At sixteen years of age, Robert “Butch” Gordon started his softball career at Sherman Park in an unusual way: he presented a phony birth certificate so he could play with the Calumet Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was later recruited by the Crusaders and played with them from 1958 to 1960. In 1961 he started a twelve year career with the Whips / Moaners at Chicago and Kedzie and Clarendon Park, helping them to championships at both parks. “Butch” Gordon played right field with Whips / Moaners. He was known for having an excellent arm and for being a long ball hitter. In 1973 he switched to the Sobies, playing with such great players as Jake and Willie Schmidt, Vic Kariolich, and Eddie “Champ” Surma. Robert Gordon and his wife, Karen, are both retired Chicago Police Officers living in Hometown. They have four sons – Michael, Mark, Joel, and Matthew and seven grandchildren.
