View allAll Photos Tagged LeftHanded
Various water-soluble pencils and crayons, and water, on paper.
From life / observation / mirror
9 X 11 inches
Left and right handed together
Two sessions, the first (left and right hands) 15-20 minutes, the second (right hand only) ~45 minutes
3 years ago...
Pen on paper.
Left-hand, eyes closed.
8 X 10 inches.
<=15 minutes.
This is a past self-portrait from my Daily Portrait Project, in which I made a non-photographic image of myself every day for three years, from 3/15/07 to 3/15/10. This series of self-portraits can be viewed in it's entirety at studiojuliakay.com/portraitproject.
The KOM League Flash Report
Spanning the Bridge
Between November and December 2018
With the holiday season my telephone traffic increases among the former KOM leaguers. Most of the former players have either ditched their computers or never took up the habit. Recently, I checked and saw that there was a message on my cellphone. I dialed the number and the person on the telephone told me he had a call on another line and that he was going to speak with a fellow in Columbia, Mo. just as soon as his wife made the contact.
At that point I told the fellow on the other end of the line that the only person he knew in Columbia was John Hall and he was talking to him. I got that situation straightened out and had a nice conversation with Dick and Molly McCoy.
For a quarter a century I have kept tabs on the McCoy’s or better stated they have looked after me. In recent days they had been contacted by someone who has written a lot about Pepper Martin. The old Gashouse Gang member spent a lot of time with the McCoys when Dick played for Pepper at Miami Beach, in 1950. Every time McCoy calls he has a lot of stories about his former manager and none are ever repeats.
In the last report it was mentioned that Yours truly hadn’t accomplished much in 25 years of writing about minor league baseball except for one thing; I had managed to reunite a former member of the McAlester Rockets of the Sooner State league with a librarian from that town. They had dated in the 1955-56 era but each went their separate ways until In piecing that scenario together the McCoy’s had wondered if I could locate Martin’s widow and daughters. Since his widow remarried and his daughter’s eventually married that was a rather difficult trail to travel.
However, it turns out that the librarian and one of Pepper Martin’s daughters graduated in the same high school class at McAlester. That information was shared with me and I in turn sent it on to the McCoy’s in Omaha who passed the word along to the person writing about Pepper Martin. See how that works.
Well, many years passed and there was some more inquiry regarding the Martin family and Molly McCoy seemed to remember that I had told her long ago that I graduated from high school with Martin’s daughter. At my advanced age I know I’ve lost it but I was pretty sure I never graduated from high school in McAlester, Okla. So, Molly started looking for my long ago e-mails to her on the subject of Pepper Martin and she acknowledged that I was passing along the information from Martin’s daughter’s classmate. As a point of curiosity I asked Molly to share the date on that e-mail and I was informed it was 2007.
As I spoke with Molly the name of the former librarian and the name of the baseball player she married 50 years after they parted ways, in McAlester, came to me. I’ll have to look up their address and sent them a Christmas card.
In getting a telephone call from the McCoy’s I find out the status of some other folks I can only wonder about. Many of McCoy’s former teammates are on the north side of 90 and are in nursing homes. According to the McCoy’s John William “Bucky”Hall who pitched for the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers is in a Florida nursing facility. Gene Castiglione’s wife, Sharon, had a stroke and they are still in Benld, Illinois. The McCoy’s wanted to know if I have heard from Ray Scherschligt from Alpena, South Dakota, which I hadn’t. Since I find no record of his passing I imagine he is in a nursing facility of some type as he is now 93 years old. McCoy also drops some names from the Brooklyn Dodger system on me that never had KOM experience. One name he mentioned in the recent telephone call took me by surprise. The fellow played 13 years in the Dodger organization at high levels. But, time has a way of getting away from all of us. The fellow died on Christmas Eve, eve in 2011. I may just wait and tell the McCoy’s about this guy’s passing at a later time.
You have to admire the McCoy’s as they stay “in the game” even after Dick’s recent chemo and radiation treatments. If he holds on as long as his mother did he has another 16 years in which to share his stories.
While Dick and Molly were at Miami Beach for the 1950 season they were not aware that Pepper Martin had three daughters. He later told the McCoy’s that he was not about to bring his daughters around where there were young ballplayers. Molly chuckled in telling that story.
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A reader enjoyed hearing about Musial
John: Thanks for your recent KOM League report. It brought back wonderful memories of my one encounter with Stan Musial.
The weekend of September 17-19, 1965, I was in Saint Louis to see the Saint Louis Billiken soccer team play Michigan State for the NCAA national championship at Washington University’s Francis Field. I never paid much attention to soccer before that day, but I was hooked after witnessing Saint Louis U. beat Michigan State 1-0 on a penalty kick. Many of Michigan State’s best players were from Saint Louis on scholarship. At that time, SLU did not offer soccer scholarships. To me, that made the win that much better.
On Sunday, the 19th, I went to see the Cardinals lose to the Dodgers, and afterwards that evening, I had supper at Stan and Biggies. Guess whose hand I got to shake. Yes, Stan Musial himself was working the dining room greeting dinner patrons. I didn’t wash my hand for a week. To this day, I deeply regret not being prepared to show up with a picture of Stan, so he could autograph it.
