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.

copyWrite By Mark House

This particular blogUmentary relative to the baseball Genesis of Curt Gowdy begins like most of my previous. The discovery of a cool piece of memorabilia leading to an avenue of curiosity longer than the Mother Road (Route 66). If you know of or have heard of Curt Gowdy and/or the Mother Road, then you're more than likely to be interested in the contents of this remembrance. If not, you're probably already bored but will miss out on a treasure of enlightenment by going your own millennial maddened way.

More than a few weeks ago I found myself looking around as I normally do if any spare time happens to show up on my schedule. Just making some regular stops and regular talks with some irregular folks who consider me a friend. One of these irregularities, Doug from the Antique Warehouse here in Oklahoma City, knows me fairly well and knows I don't buy much of anything unless there's anything odd, random or rare to pry a dollar from my wallet secured within a tightwad pocket. In fact, I think most get somewhat disturbed to see me coming if they have yet to find something of such previous description. Many times I've walked away with disappointment after a hard search for anything that might trigger my Tique Sniper curiosity. Not necessarily a disappointment to me, but, more so for those entrepreneurs who are always looking to make a buck or two on a slow weekend of antiquity.

Towards the end of a leisurely yet unsuccessful day of journeyman Tique Sniper work, ole Doug came through with a piece that caught my eye. He handed me an old scrapbook compiled of faded newspaper articles filled with a mass amount of information about the mostly forgotten and millennially unknown Oklahoma City Indians. The Indians were the OKC Dodgers who were the Oklahoma Redhawks who were the Oklahoma City 89ers after they were called the Indians. One of my bargaining strategies included the fact that the old newspaper articles and photos were interesting but most can be found online with a quick search of resources available to the general public. That money saving strategy soon disappeared as an element discovered within the scrapbook that can't be found anywhere, period, would be the 1947 signature of one Curt Gowdy, "The Indians Baseball Announcer," along with several of the '47 team members including a future but now past 1953 American League MVP Al Rosen. Dang it, with my bargaining strategy vanished into thin air, I'm now left with nothing but the hard core reality of true Tique Sniper intuition...if you see it don't leave it or you won't see it again.

Usually after three paragraphs, I'd almost be done. Not so here as there's some interesting intricacies to discovering this piece enshrined with a rookie baseball announcing signature of Curt Gowdy. Not too many folks know that Gowdy, a nationally known broadcaster for many years in the previous century, actually began his baseball announcing career right here in Oklahoma City. He broadcast Indian games in both 1947 and 1948. I certainly didn't know this until a friend of mine, Stan Rosenfield, shared an experience he had as a young Oklahoma City Indian baseball fan. Stan said that his dad ask him if he wanted to go down to the radio station (KOCY) one evening to watch Mr. Gowdy broadcast an actual game that was being played out of town. "Yea!" was his answer.

Well there's nothing better that I enjoy than learning about pieces of treasured history that have fallen through the cracks of father time. Especially from a personal experience of someone who was actually there. Curt Gowdy was the voice of baseball for me as a young little leaguer with big league dreams in the 1960's and 70's. Memories of watching baseball's Game Of The Week on my grandparent's RCA Console television still resonate with me today. The voice of Curt Gowdy every Saturday afternoon is included within that resonation. It's just as clear as if yesterday, I was still sitting there in Binger, Oklahoma, with my grandpa watching Gibson and the Cardinals battle the Chicago Cubs. Of course, with only one game a week, baseball was way more special to me than it is today. Of course, if you know Binger is the hometown of Cincinnati Reds Hall Of Famer Johnny Bench, you'll have a desire to read on. If not, you've now come too far to turn back now.

Curt Gowdy, along with Tony Kubek, serve as NBC announcers for the 1975 World Series Championship between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. Gowdy calls a memorable Johnny Bench home run at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

After finding Gowdy's signature in the old scrapbook and remembering Stan had previously brought up his Gowdy experience as a young fan, I had to seek his personal description a second time around as it now meant much more to my rekindled curiosity of that moment. The intrigue of this story is enhanced with the realization of the difference in time zones and lifestyles between Stan and I. Stan calls to share his experience as he's returning to Los Angeles after a weekend away while I'm answering his call on the way to El Reno after not really having been anywhere. Despite distance and differences, the common ground we both have is the game of baseball. We both wore those old wool styled little league uniforms that got a little more than warm on a hot summer afternoon. His experience coming from the 1940's in a larger Oklahoma City and mine from the 1960's from a much smaller Lookeba-Sickles. As well, we both carry the voice of Curt Gowdy in our reflections of baseball past. The exact same voice that transcended decades from Oklahoma City that he witnessed in 1947 to the national big time show in the 1950's, 60's and 70's before winding down in the 1980's.

