A Baseball Connection: Cy Young

I came across an article in History.com about the early career of Cy Young, MLB's winningest pitcher ever (and not likely his record will ever be beat).

He was born in Gilmore, Ohio, in 1867, just two years after the Civil War ended.  Denton True "Cy" Young grew up on a farm.

His father, who served in the war in the 78th Ohio Infantry during the war, gave his son the middle name "True" in honor of another soldier he served with.

In case you're wondering about the name "Cy" he got that during an early tryout in baseball when his fast ball tore the boards from a grandstand and he got the name "Cyclone" later shortened to "Cy."

Looks like a bit of Road Tripping Through History is in order when I finish writing about the 15th Illinois Infantry and Captain Harley Wayne.

--Old Cy.

Ed Bearrs On Chicago Baseball and the Biograph Theater

Mr. Bearss said he had seen the very first All-Star game in Chicago because of famed Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward.  It was played July 6, 1933, at Comiskey Park in Chicago and was Arch Ward's idea.  It was held to be a boost to Chicago and something to get people's minds off the Great Depression.

He saw it also because Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis who was baseball commissioner at the time and also  kept his office in Chicago.

He believes he may be the only person alive who saw that game.The wort seats in Comiskey Park were in the extreme right field which is where Babe Ruth played.  But he did see the Babe make a great catch and of course, hit a home run to right field.

He was also at this year's All-Star game played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., compliments of the Civil War Times.

In his two days being driven around Chicago a highlight was seeing the Biograph Theater where John Dillinger was killed thanks to the "Lady In Red."  He also wanted to see as many Chicago mob sites as possible.

It Would Appear That Our Mr. Bearss Is Interested In More Than Just the Civil War.  --Old Secesh

Wofford College in the Civil War (Defeated UNC in Basketball Last Week)

Everything is still buzzing about that incredible upset that little Wofford College in Orangeburg, South Carolina, pulled over defending National Champion and #5 rated North Carolina last week!!  I am a big Tarheel fan, but believe me, I always love it when one of the little guys knocks off one of the big guys.

I also learned some facts about Wofford College during the war:

**   Baseball was introduced by Yankee soldiers.

**  Trustees of the school invested their entire endowment fund in Confederate bonds, which proved to be worthless.  However, you can still see those bonds in the school vault.

**  Many of the students and alumni fought for the Confederacy.

--  Old Secesh