KOM Flash Report for 7/12/2019 and beyond

The KOM League

Flash Report

for

July 12, 2019

 

 

Christmas for 2018 came to an end on July 10, 2019. That is the date my Christmas present from the family name drawing pool concluded. I had been given subscriptions to a couple of Internet newspaper sites.

 

With the time drawing near the conclusion I decided to insert the names of some former KOM leaguers. A couple of names appeared who had left this world in the previous seven months and other items appeared that were of special interest regarding the early lives of some former players.

 

For a very long time my wife and I have subscribed to Ancestry.com and I recently located a section in that forum that heretofore I was unaware. The “new find” was the U. S. Baseball Questionnaires from 1945 through 2005. I was aware of those documents for Bill Weiss shared many of them with me. For those of you who subscribe to Ancestry.com you might find those old files interesting.

 

One thing that was quickly obvious is that the fellows filling them out “cheated” a bit on their real age. Most of the fellows wanted to appear younger, especially those returning from WW II. The reason was simple, they wanted a chance at playing professional baseball. With few exceptions they all listed their goal as being able to play major league baseball. One fellow stated it in an unique manner by saying “I want to attend the day they have for me, in about 20 years, at the Polo Grounds.” Another, more realistic young man had as his goal “Just being able to get out of Class D.”

 

After spending some time in those old files I came across some items, again, of which I was aware many years ago. It may not be obvious, in my writings, but I’m a bit partial to one team. That being the Carthage Cubs and the 1951 team in particular. They were burdened with putting up with a batboy that wasn’t the brightest light in the firmament.

 

In researching some of those names I came across the high school career of a fellow from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a catcher, who teamed with a pitcher, who hurled one of the most fabulous games ever, at any level. That pitcher signed with the Detroit Tigers and the catcher would have as well had he been given the chance to play professionally in 1950. When the Tigers wouldn’t agree to that the catcher signed with the Cubs and would become one of the guys I got to know and like in 1951 and the feeling still remains 68 years after the fact.

 

So, this report, which was initially intended to be just a listing of some basic trivia items, turned into much more. While looking at the career of the catcher of the Carthage Cubs for part of 1950 and all of 1951 a decision was made to check on the rest of the surviving members of that team.. Unfortunately, when pulling up the name of John David Mudd, one of the top pitchers on that club out of Lane Technical High School, in Chicago, I discovered he passed away in Mesa, Arizona on June 6th of this year. Quickly, that information was shared with the surviving members of the 1951 Carthage team, with whom I have access. Within a short time feedback was being received and some of that is shared in this report.

 

In looking at the 1951 Carthage roster it seems like a long time ago in some respects and like last week in other ways.

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Donald Louis Gebbs Obituary

 

Obituary for Donald Louis Gebbs

 

Donald Louis Gebbs, age 86, of Oneonta passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019. He was a minor league pitcher in the Pittsburg Pirates Organization and a member of the First Baptist Church of Oneonta.

 

Mr. Gebbs is preceded in death by his parents, John and Corinne Gebbs; his son, Donald Louis Gebbs, Jr.; sisters, Ione Gebbs, Norma Gebbs, and Lynn Gebbs; and his brothers, John Gebbs, Jr. and Clyde Gebbs. Survivors include his wife, Penny Gebbs; daughter, Shelley Bausch (William); step-daughters, Phyllis Lawrence, Donna Turner (Rick), and Sherri Zeigler (Joey), and step son, Dwain Lawrence (Patricia); grandchildren, Eric Bausch (Samantha), Brian Gebbs, Kurt Gebbs, and Lauren Gebbs Lewis; great grandchildren, Grayson Gebbs, Gabriel Gebbs, Connor Lewis, Keegan Lewis, Hastings Hayden Bausch, and Elodie Starr Bausch; step grandchildren, Scott Herda, Ethan Nichols, Korbin Nichols, and Wesley McDowell (Danielle); step great grandchildren, Erika Herda, Kaylee Herda, Isabella Herda, Emily McDowell, Megan McDowell, and Drew McDowell; and sister, Eunice Stevens.

 

Services for Mr. Gebbs will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 in the Chapel of Lemley Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at Lemley Funeral Home from 10 AM until service time on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the First Baptist Church of Oneonta.