One more memory of Stan Musial. Growing up in Anderson, Missouri, before moving to Neosho in 1960, I was a big Cardinal baseball fan. My Uncles, who were dairy farmers on a farm outside Anderson knew this and had me convinced Stan Musial could be Pope someday. You see, growing up Catholic, and knowing you had to be a Cardinal before being Pope, they took advantage of my gullibility my pulling my leg.
Thanks again John for bringing back such great memories of Stan Musial, Leo Downey
Ed reply:
I showed up at Stan’s dinner table at his restaurant, on July 2, 1950, with a little scrap of paper and a pencil used for scoring. He saw my inadequacy and took me into his office and signed an 8 X 10 glossy for me. I don’t know how long you have been on the Flash Report mailing list but in George Vescey’s book on Musial he made chapter six about my meeting with “The Man”.
Downey’s reply:
Very cool! I’m extremely jealous
Ed comment
Here is a small world tale. As I was doing next to nothing, one recent afternoon, my wife told me I had a telephone call. The person wanted to tell me of the death of someone he thought I knew, well. In fact the name didn’t ring a bell. The caller told me the deceased had attended one of my Mantle book signings at a local supermarket at least a dozen years ago. Since so few people ever came to one of those signings I decided I had better look up the obituary. Upon doing so I saw how successful the individual had been in his teaching career heading up some prestigious positions at the universities of Missouri and Oklahoma State. Upon seeing his photo I indeed recognized him. What is interesting is that Leo Downey and the deceased were raised on dairy farms in Anderson and Goodman, Mo., respectively, which are seven miles apart. And, by golly they both purchased a copy of a book written by Yours truly. Here is the obituary of the deceased. www.columbiamissourian.com/obituaries/family_obituary/joh...
The late Dr. Campbell was interested in a story I shared about the time Mickey Mantle and his all-star basketball team rolled into Goodman to play a game. During the winter months Mantle traveled around the four-state area of Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas with a few of his kinfolk, friends and Billy Martin. That team even played the Harlem Globetrotters at least once. Max Mantle, Mickey’s first cousin, enjoyed telling the tale of the game they played at Goodman. Martin never got to start or play very much. So, Martin convinced Mickey to let him start the Goodman game. Shortly into the contest Martin took a shot and missed. Mickey immediately called time out and when the team got to the bench Martin was told he was being taken out. When he demanded to know why he was being removed from the game Mickey replied “Because you aren’t hitting tonight.”
Now, the good news of all this is that the fellow who called, that I hadn’t seen for a dozen years, spoke as though he’d come by my house in the not too distant future to get some more of the Mantle books. Sure hope he makes it before Christmas.
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The passing of a Blackwell Bronco
www.meaningfulfunerals.net/?action=obituaries.obit_view&a...
Gerald Floyd Crucani, the son of the late John Crucani and Johanna Dernosek, was born Wednesday, October 25, 1933 in Topeka, Kansas.
On June 26, 1957, At Shady Grove Baptist Church in Kennett, Missouri, Gerald was united in marriage to Joe Ann Masterson, who preceded him in death on March 30, 1998.
Gerald grew up in Franklin, Kansas. As a young adult, he played minor league baseball for the Chicago Cubs. After a few years, he quit playing ball to join the Navy. While in the Navy, he began writing to future wife, Joe Ann, as a pen pal. Shortly after, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. He and Joe Ann then married and relocated to Kennett, Missouri and began starting a family. In addition to his three biological children, he was known as “Dad” to Charlotte, Jennifer, Tisha, and Larry. He also opened his home to many foster children throughout the years. He began working at Baker Implement in 1960 and retired in 1992. After losing his beloved wife of 40 years to cancer he began volunteering for Hospice. He then met Mary Kansas with who enjoyed a 20 year friendship with up until his passing. He enjoyed spending time with family, working in his shop, and being out in the community.
Mr. Crucani departed this life at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the age of 85 years and 28 days.
He is survived by 1 son Joey Crucani (Debra); 1 daughter Tena Petix ( Alan Campbell); 2 grandsons Damon Crucani (Tori) and Levi Petix (Abigail McMullan); 2 granddaughters Tiffany Patterson (David) and Megan Weaver (Anthony) all of Kennett, Missouri; 7 great grandchildren Charlie, Kobe, Luke, Dyson, Gunnar, Ahdyn, and Laken; 2 sisters Nancy Recer (Barney) of Blue Springs, Missouri and Rosemary Shead of Kansas City, Kansas; 1 sister-in-law Betty Cruciani; and long time special friend Mary Kansas and her family along with a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by 1 son Jerry Crucani, 1 daughter in-law Bonita Crucani, and 2 brothers John Crucani and twin brother Harold Crucani.
Visitation will be held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Kennett, Missouri on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Johnny Bogle officiating.
Pallbearers include Alan Campbell, Damon Crucani, Ed Jacques, David Patterson, Levi Petix, and Anthony Weaver.
Ed Comments;
Harold was a very good songwriter. He once sent me a 78 rpm record with a song he wrote and recorded. It was titled “Baseball Season Has Begun.” It was a rather catchy tune and he assigned me the rights to it. I still have it.
