Skip, I wonder if you can email the photo of Soapy Frech sliding into home and anything else about Nabrico and the City League. His son Bob is a friend of mine-I think you’ve met him—and he’d get a kick out of it.
Appreciate your prompt reply with answers to questions. Husband’s knowledge good but we don’t always know specifics. Thank you, again. Good information lots years research.
Remember all the games I attended with my grandfather in the 1950s. Often we would sit with the team owner. Have a signed ball from 1957 when Jim O’Toole was star pitcher.
Are you sure he was 28 when he graduated from high school. Did he serve time in the military or is this a typeo? That would make him 33 when he graduated from TSU. if this is correct, great for him for not giving up on his education.
This is my maternal grandfather! Thank you for writing this amazing biography. You tied all the details into a wonderful story and I look forward to sharing it with other members of the family. Have a wonderful day and thank you for making this terrific write up. Anne
Joe is a great man and a great friend. The years I played for CocaCola in the Gilbert League were two of my favorites. Joe was one part intimidator and four parts encourager…an all-time Nashville treasure…one of a kind!!
Joe Casey was a gift to Nashville in many ways and there is no telling how many lives he touched in a positive manner. Certainly mine. I was the last guy left off that 1959 team that went to California but Joe made me feel like I was on it anyway. Loved playing a little golf with him over the years and enjoying dinner etc. Love being around Joe, he is good company.
I played for Coach Casey on that 1959 Babe Ruth World Series. He was a great coach and a wonderful man. I don’t know how he put up with us from the District thru the World Series. It was great playing for him.
My uncle Doodie Mallory played baseball when Chief Casey was coaching Babe Ruth league chief nicknamed him Pete. My uncle joined the police dept and Chief Casey always told him that he loved him like his own child. All of Doodie’s life he always loved and admired Joe Casey. After serving many years on the MPD Chief Casey and Doodie were always there for each other. Doodie passed away in December 1992.
I played on the World Series team that went to California. Was called out on controuversal play for final out to lose the game. Saw Coach Casey 20 years later First statement from him was “Did You Miss 2nd Base” Great Man
Correct. However, “Three-Eye League” is acceptable and was often used, such as: “The league began play in 1901 and disbanded after the 1961 season. It was popularly known as the Three–I League and sometimes as the Three–Eye League.” Here’s an example from the New York Times in an article entitled, WANTS BASEBALL MEETING.; President of Three-Eye League Would Cut Players’ Salaries: https://www.nytimes.com/1916/12/08/archives/wants-baseball-meeting-president-of-threeeye-league-would-cut.html Thank you, Skip
I remember sitting with Maloney at the Reds fantasy baseball camp (with Jack Billingham) talking about memorable games and Maloney talked about the no-hitter in 1965 and made the connection to Edwards being a Vol the year before I was born.
My vote goes to Dutch Dotterer based on his stats as a Nashville Vol. Johnny Edwards had a much more productive and longer major league career, but if we consider performance at Nashville, then Dotterer’s 1957 season was better than Edwards’ 1960 season in my opinion.
Some good candidates for this position, but anyone who can put together a season like Harshman did with 47 HR and 141 RBI deserves my vote. Interesting to me that his MLB career was as a pitcher with over 130 career decisions, but he also managed to hit 21 career HR at the major league level.
Charlie Williams is the choice and it isn’t close. A second baseman is primarily in the game for defense and strength up the middle, but when you have a player who can hit for average, lead the league in hits with 44 doubles and 70 RBIs, that is Joe Morgan territory. Charlie Williams is head and shoulders above the other candidates.
Boguskie had only one season with 100 or more games at a position, 103 in 1949. I was struck by the fact that in Fred Russell’s March 21, 1950 article about potential Nashville Hall of Fame players, he does not mention Boguskie. He will come up later in the utility player position where he plays more than 100 games total at several positions. SN
There are several good candidates for shortstop. What I want in a shortstop is a great middle infielder and Schartzer has the best fielding percentage of all the candidates. If they can field the position and hit some, too all the better.
Third base is a power position and Boring had more HR at that position than the other candidate in his best season in a Vols uniform. Also a decent RBI man and a .315 average during that season tips the scales for him in the Nashville Vols HOF for this voter.
I’m going with Tommy “Buckshot” Brown, mainly because he remains the youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run. I believe his record will stand forever.
When it comes to outfielder, for me it’s basically Bob Lennon and who else. Bob’s singular season in 1954 would have him compared to Aaron Judge in 2024. No one else is such a sure first pick in the Nashville outfield. The other slots are very competitive, but I like good combinations of power and average, and I have selected Stan Palys and Bob Hazle to compliment Lennon in my Nashville outfield.
If I had a roster spot for one utility player, I want versatility- someone who has had experience in playing every position. Fielding is also a consideration because utility players are defensive players. Of several good players on this list, Rod Kanehl is my pick. He doesn’t contribute a lot of offense, but being a good fielding versatile player, gets him my vote for utility player.
