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 the lights at 77th, and Ashland. In 1938 Brennan played with McCabes 9750 Club and Hines Hut in Labor Day and Memorial Day tournaments and at Hamilton Park and Grand Crossing. He also played in the Alderman Perry League with the O’Neills. 1939 – 40 found Jim Brennan playing with Fullerton Motors in the Industrial Leagues at Grant Park, Gage Park, Ogden Park, and at Five Holy Martyrs. An illness forced him to quit softball until 1949 when he won the St. Sabina League with Johnny Burkes Tavern. Jim was inducted into the Leo High School Hall of Fame in 1998. He lives in Oak Lawn with his wife, Joan. They have three children – Jim, Marybeth, and Carol and are blessed with six grandchildren.
