounds south of Purcell for a Friday afternoon game that was called to "play ball" by an umpire named Johnson at exactly 2:30 o'clock.

From the top of it's first inning, evidence revealed the Black Stockings from Purcell to be no match for the nine from Norman. Before a soon to be dispirited "home team crowd en-masse," Norman reeled off 5 runs in the first inning of play and never looked back in a high scoring affair that found Purcell on the short end of a 20-12 final score.

Walter Jennison led off and played second base for the Norman nine. With three of a team total twenty-two base hits, Jennison accounted for four of the twenty runs scored by the nameless Norman base ball club. With a win over the "Chickasaw" boys from Purcell, a magnificent purse of $20.00 was celebrated in grand style by the victorious base ball club from Norman.

Much like today's norm of home and home series, Norman, in turn, hosted a redemption opportunity match for the same Black Stockings from Purcell. This happening near one month later on August 5, 1890, before a "very good" crowd in attendance. Much like the norm of those days, Norman jumped out to a first inning lead with no need to look back on their way to a 21-8 victory. With a second victory over the hapless Black Stockings, Norman's press labeled their nine as the best ball team in the 1890 Territory with advice for the Purcell team to "get a new club." Norman's "Cotton Gin Men," Walter and Harry Jennison, combined for three hits and six runs in this game called to "play ball" at exactly 2:20 o'clock on a hot August afternoon.

Despite Norman's first ever 20-19 base ball victory against the Noble Plow Boys. Despite a 16-12 win against Moore's ball club. Despite the two wins featuring the recently arrived Jennison brothers against Purcell. Despite hometown press recognition as being a professional ball team. Despite a published challenge to take on any and all clubs of the territory or adjoining states, Norman's inceptive season quietly faded into history as the Jennison Brothers & Company went to work constructing the territory's first cotton gin. A pioneering facility to serve area farmers with ability to not only harvest, compress and sell their fall cotton crops but to also ship their cotton towards higher prices via the adjacent Sante Fe.     

From Norman, the Jennison Brothers catch an 1891 ride on that same Sante Fe north to expand their cotton ginning business while originating their own base ball buccaneers and fabricating the genesis of Oklahoma City's venture towards professionalism. What more identifies a base ball club than uniform uniforms. The same black pants, same black jersey, same black socks and same black caps could and would make men from two centuries previous feel extra special and feel like they were part of a nonfictional team. Embracing the persona of a Pirate combined with being paid to play with travel, hotel and fine cuisine amenities considered bonus would, could and did transform Oklahoma City base ballist into admired and well respected professionals. The black dressed Pirates and their maiden voyage on a mythical iron horse of a ship sailing north to Guthrie for a game of ball fossilized Walter Jennison's "father" status within Oklahoma City's base ball history.  

It must have been a great moment in time to suit up and represent Oklahoma City as professionals on such a magnificent yet unpolished diamond of base ball. With historical mentions of opposing players, winning or losing, enjoying their particular time spent in Oklahoma City, the game of base ball was recognized as a great advertising medium for such a young, struggling, yet, growing community. Sounds similar to the type of market branding and representation offered by the current Oklahoma City Dodgers organization. The Dodger's representing a more mature city and modern window of progressive times, but, their seeds of organizational existence and harvest of success was planted along with some of central Oklahoma's most vibrant cotton crops back in the year of 1891.

As Walter Jennison vigorously labored to create a competitively organized base ball team, the first "real" ball park in Oklahoma City was under construction and completed by June of 1891. According to the reflective 1940 remembrance of former Pirate outfielder Tom Dyer of Blanchard, the new grandstand of this first and real ball park "was not just pieced together with beer kegs and boards." Dyer's near fifty year old eye witness descriptive of the park includes his personal and vivid memories of "having a covered grandstand with a 'tight' eight foot board fence. It had a quarter-mile race track. It was constructed within the military reservation just evacuated by Captain D.F. Stiles and his troops," shared Dyer. It was located just two blocks east of the Sante Fe depot about where Irving School stood (4th & Walnut)."

Dyer enthusiastically shared a finishing touch ball park moment as O.A. Mitcher & Company popped off the back stop with what had to be Oklahoma City base ball's first ever billboard sponsorship. Mr. O.A. Mitcher owned and operated the company that provided pioneering consumers with a "Choice Stock of Ladies' Dress Goods; A Full Line of Standard Patterns in Stock; A Specialty of Good Shoes; Specialty in Clothing Department, Carpets and Curtains." It was standard for all ladies to be admitted to the ball park for free, but, maybe their complimentary ticket was already subliminally covered with the sponsorship dollars of O.A. Mitcher & Company?

The Mitcher's back stop in 1891 was considered "vitally' necessary and stood eighty feet behind home plate. As Oklahoma City's first professional catcher, Harry Jennison wore a scantily-padded four finger catcher's mitt. Jennison's mitt had the fingers cut off on is catching hand and a smaller thinner glove barely covering the palms of his throwing hand. Jennison would let the ball bounce off the backstop on the first two strikes while retrieving it hastily. He would then move up into a position to take the third strike "hot off the bat" if he was game enough as the old timer put it. "Strikes were hard to get. Foul's did not count as strikes and many batsmen were good at ticking the ball," explained Dyer. Jennison would have been the only Pirate player to wear a glove "as they were the only ones who did back then," stated Dyer.             

This particular year of 1891 turns out to be a most important turn around moment in time relative to Oklahoma City and what is now known as it's future. Following a disaster filled Fourth of July celebration soon after the land run of 1889, anything recognized as good representation for the city was most important as the struggle to recover from such recent and major calamity was difficult to say the least.

The New York Evening World reported that two hundred Oklahoma City people were injured by the fall of a stand with one child killed and others expected not to live. "Without warning two thousand men, women and children were precipitated to the ground and covered with beams and boards with one hundred of the injured possibly to die" was published in what was branded as a "special to the world" by the Evening World.

Datelined Oklahoma, I.T., July 4 - "During the Fourth of July celebration, at 3 o'clock this afternoon, just at the close of the ball game, the crowd started for the stand to see the races, which were announced to take place in twenty minutes. The rush was rapid and seats were most instantly filled, there being at least 2,000 people on the stand when, without a preliminary crack or sound, the whole fabric went to the ground. Most of the occupants were women and children. There was one wild whirl, a horrible crash, and scats, roof and timber came down, burying the throng in a mass of splintered timbers. Investigation showed that though fully two hundred were injured by falling timbers, only one fifteen-months-old child (actually eleven months old) of Dr. Ryan, of this city, was killed outright, though several others may die."

The Evening World individually listed sixty-four of the injured men, women and children while closing their worldwide report on Oklahoma City's tragedy. "The grand stand was hastily constructed a few days ago and was then pronounced unsafe, but the officials thought they would not have to build another. The military in this city took charge of the grounds and nobody was allowed to enter this district where the wounded were except the surgeons and the friends of the injured. Army ambulances were furnished and all the injured were brought to this city on mattresses. It is said that one hundred of the injured will die," concluded the Evening World.

A native 89er eyewitness shares his most vivid memories of the tragic event during Oklahoma City's first Fourth of July celebration attempt. One of the city's first hardware store owners, W.J. Pettee, said "Cheyenne and Arapaho indians were brought here to participate in the celebration." Mr. Pettee had already staked out his claim and established his hardware store in Oklahoma City's township just one day after the land run of April 22, 1889. "Various persons entered their horses in the races. Cold drink stands, wheels of fortune and other concessions were housed under the grand stand," stated Pettee.

Original "89ers," Dr. J.A. Ryan and his wife, were both fortunate and unfortunate to be present at the 1889 Fourth of July celebration. Fortunate that Dr. Ryan's medical skills were needed immediately on site, yet, most unfortunate as the couple's eleven month old son, James Alvin Ryan, was killed in the infamous grandstand collapse tragically and forever blemishing Oklahoma City's first attempt at celebrating our nation's freedom.   

Quite a large set back for any newly born community, its people, its base ball teams, its horse racing entities and any positive outlook in general for inhabitants of such a tragic filled environment. Equally disturbing and happening on the same day was an act of criminal assault (rape) towards a young thirteen year old girl figuratively and literally buried beneath the dreadful rubble and news of the grandstand collapse. 

Charles M. Lane, formerly of Gainesville, Texas, was, at the time, recognized as business manager for the Oklahoma City Daily Journal. As well, Lane was publicly recognized as "corresponding secretary of the committee on arrangements on the Fourth of July Celebration." Charles Lane was arrested during the late evening hours of July 5, 1889. Accusations against him included enticing the girl to his room located within the Overholser block, and "under threats of killing her," as the young girl declared, "succeeded in accomplishing his design." This horrendous act upon a child taking place on the very same day of and after the July 4, 1889, grandstand collapse.

Lane was escorted to the U.S. jail in Wichita, Kansas, by Deputy United States Marshal George E. Thornton. Actual charges were filed on September 6 of 1889. Despite rumors that Lane escaped while being taken to Wichita for imprisonment, Oklahoma City's Marshal Thornton assured the press and general public that "Lane made no attempt to escape and could not have got away had he tried ever so much."

Assistant District Attorney J.S. Johnson of Oklahoma presented the accusers case before the appointed jury members of the September 13, 1889, trial held in the U.S. District Court of Wichita. Johnson asserted that "on the day of the crime, Lane procured a carriage and was driving about the city and seeing Miss Skeed on the street, he invited her to ride with him to the place where the Fourth of July celebration was held. Returning to the city, he placed the carriage in the livery stable. He then walked back to the city in company with Miss Skeed. In the course of their walk, they passed a block of buildings wherein there was a dental office. He made an excuse, upon reaching the stairway leading to his room, that he had business in the dentists office and he prevailed upon the child to accompany him up the stairway. On arriving on the second floor, she found herself in the room of the defendant and the crime was then committed by force."

​After Lane's defense attorney's pleaded a "not guilty" case with cross examinations of witnesses and sporadic over rulings of statements here and there, the jury summoned to decide the fate of the accused did just that in less than five minutes. "We the jury in the above-entitled cause, duly impaneled and sworn, upon our oaths find the defendant guilty of carnal and unlawful knowledge of Frances M. Skeed, a female under the age of sixteen years, as charged in the indictment." Jury members included G.W. Friend, W.A. Ackerman, James McClain, Thomas J. Kirker, R.A. Dowell, J.E. Lucas, F.R. McKinley, O.C. Ingmire, J. Gillespie, J.W. Richardson and Samuel Rodgers.

After a motion for a new trial and an arrest of judgment was made, heard, and overruled, the following sentence from Judge Foster's U.S. District Court in Wichita was pronounced. "Thereupon, it is now by the court here considered, ordered, and adjudged that said defendant be imprisoned in the Kansas penitentiary for the period of five years. It is further ordered that the marshal deliver, or cause to be delivered, the body of said Charles Lane to the warden of said penitentiary within ten days from this date."
 
With the catastrophic loss of one young child and the horrific life altering victimization of another, nothing but dark clouds could hang over a new born community struggling to survive on the open range known as Oklahoma Territory. If knowing history helps to keep it from repeating itself, citizens in and around Perry, I.T., must have not heard of the world wide news flash of Oklahoma City's 1889 grandstand collapse. Just five years following in 1894, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Asa C. Potter lost her life when a grandstand holding five-hundred fans went down in a heap. This tragic event taking place during a base ball contest between an Indian nine and a local Perry nine. In much the same unfortunate fashion of Oklahoma City's tragedy, many were injured and one child was sadly lost leaving another set of parents in shock and heartbroken to the extreme.

Such tragic loss of life and child abuse in Oklahoma City gives all the more reason to recognize the prolific and well timed arrival of Mr. Walter R. Jennison and his vision for the future Pirate base ball as an entertaining and exciting pastime for pioneers. Even more important was Jennison's vision of stabilizing the cotton industry and the growth of agriculture which would help anchor a struggling territorial city walking within its tragic filled baby steps of historical existence. As the Jennison Brothers and Company began serving the Oklahoma City area with farm equipment, they also laid plans to sell base ball to the new territory on a big scale. This, while recognizing the need to rid their game of rowdy elements that dominated the amateur efforts previous to their arrival. 

With enthusiasm and a no fail attitude founded upon a persistent "play it by ear" basis, Walter R. Jennison strategically labored on an 1891 schedule of games against other teams with railroad accessibility from Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. From these pioneer efforts to birth a successful organization called the Pirates with great effort to create a season of reputable schedule for a youthful Oklahoma City, the summer of 1891 was eventually highlighted with Jennison's businesslike organization of ticketed games against territorial teams from Purcell, Guthrie, Fort Reno, Frisco and Stillwater as well as Gainesville (TX), Winfield (KS) and Wellington (KS).     

1904 Oklahoma Metropolitans base ball club (back row l to r) 1, Warner, Capt.; 2, Sullenger; 3, Swartzell; 4, Nelson; 5, Werner; 6, Bennett; (middle row) 7, Becker; 8, Gene Barnes; 9, Sheffield; (front l to r) 10, Tuller; and 11, Page. Photo by Hamilton. 

​The chosen few and fine historians of Oklahoma sports have correctly pointed towards 1904 as being the foremost consistent year of professional base ball competition to take the field in Oklahoma City. The Gene Barnes purchased and imported Iola, Kansas, team was quite competitive and recognized by the Oklahoma City press as champions of the Southwestern League. Despite the potential of error in championship accolades, 1904 was a solid and deserving year, but, not the true iron-willed genesis attempt at launching a progressively trained and efficiently organized base ball club in Oklahoma City that merits its own entombed, lost in time, acknowledgment.

Being one of curious mind over matters that contributed to the solid foundation of Oklahoma City's start-up in pro base ball, I set out to exhume the embryo of this infrastructure and found there were years previous to 1904 that included some well organized, properly scheduled and travel ready entities existing and representing Oklahoma City on diamonds of red dirt and rough grass throughout the Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas prairies. Following the aargh of the Pirates, actual genealogy of Oklahoma City's team names transcend into Statehoods, Metropolitans, Senators, Boosters, Indians, 89ers, Redhawks and current day Dodgers. 

At first, my imperfect and slow curved mind thought 1902 was the Genesis effort headed up by a con artist and former 1890's minor league player Frank Quigg. Quigg was found conducting the same type of base ball business for Oklahoma City as Walter Jennison in 1901 and 1902, yet, his motives and rhetoric reflected a more for the money approach relative to is actual abilities to manage a team. Quigg mysteriously exited Oklahoma City in the early part of the 1902 season. This leaving potential and solid base ball affairs with prominent civic leaders providing support in scramble mode which, unfortunately, was not uncommon in territorial townships of the early twentieth century. 

The first true "incorporated" venture to field a professional team came about in 1902 with the idiosyncratic Frank Quigg stirring up pre-season expectations of "great ball" to be played at the professional level in and by Oklahoma City. Although an eccentric part of a continued transition towards better base ball in 1904 and 1905, Quigg's demise was quick as his quirky antics did not hold up with astute pioneer businessmen and initial stockholders such as Charles F. Colcord, F.H. Shelly, Gene Barnes, Harry Robare and others. As Oklahoma City base ball progressively moved forward, Quigg eventually found himself fan mobbed as an umpire and then shot to death by U.S. Marshals in a 1909 attempt to rob the Harrah State Bank.

With application on file to umpire for the Central Base Ball Association in 1910, Quigg and four outlaw cohorts fabricated plans to rob three banks and the post office in Harrah, Oklahoma. The villainous plans were set for New Year's Eve of 1909. During the attempt on December 31, a trap inclined and pre-informed posse led by U.S. Marshal Jack Abernathy surprised the robbers upon their arrival at the bank. The robbers scattered and ran as deputies opened fire. Quigg was quickly shot and killed on site.

Just a few weeks previous to the Harrah attempt, Quigg and his outlaw companions had robbed $300 from the U.S. Post Office in Golden, Colorado. Six months previous to being shot to instant death in Harrah, Quigg was displaced as umpire in a series of games contested between Fort Worth and his former home team of Oklahoma City. This by Texas League President W.P. Allen after Quigg was mobbed by Metropolitan fans for obvious and errant umpiring decisions made behind the plate.

Oklahoma City base ball stockholder Harry Robare (center) took over as interim manager of these Metropolitans in the early part of a 1902 season as the struggle to maintain consistency and existence continued towards a more successful and foundational 1904 season.