 

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Louis Gebbs please visit our Sympathy Store.

 

Ed comment:

 

When Don Gebbs showed in mid-season, of 1951, with the Bartlesville Pirates he was a “one of a kind.” He was the only lefty on the pitching staff. Bartlesville had some good right handers in Ronnie Kline and Donny Cochran but was short of portside help. The Harvey, Louisiana native had played a lot of amateur baseball in New Orleans and in the process had hurled a few no-hitters.

 

The early 1950’s wasn’t the best time to enter professional baseball and Gebbs was limited to brief appearances in the Evangeline league before Uncle Sam came calling. He didn’t play after the Korean War concluded.

 

One of the better photos in the book, “The KOM League Remembered,” is found on page 102. It is of Gebbs in his pitching form. He and his first wife attended some of the KOM league reunions before she passed away. For a few years nothing was heard from Gebbs. On Father’s Day of 2014 a call was received from the “new” Mrs. Gebbs and she inquired if it would be possible to meet her and Don at a local motel.

 

My wife sensing a good way to get me out of the house told me to go see them. They were traveling between Iowa and Alabama and gave me the honor to meet the new Mrs. Gebbs and the old Lefty. It was a pleasurable time together and we parted ways. Father’s Day of 2014 is the last time I have met face-to-face with a former KOM leaguer.

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Former Ponca City Dodger pitcher from Panoka, Alberta, Canada

 

The following link is for extra reading credit and will not be covered in the final exam which will be forthcoming and without warning. Anyone flunking the test will be required to remain on the mailing list for this report, indefinitely.

 

www.canadiancattlemen.ca/2010/08/09/ralph-vold-launchesth... Ralph Nassen “Whitey” Vold.—1952 Ponca City Dodgers.

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The Life of John H Gilbert Sr.-- www.remembermyjourney.com/Memorial/17783663

 

John H. Gilbert, Sr., 87, a longtime resident of Prospect Park, Pa., passed away peacefully on December 9, 2017 at Crozer-Keystone Hospice Residence at Taylor Hospital surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Glenolden, Pa., the son of the late George and Effie Gilbert. He was a resident of Prospect Park for over 60 years.

 

He was a 1949 graduate of the former Glen-Nor High School, where he was a star pitcher on the high school baseball team. He was signed to a professional baseball contract right out of high school with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His contract was sold to the Brooklyn Dodgers and he played AA baseball for them in Mobile, Alabama. He played pro-baseball from 1949 to 1953. John worked as a machinist for Gulf Oil for many years until his retirement.

 

He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Kahlert, and they were married for 69 wonderful years. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who was devoted to his family.

 

John is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; his sons, John Gilbert, Jr., Glenn K. (Laurie) Gilbert, and David (Patty) Gilbert; his four grandchildren; his three great-grandchildren; and his brother, George Gilbert.

 

His burial will be in Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, Pa.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions made in John's memory to Crozer-Keystone Hospice Residence at Taylor Hospital, 175 E. Chester Pike, Ridley Park, Pa. 19078 would be appreciated by his family.

 

 

Ed note:

 

Mr. Gilbert played in the Pittsburgh chain in 1949 at Keokuk, Iowa, Bartlesville, Okla. in 1950 and Butler, Penn. in 1951. He was then purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers and spent three seasons at Asheville, N. C. in the Tri-State league.

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Death of another member of 1951 Bartlesville Pirates

 

In searching for the current status of a former KOM leaguer here is what was found.

RICHARD MICHAEL "DICK" SUTTER --Sep 9, 1930 - Nov 14, 2018

 

OKLAHOMA CITY— Sutter, Richard Michael "Dick:" 88, died Nov. 14. Private services (Mercer-Adams, Bethany). Share your memories of Richard Michael "Dick" Sutter on social media:

 

Ed comment:

From that terse obituary listing in the newspaper I decided to “Share my memories” regarding Richard Michael Sutter. He was born on 9/9/1930 Tulsa, OK. There are many stories about his baseball prowess as an American Legion pitcher going back to 1946. His Tulsa team took on the Mosier Tire company team, from Oklahoma City, in the Oklahoma State American Legion tournament and Sutter was the losing pitcher. The pitcher for the Oklahoma City was Tom Sturdivant. www.google.com/search?q=tom+sturdivant&oq=Tom+Sturdiv...

