Pete Rocco began his 34 year softball career in eighth grade playing on a local team at a school they nicknamed “The Island” around Roosevelt and Austin. He continued playing for local teams all through Austin High School where he also played baseball. He played for Triners Lounge in Cicero and Stickney in 1952 through […]
According to fellow members of the Pioneer era, Anthony Ross was one of the best left fielders who ever played the game. He had two abilities that gave him one of the deadliest arms of his era, he would spin in the air as he made the catch so he was ready to throw when
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Imagine a time before television and video recorders, cellular telephones, videotaped replays, and widespread radio coverage of sporting events. Now add to that mix the popularity of local boxing matches, basketball games, and the emergence of 16-inch softball as a spectator sport that sometimes drew more fans than the Chicago Cubs. The task for the
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
The first team he played for was the House of David. He was so young he couldn’t grow a beard to look like his teammates. The big 6’7 first baseman was an excellent power hitter for Ryans, American Gear, Magic Chef, and Harry’s Owl Club. He was on Leo Fischer’s Herald American Allstar squads in
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The “Babe Ruth” of the sport and a big gate attraction, the big right handed firefighter was the most prolific homerun hitter of the Windy City League during the 40s. His MVP season was in ‘4 when he lead the league in hits, avg. and 31 HRs. . leading Mid.: Motors to their first of
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