Members of the first incorporated attempt at base ball in 1902 Oklahoma City include (front row l to r) Ollie Conn, Mt. Zion, Ill., 2nd base; R. Wayne Reynolds, Lincoln, Neb., Pitcher/RF; Harry Robare, OKC, O.T., Interim Manager; Otto Meyers, Kansas City, MO., Catcher; Charles Parks, Vinita, I.T., Catcher/IF; (back row l to r) Max Gibbs, Sherman, TX, SS/3rd base; A.B. Snodgrass, OKC, O.T., CF/SS; John Desmond, St. Louis, MO, Pitcher/OF; Hardin Thurman, Chickasha, I.T., Pitcher/IF; and Charles Barry, Cairo, Ill., 1st base.

With em•bry•o being described as "an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development," it is my belief I and a few others have discovered just that in regard to Oklahoma City's transformation from enthusiastic and fun town ball reality into a higher realm of professional base ball existence.

Choosing to implement full focus on more than just the mere mention of the name Walter R. Jennison, I do believe the genesis of pro ball in Oklahoma City wraps around his existence and efforts in 1891. Although town ball teams, and later sandlot teams, continued to increase in popularity and numbers across Indian and Oklahoma Territories well into the early twentieth century, diligently researched documentation points toward Walter R. Jennison being the pioneer of Oklahoma's gateway to professional base ball in his guts to glory year of 1891.

Previous to 1891, sporadic documentation and images of base ball being played throughout the territories exists as nucleus evidence of a game being bred for a higher level of play. Along with these scattered mentions of amateur contests, mostly jokes of a base ball nature were published for the enjoyment of nineteen century newspaper audiences.

The May, 12, 1889, edition of the Omaha Daily Bee reported "the Oklahoma base ball club has not yet been organized. R. E. Volver has put in a ball or two with a swiftness and accuracy which would indicate who was to be the pitcher." Recognizing this comedic approach of reference to "R.E. Volver" as being (revolver) just twenty-five days post the rampant Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Despite the humor, the thought of base ball in Oklahoma did exist outside our territorial boundaries. Although not that well known, it also existed in real life within our territorial boundaries.

By July 4 of 1885, the Darlington Agency boys had received their "base-ball set" and had been practicing to win a match game with the "Reno" boys aka Fort Reno. With base ball and horse racing noted as the "only" Fourth of July amusement of that particular day in 1885, the matchup between Fort Reno and the Darlington Agency was a close and exciting ball game. A nine inning tie sent the contest into extra innings with the Darlington Agency squeaking out a one run win against the soldiers from Fort Reno. Darlington was an Indian Agency established to assist the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes exiting to the wilder west of Oklahoma Territory. Fort Reno was a federal military facility initially established to provide security and support for both native Americans and new pioneers traveling in and through the territory. 

​​With amateur level ball being the highlight of many villages and towns within Indian and Oklahoma Territories, games were played and bets were made, but, from this historians research and opinion, a true professional attempt did not exist until 1891. This leaving the year of 1890 as a continuation of a mixed bag of amateur strategy targeting the Walter R. Jennison led birth of Oklahoma City's first true professional venture towards organized play in 1891. Not to sell previous efforts short, but to recognize them as birthing pains to what the future held for Oklahoma City base ball. 

Historians flourish with pride from being able to share real time cutting edge new verifications but nothing to date exists to offer anything other than town ball guestimation for the year of 1890. One can only feel flourish from making up the word guestimation, but, newspaper documentation for a real attempt season organized and played in a professional manner in 1891 offers enthusiasm for those few interested in the true genesis year and storyline of Oklahoma City base ball.

Nineteenth century iMages provide visual evidence of ball being played in what is now known as Oklahoma as early as 1834 with the first actual base ball games being played in 1878. "Town Ball" existed as a significant embryo component of Oklahoma City's more organized and professional approach masterminded by Walter R. Jennison in 1891.

With some thoughts of the Pirate's genesis and first game being played against the Purcell "Chickasaws" at home on June 19, 1891, the first actual reference to Oklahoma City's red dirt buccaneers competing for a base ball victory was delivered to subscribers of the June 12, 1891, edition of the Oklahoma Daily Journal. Within this very same issue, Walter Jennison is again recognized as "ordering up suits for the base ball boys." Jennison is also found extending a directive for all who wish to travel to Guthrie "tomorrow" needing to provide notification so Jennison could secure excursion rates for avid Pirate fans who would actually witness Oklahoma City's genesis of professional base ball on the summer Saturday of June 13, 1891, in Guthrie, O.T.

Relative to a futuristic struggle to locate Oklahoma's state capital, Oklahoma City's first professionally organized base ball game against Guthrie could ironically be considered as controversial. With a seventh inning score of 4-3 favoring Guthrie's nine, the Pirates were at bat with a man on third and nobody out. Trouble arose over what was described as "some rank decision" by an umpire named Berger. It seems that if things were all square in a fair deal, Oklahoma City would have won their initial base ball campaign of competition. But, with claims of Guthrie stealing what was described as a fine game from start to finish, the Pirates were evidently forced by Berger to walk the plank, so to speak, all the way back to Oklahoma City with a one run loss.

Following the bitterly disputed first loss on the road to the Guthrie nine, the second published reference of an Oklahoma City Pirate base ball game is found in the June 19, 1891, edition of the Oklahoma Daily Journal. Headlines read OKLAHOMA CITY VS PURCELL with a subliner of "A Great Game of Base Ball This Afternoon Between the Chickasaws of Purcell and the Oklahoma City "Pirates." The game was held in Oklahoma City "on the reservation" being called to "play ball" promptly at 2:30 o'clock with admission free and a special invitation for "the ladies" to attend.

​In what has been thought by some to be the actual first documented game, the Oklahoma City Pirates roster against Purcell included three previously mentioned and original 89er town team sandlot stars Johnston, Morey and Carson. Oklahoma City's pre-game lineup for their first actual home game in team history read as follows: Ed Johnston, Pitcher; Harry Jennison, Catcher; Harry Hanley, First Base; W.R. Jennison, Second Base; Frank Butts, Third Base, John Hall, Short Stop; Usher Carson, Left Field; Frank Morey, Center Field; and George Boss, Right Field. Walter R. Jennison was recognized as the manager and captain of this 1891 Oklahoma City Pirates base ball club.

To date, no discovery of the actual results against what was thought to be the Chickasaws from Purcell had been documented. To date, it is now known that pitching in the beginning was rough around both the inside and outside edges, the Chickasaws were actually named the Black Stockings and Oklahoma City won their inaugural home game of the season by a score of 23-13. Before a number of "ardent admirers" from Purcell who had caught the train to Oklahoma City with hopes of seeing a good game, the umpire mercifully closed the game at the end of the sixth inning with the Black Stockings trailing the Pirates by ten runs.

The Pirates ball players were recognized as gentlemen of Oklahoma City who extended a courteous and friendly reception toward the Black Stockings and their fans from the Chickasaw Nation. Purcell pitcher Will Blanchard, "the artistic twirler," was targeted as a reason for the Black Stockings loss for lacking his standard pitching skills on this Friday afternoon in 1891 Oklahoma City.

Although not the actual genesis game, the Purcell contest was big in regard to Oklahoma City going "wild" over base ball. With the highest professional levels in the east struggling with union organized disruptions, the 1891 launch and success of the game in Oklahoma City has been historically noted as "remarkable." The Post Office Book Store carried actual Major League Baseballs for $1.50 each; Ash Bats for $1.50; Willow Bats for $1.00; and Bass Wood Bats for $0.75. The younger generation looking up to Oklahoma City players such Walter Jennison, Ed Johnston and Frank Morey were peddling papers and shining shoes with effort to earn money for the purchase of base ball equipment.

With the game of base ball stirring up immediate and "wild" enthusiasm in Oklahoma City, Jennison, serving on the Fourth Of July 1891 Celebration's base ball committee along with Ledru Guthrie and Usher Carson, set out to accomplish their part of atonement for the disastrous July 4 celebration just two years earlier. The mammoth celebration featured Oklahoma City vs. Fort Reno, with an exclamation mark, as one of the events headliners. "A magnificent game of base ball between champions of the Territory will be played" was read by readers newspapers and "dodgers" (aka leaflets) being distributed around town.

With great effort to clarify Oklahoma City's stance in regard to cleaning up the game, these same "dodgers" being scattered about town carried Jennison's "Rules of the Game" which included the following list of eight.

1st. Games will be called at 3:30 p.m. Gates open at 2:30 p.m.

2nd. No intoxicating liquors allowed on the grounds.

3rd. No intoxicated or unpleasantly notorious persons will be admitted.

4th. Any person using profane language will be ejected and money returned.

5th. Betting on grounds strictly prohibited.

6th. Carriages will be admitted free and required to be tied to hitching posts.

7th. No ONE will be allowed to kill the umpire. Everybody must take a hand.

8th. Admission, adults 25 cents children 15 cents, grand stand 10 cents extra.

The Oklahoma City Pirates admirable captain and second baseman cordially identified with his rules concluding them with his typeset signature "W.R. Jennison, Manager.

With strict rules in place, base ball became a family affair for at least the Fourth of July in 1891. The Pirates continued to create "wild" enthusiasm with a 13-8 victory over the veteran and more experienced Fort Reno soldiers. With victory came confidence and the import of improved players along with a challenge to any game takers within a broader section of the territory, southern Kansas and northern Texas.

​The July 25, 1891, edition of the Oklahoma Daily Times-Journal reported: "The Wellington Mail of Thursday says that 'Walter Franz of this city and Lee Phillips of Winfield will constitute the battery for Stillwater, O.T., base ball club in the games with the Oklahoma City Club on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week. With such a strong battery, Stillwater's chances of winning are good.' The indications, therefore, are good for an excellent game. Our boys will have to put up their best licks."

The July 31, 1891, edition of the Oklahoma Daily Times-Journal reported: "It rained all day yesterday. This would not be a matter of particular note in Oklahoma except for the fact that it prevented the second base ball game between Stillwater and Oklahoma City. There were some expectations that the Hawks would put up such a game that would worry the Pirates to overcome. and a great many were disappointed. The Stillwater boys returned home on the noon train yesterday, well satisfied with the treatment in this city, and will be back later in the season to play a couple more games. It is an excellent team and puts up an excellent game.

​Today the Pirates and the Gainesville club will cross bats. The latter club is here and is an excellent one and a good game is expected. The game will be called at 3:45 p.m. sharp. Turn out and help the boys out, besides seeing a good game."

The August 01, 1891, edition of the Wichita Daily Eagle reported "the base ball clubs in Oklahoma are getting into the fact that the visiting club gets the best treatment when it is beaten." Within the same edition is found, "The Oklahoma Pirates have done up the Stillwater Hawks. The base ball complication in Oklahoma is getting almost as interesting as the capital fight."

The August 06, 1891 edition of the Oklahoma Daily Times is headlined with "BASE BALL TODAY." A sub liner reads "THE WINFIELD TEAM VS THE PIRATES THIS EVENING." A secondary sub liner reads "Today the Ladies will be Admitted Free–The Game to be called at 3:45 Sharp."

The Oklahoma Daily Times continues with "The Winfield team arrived on the 12:30 train this morning and are a fine looking set of young men, they are all 'men' and not 'kids' and their last game before coming to Oklahoma was with Wellington (Kansas) and resulted in a victory for Winfield by a score of 4 to 2, thus it will be seen that the Pirates will have to 'play ball' if they win from the boys from the Sunflower state.

The boys here expected to have a hard fight to win from Winfield and have devoted some time in getting themselves in shape to win, and yet there is no victory until it is won.

​As per agreement the Winfield club will play three games with the Pirates. Gorsuch and Bennett will occupy the points today for Winfield while Kittle and Jennison will do the battery work for the Pirates.

Today admission to the ground will be free for all the ladies, but everybody is cordially invited to attend. Come out and se one of the best games ever played on the home grounds.

The game will be played at the ball park east of the city. Game is called at 3:45. Following is the names and positions of players for Winfield: Bennett, Catcher; Gorsuch, Pitcher; Kyger, 1st Base; Redmond, 2nd Base; Phillips, 3rd Base, Watson, SS; McCampbell, LF; Eastin, CF; and Garver, RF. For Oklahoma City: H. Jennison, Catcher; G. Kittle, Pitcher; F. Morey, 1st Base; W. Jennison, 2nd Base; Ed Johnston, 3rd Base; R. Hall, SS; C. Scott, LF; Will Ebey, CF; and Moore, RF.

​The August 16, 1891, edition of the Fort Worth Gazette reported "the Gainesville base ball club played Oklahoma City their second game today, resulting in a score of twelve to four in favor of Oklahoma City. The Gainesville boys leave for Guthrie in the morning to play Guthrie tomorrow."

The September 09, 1891, edition of the Wichita Daily Eagle reported "the last game between the Guthrie and Oklahoma City base ball clubs came out 13 to 13" while noting "thirteen was an unlucky number for both sides this time."

The September 11, 1891, edition of the Wichita Daily Eagle reported on the September 10 base ball match between Oklahoma City and Wellington, Kansas. "The game today between the Wellington Maroons and the Oklahoma City Pirates resulted in defeat of the boys from the territory by a score of 6 to 3. Kittle, Blackburn and Bennett occupied the points for the Oklahoma City club, while Fournier and Frantz were the Wellington battery.

The September 13, 1891, edition of the Wichita Daily Eagle reported that "the Wellington base ball club 'paid' a Denver pitcher $100 to beat the Oklahoma City Pirates" while indicating "he did it." This referencing the previously mentioned 6 to 3 loss by the Pirates to Wellington on September 10 of 1891.

Author's Note: The general scope of research and visual references include the National Library Of Congress and the Oklahoma Historical Society. Some moving and still images are utilized to portray the essence of the time and events only.

Lookeba's Methodist Episcopal Church Ladies Aid Organization was formed in 1903 to provide assistance and support for settlers residing in one of Oklahoma Territory's newest townships. Standing (left to right) is Mrs Will Hadley, Mrs. Ethel Wheeler, Mrs. H.N. Christian, Mrs. John Chambers, Mrs. Will Scholten and Mrs. Albert Koontz. Seated (left to right) is Mrs. Charles Wise, Mrs. H. Meyers, Mrs. Ed Hadley and Mrs. Ellen Chambers. Photograph is that of Mrs. Titus and standing front right is Mrs. Prosser.

But as yet, not a town - only a settlement. We had no rights as a people, we could not act as a body. What was done had to be done by individuals. In 1907 the town limits were surveyed, and ours became a real miniature city in 1908. The council consisted of W.E. Dean, E. McKinney, and O.M. Hadley. H.E. Warren acted as clerk, I.T. Nickell as treasurer and Clayton Babb as marshal. Of course if the marshal had anything to do, there would be need of a jail, so that fall, in order to protect its rights, Lookeba built a jail - otherwise known as "Clate Babb's Hotel." So far as I know there has been but two lodgers there each for but a night.

In 1909 our school district was consolidated with a strip of country east of here, making our district three miles wide and six miles long. Three wagons were employed to bring the children in from the country. A four room schoolhouse was built in the southwest part of town, the exact center of the district. It stands on a hill where it watches the town and guards it against giving way to the popular feeling of more cotton and less school. Three teachers were employed.

A view from the south side of Lookeba's magnificent four room school house which was actually completed in the year of 1910. The school was located at the top of the hill and overlooked what was now recognized as an official chartered town within the state of Oklahoma which was granted statehood within the Union of the United States three years earlier in 1907.

Mr. Ogle established a printing office that spring and printed the first editions of a newspaper all our own - The Lookeba Index, and it is yet the only paper printed especially for the town news.

After a series of Revival meetings Rev. Mr. Dodson organized the Baptist Church.

Lookeba has had in its history but one fire. About midnight Feb, 22, 1910. Mr. Prossers who were living in the hotel at that time, awoke to find their building in flames. The towns people were quickly summoned, but all effort was of no avail, for by two o'clock the hotel, drug store, pool hall and a general department store were in ruins. The block has not yet been wholly rebuilt.

After much argument with the governor, it was decided that some of the prisoners from the state penitentiary should come here and construct a road of about ten miles through Lookeba. In July 1911, one hundred men arrived, and amid a crowd of people who had come to view the "convicts," they journeyed to their camp west of town. The people seemed to think of them of some sort of humanity but hardly as men.

The roads were greatly bettered by their work.

The advancement of our town since then has been chiefly in a business way. At present there are twenty business houses in Lookeba kept at work, and two seed houses were established in December, 1913. Last year Lookeba shipped out 362 carloads of products while only 87 were shipped in. Ours has grown from a few farm houses and a post-office, into a real , live, thriving town, well fitted to supply the needs of the people who live here."

blogUmentary Under Construction

copyWrite by Mark House

As Memorial Day images began to pop up on my timeline, I found one that was interesting enough to research but couldn't quite pull the name from its 1892 headstone.

