The KOM League Remembered

Flash Report 6—Starting July 6, 2005

The KOM League
Flash Report
Back from the brink
July 6, 2005

Well, I have good news and bad. The good news is that the computer is back to where it was data-wise on January 28, 2005. The bad news is that there are six months worth (or worthless) of files that are not yet retrieved and probably will never be. The other bad news is that no matter what I have done to get back online this computer will fail at some point.

Thanks to all who send notes wishing my computer a quick "get well." Those were all appreciated.

Special note to all who don't want these reports!!

This e-mail is being sent based on the list of those on the e-mail file that existed January 28, 2005. Since that time a number of people have asked to be deleted from the distribution list. If you are one of those people and you are receiving this report just let me know and I'll update the file so you won't receive any more copies. I feel awful that scores of people have been added since late January and I have no way at present to get back in touch with them. If you are aware of anyone who should be receiving these reports and don't, let me know.

I'm not sure what I've missed in the last week or so. Many of you have probably sent e-mails. If you did and it required an answer try me one more time.

The latest KOM League agenda is that Yours Truly will be appearing before the noon Rotary tomorrow here in Columbia and on August 18-20 I've been invited to join the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids at their booth for Cowtown Days. Former Whiz Kid and long-time banker in the Kansas City area, Ben Craig will be the Grand Marshall. If the Overland or Butterfield Stage Coach lines are able to pull the stagecoach through the prairies of Western Missouri and Southeast Kansas, I'll be there.

If you have anything to share with regard to any subject other than religion, politics and sex send them along. Together we'll get the Flash Reports up and chugging once more.

One glimmer of hope!!

The old hard drive where all the current information is stored was sent to a "specialist" who is a reader of some of this material. If that can be recovered that will be the best news I've had since the doctor diagnosed me as ugly but stated that the condition was not terminal.

See ya!!!

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 7, 2005

Disclaimer:

The old batboy is attempting to work his way back to putting out a Flash Report that is somewhat relevant and secondarily interesting. The offer to delete anyone's name from the mailing list who didn't wish to receive these reports was well received and there are a "bunch" fewer recipients this time around. That's okay, I've learned to accept rejection while still smiling.

Had a nice meal at noon and then addressed the local Rotary Club. They weren't sure I earned my keep but I had a good time anyway and even sold a handful of books. The Mantle book tour will have yet another appearance in Columbia, Missouri. The local library called shortly after my return from Rotary and have set up an event for November 10th. That will be the fourth event held at that site and the first since they constructed the new building. That event would be worth attending just to view the sculpture at the entrance to the library. I could never describe it.

Just a reminder that the book signing tour has about run its course so if you're in my neck of the woods drop by and I'll fill your cup with tomatoes. There were 106 plants in the beginning and one looks like it has cancer and four or five get topped nightly by the deer. However, the other 100 or so are between five and 6.5 feet tall and are just about ready to start an avalanche in the back yard. I've mentioned in previous Flash Reports that the largest thing on my agenda for the summer was the tomato crop. I'm sure the largest thing on my plate in a few weeks will be one variety of tomato that is supposed to weight 3 pounds by the time it ripens. From all appearances it is now 2/3rds of the way there.

Mantle book and Joplin Miner Scorecard

John, Sorry to hear about your computer troubles. I too have had my fill of them recently, but am resigned to fix 'em up and go on - have become too attached, I fear. By the way, I gave Dad his copy of the Mantle book for Fathers' Day and he was delighted! He saw a lot of names and faces from the past, and we are both grateful to you for bringing those memories back to life. I also presented him with the 1950 Miners game day program, which really touched his heart. You see, I had not realized, on that day in Springfield when I bought it from you, that the inside cover included an ad for the C&A Barbecue. Dad worked at the C&A, along with his brothers and some folks who would become the dearest friends of his life, from the time he was twelve years old. By the time that program was printed, he had worked himself (literally) into a 25% ownership share in the chain. The C&A was his first love, and he claims that that it was the last job he ever held where he looked forward to going to work -- every single day. Thanks again, and good luck with your fancy adding machine. Dave Fraley

Ed note:

That scorecard is a gem and a great piece of Joplin history. I have a couple of those laying around the basement. If anyone wants a copy of it worse than I do, let me know.

Expressions of sympathy

John: As you see I have received the Flash Report. Sorry that I didn't respond at once because I just got back from Germany. Our son returned from Iraq and this was the first time we saw him in over a year and a half. Sorry to hear about your problem with your computer. I had the same thing happen to me. Talk to you later. Ken Boehme Iola 51

Hey John, sorry to hear about your computer Crash. I always enjoy your news Flashes. Hopefully you'll be on line again soon. Cuno....(Barragan)

John, Great to have you back. Dick Getter

Clearly, I received your e-mail. Technology is wonderful when it worksbut such a pain when it does not as evidenced by your current dilemma.

I have much technical support at the University, but I seem to be able to do things that sometimes give them fits.  I dread having a computer when I retire this next Spring.

On a personal note, the class of '56 from CHS will be having their 50th anniversary next year.  Like all of us from those innocent years by comparison to the present, where did all the time go?

I am retiring in May 2006 which will give me 41 years of full time service in higher education and 44 years in education.  This will be my third retirement, but it will be the definitive one.  I have had a wonderful life with a loving, supportive family.  What more can one asked?

Should your travels bring you to the Greater Cincinnati area, please let me know as it would be fun to reminisce about Carthage days.  Your e-mails over the years evoked some powerful and good memories.  The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, which I helped in a big way to build, has already become a "must see" icon in the United States.

As a closing side note, I went back to Columbia, MO this past May for my 45th graduation anniversary from MIZZOU.  While there, my wife Karen and I had a wonderful visit with my cousin Eugene Boothe and his wife Charlotte (nee: Corder) who live in Columbia.  I remember that you and Gene (who now goes by the name of Ray since his first name was the same

as his father's, Raymond) were in school at Eugene Field as well as CHS.  It was a very nice mini reunion.  Blessings, Leon Boothe

Keep them coming. Sorry to hear about your computer. -Charlie Hadley

I HATE TO TELL YOU BUT I DID GET YOUR LAST E-MAIL.  WALT Babcock

Thanks for letting me know about Bunny Mick. Herbie Heiserer

Thanks to all who sent their remarks about the computer crash. I wasn't aware that some of those on the mailing list even read these reports, let alone enjoy them.

Death of a former KOM League umpire

William “Red” Wilcoxson

William R. “Red” Wilcoxson, age 88, of Joplin, died Saturday, July 2, 2005, at his residence. Red was born Nov. 15, 1916, in Commerce, Okla., son of the late William Kenyon Wilcoxson and Mabel Bessie Moore Wilcoxson. He moved to Joplin at an early age where he excelled in every sport he played. He managed the Joplin Merchants, a semi-pro baseball team, in the 1930s. He trained as a baseball umpire and was a colorful addition to the umpiring staff of the Western Association of Baseball Teams in the 1940s. During his military service he was a member of the 93rd Regiment baseball team. His later years were devoted to golf.

Red was a member of the Joplin B.P.O.E. No. 501 for 48 years, and was a past exhalted ruler of that fraternal organization.

Red married Mary Martha Reed on March 28, 1937, in Joplin. They were married for over 57 years prior to her death in March of 1993. Red owned and operated several restaurants/cafes in the Joplin area, and became co-owner of Fred and Reds Café located on main street in the 1950s. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers and a grandchild.

Survivors include two sons, Larry Wilcoxson and wife, Judy, William R. “Bill” Wilcoxson II and wife, Sandra, all of Joplin; daughter, Mary Janet Chitwood and husband, Mike, of Aurora, Colo.; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Cryptside services will be Saturday, July 9, at 10 a.m. in Ozark Memorial Park Mausoleum with Bob Simon and the Joplin Lodge B.P.O.E. No. 501 officiating. Entombment will be in Ozark Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Friday from 6 to 7 p.m.

Ed note:

Wilcoxson was a Joplin legend as the aforementioned obituary stated. He joined the KOM League umpiring crew in 1948 after some rowdy Pittsburg fans ran two umpires back to the east coast. League President, E. L. Dale called on the Joplin restaunteur for help and Wilcoxson handled games at Carthage, Miami and Pittsburg. Shortly into his KOM League career the Pittsburg fans did to him what they had done to the two umpires who had gone back to the east coast. Old Red called E. L. Dale and told him he had a good restaurant business in job and he didn't have to take that abuse. He abruptly left the KOM League. Fred and Reds Cafe on South Main in Joplin still stands.

Obituaries (Some of the readers will recognize the name and connection)
Charles E. Land

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Charles E. (Charlie) Land, 75, passed away on June 30, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. at his home.

He was born on June 8, 1930, in St. Louis, Mo. Charlie taught and coached school in Edna, Kan., Jasper, Webb City and Carthage. He was a master carpenter and also a US Navy veteran. Charlie was also a member of the Webb City American Legion Post 322 and was inducted in the Joplin Officials Association Hall of Fame for his time of 15 years as a basketball official and 10 years as a football official.

Charlie graduated from Carterville High School in 1948, and received his teaching degree from Pittsburg State University.

He married Glenna Herrell on Sept. 2, 1950, and she preceded him in death in 1996.

Survivors include a son, Chuck Land and wife, Lisa; daughters, Brenda Overman and husband, Doug and Teresa Webber and husband, Steve; his father, Amos Land; a sister, Lorretta Brooks; grandchildren, Jennifer Baines, Brent Bornkessel, Megan Webber, Zac Land, Madelyn Webber, Tyler Land, Ashley Land and Darci Land; and great-grandchildren, Seth and Ethan Baines.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Joey Morris officiating. Burial with full military rites will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City. Pallbearers will be Max Page, Merlyn Elder, Cloyd Boyer, Tom Gosch, Denny Smith and Hal Simpson. The family will receive friends on Tuesday between 6 to 8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City.

The family suggests memorials to the Webb City American Legion Post 322 in care of Simpson Funeral Home.

Services are under the personal care and direction of Simpson Funeral Home, of Webb City.

Ed note:

This obituary was brought to my attention by Don Steele. Land was a former member of the Alba Aces and a close look at the list of pallbearers reveals the name of Cloyd Boyer. One other pallbearer that caught my eye was Merlyn Elder. I thought I only knew one person by the name of Merlyn and that being Mickey Mantle's wife. However, in 1947 my dad died and mother put the 1939 Ford up for sale. Merlyn Elder came to the house to look at it. I remembered all the things that my late father had to say about that vehicle and as Elder looked it over I recited its shortcomings. An uncle overheard my remarks and went inside to inform my mother that if she wanted to sell that vehicle she had better get her "gabby" seven-year old son inside. I guess I didn't harm the sale too much for mom got the $200 asking price. Now, I wonder if Elder recalls what had to have been his very first car. It didn't have a starter on it. It had to be cranked except on Monday mornings. A long trip to Carterville and Webb City on Sunday to visit elderly grand and great grandparents ensured that there was enough juice in the magneto to start it with the twist of a key.

Newsletter

The KOM League Remembered will be in the mail shortly. I got it done in time but with the recent computer problems and other pressing issues I neglected to go to the publisher with the money to pay the postage. They don't trust me. Thus, they were waiting on their dough before sending out the latest edition.

I feared the worst with this edition but its not all that bad. This will be the last edition that will be sent to all those on the list unless my data files get corrected. Anyone who has subscribed for the first time since January 28, 2005 needs to get in touch with me so that I can add their name to the new file. As Jimmy Durante used to say "What a revolting development this is."

Reunion photos

The 500+ photos taken at the 2005 KOM League reunion are also "toast." Unless that hard drive is miraculously restored the only memories of that event will be those captured by individuals and the video that Yours Truly took. Even one of the video tapes was blank by the time I got it home.

However, there is some good news. I have three hours of the reunion on tape. It covers:
The Friday noon luncheon
The Friday evening picnic
The Saturday evening banquet.

If anyone would like to have a set of these in DVD format let me know. Don't expect a rapid respsonse, like a week, but I can burn the DVDs as I do other things around the old computer campfire.

The Joplin event

There are two other DVDs that some of you might like. They contain the highlights of the Mantle weekend in Joplin back in April. Guys on that video include: Bob Wiesler, Bill Virdon, Bunny Mick, The Baxter Springs Whiz Kids, Joplin Miners, Independence Yankees, David and Max Mantle and Mantle's first cousin, Jimmy Richardson.

All of the videos are pretty good and would preserve a lot of memories. All that material is available. If interested in the details let me know. As I said previously I'm not attempting to sell these things for they quite frankly are not worth the effort that goes into producing them. They are available only to the true die-hards. Those folks receiving the KOM League DVDs have been satisfied, all four of them.

KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 11, 2005
(This date invented to honor the 7/11 Convenience Stores)

Slow news week

Not much has happened recently or if it has no one has bothered to inform me. This report is for those addicted to these things to let them know that neither the computer or the editor have died recently. Well, the computer did die but another was placed into operation minus much of the information the other contained. It may be necessary to start writing new material.

Bob Curley and Barney Rapp correspond

Bob- I do have John's book about Mickey - he's quite an authority. I was with Merlyn Mantle last week in Dallas at HBO Sport's premier of their new Mantle documentary that will be aired on July 13, and she told me that she's very pleased with the book as it gives a good accounting of the family's early history.

That was an interesting story about Bob Turley whom I've come to know pretty well over the past few years. I'll certainly remind him of that game the next time I see him. I'm sure he doesn't need any reminders - how could anybody forget 22 strikeouts in one game?

As far as Barney Rapp's orchestra, I am very familiar with it. So many people have asked me over the years if I was related to Barney. My answer always is "I don't know, but probably". I even have some of his old sheet music and know that Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney both launched their singing careers with his band.

