“I am grateful for having played with and against some of the greatest players of the 1940s.” This quote best summarizes the attitude Joe Neumann brought to the great game of softball. Joe Neumann began his career at Audubon Playground with the Vagabonds in 1936. In 1940 and 1942, they switched to Hillborn Stadium and …
In 1936, Santo “Doc” Scavuzzo began his fifty plus year softball career playing second base with Duro-Lite Pencil at Green Briar Park. In 1940, Duro-Lite expanded their competition by winning championships at both Green Briar Park and Sauganash Park. 1947 saw Scavuzzo help the DeSoto Knights of Columbus. In 1948, Scavuzzo joined Rhode’s Tavern in …
Bruno Pinkos began his athletic career at age ten playing 17″ softball inside the YMCA near Crane High School. At that time, back in 1926, they played the game with an “upshort” position, a position in front of the batter. He began his 16″ softball career playing with his close friends, the legendary Werderich brothers …
Wally Meyers began his softball career in 1937 as manager and first baseman with Becker Coals at Hamlin Park in the Lincoln – Belmont Softball League. His superb fielding at first base and ability to get on base earned him All Star honors that year along with Hall of Famers Dick Triptow and Bud Gierke. …
In over 40 years in 16″ softball, Leonard “Sarge” McKinnon forged a legendary reputation as a player, manager, umpire and administrator. The Wendell Phillips High School graduate started playing softball in 1942 at the Wabash YMCA at 37th and Wabash when he founded the Nighthawks. He played first base and was their top hitter. The …
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. …
Stan Szukala’s career can be divided into three phases; before World War II, after World War II, and behind the plate as an umpire. Before World War II, Stan played with such memorable teams as Champagne Velvet, Tripp Inn, Alderman Brody, 4-11 Café and the Touhy Club. After World War II he moved to Northtown …
Over his two decade career in softball, Edward Leonard was known as a tough fielding second baseman back in the days of 45 foot bases. He could also hit powerful line drives or drop a well placed ball to any field. Ed served his country in the Navy from 1942 through 1945. When he returned …
When considering the all time greats in the history of 16″ softball, Paul “Pee Gee” Van Meter and his teams; the Gas House Gang and the Brown Bombers would have to be placed near the top of the list. A graduate of DuSable High School in 1937, Van Meter was born in 1918. He began …
An ad for the old North Town Currency Stadium Calls upon fans to come out and watch Chicago’s greatest sports stars in action. It features Dick Triptow, with a star next to his name as a “crack cage and diamond star from DePaul.” One look at Triptow’s softball accomplishments shows that the ad was not …
