Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter meeting recap – 5/19/2014
Twenty-one members and guests of the Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter attended the May 19, 2014, monthly roundtable, held at its usual location, The Original Crusoe’s Restaurant in South St. Louis.
Chapter president Brian Flaspohler called the meeting to order. Chapter secretary Jim Leefers read the annual chapter report that will be submitted to the SABR national office. One addition was suggested by the membership and added to the report. Jim also read a recent e-mail from Adam Whitaker, who lives in Clever, MO. Since Adam lives a few hours from either St. Louis or Kansas City, he feels he could still contribute by hosting SABR podcasts. He would like to interview SABR researchers regarding different areas of baseball history each episode. If you feel that this is something you would like to participate in, Adam’s e-mail is adamgrantwhitaker@gmail.com.
Items noted for “Today in Baseball History” was the 1929 birth of former Phillie and Cardinal Curt Simmons. This held special significance for Carl Riechers who mentioned that Simmons was the Cardinal starter for his first MLB game. It was also the date in 1910 of Cy Young’s 500th victory.
This month’s tribute to baseball personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country featured Harry O’Neill. After a stellar athletic career in three sports for Gettysburg College, O’Neill made his only major league appearance for the Philadelphia Athletics on July 23, 1939 as a late inning replacement behind the plate. After he also played some semi-pro basketball and football, O’Neill enlisted in the Marines in September 1942. He was killed March 6, 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
John Schoon gave a pair of book reviews on “Teenager on First, Geezer At Bat, 4-F on Deck: Major League Baseball in 1945” by James D. Szalontai and also “The Stars Are Back” by Jerome Mileur.
Barbara Sheinbein gave a report on the trip she and her sister made to San Antonio Texas. They attended the AA game on May 14 between the San Antonio Missions (SD) and the Corpus Christi Hooks (HOU), won by the Hooks 7-6 in 13 innings. Both teams actually traded single runs in the 10th and 12th innings. They had received an informal but lengthy tour of Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium prior to the game by a young man in the accounting department. She also mentioned how the proximity to Lackland Air Force Base provides a constant air show during the ball game.
Flaspohler gave an update on the health of Ed Mickelson, who has had three back surgeries in the past twelve months. Ed is currently doing rehab and is in good spirits, but please keep him in your prayers.
Bob Tiemann gave a research presentation on the 1904 season of Cy Young, when he completed 40 of 41 starts.
Other topics of discussion were the fast start of the Milwaukee Brewers, Tony LaRussa’s new postion with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the return of Jason Motte to the Cardinals bullpen.
Bob Tiemann’s baseball trivia quiz, “Wrigley Field’s First Century” was won by Mark Stangl with a score of 16 out of 27.
Larry Porschen was the winner of the 13 run pool, benefit of the Oakland A’s on the evening prior to the meeting.
Tuesday, June 24 is the date for the next roundtable meeting at Crusoe’s. Hope you’ll join us!
— Jim Leefers, Secretary