Stan's recollection of his three inning experience watching Gowdy recreate an Oklahoma City Indian road game includes a one hundred square foot room at the KOCY studios and a guy in the corner with earphones typing out the game action info on small index cards. This as it was coming in from the away stadium via the Western Union Telegraph Company. The creative and talented Gowdy took the vague information as it was fed to him and created the Texas League game broadcast just as if he were there live in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Beaumont, Shreveport, Houston or San Antonio. The coded translation would be something like 1b equal one ball; 1s equal one strike; fb would not equal facebook but a foul ball and so on. Gowdy instinctively enhanced the code with such baseball jargon as "it's a cool night here in Dallas as Rosen adjusts his cap and checks his socks before stepping up to the plate." Who would have thought? Who would have known? In a Wide World Of Sports with no technology, Gowdy was a make believe high tech genius. In Oklahoma City, when baseball was truly America's Game and riding high on the airwaves of AM radio, the slightly gravelly voice of Curt Gowdy was preparing to speak to future generations of fans across our great nation.

Curt Gowdy's shares some insight to the beginning of his baseball announcing career as captured by the Archives Of American Television. Gowdy began his professional baseball broadcasting career in 1947 on Oklahoma City radio station KOCY.

Although Gowdy's signature in the old scrapbook fascinates the senses of a collector's dream, it's the remembrance of his voice that endows such fascination. Learning of his genius baseball announcing Genesis actually happening in Oklahoma City is the type of historical morsel that keeps me looking around town on most Saturday afternoons as the "Game Of The Week" no longer exists as I knew it and looked forward to it with extraordinary anticipation.

Nomination copyWrite By Mark House

Historically and statistically, Mike Moore is one of the greatest Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers ever born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma. Many will testify that he is personally one of the greatest people ever to be born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma. For such reasons, I respectfully nominate Mike Moore for a most deserved 2019 induction into Oklahoma's prestigious Sports Hall Of Fame. I reqeust this honor on behalf of Moore's family; the Eakly Eagles; the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles; the Seattle Mariners; the Oakland Athletics; the Detroit Tigers; the Lookeba-Sickles Panthers and fans of Oklahoma baseball in general. 

A look at the Moore brothers, Mike (left), Glenn (center) and James (right) from their rural baseball roots of Caddo County's Eakly, Oklahoma.

What a great baseball story originating from the dusty ole peanut fields of Oklahoma's Caddo County and ending up on a red dirt 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 for Eakly to the MLB with a more glorified and perfectly stitched A's cap for Oakland. It only happens for a chosen few. A chosen few with such a high level of natural talent and the highest level of work ethic to match.

From Eakly to Oakland, Mike Moore represents Oklahoma as a World Series Champion and a Major League Baseball All-Star. The year of 2019 will mark the 30th Anniversary of Moore winning two World Series games for Oakland against the San Francisco Giants.

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. Solid statistical evidence stands behind this claim of such greatness. The most significant statistics relative to career MLB victories (161), MLB strikeouts (1,667) and average MLB strikeouts per season (119) place Mike at the top of Oklahoma's list with fellow Oklahoma standout Allie Reynolds and Major League Baseball hall of famers Warren Spahn and Carl Hubbell.

Only one Oklahoman, Mike Moore, has ever been drafted #1 since the inception of the Major League Baseball draft in 1965. From over fifty years of MLB player drafts, only Mike Moore from Eakly, Oklahoma, has represented the Sooner State as the #1 overall selection.

Only six Oklahoma born players have broken the 1,000 career strikeout plateau. 1989 MLB All-Star 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 average of 119 per season is higher than that of the great Carl Hubbell (104.8) and even rivals that of the greatest Warren Spahn at 123.

Mike Moore was a standout student athlete for 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 High School in 1978 by the St. Louis Cardinals, Moore chose to attend college and pitch for Oral Roberts University. Also bypassing 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 Oklahoman and the first right handed pitcher ever to be drafted by the MLB #1 OVERALL by the Seattle Mariners in 1981.

