Greg Burzynski grew up playing softball on the fields of Kosciusko Park. He attended St. Patrick High School and earned a degree in Physical Education from Lewis College. After being discharged from the Navy, he played right field for the Lyons 45s. They played league play at Portage, Clarendon, and James Parks and participated in […]
Greg “Speedy” Burzynski Read More »
Bill Bransfield started playing sixteen-inch softball in 1970 with the Corner, a neighborhood team. They won the league at Pottawatomie Park for two years before Bill moved on to the Vikings in 1972. They won both the Clarendon B-League and the league at Mather Park. In 1973 he played with the Dwarfs at James Park
According to Bill Jauss in the Chicago Today, life-long Chicago resident, John Bereckis, was the Con artist of the game, a herk-and-jerk, ball-and windmill, hesitate-and-drag pitcher. This so-called con artist and his brother, Bill, led the Sobie’s / America Rivet teams to three A.S.A. National title from 1966 to 1968. Bereckis’ defensive skills were a
Longtime Berwyn resident Bill Bereckis was the “Charlie Hustle”of 16”softball, The toughest out in the game according to all who played with or against since he started playing for Triner’s Hall Rocky Stars in 1960 and eventually evolved into the Sobies, who won every major title in the game. They won 3 ASA National Titles
Ray Blumenthal graduated from De Paul Academy in 1948. While at De Paul, he was a four-year varisty basketball player, winning the North Section championship in 1948. As a teenager, Ray played with the Alderman Hoellen / Freeman teams. The Korean War called him away from softball but he kept his skills sharp by playing
Bobbie Blackstone is truly one of the great players of one of softballs great eras. A shortstop, he began his 30 year 16″ softball career in 1951 while still a student at Tilden High School. He joined a team that won the Sun Times Chicago City Softball Championship in the junior division. The team was
Al Brocious started playing softball for the St Laurence fifth grade team. He started playing third base and stayed at that position throughout his career. They played at “Moochers” Field at 73rd and Kimbark and competed for a nickel a man and the ball. From there they branched out to Grand Crossing Park, Grant Park,
Floyd Berrien grew up at 31st and Calumet. He attended Douglas Grammar School and Wendell Phillips High School, class of 1944. Floyd started playing softball in 1942 with two teams: the Pepsi Cola Aces at 33rd and Wentworth and at 62nd and Calumet and with the Gaylords at Madden Park. He also played with the
A graduate of St. Sabina Grace School and Leo High School, Jim Brennan was a member of the 1938 Leo Heavyweight Catholic champions. He continued playing basketball after graduation with the Sabina and Hamburg A.C. teams. Brennan’s softball career began in 1937 with Widen’s Bakery, the champions of the Pete Burke League, which played under
ike many of the top players of the 1900-1949 era and players of today, Marty played both with local teams and with teams in some of the top leagues in Chicago The local team, however, was the place here these players often felt the most comfortable and showed the most loyalty From 1934 to 1941
