TERRE HAUTE —
Part IV
With one or two exceptions, the 1947 Terre Haute Phillies had an established starting lineup by mid-May.
Wally Jakowczyk, Bill Higdon and Dick Welker were secure in the outfield. Willie Jones and Don Hasenmayer were solid on the left side of the infield. And Charley Hood was consistent behind the plate with Vince Oltman in reserve.
Gene Olive and Guy Glaser were the weak hitting links but both were veterans and expected to contribute soon. In need of “a stopper,” pitching was still uncertain.
A two-game stand at Danville demonstrated that frailty. With Jakowczyk out with a charley horse, the Phillies lost 13 to 2 and 9 to 8 in 11 innings. Jake Suytar handled Wally’s outfield duties well, but seven pitchers could not stop the league-leading Dodgers.
Al Porto and Til Panaranto combined to defeat Decatur, 4 to 2, and the Phillies won two of three at Evansville as the bats of Olive and Glaser came alive. In the first win, manager Jack Sanford’s pinch-hit single in the ninth accounted for the winning run.
Shortstop Johnny Logan and pitchers Bob Whicher and Don Liddle, all future major league stars, were Evansville manager Bob Coleman’s key players.
The Phillies swept a three-game home series against Decatur despite a controversial call in the third game resulting in the expulsion of Sanford and Olive. With Jakowczyk back in the lineup, the 6-foot-5 Suytar assumed first base duties.
Springfield came to Terre Haute in second place for the season’s first Ladies Night. For 20 cents, females could sit anywhere but in reserved box seats. None of the 2,931 fans present asked for a refund. Trailing 7 to 5 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies sent the game into extra innings with two runs. Catcher Oltman got one of the key hits.
The Browns countered with a run in the 11th but Hasenmayer and Welker executed a double steal to tie the game at 8. Springfield scored two runs in the top of the 13th inning with two stolen bases and singles by Anthony Pirello and Emidio Riga.
Terre Haute nearly tied the game once more. Olive singled and scored on Hasenmayer’s triple. With pitcher Ed Sundra at the plate, Hasenmayer tried to steal home but was called out on a close play. The marathon game lasted 4 hours and seven minutes.
Sundra was brilliant the next night, pitching a five-hit shutout. The Phillies won 9 to 0 without the services of Sanford, suspended five games by league president Tom Fairweather for bumping umpire Gene Allinger during the argument May 25 in Decatur. Sanford had complained that Commodores pitcher Bill Osborne blocked the base path preventing Welker’s advance from third to home before he was tagged out. Even the Decatur newspaper acknowledged the interference.
The Phillies moved into third place by defeating the Browns, 11 to 8, in the final game of the series. Welker, Jones and Hood, among others, teed off on former major league pitcher Stan Partenheimer.
Terre Haute lost the second game of a Memorial Day doubleheader to Decatur, ending its five-game mastery of the Commodores. Panaranto got his first start of the season in the victorious first game, allowing six hits in 6 1/3 innings. And Bill Jankowski saw his first action at third base when Jones injured his leg.
Sundra sparkled in a 7 to 5 victory over Evansville in the only game of a four-game home series that was not rained out. It was the first time manager Coleman, who guided Terre Haute to a Three-I league crown in 1922, had visited the city in 1947. The win boosted the Phillies into second place, ahead of Springfield, its next opponent.
Meanwhile, a new temporary fence was installed at immense Memorial Stadium, reducing the distance from home plate to the center field fence from 546 feet to 410 feet.
Though Jankowski pitched well in his second mound effort, Norb Litzsinger’s double in the ninth gave Springfield a 3 to 2 win, knocking the Phillies out of first place. And the Brownies hammered Terre Haute, 12 to 1, in the second game.
Terre Haute salvaged the final game of the series, 8 to 6, in a free-swinging affair featuring home runs by Oltman and Hasenmayer. But the losses dropped the Phillies into fourth place behind Danville, Evansville and Springfield.
The Phillies won an exhibition game against a Cedar Rapids semi-pro club, 5 to 3, but Suytar, used as a catcher, was injured by an errant bat. Sanford had his team mentally prepared for a four-game series at Waterloo beginning June 7. The Phillies won them all: 10 to 9, 16 to 9, 4 to 3 and 11 to 6.
Higdon knocked in the tying and winning runs in the ninth inning of the first game but was injured in the eighth inning of the second game when he collided with Waterloo second baseman Bill D’Allessandro. Both men were hospitalized. Olive hit two round-trippers in the final game of the series.
Higdon returned but the Phillies were not prepared for Davenport. The Cubs blasted Sundra for seven runs in the bottom of the first en route to a 28 to 2 triumph. Sanford, Olive, Welker, Jones and Hasenmayer took turns on the mound for Terre Haute.
Panaranto allowed just five hits as the Phillies whipped the Cubs, 8 to 2, in the second game, Til’s first complete game of the year. The Phillies lost the third game, 7 to 2, and Mississippi River floods forced cancellation of the final game.
The series with Waterloo at Memorial Stadium pitted the top two league teams in attendance. Terre Haute came from behind to win the opening game, 8 to 7, after White Hawks manager John Mostil was ejected. Panaranto pitched a shutout until the seventh inning of the first game of a doubleheader before 3,173 cash customers, won 4 to 3 by the Phillies in 10 innings. Grasmick went the distance for a 6 to 0 Phillies’ victory in the second game.
Umpire Don Waltz ejected every Waterloo player not currently in the lineup from the dugout in the nightcap for colorful language following a controversial foul ball call. The White Hawks ended their eight-game losing streak against Terre Haute in the final game of the series.
Returning to Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute was scheduled to host Davenport on “Booster Day,” which also included an extraordinary menu of contests and promotions.
Continued to next week
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1947 Phillies in battle for first place at mid-season
- 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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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
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