Thanks, Bob, for giving me some insight into your years in baseball and some of the great players that you played with and against. Those memories have got to be priceless. Stay in touch. Barney Rapp

HBO

HELLO  JOHN::  HBO is showing a Mantle movie shortly.   Your thoughts on the reviews  and pr-showing of it??   I don't have HBO so will catch at

another time down the road.   regards, jfp

Ed note:

Not being a TV critic,--I think its all bad-- and not having access to HBO I'm going to have to rely on all you "assistant editors" and "cub reporters" to keep tabs on that HBO special.

It will probably be the greatest special of all-time and then my critics, of which there are many, will question why I turned down the offer to contribute to that effort.

As a service to the readership:

Click here and read everything there is to date on the subject of the aforementioned topic.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=mantle+%2B+hbo

The foregoing is brought to you by Greg Olds.

A request from the readership:

The family historian, Hallie Mantle, now in her 9th decade called Sunday to tell me there was going to be a special on her  cousin (a few times removed.).  Her grandfather and Mickey's grandfather were brothers (Charles was Mick's and David was her's.)   She said she wasn't able get the show where she lives so I told her if someone taped the program and sent it to me I'd be sure she received it.

Johnny, not Rosey,  "The Riveter"

John, Thank you so much for your entertaining and informative talk on Mickey Mantle to Columbia Downtown Rotary! Our members were riveted by your presentation, and I am most pleased that you sold some books! We truly appreciate your taking the time to share with us your insights on Mantle.

It was indeed a pleasure to meet and visit with you. Let's keep in touch!

Gratefully,

Cindy

Cindy Sheltmire
Program Director
Columbia Downtown Rotary

If you believe in such things

I get amused reading the ranking of "Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory" on Amazon.com

In their Friday July 8 ranking I was at 189,511th place among all their sales. On closer examination I found, however, that I'm ranked #1 and #2 of authors using the name of John G. Hall. There are 21 entries in that category and I'm even ahead of the namesake who writes about eschatology, the study of the end of the world. On Barnes & Noble I was 89,962. Numbers don't mean much since they are so fluid. Speaking of fluidity, moments ago I checked again and found I had plummeted to 327,000th place with Amazon.com but had "soared" to 70,071th place at Barnes and Noble.

Neither Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble are the largest distributor of my latest book. Here are the top 10.

1. Myself (By a wide margin through book signings and pre-sales through the Flash Report)
2. Cowley Distributing Company and sold primarily at Gerbes and Dillons Supermarkets.
3. Ingrams (Probably went to Barnes & Noble)
4. Steve's Books and Sundries of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
5. Amazon. com
6. Gratis copies to the media who in most cases ignored it. (Twelve radio and newspaper outlets didn't let me down--about 50 did.)
7. Books-A-Million.
8. Wylie Pitts (Former Whiz Kid on a crusade to sell books.)
9. People who took a book(s) and promised to pay for it (them) and didn't.
10. Hastings Books.
11. Howard Hunt peddling them in New Haven, Conn.
12. Borders Books.

That's all I know. If you know something share it, else this report will be smaller and less frequent. Jgh

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 13, 2005

This is a "brief" Flash Report. I suppose anything called a "Flash" should be brief.

Society of American Baseball Research Quarterly (SABR)

There is a full page ad in the SABR quarterly, with regard to my latest book. It was placed there courtesy of the only guy to ever pitch for all the following: Ponca City Dodgers, Duncan Utts, Des Moines Cubs, Sacramento Sad Sacs, Chicago White Sox, Nankai Hawks et. al..

Upon arriving home from work today my wife informed me that I had a telephone call from a doctor in Pittsburg(h). She first thought it was Pittsburg, Kansas
where we used to know a few people. However, the call was from Dr. Howard Elson of the same town that has to endure watching the Pirates this year. From Dr. Elson I learned that the advertisement for the Mantle book has started arriving at the homes of the recipients of the SABR Quarterly. (If any of you subscribe
and have seen the ad do me a favor--copy it and download it to jhall03@midamerica.net ) Dr. Elson assured me that I would be receiving a lot of telephone
calls and e-mails about that book. As I advised him, "Operators are standing by to take your order.")

On a related note?

I have no idea as to whether the SABR advertisement had any effect on book orders today or not. However, yesterday the Mantle book was at 70,000+ on
the Amazon.com sales list and today it moved "down" (that's a good sign Joe) to 55,377. There are only 55,376 books on Amazon.com right now outselling my
non-bestseller. Its pretty discouraging to see a book about a fictional character from England in first place, by a wide margin, and it hasn't been released.
At least Harry Potter and the subject of my book have something in common. Their roots are from the mother country.

Plans coming together for a Baxter "bash"

With an invitation to join the former Baxter Springs Whiz Kids for Cowtown Days August 18-20 plans now are being made to include a book signing
at the Baxter Springs Historical Society. More on that as things develop.

I hope all you former Whiz Kids and Whiz Kid fans can join in that event. We'll have a lot of things to discuss. There will probably be conversation
regarding the July 13 premier of the HBO Special on the former Whiz Kid shortstop.

Want to contribute?

There will be a different format for the next edition of the KOM League Remembered. It is now officially a quarterly publication. The next edition is
in the very early stages of development and won't be out prior to frost nipping the blooms on the tomato vines.

If you have a photo, or story, you'd like to share for that edition send it (them) along and it (they) will be considered by the editorial board. The board
is a three entity organization comprised of Me, Myself and I. We have spirited debates before each edition is finalized and none ever agree on the
final product.

Want to vent?

The Mantle documentary is on HBO this evening (July 13) and I suspect some of the readership has access to that channel and will watch it. Since Mantle had many former teammates, family and close friends who read this Flash Report, I'll accept your comments and publish them in a later edition. For my part, I'll not express an opinion on any aspect of the presentation.

Lets see if the Baxter Springs, Independence, Joplin and Commerce connections have the same viewpoint that the critics from "the other world" expouse.

The readership is always right!

Hi John --I just got back from a week out of town and read your Flash Report. I know you are a stickler for accuracy, so ..... I think the "revolting development" quote belongs toWilliam Bendix from the old "Life of Riley" radio show. I may be wrong, but I think that's how I remember it.

--Bill O'Donnell

Ed reply:

I'm so messed up I don't even know the difference between Bendix and Durante. You're right, of course. jgh

So, Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!!!

There will always be a place to go!!

Good afternoon Mr. Hall, (Dad)

Did I read correctly that the last KOM Reunion will take place next year?

If that is true, I hate to see that happen. I know everyone is getting older and the cost of traveling is becoming more costly. So, I understand that all things must
come to an end sometimes.

I plan to keep the Georgia-Florida-Alabama Minor Leagues going for a few more years or as long as the former Minor League Stars want to keep it going.

If in the near future you or any member of the KOM would like to attend one of our Reunions, you will be Welcomed with open arms.

God Bless you and thank you for all you have done for Minor League Baseball and the KOM.

Clint

Clint Chafin--Senior Draftsman

clint.chafin@mcleanengineering.us--McLean Engineering Company Inc.--PO Box 2587--815 South Main S

KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 14, 2005

Review of HBOs look at Mickey Mantle from the Flash Report readers:

As promised, the remarks from those watching and reporting about the July 13th HBO special are enclosed. I didn't see
the program. I did hear from my son, daughter and grandsons. One grandson was pretty upset his grandpa didn't show
up on a visual in that documentary. I explained that is was my own fault, and disdain for showing my face in public, that
I only wound up being near the end of those on the list of credits. It would have been an honor to be the last name mentioned
but the City of Miami, Oklahoma had that distinction, according to various sources..

#1
John - I liked the HBO thing (just finished watching); thought I might not. I was wondering if they'd somehow come up with a better recap of his
early life than we - sorry, you - had in the book but your work remains unchallenged still. It's a selfish viewpoint for me to hold, worrying that the
book might get eclipsed or even approached. But I can't help that. And anyway it didn't happen.

HBO drew a much more well-rounded picture of the whole man than I had expected, particularly the last few years of
Mantle's life. I hadn't heard much of that in great detail, and hadn't seen pictures of Mantle then. Powerful and inspiring stuff.

In all, I think the HBO documentary would make a useful companion to the book. But the book remains the definitive
work for anyone wanting to get the story of the years before 1951. And it always will be the first work that examined
Mantle as a human being as well as a wonderful ballplayer.

-Greg Olds--Austin, Texas

#2

John, I was actually in Dallas for the premier showing of the HBO documentary "Mantle" so tonight was my second viewing.
I rarely cry or get misty eyed but both times watching this documentary had me misty eyed in several spots.

The show was about his entire life from start to end. They had some never before seen footage and photos. They even had
some footage of Mickey running out a base hit as a Joplin Miner.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone. It makes me even more proud to have one son named Mickey
and the other named Charles. I give the show five stars (the max).

Regards, Randall Swearingen--Houston, Texas

#3

Hi Mr. Hall - Hope all is going great with you. I'm coaching an All Star team of 15-16 year olds and hurried
home from our game to see the Mantle HBO Special. I thought it was great for about 47 minutes. The last
portion was just plain sad to watch. I just don't understand why we, as Americans find it so important to
show the bad, (or sad), sides of our heroes. The early photos and film of Mickey was great. A lot of game footage
was awesome. My God that guy could run. I really felt sorry for Mrs. Mantle in her statement about
the last few years with Mickey. I sure hope she is doing good these days. Anyhow, I did see your name on
the credits! Pretty darn good !!

Take care, and have a great summer

Jim Smith--San Diego, California

John - you should know that the HBO documentary is truly fabulous and as the final credits rolled, George Roy
expressed Special Thanks to you. Required viewing.

Rod Nelson--Denver, Colorado

#5

Hey ~ John

I think your following (or those chasing you) should know that your name, "John Hall", appeared on the credits at the
end of the HBO special tonight of "Mickey Mantle". As Walt back East would say: "that Carthage batboy is too cheap
to have HBO". I thought the program was put together nicely. I wished they would have mentioned the KOM, but did
not. Our Kansas City got a small mention.

Take care, Jim Jay--Former KC A's batboy

Ed note:

Gee, did Mantle actually play in the KOM League? If you can confirm that it will make front page news.

Other comments received regarding last Flash Report

#1

I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE IN YOUR LAST HOT FLASH THAT SOME BALLPLAYER CONTRIBUTED A FULL
PAGE AD FOR YOUR MANTLE BOOK IN THE "SABR QUARTERLY". YOU MENTIONED HE PLAYED AT PONCA CITY,DUNCAN,DES MOINES,SACRAMENTO,CHICAGO,NANKAI HAWKS(WAS THAT IN JAPAN). THIS MUST BE A
VERY IMPORTANT MAN.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THIS COULD BE. WAS HE A BIG TALL DRINK
OF WATER LIKE JOE STANKA. IF THIS IS A GOOD GUESS, I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR HIM AS MAN OF
THE YEAR. BUT I NEVER LIKED TO BE OUT DONE, SO I AM TAKING OUT A DOUBLE PAGE "AD" IN THE
(CORWITH HERALD) FOR YOUR BOOK. FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT KNOW, IT IS IN CORWITH, IOWA. I
CALLED THE HERALD'S AD DEPARTMENT TO PUT THE AD IN AND FOUND OUT THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS
WHEN I LEFT TOWN. I GUESS THEY HAD NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT ANYMORE.

ALL KIDDING ASIDE, THAT WAS VERY NICE OF JOE TO DO SUCH A GOOD THING FOR YOU.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. WOULD I BE CONSIDERED A WHIZ KID IF I WAS "ONE" BACK IN MY HIGH
SCHOOL, BUT IT WASN'T IN BAXTER?

KEEP THE BULL COMING AND AM WAITING FOR SEPTEMBER IN CARTHAGE IN 2006.

WALT BABCOCK

#2

Hmmm.  I always thought "Flash" meant no briefs!  But I'm from the west

coast. Bill--Joplin, MO

Ed reply:

That's another version of which I am aware but didn't want to mention

in mixed company.  (You'll have to read the introduction to the last

Flash Report to understand this one.)

#3 The "Revolting Development & Mrs. Calabash update.

John -- This is interesting.  We just returned from the NC coast, where the

little town of Calabash is located.  I remember the old Jimmy Durante TV

show, and the ending with Durante moving away with the spotlight on him saying,

"Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are ..."   Like everyone else,

I used to wonder about "Mrs. Calabash," and what he meant by it.

So --- as Paul Harvey is wont to say: "Now here is the rest of the story."

It seems when Durante was younger and traveling as an entertainer, he stopped in a seafood restaurant in Calabash and became fond of the
waitress/owner, perhaps even enamored. But it apparently was an unrequited situation. In any case, rumor has it he said he would never forget her.
And it seems he didn't. The little restaurant is still there. The "Seafood Hut." And we often have lunch there.

From William Bendix to Jimmy Durante. Does anyone remember "Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat ?"

----Baseball Bill, from out of the past

Ed note: The guy answered the telephone by saying "Duffy's Tavern, Archie speaking, Duffy isn't here" or something pretty
close to that.

It isn't America's game anymore!

Prior to the start of the All-Star game Sam Dixon send a note about all the non-Americans on Major League rosters.
I told him the reason the number wasn't higher was due to the limitation on work visas. My friend Bill Clark, who scouted
the world for a number of teams claims that the major league rosters would be populated by 60% or more of foreign players
if the work visa limitation wasn't in effect. (Clark, I did listen to your interview on KBIA.)

Don't take my word for it. Go on the Internet and look up the roster for theWashington Senators, yes that's what they will
always be to me. On the roster at the All-Star break were 15 non-Americans. That might explain why they are so good.

I pointed that out to Dixon and received this reply. "WOW! I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THERE WERE THAT MANY

FOREIGN PLAYERS.

I REALLY DON'T CARE TO WATCH MLB ANYMORE....TOO BAD!!