San Francisco Manager Roger Craig compliments Mike Moore on his pitching performance in Major League Baseball's 1989 World Series Championship.

Former Oklahoma high school umpire Jim Ruff claims Moore "at the high school level, was too good for everybody else. Most everybody was scared to death of him because of his speed."

Daily Oklahoman columnist, the late 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."

Daily Oklahoman columnist, baseball historian and sports talk radio personality Berry Tramel shares "Moore's 161 MLB wins should be a 'SLAM DUNK' in regard to Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame induction."

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 game four in the '89 "Quake Series" sweep vs. the S.F. Giants as the A's became World Champs.

copyWrite By Mark House

A first cold winter "frost" of any year can't set in without now thinkin' of a young cowboy who lost his life while "Takin' Care Of Business" in the historic rodeo town of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1989. Life sure seemed somewhat slower than it is today but it was fast enough that the tragic death of this young cowboy may have passed by without much attention unless you were built Ford tough into the rodeo arena.

You'll definitely have to be built Ford tough with some eternal thoughts of consequence to experience this last ride with Lane Frost. It took place "in the rain in the mud in July in Cheyenne" which are actual words from an inspirational song of tribute written and performed by Aaron Watson of Amarillo, Texas. If you tap on the song's title, you can enjoy Watson's masterpiece of a tribute but be sure and return for the rest of this story when your teardrops dry up a bit.

In the immortal words and voice of Paul Harvey, "now here's the Rest of the Story," as this tragic incident transpired at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration held annually since 1897 drawing near 200,000 people to Wyoming each year.

I personally remember hearing about it and thinking what a shame that a life so young had to be lost. A life that was only one year younger than mine at the time. Being familiar with rodeo but not deeply involved, the news was accepted with a profound shrug of just accepting things that happen. Ridin' bulls is a dangerous sport but the unexpected loss of life within the attempt of 8 Seconds on a mean and nasty energized animal remains just that, unexpected because it doesn't happen very often. My unscientific reasoning for this being there's not too many men brave enough to straddle a near ton of such vicious and unpredictable bull buckin' pandemonium.  

From the Wrangler Network's "Lane Frost 25 Years In 25 Days" tribute, a memorable and heartbreaking visual of The Last Ride. After makin' eight out of the gate with a score of 85 on the now infamous bull "Takin' Care Of Business," Frost, attempting to dismount, tragically lost his life in the rain in the mud in July in Cheyenne.  

As the twenty-eight (28) year mark of this tragic loss of life quietly rolled by this past summer, the rediscovery of its memory and what has continued in honor of it since then has made it much more important within my personal thought processing. Meeting a new friend a few weeks back while headin' west out of El Reno, Oklahoma, on the Mother Road (Route 66), I was given a "Cowboy Bible" by an eighty-two (82) year old gentleman by the name of Colonel Cliff Johnson. Mr. Johnson owns Old Cowboys Antiques there on Sunset Drive in El Reno where you can find some interesting old relics of the cowboy ways of life past.

Mr. Johnson and I struck up a good conversation about real country music and other similar interests. He was impressed that I knew who Hank Snow, Roy Clark, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner and Buck Owens were. With a genuine effort to save my soul within our brief visit, ole Mr. Johnson gave me a copy of this "Cowboy Bible." His giving didn't require I buy anything or pay for the book itself. Although, reflecting through our conversation, Mr. Johnson could tell I was more than likely a saved soul, he handed me this book without too much description and just said "pass it on if and when you run across someone who might benefit."

Well I took the old book from Mr. Johnson with thoughts of doing just that. Passing it on when the chance approaches. It wasn't until I got home that evening and got to looking this book over that the memory of and interest in Lane Frost reappeared. Just noticing the image of a bull rider in general when Mr. Johnson handed me the book, I now realize it was an illustration of Lane Frost on the cover. It is a beautiful illustration created in pencil sketch by Caleb Merrick. On the cover of this book titled "Cowboy Bible," there's no mention of Lane Frost but just a magnificent image of a cowboy, a bull and a cross.