Harold had the nickname “Twin” and Gerald was “Lefty.” For a while I thought both boys were drafted at the end of 1952. However this article from the January 10, 1958 edition of the Joplin Globe changed that misconception. “NAVY RECRUITS NINE DURING LAST MONTH—Nine district men enlisted in the navy during December, according to an announcement by Chief Lawrence Anderson of the Joplin navy recruiting station yesterday. They are as follows: Thomas Ray Dalton of Anderson: Harold Lloyd Crucani of Franklin. Kan.; George Edward Maddox of Goodman: Alan Robert Drenik of Frontenac, Kan.; Myron Earl Baker of Picher, and James Robert Harrod, Jimmy Lee Neal. Jimmie Lee Moss and” Walter Leon Eubank of Joplin.”
The Crucani boys watched a lot of Pittsburg, Kansas Browns, growing up. They made it to Pittsburg to play a few games when Bartlesville moved up there in mid-season, of 1952, and after the twin brothers finally hooked on with Blackwell.
Convincing the baseball experts that the KOM league had three sets of twins, in 1952 was 66.66% easy. Proving that the other 33.33% was the difficult task. This was carried in the June 7, 2018 edition of this publication. “An Iola Register story on Sept. 11, 1952 stated that “Iola fans only saw one pair but there were three sets of twins in the KOM league when the season ended. Pittsburg had Ernie and Emmanuel Abril, Independence—Don and Ron Saatzer and Blackwell—Harold and Gerald Crucani.” The article went on to say, in a humorous manner, that the nearest Iola came to twins were Joe Vilk and Bill Wigle. Of course, the twin comparison was in regard to the number of games won as both were pitchers, Vilk was a 21-year old right-hander from Akron, Ohio and Wigle was ten years his senior and a left-hander from Amertsburg, Ontario, Canada.
Many years ago, when researching my first book, I communicated with both Gerald and Harold and the contact with Harold was the more frequent. He sent me many things which included a number of photos with him and his twin brother standing next to Pete Appleton. I know everyone in this reading audience remembers Pete. He was known by a different name when he first reported to the Cincinnati Reds. It is a long story and Pete even had a longer name, at birth, which was Jablonowski. You can read all about Pete at this site: www.google.com/search?q=Pete+Jablonowski&oq=Pete+Jabl...
There is a lot written about Pete of both last names fame, but not much concerning the baseball careers of the brothers Crucani. Thus, I’m departing from the norm and going into the antiquity of my first book and share their story.
“The Crucani twins, who played at Blackwell were located in Missouri and California. Gerald and Harold were born October 25, 1933 in Topeka, Kansas. At age 18 both signed minor league contracts and appeared to be headed to the Ardmore Indians in the Sooner State League. However, by the end of the spring Harold was with Blackwell. Both Harold and Gerald played part of that season for Jackson, Tenn. in the Kitty League before going to Blackwell. Harold was and outfielder and Gerald played first base. Gerald’s most lasting memory of his time at Blackwell was the ambidexterity of Fred Bade. Gerald said he played second base and could throw right or lefthanded. Harold recalls that the Ponca City Dodgers gave him the toughest competition over-all, he says, ‘There were a lot of good ballplayers in the KOM League with very good talent who were dedicated to the sport, not just the money that might have been offered to them.’ The Crucani’s had brief stays in 1953 with Sandersville of the Georgia State League This was the extent of their professional baseball careers. Gerald played quite a bit of semipro ball around Parsons, Kansas., and worked as a butcher after his KOM days. Harold had enlisted in the Navy (1957) and eventually made it his career. He retired in 1973 as an E-7 Chief Gunners Mate. Gerald also served in the Navy and became a mechanic for 31 years before retirement. He is currently residing in Kennett, Mo. Harold in retirement calls San Diego home.”
How I came upon the Crucani photos with Pete Appleton.
On November 12, 1996 the following was received from Gerald Crucani:
“Dear Mr. Hall: First of all I want to thank you for all the time you have been sending me the magazine. I wanted to help what you are doing but seems like with my health problems and my wife now, just making it on a day to day basis with everything is so expensive. I have enjoyed reading the magazine very much but feel bad I am not supporting the great work you have done and still doing. Here is one of the pictures I found that I said if I did would send you one of Harold and I and Eddie Miller of the Cards. I got some more stuff to send you if I can find it somewhere in the house. If I do I will be sure to get it to you in the future. In closing thanks for everything. God Bless you and yours. Mr. Gerald Crucani—1700 Vinson St. Kennett, Mo. P. S. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. And thanks for the card.”
Later on Gerald found some more photos. It was one of him and his brother posing with Pete Appleton. It was of far superior quality to the photo the boys took with Eddie Miler. It is interesting that the photo with Appleton and Miller were taken in the same location. On the back of one photo it says that the photo was taken in 1951 in Florida. The other photo states the photo was taken in 1951 at Cocoa, Florida. I’m nearly positive these photos were taken a baseball camp for young hopefuls. The “A” on the baseball caps of the Crucani’s was for Arma which was another small town just north of Pittsburg, Kansas. Fans in Arma had to drive 10 miles to see KOM league games at Pittsburg while those in Franklin only had to go eight to see those games. Everyone in that area consume a lot of Chicken’s Annie’s famous chicken. search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrCwLCuSwFc4y8AAsMPxQt....