I GOT DISGUSTED WATCHING THEM WAVING THEIR HOME COUNTRY FLAGS LAST NIGHT DURING
THE "HOME RUN DERBY".

I'M SOOOO GLAD THAT I WAS BORN WHEN I WAS!!!!!

Ed note:

I'm so happy to have been able to root for a team that had Musial, Slaughter and Moore in the outfield.
Kurowski, Marion, Schoendienst and whoever happened to be on first weren't that bad either. With pitchers
like Wilks, Brecheen, Pollet, Brazle, Munger et.al. throwing pitches to Walker Cooper, and backups Del Rice
and Joe Garagiola it was a great time.

Still a possibility.

The earlier mention of "Mickey Mantle Before the Glory" being made into a movie is still within the realm. There is some
interest in doing such a project by those who can "make it happen." There are a lot of mud puddles to skip rock across
before it can come to fruition but it gives me something to anticipate other than growing older and uglier each day.

True story--as told by Joe Stanka

Hi John, here's a little nonsense for you quarterly(?) edition.

Fun with names. These are true names, I have known or know of them all. One was my high school principal.

The Fail brothers, Never and his brother Will.

The Back brothers, Harry and Locket.

And last but not least, my niece, Cindy.

Niece Cindy Stanka was married while still in high school. The school required that any married while still in school must use her first, maiden,
and married name. Cindy married a young man by the name of Lott.

She now had to go by the name of CINDY STANKA LOTT! Poor girl. Stay well, Joe

Ed note:

Where else can you read material like that found in this publication? Yea, I know, they put it on the front page of some large daily and call it news.
Or they place it in the heart of the paper and call it investigative reporting or place it on the editorial page and declare it as fact. Mine goes in the
comic section where it can be taken lightly or light-heartedly.

Bye for now! jgh

Oh, one more thing. The Little League State tournament is held just a few blocks down the street from the KOM League Hall of Fame and "Vine
Ripe Tomato Patch." The District Coordinator for Little League has asked me to come out to the event and sign the Mantle book for the youngsters.
He is such a good guy that he is even going to set up a special tent for Yours Truly to escape the rays of the sun. It has been unrelenting since the
conclusion of the KOM League reunion. There hasn't been significant rain on the "Vine Ripe Tomato Patch" in 30 days. No amount of watering
makes up for a rain. So, without any rain in the offing I'm available to resume my "World Book Signing Tour" which had been placed on hold during
the summer.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 17, 2005

KOM League newsletter making the rounds

The Summer '05 edition of the The KOM League Remembered is now in Shady Cove, Oregon and Mattoon, Illinois. Mike Witwicki (Mattoon) called to
see if he could obtain permission to use the poetry of Richard Tretter (Shady Cove) in his shopping center newsletter that was featured in the Summer '05 edition.

As fate would have it Witwicki and Tretter were both on the the 1949 Ponca City Dodger roster but not at the same time. Witwicki left Ponca City and traveled
the back roads of minor league baseball with Maury Wills et. al. and Tretter went to Hollywood where he appeared on many TV shows as well as on the big
screen in numerous roles with guys like Robert Taylor, Vic Morrow and the most famous of them all, Lassie.

I advised Witwicki that I was sure Tretter wouldn't mind sharing his poem with the folks in Illinois but I would call and check it out. That gave me
a chance to contact Tretter in Shady Cove who is always pleased to hear from someone who remembers his playing days. He informed me in the
most recent conversation that his roommate from 1949 is going to be in the Shady Cove area later this summer. It will be the first time in 56 years that
Tretter and Bobby Bonebrake have crossed paths.

As a fallout of the conversation with Witwicki it now appears that there will be a book signing at Mattoon's largest mall in the near future. Since he is the
manager of the mall he can make "suggestions" to his book retailers about signings. If and when that signing date works out the readership in that area
will be advised. Maybe there can be a "mini" KOM League reunion in Mattoon.

Stanka started something

John, Stanka's remarks about names in the July 14th Flash Report brought to mind several unusual monikers that were hung on people I knew in my
teenage years. Such as Ruble Bullman, Honey Harris, Slick Furr and the infamous Rabbit Sweatt. Honest.....I'm not making these up.

One of my cousins from way back then loved to create nicknames for people and attempted to hang the godawful "Possum" Potts on me.
Mercifully, that bad idea never gained any traction in these parts. Don Potts--Rock Hill, SC bat boy from a bygone era.

Report from Highlands Ranch, Colorado

John, I was in Barnes & Noble today and they had two of your books on shelf in baseball section. I took both books out and displayed the front cover of book.
They were really visible. I'll check in a couple of days to see if they sold. Bob Mallon--'49 Independence Yankees

Programming update

John:

I just got the "Flash Report" of July 14 ... and it is a dandy. Thanks for "flashing" us, again. Do not despair, my friend ... just because you missed the July 13
airing of HBO's "Mantle". BTW, I missed it, too ... and won't make the same mistake twice. I did a little Internet 'sleuthing' just now and came up with a reprieve
for those who want to watch the program. I thought you might like this and may want to share it with others.

HBO's Replays

HBO has scheduled 'replays' of "Mantle" for the next month, so (if you missed the first airing) ... all is not lost. You can still catch it on HBO. If you don't
have HBO, perhaps one of your friends does and you could intrude and "couch potato" at their pad for an hour or so. ... or have them tape it for you. When you
impose on others ... I believe in imposing all the way. It might be good to bring along a bag of chips or something as a "token of appreciation" .

To make a long story short, I have just checked the future dates schedule on HBO's website. They will replay on a variety of dates and at a variety of times
both AM & PM. Here is a quick summary of Date and AM/PM replays from HBO's national schedule listing:

7/16 (AM & PM); 7/19 (PM); 7/20 (AM); 7/22 (PM); 7/23 (AM); 7/24 (AM & PM); 7/25 (PM); 7/26 (AM); 7/27 (AM & PM); 7/28 (AM & PM); 7/31 (AM & PM);
8/2 (PM); 8/12 (PM); 8/13 (AM & PM); 8/15 (PM); 8/16 (PM).

Like they say, "Check your local programming for dates and times in your area."

Here are HBO's website links (if you want to check it out yourself):

MANTLE The one-hour HBO Sports documentary will explore the life and career of one of baseball's most enduring icons, Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle, in MANTLE. The documentary will replay all month. Check the full replay schedule on the
Mantle website

I hope this is helpful!

Ted Watts

Planning on the trip to Carthage

Hi, Just to let you know that we are home and ready to accept the DVD! Let us know exactly what we owe you. Think that you said, $ 35.00, but not
sure so let us know and we will get a check off to you.

Paul made a reservation at Precious Moments this morn, but the girl seemed confused somewhat and said that there was no block of rooms at first, but
then found it. There is a little confusion on our part as to the nights that we will be there as we don't have next years calendar. We assume that we will get
there the afternoon or eve of the 6th and leave the 9th. Is that correct or do we stay the night of the 9th also? We had to make the reservation early because
Paul needs a handicapped room with a shower (or we're in trouble and so is everyone else).

Hope that you are all better. Take care and Hi to Noel. Mary Lou and Paul Hoffmeister

Ed note:

The registration for the "Last Hurrah" of the KOM League reunion thing is doing a brisk business. Be sure and contact the Precious Moments Best
Western Hotel for reservations:

The group is the KOM League, the rate is $59.99 per night and the toll fire number is 800-511-7676.

On a related note

George Fisher called Saturday evening from West Point, Utah to say he and wife Judy were planning on making the trip to Carthage for the KOM finale
in September 2006. He has also been in contact with Lee Coonradt of Layton, Utah and they hope to make the trip together. Fisher was with the 1947
Ponca City Dodgers and Coonradt was a member of the 1952 team.

It is only poetic justice that Fisher makes it to the last reunion. He had to obtain his Social Security card in Carthage back in 1947 prior to taking the hill
against the Carthage Cardinals for his first start in professional baseball. He was only 17-years of age at the time. Now, he's drawing that social security
and has reached the three-score, ten and five plateau in birthdays.

Hot days of July--1951 and now! (Late night musing of an old guy at the computer)

The heat and humidity of July remind me of a bygone era when I used to sit next to the bat rack at Carthage in 1951 and watch the insects circle the light
standards some 80 feet above the on deck circle. To be honest most of the games the Cubs played that year were pretty boring except for a few games
that ended in the ninth inning on a home run by Ponca City's Jack Denison or Carthage's Tommy Kordas chugging for all he was worth for home plate after
clearing the center fielder's head with a "run off" inside the the park homer. We won a few games that year but lost a lot more.

Dread was all that I faced after each game for it was necessary to take down the folding chairs from the box seats, put them on a dolly and haul them
off to the storage site down the left field line.

Back in the clubhouse it was never a pleasant scene if the club lost, which I've already indicated it did on a regular basis. Don Anderson, the manager,
never seemed to be in a good mood and it was a lot worse after a defeat. Babcock, Tomicki, Mudd, Oxford, Vande Hey, Biebel and all the rest of the team
only wanted out of there in order to go down to the White Rock Cafe. The main reasons for going were to eat a hamburger and have it served to them by
Bonnie Smith. Bonnie's dad worked the Carthage police force by day and watched over the six stool eatery by night.

My main goal was to get on my bicycle and make the 3-4 mile journey, which seemed like 50, to my home on the far side of Carthage without getting
run down by some ornery dog. They always knew my route and were waiting to chase me until I reached the territory of the next bicycle chasing canine.

At this time I can now admit that wasn't the best job I ever had and it paid about like many other jobs I was to later encounter--little or nothing. Memories,
yep, that is what I was getting. Some of those memories have been pleasant and others stuck with me for years like an ugly tattoo.

I've mentioned many times in the past that the impetus for ever starting to write about the KOM League was from negative experiences. Sometimes I
think God keeps you around in order that you can learn some things and change your attitude about long held feelings. If I had to list the ten people I didn't
like all that much back in 1951, Don Anderson would have been in that category. I had all kinds of reasons for placing him on that list but he never found
out how I felt for another four decades.

Now, on a regular basis the telephone rings and the voice on the other end says "This is Don in Hemet." Of course, the second I hear his "Hello John" I know
who it is. Over the past decade I have averaged a call of an hour's duration about every two months. Each call from Anderson reveals another part of his life
that I've never heard. We usually start out with the condition of his health and then get back to his baseball career which started in the Northern League in
1939.

After three seasons in the Northern circuit Anderson was slated to be sent to Elmira of the Eastern League but he said with the war raging he had to do
his part so he joined the Marine Corps. He spent two years in the Pacific before returning to the El Toro, California Marine base where he played
some baseball. He was the only player on the team with professional experience and recalls playing against the like of Red Ruffing and Joe DiMaggio who
played at Santa Ana. According to Anderson, DiMaggio never got a hit off the El Toro pitching staff. During those El Toro days Anderson recalls playing
against the Los Angeles Police Department. A member of the LAPD team was Kenny Washington who played in the same backfield at UCLA with Jackie Robinson.

I listened as Anderson spoke of his playing days in the Coastal Plain and North Carolina State League after the war and then going to St. Augustine, Florida.
That is when he heard, but didn't see, two pitches go past him that season. It was a sign that he needed help. That is when he was fitted for glasses and
he first used them in the KOM League. In his first game in 1949 at Pittsburg, Kansas he was a perfect 6 for 6.

Without any reservation, I rate Don Anderson as the best base runner I ever saw. He didn't steal a lot of bases but when he set his mind to it he could
do it better than anyone for he knew the art of sliding and was the first player who I ever witnessed that slid and came straight up after touching the base.
I was fascinated that he could do it in the same motion and not have to use his hands or knees to become upright. He was also the best stealer of
home in the history of the KOM League. No one else even came close to his accomplishment in that area. He would have stole many more had the
young pitchers not balked.

Back in the days of the Carthage Cubs and Don Anderson's managing tenure about all I did in the late innings was watch the bugs circle the light
standards as the cigar smoke wafted somewhere between the top of my head and where the bugs were. It was always hot and my only desire was to
finish my tasks and get home. Now, 54 years later the telephone rings. Anderson asks, "Is it hot there John?" I reply, "Don, if you we were back in
Carthage we'd be on a four week roll without a rain out." Don replies, "I would give anything if I could go back one more time and take my lead off third
base and make that dash toward stealing home." But, he remarks, "I'm 87 years old but I still walk everyday and will do as long as God gives me
strength." Back in the days Anderson was on my "low esteem list" God wasn't a part of his vocabulary in a spiritual sense. Today, as it has been for the
past 22 years, there is a change in his life and priorities. As much as he loves to talk about his baseball past he places that in far second place to his faith
in God.

>From where I was 54 years ago to where I am today I'm grateful to Don Anderson's God that has placed us back in touch to reminisce about the past
and to be able to talk about things that have a meaning for the future. I've regretted many times that I had animosity toward Anderson for the way I
thought he "picked" on me as his bat boy. I'm convinced now that anything that I perceived as bad treatment was not something he intentionally inflicted
upon me. Whenever he has something nice to say to me, which he always does, it makes me feel even worse. When he closed his last call with the
words "I appreciate who you are and what you do and will do so until my dying day" it made me wish I'd been a better bat boy lo those many summers past.

The light bugs don't seem to be as numerous in 2005 as they were in 1951 and its sure a lot cooler when I speak with Anderson for we have gone
from the "fans" in the stands keeping us cool to air-conditioning, which only the elite had back in the era of the Truman presidency.

Palatine, Illinois--The Johnny LaPorta family

Johnny LaPorta was the Chicago Cub bat boy prior to playing minor league baseball at St. Augustine, Fl; Carthage, MO and Rock Hill, SC. Johnny passed
away in 1989 but I still hear from the family through his daughter Cindy. She sent a nice letter, received today, and reports that her mother, Angie is now
at home after a long stint in a nursing home. Angie was a great fan of the 1949 Carthage Cubs and kept the best score book I have ever witnessed for an
entire season. She even has the game scored where Mantle hit the fly ball that hit Bill Hornsby in the head which resulted in a two run homer for Mantle, one
of only seven he hit that season.

