Gary Bedingfield’s IN WARTIME

Volume 1, Issue 3 November 2007

WWW.BASEBALLINWARTIME.CO.UK

Duty, Honor, Country: When Baseball Went To War A Special Conference and Exhibition On America’s Pastime in WWII - November 9-11, 2007 - New Orleans, Louisiana

elcome to this special Over three days, six panels discussed edition of the Baseball in such diverse topics as Baseball on the Wartime newsletter which Home Front, Baseball on the W celebrates the huge Battlefront, Baseball the Morale Builder success of the “When Baseball Went to and Civil Rights. Along with the former War” conference that was held in New major league players were historians Orleans, Louisiana in November. including Bill Swank, S Derby Gisclair, Kerry Nakagawa, Arthur Schott and This extended issue is very much myself, and former minor league focused on New Orleans and features players Lenny Yochim and Herb exclusive biographies on local Simpson. Also contributing to the event ballplayers who served with the armed were authors Gary W Moore and Bill forces in WWII. Nowlin, founding curator of the CIA with Todd Anton and Clem Goldberger museum Linda McCarthy, Hall of Fame (Associate VP of Marketing and “This has been the vice-president Ted Spencer, former Communications at the museum). It most extraordinary AAGPBL player Dolly Brumfield-White, was a great opportunity for us to three days of my life,” major league and discuss what we were doing at the declared major league Hall of Fame legend . museum even though the event was pitcher and WWII hero sold out. Later that day a gentleman Lou Brissie on the talked about his 34 months came to the museum. He didn’t have a closing day of the service aboard the USS Alabama. ticket for the event, he just wanted to When Baseball Went to When referred to as a hero, he shake my hand and say thank you for War conference. I think categorically responded “I’m not a hero. what we were doing in remembering Lou summed things up Heroes don’t come back.” the ballplayers who served in WWII. perfectly for everyone who attended the sell-out event that was the brainchild of Morrie Martin talked about how he Todd Anton (author and historian) and almost lost his leg in combat, and had it many years in the making. not been for a nurse from Georgia - Continued on Page 5 who told Morrie to refuse the Former major league players Bob amputation because their was a new Annual Georgia-Florida-Alabama Feller, Lou Brissie, Morrie Martin, wonder drug available called penicillin - Minor Leagues Baseball Reunion and Morrie would never have gone on to August 9 and 10, 2008 talked openly and frankly about their pitch for the Brooklyn Dodgers. years in the military during the dark A reunion for men who played in the old days of WWII. Lou Brissie talked about his combat Georgia-Alabama, Georgia-Florida, Georgia experiences in Italy and said the “best State, Alabama-Florida, Alabama State, Florida friends I’ve had in my life were made State and Florida East Coast Leagues. For more information contact: right there, under those conditions.” Clint Chafin For me, it is impossible to name one Program Chairman highlight from the event - the 4789 Tallokas Rd whole thing was incredible. But I’d like Moultrie, Ga. 31788 to share a few personal moments. On Saturday morning I did a radio talk Check out www.alabama-florida- show (WWL AM870 with Don Dubuc) league.com and see photos of past reunions and keep up with reunion info.

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Baseball in New Orleans by S Derby Gisclair In July of 1859, seventy-five cricket as the city’s most players through New young New Orleanians came popular participant sport. Orleans. From these early together to form the seven beginnings to the present-day teams that comprised the In 1887, local businessmen New Orleans Zephyrs of the Louisiana Base Ball Club. and promoters secured a AAA Pacific Coast League, They played their games in minor league franchise for local fans have continued the the fields of the de la Chaise the city of New Orleans in the tradition of baseball in New estate on the outskirts of New newly formed Southern Orleans. Orleans near present-day League, beginning the city’s Louisiana Avenue. As 73-year love affair with the A lifelong resident of New America’s population grew New Orleans Pelicans. From through immigration, so did Orleans, S Derby Gisclair is a , to member of the Society of the popularity of what the Hall of Famers , largest newspaper in New American Baseball Research , , and (SABR) and its Oral History Orleans, the Daily Picayune, , to today’s stars called in November of 1860 Committee. He is a such as Jeff Cirillo and Lance Sustaining Member of the "the National Game." Berkman, the road to the BaseballTed Williams in New atOrleans War Baseball quickly replaced National Baseball Hall of S DerbyBill Nowlin Gisclair majors brought many notable Fame. ArcadiaRounder Publishing Books $24.95 $19.99