With enthusiasm and interest but not much patience, I randomly went through my research procedures and cross referenced a few things here and there and found nothing but myself in a totally different place and time.

From a grave dug in 1892 to another one dug some ten years later, I found myself interested in preserving and sharing the memory of a young seventeen year old Native American who was murdered on Christmas Day in 1902.

Deep from within the darkness of my cyberspace cosmos, headlines in the Anadarko (Oklahoma) Daily Democrat were discovered and read as typeset and printed on December 29, 1902.  "A Foul Murder – Seventeen Year Old Indian Boy Shot Through The Head."

The first feeling was a weird but new one-hundred and eighteen year old sadness. Following were questions in my mind of what, when, how and where with a deep desire to know why. Third was more fresh feelings of century aged sadness.

Two days after Christmas in 1902 a party of quail hunters found a coat near bouts two miles south of River Side School near Anadarko. The coat would have been located about one mile south of the Washita River as the school set one mile north of the river. This particular school was re-opened after the Civil War in the year of 1871 to serve as a transition boarding school for Native American children.

A young Native American boy was murdered on Christmas Day just a few miles from River Side School near Anadarko in 1902.

Upon finding the coat, the quail hunters noticed a trail that aroused their suspicions as it looked like something had been drug along the ground. After following the visible trail for about three fourths of a mile, the hunters shockingly discovered the dead body of a young Native American boy. A young boy that was shot through the head with his murder in cold blood being considered "a great mystery."

Talk from within the Anadarko community indicated the murder victim attended River Side School, performed with the brass band, and, did not have an enemy in the world.

The young boy was last seen in Anadarko on Christmas Day 1902 in the company of another Native American boy as they set out towards their homes located towards the north of town.

A visual of Native American homes located near Anadarko, Oklahoma, at the turn of the twentieth century.

Apparently the two boys made it a few miles north before splitting up and heading to their separate homes. The hapless victim walked about 80 rods (440 yards) from the point of separation before being shot and dragged to where he lay dead for two days in a massive pool of blood.

Evidence suggests the victim was tied by lasso around his feet and drug about one mile before being tossed into a deep canyon where his body was found by the inquisitive quail hunters.

The hunting party quickly sent word to Caddo County Undersheriff David D. Hoag about their gruesome discovery. Sheriff Hoag immediately went out and took charge of the body. From there, Justice Of The Peace W.H. Starkweather held a Coroner's inquest and stated that "every effort will be put forth by our officials to locate the guilty party and bring them to justice."

Before the ink hit the press on Monday, December 29, 1902, Grimes Aikens, an indian boy of near twenty years of age admitted before the Coroner's Jury that he killed the younger indian boy. Aikens said it was about four o'clock on Christmas Day but made claim that the shooting was an accident and he became frightened and drug the body to the canyon and left it. From there, the Coroner's jury returned an unknown verdict that was referenced as "according to the above evidence."

A look at Anadarko, Oklahoma, as it was becoming established as an early nineteenth century township in Caddo County.

Judge W. I. Matheny conducted the examination of witnesses before the Coroner's Jury. As Aikens took the witness stand, Judge Matheny went after him with some "red hot questions" causing Aikens to break down and confess to the killing.

Along with Aikens' confession before the Coroner's Jury, two other young indian boys were arraigned and held over for preliminary trial. Willie Ross and Horace Greely were allegedly present on Christmas Day when Aikens shot his victim in the head.

The remains of Aikens' Christmas Day victim, Paul Lorenz, were buried in Caddo County's Riverside Cemetery at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 1902.

With no forensics and vague, time erased details of evidence and no acknowledged consequences with plenty of questionable conclusions wrapped around his death, seventeen year old Native American Paul Lorenz should not just be remembered for the hideous way he lost his life.

Paul Lorenz should also be remembered for his spirit filled soul that sought education, created beautiful sounds within the brass band at River Side School, and, for leading a life of seventeen years of abundant peace and harmony that was recognized as existing with no known enemies.

For those who've read Paul's story through to the end, a spiritual and visual tribute to his actuality is included in remembrance of a young existence on earth that has ultimately moved on to a higher realm.

As a young third grader at Lookeba-Sickles elementary school, now high school senior in limbo Laryn Garrison dared to dream of making Oklahoma's All State roster. She even double dawg dared to dream of making it to the "Big House" at the infamous Oklahoma City state fairgrounds. Anyone who knows anything about small town basketball knows that's where the small school state tournaments are held on an annual basis. Amazing. All this thought of and planned out while most other third graders were just thinking about recess and what's for lunch.

I encountered a random chance visit with this young lady quietly dreaming her big dreams within this past year. She approached the Lookeba-Sickles high school baseball dugout with camera in hand. Said she was there to snap some pictures as the annual alumni fundraiser game was taking place. Our small talk banter included mention of me being the oldest and maybe not the smartest player to take the field that night with her mention of plans to attend college after high school.

I had thoughts of sharing how great I used to be relative to the game of baseball, but, didn't. Of course, all of us old guys used to be way better than we really were so probably best I didn't. She may have had thoughts of sharing her plans of becoming All-State and soon playing in the "Big House," but, she didn't. Just a quiet yet pleasant small town personality exuding from a friendly smile that I could immediately discern to be one that folks would just like to be around.

How was I supposed to know that I was sitting there visiting with a future Oklahoma All State athlete? I didn't even know of her dreams much less anything about what was to become a reality at the "Big House." I didn't even know I was related to such athletic greatness, but, coming from the same small town, I should have given heed to the real thought of a real chance of relation.

Interesting stuff if I do say so. Laryn Garrison has been slightly more talkative about her dreams come true narrative after the fact. She has now shared "for as long as I can remember (referring to third grade), I looked up at the All State banner hanging in our gym and thought, I'm gonna be up there someday." After receiving a call from her coach (Tammy Bates) with news of being selected as a member of the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association Small School All State West squad, she said "this is definitely a dream come true for me."

Highlight iMages from Laryn Garrison's All State senior season leading to an OSSAA Class B state tournament appearance in Oklahoma City.

Despite now possessing the elite All State branding from the OGBCA, Garrison is recognized as a true team player and said it was Coach Bates who pushed her to become the best she could be. Garrison is the first to give credit to her teammates for Lookeba-Sickles' 24 win season that included her long dreamed for trip to the "Big House." It was only the sixth time in school history that the L-S girls basketball squad had made the time-honored trip to Oklahoma City.

Garrison's basketball skills didn't just show up for one great senior season. History repeated itself three times over and over and over as she was named Caddo County All Tournament Team as a sophomore, junior and senior. As a team, the 2019-2020 L-S girls brought history back to the future as they were crowned Caddo County Tournament Champions for the first time in forty-two (42) years.

While all seniors across the country completely lost the important aspects of the second half of their school year, All State and the dream trip to the "Big House" was already in the books for Laryn Garrison. These rays of light that glisten through a now distressed senior year reality should not go unnoticed. They should be celebrated and recognized with pride. Laryn's mom, Holly Johnston, said they won't be overlooked. "Her dreams from third grade have come true so we will definitely celebrate and remember these accomplishments.

As for Laryn, we can all, by now, hopefully absorb what she will feel when she first sees her name go up on the All State banner that hangs in the gym at Lookeba-Sickles. Makes a fan of #5 wonder what particular girl from this year's third grade class will look up and start dreaming the same dreams.

copyWrite By Mark House

After a near eight year campaign, it finally happened. One of Oklahoma's greatest baseball players and unheralded citizens was ultimately inducted into our great state's Sports Hall Of Fame. Phone calls, emails and personal visits with Hall Of Fame committee members comprised of reinforcing reminders of a great athlete that cannot be denied or left out. Assertive and historical reminders including reference to Oklahoma's Only Number One Major League Baseball Draft Choice, ever, is not in our Hall Of Fame. Determined reminders that kept the fires burning until statistically induced flames spread far enough they could no longer be ignored and/or put out at home plate.

The challenge was thoroughly exciting and enjoyable. The statistical premise of strategy was similar to that found in the now classic baseball movie "Money Ball," which was ironically about the Oakland A's. The mental exertion to construct a well researched and statistically cultivated outcome became somewhat similar as the higher realm of Oklahoma sports icons began to recognize and remember a 20th Century phenom from Eakly, Oklahoma. Despite the normal "there are so many deserving athletes that aren't in the Hall Of Fame" feedback, when push came to shove, no one should have ever had to push.

Eakly's Mike Moore should have been inducted several years ago. He will tell you that himself as he told me that himself. But, despite woulda, shoulda and coulda, what a great moment in time (2019) for it to actually happen. What a spectacular way for the many young lives he has mentored over the span of twenty-five years post retirement to be afforded the opportunity to enjoy this magnificent Hall Of Fame moment with him.

Mike Moore of Eakly, Oklahoma, was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame on August 12, 2019. Moore is now one of less than 200 Oklahoma sports icons to be enshrined into the Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame.

Leading up to the aforementioned Hall Of Fame moment, the unfolding of this story is rooted within an abundance of nomination information. It is not my place to accept credit for anyone's induction as I have worked on and continue to work on a few.

It is the actual accomplishments labored for and acquired by gifted athletes such as Mike Moore that bring about such honor and recognition from fellow iconic athletes and dignitaries. I consider myself most fortunate to experience the pleasure of constructing the pieces of a somewhat lost puzzle in time and showing it off to the right people that brought us to a right place and the right moment in God's time.

The depth of information is abundantly extensive. I share this for those who lack interest with desire to drop out here after already knowing the final, last out in the bottom of the ninth inning, results.

For those with inclination to run deep into center field with effort to make a "Willie Mays" over the head reach for the stars type of immortal baseball catch, Mike Moore's story line is worth the time. Its scenario almost lost its tale before it could be told. One that includes a tragedy to triumph narrative in more ways than one.

Before diving off into those deep waters of tragedy, triumph and statistical stuffed nomination information, Mike's family, friends and fans will enjoy the experience of his actual Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame announcement ceremony filmed as 2019 inductees were introduced to the mass media along with Hall Of Fame members and advocates.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame unanimously selected World Series Champion and Major League Baseball All-Star Mike Moore to become an elite member of their time honored roll of Hall Of Fame inductees. Moore, from Eakly, Oklahoma, joined Bob Stoops, Will Shields, Kendall Cross, Patti Gasso, Mickey Tettleton and Lou Henson as honorary members of the Class of 2019.

On April 24, 1974, headlines in the Carnegie Herald read "Eakly Youth Hurt In Crash."

This particular small town newspaper article did not mention a great all-around athlete or young baseball phenom. It candidly read as follows:

"An Eakly youth was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when the automobile in which he was riding went out of control, left the pavement, crossed a bar ditch and crashed into a fence a half mile North of Eakly on Highway 58. He was thrown from the car.

Mike Moore, a student in the Eakly public school system, suffered a broken knee, leg and a broken hip in the accident. He underwent emergency surgery Sunday afternoon at McBride Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was in surgery two hours.

His sister, Frances, driver of the car, had turned to speak to Mike when the accident occurred. She escaped with minor injuries and was released from the Weatherford hospital after receiving emergency treatment. She was wearing a seat belt and was not thrown from the car by the impact. Moore has one leg in a cast and the other is in traction. Parents of the two youths are Mr. and Mrs. Vernie Moore."

From a personal email received and dated April 25, 2015, a former Eakly police officer shared what he considered a Paul Harvey type "Rest Of The Story" as he was summoned to the accident previously mentioned in the Carnegie Herald.

"On a hot summer afternoon in 1974 a young woman was driving down a rural highway in Western Oklahoma with her kid brother who was about 14 years old and full of piss and vinegar. Like any typical 14 year old he enjoyed aggravating big sis and on this day, he kept turning the radio up louder than she was willing to tolerate.
 
He finally managed to distract her to the point that she took her eyes off the road while trying to get him to behave. Before she realized what was happening, she had crossed the other lane and was going off the pavement and into the grassy bar ditch.

She barely had time to hit her brakes before plowing into fence row embankment at about a 45 degree angle. This caused the car to go airborne and to do a half roll before landing on its top.

The young woman driving had her seat belt fastened and was only shaken up pretty badly but the boy wasn't so lucky. He was not wearing his seat belt and the passenger door had sprung open dumping the boy onto the barb wire fence that the car cleared.

The car and the boy were still moving about 20 to 30 miles an hour when the boy was caught by the top wire of the fence.

As he was sliding along that fence on the fronts of both thighs, his legs were being sawed off by the barbs when he hit a fence post which stopped him but broke his leg in the process. By the time the local police officer got there, it looked like the boy might lose at least one of his broken and mangled legs if not both.

Extensive surgery and the resilience of youth along with an amazing amount of guts and determination were the miracle that had that young man back on his feet in rehab within weeks and even running again within a few months. Still, he was not satisfied with just being able to run so he kept pushing himself. Before a year had passed, he had returned to his school basketball and baseball teams."

Former Officer Gary Klein, a member of the Eakly High School class of 1965, continued to share.

"Now for the rest of the story! 

I was the police officer called to the wreck and I had to go find a place to cry after getting the boy and his sister loaded into an ambulance that hot afternoon.

Some 15 years later, one of the great thrills of my life was getting to watch on TV as that young man pitched the winning 4th game of the 1989 World Series for the Oakland A's.

Yes, that broken and mangled boy laying in a pasture alongside Highway 58 just north of Eakly in 1974 was Mike Moore."

Mike Moore highlights from Major League Baseball's World Series Championship  as witnessed by former Eakly, Oklahoma, police officer Gary Klein and millions of others in 1989.

Now for the rest of the rest of the story.

As a young OK Kids little leaguer growing up on several north Caddo County fields of dreams, there was always a particular one in Eakly, Oklahoma, that, at the time, seemed more of a petrifying nightmare than the old guy behind the curtain on the Wizard Of Oz. That is before they opened it. More frightening than all those black birds in "The Birds" combined. More terrifying than the hairy red eyed big foot monster my dad said he saw down by Gracemont. In more current terms, a lot scarier than that big slobbery dog in Mr. Mertle's (James Earl Jones') back yard.

Luckily I was young enough to not have to face such spine-chilling fear. As for my elder little league friends, well, they weren't so lucky. The horror stories they would share of facing one particular pitcher on that field in Eakly was enough to make me glad of a personal safety found in being the most youthful of this group. Young enough to never have to pull the curtain to see what was behind. Young enough to never have to jump in a phone booth as those birds cracked the glass in attack. Young enough to not even have to worry about jumping Mr. Mertle's fence to retrieve a home run ball all-the-while dodging a huge rabid looking monster of a dog. Young enough to not have to face the fierce and fiery fastball of Eakly's Mike Moore.

Here's where the psychoanalytical Dr. Phil would interrupt and point out the fact that Mike Moore psychologically won half of his little league battles before taking the field. Players sitting around eating their momma's pre-game balogna sandwiches and sweating bullets about facing the phenom all the others have been talking about. "If they couldn't do it, well I don't have a chance" mentality is a losing proposition from the git go. A cue card guy then holds up a "laughter with applause" sign for the crowd as we go to commercial break.

As James Earl Jones describes the rural roots of baseball, the video above includes a vintage little league image of World Series Champion and MLB All-Star Mike Moore (left) along with his brothers Glen Moore (center) and James Moore (right).

There's definitely some appreciable drama to be created in and around the game of baseball. Entertaining theatrical productions such as The Sandlot, Field Of Dreams and Bull Durham are prime examples. But, when it comes to real stuff and the real deal, Mike Moore is one that does not sell us short with his story. My friends can attest from the early days that he was somewhat opposite of the ole Wizard known as Oz. As a hitter, you pull the curtain on Mike Moore and your courage would vanish like that of the old downtrodden Lion walking the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, The Tin Man and the Scarecrow.

What a great baseball story originating from the dusty ole peanut fields of Caddo County and ending up on a pitcher's mound in sunny California with sweet victory in World Championship Series play for the Oakland A's. From a proudly worn little league uniform with an iron-on E to the MLB with a more glorified and perfectly stitched green and yellow A's cap. This only happens to a chosen few. A chosen few with such a high level of natural talent and the highest level of work ethic to match.

I will proudly lay claim and be the first to testify that Mike Moore, over his 14 year professional career, has earned the right to be considered one of Oklahoma's greatest red dirt, red blood, born and raised, Major League Baseball pitchers of all time. This stirring statement has drawn the attention of several Oklahoma sports enthusiasts. Kind of left some scratching their heads in wonder. I've heard declarations such as "Wow, who is this guy?" "Wow, where did he come from?" "Wow, where's he been?" "Wow, how come we've never heard of him?"