The main import of Cindy's letter was the discussion about the late Everett Ralston. Ralston was a high school classmate of mine who was fond of the LaPorta
family. Just before Christmas he wrote me to secure the address of Angie. He sent them a Christmas card just prior to going into the hospital for knee replacement surgery. Just a few days later I received word that Everett had suffered a fatal heart attack while in the hospital. When the news reached the LaPorta/Lange
family it came as a shock just as it had to so many others on this Flash Report distribution list who knew him.

Cindy saw a reference that Cromer Smotherman had placed one of the Mantle books in his local library. She purchased two. One will remain with the
family and the other will be placed in the Palatine library. So, if any of the readers in that area want to read the book but don't want to buy here is a great
opportunity.

More on former Commerce, Oklahoma boy and KOM League umpire!
Subtitle: The chili powder could be harmful to your health

Wilcoxson was 'Red' of Fred & Red's

By Debby Woodin--Globe Staff Writer

One of the owners who made a local chili parlor a nostalgic nameplate on Joplin's Main Street has died.

William R. "Red" Wilcoxson, 88, a co-owner of Fred & Red's, died about 3 p.m. Saturday at his Joplin home after suffering for several years from a
mysterious lung ailment that may have been caused by his prolonged exposure to the seasonings used in the chili at the locally famous eatery he and his son,
Larry Wilcoxson, owned at 1719 S. Main St.

Larry Wilcoxson said his father began noticing a loss of breath about seven years ago that became progressively worse.

During a visit to the Mayo Clinic, his father was told that "the suspicion was that it was the spices that damaged the lungs," Larry Wilcoxson said Tuesday.
"It would be kind of like a miner would get lung disease from working in the mines. He might have gotten it from working with the chili seasonings."

Because of the elder Wilcoxson's age and a heart condition, he wasn't a candidate for a lung transplant, the son said. "It progressively got worse until he
was on oxygen 24 hours a day," he said.

The other half of the nameplate, Fred Herring, started a chili counter with a chili recipe of his own concoction in 1923 at 10th and Main streets. The
original counter had 10 seats. By 1943, the diner - which served chili, spaghetti red, hamburgers and its own recipe of tamales - had grown so popular
that Herring bought a vacant lot in the 1700 block of Main Street and built the current restaurant. The small building that once housed the original restaurant
was demolished years ago, Larry Wilcoxson said.

Red Wilcoxson was a meat cutter at a grocery store that existed then across from the restaurant, and he cut the meat that Herring used. In 1956, Herring
invited Wilcoxson to be a partner in the restaurant. Larry Wilcoxson was 13 years old, and he began helping his dad and Herring with the work. The
Wilcoxsons bought out Herring in 1970, and Herring died a short time later.

The father and son operated Fred & Red's together until Red Wilcoxson retired in 1985.

Larry Wilcoxson, 61, said he is now ready to retire and is looking for a buyer who would assume the operation and its secret recipe of chili. So far,
it has always been owner-operated.

That, and the flavor of the chili, may have contributed to the eatery's longevity.

Today, nostalgia goes a long way toward maintaining a hungry crowd. The configuration of the business - a limited amount of swivel stools at a U-shaped
counter - hearkens to the old days. With seating limited, carryout also is a brisk trade.

But the restaurant never installed a telephone for customers to call in orders, and it never expanded or changed its counter service at customer request,
Larry Wilcoxson said.

"There's been lots of times in those 49 years we wanted to change it to make it more convenient to operate, and our customers will tell us, 'Don't,
because this has been successful and this is the way we like it,'" he said.

Some of the customers are people who move away from Joplin and visit Fred & Red's to reminisce, saying they like it that nothing much has changed.
"We listen to the customers on the nostalgia end of it," Larry Wilcoxson said.

In addition to Larry Wilcoxson, survivors include another son, Bill, of Joplin; a daughter, Jeanette Chitwood, of Denver, Colo.; and several grandchildren.

Ed note:

Special thanks goes to Carla Forseyth of Colorado Springs, Colo. who brought this to my attention. In her younger days she lived in both Pittsburg, Kansas
and Joplin, Missouri.

The KOM League Remembered (The book)

Messing around on the Internet this weekend I was looking at some of the things that Amazon.com does with books. They showed a concordance for
The KOM League Remembered (Sept. 2004 publication date) and listed the top 100 words in the book. If you want to click on any of these names you
will see in what context they were used.

I will tell you immediately that whatever program scanned those names did a fairly poor job of it. They made a lot of "b's as h's" etc. Some of the stuff
is downright unfathomable. Anyway, you might want to amuse yourself to see how many things they messed up. (If the charts that follow are
not readable just click on the following URL and follow the bouncing ball.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/sitb-next/0738533408/ref=sbx_con/002-1712344-6657601?%5Fencoding=UTF8#concordance

1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 al another bartlesville baseball bill bob browns career carthage chanute city club courtesy cubs davis day dodgers don during ed family first front game george hack history hit home independence jack jim joe john july june kansas kom last later le league left lola lou louis major manager mantle may member miami middle minor missouri name native new oklahoma owls photo pictured pirates pitcher pittsburg pittshurg played players playing ponca professional ray record right row season spent st started state taken team three time tom two western won world yankees year york young

If you are really bored click on the (learn more) items and find out just how simple or complex this book is to read

I'm not sure what is transpiring with the Mantle book as far as Amazon.com is concerned. That title has been running about 70,000th in sales for a couple of
months. Over the weekend it "rose" to around 16,000th in sales and then has danced around 20,000-50,000th place since that time. Amazon.com is far and
away the largest seller of books in the world. That surge, if its real, most likely is attributable to the full page ad that was placed in the latest edition of the SABR
Quarterly. (If anyone gets that publication I'd appreciate your downloading me a copy of the advertisement.)

I'm not counting any chickens before their hatching (increased sales) so I'm finishing up this report and pointing the KOM League truck toward SW Missouri, SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma for a hot week on the road. I'm not counting any chickens before their hatching (increased sales) so I'm finishing up this report and pointing the KOM League truck toward SW Missouri, SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma for a hot week on the road. This is for business, not pleasure.

KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 21, 2005

In case you miss it!

The summer of 2005 in the Midwest is like the ones experienced in the old KOM League days. The temps are over 100, it hasn't rained for a month
and the trees beckon the dogs as they walk down the street.

The much anticipated tomato crop for 2005 is quickly going the way of the pennant hopes of 90% of the teams in baseball. Dry weather and the
impending water restrictions in Columbia, Missouri threatens to make my bumper crop a bummer instead. With hot nights the blooms are refusing to
set so the prospects of late Fall tomatoes are dwindling rapidly.

So, I'll have to find something else to occupy my summer evenings. I may have to crank up the old book signing tour. There are a couple in the offing
and I've been asked to schedule an event in Pryor, Okla. That is close to being a significant city in the life of the Mantle family. The Mantles moved to
Adair, just a handful of miles north of Pryor in 1899. When Mickey's uncle Emmett was a youngster his mother passed away and he moved in with
his aunt and uncle in Pryor and they raised him. Emmett became a meat-cutter in the Safeway Grocery chain prior to his early death. About the time Emmett
went to live with his new parents in Pryor, the rest of the family moved to Spavinaw, Oklahoma where Mickey was born a decade later.

Don Anderson

John, Enjoyed your story on Don Anderson. We can picture you riding home after a game and trying to get there without a dog bite. Nowadays , it would
be more than a dog to worry about. Our doors were always left unlocked, never even thought about a key in those days. "Hello" to Noel. J. Getter

Ed note:

I mentioned in the latest edition of the KOM League Remembered newsletter a conversation I had with Jim Conroy of the 1951 Carthage Cubs. I
thought when he used the term "Gramps" he was referring to Anderson. He did a real "front end alignment" on me with this note. "Thanks for the newsletter- I didn't realize anything I write or say will be held against me. The Mr. Gramp I referred to was not Don Anderson but Hank Gramp the Cub scout who signed
me."

I've got to start listening a little better.

No Possum's in the KOM League

John, what year and which KOM team did "Possum Potts" play with?

Also, in the FR reports on book sales etc. by Amazon it showed the Flesch Index. My mother's maiden name was Flesch, and this index was created
by a Dr. Rudolph Flesch. Do you think I could trace or get any info on him from Amazon, or do you have a suggestion? Thanks, Bob C. (Curley)

Ed note:

Bob Curley was informed that Potts was the batboy for Rock Hill, SC about the same Yours Truly was "hauling lumber" for the Carthage Cubs. The
inquiry about Mr. Flesch was pretty simple to solve. There is only one person by that name in the United States and his telephone number was passed
along to Curley.

Forgiveness!!

John, I am the least church oriented guy on your flash report mailing list. BUT, if any preacher I was ever forced to listen to, had ever
preached a sermon to his flock about the beauty of forgiveness like the one you preached in the 7 17 05 Flash Report, I would consider
going back just to hear him again. Hate is a terrible burden to carry around. Thanks for the grist for the thinking mill. Anonymous

Ed note:

The person who sent that note asked that it not be "KOM Stuff." I made the person anonymous for after receiving that message for I have thought about
it a lot as the old truck racked up a few hundred miles this week in three states.

It seems to me that their is far too much hatred among "rationale" people and the word forgiveness is not even in their vocabulary. All of us have
witnessed it in every day relationships. Families get embroiled in this due to divorces, disputes over what is or isn't left in a will etc... You all can fill in
the blanks.

Some people get "bent out of shape" over religion, politics and even sports teams. Disputes start over seemingly small issues but since neither side will
back down it escalates much like the legendary Hatfields and McCoys feud.

To me, the main issue over which friends are lost, and unreconcilable differences occur, are do to one party believing that only they have the handle on
truth. I can recall being in a church service when I expressed my opinion about a certain topic. The lady in charge informed me I had the right to be wrong.
Never did it occur to her that her "narrow beliefs" could stand a little introspection. I didn't argue with the lady but learned quickly that if I had
an opinion that I even remotely thought might go against her opinion then I wouldn't express it else I would become her enemy.

Thus, if you ever see anything in this report, like maybe this article, and smoke starts coming out your ears and nostrils just remember that if you ignore
or tolerate what I say "this too shall pass," and pretty quickly.

There are still books remaining

Hi John,  Sorry that we missed seeing the Mantle story on HBO last night. Sounds as though it was pretty well done.  I'll try to see it later.  I'm

sure they will run it again.  We don't have HBO, but we were out to dinner anyway.

Re :  Joe Stanka's unusual names in this Flash Report: We had a minister once who had children named:  Brick, Rock and Pebble!  Pebble is a Dr.

now.  ( a girl) The History Museum here is exhibiting the History of Baseball in Springfield and Greene County now through August 20th.  They are having

round table discussions on July 23 and July 30  from  10:30 -12 in the morning.  Bill is doing the one on July 23.  Don't know who else is

participating.    Think Bunny (Mick)  is doing pretty well on the chemo, but is weak and has no appetite.  He is enjoying hearing from KOMers.  We try to

talk to them about once a week.   Hope all is well with you and Noel.  No news yet on when our Lisa and Linda will have their surgery.  Linda is

still being tested.  Please keep them in your prayers.    I need  2 more Mantle books if you still have some available!  If not, I will go to Barnes

& Noble.  Please autograph.    Blessings!     Shirley V. (Virdon)

Helping hand

John, I've been following the trials and tribulations of your computer over the recent month. Found a hard copy of the report from 3/17 wherein all
of the e-mail addresses were displayed. Since that time, I think you've been doing them as blind copies, but I thought the below list of addresses from
the pre-crash days may be of some help.

Regarding the KOM newsletter copies, I'm sure that we would enjoy several (5 or so would be great) extra copies for the various elements of the family.

We'll be sending a formal note via the auspicious USPS, but until then, please accept the thanks of our family for the support that you and the other
former KOMers have afforded us following Brandon's passing. Curtis Davis

Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

At the last KOM League reunion there was a total of $330 raised for a flower/memorial fund. Brandy Davis died the day the reunion concluded and a
check was sent to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. They sent a thank you note on July 16, 2005 acknowledging the gift.. The thanks go
out to all of those who donated to the fund at Chanute and Joe Stanka who donated following the reunion. The check was made in the name of all the
former KOM Leaguers.

Attention: In the letter from the Delaware group were four free tickets to the Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. If any of you live in that area or plan to
visit and would like to have these tickets please let me know and I'll send them to you. You can go and see the tribute they have paid to Brandy.

New fishing book now available!

Paul Oakes hurled for the 1949 Ponca City Dodgers. He has just released a book entitled "Don't Read This--You Might Get Hooked on Fishing."

He send a note and a copy of his book cover. In his note he said. "Enclosed is a picture of the new book, with a little addendum added to give
it the KOM flavor. It can be purchased on Amazon.com, Borders Bookstores, Target.com and on the Internet through True Fishing Stories.com.

There are baseball stories, politics and lots of fishing stories in the book. Carl Erskine has a page and for a 78-year-old broken down pitcher,
his handwriting is extraordinary. I will plan to attend the reunion in Chanute in 2006, but I will wait to make hotel reservation until I know about
my Canadian fishing trip next June." Your truly, Paul R. Oakes.

Ed note:

Just a couple of comments about Paul's note. One, the reunion isn't going to be in Chanute and its not going to be in June. It will be in Carthage,
Missouri in September 2006. Secondly, the mention of Carl Erskine isn't name dropping. They were boyhood friends and teammates back in their youth
in the Hoosier State.

Does Mantle deserve to be in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame?