 

During the rest of his high school days at Will Rogers High School, in Tulsa, Sutter was a top flight American Legion hurler. In 1947 he wore #13 on his jersey and also “wore out” opposing batsmen by tossing three no-hitters. That year the Tulsa American Legion team went to the regional tournament at Davenport, Iowa where a perennial power from St. Louis, Mo., the Stockham Post team didn’t hit Sutter either. That St. Louis team had a second baseman who went to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. However, he went as a manager, not a player, and that was, Earl Weaver.

 

Just out of high school, Sutter married in 1948 and then entered professional baseball in 1949 with New Iberia, Louisiana and Tallahassee, Florida. He compiled a 7-18 combined record and was on his way to Class C the next year with Oil City, Penn. and Hutchinson, Kansas where he had a combined record of 5 wins and the same number of losses.

 

Then came 1951 and Sutter’s “big chance.” He was sent to the Bartlesville Pirates and it was loaded with pitching, mostly right handers. In nine appearances he won five and lost three and had was in the top 10 in earned run average. His career appeared to be on track for advancement but along came the Korean War and at the age of 21 he was in more demand by Uncle Sam than he was by organized baseball.

 

For the record he pronounced his last name as “Sutt-er” not like Bruce of big league fame who pronounces his as “Suit-er.”

 

To see a photo of Dick Sutter there is one in “The KOM League Remembered” book published by Arcadia. It is located on page 107 and he is in the back row, second from far right wearing a big smile and spectacles.

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Trivia found in many sources

 

•

 

Nicholas Louis Najjar. Played for two KOM league teams from 1946-48 and umpired in the KOM league in 1950. Until this past week I only had his middle initial on my database. Nick was a real interesting guy and he and his wife Anne were the last people to travel the Central Artery in Boston. It was once known as the “Highway in the Sky.” To prove Nick wasn’t kidding me back in 2003 and to let the readers know that “some” effort was put forth in preparing this report here is the story. archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2003/12/21/drivers...

•

Norbert Bauers—Pitched briefly for the Blackwell, Okla. Broncos in 1952. Later became a Police Captain for Broward County, Florida out of Ft. Lauderdale. - Biggest headline of his police career was when he ran over a black panther on the Alligator Alley, in the dead of night. Bauers was a Pittsburgh, Pa. native but lived many years in Clover and Wagram, North Carolina.

•

John Michael Roth—Ponca City. Signed by Bert Wells off the Holdrege, Nebraska amateur team. He was born April 12, 1934 making him being one of the youngest former KOM leaguers known to mankind. His questionnaire sent to Bill Weiss had been typed and they erroneously listed his place of birth as Aurora, Illinois. That was half right. He was born in same town but in Colorado.

 

Roth was the subject of a Sporting News article in late 1952 which stated there were two John Roth’s on the same Ponca City team. That wasn’t the case. I discussed that with John Michael Roth and my old friend and book editor (Majoring in The Minors), Bob Dellinger and they have convinced me there was only one Roth on that club. Dellinger was the long time sports editor of the Ponca City News before taking up his position at the Oklahoma City Oklahoman. He was also one of the prime movers to establish the wrestling hall of fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

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Finally, figured it out.—Donald Wagner.

 

For a third of my life, time and effort (very little) has been expended in an attempt to identify a name on my Bartlesville 1948 database -- Don Wagner. He was a “one game wonder” for that team.

 

In recent days, with the help of the U. S. Baseball Questionnaires, I began looking at some clues and figured out the person was Donald Theodore Wagner who was born Dec. 30, 1928 in Flint, Michigan.

 

Following a short-lived KOM league career Wagner was headed to Santa Rosa, California where he had a good year as a rookie joining with another rookie by the name of Vernon Law. www.google.com/search?q=vernon+law+baseball&oq=Vernon...

