Minor League Baseball Players

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

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[FatJack]

Jim Randolph signed as a catcher with the St. Louis Browns in 1953 (the following year, the Browns became the Orioles). He was under contract with that organization for 5 years, but spent the last two in the U.S. Navy. 5' 8", 175 lbs., Jim was a solid defensive presence, by all accounts, though a light hitter with modest doubles power in the pros (career average .235). After he was released by the military, he was, likewise, released by the Orioles. As he worked on completing his college degrees, Jim signed on with Norristown of Pennsylvania's semi-pro Perkiomen Valley Twilight League (so called because their games were generally scheduled in the early evenings). The Perky League has a long history, dating back to 1915, though there exists no information on the league prior to 1920 (the "Twilight", btw, was added to the league name many years later).

In 1957, the Norristown franchise had finished last. Jim joined them in 1958 and the team soon became a league powerhouse. The team finished first in '58 and 1960, second in '59, getting knocked out of the playoffs all three seasons. Norristown would win the league championship in 1961, '63, and '64. Jim played 8 seasons for the team and, in those 8 years, Norristown played in 6 Playoffs Finals, winning 3. League records are incomplete, but Jim hit .385 in 1960, .356 in 1963, .369 in 1964, and, in his final season in 1965, Jim hit an even .300.

Jim wanted to coach and began work in that direction. In 1971, he served as an assistant to Jim Lytle at Shaw University. He then began a baseball program at Montgomery County Community College, his teams winning back-to-back state community college titles in 1980 and '81. A member of the Shaw University Hall of Fame and the Perky League Hall of Fame, Jim passed away on July 11, 2017 at the age of 85. His wife, Marolyn, predeceased him in 2005.

The attached images are from the Perky League website.

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

Hello in 1974 the Seattle Rainiers put out a 20 card set. Is there anyone with photo's of those cards? Thanks to any response.

[FatJack]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

Hello in 1974 the Seattle Rainiers put out a 20 card set. Is there anyone with photo's of those cards? Thanks to any response.

Well, the good news is that the Seattle Rainiers (and most of the old PCL west coast teams) were very good about issuing card sets through the years (much more so than eastern or mid-west minor league clubs). And Rainiers cards turn up on eBay with frequency. The bad news is that the '74 set is particularly scarce. Only 300 sets were produced and those do NOT turn up on eBay very often (if at all).

The "it all depends on your finances" news is that these folks at STB Sports appear to have a set of uncut sheets available for just $150. Given the scarcity, that ain't bad, even though it's $30 a sheet (5 sheets, 20 cards in the set).

The only visual example online at the moment, also from STB, is the tiny exemplar of one such sheet (showing Greg Riddoch (upper left) / Ron Gibson (upper right) / Bill Taoukalas (lower left) / Doug Peterson (lower right)).

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

The other Paul O'neill. 1980 Indianapolis Indians.

[Cusick]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

The other Paul O'neill. 1980 Indianapolis Indians.

Paul Richard O'Neill was a non-roster invitee with the 1978 San Diego Padres. He played with them in at least one spring training exhibition game.
He's in the first row at far left in the group photo above (Indianapolis uniform #8).

https://www.baseball-reference.com/r...d=oneill004pau

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

Originally Posted by Cusick

Paul Richard O'Neill was a non-roster invitee with the 1978 San Diego Padres. He played with them in at least one spring training exhibition game.
He's in the first row at far left in the group photo above (Indianapolis uniform #8).

https://www.baseball-reference.com/r...d=oneill004pau

Are there any known photo's of Paul R. O'neill in any other Uni's?

[Cusick]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

Are there any known photo's of Paul R. O'neill in any other Uni's?

Here are some photos of Paul R. O'Neill in a variety of uniforms other than Indianapolis. Unfortunately, none of them shows his face very well.

In the photo at the far left, he is the Hawaii Islander third baseman (#5) waiting to receive the ball. In the next photo, he is playing second base for the Rochester Red Wings, and leaps to stab a line drive. In the next photo, he is playing for the Amarillo Gold Sox, and is sliding into second base. In the final photo, which was published in the Sept. 2, 1980, Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle, the photographer caught him clowning around during a rain delay while a member of the Rochester Red Wings. The caption said he was playing Babe Ruth and running the bases. It looks like there is padding in his mid-section. I can't tell whether he is wearing a fake mustache, has a real mustache, or there is simply a shadow across his face. In other photos of him, he is clean-shaven.

[FatJack]

Earlier this month, Allen Clendenin passed away at the age of 77. Clendenin pitched for two seasons in the Phillies organization.

Time wise, in the general vicinity, Topps Vault had posted a pair of images identified as Allen Clendenin.

Allen was the 7th of 9 siblings, among them Leonard "Itch" Clendenin. Leonard, two years younger than Allen, enjoyed a slightly longer career in the Phillies organization.

Both brothers were signed by the Phils on June 26, 1961, following the spring season at McKendree College, and both were assigned to the Elmira Pioneers. That winter, Leonard was added to the 40-man roster and Allen was not.

Allen only pitched one more season, with the Miami Marlins in 1962. Leonard continued to attend spring training with the Phils, whether he was on the 40-man or not, until shoulder trouble ended his pro career.

Now... First, are the Vault images identified by Topps as Allen Clendenin actually images of Leonard Clendenin? They look to me like the same guy. But, then again, they were brothers and would likely share features. The images identified as Allen are given a 1961 date, as are some earlier Vault images of Leonard. On the one hand, this seems unlikely since the brothers weren't signed until the middle of the '61 season (so they would not have been in Spring Training that year). On the other hand, being as brothers signed on the same day is "good copy", is it possible Topps (or a freelancer) set up a shot for the two when they signed? I score that as unlikely...but possible. Yes, I know that Topps years are, um, problematic. As an aside, Allen played his baseball under his middle name, "Carter". Just a bit of relatively useless trivia.