Hi, John

Just wanted to drop you a quick note. Mom and I went to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame yesterday in Springfield, MO. I noticed that they did not
show any information on the KOM league, and even Mickey Mantle. Mickey should have been there (in my mind) since he played for the Joplin Miners,
and had such as great career.

I thought that you ought to provide them with information. And, you really should visit the MO HOF. I enjoyed it. It seems to be a project in-the-works.
One very large room has been started, but is not available for viewing, yet. They have a very nice individual display for Stan Musial.

One word of caution, when you go to see it. Take Hwy 65 south to Hwy 60. There are signs showing you the way, at least, that far. It is east of Hwy 65,
about a mile at the top of a hill, on the right. Oddly, they do not have a sign on the road to indicate that it is there. I realized that I had arrived when I
saw a bronze statue of a baseball player, then suddenly the building became visible. Fortunately, I did not have traffic behind me, so I was able to slow
down quickly and turn in.

It would be a nice stop, when you visit your mother next time. How is she doing these days? I hope she is well.

Take care. Tom Scheerer

Getting excited

Tonight I hope to watch the Mantle film at my daughter's house. (I don't have HBO) Thanks to the reader who wrote the e-mail with all the HBO times.
I plan also to look for your name listed in the credits. Congrats !!! (And I hope your own book is still being considered for a film)
--Bill O'Baseball

PS On Aug. 1, ESPN will be at our Durham Bulls ballpark. They are making a tour of many minor league parks all summer.

Thought for the day! (You gotta think this one through)

There are three kinds of people in the world-- (1) Those who can count and (2) those who can't.

Discussion about the KOM League DVD et.al.

Hi, We need to pay you! Let us know what we owe!!!

We went to a minor league game today with the church group and sat in the sun with temp. at 100 degrees! Had to leave after 3rd inning. Felt kind of sick
when we got home and took a nap. The young people seem to enjoy the loud music and games between innings. There were soooo many concession
stands and it seems like most people were around those. As far as I could see, it was more a social affair than a ball game. I felt sorry for the players as
it seemed that the game was secondary for most. I guess that they need to appeal to families as it is too expensive to take a family to the majors for most.

Take care. Paul and Mary Lou Hoffmeister

Ed reply:

That kind of outing in the sun and noise isn't anything that appeals to me either. I was back in KOM League country at the first of the week. I hit Carthage,
Pittsburg, Miami and came within 23 miles of both Bartlesville and Independence. I was within 45 miles of Chanute and Iola. The only towns I didn't get
near were Ponca City and Blackwell. It was pretty hot and dry out that way although I did hit rain both yesterday and late last night. Everything is drying up.

Hoffmeister's response

While you were writing to us, I was writing to Tom Shales at "The Washington Post" suggesting that he may enjoy reading your book as there was an
article by him about the documentary entitled," Mantle an unflinching, loving look" (or was it book??!). I gave him your phone number, cell number, social
security number, etc.! Anyway, who knows?? Will let you know if I hear anything or better yet, let us know if you do! I did get confirmation that they received
the letter immediately.

We received the DVD's and have looked at two of them so far. We enjoyed!! You did a great job! Thanks so much!! It was fun to relive the reunion!

LET US KNOW WHAT WE OWE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it has been soooo dry. We need rain desperately too.

Ed reply:

Let the contact with Tom Shales be the payment for the videos. I'll let you know if he gets in touch. Thanks for that act of kindness.

Hoffmeister's reply

John, No we won't do that as it was too much work for you not to get paid something. I am putting a check in mail to what I think was the amount that you
mentioned in one of the Flash Reports. If we find out that it is more, we'll send the rest.

I got another email from the Washington Post and apparently Tom Shales prefers "snail mail" so will get one off to him tonight. Just a chance, but as they say,
any ship in the storm! We sure would be happy if you hear from him or someone there! You deserve it! Us Again

Ed note:

Many people who have read the Mantle book have gone out of their way to ensure it is read by a wider audience. For example:
1. Books have been purchased to give to others.
2. Books have been placed in libraries.
3. Media personnel have been contacted. That includes the press, radio and television.
4. A few people have taken a sizable number of books to sell.

If any of you have the time and inclination you can go to Amazon.com. After typing in the name of the book, it will show you a screen with a lot of
information. One of the things Amazon encourages is for those who have read a book to write a brief review. I find these highly interesting with
regard to other books. Nobody has ever written a review for any of my books. If you care to be the first to do so, hustle over to Amazon.com and
follow the bouncing ball.

Harry Mantle or Mickey Potter?

Well, tonight I'm in Joplin physically and 22,000th on the Amazon site. I wish I understood how they do that ranking. On second thought I wish I
had named my book "Mickey Potter" or "Harry Mantle." Changing my name to Rowling and claiming England as my homeland might have helped too.

Ed note:

That message was sent Monday evening from the Ramada Inn in Joplin to Greg Olds in Austin, Texas. It seems as though the Amazon. com ranking of
book sales is about as comprehensible as most political polls. All I can say is that I'm still getting orders through Amazon.com so someone evidently
is purchasing the Mantle book.

On a related note

Mr. Hall: I know you have sent this information but I need to know where to purchase the Mantle Book. Could you please assist?

Mel Aytes

Ed note:

If anyone else is curious about how to obtain a copy of the book I'd be happy to provide the information. However, I now suspect I've exhausted the
sales prospects among the readers of this publication.

New sales outlet

The recent full page ad in the SABR Quarterly has generated some interest in the Mantle book particularly along the eastern seaboard. Orders came in pretty quickly from that part of the country from some "highly successful" individuals who idolized Mantle in their youth.

Error?

I appreciate everyone who purchases and reads anything I write. I must admit my wife is not as long-suffering when criticism is offered with regard to my
writing. There was a call the other day that she overheard. The person wanted me to know that I had misspelled the name of a former Yankee. He noted
the page and the correct spelling. I knew where he was going and patiently allowed him to "rake the author" over the coals. After he made that "correction"
he also had a comment about another little habit Mickey had as a kid and evidently maintained for most of his life. That will not be mentioned.

The caller never did say whether he liked, or hated the book. All he wanted to do was correct the spelling of that one Yankee. I took my copy of the
book and looked up the page. I asked him to take a look at the beginning and end of the sentence in question and tell me what he saw. His reply was
"Quotation marks." Well, I remarked, "When I quote someone I don't have the liberty to change anything."

I thanked the caller for his interest and my wife informed me that I wasn't called because the fellow wanted to help me but to criticize. I told her that
if that was the biggest criticism leveled about the book I wasn't going to get one whit upset. (Now, I'll confess. There is one story in the book about Mantle,
and two of his teammates going into Columbus, Kansas after a Whiz Kid game. The book said one of the fellows was Jim Kenega. According to Bob
Steele, who was one member of the trio, he corrected me by saying the third fellow was Buddy Ball. If I ever re-issue the book I'll happily put
Ball's name in that spot. It just so happens that Ball was my physical education instructor at Joplin Junior College in 1958 and a great guy. Lou Holtz thought
the same thing about Ball and for many years was his top recruiter at the Universities of Arkansas and Minnesota before he retired and moved to Duncan, Oklahoma.)

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
July 25, 2005
(Only five months to the day left until Christmas)

Note: This edition is a potpourri of what others have written, or may write and how this Editor has been accused of telling tall tales in the
Mantle book. Read further if any of this sounds interesting. If not, hit the delete key and live happily ever after.

In reading the criticism of my work on the Mantle book be reminded of a comment Ray Mantle (Mick's brother) shared with me. He said, "The
only thing I don't like about the book is that I didn't write it." And later he remarked to Yours Truly, "You're the first person to ever get it right." The
defense rests.

World Series begins

Don Gutteridge throws out first pitch to open Series

By KEVIN FLAHERTY
Morning Sun Staff Writer

Muggy heat didn't stop Don Gutteridge from putting the ball in the strike zone to open the National Baseball Congress Hap Dumont Baseball
16-Under World Series.

The former major league baseball player, 94, had a familiar target as his neighbor, Drew Beasley, a catcher for the Pittsburg Miners, caught the
ceremonial first pitch at JayCee Ballpark.

Beasley said he had played catch with Gutteridge before, when Pittsburg hosted the USA Baseball Junior National Team and Gutteridge wanted
to practice.

"It was pretty special to catch the ball from him because he is my neighbor," Beasley said. "He said that he was scared that he would knock me down."

With the 12 participating teams and 80-100 spectators looking on, Gutteridge gave the ball a slight windup before putting the pitch right on the money.

"I didn't know how close they were going to put me to him," Gutteridge said. "I would have tried to throw the ball from
wherever they put me at and hope that it got to him."

http://www.morningsun.net/stories/072305/loc_20050723030.shtml

Gutteridge played baseball for four major league teams between 1936 and 1948. He started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, before moving to
the American League with the St. Louis Browns. His years with the Browns including a World Series berth against his old team in the Trolley Car
Series in 1944. He was the first batter in the series, and was, at one time, considered baseball's fastest man.

He finished his career with stints in Boston and Pittsburgh before spending time as a manager and scout before returning home to Pittsburg, where
he grew up.

Getting to throw out the first pitch was the latest of in a long line of honors bestowed on Gutteridge, and he said that each mention was more
humbling than the one before it.

"Oh, it really means something every time you're honored by the people in your hometown," Gutteridge said. "They are the ones who love you,
and they know you more than anyone else."

Beasley said that catching the ball from Gutteridge was the start of what he hoped was a special tournament.

"I'm looking forward to, hopefully, a lot of wins," Beasley said. "I hope that we have a good tournament and a good time."

Gutteridge said that he was going to be in the stands for some of the games and that he was looking forward to watching some good baseball.

"I sure hope so. I'm going to be here tomorrow morning at 9," Gutteridge said. "I figure I'll see several games and see a lot of these kids play at least.
They look like big kids for 15- and 16-year-olds. I hope to see them all in the major leagues.

"I hope they get to go to the World Series," Gutteridge said, pointing to one of his World Series rings. "I hope they all get to wear one of these rings.
That's what it's all about."

Two days of pool-play games start at 9 a.m. today at JayCee, Pittsburg State's Al Ortolani Field and the Frontenac Sports Complex.

Ed note:

Don Gutteridge was single-handedly responsible for the St. Louis Browns placing a minor league affiliate at Pittsburg, Kansas in 1946 where it remained
through the 1951 season.

It carries the Bill O'Donnell seal of approval.

Hi John --Well I did watch the Mantle film on HBO and liked it. I think you would like it too. I give it two thumbs up.

--Bill O

A former KOM League connection

Ed note: Ray "Fido" Murphy owned both the Topeka and Chanute Owl franchises in 1946. He is one of the more memorable characters for  those

who played for the Topeka and Chanute clubs and later with the Miami Owls.  He was, to say the least, someone who no one who knew him could

ever forget.  To get a lively discussion going at any KOM League event all anyone has to do is say "Fido."

Over the years I have mentioned him in some of the KOM League publications and there seems to be some interest still in the fellow.  He had

umpired in the Western Association prior to WW II and during the war he managed a submarine shipyard team at Quonset, Rhode Island. After

the war he moved took most of those players with him to Topeka where they were dubbed, "The Kombat Kids."  Fido wasn't the best judge

of baseball talent in the world.  He had spring training at Carthage, Missouri in 1946 and the best players were left to play for Goldie Howard at

Chanute in Class D ball and the lesser talent went to Topeka in the Class C circuit.

In a move I could never figure out and it still "bugs" me to this day is what Fido did at the conclusion of spring drills.  There was a young Carthage

boy named Jimmy Carnes who he took back to Topeka as their bat boy.  I suspect that Fido had some ulterior motive like, having a dog sitter.  Fido had a

black cocker spaniel who went on road trips with the team and was even in the dugout during the games.  The players learned to hate that poor

dog because Fido would demand that the players look after the animal when the animal had to do what animals do.

Well, I'm not going to go into a dissertation on Ray Fido Murphy. But, when Rod Nelson sent along the following note it got the "juices going" again.

Nelson's note:

Tom Bartell asked about Fido Murphy who was  indeed a colorful character.  He was the eccentric baseball and  football promoter and owner of the

post-war Class C Western League Topeka Owls  and Class D KOM League Chanute (KS) Owls.  Murphy was described  by the Saturday Evening

Post in 1947 as “Baseball’s Dizziest Owner”.    He had first reached national acclaim in a 1942 Esquire piece titled:  “World’s Greatest Athlete; Recalling

 Fido Murphy’s Amazing Exploits in Baseball,  Football, Basketball, Coaching and Umping.”

The following URL describes Mrs. Fido Murphy.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Adrian

Iris Adrian (29 May 1912 – 17 September 1994) was an American film actress.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Adrian won a beauty pageant and worked with the Ziegfeld Follies, before she entered films at the end of the silent era
in Chasing Husbands, (1928). During the 1930s she specialized in playing glamorous gold-diggers and gangsters' "dames", and played supporting roles in numerous features. She was considered a versatile actress, who could play drama or comedy, and she was also regarded as a capable dancer, dancing in
a couple of films with George Raft.

She continued to act regularly without achieving star status and by the end of the 1960s had appeared in more than one hundred films. In her later years she appeared in several Walt Disney films, including That Darn Cat! (1965), The Love Bug (1970), The Shaggy D.A. (1976) and Freaky Friday (1976).
She also played numerous guest roles in such television series as Get Smart, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, The Munsters
and The Love Boat. She was married three times, the first time to Charles Over in 1935 (divorced in 1936), the second to George Jay, and her final
marriage was to Ray "Fido" Murphy which lasted over 30 years. Known for sense of humor, she wryly commented in an interview late in her life that
the only thing she did not like about aging was that she could no longer attract gangsters.

