Here lies Frank Trechock, who had an extremely successful 1-game career – at the bat at least. In the field was a different matter. He played his one MLB game with the Washington Senators in 1937. Though his career was short, he made it from semipro baseball to the major leagues in the span of … Continue reading Grave Story: Frank Trechock (1915-1989)
Here lies Wib Smith, who had a brief career as a catcher in the major leagues before enjoying a successful career in the minor leagues in Minnesota. Smith played 17 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1909. Wilbur Smith was born on August 30, 1886, in Evart, Mich. According to census data, his parents … Continue reading Grave Story: Wib Smith (1886-1959)
Here lies Fred Hancock, whose 14-year professional baseball career included one season with the Chicago White Sox in 1949 as a backup infielder. Fred Hancock was born in Allenport, Pa., on March 28, 1920. He attended Charleroi High School and made his pro baseball debut in 1939 for the Lake Charles Skippers of the Louisiana-based … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred Hancock (1920-1986)
Here lies Jeff Peeples, one of the greatest pitchers in Vanderbilt University history. Signed by the Cardinals, he was injured early in his pro career and never made it to the majors. Making it to Major League Baseball is one of the toughest accomplishments in all sports, and it’s a big reason why the Amateur … Continue reading Greve Story: Jeff Peeples (1951-1997)
Here lies Jimmy Williams, a triples-hitting machine in the majors and an outstanding second baseman for the Minneapolis Millers after his MLB career was done. His quick thinking averted a potential baseball tragedy. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1899-1900), Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902), New York Yankees (1903-1907) and St. Louis Browns (1908-1909). Jimmy Williams was … Continue reading Grave Story: Jimmy Williams (1876-1965)
Here lies Sam Shaw, who had a brief and tumultuous pitching career in the 19th Century. His grave was lost for years, as a snafu somewhere along the line had him placed in the wrong cemetery. While his grave is unmarked, at least we know where he is now. Shaw played for the Baltimore Orioles … Continue reading Grave Story: Sam Shaw (1863-1947)
Here lies Bill Antonello, an outfielder who had one season in the major leagues and a pretty successful 11-year minor-league career. He played for the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. Bill Antonello was born in Brooklyn on May 19, 1927 and grew up playing stickball there. He was a graduate of Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Antonello (1927-1993)
Here lies Tom Burr, who appeared in 1 game in center field for the New York Yankees in 1914, though he was signed as a pitcher. He is one of a handful of major leaguers who gave his life in service to his country, dying in a plane crash in France during World War I. … Continue reading Grave Story: Tom Burr (1893-1918)
Here lies Emil Gross, who performed one of the most incredible catching feats of the 19th Century. He caught every single game for the Providence Grays in 1880 – that would be 87 games in an era where catcher’s protective gear didn’t exist. Gross played for the Grays (1879-81), Philadelphia Quakers (1883) and Chicago Browns … Continue reading Grave Story: Emil Gross (1858-1921)
Here lies George Kimball Belden, a great Minnesota sportsman and businessman who went on to become the president of the minor-league Minneapolis Millers. George Belden was born in Lynden, Vt. on March 25, 1870. His family moved to Minnesota in 1884, and Belden, though he traveled frequently, would call Minnesota his home for the rest … Continue reading Grave Story: George Belden (1870-1953)