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The Death of George Nichols
When writing of the death of Keith Baker, in the previous report, I spent some time looking for surviving members of the 1947 Ponca City Dodgers. One member of that team, for two weeks, was George Morrill Nichols, an outfielder. He was born 7/17/1928 in Seattle, Washington.
Nichols was released by the Ponca City Dodgers on May 29, 1947 and didn’t play again until 1948 when he became the property of the Cleveland Indians. He played for Indian clubs at Billings, Mont., Bakersfield and Porterville, Calif. as well as Tacoma, Wash. and Yuma, Ariz. Through 1950. In 1951 Nichols had a shot with the Wichita Indians of the Western league but things didn’t pan out for him there.
During the years of researching the KOM league I located Nichols and his wife in Illinois. We exchanged Christmas cards a number of years. Last year I didn’t hear from them and thought it would be time to check on them again. Here is was I found: www.evanstonfuneral.com/notices/George-Nichols All that I could glean for the death listing was that he passed away April 19, 2018 in Evanston, Ill. He left this world 70 years, 11 months and 10 days after being released by the Dodgers. It would have been nice to have been able to share an obituary but none was found.
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I shall stop!!!
When this report was being anticipated there wasn’t much information available and I had planned to list the KOM deaths for 2018, the former KOM leaguers still living and those never located. That is a daunting chore when possessing a weak mind and eyes to match. But, if the snow gets heavy between now and the first of the New Year I’ll try tackling those three tasks.
Oh, one more thing: On Halloween I had a late evening telephone call and it was a treat, not a trick. The call came from Joliet, Illiinois and I’m happy to report I know someone in that town who isn’t incarcerated at the Federal Prison there. On the telephone was Bernie Gerl who is the sole survivor of the Duluth, Minnesota Dukes players involved in the terrible bus crash in 1948.
Bernie told me he can no longer attend the Dukes’ reunions but he is always remembered at those events. He still has fond memories of former KOM leaguer, Dick Getter and since Dick and Joan stay in touch I pass along to them greetings from Bernie.
Now, I’m done.
Photo posted by Moose in the TOM BIHN Forums: www.tombihn.com/forums/bag-reviews/3372-loads-lefty-love....
Halfstock percussion rifle made by Theodore Clark Spangler, in either Neponset or Annawan, Illinois. It is .34 caliber, with back action lock, and made for a left-handed shooter. Left handed firearms were very rare during the 19th Century. If one was born left-handed, it was considered a birth defect. Most were "converted" to be right-handed at home or in school.
Theodore Clark Spangler was born in Center Township (now Wyanet Township), Bureau County, Illinois, July 11, 1850. He was one of twin sons (Theodore & Theory), born to Jacob Young Spangler and his wife, Jane Clark, who came to Bureau County from Ohio, in 1847. The family moved to Manlius Township, Bureau County, in 1852.
Theodore Spangler is listed as "Gunsmith & Town Marshall" in Neponset, Bureau County, in "Taxpayers & Voters of Bureau County, 1877". He is listed in the 1880 census as a gunsmith in Annawan Village, Henry County, Illinois, which is just across the county line from Bureau County. Theodore Spangler married Janetta Peebles, in Annawan, Illinois, December 11, 1871. By 1885 he was a gunsmith in Tabor, Iowa. He died in Nebraska in 1903.
~6 X 8 inches
Inktense colored pencil on paper.
Right-handed.
Maureen's great artwork: www.flickr.com/photos/maureennathan/
Photos and portraits of Maureen: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/discuss/7215762428692...
The photo I was working from for all of these: www.flickr.com/photos/maureennathan/9731687245/
I wanted to work with another subject the way I work with my own image - not worrying about likeness, having fun with process, indulging in whatever artistic impulse strikes me in the time I have each night. Maureen was kind enough to agree to let me have at her 'no holds barred'. I also like to work in series so I chose to make 50 portraits over 25 days, all from the same photo. The images range from likeness to insane, from detailed to quite rough, some interesting and some that I wouldn't ordinarily display, except I'm posting the whole series.
These were all done in a lined spiral notebook with fairly thin paper that I received last year at a computer conference. I had used the first 50 pages for a series of ink self-portraits, and now I turned it over and starting from the back, filled it with these 50 portraits of Maureen. It is now completely filled.
These are, of course, portraits for Julia Kay's Portrait Party (JKPP). If you're an artist and you'd like to join an international community of artists who make portraits of each other, please consider applying to join us at the Portrait Party on flickr. First read the group guidelines here: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/rules/ Then click join here: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/
Love to hear this guy play the bass, but today he was playing the lead guitar #music #musician #red #guitar #lead #bassplayer #luthervandross #love #lefthanded #southpaw
Inside each and every one of us there is a kind of music being made. We don't know the how, what or why, but trust in all things unseen and your personal bassman will never lead you astray.
Enjoying the sunshine, Bute Park, Cardiff.