 

In 1949 Wagner was sent back east to Hutchinson, Kansas of the Western Association and when that didn’t work out he was back in Class D ball with Mt. Vernon, Ill. of the Mississippi-Ohio Valley league. At the mid-point of the 20th century Wagner was playing at Yuma, Arizona and in 1951 split his time between the Yuma and El Centro, Calif. clubs. By that time he had established his residence in Laverne, California and stayed in that state until passing away on March 14, 2004 in San Bernardino.

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Article from a loyal follower of this report

 

I thought you'd be interested in this minor league baseball article I wrote for Oklahoma Today magazine.

 

www.oklahomatoday.com/history-culture/diamond-dogs

 

I hope all is well. Greg Echlin

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Former KOM leaguers who still are a mystery:

 

For lack of evidence to the contrary I still believe some former KOM leaguers are still living. Any help in contacting these guys would be welcomed or in the case of death where they were living at the time.

•

Salvatore John Campagna.—Born Nov. 21, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a third baseman for the 1950 Bartlesville, Okla. Pirates. He was living in San Carlos, California by 1953 and my best efforts at being a bloodhound leads me to think he is still in that neck of the woods, assuming they have any trees. San Mateo might be where he pitches his tent these days.

•

Willis Frank Carruth Jr. was born September 22, 1922 in Bosqueville, Texas. He has lived in a number of towns in the Lone Star State, the last one being McKinney. However, every attempt at locating him, over the past quarter century, has failed to generate any response. He was a member of the 1948 Bartlesville Pirates.

•

William R. Waggener—Born 10/20/1923 in Beardstown, Illinois. He joined the Army on June 6, 1942. After WW II he was signed by the St. Louis Browns and sent to Pittsburg, Kansas. He played for both Pittsburg and Bartlesville in 1946 and then was with Bartlesville once again, in 1947.

 

Until recently his middle name was just “R” to me. In looking at the U. S. Baseball Questionnaires it revealed his middle name is Ruel. In searching the Internet for Ruel Waggener it was learned that was his father’s first name. When the elder Waggener passed away, in the 1980’s, his obituary listed a son, Ruel, as living in Peoria. Thus, I’m confident William Ruel Waggener is in a Peoria Nursing home and is pressing the century mark in regard to birthdays.

 

•

James Parker Williams was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirate chain starting in 1949. For a short time in 1950, he was with the Bartlesville Pirates. He was listed as being from McRae, Arkansas in the Bartlesville papers. He was born January 3, 1931. He is either living or the Social Security Number I have on file for him is incorrect. This fellow has been a real enigma for me and conferring with “real” baseball historians has not led me any closer to determining his whereabouts or fate.

 

•

Donald Anthony Bussan was born June 13, 1931 in Jersey City, New Jersey to parents with the last name of Bussanich. He played for the 1951 Bartlesville Pirates and passed away on June 28, 2002. He had received his Social Security card in California but his place of death has eluded me.

 

Bussan played at Eugene, Oregon as well as Bartlesville in 1951. He played at Brunswick, Georgia in 1952 and then took some time off to serve in the Army. He came back to professional baseball in 1954 and played for Lubbock, Texas. In 1955 he left for the “Land of the Rising Sun. He played for the Tombo Unions in the Japanese Pacific league where he was a .220 hitter but tied for the team lead in homers with two other players by hitting six.

 

Well, that is a quick summary of some questions still bugging me about former KOM leaguers. If anyone wants to chime in feel free so to do.

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The passing of John David Mudd—Carthage Cubs 1951.

B. 4/22/1932—D. 6/16/2019

 

This note was sent to some of the surviving members of the 1951 Carthage Cubs

 

“Guys, I was trolling this Internet this afternoon and was shocked to find the notice of the death of your old teammate, John Mudd. I was going to send along his obituary but this is all I could find. www.dignitymemorial.com/zh-cn/obituaries/mesa-az/john-mud...

 

For some reason the lack of detail doesn't surprise me. Hope the rest of you are doing well. Kathy, I don't know if sharing this with Leonard would mean anything to him or not. Anyway, wanted to let all the known living 1951 Carthage Cubs, with whom I have contact, know about Mudd.”

 

The living members of the 1951 Carthage Cubs are: Don Biebel, Fred Bade, Bernie Tomicki, Jim Conroy, Wayne Baker, Dick Gintert, Orville Jacobs, Bill Eastburn, Leonard Vandehey, Walt Babcock and Len Bourdet. From that list I have regular to sporadic contact with five of them. I heard from two of them regarding Mudd’s passing.

