 | DAIN CLAY
Was a 3 sport star at Cuyahoga Falls High School. He played 3 years with the National A.C. team before joining Speed Bosworth's Akron Yankee Jrs., a team of All-City players. He batted over .400 for the 2 years he played with the Yankee Jrs. In 1937 Dain (playing with the Yankee Jrs.), was voted the Akron District winner of the "Greatest Sandlotter" contest by the Times-Press. A total of 43,694 votes were cast in the contest. In 1938 he signed a pro contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to Portsmouth, OH in the Mid- Atlantic League, thereby starting a professional career that would last 17 years. The leagues he played in look like a baseball travelogue. He played in the International, Three I, Texas, Pacific Coast, American Association, Southern and Western International Leagues. And in the National Leagues as a major leaguer, Clay played outfield for both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. An arm injury curtailed his major league career.
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 | JAMES "JIM" A. FIRTH
Was a 1960 graduate of St. Mary's High who was a switch hitting catcher who hit more than .500 during a four year high school career. He was an All-City catcher in baseball for four years and All-City in football & basketball for two years. In his senior year he was named to the Catholic All-American Basketball Team. He attended Southern Illinois University for one year on a basketball scholarship and had baseball tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates. On returning to Akron he played for Krispy Kreme, John Browns, Joe's All Stars, Blatz Beers, Tiny's Orphans, and finally with Nino's Lounge teams. He was selected on three All-Star teams for his stellar play and excellent hitting ability. His hitting average was always near .400. He led his teams in home runs and in RBI's. Jim passed away at the young age of 47 on October 23, 1989.
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 | LOU HAWLEY
A righthanded pitcher who doubled as a shortstop when not pitching. He had a great high school record at Garfield High before joining the South Akron Merchants, Krumroy Markets, Snyder Lumber, Sahara Dry, and the New Haven Cafes. He played in the Akron A League for 6 years before joining the army. He pitched for the U.S. Army team in England, helping them win the European Theatre of Operations championship, with a 1 hitter and a "no hitter" in the tournament. This feat got him voted M.V.P. and "All Tourney" status. Upon returning to the States, he played for the Canton Road Furniture and Post #273 teams. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs and sent to Fayetteville, NC, where he pitched well prior to injuring his arm. He finished his career back in Akron with the Borden Autos 1947 State champions.
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 | JOE KROWNAPPLE
A lefthanded pitcher "phenom" out of Hower Vocational School, where he once struck out 5 batters in one inning, due to a couple passed balls. Joe went on to pitch for the Yankee Jrs. and Goodrich Local #5 before going to the Army. He played and managed the 37th Ord. Co. team in Australia, New Guinea and the South Pacific area for 2 years. He returned to Akron to play with Moore Wrestlers in the Akron AA League. In addition to being a fine pitcher, Joe was no slouch at the plate and carried a high batting average and drove in his share of runs. Joe had pro tryout trials with the St. Louis Cardinal Minor League (Springfield, OH team) and was sent to Albany, GA. An injury to his arm ended his pro career. He continued playing AA League baseball and was on 4 championship clubs, as well as being on 3 All-Star teams.
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 | ROY LEAFGREN
An All-City catcher from the "East High School Baseball Factory", Roy helped many teams to win championships with his steady handling of pitchers and timely hitting. Among those teams were the Post #209, Smith Sheriffs, and the Krispy Kreme baseball teams. His catching ability got the St. Louis Browns interested, and they signed him to Wausau in the Wisconsin State League. Then they assigned him to Pittsburgh, KS (of the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. He made the All-Star teams in both leagues. The Korean War interrupted his baseball career for a couple of years. He returned from the service to play with Wichita, KS in the Western League, and then with Aberdeen, SD in the Northern League. He finished his baseball career with San Antonio in the Texas League.
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 | RUSS MARCHAND
He came out of Central High School where he was All-City pitcher in 1958 and an All-City 2nd baseman in 1959. He joined (1986) Hall of Famer Paul Rifes Post #209 team where he was instrumental in helping Paul's teams win 4 League titles and 3 Legion Tournament championships. He moved on to the Black Labels and played with those championship teams that represented Akron at the Battle Creek tournaments. He signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played with Altoona, PA in the Penn State League. An injury curtailed his baseball pro career. Russ turned his talents to coaching in the North Hill Youth Leagues. He served as the Commissioner of North Akron Baseball for a good many years.
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 | EUGENE R."GENE" MICHAEL
Another East High School and Kent State University product who made it big. He was a talented basketball player as well as an outstanding shortstop. He played in the Akron AA League with Borden Autos, Howe Construction, Old Dutch Beers and Krispy Kreme teams. In 1959 he began his professional career, arriving in the major leagues in 1966 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thus began 10 years in the majors in which he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, seven years with the New York Yankees (1968-74) and the Detroit Tigers. For five years he was the regular shortstop for the Yankees, winning Sporting News "Golden Glove Award" in 1971. Became a coach with the Yankees in 1976. Then Manager of International League pennant winner Columbus Clippers in 1979. This achievement got him the managerial position with the New York Yankees, and later on, the Chicago Cubs manager's job. He currently is Vice-President and General Manager of the New York Yankees.