As I opened the book for a quick scan, I found a full version of the New Testament. Within the inside front cover, I discovered an interesting and heartfelt message from the parents of Lane Frost. They wrote "On October 12, 1963, our life was changed forever with the birth of our son Lane. On July 30, 1989, life changed forever for Lane. On that day he left this earth and entered his eternal home in heaven. You see, Lane had discovered that this world isn't all there is to life. We all have an eternal destiny. It may be an eternal life in hell or an eternal life in heaven. Lane chose a heavenly home by accepting Jesus as his personal Savior. This new testament has come into your hands with our prayer that you will make that choice also. Please read the rest of this page on how to accept Jesus." This personal message was signed "Sincerely" by Elsie and Clyde Frost.

From the Wrangler Network presentation "Lane Frost 25 Years In 25 Days," friends, family and parents (Elsie and Clyde Frost) share some genuine thoughts and testimony regarding the life and times of the young cowboy from Oklahoma.

Ole Mr. Johnson's approach was pretty much the same as the book's attempt at saving a soul. It was one of being a choice and not so much an attempt with religious contempt. He gave me a choice of taking the book and the book gives us choice of accepting its New Testament content which includes "There is only one way to heaven. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6). He Loves You…He turns no one away (John 3:16, John 6:37). However, He never forces Himself on anyone. He waits until you invite Him into your life. (Revelation 3:20). He says that we are all sinners–that we are separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23). But he willingly took our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross so that we might become God's children through Him (II Corinthians 5:21). Won't you come to Jesus? It is simple (II Corinthians 5:20). PRAY: 'Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart and life. I thank you for dying for me. Forgive my sins and be both my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for giving me a new life in you.' Now turn to the book of John (page 103) and read it through."

If the unfortunate and untimely death of a young cowboy could save a life into eternity, it sure seems the spirit of Lane Frost remains willing to make such a sacrifice. This with one last ride while Takin' Care Of Business for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Author's Note: For those who desire to "Cowboy Up" and make a contribution to the Cowboy Bible Fund, send it directly to Lane Frost's home church at Lane Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37, Lane, Oklahoma, 74555.

copyWrite Mark House
November 23, 2017

University of Oklahoma football is nearing a complete and successful one hundred twenty two (122) years of existence. Although pro football now dominates the Thanksgiving Day holiday, there was a better day back in the day when a fresh and new collegiate game was played on this national holiday set aside to give thanks for the bounty of God's blessings.

Within just a couple of seasons past the 1895 birth of Oklahoma (OU) football, such a game was found to be played on Thanksgiving Day in the year of 1897. A now one hundred and twenty (120) year old game that was played against an Oklahoma City town team that, in 1895, literally drop kicked the pants off the 'varsity by a score of 34-0 in the first game ever played by the "Territorial" college team from Norman. A tough way to construct the foundation of what is now one of the greatest collegiate football programs to exist, but, we all know there's a learning curve and a price of sacrifice that comes with success.

This jersey, worn by Joe Merkle, is the oldest piece of memorabilia on display at the Switzer Center in Norman. Merkle played for Oklahoma's "Territorial" 'varsity team from 1896 to 1899. Merkle was recognized as one of the best players that competed on Thanksgiving Day in 1897 against the Oklahoma City Boomers.

As we wipe the blood off our brow and get back to the future of Thanksgiving Day on November 26, 1897, we find this 120 year old game was actually and only the fourth game to ever to be contested by Oklahoma's "Territorial" university. A game lost within the historical cracks of modern day high tech Wikipedia driven media but then found lying in an archaic newsprint ditch beside the back roads of a similar high tech cyberspace highway.  

Ironically, this one-hundred twenty (120) year old football experience was played out against that same rough and tumble group from Oklahoma City that drubbed the university's first attempt at the game of football. This thrilling re-birth experience of such antiquated gridiron action comes to us courtesy of the November 27, 1897, issue of the Wichita Daily Eagle. As I share the discovery of the Eagle headline "FOOTBALL PLAY AT NORMAN," the life of a game lost in time returns for a brief and glorious moment before it once again dissipates into a blackhole within a vast and uncontrollable cyberspace of the www:

Oklahoma City, O.T., Nov. 26–(Special.)–The most exciting and stubbornly contested game of football ever played in Oklahoma was played on the University campus between the University team and the Boomer team, from Oklahoma City, beginning at 4 o'clock on Thanksgiving day.

The day was perfect, with the light southerly wind and the gridiron was in excellent condition.

Game was called promptly at 4 o'clock by the referee, Prof. Parrington, of the University, and Floyd E. White of Oklahoma City acted as umpire.