Well, I have to answer all those questions with a "wow, not for sure." I've heard and known of him since the late 1960's when his fastball was cutting right through the small town hot summer night-at-the-ball-park atmosphere to strike out batter after batter in win after win.

The most enjoyable part of this adventure was found in just laying out the facts and figures (aka statistics) in front of all to see. Most importantly, Mike Moore's 161 career MLB victories literally spoke Hall Of Fame worthiness without another whisper being needed. Oklahoman sportswriter and sports radio talking head Berry Tramel said it straight up. "Moore's 161 Major League Baseball wins should be a 'slam dunk' in regard to Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame induction." Tramel's prophetic words of wisdom came to fruition as the process transformed into that slam dunk when all was said and done.

Mike Moore played for the Seattle Mariners from 1982-1988; the Oakland Athletics from 1989-1992; and the Detroit Tigers from 1993-1995. After vigorously researching his fourteen (14) year career, it became my personal conclusion that he has earned the right to be considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, pitcher born and raised in our great state of Oklahoma.

Now for the numerous and ageless Allie Reynolds fans, they will always possess the right to argue in his favor as being Oklahoma's greatest born and bred. What a great man and baseball player the "Super-Chief" was. His 5x all star representation of Oklahoma keeps me walking a fine line of respect when it comes to my personal thoughts of Mike Moore being the greatest.

A casual coffee at the cafe debate could go either direction on any given day when you compare golden age victories to modern day MLB victories. But, bring the Money Ball approach of statistics and environment comparisons and I confidently confirm it leans more toward Moore's way.

Allie Reynolds compiled 182 golden age wins compared to Mike Moore's 161 modern era victories. Reynolds pitched for the powerhouse five in a row World Series Champion New York Yankees. Although drafted #1 in 1981 as the best amateur baseball player in America, Moore had to pitch a large and early part of his career for one of the worst teams in Major League baseball, the Seattle Mariners.

If afforded a pitching preference, are you taking DiMaggio, Mantle and the powerhouse Yankees of the golden age era or Dave Henderson, Harold Reynolds and the young Seattle Mariners in their start up era?

Whichever way a person chooses to look at it, both Allie Reynolds and Mike Moore are at the top of a very short Oklahoma's best list. Reynolds was already in the Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame while Mike Moore deserved to be and now is. Moore's amazing 161 modern era career victories being a principal reason I nominated him for such Hall Of Fame status.

In comparison, other Oklahoma born and raised pitchers previously selected for Hall Of Fame honors included Lindy McDaniel with 141 victories and Harry Bracheen with 132. Ralph Terry was more recently (2015) inducted with 107 career wins, As well, fellow Caddo County born Cal McLish received his induction with 92 career MLB victories.

If 161 modern day MLB victories wasn't going to be enough, additional and solid evidence was discovered to convince any and all sports enthusiasts of Mike Moore's superiority relative to pitchers born and raised in Oklahoma. A factual offering founded upon hard core direct-to-the-case statistical proof. Those who know me know I can blow some quality smoke of the verbal variety and are most likely reading between the lines as I write. Makes good reason for me to single space and bring some solid statistically analytical data-based information to this most enjoyable table of baseball contents debate.

There's no denying a real truth revealed when it comes to career strikeouts.

We all know a strikeout is the supreme claim of success for any pitcher. Man vs. Man. eMano vs. eMano. Baseball at its best. The ultimate lust that feeds a fan's desire is either a towering home run from their favorite hitter or a sit down see-ya-later strikeout from their favorite pitcher. Tedious singles up the middle can get rather boring at times. I'm guessing no one has ever truly taken time to check out and recognize who's at the top of Oklahoma's best list when it comes to this hardcore hardball thought of man vs. man career total strikeouts for Oklahoma pitchers at the highest (MLB) level.

Only six Oklahoma born players have broken the 1,000 career strikeout plateau. Mike Moore's top-of-the-list 1,667 averaged per season calculates to 119. Allie Reynolds' 1,423 averaged per season adds up to 108.5. On average, no one else comes close to these two great pitchers born and raised in our great state. Moore's 119 per season even rivals that of the great Warren Spahn from Buffalo, New York. Considered Oklahoma's greatest pitcher who was not actually born or raised here, this great lefty averaged 123 strikeouts per season.

So, where does Mike Moore fit into the realm of reality in regard to Oklahoma's greatest pitchers? I will argue he's the best when it comes to the red dirt, red blood, born and raised category.

Personally, I now view Mike Moore's induction as a remarkable time stamped inspiration to current student athletes in my home county. This recognized with hopes that yet another young Caddo County ball player may recognize what the likes of Johnny Bench and Mike Moore have accomplished and possibly set out on a triumphant journey of their own. With similar and great natural talent combined with determination and hard work, who knows, maybe there is a next generation inductee awaiting recognition from the Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame.

Past the point of most obvious career wins and career strikeouts, there is a wealth of nose-to-the-grind research that validates the now successful request for Mike Moore's Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame induction.

Moore was a standout student athlete at Eakly high school. With a 24-2 senior season record and an unbelievable .05 earned run average (E.R.A.), Moore earned his final high school victory while being selected MVP in Oklahoma's 29th Annual All-State Baseball Classic in 1978.

Despite being drafted in the third round out of Eakly in 1978 by the St. Louis Cardinals, Moore chose to attend college and pitch for Oral Roberts University. Also by-passing a basketball scholarship offer from the University of Oklahoma, he earned First Team Sporting News All-American baseball status in 1981 while at ORU. Moore then became the first right handed pitcher ever to be drafted into the major leagues #1 overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1981. To date, Mike Moore is the first and only player from Oklahoma ever to be selected #1 in the history of Major League Baseball's draft.

Historically, the Daily Oklahoman's Bob Hersom recognized Moore as an "Eakly High School and Oral Roberts University (ORU) pitching ace." 1981 ORU Pitching Coach Jim Brewer said "I've seen a lot of pitchers in the last 25 years and I think Mike Moore is probably one of the strongest." During the 1989 World Series, former Oakland A's Pitching Coach Dave Duncan shared that "Mike hasn't just been sitting back and trying to let his God-given ability take over, he's worked hard to improve in all the different areas to become a great pitcher."

Baseball Almanac indicates Mike Moore was twenty-two (22) years old when he broke into the majors with the Seattle Mariners on April 11, 1982. Pinnacle highlights of Moore's 161 win, fourteen year MLB career include 1989 MLB All-Star status and pitching in two World Series Championships for the Oakland A's in both 1989 and 1990. Moore won game two and the deciding game four in the 1989 "Quake Series" sweep of the S.F. Giants as the A's became World Champions.

Moore recently returned to his Oklahoma roots and now spends time giving back to the game in the state where he was born and raised. As a volunteer coach for Class B powerhouse Lookeba-Sickles Panthers, he currently shares the benefit of his professional experience and knowledge with the latest generation of Oklahoma High School student athletes. Another great reason Mike Moore deserved honorary induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame.

From the Oklahoman video archive, former World Series Champion and MLB All-Star pitcher Mike Moore talks about returning home and joining the Class B Lookeba-Sickles coaching staff as a volunteer.

In 2014, Daily Oklahoman sports reporter Jacob Unruh captured the essence of Mike Moore's career in The Oklahoman's long running "Collected Wisdom" series.

Unruh interviews and writes:

"Mike Moore was always on a baseball field growing up in Eakly. That translated well throughout his life, as he developed into a top-tier right-hander in the major leagues, winning two games in the 1989 World Series for the Oakland Athletics during his 14-year career.

Moore is now a volunteer assistant coach at Lookeba-Sickles, a sign he’s never lost sight of his small-town roots that led him to Oral Roberts and the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1981.

Moore talked from his Arizona home with The Oklahoman about his path, the World Series and the 1989 earthquake that rocked the Bay Area around San Francisco 25 years ago this month.

(Baseball) was what we did. It was just what we did. I can’t remember really when I wasn’t in the field growing up. The primary crop was peanuts then and I was the youngest of five kids and I can remember at the age of 3, 4, 5 years old carrying the water can down the road for the rest of my family.

Unknowingly, by the time I got to the high school, working on the farm had really made me into the man I am today. I would do things, manual labor stuff and just different things around the farm I didn’t even know were helping me in baseball. It really taught me the values of hard work and when you do something you put your whole heart on it.

By this time (at ORU), I had an idea that maybe I had some talent. I still really don’t know because all you hear is ‘Oh, he went to a small school and he didn’t compete with anybody’ and blah, blah, blah. Well, now I’m going to a Division I school. It was interesting at the time, Larry Cochell recruited me and he never saw me pitch. He went off a lot of what scouts said. He had already given me a full scholarship and the first time he saw me pitch was at the All-State game at ORU.

I tell people I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed but when I got drafted No. 1 in the country I didn’t think I’d get drafted any higher, so I should probably just go ahead and sign.

I was the first right-handed pitcher ever drafted No. 1 in the draft. Back then, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Even today kids ask me if I was any good. I just tell them I was the original Stephen Strasburg. It just wasn’t that big of a deal then. At that time, even when I got to the big leagues I was throwing on the slow guns 97-98 in the ninth inning and the made-for-TV guns I’m probably throwing 100-103. It just wasn’t a big deal then.

That’s the bad part of getting drafted No. 1 because you go to the worst team. I had never lost at anything in my life and then I go the big leagues and get beat up on for seven years playing for the Mariners.

We had some great guys on that team, but at the time we had bad ownership and we were like a farm system for the big leagues. Harold Reynolds was my roommate for a couple years, Jim Presley was our 3B, Spike Owen, Alvin Davis at 1B, Mark Langston and Danny Tartabull, really a bunch of guys who had really successful careers, but when you’re playing in the Kingdome, which is awful for a pitcher, and you were playing in Seattle with bad ownership it just didn’t work.

I signed (in Oakland) in ’89 and they had just lost to the Dodgers in ’88 and I walked into the clubhouse and they’re talking about winning the World Series. They’re not talking about winning the division. Tony (La Russa’s) already set the bar that we’re going to have to win 100 games to win the division and the goal is to win the World Series. I thought this was interesting, but I had never been in this position for seven years.

I think most people would tell you the same thing, the greatest thing about being with (Dave Duncan) is he doesn’t say much, but when he says something there’s a reason why he says it. He’s never overcomplicated things and that was one of the things I always loved about him. He was actually my pitching coach my first year in the big leagues in Seattle.

Tony, he’s the best manager I’ve ever played for. He’s harder on himself than anybody. He’s probably harder on himself than most players are because he wants to be the most prepared manager and he wants to control matchups and there’s always a reason for what he does. It may not make all the sense in the world at the time, but there’s a reason. He’s usually looking at the big picture.

I remember the first World Series game, I remember preparing for it like any other game because I figured if I didn’t I would be out of my element. We had a game plan and I had to get myself ready physically and mentally to execute the game plan, so that’s what I did.

At the time, we didn’t really know what was going on. I remember we were getting ready for TV introductions, I had done all my workouts and stuff, and showered and was getting dressed. The lights went out and somebody yelled, “Earthquake,” and we all ran to the back parking lot and it was over. We didn’t know any better and had TV introductions at 5:12 or something. I stopped at home plate and was talking to Will Clark and then we started talking to a police officer and we started hearing the (San Francisco Oakland) Bay Bridge had collapsed and the Marina District was on fire, so you started having an idea what was really going on. At that point, the World Series became secondary.

We had the best team in baseball — I don’t think there was any doubt about that — it was just a matter of whether we would finish this or not. Even after we won, the celebration and stuff was pretty subdued because of what was going on there and stuff.

The next year was a totally different story and that shows you it doesn’t matter who the best team is, when you get into the playoffs or World Series whoever is playing the best wins. We ran into Cincinnati that year and we really didn’t have a chance. We couldn’t swing the bats and Jose Rijo was really good.

If I had one regret, it would probably had been fun to play in the National League one year just to see what it was like because I was always a pretty good hitter. That might have been fun, but it is what it was and I enjoyed it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some screw-ups along the way, but I try to live my life with integrity because where I grew up a handshake’s a handshake and a man’s word is a man’s word. I’ve tried to live that way my whole life. If you try to live your life with integrity and put your whole heart into what you’re doing, I don’t think you’re ever going to be disappointed."

Growing up in Oklahoma's Caddo County in the 1960's and 1970's, you could not find one person, with ability to breathe, that did not know of Johnny Bench. He was a red dirt home grown shooting star that had already predicted he would become a major leaguer way before he became a major leaguer. This prediction not coming from a personal what the hell out of control egotism, but, one derived from a true and youthfully innocent rural rooted understanding by this particular young man who somehow instinctively knew what he was destined to become.

Following his selection to both the high school All-State baseball and basketball teams in his senior seasons, Johnny Bench became one of five Oklahomans picked in the first ever baseball draft held in 1965. Before becoming a World Series Champion, ten time Gold Glove winner and a fourteen time All Star catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Bench, a young man from Binger, Oklahoma, was selected by the Red's Triple A farm team, the San Diego Padres, of (then) the Pacific Coast League.

It wasn't long before Bench was in Buffalo, yes New York, rapidly working his way from high school direct to "The Show." This within a blink of an eye, two year span of the sands of time. But, long before Bench's selection to major league baseball's Hall Of Fame, All-Century Team and All-Time Team, and within a similar blink of an eye, "he left the road" and nearly lost his life.

On February 8, 1968, less than three years graduating Valedictorian of Binger High School, a very young Johnny Bench reflects upon the previous 1967 major league baseball season and the upcoming 1968 season.

Wait. What? How did this legendary narrative get lost within those sands of 1960's time? Unbelievable, inconceivable, unthinkable, unimaginable. Pick one as one of our universe's greatest baseball players from all existing matter and space considered as whole, aka the Cosmos, nearly lost his life! It is most unfortunate to learn that two of his high school teammates actually did back in 1965.

With "State Staff" reporting this tragic story from Binger, any and all aboard a school bus heading home, including a young Johnny Bench, could have instantly lost their life on that catastrophic Thursday, April Fools Day, in 1965. With sincere honor and remembrance of the two young baseball players who did lose their lives on that dismal day, Billy Joe Wylie and Harold Sims, I dreadfully unfold this devastating story as recorded by The Daily Oklahoman.

The disheartening news was found right there in black and white. Front page headlines of the April 2, 1965, edition of the Daily Oklahoman printed it painfully loud and clear.

  "Two Binger youths were killed and 11 others inured Thursday night in the death roll of a school bus down a 50-foot embankment after the brakes went out. The school's coach also was injured.
  The bus was carrying the Binger HIgh School baseball team, last year's Class B state champions in the spring tournament, home from a game at Riverside Indian School, north of Anadarko.
  It went out of control on the incline leading to the 'T' intersection of S.H. 152 and U.S. 281 four miles east of Binger. The bus hit the railing and overturned four times down a steep bank. The highway patrol said brake trouble had plagued the bus recently.
  The two boys killed when they were thrown from the bus as it rolled over them were Billy Joe Wylie, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wylie, and Harold Sims, also about 16, son of Mrs. Audrey Johnson.
  Jerry Scott, 18, who was graduated last year from high school but made Thursday's trip with the team, said Coach Lloyd Dinse, 25, stepped on the brakes about 125 or 150 feet before reaching the intersection. Nothing happened.
  'The brakes are out,' Dinse yelled. Scott said the coach kept pumping the brakes without effect, then tried to shift down  to low. That failed, also, but he did get the bus in second gear and slowed some as he tried to turn east at the 'T' intersection.
  'We just had too much speed,' Scott said. 'We hit the rail and started rolling. I was sitting in the front seat to the right of coach and grabbed onto a pole. I swung around four times.'
  Scott, whose brother, Gilbert, 17, is team scorekeeper and was also on the bus, said there had been no previous indication of break trouble.
  Paul James, member of the baseball team, was the first thrown out of the bus. He went out the back door. He said later he saw the bus rolling down at him and was able to jump out of the way.
  The two boys who were killed went out side windows and were crushed by the bus.
  Dinse and one boy, Jimmie Lee Nabors, 16, were admitted to Anadarko Hospital and Clinic for treatment of shock and for observation. Attendants said neither was believed in serious condition.
  Five other team members were given emergency treatment at the Anadarko hospital and released.
  Dr. Henry Phifer, Binger, treated a number of the crash victims in his office for cuts, bruises and sprains.
  William Buntin, Binger town marshal, said news of the crash spread quickly through Binger. "Everybody took it pretty hard,' he said. 'I guess most of the people in Binger went out there.'
  Buntin said the bus was demolished.
  Scott said after he climbed out of the bus and saw its condition, 'I figured any of us were lucky to get out of it.'
  The highway patrol said the bus was an activity bus, not used on regular bus routes, and the brakes had been giving trouble before. Trooper Frank Brundrige, Anadarko, said the brake fluid had to be replenished frequently.
  'The plate on the floor board around the foot pedal had been removed and paper stuffed in to replace it,' he said.
  Brundridge also said the hose leading to the left rear wheel was partially burned by the exhaust pipe and had ruptured.
  Earl C. Everett, superintendent of Binger schools, said 12 baseball players; Scott, the graduate and the coach were aboard the bus.
  Other than the two boys killed, he said the baseball players included David Gunter, Ronnie Grain (Crain), Johnny Bench, Paul James, Joe Ed James, Jimmie Nabors, Jerry Howell, Gilbert Scott, Eddie Mashaney and Rex Haskell.
  'We don't think any of them are seriously hurt,' he said."