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 | THURMAN MUNSON
Born in Akron, but moved to Canton at an early age. He played with the Triner Sports and the Four Winds Restaurant teams in the Akron Leagues before attending and starring as a catcher with Kent State University. He received All-American honors with the Flashes. A 1970 New York Yankee contract resulted and he began a fabulous career with the Yankee organization, winning "Rookie of the Year" in 1970. His brilliant play during his 10 year career earned him many honors. The Yankee Captain was the American League's Most Valuable Player and the Sporting News "Player of the Year" in 1976. He was named catcher on the American League All-Star squad in 1971, '73, '74, '75, '76 and '77. He played in the 1977 and '78 World Series, set four records and tied six others. Thurman was truly a great in our game and his untimely death August 1979 in a tragic plane crash, deprived the baseball world of an extraordinary talent.
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 | JACK NICHOLAS
Jack played on the 1939-40 Killian Celtics B team & North High "Teens". Played centerfield for North High in 1941-42. Graduated from Akron U in 1948, where he ran track and played basketball. As a first baseman and centerfielder, Jack played for such teams in the AA League as Civitan Club '45-'48, Norka Plating '49-'50, Souvenir Beer '50, Krumroy Markets '51-'52 and Redl Golf, 1953. He played 3 years with Civitans without missing an inning of play and 2 of those seasons without commiting an error at 1st base. His AA League batting average was .324. He averaged 20 stolen bases per season. Following his active playing days, he turned to coaching. He served as Assistant Basketball Coach at North High '48-'49, and at West High, '51-'54. He was Head Baseball Coach at West High '51-'54. From 1954-1964 he ran the Firestone Park "Lucky" Baseball League for 6 to 10 year old boys, starting many of them on AA and college careers. During the period he spent as Superintendent of the Coventry schools (1960's) and the Revere schools (1970's) he made certain baseball was a strong part of athletic programs and facilities.
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 | JACK PALMER
In 1964 played with Class F Champs L&B Construction. Was instrumental in the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers winning two "Metro" titles and was named All-Metro in 1967 and 1968. Also in 1968 he was named to the Greater Akron All-Star team with a 10-1 record, 157 strikeouts in 77-2/3 innings and a .045 ERA. He also guided the Black Tigers to their best record ever: 34-4. In 1968 against Walsh Jesuit High he missed a perfect game by issuing 1 walk and struck out "all 21 batters" for an 8-0 win. He received a scholarship to Kent State, where he was Co-Captain, MAC Conference "Player of the Week" for pitching back-to-back shutouts against (1st Place) Miami of Ohio, and Western Michigan the next week. Began his AA League career in 1968 with Kippy-Heathco, 1969 Black Labels, 1970-71 Wayne Knolls Farms, 1972 Eaton Sports Pride, 1973 Akron Insulating, and 1974 Flexi-Grip. With Flexi-Grip he was AA leader with 117 strikeouts in 79-2/3 innings and 1.21 ERA. Drafted by Nino's for NABF Tournament in Louisville, KY, he beat Detroit 11-0 on 3 hits and 14 strikeouts to put Nino's in the semi-finals. Named to 6 All-Star teams, and in 1971 gave the Akron All-Stars their first win in 5 years against Canton All-Stars, 3-2. Also in 1971 he received the "Frank Garcia Memorial Award" as the year's outstanding player, recognizing his excellent play. Jack was no slouch at the plate, either.
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 | FRANK PINTER
A strong, muscular catcher who starred at Hower Vocational School before joining Speed Bosworth's Akron Yankee Jrs., Pinter caught 4 no-hitters during his 14 year career, with such teams as Cuyahoga Falls Moose, Simpson Markets, and Akron Orphans. He played with the Army Unit team traveling from North Africa to Italy and France, featuring several Major League and Triple A players. He caught the World Championship game between the NBF Champion Akron Orphans and the ABC Champion Baltimore Glenn L. Martin Bombers. He was a consistant .300 plus hitter and in 1940 stole 26 bases. Frank had a fierce competitive spirit and was tough enough to have played in the barehanded days of baseball. He died in 1975 at age 57.
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 | JOHN PORTER
John played his high school baseball at Buchtel and Cuyahoga Falls High before joining the Exchange Chevy's in the American Legion League. He won two championships, then began playing in the A League with Simpson Markets team. After a couple of seasons with the Markets, Chet Foltz's National A-C team needed a shortstop, and John handled that spot for several years and three championships. During that time another Maple Valley team was rising to prominence, Marshall Snider's-Sohio A.C. team. So John and 1985 Hall of Famer Bill Aylward joined that team, taking them to the State finals at Van Wert. Being drafted into the Army prevented John from joining the Boston Braves organization. However, the Fort Hayes Army team made use of his talents. All in all, John spent 15 years in baseball in the Akron area before moving to Florida.