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Zeke Bonura Shelby. During the winter played briefly with 1946 and batted .294. He months at Camp Shelby, Minneapolis and then with was a league all-star the Bonura organized wrestling, the Thibodaux Giants in the following season and then boxing and basketball events. Evangeline League. He played two years with Terre In the spring he contacted his continued to play in the Haute. hometown Pelicans and minors until 1952 when he acquired their old uniforms was 43 years old. Brookey joined the Pelicans for his players. By the in 1950 and remained with summer he had four leagues Zeke Bonura passed away in the team through 1953. He running at Camp Shelby. New Orleans on March 9, ended his career with 1987. He was 78. Denver in 1954. In the spring of 1943, Bonura was sent to Oran in Algeria, Mel Brookey Mel Brookey lives in where he continued to Kenner, Louisiana. organize baseball leagues as well as softball leagues for Zeke began his pro career Al Flair with the Pelicans in 1929. He male and female service joined the personnel. By the end of the in 1934 and batted .302 with summer Bonura had set-up 27 home runs and 110 RBIs, 20 baseball diamonds with but became known mostly for salvaged materials and his poor defensive work. supervised 150 teams in six leagues, involving nearly By 1941, Bonura was back in 1,000 players. the minors and was leading the American Association in For his contributions to the hitting while playing for morale of the armed forces in Minneapolis. In September North Africa, General Dwight he entered military service D Eisenhower presented Mel played high school with the Army at Camp Bonura with a Legion of Merit baseball in Oklahoma before Shelby, Mississippi. For three Award on October 26, 1943. the war but refused to sign months he served as a with a professional club The 6-foot-4, left-handed physical instructor until, on Bonura followed the anticipating the draft and hitting LSU graduate began December 5, 1941, he was advancing Allied forces into wanting to go to college. his pro career with Moultrie honorably discharged after Europe and he continued to in 1937. He batted .345 for Congress released men aged organize and promote Brookey was drafted and the team in 1938 and joined 28 years and older from baseball events for the served with the Marine Corps the Red Sox in 1941. He service. benefit of the troops. in Hawaii where he caught for played ten games at first

the Marine ball team. base in what was to be his On January 8, 1942, Bonura returned to only season in the major following the Japanese attack © Gary Bedingfield 2007 in Brookey signed with Salina of leagues.www.baseballinwartime.co.uk at Pearl Harbor, he was 1946. At the age of 37, he the Western Association in [email protected] instructed to report to Camp Flair entered military VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 3

New Orleans Ballplayers in the Armed Forces in WWII service with the Army in younger brother Harold with Gastonia of the Tar 2.45 ERA. January 1942 and was (also known as Tookie), Heel League in 1940 and based at Camp Shelby, would play for the Giants in batted .274 for the season. Fran Hecker passed away Mississippi and Camp the 1950s. He played for the in New Orleans on October Sutton, North Carolina with Cooleemee Cards of the 8, 1989. He was 70. th Charlie played four years of the 166 Field Artillery North Carolina State Al Jurisich Regiment that year. He high school ball at Jesuit League and batted .308 was honored with an Al High and four years of before entering military Flair Day at Franklin American Legion. He was service on June 13, 1942. Stadium, New Orleans on on the 1936 Legion team May 10, 1942, while visiting that was beaten by Staff Sergeant Graff served his parents on furlough Chicago in finals. with the Army in Europe. from the Army. He was killed in action on He started his pro career July 8, 1944 at St Lo, In 1944 he was with the 2nd Nashville in 1939, where France. Army Headquarters in his dad was managing and Memphis, and played on batted .317 with 67 RBIs. In New Orleans, his the 8th Army Headquarters Brooklyn purchased his sacrifice was recognized by team managed by Hugh contract but he suffered a service veterans who Mulcahy that barnstormed leg injury with Dodgers in chartered a VFW post in around Southwest Pacific 1940 and was sent to his name - Connie W Graff Al was with the Pelicans bases in late 1944. He was Montreal. Post 7322. from 1939 to 1942. He later stationed in the Charlie was traded to the In 1948, Connie Graff's entered military service Philippines and Japan. Cubs in May 1941 and body was returned to New with the Coast Guard in remained with the big Orleans. Services were August 1942 and was Flair returned to stationed in New Orleans. professional baseball in league team until entering held at the Sacred Heart of 1946. He was with the military service with the Jesus Church and he was Discharged from service in Pelicans in 1947 and Navy in 1944. He was laid to rest at Greenwood 1944, he joined the St batted .308 with 24 home stationed at the US Naval Cemetery. Louis Cardinals primarily Air Technical Training runs and 128 RBIs. He Fran Hecker as a . He was retired from the game after Center in Norman, purchased by the Phillies in playing with Fort Worth in Oklahoma, and later Fran began his pro career 1946 and joined the San 1951. served at the Pearl Harbor with Dothan in 1940 and Diego Padres in the Pacific Submarine Base in Hawaii. also pitched for Daytona Coast League in 1948. Gilbert returned to the Beach that year. He entered military service as Jurisich enjoyed four Cubs in 1946 and was seasons with the Padres traded to the Phillies in an athletic instructor on March 20, 1941, and was and retired from baseball June. His last season in the after the 1951 season. majors was with stationed at the American Philadelphia in 1947 when School in England from Al Jurisich passed away in he batted .237. 1943 to 1945. During that New Orleans on November time he regularly pitched 3, 1981. He was 60. Gilbert finished his for the ASC Angels. professional career in style Lou Klein in 1948 by returning to Hecker returned to the Nashville and batting .362 game in 1946 and had a with 42 home runs and 110 great comeback season RBIs. with New Iberia, posting an 18-15 record with a 3.18 Charlie Gilbert passed ERA. He had, however, Charlie Gilbert away in New Orleans on missed five seasons of August 13, 1983. organised baseball and Charlie came from an was now 27 years old. outstanding baseball- Connie Graff playing family. His father, Hecker pitched for the Connie began his minor Pelicans in 1947 and was Larry, had played for the league career with the Braves and 15-10 with Lafayette in the Waycross Bears of the Evangeline League in managed the Pelicans. His Georgia-Florida League in older brother, Larry Jr, 1948. He ended his playing 1939. The Bears released days with Baton Rouge in played for the Pelicans in Lou began his pro career baseman shortly the same league in 1949 1938 but fell ill and afterwards but he signed with Daytona Beach of the tragically died in 1941. His where he was 11-13 with a VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 4

