TERRE HAUTE —
Part VI - Final
Any team seeking to win the 1947 Three-I League had to go through the Danville Dodgers and their stellar pitching staff including Ken Olsen, who became a 22-game winner, and the future Brooklyn Dodgers star from Anderson, Carl Erskine.
As the Terre Haute Phillies entered the home stretch, pitchers Ed Sundra and Al Porto were ailing. Sundra was in and out of the hospital with back spasms and Porto was hospitalized for influenza and a kidney infection.
In a season defined by the tragic death of manager Ray Brubaker, Terre Haute nurtured spirited rivalries with Danville, Evansville and Waterloo. The White Hawks led the league in attendance, luring 5,116 fans for a doubleheader against the Phillies July 30 to pass the 100,000 threshold. At year’s end, Waterloo had attracted a league record 174,064.
Terre Haute split four-games with the Hawks and then swept a three-game series at Decatur when Dick Welker had a 5-for-5 night during a doubleheader on Aug. 3.
Acrobatic baseball clown Jackie Price performed at the series opener against Danville at Memorial Stadium. Bill Jankowski allowed only two hits over eight innings to lead the Phillies to a 9-6 victory before 5,302. Six Phillies got extra base hits.
Then, Hardy Holt and Erskine united to whip Terre Haute, 10-4, in the second game before 2,913 fans. Sundra started but did not last long with his ailing back. The attendance catapulted the Phillies past 100,000.
Released from the hospital, Porto unexpectedly returned to action to limit the Dodgers to eight well-spaced hits as Terre Haute won 2-1 before 2,464. The victory moved the Phillies within three games of first place. It was Porto’s twelfth win of the year.
The Phillies swept a four-game series against Quincy, getting good effort from several members of the pitching staff and a brilliant 8-0 shutout from Jankowski.
With the season was winding down, the Big Phillies sent rookie Leo Cristante, a 21-year old righthander from Detroit, to Terre Haute before the Phillies entered a crucial home series against third place Springfield on Aug. 11.
Unfortunately, the Brownies swept the three game series, even winning on Fan’s Appreciation Night, Aug. 12, before 4,134. The loss dropped Terre Haute to third place.
With their tails between their legs, the Phillies headed to Bosse Field Aug. 15, for a hotly-contested four-game set against the fourth place Braves. Evansville’s Bob Whicher outdueled Porto and Cristante in the first game, 5-4, And, in the second game, David “Red” Sheehan, the baseball pride of Arlington, Mass., shutout Terre Haute, 5- -0.
Jack Brittin helped the Phillies salvage the second game of the Aug. 17 doubleheader, 4-3, before 5,303 and the locals departed Evansville still tied for third.
The Phillies scored nine runs in the seventh inning of its first game at Quincy to win 14-7. Though he pitched only two-thirds of an inning, Sundra was the winning pitcher. When Evansville lost to Springfield, Terre Haute moved into third place. Cristante pitched a five-hit gem in his first pro start to protect the Phillies’ position.
Quincy beat Terre Haute in the final game of their series, 4-2, while Springfield stayed in second place by sweeping successive series with Danville and Evansville.
But the Phillies surprised the Brownies, sweeping a three-game set at Springfield to edge back into second place. The Phillies needed three hours and four pitchers to win the first game. Manager Jack Sanford was ejected and the game was played under protest.
Bill Higdon, Charley Hood, Dick Welker, Willie “Puddin-head” Jones and Wally Jakowczyk wielded big bats for the winners.
Sanford got a key pinch hit during a five-run eighth inning of the second game, won by Terre Haute, 7-5. Jakowczyk, Don Hasenmayer, Guy Glaser and Gene Olive gave Cristante, Grasmick and Revels strong support in the third game for an 8-4 victory.
Danville proved to be the Phillies’ nemesis once again, winning two of three at home. Lefty Morrie Martin won the opener, 5-2, and Olsen, voted the Dodgers’ most popular player, notched his 20th victory Aug. 27 with a 2-0 shutout in the first game of doubleheader. Terre Haute rallied to defeat Erskine in the second game, 8-3. Business manager Bill Boyle sought to lure the season’s biggest crowd by promoting a doubleheader against Evansville at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 28. His mission was accomplished: 10,920 fans passed through the gates that day, breaking the Three-I League single game record. A full page game story with photo was featured in The Sporting News.
Official attendance at Memorial Stadium for 1947 was recorded at 133,654.
Evansville’s Whicher allowed only two hits in the first game to win 4-3 but Cristante won the second game, 3-2, thanks to two extra base hits by Jakowczyk. The Phillies then won two of three at home against lowly Decatur.
Danville clinched the pennant Sept. 1. On Labor Day, Porto and Cristante whitewashed Evansville, 1-0 and 3-0, before 3,948 at Memorial Stadium to secure second, 4 1/2 games out. Superb defense accompanied effective pitching. Unfortunately, Higdon cracked a bone in his wrist and was forced to miss the playoffs.
The two losses knocked Evansville out of the first division as well as the Shaughnessy playoffs. Waterloo beat Davenport twice to tie Springfield for third but the Browns won the one-game playoff 11-7.
Before Terre Haute’s best of five playoff against Waterloo, the Phillies were feted by the Fred Rogers family, owners of the Dinner Bell, with a chicken dinner. Glaser was chosen as the team’s most popular player, followed by Welker and Jakowczyk.
Waterloo won the first three games of the playoffs against Terre Haute, 5-2, 1-0 and 11-1; the first two were played at Memorial Stadium. Porto pitched well in Game Two but lost a tense duel with Waterloo’s Jim Hughes.
John Perkovich and Howie Judson won the other two games for the White Hawks, who then beat champion Danville for the 1947 playoff title, 4 games to 1.
Jones, who hit .307, was the only player Philadelphia called up at the end of 1947. He spent 15 years in the majors with Philadelphia, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Brittin, Cristante, Grasmick, Porto and Higdon eventually made it to “The Bigs.” Higdon, Welker, Jankowski and Jakowczyk, who finished behind Hank Arft of Springfield for the batting crown, played for Terre Haute in later seasons. Wally married a Terre Haute girl and resided here for many years.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1947 Phillies: 10,920 attend doubleheader at Memorial Stadium
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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