Here lies Jesse Petty, a hard-luck pitcher in the major leagues from the 1920s before becoming a very successful minor-leaguer into the mid-‘30s. The lefty played for the Cleveland Indians (1921), Brooklyn Robins (1925-28), Pittsburgh Pirates (1929-30) and Chicago Cubs (1930). Jesse Petty, nicknamed “The Silver Fox,” was born on November 23, 1894 in Orr, … Continue reading Grave Story: Jesse Petty (1894-1971)
Here lies Russ McKelvy, an early two-way baseball player who played parts of two seasons in two different leagues. McKelvy was an outfielder and pitcher for the Indianapolis Blues of the National League (1878) and the Pittsburgh Allegheneys of the American Association (1882). Russell Errett McKelvy was born on September 8, 1854 in Swissville, Pa. … Continue reading Grave Story: Russ McKelvy (1854-1915)
Here lies Carl Pohlad, former owner of the Minnesota Twins. During his tenure from 1984-2009, he went from a hero who saved the Twins to a villain who almost drove the team out of existence. Such is the life of a baseball executive. Carl Pohlad was born on August 23, 1915 in Des Moines, Iowa, … Continue reading Grave Story: Carl Pohlad (1915-2009)
Here lies Claude Jonnard, one-half of the Jonnard twins that played in the 1920s and ‘30s. He was the older of the two, having been born an hour ahead of his brother, Clarence. Claude pitched for the New York Giants (1921-24), St. Louis Browns (1926) and Chicago Cubs (1929). The Jonnard boys were born in … Continue reading Grave Story: Claude Jonnard (1897-1959)
Here lies Walter “Whitey” Hilcher, a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds for parts of four seasons. The “Whitey” nickname came from his blond hair. He played for the Reds from 1931-32 and again from 1935-36. Walter Hilcher was born in Chicago on February 28, 1909. It doesn’t appear that his family stayed in Chicago for … Continue reading Grave Story: Whitey Hilcher (1909-1962)
Here lies Hal Elliott, a reliever who led the NL in appearances in 1930. His career ERA puts him in unique company in the history of Major League Baseball. Elliott played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1929-32. Harold “Ace” Elliott was born on May 29, 1899 in Mount Clemens, Mich. Unlike a lot of major leaguers … Continue reading Grave Story: Hal Elliott (1899-1963)
Pinky Whitney began and ended his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, spending 10 of his 12 seasons with the team. During his first tenure, he reached 200 hits twice and batted over .300 three times, and the Phillies were awful. The second time around, he received his only All-Star nod and hit .341 one year, … Continue reading Grave Story: Pinky Whitney (1905-1987)
Here lies John Beaven, a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball on the Islands. He built Honolulu Stadium and is considered Hawaii’s first sports promoter. John Ashman Beaven was born on October 31, 1869 in Oswego, N.Y. He was a world traveler in his youth, visiting Europe, India … Continue reading Grave Story: John Ashman Beaven (1869-1946)
Here lies Ross Youngs, a Hall of Fame outfielder who spent his entire 10-year career with the New York Giants. He played for them from 1917-1926. It’s not Youngs’ fault that his career was as short as it was. He played his last game about four months after his 29th birthday, forced into early retirement … Continue reading Grave Story: Ross Youngs (1897-1927)
Here lies Wally Yonamine, one of Hawaii’s greatest athletes and a trail-blazer in two professional sports. He was the first person of Japanese descent to ever play in the National Football League and the first American-born baseball player in Japan after World War II. His play earned him a ticket into Japan’s Baseball Hall of … Continue reading Grave Story: Wally Yonamine (1925-2011)