 

•

Walt Babcock’s reply:

 

JOHN, I LOOKED UP JOHN ONCE WHILE I LIVED IN CHICAGO. NEVER DID AGAIN.

 

Don Biebel’s reply:

 

Thanks John, sorry to hear this, I loved John as did all of his teammates. My condolences to his family.

 

A short time later:

 

John: just a follow up to let you Biebel is hanging in there. Feeling good with the exception. Of a severe case of neuropathy in my feet and hands. Walk around like a drunk trying to stay on my feet. Had to give up golf but I keep busy. I collect cigar bands now and have over 57,000 in my collection. Yeah, I turned into a nerd. Hope you're well and even though you don’t hear from me I love your updates and look forward to seeing them although there is far too many obits these days. Take care, John and thanks again for the info on John (Mudd)

 

Ed reply:

 

Good hearing from you. In the last few days I have read a lot about your high school days with Billy Hoeft. That game where he struck out every batter must have been quite an experience. Of course, you had to be responsible for calling such a good game.

 

Do you have any special memories from that game? I read where the Detroit Tigers were after you as well.

 

Nothing wrong with being a nerd. Always good hearing from you.

 

Biebel’s reply:

 

Yeah the Tigers wanted to sign me for 51 and I was not about to wait until then. Wanted to get my feet wet right away. The Hoeft game was something else and it was against a pretty good team but he was something else. www.google.com/search?q=billy+hoeft+baseball&oq=Billy...

 

We ended up together again when he joined the Cubs in 64 or 65. Did you know my senior class in HS had three us make the majors, Bill as a pitcher, me as an official and Dutch Rennert as an umpire? Take care John and keep doing what you're doing you're loved

 

Ed reply:

 

Now that you mention it I do recall your telling me about Rennert.

 

Just think how your journey in life would have been changed had you signed with the Tigers. For sure you would have missed the bright lights of Carthage and the "dim bulb" batboy who fetched the drinking cup from the bottom of the water pail.

 

Closing remarks:

 

John Mudd was a graduate of Lane Technical High School in Chicago. He was not only a good pitcher but he was a magnate to a few of the Carthage “bobby soxer’s” and some of my buddies who admired his baseball smarts. This note came from one of my “bestest” friends. “Johnny: Johnny Mudd was very kind to us as kids, spent quite a bit of time talking to us. Somewhere, probably in a very old shoe box, I have a picture of him at Muny Park. If I ever find it I will send it to you. Thanks for telling me about his passing. One of my early Class D heroes -- and you know what? They meant as much as most of the big leaguers I've met. -- Corky Simpson

 

P.S. I once interviewed ____ _____ in the ______ clubhouse. He was naked and eating linguine. True story. Other players came and went as if, heck, nothing strange about this. Truth be told, the clubhouse is THEIR house and if you're there, you're a guest, a visitor or a trespasser. But they can be gross, just the same.”

 

Ed comment:

 

Just to protect my friend I expunged the name of the famous guy and the team he represented who ate in the nude during an interview. I read that note to my wife and her remark was “There is something wrong with that guy.” My wife never met the guy, but I have. I think my wife was spot on in her remark.

 

John Mudd was another of those guys who had it before his military service and not after it concluded. He was 14-8 at both Carthage and Sioux Falls, SD in 1951-52. He then went into to service and pitched for Ft. Chaffee, Ark. during 1953-54. After returning to professional baseball he pitched in the Sally, Three-I and Pioneer leagues in 1955-56 and compiled a 10-12 record before returning to his native Chicago and working many years for the city. In his latter years he moved to Arizona.

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Well, sports fans it’s time to bring another “action packed” edition of the KOM League Flash Report to a conclusion. Yes, it will retain that title due to the “great outpouring” of support for it to not got through a name change. Great outpouring, in this instance was 1%. That is how many of the readers cast their vote for either change or retain the status quo. That kind of “support” has and will cause many in the presidential sweepstakes for 2020 to step aside. Do you think maybe the readership is sending along a message?

 

Done