She died in Los Angeles, from injuries she sustained during the 1994 Northridge earthquake nine months earlier, and was interred in the Forest Lawn
Cemetery.

Putting Tom in touch with John (me)

John - meet Tom.

Tom - meet John.

Tom is the one looking for info on Murphy for a book he's working on regarding Barnstorming.

John is the one that knows all there is to know about the KOM League and just released the epic Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory book which is featured in

the most recent SABR Bulletin..

I suspect John's neighbor Bill Clark might have a story or two to share about Fido Murphy, too.  And come to think of it, my cousin Charlie (Chuck)

McCormick probably has a story or two since he played with Topeka after returning from WW2, too. Rod Nelson

Ed response

We got around to talking about Fido at the last KOM League reunion. Lee Dodson has begged me to write a book about Fido but with my writing
successes I'm not sure it would sell a dozen books. Fido has been gone too long for very many people to even remember him or care about hearing more.

He would make a great couple of chapters in "characters" of the minor league game.

I'll tell you about Iris, Fido never allowed her to come to Topeka. I guess by then she wasn't young and cute enough to be seen in public. While at
Topeka Fido usually had a young thing on each arm. Dodson said Fido stashed Iris in Chicago during the summer. He'd go back there in the winter
during the Bears season. He scouted for both the Chicago Bears and New York Giants in the NFL.

There is a "ton" of stuff at this source but you have to be a member to get on the site. This is basically the story Lee Dodson related to the Topeka

Capital Journal back in 2003.  Good stuff.

http://cjonline.com/login.shtml?orq:http://cjonline.com/stories/092803/our_sports.shtml

If Mr. Bartell is interested in Fido, I'd suggest he comb the Lockport, New York telephone directory. There are 35 people with that name and I'd bet

about what I have of this week's paycheck ($0.00) that he'd find some of  Fido's kin.

People heard from over weekend

Ada Wright--Miami, Okla.

Dr. & Mrs. (Ada) Wright were huge fans of the Miami baseball clubs during their KOM League existence. They followed the team at home and

on the road. Long after the "Boys of those few summers" grew up and did other things, many still visited the Wright family where they had once roomed

with Ada's parents (the Middletons) in a 13-room home.

A few months ago Ada asked that I cease sending the newsletter since she didn't know many of the names.  However, I sent her the summer edition for

2005 and she was very interested in the story of Newt Keithley.  She called to tell me she had gone to school with both Keithley and his wife.  She had some

observations to share about that family of which I was unaware.  She was greatly interested in learning Mrs. Keithley's first name.  Since Mrs. Keithley

didn't indicate that in her letter I'm relying on some of the former Miami players or fans to help me out with this one.

Charlie Weber

John: Just finished making my reservation for the 2006 bash.

My hip is coming along but it sure is a slow process.One day I walk without a cane then need it the next day.This getting old is the pits but
it beats the alternative.Hope this finds you and yours well. See you in 2006 or maybe sooner. Regards Charlie Weber

Bob Passarella:

Last year, about this time, Brandy Davis was scouting minor league teams on the east coast for the Houston Astros.  He gave me a call and asked

how he could get hold of former Carthage Cub shortstop, Bob Passarella.  Davis had read about Passarella over the past few years in the KOM League

Flash Reports and newsletters.  Davis was provided with the telephone number and address and he stopped by and paid a visit to a very surprised

host.

When Passarella saw the front page of the summer edition of the KOM League Remembered he anticipated what would be inside the cover.  He was

shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a person of whom he counted as a friend after last summer's visit.  The pair had made plans to meet again

this year for dinner and a baseball game.  Passarella confided that he really looked forward to the second time in his life when former major league player

would come to his house.  It was not to be.  Passarella said, "I'm so sorry that I won't have the pleasure of Brandy's company this year or ever."

Passarella admitted that Brandy had spoken with him about attending a KOM League reunion.  He said that during their visit last year  Brandy

threatened to drive to Scranton, Penn. and pick Passarella up and take him along for the trip to Chanute.

SABR Quarterly readership

With the advertisement taking up an entire page in the Society of American Baseball Research's Quarterly the orders for the

Mantle book have come in from places as diverse as Sioux City, Iowa; McKeesport, Penn. and Nashua, New Hampshire.

That is a segue to the following.  I promised to share with the readership all comments about the Mantle book be they good, bad or ugly.

In today's mail I received the first real criticism of the book.  It was referred to as a collection of "tall tales."  One even stood out above

the others in the critic's view.  Every person has the right to believe or cast aspersions on any story.  However, I stand by every incident related

in that book as being the recollection of at least one person and validated by two or more people.  I contend that no one knows

everything about anybody other than themselves--and sometimes we deceive ourselves.

So, with that brief explanation I give you the score on the book so far.  Favorable comments  500+, unfavorable 1 and undecided 1.

If a politician had those numbers he/she would call it a landslide.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
August 1, 2005

Ed note:

Here's hoping the material coming out of the KOM League Flash Reports in August will be better than the stuff shared in July. After looking
over the material in this report I'm not sure that goal will be accomplished except for the material that was submitted by others.
That is the best kind of "grist for this mill." If any of you have something to share, don't be afraid to do so.

Any "gamers" out there?

On September 24, 2005, the Cross County Mall at 700 Broadway Avenue East in Mattoon, Illinois will be the site of
a book signing sponsored by Waldenbooks and promoted by the Mall "boss," Mike Witwicki.

The signing will be tied in with a sports memorabilia show and I'm told that I'll be the only "book signer" on the premises that day.

Since I've been to book signings previously in life when no one showed up I'm interested in
ensuring worthwhile trip. Thus, if you are reader in East Central Illinois, Western Indiana or portions
of Northern Kentucky you might want to hitch up the horses and come into Mattoon for a mini-
KOM League reunion. We could hang out for a while on Saturday, eat a bite or two and still
get home in time to milk the cows, feed the chickens and slop the hogs.

If that sounds like a good "idee" to any of you let me know

My wife wanted to know if that was a long trip. I told her it was nearly the same distance from Columbia to
Mattoon as it was from Columbia to the last KOM League reunion at Chanute, Kansas. Chanute is four miles closer
but due to Interstate highways from Columbia to Mattoon the drive is 41 minutes less. After all the driving Mike
Witwicki has done in coming from Mattoon to KOM League reunions, everywhere, I've got to make this trip
for him.

Get 'em Fido

Really enjoyed the stories and info about Fido (Murphy). I sure remember that dog in the dugout. In fact, somewhere in my clippings I should still have
the Saturday Evening Post picture of our dugout, with Fido standing there along with the dog. I'm reminded of the "love" Lee (Dodson) had for Fido,
especially after he had to go to Trautman to get his money from Fido.

John, Thursday night we (N.Ky.Sports Hall Of Fame)members are going to be honored, at the Florence Freedom ball park before the game with the
Windy City Thunderbolts at & P.M.There is a team called Mid-Missouri in the league. I believe the league is a class D or C classification. They sure have
a nice park. It looks like a big league park, compared to what we played in at Chanute..It'll be nice to see some of those guys. We only have meetings
during the winter months...... Bob Curley

Ed note:

We don't herald it too loudly around these parts that the Mid-Missouri Mavericks are located in Columbia, Mo. Curley is right, Mid-Missouri is a Class
D team even though the leagues don't go to that level anymore. It is classified as "A" ball but that is very generous. In three seasons this team has tried
everything. Jack Clark was one of the managers and now if you go out to the ballpark you can see that future Hall of Famer, Jim Gentile as he leads
the Mavericks "inaction" each night. Its hard to be tough on minor league teams, but when they average giving up 13 runs a game you know you aren't
going to see the hometowners win very often.

If pressed to make a comparison, this current Mid-Missouri, Class A team would have given the 1950 Iola Indians and Chanute Athletics a run for their
money for last place. Personally, I think they could have done it.

The Davis photo

Hello, John.....My Aunt Mona Lou (widow of Gale, Pittsburg Browns-'48)  Blakeley passed on to me the most recent edition of the KOMLR (June-2005)

 that featured the recently departed Brandy Davis.  I was intrigued by the photo of Brandy on page two where he is wearing a Houston Colt .45's road uniform

(obvious because of the Texas flag on the left sleeve rather than the Astros' logo patch) and a Moultrie (GA) Colt .22's cap.  I'm guessing that this photo may

have been taken during spring training circa 1963.  If anyone knows for sure when it was taken, please let me know.  In 1962 The Moultrie (GA) Colt .22's

were a Class D Ga-FL League affiliate of the Houston Colt .45's. In 1963, with the re-classification of the minor leagues and the  new National Agreement

between the majors and minors, Moultrie and the Georgia-Florida League were now "Class-A".  That is a  fantastic and rare photo and thank you to the person  that submitted it.

Ed Hoke

Ed note:

The photo was shared by Brandy's son, Curtis.  I suspect if anyone out there has the date on that photo it will be Curtis.

Adding to the list

Mr. Hall --I'm not sure if you remember me or not, but we met during the Mickey Mantle Weekend in Joplin back in April.

I've been meaning for some time to send you an e-mail requesting that I be added to your blast list of the KOM League Flash Report.

I started reading your report when I worked at The Joplin Globe. Anvil Welch received your report and he forwarded it over to me after he was done
reading it.

I would like to start receiving your report to keep on the events and happenings in the KOM.

Thanks for all you do and thanks for adding me to your list.

Please feel free to call me if I could ever be of any assistance,

Craig Hull
Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, Joplin Sports Authority
602 South Main
Joplin, Mo. 64801

First e-mail from China

Glad you are taking some of the complaining.  There seems to be a lot of it going around and I've about had my fill here this month.  Did I tell

you I'm writing this from China, north of Guangzhou?  I've been teaching a language camp at a primary school and will head home later this week.

My wife's family is from south of here and we will visit them a few days before returning.  Sure wish I had your camera skills here.  You'd have

a field day!

John, is your health OK?  The last couple of Flash Reports have had a couple of comments that suggested you weren't doing so well.  Hope they

were just passing jokes and that all is well.  You've become a bit of a treasure in my life, opening doors to seeing parts of that area I'd

never have noticed on my own, both photos and history.

Best to you. Bill

William G. Trudeau, Director

International English Program

Missouri Southern State University

3590 E. Newman Rd

Joplin, MO   64801-1595

Ed note:

Life is just a "passing joke."  There have been a couple of trips to see a doctor who has met me with a knife in one hand and a can

of liquid nitrogen in the other. All is well, however.  I've complained a long time about being ugly and the doctor has been trying to

reconfigure that pimple that was located between my shoulders before it turned into a head.  In other words, I had minor surgery to

both ears probably due to the State of Kansas.  Yep, I spent too many hours in the blazing sun thinking I was immune from the effects

of those rays.

And now a message from a reader who can write!

John,  (1)  I thoroughly enjoyed your latest Flash Report. Your comments about being nearly

overwhelmed with fresh tomatoes rang a bell here. We also have been tussling with

the same (happy) problem recently. Kind folks have been dropping off bagfuls of the little devils at the

church office where my wife is pastor's secretary.  Along with squash, peaches and cucumbers, she's

been lugging them home a couple of times a week.

Being a worshiper of tomatoes, I refuse to let one sit around long enough to go bad.

I spent most of yesterday afternoon in the kitchen, using about two dozen tomatoes

to concoct yet another batch of Don's Revenge, which is what I've named my homemade

salsa. It yielded three quarts and one pint, all now secured in Mason jars. It takes both

hands to eat Don's Revenge; one to scoop it up on tortilla chips and the other to operate

the Kleenex. Verily, I do like it hot.

(2)  My column last week for our local newspaper was a quick critique of various sports.

I got the idea from an early July email conversation with our friend Ted Watts.

Unfortunately, my editor snipped out some of what I considered "A Material" in order to

fit the available space...which was kinda disappointing. Be that as it may, I'm pasting

it in below for your reading enjoyment. Or boredom and disappointment.  Whichever

comes first.

