Born in 1922, Gipp Karkosa played short – center, hit .500, and managed some of the top softball teams of the past forty years: Lake Valley in 1940 – 45 and ’45 – ’46, Zolna’s Tavern from 1948 – 50, and the legendary Bobcats in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. A boxer who never lost …
Bill Rand’s, Harry’s Owl Club, Nudo’s Dugout, the Lapota Steelers, and Cronin’s all stand as icons of softball’s early days. As a top defensive third baseman who had a reputation as a great power hitter, Johnny Galvin was a leader on these legendary teams. Playing at such early softball parks as Grand Crossing Park and …
Softball in Chicago owes much to Jim Edgeworth who worked for many years with gusto and with characteristic good humor to promote it, especially in the industrial leagues. Jim grew up in Beverly at 91st and Pleasant Avenue. He attended St. Margaret of Scotland Grammar School and Mount Carmel High School in 1922. Sports were …
The 1948 Softball World Series program places Steve Donchez in the same class of pitchers as Eddie “Lefty” Sevick, Ralph D’Orio, and the legendary James “Sheik” Di Nardi and Lewa Yacilla. Along with Bob Werderich and Zeke Ireland, Donchez and the Angels of Broadway won the Windy City Softball Championship. Besides being one of 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 …
A top umpire of the 30s and 40s, Harry called balls and strikes at Windy City Stadiums and Soldier Field. Pioneer softball players remember Harry for his ability on and off the field. His ability to umpire was heightened by his great deal of playing experience. I addition to his umpiring duties, Harry also gathered …
Old Timers remember Nugie Watkins as one of the best defensive shortstops in the game during the 30s and 40s. He played for Ham’s Didits, the Gas House Gang, and the Brown Bombers. At nineteen Jim “Nugie” Watkins did not realize the place he would make in 16″ softball history when he began his playing …
Mel played 12″ and 16″ softball during the 20s, 30s, and 40s, dissolving his team at the end of the season. While Mel made his living in the automotive world (securing numerous patents for technical advances in automobile repair tools,) his second love was softball. Mel and his family lived across the street from Bill …
Veterans of the many softball wars on the Southside remember Claude Rhodes as a superb player who was also the youngest player on his neighborhood team in the early 1930s. Claude was a top notch short center, also known as the “roving center.” During World War II he remained the youngest player because everyone his …
Terrell Jackson attended Smyth Elementary School and Crane High School in Chicago. He started his illustrious softball career in 1947 at Stanford Park at 14th and Union Avenue. Jackson made an impression as a tough ball player at the young age of twelve because every year he was selected to the Stanford Park All-Star Team …