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 | JESSE RAINES
At an early age Jess began pitching in Class D and American Legion baseball. He threw hard and had a fine curve ball. At Central High School he lettered in three sports, but he excelled in baseball. As a 15 year old he joined the first Akron Orphan team that featured such players as current Hall of Famers Hal Schumacher, Bill Starkey and Eddie Vincent. He pitched a no-hitter against the Kenmore Taverns who had Hall of Famer Hal Naragon behind the plate. Jess played for the N.B.F. Champion Orphans team until he was drafted into the Army, where he continued to play on Army teams in Texas, England and Germany. He signed a Chicago Cub contract and played with their affiliate in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. There he had a nine game winning streak. Chronic arm problems ended his playing days. He coached and managed Cuyahoga Falls Little League for many years.
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 | JOHN L. "JOHNNY" SINGLE
He was a classy shortstop who could hit and run with anyone. He came out of Barberton High School to play with the Firestone Locals in the Akron Industrial League. He moved to the Killian Celtics where he played in the N.B.F. tournaments in Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, PA and Birmingham, AL. He played with the Akron Yankee Jrs. and then with the Sunset Parks (Barberton) team. While with the Sunset Parks, Johnny had 11 hits in 19 at bats in a Sunday/Monday doubleheader: 3-H.R., 1-triple, 1-double, 6-singles. In 1937 Johnny (playing for Sunset Parks), was voted the Suburban District winner of the "Greatest Sandlotter" contest held by the Times-Press. A total of 43,694 votes were cast in the contest. That got him a pro contract with the New York Yankee organization. An arm injury ended his pro aspirations. Returning to Akron he played on the Smith Sheriffs, Columbia Chemical, Koerber Beer, and Goodyear Wingfoot teams and was named on several All-Star teams. He later teamed with (1987) Hall of Famer Denny Galehouse and (1991) Hall of Famer Chuck Bloedorn in running a baseball clinic. His ability to convey baseball knowledge to youngsters was exceptional. His untimely death at age 74 in a Florida auto accident in January 1989 was a great loss to our game.
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 | LEWIS THRASHER
Began pitching for Post #209 and the Hungerford Drugs youth teams. His high school career took place in Lawrenceburg, TN, where his pitching prowess got him on the B.F. Goodrich Thomastown, GA, semi-pro team. He returned to Akron to play with the Killian Celtics and become one of Joe Winkler's aces. He joined the Smith Sheriffs and pitched in two All-Star games at Goodyear Seiberling Field. Lew signed a pro contract with Nashville in the Southern Association, who sent him to Eufaula, AL. From there he played with Abbeyville, LA and was reassigned to Tallahassee, FL in the Georgia-Florida League. The following year he went to Tyler, TX in the East Texas League before being called back to Nashville, TN. He concluded his pro career at Beckley, WVA in the Mid-Atlantic League. Lew's lifetime ERA average was less than 3.
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 | BOB TOEPFER
Made his presence known on the Akron sandlots as a rugged, tough competitor who smashed base hits to all fields. What he may have lacked in finesse, he made up in determination to win. He helped the Ohio Boxboard, Wadsworth V.F.W., Rittman Packaging, Moore Wrestlers, Canton Road Furniture, Erhart Kramers, and finally the Krispy Kremes to win championships and to be quality teams. His batting average was always above .300 and he usually led in R.B.I.'s. Bad knees prevented his signing a Cleveland Indian organization contract. In spite of his size, he was a gentle person who spent much of his time (following his playing days) devoted to the youth of his community. Because of his leadership and devotion, Denville, NJ's Little League had 700+ kids in its program. Bob died of leukemia in 1980 at a young age. A great loss to our game.
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 | DON TYLER
Came out of North High School as an infielder, but quickly converted to a catcher. He played on such teams as the Akron Blue Sox and the John Fulton Post #272 in the youth leagues. He spent a year at Toledo University, where he teamed with Hall of Famer Bobby Nash on area semi-pro teams. His first Akron AA League team was Holland Furnaces. World War II interrupted his baseball playing days for nearly 4 years, while he served as a paratrooper. During the training at Camp Breckenridge he managed the base team. On returning to the Akron area, Don joined the Stembridge All-Stars for several years. Then he closed out his baseball career with the Elite Billiards team. Don was a consistent .300 hitter. He played for 3 championship teams, and was selected to 2 All-Star teams.
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 | TOM WOLFORD
Began playing in the Atwater Hot Stove League at a very young age. In 1958 as a pitcher, he had 4 no-hitters before reaching high school. His career record at Waterloo High was 20-5, with an ERA of .026. He was a 3-time All-Portage County player and an All-District, twice. At Ashland College he was 8-2, before joining such teams in the AA League as Bolin Oil, Pfeifle Undertakers, Akron Insulating, C&P Sales, Acme Ash and Genessee Beers. Tom pitched 14 years in the AA League and was an All-Star 12 times. He was 15-0 on the Akron Insulating championship team of 1977. He pitched for 7 championship teams and was voted M.V.P. during one tournament.
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