Johnny Bench, back row third from left, as photographed with Binger High School teammates within his 1965 senior yearbook.

This is quite an unusual and historical tragedy that is hard to wrap a person's thought processing around. As a young Caddo County OK Kids little leaguer of this time frame, I had only heard bits and pieces of such news without truly being able to understand its magnitude. Along with those bits and pieces, I also heard whispers of Johnny Bench grabbing and holding on to a couple of his teammates as the bus rolled out of control. This possibly saving their lives. True or not, I cannot confirm or disconfirm such facts.

As a youthful OK Kids little leaguer, I had envisioned such tragedy only heard of actually happening on the big sloping hill that drops down into Binger from the west. Not that it changes anything, but, knowing exactly where it happened, at the "T" on State Highway 152 east of Binger, will bring me to acknowledge the loss of two young and valuable lives each time I pass by on the way to visit family and friends in Caddo County. It will also bring about a somewhat bittersweet yet spiritual acknowledgment and thankfulness that one of our world's most distinguished baseball heroes of all time, Johnny Bench, survived and recovered from this most atrocious tragedy to proceed forward and fulfill his self-proclaimed destiny of greatness.

Johnny Bench, speaking at his 2015 hometown jersey retirement ceremony in Binger, Oklahoma, shares his personal thoughts and memories related to the tragic loss of his two high school teammates in 1965.

Author's Note: All contents researched and written with confidence of accuracy. The line "he left the road" is the title of a song written and performed by Caddo County and Oklahoma singer/songwriter Verlon Thompson. Video segment shared courtesy of Ball State University Libraries. Binger High School team photo courtesy of the Johnny Bench Museum in Binger, Oklahoma.

copyWrite By Mark House

Honorable Members Of The Early Baseball Era Hall Of Fame Committee,

I, Mark House, respectfully bring before you a cross-examined, fact based and personal character witness account for the purpose of sincere consideration of inclusion of former Major League baseball player (1915-1929) Carl Mays on the Early Baseball Era Hall Of Fame Ballot for the year of 2020. This conducted with confidence of Carl Mays' most deserved posthumous induction into the prestigious Baseball Hall Of Fame within the upcoming and qualifying Early Baseball Era year of 2021.

Carl Mays Hall Of Fame Campaign Case #2020-2021 / Case Quotes / :30 Youtube

It is a personal conclusion that the inclusion of one Carl Mays on the 2020 Early Era Baseball Ballot for a 2021 Baseball Hall Of Fame induction would represent a major step in rectifying what will soon be a one-hundred year old inaccuracy relative to Carl Mays' unjustified public blame and shame for the accidental death of Ray Chapman. Within a long overdue acquittal of one Carl Mays, Major League Baseball and the Baseball Hall Of Fame itself will inherit a monumental media moment of public recognition, gratification and fan appreciation for such an extraordinary centennial gesture of justifiable exoneration and honor.   

Before sharing a non-refutable case of Hall Of Fame statistics for Mays, I attempt to alleviate a "room full of elephants" regarding Mays' involvement in the accidental death of Ray Chapman, a personal walk-out in Boston, hitting a fan with a ball, accusations of throwing World Series games, and, a harsh disposition that historically remains somewhat of a skewed, media driven public opinion associated with one of baseball's greatest, Carl Mays.

If you please to serve as a dutiful fact gathering and decision making committee, I call before thee Reverend Dr. W.A. Scullen, Chancellor of the Cleveland Diocese.

Dr. Scullen, can you confirm for the committee that you performed the actual funeral sermon for Mr. Ray Chapman on the morning of August 21, 1920? This before an immense crowd at St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Yes."

Dr. Scullen, at this particular service and within your sermon, did you plead in the presence of the mass number of funeral attendees for, and I quote, "no hostile word be uttered against the man who was the cause of the unfortunate accident?"

"Yes."

Dr. Scullen, will you elaborate for this committee the exact words you additionally shared in regard to the man you alleged to be "the cause of the unfortunate accident," referring to Carl Mays, within your sermon delivered on August 21 of 1920? This at the funeral service of one Ray Chapman.

"He feels the outcome of it more deeply than most of us do. The great American game of baseball does not develop men who would willingly try to injure another participant in the game, and the game could not produce a man capable of killing another man. Chapman, we know would be the first to decry any thought of revenge if he could but speak."

Dr. Scullen, what were your final words shared with the enormous gathering at the funeral of one Ray Chapman on August 21, 1920, in Cleveland?

"May the soul of this gentle, kindly youth, whom all Cleveland loved, rest in peace."

Dr. Scullen, thanks for your sincere testimony and heartfelt willingness to share before this honorable Early Baseball Era Committee.

I now call before the committee one John Park Henry, Major League Baseball catcher with the Washington Senators and Boston Braves.

Mr. Henry, were you on site and in the clubhouse at the New York Polo Grounds immediately following the incident involving Cleveland Indian shortstop Ray Chapman being hit in the head with a pitched ball by Carl Mays, of the New York American League Yankees?

"Yes."

Mr. Henry, are you considered to be one of the closest friends of the aforementioned Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman?

"Yes."

Mr. Henry, did Mr. Chapman regain consciousness in the clubhouse at the Polo Grounds before being removed stadium and sent to the hospital?

"Yes."

Mr. Henry, will you share, with this committee, the last words uttered, by your close friend Ray Chapman, within the hallowed walls of the New York Polo Grounds clubhouse on August 16, 1920? This before being removed to a New York hospital for further assessment and emergency medical care.

"I'm all right. Tell Mays not to worry."

Mr. Henry, thank you for sharing your personal eye witness testimony before this honorable gathering of Early Baseball Era Committee members.

I call before thee one Tyrus Raymond Cobb, an original 1936 Baseball Hall Of Fame inductee.

Mr. Cobb, getting straight to the nucleus of the matter in question, will you please share with the committee your personal perception of the historical and bitterly argued accusations held against Carl Mays in regard to the unfortunate Ray Chapman incident that transpired near one-hundred years ago on August 16 of 1920?

"Keep in mind that he was a submariner with a delivery that started around his knees, resulting in curious breaks of the ball and a tendency for it to sail toward a batter's skull. I believe it is for no one to say that there was purposeful intent behind that fatal pitch; there is absolutely no one, then or now, who could prove it."

Mr. Cobb, the Tigers played the Yankees in New York immediately after the ill-fated Ray Chapman accident. Will you share with the committee what you personally discovered within the newspapers upon arriving in New York for that particular series?

"I was astounded to find the papers filled with an attack by me on Carl Mays. One of the quotes read 'Mays throws knockdown balls, and every player knows it.' Another paper had me saying 'If Chapman dies, Mays should be expelled from baseball forever.'"

Mr. Cobb, were these malicious declarations published in the newspapers of New York a correct reflection of your personal thoughts or statements in regard to the regrettable Ray Chapman matter?

"I didn't see the accident. I know nothing of how it happened and under no circumstances would I comment on it. And certainly it wasn't my province to pop off about so grave a matter. I wasn't that dumb, to begin with. Secondly, it went against all my rules of conduct."

Mr. Cobb, will you share your exact and personal description of the condition of major league game balls allowed to be utilized before the termination of the so called "spitball era?"

"Pitchers dosed baseballs with licorice, talcum, slippery elm, and saliva flavored with tobacco until they came at the hitter so discolored that he could hardly pick them out of the shadows."

Mr. Cobb, was Carl Mays, in 1919, the first and only player to resent personal fan abuse and then retaliate against such continuous abuse with some form of violent behavior?

"In May of 1912, in the third-base bleachers, was a character who had ridden me hard in the past New York (Highlanders) appearances. To avoid him as much as possible, I even left center field at the inning's end and returned to our bench by the long way of the New York side of the field. By the sixth inning, he was cursing me and reflecting on my mother's color and morals. As the sixth frame ended, I tried to sneak back to our bench. The man ripped out something else, and I don't know how I got up there, really, to this day, I can't tell you how I scaled the barrier and reached him. The next thing I remember, they were pulling me off him. I do know I didn't just slap him around."

Mr. Cobb, was Carl Mays, in 1919, the first to ever "walk out" or "hold out" on a baseball club with effort to improve his own personal working and/or playing conditions?

"I've been called one of the hardest bargainers who ever held out (1908), and I'm proud of it."

On Wednesday, May 15, 1912, with no agitation on my part, the Tiger players called a secret meeting. All 18 of them signed an ultimatum and wired it to Johnson. Organized baseball now had on its hands its first player strike by an entire team."

Mr. Cobb, what could possibly cause a whole major league baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, to sign an ultimatum, send it to then President Ban Johnson, and furthermore, literally walk out? I ask you to read word for word, for this committee, exactly what the team signed ultimatum specifically included.

"Feeling Mr. Cobb is being done an injustice by your action in suspending him, we, the undersigned, refuse to play in another game until such action is adjusted to our satisfaction. He was fully justified, as no one could stand such personal abuse from any one. We want him reinstated or there will be no game. If players cannot have protection, we must protect ourselves."

Mr. Cobb, you're telling us that seven years before Carl Mays refused to continue to play for Boston, the entire Detroit Tigers walked out on their owner, fans, and, the American League in protest with effort to protect you and themselves against personal fan abuse?"

"Yes."

Thank you Mr. Cobb for your sharing of testimony before this honorable assembly of Early Baseball Era Committee members.

Carl Mays and Babe Ruth featured in an historical image from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

I now call before the committee, Philadelphia Athletics fan Bryan Hayes.

Mr. Hayes, it is no secret that you were hit in the head by a baseball tossed into the crowded stands by Carl Mays on May 30 of 1919. Were you or anyone else seriously hurt or require any immediate medical assistance?

"No."

Mr. Hayes, did you, out of anger and with first thought, seek a warrant for the arrest of Carl Mays following this particular incident?

"Yes."

Mr. Hayes, did you then, after having second thoughts, voluntarily revoke such warrant upon the request of Connie Mack, Manager of the Philadelphia Athletics?

"Yes."

Mr. Hayes, the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, on August 17, 1920, published "Hayes proved himself to be a good sportsman, for he refused to accept any monetary settlement, he was willing to let the matter go." Is this a true reflection of your conclusive feelings in regard to the aforementioned incident in which no one was seriously hurt?

"Yes."

Mr. Hayes, considering Major League Baseball possessed no aspirations of protecting the heads of players within this particular window of time, do you think you could have personally, and, inadvertently diagnosed such dangerous oversight within your statement "a baseball in the hands of a pitcher like Mays is just as dangerous as a loaded revolver?" I have no further questions for Mr. Hayes.

If it would please the Early Baseball Era Committee, I would now like to call before you New York sportswriter Fred Lieb.

Mr. Lieb, it is your speculation that unanswered questions related to "suspicions" of Carl Mays losing two world series games, on purpose, and in the year of 1921 has kept Mr. Mays from entering baseball's prestigious Hall Of Fame. With the committee bearing in mind the previous testimony of Mr. Cobb and his experience with the New York media publishing the opposite of real truth, I ask you to read this particular paragraph chronicled and distributed by the Associated Press, subtitled "Mays Was A Star," and, published in papers across the country relative to Game 7 of the 1921 World Series.

"On the other hand, Carl Mays, while the loser, has to be given credit for an equally notable if less successful performance on the mound. Mays was steadier than Douglas, not issuing a pass and allowing but six hits to eight for his opponent, and but for a slip most unfortunate for Mays and his team mates on the part of Ward, in the seventh inning, the game might easily have gone into extra innings with the score tied 1 to 1.

The Yankee second baseman's error proved the real break of the game putting on base the runner who shortly afterward scored the winning tally. Ward let a grounder by Rawlings get away from him after two Giants had been retired in the seventh inning. Ward recovered the ball and made a quick throw to first but was just too late and Rawlings later scored on Snyder's two bagger."

Mr. Lieb, with your so called suspicions of Mr. Mays losing games four and seven of the 1921 World Series "on purpose," will you share with the committee what your fellow sportswriter, Denman Thompson with the Washington Evening Star, composed and published on October 10, 1921, relative to strategic game decisions made by then Yankee manager Miller Huggins?

"In the fag end of the eighth, with the Giants two runs to the good, the Yankees were afforded an opening that second guessers today are saying Huggins plainly muffed when, with Mays on second base, the mite manager permitted Miller to bat, instead of inserting a pinch hitter for him. The Yank gardener already had whiffed once, as had half a dozen of his teammates, and on two other occasions he had failed to get a ball out of the infield."

So, Mr. Lieb, Carl Mays, the one you suspect of losing games on purpose, actually maneuvered his way into scoring position on second base in the bottom of the eight inning in game four of the 1921 World Series? I have no further questions.

I would now like to call before the committee, New York Yankees co-owner and conspiracy theoretician Mr. Tillinghast L'Hommedieu "Cap" Huston.

Mr. Huston, it is noted that you as well have theoretical thoughts of Mr. Mays losing World Series games on purpose in 1921 and 1922. I ask you to read before the committee a statement, made by your team manager Miller Huggins, and then published and distributed by the Associated Press on October 12 of 1921. This being related to game seven of the 1921 World Series.

"That game was a tough break, a very tough break," said Miller Huggins today. "Mays deserved a shutout. The Yankees should have won by 1 to 0. But the breaks went with the Giants, and we were left out in the cold by luck. I never saw a pitcher who lost a game through harder luck."

Mr. Huston, will you share with the committee a statement, made to the Associated Press by your team manager Miller Huggins and then published in the October 7, 1922, edition of the Topeka State Journal? This related to the 1922 World Series game three played in the driving rain at the polo grounds against the New York Giants.

"Mays can pitch good enough ball to win," said Huggins, "but our fellows have not seemed to bat behind him this year. Still they don't appear to be batting behind any of the pitchers just now."

Mr. Huston, I have no further questions.

I would like to call before the committee, sportswriter for The West Virginian Daily Telegram, Mr. Harold Johnson. Mr. Johnson, soon after an incident where Carl Mays "nicked" Washington shortstop George McBride in July of 1916, you personally ask Mays to explain the deadly workings of the "duster ball" and specifically if he ever intentionally "beaned" a batter. Will you convey directly to this Early Era Committee exactly what Carl Mays disclosed as a response?

"The beanball will always be a part of the game," said Mays. "I don't believe there's a pitcher in any league in the country who ever deliberately tried to hit a batsman. No man's arm is as true as a rifle.

If the people who are making all this talk about pitchers trying to hit batsmen were to take a baseball, get on the slab and try to pitch, putting 'something' on the ball, they'd soon wise up to the ridiculousness of their charges.

Batsmen who are 'beaned' the most are the fellows who crowd the plate. Donie Bush, Jack Lavan, Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb, Chick Gandil, Jack Barry, John Henry and Clarence Walker are of this type. Some of them 'choke up' to within two inches of the plate instead of sticking within the six inch boundary prescribed by the rules of the game.

Naturally the pitchers who try to keep the ball high and inside on these or any other batters are liable to hit men when they put a lot of stuff on the ball. Some batters deliberately step into pitched balls and get away with it. McBride did that in Washington.

I tell you it's a sure sign of 'yellow' on the part of the player or manager who accuses a pitcher of using the beanball. Jack Barry of our club has been hit 14 times this year and you've never heard him 'peep' about deliberate beaning.

You may rest assured that I'll keep putting everything I've got on every ball I pitch as long as I'm in the game and if I pitch a million balls I'll never be sucker enough to put anybody on first base by intentionally hitting him.

