Born in 1922, Gipp Karkosa played short – center, hit .500, and managed some of the top softball teams of the past forty years: Lake Valley in 1940 – 45 and ’45 – ’46, Zolna’s Tavern from 1948 – 50, and the legendary Bobcats in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. A boxer who never lost a fight and once turned down a pro contract, Karkosa served in the U.S. Coast Guard where he appeared in several acts with Sid Caesar. Karkosa also played for the Bobcats when they won the World Series in 1964 and played basketball with Bob Kennedy of the White Sox and Cubs. Gip and his wife of fifty years, Kay, have two daughters and five grandchildren.
