Here lies Don Wheeler, a catcher who played one year in the major leagues, with the 1949 Chicago White Sox. His last appearance in the minor leagues as a player came eight years after he thought he’d retired. Donald “Scott” Wheeler (he picked up the nickname due to his Scottish heritage) was born in Minneapolis … Continue reading Grave Story: Don Wheeler (1922-2003)
Mickey Kreitner never gained fame as a major league ballplayer. However, as a restaurateur in his hometown of Nashville, be became a beloved character in a city filled with characters. Kreitner was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs in 1943-44. Albert Joseph Kreitner was born in Nashville on October 10, 1922. He started in baseball … Continue reading Grave Story: Mickey Kreitner (1922-2003)
Here lies Buzz Arlett, one of the greatest minor-leaguers of all-time. He set the minor-league home run record that stood for more than 50 years after his death. For all that ability, Arlett had just one season in the majors. He played for the 1931 Philadelphia Phillies. Russell “Buzz” Arlett was born on January 3, … Continue reading Grave Story: Buzz Arlett (1899-1964)
Here lies Charlie Guth, who pitched one game for the Chicago White Stockings in 1880. His grave is unmarked, but this is approximately the location of Section A, Lot 246. Charlie Guth and members of his wife's family are in an unmarked grave in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. There’s more information about Guth’s stint in … Continue reading Grave Story: Charlie Guth (1856-1883)
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 Grave 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)