It doesn't matter how perfect a pitcher's control may be, he's liable to hit a batter. That's part of the game and something that can't be avoided."

Carl Mays: Baseball Hall Of Fame Campaign / :30 YOUTUBE / Case-#2020-2021

I will now call upon Carl Mays himself to come before the Early Era Baseball Committee with effort to construct an appropriate and correct understanding of who this man is, what he stood for and what he struggled against as a baseball phenomenon in the early 1900's.

Mr. Mays, did you intentionally strike Mr. Chapman in the head with objective to kill him on the 16th day of August in 1920?

"I never tried to hit anyone deliberately in my life."

Mr. Mays, as you reflect upon the unfortunate death of Ray Chapman, can you share with the Early Era Baseball Committee what disseminates from your mind in regard to such a tragic situation?

"It is a recollection of the most unpleasant kind which I shall carry with me as long as I live. It is an episode which I shall always regret more than anything that has ever happened to me, and yet I can look into my own conscience and feel absolved from all personal guilt in this affair. The most amazing thing about it was the fact that some people seem to think I did this thing deliberately. If you wish to believe that a man is a premeditated murderer, there is nothing to prevent it. Every man is the master of his own thoughts. I cannot prevent it, however much I may regret it, if people entertain any such idea of me."

Mr. Mays, you voluntarily went before Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, John F. Joyce, soon after the devastating accident. Will you verbalize for this committee what you shared with Mr. Joyce which led to your exoneration from any wrongdoing?

"It was the most regrettable incident of my career, and I would give anything if I could undo what has happened."

Mr. Mays, following the dreadful Chapman incident, you shared many reasons, published in the November 1920 issue of Baseball Magazine, as to why it is illogical to view such a tragedy as being maliciously done with intent. At this time, will you share those reasons with this assembly of Early Era Baseball Hall Of Fame Committee members?

"I am a pitcher and I know some of the things a pitcher can do as well as some of the things he can’t do. I know that a pitcher can’t stand on the slab sixty feet away from the plate and throw a baseball so as to hit a batter in the head once in a hundred tries. That is, of course, assuming that the pitcher actually wanted to hit the batter in the head, a thing which is absurd on the face of it.

But to actually kill a man it is by no means sufficient to hit him on the head. Walter Johnson with all his terrific speed has hit batters on the head and yet they have not died. Fairly often a batter gets hit on the head and seldom is he even seriously injured. There is only one spot on a player’s skull where a pitched baseball would do him serious injury and that is a spot about his temple which is hardly half as big as the palm of my hand. Suppose, to meet some of these malicious slanders that have been directed against me, we assume that a pitcher is enough of a moral monster to deliberately murder a batter at the plate, a batter with whom he can have no particular quarrel and from whose death he could not possibly benefit. What chance would he have of perpetrating such a crime? He would have to hit that batter, and what is more, hit him on a particular part of the skull of very limited area.

There isn’t a pitcher who ever lived with control enough to do that thing once in a thousand times. Christy Mathewson, in the days when he was considered the absolute master of control couldn’t have done it. I myself would stand at the plate and let any pitcher in the world throw a baseball at my head in the firm assurance that I was at least in no danger of being killed. One reason for assuming that I am innocent of such a foul crime is the fact that it would be absolutely impossible for me to be anything else.

Chapman had a crouching position at the plate. On this particular occasion, at least, he stood motionless with his head nearly, if not quite, over the plate. The ball which struck him was high, but it is a question if it was not a true strike. It certainly was not far out of the way. I can explain this unfortunate accident on only two grounds. First, that for some unknown reason Chapman failed to see the ball at all. Second, that he saw it but fell into that curious state of mind which a ball player sometimes encounters in which he is said to be hypnotized by the ball.

It is true that it was a fairly dark day, but my speed is not of the Walter Johnson variety and I think it very improbable that Chapman failed to see the ball. It is conceivable that he misjudged it, but I think it more likely that he was momentarily hypnotized. Chick Fewster, one of our own men, was hit on the head this spring by Jeff Pfeffer of the Brooklyn Club and very seriously injured. Chick has explained his unfortunate experience by saying that he saw the ball very clearly, but couldn’t seem to get out of the way. Frank Chance, I have heard, used to suffer from the same mental peculiarity, in which he was hypnotized by the approaching baseball and was hit on the head several times in consequence. Of course, this is idle speculation for just what happened in Chapman’s mind will never be known.

One thing I am sure of. Nobody who saw that accident was more surprised than I. At first I thought the ball had struck the bat and fielded it to first base. When I looked and saw that Chapman had been hit instead, you could have knocked me down with a feather."

Mr. Mays, previously Mr. Cobb testified before this committee that, and I quote, "pitchers dosed baseballs with licorice, talcum, slippery elm, and saliva flavored with tobacco until they came at the hitter so discolored that he could hardly pick them out of the shadows." Do you feel this was the determining factor in the tragic death of Mr. Chapman?

"Again, it was a fairly dark day, but my speed is not of the Walter Johnson variety and I think it very improbable that Chapman failed to see the ball."

Mr. Mays, have you at anytime in your life considered yourself to be an egotistical, "better-than-thou," kind of person?

"I came to New York in a display of brilliant fireworks. There were Court proceedings and more Court proceedings. There was talk of a disruption of the entire League. The whole thing looked to me like a tempest in a teapot. Perhaps if I had been inclined to be swell-headed, I would have got all puffed up about the desperate struggle that was taking place over my own unimportant self. But I have never been criticized for undue egotism. That is one fault, at least, which has not been laid to my charge."

Mr. Mays, an infinite perception, by the media, public, opponents and teammates alike, continues to persist in regard to your somewhat disgruntled personality and unpleasant demeanor in general. Right here and right now, in front of the Early Era Baseball Committee, if you had one chance to repudiate such perceptions, what would you have to say? With this distorted impression lasting for over one-hundred years, please take your time while sharing your thoughts.

"A ball player cannot afford to be thin skinned. His work is done so much in the public eye, that he himself becomes in a sense a public personage. To that extent, therefore, he must expect to hear himself and his work commented upon. And since comment can never be one hundred per cent favorable, he must be braced for criticism. All this is a part of the game and just as natural as strike outs or base hits. But I must confess that in the past two years I have been pretty well fed up on criticism.

People that I never even heard of seem to entertain a bitter enmity for me which is surprising to say the least. While a good many persons with whom I am obliged to come in contact and with whom I should prefer to feel on a friendly basis, have let me see all too plainly that they are no friends of mine.

Now, I ask for no man’s friendship, if he does not choose to give it voluntarily. Friendship is a thing which can not be had for the asking. Friendship is a thing which can not be explained on a scientific basis. If a man with whom I am continually thrown in contact does not view me as a friend, it means that there is no mutual attraction between us. But it means nothing else. It is no fault of his. Neither is it necessarily any fault of mine.

There is such a thing as popularity. We all know people who are popular without being able to explain why they should be. We also know people who are not popular, and yet they may be even more deserving of respect. Popularity does not necessarily rest on merit. Nor is unpopularity necessarily deserved. Both are merely the reaction of a man’s fellow associates to his own personality. If that reaction is favorable, he is popular; if not, the reverse is true. Where does the fault lie? With the man himself, or with his associates, or with both, or with neither? Personally, I am inclined to the latter view. I don’t think it is the fault of either party. It is just one of those things that exist and that you can’t explain on any tangible grounds.

It was long ago made very apparent to me that I was not one of those individuals who were not fated to be popular. It used to bother me some, for I suppose there are none of us who wouldn’t prefer to be well-thought of. But I was naturally independent and if I found that a fellow held aloof from me, I was not likely to run after him. Evidently I didn’t impress people favorably at first sight. After they knew me better, I was generally able to be on friendly terms with them.

When I first broke into baseball, I discovered that there seemed to be a feeling against me, even from the players on my own team. When I was with Boise, Idaho, I didn’t have a pal on the Club until the season was half over. Then the fellows seemed to warm up a bit and we were on very good terms for the balance of the season. When I went to Portland, Oregon, I got the same cold shoulder until the fellows understood me better and then we hadn’t a bit of trouble.

When I came East and joined the Providence Club, I got a still bigger dose of the same unpleasant medicine and that began to get on my nerves. I had about concluded that if baseball was a game where you had to swim continually against the current, I had perhaps better get out and see what I could do in some other profession where the waters weren’t quite so deep. My fellow players on the Providence team didn’t seem to like me and I wondered why. I always have wondered why I have encountered this antipathy from so many people wherever I have been. And I have never been able to explain it even to myself, though I have one or two theories on the subject. I did get genuinely discouraged at Providence and, of course, feeling as I did, was unable to do good work. In fact I lost all interest in my work. I wrote to my Uncle telling him I had about decided to give up baseball. He is no doubt responsible for my being identified with the game at present, for he replied with a mighty stiff letter in which he handled things straight from the shoulder and without gloves. In brief, he told me if I failed to make good, he would consider me a quitter and that is a word I never liked to take from any man. So I decided to brace up and see what could be done. About that time we played an exhibition game with Washington. I was called upon to pitch and for once that season I really worked. I held Washington to three hits, which was considered quite an accomplishment for a Minor Leaguer, and easily won my game. After that the fellows seemed to think more of me and I proceeded to have a good season for the balance of the year.

But the unpopularity which had come to be as natural as my own shadow still continued to follow me. I know when I had won 12 straight games and lost my 13, after an extra inning struggle, one of the local newspapermen, who knew me well and hated me cordially, came out with a story in which he panned me for what he called my poor work.

When I went to the Red Sox my experience was much the same, but I had grown somewhat accustomed to that reception and besides I realized that a Minor Leaguer had to fight for recognition on a Major Circuit. Slowly, however, I won my way and when I left the Club, although there were several men who disliked me, there were others with whom I was on good, if not intimate terms.

Up to two years ago I had no just complaint to offer against my experience as a professional ball player. It is true, I had never been popular, but this had ceased to bother me. And if I was not popular, I was at least rated as a successful pitcher. In other words, I had made good in my chosen profession.

I remember a conversation I had with my wife about this time in which I told her my baseball career had been singularly free from trouble. I said to her in a joking way that perhaps it would be necessary for me to do something out of the ordinary to get my name in the papers. But I needn’t have been impatient. For could I have looked into the future, I would have seen trouble enough headed in my direction to satisfy the most ambitious trouble seeker who ever lived.

About that time things commenced to happen to me. I had a very nice home, of which I was extremely fond and not a little proud. We fitted it up in a manner which was pleasing to us both and I put into that home most of my earnings as a base ball player. Furthermore, I stored in that home all the little mementos and souvenirs that I wished to preserve, and my wife did also. But about the time we had everything settled to suit us, the house caught fire and burned to the ground. Everything in it was totally destroyed and as it was insured for but a fraction of its true value, I found myself practically wiped out. Later in the season I became involved in a disagreement with the Boston Club which culminated in my transfer to New York. I am not going to enter into a discussion of that particular episode. It was not a pleasant experience for me, but I have never regretted my part in it. And I am willing now to state openly that if I ever faced a similar situation again I should do exactly the same."

Mr. Mays, I personally thank you for sharing such an in-depth perception of your private life and the causes of struggle faced while working towards becoming one of baseball's best pitchers of all time.

Next, I call before the Early Era Baseball Committee former San Diego Hoover High School baseball player Charles Johnson.

Mr. Johnson, will you please share with the Early Era Committee the details of your personal relationship with Carl Mays?

"Carl Mays came down from Oregon to help out with our high school baseball team in San Diego every spring for four consecutive years through 1971. He spent a lot of one-on-one time with us. Not only did he teach the pitchers a lot of important things, but helped teach hitting and strategy. I can remember spending hours in the batting cage while Mr. Mays would sit in a folding chair analyzing my swing and giving helpful tips."

So, Mr. Johnson, do you care to briefly share with the Early Era Baseball Committee what Carl Mays meant to you as a young gentleman eager to learn the game of baseball?

"Back in 1969 we had no internet and the only way of getting baseball history information was to read a book. We did appreciate Mr. Mays, but we really had no idea of the magnitude of who this man was. He had to walk with a cane and looked older than his 78 years when we knew him. He was my connection to baseball history."

Thank you Mr. Johnson for your contributing testimony in regard to the persevering character of one Carl Mays up to, and, until his death on April 4, 1971.

With permission from the committee, I, Mark House, now offer, from evidence and testimony gathered with respectful intent, closing arguments on behalf of Carl Mays. This with enthusiastic ambitions of convincing the Early Era Committee to include Mr. Mays on the upcoming Early Era Baseball Hall Of Fame Ballot within this particular year of 2020. As well, this done with enthusiastic ambitions of procuring a most honorable and posthumous 2021 Baseball Hall Of Fame induction for a misunderstood and misjudged human being who remains, to this day, one of Major League Baseball's greatest pitchers.

Within his fifteen (15) year early era Major League Baseball career, Carl Mays won 207 games while pitching for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants.

In comparison to current Baseball Hall Of Fame pitchers, Mays won the same number of major league games as Bob Lemon and Hal Newhouser and more games than Jack Chesbro, Candy Cummings, Dizzy Dean, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Lefty Gomez, Goose Gossage, Roy Halladay, Trevor Hoffman, Addie Joss, Sandy Koufax, Rube Marquard, Hank O'Day, Satchel Paige, Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith, Bruce Sutter, Dazzy Vance, Rube Waddell and Hoyt Wilhelm.

Within his fifteen (15) year early era Major League Baseball career, Carl Mays only lost 126 games while pitching for the Red Sox, Yankees, Reds and Giants.

In comparison to current Baseball Hall Of Fame pitchers, Mays 126 losses is less than that of of 80% of Baseball's Hall Of Fame pitchers including Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Bert Blyleven, Mordacai Brown, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Jack Chesbro, John Clarkson, Stan Coveleski, Don Drysdale, Dennis Eckersley, Red Faber, Bob Feller, Pud Gavin, Bob Gibson, Tom Glavine, Burleigh Grimes, Lefty Grove, Jesse Haines, Waite Hoyt, Carl Hubbell, Catfish Hunter, Fergie Jenkins, Randy Johnson, Walter Johnson, Tim Keefe, Bob Lemon, Ted Lyons, Greg Maddux, Juan Marichal, Rube Marquard, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jack Morris, Mike Mussina, Hal Newhouser, Kid Nichols, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Herb Pennock, Gaylord Perry, Eddie Plank, Old Hoss Radbourn, Eppa Rixey, Robin Roberts, Red Ruffing, Amos Rusie, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, John Smoltz, Warren Spahn, Don Sutton, Dazzy Vance, Rube Waddell, Mickey Welch, Vic Willis, Early Winn and Cy Young.

Within his fifteen (15) year early era Major League Baseball career, Carl Mays maintained a 2.92 ERA while pitching 3,021.1 innings within a total of 490 games.

In comparison to current Baseball Hall Of Fame pitchers, Mays' 2.92 career ERA tops that of nearly 60% of Baseball's Hall Of Fame pitchers including Bert Blyleven, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Dizzy Dean, Don Drysdale, Dennis Eckersley, Red Faber, Bob Feller, Tom Glavine, Lefty Gomez, Goose Gossage, Burleigh Grimes, Lefty Grove, Jesse Haines, Roy Halladay, Waite Hoyt, Carl Hubbell, Catfish Hunter, Fergie Jenkins, Randy Johnson, Bob Lemon, Ted Lyons, Greg Maddux, Rube Marquard, Pedro Martinez, Jack Morris, Mike Mussina, Hal Newhouser, Kid Nichols, Phil Niekro, Hank O'Day, Satchel Paige, Herb Pennock, Gaylord Perry, Eppa Rixey, Robin Roberts, Red Ruffing, Amos Rusie, Nolan Ryan, Lee Smith, John Smoltz, Warren Spahn, Don Sutton, Dazzy Vance, and Early Wynn.

Within his fifteen (15) year early era Major League Baseball career, Carl Mays only hit 89 batters.

In comparison to current Baseball Hall Of Fame pitchers, Carl Mays' 89 hit batsmen is less than that of Hall Of Fame pitchers Chief Bender, Bert Blyleven, Jim Bunning, Jack Chesbro, Don Drysdale, Red Faber, Bob Gibson, Clark Griffith, Burleigh Grimes, Randy Johnson, Walter Johnson, Tim Keefe, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Joe McGinnity, Kid Nichols, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry, Eddie Plank, Amos Rusie, Nolan Ryan, Rube Waddell, Vic Willis and Cy Young. Baseball Reference's "Career Leaders for Hit By Pitch" reflects 127 Major League pitchers hitting more batters than Carl Mays including Walter Johnson with 205, Randy Johnson with 190 and Cy Young himself with nearly double that of Mays at 161 hit batsmen.

