The year that “Sweet Billy” Holford began his 16″ career in 1972 with the Strikers and the Kelleher brothers at Foster Park, they entered the Kelly Park league, where they were routinely beaten by most of the teams. With determination and pride however, they returned in 1973 and won a few more games. 1974 proved […]
William “Sweet Billy” Holford Read More »
Ben Holt is recognized by softball experts as one of the greatest power hitters of all time. A 347 foot homerun at Clarendon Park, and another, hit during the Hamms Homerun Hitting Contest at Comiskey Park, that eventually landed in the upper deck, are just two examples of his legendary hitting power. Holt originally played
Ben “The Thumper” Holt Read More »
A veteran of over 2,500 games, with a batting average near 700, Bob Hobson hit over 1,200 home runs in his distinguished career. Hobson began big time softball with the Spartans, playing with the likes of Jerry Witrey, Jerry Dowling and Jim Madden. They won 10 championships and twelve tournaments on the Southeast side. Hobson
Bob “Hober” Hobson Read More »
Like thousands of others before him, John Hornacek began his 16″ softball career at the age of 17 in the parks of Chicago. However, unlike most of those thousands, John went on to become one of the top first basement with one of the legendary teams in softball – the Sobies. John began his playing
Educated at De Paul Academy and Loyola University, Joe Hutmacher’s athletic career started as a basketball player at DePaul Academy where his team took second to Marshall High School in the 1948 City Championship game. He then went on to player for three seasons at Loyola University. His 16″ softball career took him to Thillens
Bill Hunts distinguished softball career began in the 1940s with a team from the May Club. He also played for the Club Marquette and Red Circle in the neighborhood leagues and with Fewer Boilers in the Windy City League. Born and raised on Chicago’s Southwest Side, “Lefty” Hunt is remembered as being one of the
Gene began playing softball at the age of 13 in Cicero. At 16 he played for Sams Tavern, Wolak’s Lounge, Triner’s All – Stars, and Murphy Motors. In 1947-48 Gene played Midwest semi-professional ball with Cole-Lenzi. Gene’s softball career was interrupted when he served in the Korean War for 2 years (1951-53) as a forward
During a 30 year 16″ softball career, playing for some of the great Pioneer Era teams at some of the legendary softball stadiums, Michael Hanas has indeed experienced some of the great moments of the early days of softball. Hanas played with such Pioneer teams as Bonnetts, Silhouettes, Whips, Jack O’Lanterns, and the early Bobcats.
John Hechinger began his softball career with St. Viator Grade in 1942 when they made it to the quarter finals in the St. Ignatius tournament. A left fielder who also played first and third, Hechinger had a lifetime batting average over 600, and hit 350 home runs. From 1942 to 1957 Hechinger’s teams won twelve
John “Heck” Hechinger Read More »
James Holmes is known as a superb left hand hitter and right fielder who played with some of the top leagues on the Southside. Holmes played in the top division at 49th and Dorchester and in the Southside Cocktail League. Holmes interrupted his 16″ career with a three year stint in the Marine Corps. Once