University won the toss and Smith kicked off, when Loughmiller got the ball and was downed with a slight loss. By variation of plays around the ends and through the line, Oklahoma finally shoved the ball to the University 20-yard line and was then given ten yards on a foul. Oklahoma lost the ball on downs and Mackey, made a 10-yard run around left end. University gained steadily, until the 40-yard line, and then lost on a fumble by Brown, re-fumbled by Loughmiller. University now worked the Pennsylvania guard's back play until the 30-yard line, when Potter of Oklahoma was laid out and Carson put in. University worked the ball to the 3-yard line and Burrows was pushed over for a touchdown. Mackey missed goal. Time of first half, 22 minutes. Score, 4 to 0.

McCormick kicked off and University worked the ball to the 40-yard line during 8 minutes of play, when time was called.

Score at end of first half, 4 to 0 in favor of 'varsity team.

Referee White called time at 4:43 and McCormick kicked off for 45 yards, when it was returned by Roberts 10 yards, he being fouled by Irvin and given 10 yards more. During the entire half the University used the guards back play and slowly but steadily, across the goal line, the ball was carried three times, and as many times missed goal. The first touchdown was made after ten minutes of play and seven minutes late the second was made. The most exciting and last touchdown was made three-quarters of a minute before time was called. When Oklahoma made the last kick off Mackey made a brilliant run of twenty yards, and during this touchdown the University carried the ball ninety yards in six and a quarter minutes.
 
The final score was 16 to 0 in favor of University. The Norman people went wild with enthusiasm.

Some very singular playing was done, when Quarterback McClure of Oklahoma stood upright on Center Rush White's back and jumped both lines when the ball was snapped, tackling the 'varsity backs. The best playing was done by White, D. McClure and Loughmiller, for Oklahoma, and Ford, Mackey, Barrows and Joe Merkle for University. (Author's Note: Both Joe Merkle and his brother Fred started for the 'varsity team in this 1897 Thanksgiving Day game against Oklahoma City.)

This was one of the cleanest games ever witnessed.

The line-up was as follows:
University                                    Oklahoma City
Merkle ………………Center ………….. White
Howell …………….Right guard ……….Irvin
Hefley ……………..Left guard …………Potter
Barrows ………….Right tackle ………   Holland
J. Merkle …………Left tackle …………  McCormick
Clapham …………..Right end …………Loughmiller
McCutcheon ………Left end …………..G. McClure
Ford ………………Quarterback ……… D. McClure
Mackey …………Right halfback ………Brown
Smith ……………..Left half back ………Chinn
Roberts ……………Full back …………. Herring
 
The halves were thirty minutes each. Oklahoma lost the whole game when Brown and Loughmiller fumbled the ball during the last part of the first half, after which Oklahoma never had the ball in her possession.

The 1897 Oklahoma "Territorial" 'varsity team defeated the Oklahoma City Boomers on Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 1897) by a score of 16-0. The 1897 team iMage above is on display at the Switzer Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Within a few short years, Oklahoma's university of 1897 had turned the table on their previous and inaugural 34-0 loss to a rough and tough Oklahoma City town team. The varsity's 16-0 revenge win over Oklahoma City was followed up with an interesting take relative to such a contest by the university coach of that time Vernon Parrington. Coach Parrington's post game-like interview was published in the "Umpire" which was the university's official newsletter of the times.

As close as we can get to a post game "College Gameday" experience from this window of time, Coach Parrington shares his one hundred and twenty year old (120) thoughts of his 'varsity team's victory over Oklahoma City:

"They came from the little town up the way in special coaches, and bearing brand new canes nicely trimmed in crimson and black, and a huge banner and little 'tooters' likewise trimmed in best quality all-silk ribbon. Moreover, they had several new yells they had practiced the entire eighteen miles of the way and which they had learned to give–so it is reported by the trainmen–in a very sweet ladylike and gentlemanly way. But alas! The horns remained untooted and the 'lovely new yells' remained unyelled and the black and crimson banner drooped most dismally on its pole; the day that was so bright at three o'clock was dark and gloomy for them at four. By 'them' of course is meant our friends from Oklahoma City, who came down to see the 'varsity lads taken into camp. They made an imposing appearance as they came onto the campus, one hundred and fifty of them at least led by Col. and Mrs. Wheeler and made up, as we found out that evening at the Wigwam, of royal good fellows and young ladies almost as charming as our own university girls–what more could be said?"

