Larry Dierker Chapter meeting recap – 9/21/2026
Twenty-nine people joined in person and via Zoom for the Larry Dierker Houston Chapter meeting on September 21, 2026, at the Spaghetti Western restaurant in Houston.
Click here to watch a video replay on YouTube.
Chapter President Dr. Joseph L. Thompson kicked off the meeting with announcements, local chapter updates, and planning for upcoming events.
Joe discussed what is going on with the chapter in October and November, for example, some general details on the Colt Stadium historical marker ceremony (Tuesday, October 20 at 1030am at the west end of Reliant Center), two Houston Babies events (October and November), and other things going on with the chapter, including an idea he has for speakers and topics for 2027. Our next chapter meeting will occur on Tuesday, October 20.
Mike Vance shared updates regarding the Colt Stadium project, including plans for a historical marker ceremony and outreach to former Houston Colt .45s players.
Mike McCroskey talked about the next Houston Babies events. There will be Houston Babies events in October and November. Mike asked for volunteers to play for the Babies at the next two events.
Chapter member Jimmy Scruggs delivered a featured presentation exploring the life, career, and enduring baseball legacy of Denton Tru “Cyclone” Young. He examined the life of Cy Young through the biography, “Cy Young: A Baseball Life,” written by Reed Browning. He was one of the first power pitchers. Pitching for Canton, and to impress people in the stands, he threw a couple of balls to the backstop, and they broke a couple of boards. People started calling him “Cyclone” Young, which was shortened to “Cy” Young.
The author of the book said that when you think about baseball, three players have defied the rule of players not to be forgotten: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Cy Young.
Jimmy said that Cy Young was the first to play travel ball. Young pitched and had a 511-315 record and had 749 complete games.
Cy Young did not make it on the first Hall of Fame class. He did make it the next year as one of the first four pitchers elected to Hall of Fame. The others were Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and Christy Mathewson.
In his post-career life, by his own admission, he didn’t have a talent for making money, and he was not a good farmer. He lost a lot of his money in the stock market crash and a bank failure in 1935, in which he held stock. He died on November 4, 1955. The pitching award that bears his name was first given out in 1956.
Jimmy also spent some time in his presentation showing pics and talking about his most recent visit to Cooperstown. As an umpire, Jimmy is often invited to umpire the 12U Tournament travel ball tournament held in Cooperstown every summer. Jimmy showed some pics of his most recent visit and some of his other travels from the previous summer.
Patrick Petty hosted a custom trivia competition for attendees. Vince Trovato won the contest and will present the contest at our Tuesday, October 20 meeting.