I don't take a lot of candid pics, but I simply couldn't resist this one. Although sunny, it was a bitterly cold day, and she seemed to be sat very "upright" with her coat collar turned up against the wind.
Firs in the snow in La Plagne, French Alps on a sunny day. Picture was taken with left arm only as the right one was broken. Anyway I am lefthanded via 500px ift.tt/295zbpF
I'm not sure how the window came to be broken. It was fine when I went to bed one night, and broken when I got up in the morning. Taken some time in 1973.
If it's my soy milk, and I'm the only one who will be drinking it, why do I need to waste a glass?
Efficiency! Cut out the middle man. It's better from the carton anyway. Also, anyone know of a good organic brand of soy milk?
it's finally starting to get cold here in nc. i'm hoping to take a trip up to the mountains soon and snap some pictures.
The KOM League Flash Report
for
The week of 4th of July
This Flash Report with the wedding photo of Gilbert Flauto and Gloria Burkhardt is on the Flicker site at: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/35629754425/
On May 22nd of this year a former KOM leaguer passed away. All attempts at finding a full obituary were futile. I came to the conclusion that the deceased outlived most everyone who could write one about his life. Every attempt was made to contact family members and funeral home personnel and all that I could positively determine was that he was cremated, in Florida.
Fortunately, I spoke with the deceased a number of times during his “speaking” years. He alternated between Florida and New York during his retirement years. He was in the jewelry business and a very bright man. At the end of 2016 a long conversation was held over the telephone with Bob Nichols a teammate of the deceased for part of the 1948 season and all of 1949. Thankfully, I took a lot of mental notes and they were contained in the KOM League Flash Report for Week of Jan. 8, 2017. It was carried in story about the 1949 Iola Indians. If you forgot the details, here are a few.
**
With the passing of George Boselo the members of the 1949 Iola Indians still living are: Richard F. “Gil” Flauto, Dick Getter, Dean Rothrock, Bill Anderson and Jerry Whalen. I have never been able to determine the fate of Edward C. Scott who was a native of Southwest City, MO and a graduate of the University of Missouri. That 1949 Iola team had the least turnover of roster members in KOM league history. Counting manager, Windy Johnson, there were just 23 young men with that team.
One of the smartest guys with whom Nichols ever played was Gilbert Flauto from New York City. He was sent to Chanute by the New York Giants in 1948, from their Class C team in Erie, Pennsylvania, and was soon cut loose and signed by the Iola Indians. He played a little outfield to begin his career but soon became a first baseman. He returned to Iola in 1949 and played the entire season. Nichols recalls that when Flauto hit a baseball, by the time he reached first base, he had already figured out his batting average depending upon whether he was safe or out. I asked Nichols what Flauto did with his talent and learned that he became a jewelry designer. That may be why he still divides his time between Florida and Ballston Lake, New York which is located north of Schenectady.
**
Carthage and Iola are scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at Bronson. temporary home field of the Indians. The games there will be at the usual time, 8:15, with regular admission prices. Howard Dawson, Bronson produce dealer, owns the facilities there and has offered them for use by the Iola club.
The foregoing must have been an error in reporting for the Iola Indians played the Independence Yankees on July 27th at Bronson. This was the report. “July 28, 1948
From 700 to 800 fans watched the first game ever played on Howard Dawson's new lighted field at Bronson. Earl Sifers, lola club president, said the installation of the lights was completed only the day before. Bronson has a good playing field and the lights were unusually good after adjustments were made during the game.”
The Iola Indians defeated the Independence Yankees 5-3 with John Peterman being the winning pitcher and Billy Bagwell taking the loss. At this juncture I could take up a couple of pages writing about that game, but won’t. Independence had a starting lineup that night of: Al Pilarcik-CF, Tommy Gott—LF, Jim Finigan-2B, Charlie Joe Fontana-RF, Bob Hamric-3B, Jim Davis-SS, Nick Ananias-1B, Ray Haley-C and the previously mentioned Bill Bagwell on the mound. That lineup is important to remember as this tale progresses. Iola started Whitey Wood-RF, Gil Flauto-1B, Jack Jordan-2B, Hal Fortine-CF, Jim Cahill-LF, Bob Marsden-3B, Mervin Dubbers-SS, Buck Walz-C and John Peterman-P.
This Flickr site has the photo of the 1948 Independence team that made the trip to Bronson. www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/32105835606
Iola generally had great team photos but 1948 was an exception. Thus, none is featured in this edition for that team. Name identification of those in the 1948 Independence team photo is mostly free for the asking. It isn’t included here due to the already too lengthy report.
The major occurrences in that game were future big leaguer, Jim Finigan got three infield hits, Iola pitcher, John Peterman had three RBI’s and Gil Flauto pulled the hidden ball trick on Tommy Gott at first base. Al Pilarcik also played in that game and made it to the big time but he didn’t do anything big time at Bronson that evening.
**
Gilbert Flauto May 22, 2017 Obituary
www.hollywoodmemorialgardens.com/obituary/184528/Gilbert-...
When searching for the obituary, the Hunter’s Funeral Home had this note “Will be available soon. Sign up below if you'd like to receive an email when the obituary is published or leave a tribute.” A tribute was left by Yours truly. Checking on the tribute, later, I couldn’t find it.