New Orleans Ballplayers in the Armed Forces in WWII

Florida State League in Browns sent him to Toledo Connie Ryan passed away 1940, batting .348 with 81 in 1943 where he won eight Parnell later managed the in Metairie, Louisiana on RBIs. He joined the straight games and hurled Pelicans and various January 3, 1996. He was Cardinals in 1943 and a no-hitter. He rejoined the Boston farm clubs. He was 75. batted .287 in his rookie Browns and was 17-13 a member of Boston’s radio season. during the American and television announcing Herb Simpson League pennant-winning crew from 1965 to 1968. The following year, Klein 1944 campaign. Herb grew up in New joined the Coast Guard and Mel Parnell lives in New served at Curtis Bay, Kramer remained in the Orleans and played Orleans. baseball at a playground in , where he also majors until 1951. He had a career high 18 wins with Gretna. He was spotted by played baseball. Connie Ryan the Red Sox in 1948. the Homestead Grays of Klein was back with the the Negro Cardinals in 1946 but Jack Kramer passed away but was drafted by the jumped to the outlaw in Metairie, Louisiana on Army before he could and was May 18, 1995. He was 77. report to the team. banned by Commissioner . He Mel Parnell Simpson was inducted in returned to the Cardinals in the Army at Camp 1949 and later played for Beauregard, Louisiana in the Indians and Athletics. November 1942 and took infantry training at He played for his Cheyenne, Wyoming. He hometown Pelicans in 1953 was assigned to a and later coached the quartermaster company , enjoying a and arrived in Scotland in brief stint as . 1944, where he was the Lou Klein passed away in first man off the ship and Metairie, Louisiana on June Connie, a former LSU was required to kneel down 20, 1976. He was 77. graduate, batted .316 with and kiss the ground! 73 RBIs in his rookie Jack Kramer season with Savannah in While stationed in England, 1940. By 1942 he was with Simpson was the only Mel began his pro career the Giants and was traded African-American on an all with Centreville in 1941. He to the Braves the following white baseball team that was 16-9 with Canton in year, making the all-star played in the Battle 1942 and entered military team in 1944. League. service with the Army Air Force in 1943. He entered military service He later served as a in July 1944 and served dispatcher for his company with the Navy in the Pacific. in mainland Europe, which Parnell was stationed at th Blytheville Army Air Field in He was part of the 5 Fleet ran a “Red Ball Express” Arkansas and Maxwell ball team during the operation. Field, Alabama, where he Western Pacific tour of played baseball for the 1945. Simpson returned home