There are two, and only two, standouts in this class based on what they did in Nashville: Bob Schultz and Jim O’Toole. Those are my votes. If you look at O’Toole’s 1958 season or Schultz’ 1950 season, if they happened at the MLB level, you would say That’s a Cy Young performance. And you would be right. 19 complete games! 21 complete games! Those look like Superman statistics, when many of today’s top MLB starters barely manage 1 complete game a season.
I hit “Vote” without also selecting John Harshman, who would have been my second selection. Also, I would not have bet that the ERAs for both the lefty and righty pitchers generally would have been so high.
I also meant to vote for Bob Schultz. I didn’t notice that I could vote for two until after I submitted my vote for O’Toole. (I did the same thing with the righties.)
For me there are three standout pitchers on this list. Starters during this era were expected to finish what they started and win games. Jack Harshman and Bob Kelly are the only pitchers on this list to have a 20-game win seasons with Nashville. However, Jim Maloney was a dominant pitcher with Nashville in 1960, winning 14 and losing only 5, more strikeouts than innings pitched and basically only played half a season at Nashville, so Jim Maloney is my first pick.
I picked Jack Harshman as my Nashville first baseman in this poll, so I’m going with Bob Kelly as my second righthander. Having Harshman also gives me a 5th starter if needed with my utility man, Rod Kanehle playing first base. My years of experience with Strat-O-Matic have finally paid off!
Nicely done, will you be publishing more Nashville base ball player career stories ?
Thank you Jay. I have a list I am currently researching. More to come soon! Skip
Sounds like lots of fun! Hope to be there!
It’s always a pleasure to have you on, Skip. We are already looking forward to the next time!
Skip, I wonder if you can email the photo of Soapy Frech sliding into home and anything else about Nabrico and the City League. His son Bob is a friend of mine-I think you’ve met him—and he’d get a kick out of it.
Appreciate your prompt reply with answers to questions. Husband’s knowledge good but we don’t always know specifics. Thank you, again. Good information lots years research.
Remember all the games I attended with my grandfather in the 1950s. Often we would sit with the team owner. Have a signed ball from 1957 when Jim O’Toole was star pitcher.
I remember being there on a COLD April night in 1963 with two of my brothers and two neighbor friends who were also brothers.
We had a green wool army blanket snugged up around us to help knock off the evening cold.
A reporter for the Nashville Banner-Jack Corn, came by and asked if he could take our picture.
Of course we obliged him.
The next night our photo was in the Nashville Banner.
The caption read:
Here are five of the brave souls who weathered the freezing temp at the Dell last night.
It gave our names along with the neat pic.
WHAT A THRILL!!
Maybe Bernard Malamud’s The Natural?
Larry have a great day and the prayer you always lead to start a meeting was one of the best ones I have ever heard. Carter
Are you sure he was 28 when he graduated from high school. Did he serve time in the military or is this a typeo? That would make him 33 when he graduated from TSU. if this is correct, great for him for not giving up on his education.
A great ball player and a gentleman to all.
It was mistyped. He was born in 1945; it has been revised. Thanks!
Thanks Skip, I figured it must have been a misprint!
This is my maternal grandfather! Thank you for writing this amazing biography. You tied all the details into a wonderful story and I look forward to sharing it with other members of the family. Have a wonderful day and thank you for making this terrific write up. Anne
Joe is a great man and a great friend. The years I played for CocaCola in the Gilbert League were two of my favorites. Joe was one part intimidator and four parts encourager…an all-time Nashville treasure…one of a kind!!
The best Chief of Police Nashville has ever had. A man of courage and integrity.
Joe Casey was a gift to Nashville in many ways and there is no telling how many lives he touched in a positive manner. Certainly mine. I was the last guy left off that 1959 team that went to California but Joe made me feel like I was on it anyway. Loved playing a little golf with him over the years and enjoying dinner etc. Love being around Joe, he is good company.
I played for Coach Casey on that 1959 Babe Ruth World Series. He was a great coach and a wonderful man. I don’t know how he put up with us from the District thru the World Series. It was great playing for him.
He was the best chief of police we ever had.
My uncle Doodie Mallory played baseball when Chief Casey was coaching Babe Ruth league chief nicknamed him Pete. My uncle joined the police dept and Chief Casey always told him that he loved him like his own child. All of Doodie’s life he always loved and admired Joe Casey. After serving many years on the MPD Chief Casey and Doodie were always there for each other. Doodie passed away in December 1992.
I played on the World Series team that went to California. Was called out on controuversal play for final out to lose the game. Saw Coach Casey 20 years later First statement from him was “Did You Miss 2nd Base” Great Man
Good one, George Archie! I’ll have to remember that.