Assuming there was another way at getting the information I placed a call to the funeral and home spoke with two people and assumed from the conversation that anything from them would not be forthcoming.
Knowing that Gil’s wife had died in 2013 I went to the Internet and pulled up her obituary www.afterlife.co/us/obituary-ballston-lake-gloria-m-flaut... After reading that obituary I discovered one of Flauto’s daugher’s had passed away one year after his wife did. Another attempt was made to locate the remaining two daughters and one telephone number was no longer active and another daughter had a listed number but calling it only resulted in no answer.
Concluding remarks
Most likely, I will never see an official obituary for Gilbert Flauto but I’ll let the foregoing statements suffice for one. He was a KOM league All-Star, in 1949, and played first base against the Independence Yankees in that game. Back in New York, he enjoyed, in his later years, talking about playing against Mickey Mantle for three months of the 1949 season and then participating in the league championship series, against Independence, when the series went to the final game before Independence won in extra innings.
When asking anyone from the 1948 season what their most vivid memory of Flauto was the answer would be his being hit in the jaw with a pitch. On page 145 of Majoring in The Minors is a photo of Flauto with a big bandage on his right jaw. Right next to that photo is Don. Hall. Flauto was plunked by Don Hall of the Ponca City Dodgers while he was still on the Chanute roster. Since minor league teams never spent much money on any player who was injured, they were just released, Flauto shortly afterward was sent packing and he went 26 miles north and was signed by Iola. Hall, from Estherville, Iowa was a big righthaned pitcher who the Dodgers signed because he could throw 100 mph and since Bob Feller was from Van Meter, some 170 miles south, they hoped lightning would strike twice. It didn’t.
Oh, if you have a copy of Majoring in The Minors you could figure out from what side of the plate Flauto batted by looking at the jaw. Remember, the bandage was on the right jaw. Ah, that one was too easy.
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Some Flickr messages
Subject: Bartlesville baseball
Date: June 23rd, 2017
Hi John- I recently found all the research you've done on the KOM League and I am very impressed. I'm researching Oklahoma baseball teams as well and recently found a picture of a Bartlesville team that the only note with it is 1940's. I'm wondering if I can send it to you to see if you know which team this is?
Thanks for the help. Dan Bewley--Tulsa
Ed reply:
Briefly, I told the sender of that note I could identify any Bartlesville team photo by year, all the images on the photo and if they were living or dead. If they were dead, where they died and if alive,where they are.
****
April 26, 2017--Hass_53 said:
Dear Mr. Hall, Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your Flickr posts concerning the KOM league. I have a lot of family living in Miami, OK and know the area reasonably well. Also loved your book. Was unaware there was a 2nd edition and will have to look for it. Thanks again for your hard work and contributions to the game. Bruce
Hass--12 minutes ago
Hass_53 said: Am also curious as to the exact location of the park that the Miami team played at. Bruce Hass
Ed comment:
To the first message I advised Mr. Hass there a no more copies of my first book available except the possibility someone has one posted on the Internet. To the question about where Miami played, I advised him it was at Fairgrounds Park. The place was built for horse racing, not baseball, but it was home for about 434 Miami Blues, Eagles and Owls games.
The comments made by Flickr readers and the responses I make to them are a bit confusing to follow. Maybe the new owners of Flickr will make the communication much easier. If you wish to comment on anything I place on Flickr get in touch with me at my e-mail address: j03.john@gmail.com
***
Shame on editor of this publication.
In last week’s edition there was quite a bit to say regarding the late Robert Dale Boxell. There was one glaring omission.. His obituary mentioned his signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates after graduation in 1949. As Dizzy Dean would have said “I slud right past that one.”
Boxell did appear in a few games for the 1949 Bartlesville Pirates. In early February of 1950 he was one of about 100 Pittsburgh minor leaguers who were summoned to report to San Bernardino, Calif. for initial training at Perris Hill Park, according to the February 12th edition of the San Bernardino Sun. cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19500212.1.26 Players were sent there from the rosters of the Indianapolis Indians, New Orleans Pelicans and other Pirate affiliates from Charleston, SC; Hutchinson, KS; Albany, NY; Bartlesville, OK; Greenville, AL: Modesto, CA: and Tallahassee, Fl
There were many names at that camp who made it big with the Pirates such as: Frank Thomas, Bob Friend, Vernon Law and many others. The most celebrated player at that camp was Paul Pettit of Lomita, California who signed the first $100,000 bonus in baseball history, up to that time. However, almost everyone else at that camp had to have previous professional experience and Boxell received his in a short stint at Bartlesville in 1949. The Pirates gave Boxell $500 to sign and got almost as much benefit from him as they did, from a pitching standpoint, from Pettit.
In 1950 the Bartlesville Pirates trained at Hutchinson, KS. Boxell was cited in the April 14, 1950 of the Hutchinson News as being assigned to the Hutchinson roster. However, the Pittsburgh, PA Press reported on April 20, page 64, that Boxell was going to Bartlesville. www.newspapers.com/newspage/142182950/ (Foregoing URL not accessible with subscription. Only added for benefit of researchers who wish to verify my statements) Boxell indeed was in Bartlesville to start the season and his time there was detailed in last week’s edition of this publication.