Within three years of it's 1895 football birth, the 'varsity from Norman had brought it's record from 0-1 to 4-1. Although it took two wins over Norman High School in 1896 to polish the blemish off that first loss, the Thanksgiving Day game of 1897 was a hard earned victory of revenge against a tough foe and led to a second consecutive "all victorious" season for Oklahoma's "Territorial" university.

copyWrite By Mark House and Harold Keith

As a self proclaimed "tique sniper," I recently found myself digging around the many self proclaimed antique stores in what was once considered our state's (Oklahoma) Territorial Capital. While winding down a long afternoon spent in Guthrie with nothing of interest discovered and with thoughts of leaving town, I reached for an old book on an old shelf at the very back of an old store. Although I could barely read the faded flat gold colored words of "OKLAHOMA KICKOFF" stamped on the book's spine, that was enough to peak a "tique" sniper's interest. The somewhat faded and imperfect red colored book looked to be from the 1940's or 1950's. Not exactly an antique per say for such a self proclaimed and particular "sniper," but, everyone knows anything with Oklahoma and Kickoff on it has to be looked at without hesitation.

With a same amazement level relevant to the more modern Sooner Magic recognized worldwide, the old and original book itself may not have been a true antique but it's 1948 copywrite contents within turned out to be an antiquated discovery of the ultimate historical sense. A better description other than what was stumbled upon while turning to the title page inside could not possibly be composed. "An informal history of the first twenty-five years of football at the University of Oklahoma, and of the amusing hardships that attended its pioneering."  

Previous to the actual content discovery and while getting a little closer view of the book's old and faded spine, I found the name Harold Keith printed in the same old and faded flat gold color only in much smaller letters than the title Oklahoma Kickoff. Being a Sooner fan with a very early 1970's beginning of remembrance (Johnny Rodgers returning a punt for the Cornhuskers in a heartbreaking loss) that name Harold Keith struck a channel of thought processing but only with a similar faded essence of the gold colored imprinted letters on this old and faded book.

My first remembrance of OU football came on November 25, 1971. While crow hunting with family members near Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, I recall listening to the live action on the pickup radio and can't remember going hunting on a Saturday ever since.

Accompanied by a little www research, the memory of who Harold Keith was came back to life offering a victorious moment of remembrance much like some of the more modern Sooner teams coached by the "King" Barry Switzer himself. Turns out Keith served nearly forty years as the first sports publicist for the University of Oklahoma from 1930 to 1969. If there's anyone who could put us in touch with the true Genesis Of Oklahoma Football, there's no question this guy would be our man. With a Master's Degree in history and such enthusiasm for Oklahoma University sports, Harold Keith is the ultimate time warped MVP contact to a Sooner fan's football past.

For what money is worth, a Lincoln imaged five spot spent on the first twenty-five years of Oklahoma football researched and written by Harold Keith calculates into the deal of a century. That adds up to a mere twenty cents per year. Whether it be in the twentieth or twenty-first century, it's money magnificently spent with endless reward of historical treasures. One such supreme treasure comes from 1904 and is found in Chapter 9. From Keith's awe-inspiring research and writing skills, the Genesis of Oklahoma's Bedlam legacy is brought to life with impressive precision and description. These descriptions being ones that no one else but Keith himself could document and preserve knowing that if only one futuristic person was interested in what happened one hundred and thirteen years ago, it would be worth his valiant effort.

Harold Keith titles Chapter 9 of his book Oklahoma Kickoff "Touchdown in Cottonwood Creek." Is it irony or destiny that this original chronicle of the Genesis Of Bedlam football was found in the same town that it took place in over one hundred and thirteen (113) years previous? As the more conservative thinkers will think irony and while the more dramatic will think destiny, in the beginning, Keith profoundly writes about one time one year coach Fred Ewing and his Oklahoma Rough Riders kicking off Bedlam with a bang against the Aggies of Oklahoma A. and M. in 1904:

"The drab season was given a wonderful restorative November 5 in the first football mingling of all time between the university and Oklahoma A. and M. College. That was the game in which players of both teams went swimming in freezing Cottonwood Creek and without hanging anything on a hickory limb either. It was probably the varsity's most hilarious experience with the old out-of-bounds rule that so often took the rival players off the football field and into territory that had not been previously reconnoitered.