Carl Mays is a four time early era Major League Baseball World Series Champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923). Mays is credited with three World Series victories and compiled an overall 2.35 ERA in eight individual World Series appearances. Mays completed five of the seven World Series Games he started for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
 
Within five twenty plus win seasons, Carl Mays led the Major Leagues with 27 victories and 7 saves in 1921 while pitching 336.2 innings in 49 games for the New York Yankees. His winning percentage this particular early era season is documented at a league leading .750. In this same year, Mays batted .343 with 49 base hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs and 22 RBI's.  

A major key to Mays' success on the mound was found in his ability to create an incredible amount ground ball outs. Historically, Mays still holds the Boston Red Sox record of 122 assists in 1918. He recorded 117 and 118 within the two previous seasons. Mays was considered the ace of the Red Sox staff in 1918 as he won 21 games with a 2.21 ERA and tied Walter Johnson for a league leading eight shutouts while also tossing a league leading 30 complete games.

As witnesses looked upon Ray Chapman crowding the plate on August 16, 1920, Mays sidearm slung a fiery fastball into what he fervently claimed was the strike zone with Chapman's head hanging within said strike zone. The impact of the ball struck Chapman with such force that Mays thought it hit his bat and had no clue it hit him in the head. While thinking it was in play, Mays picked the ball up and threw to first for what he thought would be an out.

Meanwhile, Chapman falls down twice during his attempt to walk to first on a hit by pitch call by the umpire. Chapman, unable to get up, is taken to the hospital where 1920 era surgeons diagnose a skull fracture. After what looked to be a good chance at recovery after surgery, Chapman died the following morning on August 17, 1920.

Where do we go from this tragic death blow to professional baseball which is time stamped and paralleled with the suspicion escalating with the breaking news of Chicago's infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal?

Researching deep into "The Baseball Chronicle," uncovered is a "to-his-dying-day" statement from Carl Mays. Mays adamantly insists that "the pitch that killed Chapman would have been called a strike had he managed to duck out of the way." Chapman was historically noted for hugging the plate so closely when batting that his head was usually in the strike zone.

Like any pitcher worth a grain of salt, early age, golden aged or modern day, the plate belongs to me mentality rules the standard mind set. Was this disastrous death toll event within the world of professional baseball so shocking that everyone, for near a century and counting, has literally continued to dismiss the fact that it was considered an accident?

An average legal intern would have sense enough to argumentatively question that if a pitcher is supposed to throw a strike and the batter's head is in the strike zone, who is truly at fault? We can all join a ghost jury of this Early Era time frame and make judgement for ourselves. Mays himself chose to express regret but stated he "did not feel any guilt because he had not hit Chapman on purpose."

Furthermore and despite many time paralleled American soldiers being intelligent enough to wear a helmet in World War I, baseball leadership of the moment seemed to possess no inclination or proactive thoughts about head protection or batter safety in 1920 when Chapman was struck and killed. This even after a minor league batter, Mobile (Alabama) Sea Gull John Dodge, was struck in the head and killed by Tom Rodgers in a Southern Association League game four years earlier in 1916. Rodgers was quickly exonerated after being arrested by Mobile authorities. Dodge and Chapman are the only professional players known to have died from being hit by a pitch. Chapman to date, being the only one at the major league level.

We do have to ponder if the U.S. Army can foresee the great need of head protection, and, considering baseball had already incurred such a devastating death blow to the head, why then, at the least, were some protective measures not already implemented by Major League Baseball when Ray Chapman stuck his head out over the plate and died in 1920?

Chronicled and serious early era skull fracturing Major League Baseball incidents previous to Chapman's death include the one Carl Mays spoke of previously. This being Brooklyn's Jeff Pfeffer striking Yankee "Chick" Fewster on the head in 1915. Fewster was in the hospital for several weeks and had to undergo an operation for a fractured skull.

In another "widely known case" of this early ear time involved New York Nationals and Baseball Hall Of Fame pitcher Amos Rusie who hit Hall Of Fame shortstop Hugh Jennings of Baltimore in the head on June 24, 1897. Jennings lay unconscious for quite some time after being hit by Rusie. Jennings did recover and ironically was discovered, in the spring that followed, to be holding out for a "higher salary" from his Baltimore club as he personally noted that request in an interview with contents published in the March 14, 1898, edition of the Freeland (Pennsylvania) Tribune.   

On June 9, 1911, Roy Corhan of the White Sox was knocked unconscious and "hovered between life and death for three days." This after being hit in the head by Yankee spitballer Russell Ford. On June 10, 1911, the Norwhich (Connecticut) Bulletin noted that "Corhan was in great pain and unable to eat or to talk coherently and was under medical care at a local hotel."

Hall Of Fame Baseball pitcher Rube Waddell is recognized as throwing the pitch that hit Harry Gleason, brother of "Kid" Gleason, on the head in which "the accident ruined Gleason's baseball career." Further early era irony includes Hall Of Famer Waddell's recognition in the August 26, 1903, edition of the St. Louis Republic for being immediately released by Philadelphia's Connie Mack. This for failing to show up and pitch in a game slated for the day previous. After "being out all night," Mack told Waddell to "turn over his uniform and go wherever he pleased, that his services were no longer required by the Athletics."

With the accidental death of minor leaguer John Dodge in 1916, the skull fracturing of Chick Fewster in 1915, the near death of Roy Corhan in 1911, the career ruination of one Harry Gleason in 1903 and the "knock out" of Hall Of Famer Hugh Jennings in 1897, all happening previous to the death of Ray Chapman, I ask the Early Era Baseball Committee to reflect upon whether or not the various pitchers involved had intent to kill but failed, and/or, whether or not Major League Baseball leadership, at the time, even thought of or cared to protect batters from what was quite obvious to be a real and present danger.         

Although Frank Mogridge was granted a patent (#780899) for a "head protector" in 1905, batter safety was ignored by Major League Baseball leadership for the next fifty-five years.

Although Hall Of Famer Roger Bresnahan developed a "leather-batting" helmet in 1908 after being struck in the head and severely injured, batter safety was ignored by Major League Baseball leadership for the next fifty-two years.

Ironically from the point of Chapman's death blow in 1920, it took baseball governorship near forty more years to even seriously begin to think about this problem. Headgear and helmets did not truly come into play in the major leagues until 1960 when Jim Lemon, taking the cause upon himself, became the first player to wear a "little league" helmet in a major league game.

So, I ask, why is Carl Mays, to this day, held personally responsible for what is clearly the fault of a variety of uncontrolled circumstances of his time. A batter who crowds the plate with his head attached to the strike zone, baseball's used past the point of decent discernibility, and, leadership that did not either comprehend, care, or, consider if said batter wore head protection or not. Again, I ask who is at fault?

It is most interesting to exhume and absorb news of one particular and dramatic incident from the 1915 season. It included the one they call Tyrus "Ty" Cobb dangerously tossing a bat towards a Red Sox rookie pitcher (Carl Mays) with a most stormy relationship being born in baseball. "Cobb is the greatest ball player in the world and also the dirtiest," said Mays in the November 30, 1915, edition of the Grand Forks Daily Herald.

Following this potentially lethal bat tossing by Cobb, Mays states Red Sox shortstop Everett Scott "picked it up and brought it in and I walked back to Cobb and shoved it out at him. Just as he reached for it I pulled it back. Again I stuck it out at him, and when he reached for it this time I let it fall to the ground. For a minute or two he refused to pick it up, but then did so when the umpire ordered," added Mays. "Cobb tries to get the goat of every young pitcher. If a look or hot words could have killed me, I would be inhabiting a wooden kimono now."

Such an incident compels a 1920 ghost jury or 2020 Early Era Baseball Hall Of Fame Committee member to question if Mays' courageous ability, as a rookie, to stand up to the world renowned toughness of Ty Cobb was the actual birth place of his own unpleasant public persona? Should a man and ball player from this antiquated window of time need room to be who he has to be in order to survive within such a distressed environment of this intemperate and unprotected baseball era?

Furthermore, we have the same Ty Cobb previously testifying here before you with honest assessment and stating "I believe it is for no one to say that there was purposeful intent behind that fatal pitch; there is absolutely no one, then or now, who could prove it."

I continue closing arguments with optimism that Carl Mays will now be seriously and sincerely considered with prompt recognition and decisions made based upon his on-the-field accomplishments and not just for the fatal accident that has created a personal and undeserved lifetime of infamy.

Two hundred and seven (207) major league victories with a 2.92 ERA is quite an achievement. A World Series victory is what all pitchers dream about much less than the three earned by Carl Mays. Although he carried somewhat of a harsh persona that endured and subdued the ferocious testings of Ty Cobb, I find it most hard to believe Carl Mays or any other pitcher in the entire history of the game of baseball would have or could have killed a man on purpose.

I personally and honestly believe there has never been a major or minor league ball player anywhere at anytime on any field that has ever carried the intent to kill another player. Common sense of statistically understanding the number of MLB players who have ever died from being hit by a pitch (1) while understanding the game, from a players viewpoint, is to be participated in competitively but with honor and respect for even the most hated of rivals. The literal nonexistence of any such Death Wish should be most scientifically time proven and most statistically apparent to anyone who has been, or is now, a part of our Great American Pastime.

The contest between the Yankees and Indians on August 16, 1920, was a baseball game not a war. It just doesn't seem there would be room for a Death Wish mentality from anyone involved. Yet, that undeserved death blow perception lives on in Carl Mays' posthumous infamy. This continuation is now approaching one-hundred years old as I request a "NOT GUILTY VERDICT" and complete exoneration as Early Baseball Era decision makers delve into the truly important elements of Mays' fifteen seasons under summer's sun.

While investigating documented statistics from Mays' early MLB career, I discovered that he had become a top rated submariner for the Boston Red Sox by 1917. He won a total of 22 games with The Baseball Chronicle recognizing a league leading 1.74 E.R.A. In a same season, when baseball great Ty Cobb was performing at his standard batting championship level, The Baseball Chronicle recognized "the young guns of Carl Mays and Babe Ruth were beginning to make their own championship noise."

Dazzy Vance was and is considered by many to be the "best" pitcher of the 1920's and most deservedly received induction into Baseball's Hall Of Fame in 1955. If comparing real time statistics reveals real truth, according to Baseball Reference, Vance's 197 victories (and 3.24 ERA) is quite magnificent but the statistical math falls ten short of Carl Mays' 207 career victories and 2.92 ERA. Mays earned 19 more career saves than Vance. Mays won three more World Series games than Vance.  

Again, I remind you Mays is a four time World Series Champion winning three with the Red Sox and one with the Yankees in 1923. His best season came about in 1921 when he led the American League in wins with a total of twenty-seven (27).

The clearly rebuked reasons that have delusionally existed for not admitting Carl Mays into baseball's Hall Of Fame versus the many reasons that have infinitely existed to induct Carl Mays into the prestigious Hall Of Fame are quite prevalent. We certainly cannot deny there were "rumors" and "suspicions" of difficulties within the long career of Carl Mays, but, early era media driven gossip and hearsay should no longer detour an official and most deserved induction for Mays. A long anticipated deliverance of justice and merited recognition of honor for one of Major League Baseball's greatest is crying out for exonerating rectification and for Mays' justifiable inclusion on the Early Baseball Era Hall Of Fame Ballot in the upcoming year of 2020.

Any genuine baseball historian certainly would possess knowledge of Mays forcing his way out of Boston in 1919 for which American League President Ban Johnson "secretly" suspended Mays while pursuing to ban Mays from the league. Political circumstances forced Johnson to "back down" and Mays, following his walk-out in Boston and friction with the league president, was headed for the Yankees. Just one year later, the very same Ban Johnson found himself under extreme pressure from several teams to literally toss Mays out of baseball following the Chapman tragedy. But Johnson, evidently with a changed heart towards Mays, chose not to give in to such pressure. Despite his earlier disdain for Mays' issues in Boston, Johnson decided Mays was worthy to continue a career which lasted up until 1929.

Within continuing closing statements shared on behalf of the late Carl Mays, I ask Early Era Baseball Committee decision makers to consider this fascinating case constructed with respectful request for a well deserved Early Baseball Era Hall Of Fame Ballot inclusion in 2020.

As well, I again ask consideration for, and of, a most historically known fact that the New York District Attorney's office of the time determined that the "Ray Chapman incident was an accident." There was and never has been any legal charges filed against Carl Mays. And, most every witness to the accident confirmed, at the time, that "Chapman never moved an inch and seemed to have never even saw the ball."

Should we question if there were any investigations relative to alcohol being involved as inebriation has been long proven as a common denominator respective to a person's ability to react or not react in general? Considering alcohol was an integral part of this early era of baseball for both players and fans alike, were any tests conducted to determine any potential levels of alcohol within Chapman? This question not being asked out of disrespect for Chapman but with effort to rule out such consideration related to his inability to react at the moment of impact.

From a medical viewpoint, would Chapman's chances to survive this accidental tragedy be considerably less in 1920 compared to modern times as it is most obvious the profession was not quite as advanced as it is today. If Chapman did survive this accident of tragedy, would Carl Mays be in Baseball's Hall Of Fame today?

The numerous and uninvestigated cold case factors now presented before the committee, if sincerely considered with genuine depth of assessment, should be enough to transcend this early era tragedy into a modern day public relations triumph.

I ask that Hall Of Fame decision makers consider Major League Baseball could have and should have carried either complete, or, at the least, partial burden of fault as this same incident has no chance of happening today. Literally because Major League Baseball would not even risk the legal ramifications of any hitter stepping up to the plate without protective head gear.

At this time, I share sincere and concluding thoughts from the 1920 Boston Red Sox manager Ed Barrow. Barrow states in The Cordova Daily Times, Cordova Alaska, September 28, 1920, that "Mays is a good fellow, and I don't believe he would try to hit a batsman any more than would Walter Johnson. Nobody ever questions Johnson's fast ball, although sometimes it speeds so close to a batsman's head that it looks intentional. It's unfair to charge Mays with such unsportsmanlike and cowardly tactics. He is a great pitcher and doesn't have to resort to intimidation."

At this time, I share sincere and closing thoughts from Baseball Hall Of Fame great Tris Speaker who managed the opposing team (Cleveland) and witnessed the tragic and accidental death of Ray Chapman. "It is the duty of all the players, not only for the good of the game, but also out of respect to the poor fellow who was killed, to suppress all bitter feeling caused by this accident. We will do all in our power to do nothing to aggravate the unfortunate impression in any way."  

With Mr. Speaker's powerful and closing introspection, and, on behalf of the family and friends of Carl Mays; Mays' hometown of Mansfield, Missouri; the 1909 Hennessey (Oklahoma) Sluggers; the 1912 Boise (Idaho) Irrigators; the 1913 Portland (Oregon) Colts; the 1914 Providence (Rhode Island) Grays; the 1915-1919 Boston Red Sox; the 1919-1923 New York Yankees; the 1924-1928 Cincinnati Reds; the 1929 New York Giants as well as devoted baseball fans past and present, I conclude with a respectful request that one Carl William Mays be added to the Early Baseball Era Hall Of Fame Ballot in 2020 and honored with a posthumous induction into Baseball's Hall Of Fame in the year of 2021.

Author's Note: According to the Society For American Baseball Research, after his retirement from the major leagues, Carl Mays pitched in the Pacific Coast League and American Association for two seasons. He then worked as a scout for 20 years for the Cleveland Indians and the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. Mays died on April 4, 1971, in El Cajon, California, at age 79. Mays is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. He was survived by a second wife, Esther, and two children.

Author's Note: Complete contents have been researched and compiled with confidence of accuracy without utilization for profit, but, with effort to gain the support of Baseball Hall Of Fame decision makers for consideration of a posthumous 2020 Early Baseball Era Ballot inclusion of Carl Mays and a 2021 Baseball Hall Of Fame induction of Carl Mays.

Author's Note: Quoted contents of all persons within have been documented word for word and were derived from viable research sources. Liberties with the words "yes" and "no" were only utilized when related, researched information led to a conclusion of those particular answers being most obvious beyond any question or doubt.

copyWrite by Mark House

"No Fear" is a yesteryear Nike slogan and a name brand clothing line created in 1989. This courage encouraging catchphrase has more recently evolved into brand identity for a high energy drink distributed by the Pespi Cola Company.