Looking back at the more detailed account I had on Boxell, in my first book, it was found that Bartlesville released him on June 16, 1950. That is when he left to join the Pittsburg, Kansas Browns for short time. From there he was signed by the Detroit Tigers and went to Wausau, WI of the Wisconsin State league where he saw limited action.
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Comments from last report;
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Sorry, John, in my scan, I ‘found’ no picture of an IOLA uniform . bob s. Iola Indians 1950 and now living in Clifton Park, NY.
Ed comment:
The fake news arm of the KOM league publications wishes to assert there is a photo of an Iola uniform on the Internet. Take a look-se at this: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/9534050814 Furthermore, the data I have at my disposal indicates that photo has been accessed 70,348 times. Maybe Bob S. has gone there to look at himself “three score, ten and a few hundred times.”
***
Note from a 1949 Independence Yankee
Tried to answer your newsletter can't figure out the flicker thing.
(I’m) 88+ and still kicking. Busy with the Shriners clowns, flying my RC (radio controlled) airplanes, local historical society, member of our local shooting range and trying to keep my wife of 50 years happy. A few aches and pains but all I do is take a happy pill and the world turns rosy. Jim Cobb
P. S. No tomatoes on my plants as yet
Ed comment:
In telling the story of my conversation with Jim Bello (Belotti) last week I listed all the living members of the 1949 Independence Yankees.
James Cobb made it to that club, in mid-season after Bob Wiesler suffered a broken jaw. Wiesler suffered the injury when one of his teammates wanted to know how close he could come to the big lefthanded pitchers headed, swinging as hard as he could, without making contact. He found out and Wiesler consumed his nutrition, through a straw for many weeks. He even returned home to St. Louis, for a while.
During Wiesler’s absence the Yankees assigned Cobb to Independence from their Twin Falls, Idaho affiliate. In my cache of photos I have a Kodak photo of a group of Twin Falls players gathered around an older gentleman and they appear to be listening intently. Some of the players I later got to know such as the older brother, I never had, Bob Newbill and John “Beanstalk” Hurley. The “old man” they were listening, to as depicted in the photo was Tyrus Raymond “Ty” Cobb. The other Cobb in the photo was Jim. He was a native of Washougal, Washington. When Wiesler returned to the roster Cobb went back to Twin Falls but with something that couldn’t be replaced. He too the baseball cap he wore at Independence. The team was one cap short and when the team brought back Nick Ananias from Ventura of the California league he had to bring his cap. There are many photos of the 1949 Independence Yankees that have been reproduced since Mickey Mantle died. If you have one look at the team photo and you will see the block letter “I” on that cap with the exception of Ananias whose cap has “:V,” not for victory but Ventura.
End of story right? Wrong. For many years I had a complete 1949 Independence Yankee uniform from the socks to the jersey with one exception. The exception was the cap. Even though I never asked for it or knew of its existence, one day a package showed up at my house and inside the very light box was the ball cap James Cobb took back to the Pioneer league in 1949 then on to his home in Washougal, Washington at the close of the season. When the cap made its way to Columbia, Mo it had been sent from Portland, Oregon. If you were sitting where I’m now pounding out this report you could look up and about two feet and four inches away is that cap just begging to be worn again. I will don wear it for I’m not worthy of such an honor.
Bob Mallon
When I informed Bob Mallon, Mantle’s first roommate in pro baseball, about the call from Jim Bello he opined that Bello would probably not remember him. I assured Mallon that Bello indeed did. Thus, when Bello has this report printed out for him, by his neighbor, he’s apt to have a story or two about Mallon.
Ed reply:
He remembers you. Skizas used to raid his closet. When Jim confronted him Skizas would say that the clothes looked better on him.
Nothing is ignored
***
The value of the Mantle bat
Good stories How much do you think the bat will go for? Bruce—Tallahassee, Florida
Ed comment:
Last week I mentioned a special Mantle-Maris bat that a reader was wishing to sell. When one reader asked how high it might go I had to admit I didn’t know. However, I did tell him how far it would go if the owner didn’t get a fair offer for it. The distance is Sweden.
***
Home Run Derby remembered:
As a youngster home run derby was a favorite. Thomas Drake
John I always like those Homerun Derby videos especially because they were filmed at Wrigley Field in L.A. I’ve visited that site twice and it’s nice to see that old footage. Barry McMahon—Ladysmith, BC, Canada
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Did anyone read this entire report?
Playing left-handed, Ronnie playing for a red ball.
Ronnie is one of a handful of professional players who are just as good playing left or right handed.
Black 'woody' water-soluble crayon on paper, and water.
Freehand from a photo
7.5 X 9 inches
Left & right handed (prob left crayon and right water)
< 5 minutes
Arturo, Spain for JKPP
Portrait of Arturo for JKPP.
Arturo's own fantastic work: www.flickr.com/photos/espinosa_rosique/
Photos and portraits of Arturo: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/discuss/7215762548661...
I *was* looking at a photo of Arturo facing to the left, and out came this gentleman, facing to the right.