Don Potts--Fellow Ex-Bathauler

Okay, Fans, Let's Talk Some Sports

by Don Potts

It's late July and we're once again, mercifully, about to emerge from what some of us consider The Sports Doldrums. Whazzat? That's the dead
zone that appears annually between the conclusion of college basketball's March Madness and the beginning of the NFL and college football/basketball
seasons. Although many will certainly disagree with that statement, it's how this writer feels. The following paragraphs will, hopefully, explain why.
Major League Baseball: Years ago I was an avid fan, knowing the names of most of the teams' managers and their star players. Not any more.
Not since the greed took over and spoiled everything. Greedy players, their agents and greedy owners created numerous management-union conflicts,
strikes, holdouts, etc., which turned millions of us off. Hard to empathize with a mediocre player who claims he's insulted at being offered a mere $8 mil
contract for playing a game for six months. Mickey Mantle must be rolling over in his grave.
NBA: 82 games per season are too many. Cut the schedule in half. Change the playoff formula so that 50% of the teams do not make the playoffs. Change
the timeout rules, so the final two minutes of the games do not consume half an hour.
NASCAR: People seem to be either fulltime, all-out racing fans or they totally ignore the sport. Doesn't seem to be many part-time fans when it comes to
auto racing. I've been to several of the big races up at Charlotte Motor Speedway and ultimately decided it's just not my cup of tea. Three hours of watching
guys I know nothing about drive around a track practicing their left turns is not my idea of excitement.
Golf: Although I've played a few times in my lifetime, I'm not a golfer. I've never had the talent, patience nor the desire to take lessons and practice, practice, practice. Spending four consecutive afternoons in front of the tube listening to two announcers whispering is not what I consider a good expenditure of my time.
But I do get a kick out of occasionally watching the final few holes of the final day of a tournament. That, to me, is about the only real drama to be found in a four-day golf telecast.
Hockey: It's my impression that few people living south of the Mason-Dixon Line give a rat's rear about hockey. I was recently surprised to learn that there
are five minor league hockey teams playing in our state. How many of them can you name and where are they based? See what I mean? I'm reminded of an
old gag line, source unknown: "I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out!" I think the sport's TV ratings would greatly improve if they made the pucks
the size of pizzas. That way the viewers at home would, like the players, be able to know exactly where the puck is at all times.
Tennis: Somewhere in my attic is a cheap racket I bought back in the 70's. I put it there less than a year after I acquired it and have not touched it since
Nixon was president. 'Nuff said?
Soccer: Some folks who apparently measure these things claim that soccer is played by more people worldwide than any other sport. Good for them.
I think it's the most boring game imaginable. I admittedly get more enjoyment out of seeing lots of scoring, regardless of which sport's involved, than
watching a defensive struggle. Soccer teams run up and down a field for two or three hours, the final score is 1-0 and the fans in the stands are foaming
at the mouth and waving flags. I do not understand this at all. Would you pay $35 to watch a basketball game that involved 60 blocked shots and an
ultimate final score of 8-5? Neither would most people.
Boxing: Starting in my teens, I was a huge boxing fan for decades. That ended over 20 years ago. I believe they lost me when Frazier, Ali, Norton,
Leonard, Duran and those of their era passed from the scene. I used to know the names of every title-holder in every weight category, plus the top
contenders for their crowns. Nowadays, the number of weight categories has been greatly increased and the number of champions roughly approximates
the number of peaches Springs Farms sells each summer. I haven't watched a boxing match on TV in years, although they're carried on various cable
channels quite often. Just cannot get excited about watching two nobodys (Ordonez vs. Hidalgo) mix it up for ten or more rounds. And forget about
any post-fight interviews, since neither of them speaks English.
Wrestling/Rasslin': Not a sport. Pro wrestling is best described as either showbiz or an exhibition. You'd have to be insane to loan money to someone
who believes it's for real. Delete the word Smackdown and insert Turnoff.
The love of sports transcends all borders and language barriers. We Americans have our Super Bowl, World Series and the Final Four. The blokes
have Wimbledon, soccer and cricket. Spain is known for its bullfighting traditions. And then there's those wussy French with their bike race. Talk about
a rough 'n tumble bunch of folks. I can only guess at what they do between the Tour de France races, but I suspect they do a lot of wine tasting and
ironing of white flags. Just a guess, mind you.
So I'm once again looking forward to the football season and college basketball. Perhaps my Redskins will return to respectability this season and make
the playoffs.... for a change. Maybe my Duke Blue Devils will bounce back and knock those haughty Tar Heels off their perch as NCAA national champs.
And, like most Gamecocks fans, I just can't wait to see Coach Spurrier on the sidelines this season, surrounded by his players, assistant coaches and all those probation officers.
Goodbye doldrums!

Ed note:

I can't find anything in Don's article with which I could disagree. I'm not much of a Redskins, Blue Devil or Tar Heel fan but I attribute that to
regional loyalty on his part and lack of same on mine. Around these parts all we have are the Rams, Chiefs, Royals and Cardinals. You can't attribute
"big-time" to the Missouri University athlete program at this stage in history.

Comment about article on Editor's Rotary presentation

Just finished the Flash Report July 30 and I found the little bit of your history most interesting, I just wished that she had continued to the present day,
but you have covered that pretty good.

Enjoy receiving the Flash Reports. Dale Hendricks--former Ponca City Dodger--Bremerton, Wash.

Ed note:

I fear that not much of my history is very interesting. The writer of the Rotary article pretty much summarized the essence of mundane life.

You never know whats out there!

I'll preface this by stating Bob Mallon was Mickey Mantle's roommate in 1949. Mallon has never been one for even coming close to
making up tall tales--as this Editor has been accused. With that in mind I share the following note from Mallon. I'm leaving out
a couple of names just to ensure I don't mess up some "well laid plans" of an individual interested in purchasing those baseballs. jgh

" John, did you ever hear of a ______ ________? She lived in Independence in 1949. She said she used to date Mick. She has a ball with my autograph
and Mickey's autograph. And she has a ball she got from Mick in the majors. Her dad remembers all of us. And especially Skizas..........
Her father's name was ______ ______. I can not remember her to save my life. The ball is legitimate it is my signature and Mickey's.

She dated Mickey several times and they became friends. He even saw her in a hotel with Billy Martin and Whitey Ford. Her 5 year
old twins were with her and they got autographed balls. Her sons have all the balls. ........." Bob

Ed note:

This is a story that I have no doubt about. I hear them all the time from various sources. Last week I heard a great one from Joe Stanka who had been
told a story by one of his Sacramento teammates. It involved Mantle and Irv Noren making a car trip from New York to Oklahoma at the end of a baseball
season in the 1950's. I've made a new policy not to relate most of these types stories for I don't appreciate the comments I receive for telling "tall tales."
I'll keep the stories to myself and cut down on the "nasty mail." And, believe me, I get it.

There are times I consider turning off my computer, cutting off the telephone lines and pitching all my correspondence into file 13. There are
some narrow-minded folks who don't believe anything that hasn't already been reported. They maintain they if they don't know about a certain
incident then it couldn't have happened.

This forum, and the KOM League newsletter, have come under harsh criticism over the past decade for making certain statements about aspects
of a former KOM Leaguers life. As it turns out, the accusers have had to make a return trip to these forums to admit the information being
disseminated was in fact correct but they made such acknowledgments very grudgingly.

Hey, my only reason for "hanging around" is to shed a ray of light on a league most everyone else either ignored or forgot. I don't recall anyone
ever writing a book about "E. L. Dale's league" or publishing a newsletter or getting hold of former players and holding reunions on a rather
frequent basis, until about 1994.

Thats my editorial for the month of August. If you think its a bit harsh, blame it on the hot weather, I probably will.

Post script--Say it isn't true Rafael--You did so before a Senate hearing!

I just heard the evening news. Either some major sports figures in this country are absent-minded, dumb or liars--or maybe all of the aforementioned..
I don't know about you but I'm thoroughly fed up with most of "big-time" sports. What a farce.

Rafael Palmeiro claimed today he didn't know he was taking steroids. Do you think he thought it was the Viagra he has been peddling on those TV ads?
Could it be that the steroids he was taking caused him to need the Viagra? Well, its a thought. It appears to me that all the fellows who have
been suspected of being on the "juice" have all had mysterious illnesses in recent years. Last year weren't they even speculating Giambi might die?

Now the talking heads claim Palmeiro has doomed his chances for the Hall of Fame. Does the same standard apply to Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and
the late Bobby Bonds son? Gosh, I never thought I would say it but these guys are starting to make Pete Rose smell like one--rose that is.

Apology

For well over a month Yours Truly has been operating a patch-work system of correspondence. There are a couple of ways that e-mails
can be transmitted. The file that is working the best at the present forces me to show everyone to whom the e-mail is sent through "TO" or "CC."

I've had some complaints in that regard. With my older program I could use the "BCC" (Blind Carbon Copy) function and it appeared the
e-mail was only going to myself. I hope to get back to that capability real soon. It will all depend if my hard drive can be restored by the
folks in Holland, Texas.

I could go back to the older program and submit these reports on that system but it would eliminate all about 100 recipients. So, hang with me.
If my old hard drive gets restored I'm going to clean up the old mailing list. I'll delete any name for whom I haven't heard from in six months and
it will streamline the process. If you receive this message and don't get another for about two weeks you might want to get in touch if you wish to
remain on the mailing list. DON'T send any message to stay on the mailing list as a result of this Flash Report. If you wish to be taken off
the distribution list then you can send that notification at any time. Thanks.

KOM League
Flash Report for
8/8/05

Note:

If this is a second copy you received of this report, I apologize. The first was transmitted prematurely and with an attachment that should not have
been included.

Catching up on back news

I trust some of you noticed that the frequency of the Flash Report tailed off a bit recently. There are many reasons for it but none that is worth
boring you with. This a short report and is being shared only to let you know I haven't got rich on the Mantle book and left for a distant island
in the Pacific. However, when I do get rich that is a great idea.

The following covers material received in the past week to ten days.:

From San Diego

Hi Mr. Hall - Did you manage to catch the Hall of Fame induction speeches this weekend? I'm telling you, Ryne Sandberg sure nailed his! His statements
about the current lack of respect for the game, and the manner in which todays stars carry themselves was right on the button. His comment about
"some players" working harder at finding the red light on the camera in the dugout than playing ball, had to be aimed at Sammy Sosa, (among others).
It was great to see Jerry Coleman get in. I got to met him once here in San Diego and the guy is amazing. What a life he has led, yet he is as nice a guy
as you could ever meet.

Anyhow, hope all is well with you.

Jim Smith

PS - Just FYI,... there's still a few of us out here, (at least one any ways), that still would love to hear those "tall tales," like the one from Mr. Stanka
that you mentioned about the Mick and the old days in general.

Ed note:

I've heard some other pretty good "tall tales" in recent days. But, I promised not to share them. Maybe I can come up with another publication, for
a limited audience, and use nothing but tall tales. Jim, you'll be the first and maybe the only one on the distribution list.

Me and Old Willie (Nelson that is)

Willie Nelson recorded "On the Road Again" back in the early 80's. That's what Yours Truly will be doing a little of in the next few weeks.

Here is the "expanded" world tour of "Mickey Mantle Before The Glory" book signings--also known as "Taking long trips without any assurance
of selling anything." Here goes.

August 17, 2005--3:00 to 7:00 P.M--Dillons Grocery--Pryor, Oklahoma. You don't need an address. Its on Highway 69 at the south end of town.
August 18-20, 2005 Cowtown Days (Located somewhere in Baxter Springs, Kansas--Probably at the rodeo arena ) If you are really curious, as I will be coming
in from Pryor from the south, go to www.BaxterSprings.us and look it up.
September 24, 2005--10:00 A.M until they run me off--Cross County Mall--Mattoon, Illinois That site is 700 Broadway Avenue E.

I have also started making some obligations for November but will hold back on those details for a few weeks.

If you want a book signing in your area call my booking agent. If you can't locate J. K. Rowling just settle for Yours Truly. You know that address.

If you are in the Christmas mood around late October and early November keep an eye on the KOM League Quarterly Newsletter. I might possibly
have a "Santa Special" if a couple of books I've written in the past 13 months are still around in significant numbers. I sure hope they aren't.

A new reader (This is an interesting side note to history)

Brian Jackson is the latest subscriber to the KOM League Flash Report. He sent in his $1,000 annual subscription fee and was added to the mailing
list. He works for Life Share, the Transplant Donor Service of Oklahoma and he is preparing an article regarding the late Joe Pollock who was a
tissue donor.

All who knew Pollock recognize what a great individual he was. Now, two years after his passing there is even more to learn about this remarkable
man. When Jackson's story is released it will be shared with this audience.

Jackson is an interesting fellow in his own right. We have some mutual interests. One story he shared caused me to return the $1,000 annual subscription
fee to the Flash Report. He told about his mother and a school yard bully in Wink, Texas. This bully, with Coke bottle thick
glasses was "wailing the tar" out of her little brother. The bully was in the third grade and his mother's little brother was in the first. Even after
the school bell ended recess the bully wouldn't let the little fellow up from the "foot well" of the swing set. Thus, the young lady went over and
put a beating on the bully. The bully later wrote many songs but one that he probably didn't dedicate to the young girl who pummeled him many
years earlier. One of the bully's most famous songs was "Pretty Woman" and his name was Roy Orbison.

To check out parts of this story go to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison

Moultrie, Ga. and Brandy Davis

Hello,

In the latest KOM flash report someone wrote in about a Spring Training Photo of Mr. Brandy Davis. They stated he played for Moultrie.

Since I live in Moultrie and since I am working on a History of the teams that played here, I would like to get a copy of the photo if possible.

In 1962, Moultrie was Class D and in 1963, Moultrie was Class A.

I know that teams trained at the old Spence Field Air Base in Moultrie just before the season started.

To see pictures of the old Spence Air Base go to www.spence-air-base.com

Don’t forget about the Georgia-Florida-Alabama Minor Leagues Reunion Aug. 12 and 13. The reunion will be held in Moultrie, Ga. and all former Minor
League Stars are invited.

God Bless, Clint Chafin --4789 Tallokas Rd--Moultrie, Ga 31788

P. S.

Can you email me a copy of what a Chanute Athletics uniform looked like? Thanks, Clint

PSS: If not, it’s no big deal. Please pray for us this weekend. The Georgia-Florida-Alabama Leagues Reunion starts Friday.

Ed note:

Finding and downloading a photo of the Chanute Athletics uniform was no problem. However, after I sent it Clint figured out what
he really wanted was a photo of the 1946 Chanute Owl uniform. He got it. One thing Topeka, Miami and Chanute had in common is
that they all wore uniforms that were similar. Chanute wore them for a year before sending them to Miami who wore them for three
more seasons. I wonder if one of those "outfits" is still around? My best guess is, "NO."

Humboldt State et. al.

Hi John, I have mentioned to you previously re my lifelong buddy who resides in Arcata, CA and taught at Humboldt State Univ for years until retiring.
He is the one who offered the non-credit Baseball History course there. In fact, he just came out of retirement this summer and taught that class for 14
students, 8 of whom he says cared!!! Maybe I will get a copy of his final exam and you and I will "go back to college".

Anyway, Rodney Sievers is his name, and you autographed and sent him a Mantle book. He is very pleased with the book.

Rodney has quite a collection of old magazines, mainly Sport, one of my all-time favorites. This week he sent me an article from the Feb 1959 edition
on the subject of Bob Cerv. I was a huge Bob Cerv fan back then but there are two other connections which make this article important to me.

First, my mother was never a sports fan. But for some reason, the summer when Bob Cerv broke his jaw he became her hero and she listened to every
game he played from then on. I have never figured that one out but it is something I always remember.