The Three Eye League is the Three I League. It consisted of teams from Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa.
Correct. However, “Three-Eye League” is acceptable and was often used, such as: “The league began play in 1901 and disbanded after the 1961 season. It was popularly known as the Three–I League and sometimes as the Three–Eye League.” Here’s an example from the New York Times in an article entitled, WANTS BASEBALL MEETING.; President of Three-Eye League Would Cut Players’ Salaries: https://www.nytimes.com/1916/12/08/archives/wants-baseball-meeting-president-of-threeeye-league-would-cut.html Thank you, Skip
Test
Thanks, Skip, for being you and for being with us.
Art, thank you. It was good to see you there.
Well-articulated, Skip. . .as always! Keep up the good work, brother!
Richard, thank you.
I remember sitting with Maloney at the Reds fantasy baseball camp (with Jack Billingham) talking about memorable games and Maloney talked about the no-hitter in 1965 and made the connection to Edwards being a Vol the year before I was born.
My vote goes to Dutch Dotterer based on his stats as a Nashville Vol. Johnny Edwards had a much more productive and longer major league career, but if we consider performance at Nashville, then Dotterer’s 1957 season was better than Edwards’ 1960 season in my opinion.
Some good candidates for this position, but anyone who can put together a season like Harshman did with 47 HR and 141 RBI deserves my vote. Interesting to me that his MLB career was as a pitcher with over 130 career decisions, but he also managed to hit 21 career HR at the major league level.
Charlie Williams is the choice and it isn’t close. A second baseman is primarily in the game for defense and strength up the middle, but when you have a player who can hit for average, lead the league in hits with 44 doubles and 70 RBIs, that is Joe Morgan territory. Charlie Williams is head and shoulders above the other candidates.
Charlie Williams had a phenomenal season in 1955. I was surprised that Buster Boguskie played fewer that 100 games at second base.
Boguskie had only one season with 100 or more games at a position, 103 in 1949. I was struck by the fact that in Fred Russell’s March 21, 1950 article about potential Nashville Hall of Fame players, he does not mention Boguskie. He will come up later in the utility player position where he plays more than 100 games total at several positions. SN
There are several good candidates for shortstop. What I want in a shortstop is a great middle infielder and Schartzer has the best fielding percentage of all the candidates. If they can field the position and hit some, too all the better.
Pingback: 2024 Nashville Vols Hall of Fame Ballot: Shortstop - Baseball in Nashville
Third base is a power position and Boring had more HR at that position than the other candidate in his best season in a Vols uniform. Also a decent RBI man and a .315 average during that season tips the scales for him in the Nashville Vols HOF for this voter.
I’m going with Tommy “Buckshot” Brown, mainly because he remains the youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run. I believe his record will stand forever.
fun idea
When it comes to outfielder, for me it’s basically Bob Lennon and who else. Bob’s singular season in 1954 would have him compared to Aaron Judge in 2024. No one else is such a sure first pick in the Nashville outfield. The other slots are very competitive, but I like good combinations of power and average, and I have selected Stan Palys and Bob Hazle to compliment Lennon in my Nashville outfield.
Ben Downs
Billy you can choose him and two others by clicking on names in the poll…
If I had a roster spot for one utility player, I want versatility- someone who has had experience in playing every position. Fielding is also a consideration because utility players are defensive players. Of several good players on this list, Rod Kanehl is my pick. He doesn’t contribute a lot of offense, but being a good fielding versatile player, gets him my vote for utility player.
Buster Boguski
There are two, and only two, standouts in this class based on what they did in Nashville: Bob Schultz and Jim O’Toole. Those are my votes. If you look at O’Toole’s 1958 season or Schultz’ 1950 season, if they happened at the MLB level, you would say That’s a Cy Young performance. And you would be right. 19 complete games! 21 complete games! Those look like Superman statistics, when many of today’s top MLB starters barely manage 1 complete game a season.
I hit “Vote” without also selecting John Harshman, who would have been my second selection. Also, I would not have bet that the ERAs for both the lefty and righty pitchers generally would have been so high.
I also meant to vote for Bob Schultz. I didn’t notice that I could vote for two until after I submitted my vote for O’Toole. (I did the same thing with the righties.)
For me there are three standout pitchers on this list. Starters during this era were expected to finish what they started and win games. Jack Harshman and Bob Kelly are the only pitchers on this list to have a 20-game win seasons with Nashville. However, Jim Maloney was a dominant pitcher with Nashville in 1960, winning 14 and losing only 5, more strikeouts than innings pitched and basically only played half a season at Nashville, so Jim Maloney is my first pick.
I picked Jack Harshman as my Nashville first baseman in this poll, so I’m going with Bob Kelly as my second righthander. Having Harshman also gives me a 5th starter if needed with my utility man, Rod Kanehle playing first base. My years of experience with Strat-O-Matic have finally paid off!