There's no human being I can think of that personally personified such "No Fear" and high energy branding to its fullest capacity other than my friend and former National Aerobatic Champion Tom Jones from Oklahoma City.

I write in past tense as Tom lost his life doing what he loved most near thirty years ago while performing in front of historically the largest air show crowd in Oklahoma City. This happening in 1990 as Tom served as the actual director and pinnacle performer within what was considered a top tier world class air show.

As that thirty years later makes an approach landing, it's tough to say, tough to remember, tough to write, but, I press on to document Tom's high energy success with honor and remembrance, and, with "no fear."

It is quite ironic that Tom's career was about to skyrocket in parallel fashion with the previous century "No Fear" slogan created in 1989. This being is the same year he was historically selected as Oklahoma's only member (ever) of  the U.S. World Aerobatic Championship team.

On October 4, 1988, Oklahoman staff writer James Johnson wrote: "Flying maneuvers that could have destroyed a lesser plane and pilot, Tom Jones has brought home the trophy proclaiming him the best aerobatic flier in America today." (Photo from the Oklahoman Archives/Oklahoma Historical Society)

If you start with the innovative aeronautical expertise of Wiley Post; blend it with the greatest of Oklahoma's ambassadorship found in Will Rogers; add a dash of "no fear" high energy courage larger than the greatest of any athlete, and, you get Oklahoma's only "Unlimited Category" National Aerobatic Champion in Tom Jones.

For visible proof of proclamations, just tap the play button above and discover a 1990 sky come alive with Tom Jones in a Rush'n Rage. A sky that has remained the same as the supreme legacy of Oklahoma's greatest aerobatic pilot.

Tom Jones harnessed the ultimate thrill and skill of flight in 1970 as a member of the Tinker Air Force Base Aero Club progressing into an active air show performer in 1981. Up to his untimely death in 1990, Jones flew over 75 different types of aircraft, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours and served as Director of Oklahoma City's Aerospace America Air Show which has been historically recognized as a top five air show worldwide.

With thoughts of the late Tom Jones being the most unique and fearless Oklahoma athlete to successfully compete and win on National and International levels, I respectfully request consideration for honorable and posthumous Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame induction. This for remembrance of his unique championship accomplishments within the realm of aviation sport. As well, to recognize his ambassadorship for, and contributions to, the great state of Oklahoma.

copyWrite By Mark House

A good friend, a cup of coffee between days of his dialysis, and, an old scrapbook can sometimes make for a magnificent "Glory Days" of baseball story. After enjoying a cup of Joe at Jim's in Bethany (Oklahoma) with my friend Harold Billen, some glory days stuff from 1952 was discovered and certainly worth documenting and sharing with the world as it is now and will be in the days to come.

I'll be danged if ole Harold's brother Clarence (aka Corky) didn't receive a golden aged baseball contract offer from the St. Louis Cardinals. Now this has always been a dream of mine and many of other young men that has never came true. Just go figure how a young twenty year old would feel about getting a letter in the mail from the Cardinals asking you to play for them. I'm getting re-excited about my old kids life dream just thinking about it.

Problem was for Corky, another letter arrived in his pile of mail on that same day in that same box. It was a draft notice from our great Uncle Sam. What a predicament of boyhood dreams vs. the call of duty for Corky. Much like most young men of valor in the early 1950's, Corky signed up with the United States Air Force while playing ball for the Cardinals was reduced to the dream it is and has been for many like me.

Luckily for Corky, Uncle Sam strategized the utilization of America's Game to build public relations within the less hostile countries where many of our young men of war time were based. Ole Corky was assigned to the 42nd Equipment Repair Squadron, 6208th Depot Wing on the now defunct Clark Air Force Base which was located sixty miles north of Manila in the Philippine Islands. His assignment was not only relative to his highly trained ability to repair airplanes but also word was up that this young man from Oklahoma could play some ball. Sort of a dual recruiting and assignment process by his superior officers in charge.

With a lot of hard work to be done and a little downtime to be had, Corky was afforded opportunity to play ball once again. Not only playing but becoming a noble champion of the Clark Air Force Base Red Raiders under Manager and Master Sergeant Larry Linton.

Within the 1952 championship season for the Raiders, Corky hit the "Shot Unheard Of Around The World." Although a huge walk-off blast to right field with comparison to Lou Gehrig's home run hit in the same stadium near twenty years earlier, it has mostly gone unrecognized and unheard of until you just read of it now. Despite the lack of remembrance and recognition of such a magnificent moment in baseball's time, seems Corky was fulfilling the foreign relations strategy implemented by our great Uncle Sam that he proudly served in 1952.

The headlines in the Philippine Sunday Times read "21-Year Old Ends Game With Homer!"

An unidentified writer with the Sunday Times shared on April 13, 1952: "A spectacular home run over the right field fence (where the late Lou Gehrig blasted the sixth homer at Rizal ball park in 1934) in the last half of the ninth inning made a hero out of left fielder Clarence "Corky" Billen, who won the game for the 6208th Depot Wing Raiders against the highly favored Canlubang Sugar Barons, 4-3, in yesterday's lone Manila Baseball League encounter at Rizal diamond.

With one down, Billen, a 21 year-old outfielder who entered the game in the fifth frame, won the game for the soldiers by clouting a home run over the right field fence in the last half of the ninth. The ball landed against the wire over the wall where the late Lou Gehrig slammed out his second home run on December 10, 1934."

Clark Air Force Base Public Information Office released a presser on such an impressive shot to right field. It was distributed "For Immediate Release" and included detailed descriptive of Billen's home run as follows:

"By blasting a spectacular home run in the bottom of the ninth far over the right field retaining wall at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Raider substitute left fielder Clarence "Corky" Billen, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Billen, 25 East Edwards St., Edmund (Edmond), recently entered the 6208th Depot Wing Sports Hall Of Fame by breaking a tie (3-3) with the powerful Canlubang Sugar Barons to boost his team into second place in the 1952 Manila baseball pennant race."

The 21-year-old Oklahoma's circuit clout, almost as high as it was long, landed near the spot where the late Lou Gehrig recorded the sixth homer at Rizal Park on December 10, 1934.

Billen entered the crucial Raider tilt in the fifth inning.

With searing summer temperatures reaching 97.8 degrees in Manila (the hottest since 1948) the American servicemen found it tough going by the end of the ninth, but used no substitute pitcher for Big B (aka Ballard Branham).

Off to a strong start, the Raiders chalked up two tallies in the first inning. After five futile innings, the Sugar Barons broke into the scoring column with one run in the sixth and two in the seventh. In the top half of the ninth, the Sweeties threatened to score on two hits, but Baron Second Baseman Julve was trapped at third to end the inning.

Billen, a holder of an airman third class rating in the U.S. Air Force, is now assigned to the 42nd Equipment Repair Squadron, 6208th Depot Wing on Clark Air Force Base, located 60 miles north of Manila."

Although most interesting and nostalgically cool at the same time, the "Shot Unheard Of Around The World" is a piece of lost history that remains obscure to many but treasured by a few. Manager and Master Sergeant Linton thought enough of Corky Billen's Lou Gehrig parallel home run blast in the Philippines that he sent a personal letter home to Billen's mother in Oklahoma. The letter is time stamped 20 June 1952 and its complete contents can be enjoyed within the interactive link above.

The following Oklahoma Hall Of Fame nomination is submitted on behalf of Hollywood Media Strategist Stan Rosenfield and his family (past, present and future) for a 2019 honorary induction into Oklahoma's most prestigious entity of honor.

Rosenfield's enduring story represents the essence of Oklahoma's heritage in a most honorable and brilliant way. His "script" encapsulates growing up in Oklahoma City, making his way to Los Angeles, and, diligently working his way to becoming one of the most respected Media Strategist for Hollywood's most elite "A List" talent including Academy Award Winners Robert De Niro, George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Taylor Hackford and Emmy Award Winners Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, Patricia Clarkson, Soledad O'Brien and Ann Curry making up a part of this most remarkable roster of talent represented by Stan Rosenfield & Associates (SRA).

I personally have no doubt Stan Rosenfield meets the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame criteria of being a "distinctive" inspiration for Oklahomans of all ages and deserves the highest of recognition afforded by our great state's realm of honor.

Rosenfield is a distinguished Les Mason Award winning publicist which is the highest award of honor bestowed upon fellow members by the ICG Publicist Guild and presented specifically for "career excellence in film publicity." As well, Rosenfield is a long-standing member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences, the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences, the Entertainment Professional Publicists Society and also serves on the Board Of American Cinematheque.

Rosenfield's story is a unique and exciting piece of Oklahoma flavored accomplishment that undoubtedly deserves preservation for the motivation of current and future generations of Oklahoman's who might consider a similar pathway to his methodical and persistent pattern of success.

The footprints of Rosenfield's Oklahoma origin trek back into our state's celebrated history to proclaim a near 130 years of existence. In 1892, his great grandfather, Louis Wolf, moved from Kansas to Kingfisher, Oklahoma Territory, and established L. Wolf & Company. As a German immigrant, Mr. Wolf owned and operated his company with effort to provide the pioneering and progressive families of Kingfisher County with work clothing, shoes and hats as well as other fine clothing apparel and accessories.

Stan's grandfather, Louis Rosenfield, was an enthusiastic and ambitious immigrant from Lithuania who journeyed his way to our newly recognized three year old State of the Union by the early 1900's. In December of 1910, Mr. Rosenfield and his wife Anna were granted an official Oklahoma State Charter to incorporate and establish Rosenfield Jewelers with their first ground breaking location quaintly procured at 19 North Robinson Avenue in Oklahoma City. This original location, providing pioneering Oklahomans with fine jewelry, watches and silversmith services, was situated just across an alley and adjacent north of the historically renowned and nationally registered Colcord Building that still exists today.

Rosenfield's parents, Stanley Rosenfield Sr. and Bertha Angleman Rosenfield were married on September 1, 1929, in Oklahoma City. They spent the remainder of their lives as distinguished Oklahoma City residents. Stanley Sr. owned and operated the Jewelry store along with his brother Joel and his father Louis.

As a young man born and raised in Oklahoma City, Rosenfield grew up observing his father Stanley Sr. and uncle Joel operate the family business venture originally established by his grandfather. Stan graduated Northwest Classen High School in 1957 and acquired his higher education (BA Business Administration) from the University of Oklahoma where he graduated a Sooner fan for life in 1962. His son Zach Rosenfield more recently returned to earn a degree in Journalism/Mass Communications from the University Of Oklahoma in 1999.

As reported in a July 26, 2010, Daily Oklahoman article, soon after graduating OU, Rosenfield felt a "sense of wanting to escape" the normalcy of a somewhat privileged and predictable life. "I just got in my car and drove to Los Angeles," says Rosenfield. "I liked the idea of going somewhere where I didn't know anybody."

Like many other "overnight" Hollywood sensation stories, it didn't just happen overnight for Rosenfield as well. His first job upon arriving in California was a data-processing position not to be cared for. While dealing with the redundancy of processing someone else's data, he was encouraged to apply for the agent training program at the William Morris Agency. With an application in hand and data continuing to process for another week, Rosenfield's thought of any plausibility regarding the agent concept was faint. While getting down to the minuscule possession of his last thirty dollars, the faintness disappeared and a less skeptical "maybe it could happen" attitude assumed control as the application was filled out and turned in.

It wasn't long before William Morris dialed up Rosenfield's number and he was afforded claim to the same level of mail room stardom as a few other highly distinguished and pioneering mail delivery men that the William Morris Agency had hired in the past. This historical alumni list of rookie initiation into the business profoundly includes Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner and David Geffen.

From delivering mail at the William Morris Agency, Rosenfield worked his way into the Public Relations arena under the mentorship of fellow Oklahoman Jay Bernstein. With the same enthusiasm and ambition that his grandfather Louis brought to Oklahoma City in 1910, Stan Rosenfield & Associates was founded in Los Angeles, California, some sixty-five years later in 1975.

Presiding over SRA since its inception, the list of genuine Hollywood Stars represented by Rosenfield as their personal media strategist is long and prestigious. While numerous public relation wannabe's employ the old and dubious name dropping strategy to remotely sound successful, Rosenfield has secured the right to remain silent as his illustrious career and historical client list of Academy and Emmy Award Winning talent speaks for itself.

The Honorable Max N Berry, former Chairman and current member of the Smithsonian National Board of Trustees writes, "An enormous success story as a Hollywood media strategist for many famous actors, but even more important, Stan Rosenfield is a loyal Oklahoman of the highest character, honesty, a willingness to help those in need and is the kind of citizen that our country needs to carry on the spirit of our forefathers. He is a one man chamber of commerce for his beloved state of Oklahoma in the style of Will Rogers and Bud Wilkinson."

As if maintaining paramount success in Hollywood for over 43 years is not enough, one notable star shared her personal thoughts about Stan Rosenfield in the 2010 Oklahoman article. "His honesty and availability make him an effective publicist," said actress and national TV talk show host Kelly Ripa. "Show business is loaded with all sorts of villainous characters, and he's a really good guy. He's not a bully. He's not nasty."

Former Oklahoma University basketball star, current OU Board Of Regents member and CEO/President of Oklahoma City based Saxum, Renzi Stone, shares "Stan is a public relations legend in Hollywood. Most impressive to me is his love of Oklahoma, his hometown of Oklahoma City and his alma mater the University of Oklahoma; each of which he has never lost contact. Without wanting anything in return, Stan took a call and later a meeting with a young PR guy who asked for some career advice. I've learned much and love my friendship with Stan."

Artistic Director for RM Productions in Los Angeles, Oklahoma's Rachael Meyers states "You would assume that someone so in demand would have no time for anyone outside that world. But Stan is the exception. Since my move to L.A. he has welcomed me with open arms, answered questions, attended screenings and offered sage advice - all of which he was under no obligation to give. He's one of the kindest industry veterans I have met in the city, and I'm certain this thoughtfulness is rooted in his Oklahoma heritage.

"He's one of the guys you meet in the business you know you're going to keep in touch with," says Emmy Award Winning Danny DeVito while referring to their first meeting in 1974. After DeVito landed a major role on "Taxi" four years later in 1978, Rosenfield offered him his personal representation that has lasted the test of time to this date.

Despite Rosenfield's client list growing in size and prestige over the years, DeVito says "Stan remains constantly available. Call him day or night, it doesn't matter. 'Uncle Stan' is always there."

Rosenfield, a frequent guest lecturer at UCLA, USC and Loyola University, directs attention to fundamentals when sharing thoughts of success in the public relations field. He considers the ability to evolve as being most important. From old style press releases to more modern day email capabilities, evolution with technology is a must. From email to web sites to Facebook, blogs and now Twitter and Instagram, effective public relation communications have to coincide with each new trending media as they are born and identified.

Rosenfield serves as a frequent and guest lecturer with a purpose of sharing his lifetime of experience and knowledge, along with time proven methods of achievement and success, with effort to educate students interested in pursuing a career within the publicity and media strategy arenas. He has formally taught a course at UCLA Extension called "Strategies for Representing Talent in Agency Public Relations."  Rosenfield's ability to educate future media strategists with his expertise is a personal skill that illuminates from within a 2010 interview (above) with Eric Schwartzman, host of  the award winning podcast "On The Record Online."

The fundamentals reinforced each time words are shared from an educational platform must certainly work as long time client and friend George Clooney presented Rosenfield with the Les Mason Award recognizing him as Hollywood's 2010 PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR. This occurring exactly one hundred (100) years after his grandfather set foot on Oklahoma soil to begin the settlement of family life, business ventures and societal contributions within what was, at the time, a new state of Oklahoma.

Despite reaching such an elevated realm of success in Los Angeles, Oklahoma born and raised media mastermind Stan Rosenfield continues to provide inspiration, education and enthusiastic hope for future generations from his modest yet sincere assessment of being one of Hollywood's most successful media strategists. Recognizing it's a learn-on-the-job career, Rosenfield shares "I did it, so, anyone can do it. It's not like it's a closed thing."

Author's Note: With confidence in research accuracy, it has been a great honor to assemble the information contained within this nomination for Stan Rosenfield's potential induction into the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame. All still and moving visual iMages, audio and script elements are shared on a private, not-for-profit basis and specifically used for the presentation of nomination for Stan Rosenfield's induction into the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame. It is my "opinion" that Stan Rosenfield belongs within the top tier of current inductees representing the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame. It is my desire that the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame will recognize and preserve the lifetime accomplishments of one of our greatest native sons who continues to represent our state with ultimate prestige while serving within the exciting and thriving industry called show business.