Tradition has it that the Stillwater team that year was coached by the college music instructor. Three of their best men, Captain Spaulding, Cornstalk and Knauss, did not play so they were doomed long before the entertaining game began. The contest was matched at old Island Park, in South Guthrie. The Territorial capital stood approximately half way between both Norman and Stillwater and its live wire commercial club had sought and obtained the game. The Aggies couldn't come to Norman. Stillwater, then a prairie village without a railroad, was also impractical as a playing site.

It was a bitingly cold day with the northwest wind blowing a gale. The red waters of Cottonwood Creek, which almost entirely surrounded the playing field, were bank full and roiling angrily from a freshet that had fallen up ahead. Ice was beginning to form all around the water's edge. The creek looked shallow but in reality was seven feet deep in the middle.

The aquatic diversion for which the game is hallowed occurred on the fourth play. The varsity kicked off with the wind and right away the music-teacher-instructed Aggies flatted. Instead of touching the ball down behind the goal and gaining a safe conduct to their 20-yard line, they tried to run it out and were piled on their ten-yard line. Lining up with the freezing wind in their faces, they tried two plays but were forced back almost to the goal by the varsity's vicious tackling. On third and last down B.O. Callahan, a Hennessey boy who was their fullback, dropped back to punt. However an Owl Cigar sign situated directly behind Callahan blocked his retreat and he had to line up short, kick fast and lift the ball higher than usual in order for it to clear the backs of the Aggie linesmen.

He punted almost straight up and as the ball gained altitude, the raging wind caught it and swept it far back over his head. An excited shout burst from the numbed spectators. A loose ball! If some varsity man recovered it, it was a touchdown. If an Aggie got it, touchback. In those days a loose ball became the property of the team recovering it no matter how far it went beyond the boundary. But this ball was behaving strangely. Carried aloft, it followed the creek like a heron, finally striking the ground far behind the goal. With players of both teams in pursuit it bounded down a foot path and into the murky flood waters of the creek where it bobbed and floated like a cork as the swift current swept it down stream.

An Aggie named Baird seems to have reached the creekside first; at least he was squatted on the bank trying to fish the ball out with a stick when T. Becker Matthews, varsity tackle, came up behind him and struck him shoulder high, knocking him into the water. Perceiving that his flying block had precipitated his opponent within range of the ball, Matthews leaped into the water after him and both started wading side by side for the ball which was wet and slippery and kept squirting through their fingers. A howl of surprise and glee went up from the crowd which ran to the creek bank to observe the action better. Matthews finally rid himself of his opponent by ducking him. Not caring to play water polo, the Aggie fought his way to shore and crawled out. He must have had his share of courage at that for tradition has it he was unable to swim.

Meanwhile Ed Cook and Frank Long, two other university players, and Burleson, an Aggie, had also leaped into the creek and were fully clad in the heavy football regalia of the period. Cook, who could swim like a bull frog, finally reached the ball, convoyed it to the bank and touched it down in the sand for the oddest touchdown a varsity man ever scored.

While the crowd roared with laughter, the players waded out looking very wet and cold and bedraggled as the icy wind whipped drops of dirty water off their soaked quilted jackets and moleskin pants. Teeth chattering, they played the rest of the half in their water-soaked suits but between periods compelled their substitutes to hand over their uniforms and don civilian attire. In the borrowed dry uniforms, Cook, Matthews and Long then went back for the last half. The university won, 75 to 0.

Every man on the Oklahoma team scored a touchdown. Even Waggoner, the university center, scored by snapping the ball back then turning into his own backfield, taking a lateral from the quarterback and thundering around end for the touchdown. But even this unusual feat paled into anonymity before the bizarre appeal of the water touchdown, the fame of which has lived to the present day."

Author's Note: The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys Bedlam football series will be 112 games old in 2017. Although the Genesis of the series traces back to 1904 (113 years ago), the two teams did not meet in 1905 and 1909. Including the upcoming 2017 Bedlam series game, OU and OSU will have played each other 107 times annually since 1910. To date, OU leads the Bedlam series matchup with an overall record of 86W-18L-7T.

Author's Note: This blogUmentary has been researched and written to honor one of Oklahoma's greatest historians and writers. Harold Keith (1903-1998) was an award winning author who published many novels relative to the "Sooner" state of Oklahoma. His preservation of the beginnings of Oklahoma University football is a favorite and a must read for any true Sooner fan. The photo of Harold Keith above is part of the Oklahoma Historical Society's collection of Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) images.