LITTLE LEAGUE/PONY LEAGUE BANQUETS
Back in the 50’s, they had an annual dinner for the local baseball leagues that was far superior to the functions they have today. This was when baseball was played “for the love of the game”. In those days, when you asked for an autograph, it was a gesture of honor to the player you were asking. How things have changed. And you could read every name signed on your program. There was no charge to get anyone to sign. I imagine they came just for the free chicken dinner. The following are some of the attendees at those long ago dinners.
Little League Banquet - February 7, 1956
Ron Waller
Dick Porter
Billy Werber
Poke Whalen
Billy Hunter
Pony League Banquet - January 27, 1956
Joe E. Brown
Benny Bengough
Tommy Byrne
Del Ennis
Willie Jones
Frank Powell
Frank “Home Run” Baker
Dick Porter
Jake Flowers
Little League Banquet - February 5, 1957
Ernie Harwell
Gus Triandos
John Andre
Bill Nicholson
Jim Mutscheller
Frank “Home Run” Baker
Bill Walsingham
Pony League Banquet - January 15, 1957
Lefty Gomez
Benny Bengough
Stan Lopata
Sal Maglie
Curt Simmons
Frank Powell
Pony League Banquet – January 14, 1958
Don Kellett
Harry Anderson
Frank “Home Run” Baker
Benny Bengough
Lew Burdette
Ed Calhoun
Jack Sanford
Frank Powell
Bill Talbert
Frank Roberts
“Wiffy” Cox
9 comments:
Really? THE Joe E. Brown? If it's who I'm thinking of, cool! (the actor)
still have my little league banquet program from 1966. east little league. no autograpgh. in good shape also.
Yes, it was THE Joe E. Brown, with the big mouth. I have seen him in movies and he always emphasizes his big mouth with some kind of expression that requires his mouth to be exaggerated. And it was cool for us kids to see him in person.
Man...I'd love to have autographs of some of those guys...Home Run Baker, Jake Flowers!
If this story were 10 years later, you would have seen Brooks Robinson's name their too. What a classy guy. I got his autograph when I was 10.
Im sorry george but thats a fake
I was at the 1957 Little League banquet and remember my dad giving me a hard time because I passed up Frank "Homerun" Baker's autograph for Gus Triandos'.I just didnt think the old guy looked like a real baseball player while Gus played for the Orioles (and would hit 30 homeruns the next year). Four years ago I was in Cooperstown and saw Frank Bakers plaque--but never saw one for Triandos. I smiled and remembered that banquet and my dad. Thanks for the memories George!!
steve barber and boog powell signed at my little league banquets.
I still have my program from 1965. but we had no one to get autographs from then. same program though. same little league dinner.
Post a Comment