Jerry Schmitt was a standout at Leo High School (1958) in track and in basketball where he was named Catholic League All Star in 1957 and 1958. He also played baseball with Elks Lodge 1596 in the Connie Mack League because Leo did not have a baseball team. Softball became a lifestyle for Jerry for …
With the nickname of Dr. Power, it’s no wonder that John Straley was known for his towering home runs. Yet he was also known as a punch hitter who followed Wee Willie Keeler’s adage “hit” em where they ain’t. Straley could drop a single or double in between outfielders who were pulled back out of …
Considered by many softball authorities as the greatest “clutch” hitter and toughest competitors in Chicago softball, he could go long or dump. He batted and threw right handed and played basically outfield or catcher. He spent most of his career with the Bobcats and whenever Eddie Zolna showed up at a money game it was …
Players who played against and with John Salovitch remember him as an imposing right-handed hitter who could hit to all fields for average and power. He played first base with the Kenneth Allen team in the first world tournament finals in 1964 and 1965. He also played first base with a number of other top …
Announcers Bob Elson and Bert Wilson called him “Mr.Softball”. He played on the ’41 Witt Hanley Yankee, Midland Motors 1948, and Kool Vent ’49 championship teams in the Windy City League as centerfielder. Great speed and defensive skills and cannon arm. One of the great players of post-war era. He was rumored to have been …
Stanley Stein ranks as one of the top left fielders and hitters of the 30s and 40s. He started playing softball at seventeen and quickly made a name for himself. He was the leadoff man for North Shore Congregation (a Hall of Fame team honored in 2005), Judge Shillers and the legendary Windy City Teams …
Julio Sachetti was the youngest of six children in an Italian immigrant family and the first of the children to be born in the United States. Growing up in the Italian neighborhoods of Chicago, Julio learned to play softball on the vacant lots and cinder parks of the city. Julio and his teammates from the …
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 …
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 …
With a softball career spanning 40 years, Ken “Kenny” Speirs remembers getting hits off the legendary Lewa Yacillo and Sheik DiNardi. He started his career at Waters Park on the Northwest side of Chicago. He also played at Welles Park, Thillen’s Stadium, Clarendon Park, Chicago and Kedzie, and one year with Fewer Boilers and the …