Perhaps he is Arturo's protective spirit, or then again his imaginary friend, or then again, just something I made up. In any event, I find this the most interesting of the three.
I think this was canson mi-teintes paper which really was too thin for the amount of water I threw at it, but then again it did spread the crayon around nicely.
Photo posted by Moose in the TOM BIHN Forums: www.tombihn.com/forums/bag-reviews/3372-loads-lefty-love....
Various water-soluble pencils and crayons on paper.
From life / observation / mirror
26 X 20 inches
Started as left and right handed together, but converted to strictly left-handed with right-handed erasing.
30 minutes
Photo posted by Moose in the TOM BIHN Forums: www.tombihn.com/forums/bag-reviews/3372-loads-lefty-love....
Photo posted by Moose in the TOM BIHN Forums: www.tombihn.com/forums/bag-reviews/3372-loads-lefty-love....
Seen outside Cardiff Central Police Station. I haven't seen this around Cardiff before, so I think it must be visiting from another station.
Tony Iommi
Black Sabbath
LG Arena, The NEC, Birmingham, UK
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Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning a wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Flowing clothes, tinkling bell
Never talking, just keeps walking spreading his magic
Evil power disappears
Demons worry when the wizard is near
He turns tears into joy
Everyone’s happy when the wizard walks by
Never talking, just keeps walking spreading his magic
Sun is shining, clouds have gone by
All the people give a happy sigh
He has passed by, giving his sign
Left all the people feeling so fine
Various water-soluble pencils and crayons on paper.
From life / observation / mirror
26 X 20 inches
Started as left and right handed together, but after the first 10 minutes, converted to strictly left-handed with right-handed erasing.
Day 01 - 01/18 - 30 m - red oxide. Left & a little right.
Day 02 - 01/19 - 70 m - deep rose. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 03 - 01/21 - 30 m - leaf green. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 04 - 01/22 - 30 m - payne's gray. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 05 - 01/23 - 36 m - dark purple. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 06 - 01/24 - 30 m - thistle. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 07 - 01/25 - 35 m - dusky purple. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 08 - 02/05 - 30 m - prussian blue. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 09 - 02/07 - 35 m - prussian blue & indian red. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
Day 10 - 02/10 30 m - prussian blue & light olive. Drew with the left, erased with the right.
~6 hours... so far.
Since it can be hard to see without lining them up side by side... main differences here are the left eye and more work on the hair.
Firking around the archives, I found this one of myself & my elder son having a Chinese meal in Ibiza. The expression on his face is priceless and no - he's not drunk! :) I also noticed he holds his knife & fork the same way as I do, although he's not lefthanded.
Fotos Encadenadas:
an. copa de agua
sig. expresión chiflada
I know this isn't the best Crossbill photograph but it is illustrative as it does show the crossed mandibles quite well. Crossbill bills can be either left or right handed, and (in Common Crossbill) there is a pretty even split between both types. The upper mandible is fixed to the skull and is centrally placed but it is the lower mandible that can swing either way. The ones like this where the lower mandible goes to the left are known as sinistrals and when the lower mandible points right they are known as dextrals. Sinister and Dexter are Latin terms for left and right and derived words are still in use today. Left-handedness was once associated with a shifty personality and the word sinister comes from that. Dextrous, meaning adept or nimble-fingered comes for the word for right-handedness. Back to Crossbills, as well as having an asymmetrical beak, they also have more developed musculature on one side of the lower cheek, and left and right handed birds approach cones from different directions. This one's a male with orange-red plumage while females are yellow-green. I photographed this one near Holmfirth in West Yorkshire.
~6 X 8 inches
Colored pencil on paper
Left and right handed moving together.
Maureen's great artwork: www.flickr.com/photos/maureennathan/
Photos and portraits of Maureen: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/discuss/7215762428692...
The photo I was working from for all of these: www.flickr.com/photos/maureennathan/9731687245/
I wanted to work with another subject the way I work with my own image - not worrying about likeness, having fun with process, indulging in whatever artistic impulse strikes me in the time I have each night. Maureen was kind enough to agree to let me have at her 'no holds barred'. I also like to work in series so I chose to make 50 portraits over 25 days, all from the same photo. The images range from likeness to insane, from detailed to quite rough, some interesting and some that I wouldn't ordinarily display, except I'm posting the whole series.
These were all done in a lined spiral notebook with fairly thin paper that I received last year at a computer conference. I had used the first 50 pages for a series of ink self-portraits, and now I turned it over and starting from the back, filled it with these 50 portraits of Maureen. It is now completely filled.
These are, of course, portraits for Julia Kay's Portrait Party (JKPP). If you're an artist and you'd like to join an international community of artists who make portraits of each other, please consider applying to join us at the Portrait Party on flickr. First read the group guidelines here: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/rules/ Then click join here: www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/
Pen and brush markers on paper.
8 X 10 inches.
This is part of my Daily Portrait Project, which can be viewed in it's entirety at studiojuliakay.com/portraitproject.
It's also part of series within the project, which I call left-hand-blind (LHB), in which I draw with my eyes closed and my non-dominant hand. I do open my eyes and use whichever hands I feel like for adding color.