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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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
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 Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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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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