Next, on assorted occasions, I have tried to notify B-R and/or necrology groups when I come across an obit that they've missed. I'm not a member of any of the groups, though I have requested such for the simple purpose of getting the deaths recognized. Nothing. And, really, I don't care. I'm not looking to be particularly active or anything. I just hate seeing players who are deceased racking up the years on B-R.

Allen's death was noted immediately. But it says right in Allen's obit that he was pre-deceased by Leonard who, according to B-R, is alive and 75. Leonard passed in 2000. Here is his obit. If anyone has any association with these folks, please tell them that Leonard is dead--long time (admittedly, the obit does not appear in a google search for "Leonard Clendenin", but it does turn up in a google search for "Itch Clendenin").

While you're at it, tell them that Don Trolliet (who played in the Mets system from 1962-1965) passed away on January 27, 2015. Here is his obit.

As another aside... Although B-R shows Leonard as playing his entire career in the Phillies system, I did come across a newspaper article from May 1966, that says he was property of the California Angels at that time. I'm wondering if he was returned because he failed his physical or something, being as Leonard's career was ended by shoulder trouble. The relevant portion reads thusly: "The [El Paso Sun] Kings also have a new pitcher, Leonard Clendenin, a 6-5 right hander whom the California Angels obtained from the Philadelphia Phils organization. He had a 2-3 record for Chattanooga in the Southern League last year. Clendenin has been in organized baseball since 1961. Now on the inactive list he can’t be reinstated until May 12, which is Thursday."

Below are images identified by Topps as Allen Clendenin and Leonard Clendenin, respectively. The Leonard was previously posted by keonleafs here, but, as this is for comparison purposes, I am reposting. If it matters to you, I previously posted Don Trolliet here.

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

Can anyone tell me who this Red is? .Could it be Manuel Rosario? He played in there system in 1971.

[Cusick]

Per request of Lumpkin.

Photo is from the Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent of July 30, 1972. It shows McSwain with the Appleton Foxes, aka Fox Cities Foxes.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/r...d=mcswai001rog

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

Hello. Can anyone get the Newspaper Democratic and Chronical from Rochester, N. Y. pg 9 June 18, 1969. It has photo's of Newark Co-Pilots Players. If anyone can get this page. Please post. I tried to get the page and could not. Thanks

[Cusick]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

Hello. Can anyone get the Newspaper Democratic and Chronical from Rochester, N. Y. pg 9 June 18, 1969. It has photo's of Newark Co-Pilots Players. If anyone can get this page. Please post. I tried to get the page and could not. Thanks

The photo on page 9 of the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle of June 18, 1969 only pictures three members of the Newark Co-Pilots team (NY-Penn Lg.). The caption indicates who they are.

[Rainmaker]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

Hello. Can anyone get the Newspaper Democratic and Chronical from Rochester, N. Y. pg 9 June 18, 1969. It has photo's of Newark Co-Pilots Players. If anyone can get this page. Please post. I tried to get the page and could not. Thanks

Might have more success looking for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Just saying. I went to the page and it seems all you need to do is have a free 7-day subscription.

https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

Originally Posted by Rainmaker

Might have more success looking for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Just saying. I went to the page and it seems all you need to do is have a free 7-day subscription.

https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/

I tried. don't have credit card. Thanks for the info.

[Merkle923]

The Cub pitcher depicted here is Joe Schaffernoth. Topps photographed George Gerberman, as indicated on the Fritsch card below.

Originally Posted by Rainmaker

Love turning the minor leaguers into customs. These could all use a hand.

Attachment 508013

George Gerberman, Cubs 1962 (one MLB game)

Attachment 508014

Harvey Chaffin, Pirates 1964

Attachment 508022

Williams Burns, White Sox 1966

Attachment 508023

John Burrows, Orioles 1966

Attachment 508017

Morris Cigar, Angels 1961

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

[

[SDL]

Originally Posted by FatJack

Well, the good news is that the Seattle Rainiers (and most of the old PCL west coast teams) were very good about issuing card sets through the years (much more so than eastern or mid-west minor league clubs). And Rainiers cards turn up on eBay with frequency. The bad news is that the '74 set is particularly scarce. Only 300 sets were produced and those do NOT turn up on eBay very often (if at all).

The "it all depends on your finances" news is that these folks at STB Sports appear to have a set of uncut sheets available for just $150. Given the scarcity, that ain't bad, even though it's $30 a sheet (5 sheets, 20 cards in the set).

The only visual example online at the moment, also from STB, is the tiny exemplar of one such sheet (showing Greg Riddoch (upper left) / Ron Gibson (upper right) / Bill Taoukalas (lower left) / Doug Peterson (lower right)).

Note that in 1974, the Rainiers were in the Northwest League. The NWL was and still is a short-season league. They were a Reds affiliate in '74; the only year they were with Cincinnati.

[rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com]

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[Cusick]

Originally Posted by rlumpkin1@tampabay.rr.com

Anyone have High School or College photos of these players 1. Zack Rogers 2. Herbert Williams 3. John Petronaci 4. Bruce Irvin 5. Gil Untermeyer 6. George Bacher and 7. Dennis Clark. Thanks to any response. They are 1969 and jan 1970 draft picks of the Pilots. these are the only players that I can't find have found the rest

The first photo I could find of players on your list was of catcher Bruce Irvin. He is shown in the uniform of the St. Petersburg (FL) Junior College. It is from the Tampa Bay Times of March 8, 1970.