Jack began his pro career Bombers. and was discharged in Ryan returned to the with Lafayette of the February 1946. He signed Braves in 1946 and Evangeline League in Parnell returned to a pro contract with the remained in the majors 1936. He won 20 games Scranton in 1946 and Negro League Birmingham until 1954. He was a with San Antonio in 1938 joined the Black Barons and also and minor league manager and joined the Browns the in 1947. He spent his entire played for the Seattle with Milwaukee during the following year. 10-year career with Boston Steelheads in the short- and compiled a 123-75 late 1950s, and served as lived Negro Pacific Coast Kramer sat out the 1942 record. In 1949 he was 25- a scout and minor league League. season to take a war plant 7, leading the American manager with Houston job and later joined the League in wins, ERA during the 1960s. He went In 1947, he joined the Seabees but received a (2.77), complete games on to manage in Harlem Globetrotters medical discharge because (27) and pitched 1975 and also managed baseball team and also he suffered from asthma. (295.1). He pitched a no- the in played for the Chicago 1977. American Giants. He Back in baseball, the hitter against the White Sox on July 14, 1956. played minor league VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 5

New Orleans Ballplayers in the Armed Forces in WWII baseball with Albuquerque went on to enjoy ten baseball team in San Diego Duty, Honor, Country: in the West Texas-New seasons in the majors - needed a pitcher! When Baseball Went Mexico League in 1952 ending his playing days and also joined the with the Indians in 1960. He quickly established To War Spokane Indians after himself as one of the best Continued from Page 1 many of their players lost Strickland later coached servicemen on the their lives in a tragic bus the Twins, Indians and West Coast. In 1944, the I had the honor of giving a accident. San Diego Marine Corps keynote presentation on Royals, and managed the th Indians in 1964 and again Base clinched the 11 Saturday. I talked about Simpson returned to in 1966. Naval District ballplayers who lost their Albuquerque in 1953 where championship in a three- lives in WWII and he batted .372 with 59 George Strickland lives in game playoff with the suggested that the RBIs and retired from the New Orleans. Naval Training Center. audience give a round of professional game after the Yochim won 22 games applause in memory of 1954 season. Ray Yochim against just five losses. these players. The thunderous standing Simpson returned to New In 1945, Corporal Yochim ovation that followed will be Orleans where he played was with the Fleet Marines etched in my memory for semi-pro baseball with the baseball team in Hawaii, as long as I live. New Orleans Creoles. where he continued to enjoy success. It was a thrill to moderate Herb Simpson lives in New the Baseball the Morale Orleans. Yochim returned to the Builder panel. Talking with Cardinals’ organization in Lenny Yochim - whose George Strickland 1946 and pitched for brother Ray served with the Rochester in the Marines in WWII - it was International League. In discovered that The 1947 he was 14-15 with the had falsely Red Wings and made his claimed in 1945 that Ray major league debut with had been killed in action at the Cardinals on May 2, Iwo Jima. Lenny had never 1948, pitching the last seen the press clipping and and allowing no runs by some miracle I had in a 14-3 loss against the brought a copy with me Ray was a top high school Cubs. He made a further from my archives back in and American Legion three appearances for the Scotland. It was a thrill to pitcher in New Orleans Cardinals in 1949. present it to Lenny - the before the war. In 1941, first time he had seen it 60 invited him, Yochim was 15-10 with years after it was printed! along with Mel Parnell (who Birmingham of the George was a high school later pitched for the Red in I’d like to take this and American Legion star Sox), to pitch batting 1950 and ended his playing opportunity to thank Bill in New Orleans and made practice for the Pelicans. At career with the Pelicans in Detweiler, Todd Anton and his pro debut at third base that time, New Orleans was 1958. Bill Swank for making this with the Pelicans on part of the Cardinals' farm conference happen for me. September 5, 1943, system and the sessions Following a lengthy illness, And on behalf of my wife collecting two hits but led to a chance for Yochim Ray Yochim passed away Lainy and myself I’d like to committing four errors. He to pitch professionally. in Metairie, Louisiana on thank the great city of New entered military service the January 26, 2002. He was Orleans for the wonderful following season and His pro career began in 79. welcome we received. We served with the Navy in the 1941 with Fresno in the both hope to be back very Pacific through 1945. California League and by If you would like to soon. 1942 he was hurling for the advertise in the Baseball Strickland returned to the Pelicans. in Wartime newsletter or The Duty, Honor, Country: Pelicans in 1946 (one of have a book reviewed When Baseball Went to eight local players on that Yochim entered military please email details to War exhibition runs until team), and continued to service with the Marine [email protected] March 30, 2008. play in the minors until his Corps early in 1943. He National WWII Museum never completed boot 945 Magazine Street contract was purchased by © Gary Bedingfield 2007 camp as the Marine Corps New Orleans, LA 70130 the Pirates in 1950. The www.baseballinwartime.co.uk talented infield glove man Phone: 504 527 6012 [email protected] [email protected]