Second, the article in Sport was written by none other than our own Kansas City Star legend, Mr. Joe McGuff, one of the truly fine and renowned
sportswriters ever to grace the pages of sports sections anywhere. I am sure you are aware of Joe's deteriorating condition with that awful Lou
Gehrig disease, ALS. It is such a shame and a waste. But there was a great article in the KC Star recently re him and Tom Watson and Joe still
manages to maintain a great smile and attitude, with the wonderful help of a great and gracious wife. Was a true tear-filled story to read.

Anyway, I have mailed the article to you as thought perhaps you have not seen it and it is good. Rod also says Cerv was roommate to Mantle and
Maris in 1961, when Roger broke the record????????

Great column in KC Star yesterday by Joe Posnanski re: the push to get Buck O'Neill into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Apparently it was recently
announced there will be one final big opportunity for Negro League stars to get in, sometime next Spring. I guess Joe has been traveling all summer
with Buck and is going to write a book about him. It will be a good one as the subject matter is certainly there and anything Joe P writes will be
GREAT. He is truly one of the best and I have no idea how the Star keeps him.

My neighbor has finally ran out of tomatoes!!!!!!

Ed note:

Yours Truly hasn't run out of tomatoes. Now, they fall out of the freezer every time I open the door to place some more in there.

KOM League made it twice

Guys,

We are going for one last look-see for the final Bibliography in the Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball.

Please review the revised list to see if your favorite minor league book is there.

Lloyd Johnson

Ed note:

When this is published all you former KOM Leaguers can be assured that two books where you are mentioned; Majoring in The Minors and The KOM
League Remembered, made that list.

Thanks to all

I had many clippings from readers all over this country with regard to the coverage of HBO's documentary on Mickey Mantle. If you sent a clipping
and didn't hear back from me I share my shame before ever member of this very limited reading audience.

Also, thanks to those who sent clippings out of the Daily Oklahoman regarding Babe Ruth. That article was well done.

One reader, Paul Nichols, sent a couple of copies of the Mantle documentary. The oldest living member of the Mantle family that I know, Hallie,
wanted to see the HBO special but had no way to get it at her Osage County, Missouri home. I'm going to share a copy with her. I think she will
enjoy most of it.

I have seen parts of the special and Ray and Max Mantle did a good job. That's about all of the special I have had the time to peruse. I'm going
into a semi-hibernation state for the next couple of weeks and maybe I'll get around to viewing it all. I must get to the last part so I can see my
name on the list of credits. The only problem is that I don't know why its there. I have a suspicion but will keep that between me and the English
cocker watching over my shoulder as I print this.

KOM League
Flash Report
Update
for 8/9/05

The Flash Report of 8/8/05 and the mention of a book signing in Pryor, Oklahoma evoked some responses. In an effort
to maximize the number of people who can attend the event the date has been changed to Friday August 19, 2005. The
time of day will be from 3:00 P.M. until they roll up the sidewalk. Friday is payday and the fine folks from nearby Chelsea, Pensacola,
Adair, Spavinaw, Big Cabin, Strang, Patton, Harmony Star, Tip, Hoot Owl et.al. will be in town to eat, buy groceries and do all the fun
things to be found in the largest city in the area between Claremore and Vinita.

My goal will be to divert some of the business from the newest "Wally World Mega-Mart Behemouth" down the street to
the smaller, but friendlier Dillons Supermarket.

Clarification:

One reader of yesterday's Flash Report was curious about the $1,000 subscription price mentioned. I told him that was satire.
He responded with, "We live down here in Oklahoma and don't understand satire." My wife jumped all over me for telling stories like that.
She said that most people don't understand my sense of humor. In fact, she didn't think that was humorous at all. So, I apologize. The
subscription price is really $5,000, I just didn't want to shock anyone.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
August 14, 2005

Preview of coming attractions

Most of the readership can't make it to the events to be mentioned in this section and a large portion of them couldn't care less.
So this is for those who care "a little bit."

1. I wish to "plug" the 2006 KOM League reunion at every opportunity. I'm hearing from a rather sizable number of people who
are going to make every attempt possible to attend the last KOM League reunion in Carthage, Missouri. The event will be September 7-9, 2006.
It isn't too early to begin booking rooms at the Precious Moments Best Western Hotel in Carthage. All events, including full meals-three times
a day, will be held at the Precious Moments Museum restaurant one of the nicer places in Southwest Missouri.

2. This coming Friday, August 19, from 3:00--7:00 p.m. there will be book signing for all my books at the Dillons Grocery at 501 S. Mill St.
(Highway 69) in Pryor, Oklahoma. After Terrell Lester's article in the Claremore Progress I'm not sure what to expect as far as turnout. There is still an
article to appear in the Pryor Times and Lester is also affiliated with that publication.

To comment about Terrell's recent article you can contact him at: sports@claremoreprogress.com

3. Saturday August 20 from noon until whenever, I'll be a guest of the Baxter Springs, Kansas Historical Society. The following is a letter received
last week which tells of the event. "Mr. Hall, we look forward to seeing you in Baxter Springs at the Heritage Center, immediately following the
Cowtown Days parade. If you wish to come by earlier and set up the book display we should have someone there as early as 9:30. We have sent
invitations to the City Council, the Board of Education, the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, and to former Whiz Kids and their spouses. If you have
someone you would like to receive a personal invitation, please let me know. "

The Historical Society shared with me the text of the invitations that were sent:

"The Baxter Springs Historical Society will host a reception at the Heritage Center immediately following the Cowtown Days parade on Saturday,
August 20. Mr. Ben Craig of Overland Park, Kansas, who has been selected as this year's Grand Marshal for the parade, and Bob and DeAnne
Binns of Baxter Springs, who have been selected to represent Mr. and Mrs. John Baxter, will be honored.

Also present and participating in the reception will be Mr. John Hall, author, who recently published a book "Before the Glory," a biography of
Mickey Mantle. Mr. Hall will have books available for sale which he will personally sign. The book, which is mostly about Mickey's early
life, is well-written and researched. You will enjoy meeting and visiting with Mr. Hall.

Ben Craig, a former Whiz Kid baseball player, was a teammate of Mickey Mantle when Mickey played for the Whiz Kids.

Mr. Craig is welcomed back to his home town to be honored throughout the Cowtown Days Celebration. He is a prominent banker in
Johnson County, Kansas...We hope to see you the 20th. Baxter Springs Historical Society."

For the big city folks who have never seen anything like Cowtown days here is the agenda. From here use your imagination. (There will be
cow patty bingo. Anyone want me to grab some chips and send them to you?

Cowtown Day agenda

Saturday August 20

Marshal: Dennis Burke

Stage MC: Jamie Carlisle

9:00am Cowboy Rick radio show

9:00am Fish Race @ Pizza Hut

10:00am Hay Waller @ PizzaHut

10:00am Pie and Cake Contest

Central School

11:00am Boy Scout Bean Feed @ Library

12:00pm Cowtown Parade (Downtown)

Parade Marshall: Ben Craig

Mr & Mrs Baxter:

Bob and Deanne Binns

1:30pm Fairways & Carnival open

1:30pm Sunflower Dance and Baton Academy

Bingo, Wal-Mart Sponsor

2:00pm Memorial Service

F-16 jets fly over

2:45pm Border Creek Raiders Shoot out

Contest Winners (Chamber Tent)

Cow Patty Bingo

Meet the Whiz Kids Booth

3:00pm Battle of the Bands (Main Stage)

4:30pm Border Creek Raiders Shoot out

4:45pm Battle of the Bands (continued)

Saturday Evening

Marshall: Jerry Leverich

Stage MC: Bert Kellum

6:00pm Carriage Rides

6:45pm Border Creek Raiders Shoot out

7:00pm Stage Welcome

7:30pm Wild West Show

8:00pm Coupe Deville

9:00pm Intermission

Border Creek Raiders Shoot out

Crowning Cowtown Queen

Booth Prizes, etc.

9:15pm Coupe Deville

10:00pm Stage drawing for Mustang

Raffle prizes

10:30pm Conclusion of Festival

4. September 24, 2005. the Cross County Mall at 700 Broadway Avenue East in Mattoon, Illinois will be the site of
a book signing sponsored by Waldenbooks and promoted by the Mall "boss," Mike Witwicki. In a "warm-up" for that event
Yours Truly will appear on WDWS radio in Champagne/Urbana the afternoon of September 15. The appearance will be on the
Gary O'Brien show and the scheduled time is 3:15 P. M. Witwicki and Yours Truly will share the microphone. Therefore, we should be able
to say a lot about those Ponca City Dodgers of 1949-50. At present there is some problem with WDWS doing Internet broadcasting.
If I find that the show will be going out on the Internet you'll be apprised so you can be sure to miss it.

5. That is the last planned activity on the book circuit until November 11 when the Columbia, Missouri Public Library will host
a forum and book signing. This is where it all began back in 1995, on the coldest May day any attendee ever encountered. It started
with a Saturday morning event at the Library and concluded that evening, at a nearby park, where it was so cold we all envied the hog that
had been roasting all day.

The "tongue in cheek" about the Flash Report subscription
Here are some of the responses:

Oh, $5,000! Well then, can I sign up several times. The $1,000 threw me. What are you? On MLB salaries??
William G. Trudeau, Director-- International English Program--Missouri Southern State University

Sam Dixon already put his check in the mail for $1,000. As his Business Agent, I need confirmation you will accept that payment in full????? Casey C.

Just send me the $5,000 and I'll continue reading the report. Hank Chott

Whew! I was expecting $7500 on the subscription..what a deal now! Anon.

Please discontinue email to me--thank you. Former KOM Leaguer--John M.

He spotted a super star

John - We were at the Nationwide PGA golf tournament in Springfield, MO, today and ran into one of your old friends. We were in the UPS food
tent eating lunch and noticed a man setting at the end of our table who looked very familiar. Although it had been 40 years since I had seen him in person
I knew he was a great baseball player from our youth. It was your old friend Bill Virdon. Told him I had never forgiven the Cardinals for trading him and
that he and I had a mutual friend named John Hall. He had some very nice things to say about you. Wish our professional baseball players of today were
more like Bill Virdon and the players of his era.

Hope all is well with you and your family. Take care. Merle Southern

And that is a segue to this note:

John,  That's an excellent  review of your book!   With his permission, you should  use that on a jacket in a Christmas promotion.  Did you ever contact

anyone with the Yankees?  Rick Cerrone is their P.R. guy and we know him. Also our good friend Art Richman.  He is probably the one to make contact

with.  I'll maybe send him one of the books and see what may happen as for promotion in N.Y. area.   Good Luck with interviews and signings.

Shirley V.(irdon)

Ed reply:

Shirley, I thank you for your thoughts on book promotion.  If you know a handful of people with the Yankees and would be willing to send the books to

them I'd be happy to provide you with as many free copies as you'd like.  Thanks.

A note from the land of 10,000 lakes

Hey John, I spoke with you today (8/12) regarding a co-worker of mine who has a bunch of photographs and autographs from Mickey Mantle. If you
could either pass on my email address or send me Randle's email address so I can get in contact with him, that would be great! Thanks again for your help,
and have a great day!

AJO--Minneapolis, Minn.

Editor's action:   Randall, I had a call today from the person  listed below.  She wanted to know who would provide the best

appraisal of Mantle material and your name is the only one that came to mind.  Here is the message.  John Hall

Going on a cruise

Walt Babcock called Saturday evening after reading the Terrell Lester's review. Babcock knew me before any of the rest of the former players would
admit it. He can't let anything get by and wanted to commend me on my name change. Its in the article if you look close enough. I informed Babcock the
newspapers could call me anything if they kept saying such nice things.

The Babcocks are going on a cruise. At the end of the cruise Walt and his long-suffering wife, Marge, are going to visit some former Ft. Leonard
Wood Hilltopper friends in California. After his KOM League career, Babcock was a member of a National Baseball Congress championship team. That tournament was a Wichita, Kansas fixture. A number of fellows on that team were professionals , even major leaguers. The two Babcock is going to visit
are Ed Staab and former Dodger/Cardinal infielder Dick Gray.

Babcock mentioned that Staab and former Iola Indian, Dick Getter, were teammates in the Texas League. So, if Getter or anyone else wants to
be remembered to these two fellows when Babcock gets to Southern California let me know and I'll put you in touch with him. Babcock claims
that the only thing Gray ever accomplished in baseball was keeping the towels wet during one of his pitching performances and draping them over him
between innnings. He credited Gray with an assist in making that win possible.

Stanka's reaction to Claremore newspaper review.

John, just got through reading the latest "flash", aka item. While it was nice to have a write-up about the book and yourself, it would have been better
still if Terrell Lester would have said something nice about you also and given the book a good review instead of a minor mention that one was available.
Just a thought. bye, (Joe) stanka

Ed reply:

Joe, you can't have everything. When you are a Class D guy all your life you have to take what crumbs crumble your way.
By the way, I've been watching this Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals for the last nine weeks and his pitching skills remind me
of only one guy--guess who? Did you teach him that kind of control?

Stanka's reply:

Since I don't know anything about this Chris Carpenter of whom you speak, I must only assume by your statement of "did I teach him control",
that he has trouble finding the plate.

From a member of the 1952 Bartlesville/Pittsburg Pirates

Congratulations John. It is about time your work and dedication to baseball is noticed. Todays baseball players have no idea how baseball players
of years gone by had to struggle. They did it because they loved the game and never in their wildest dreams did they ever think they would get paid
for doing something they loved to do. If someone would have paid my rent, I think I would have done it for nothing. Thanks John for keeping the
old memories alive. Bob Gordon

Sam Dixon's comments pertaining Claremore Progress review:

WOW!!!

No way could a book review....AND.....character review be any more truer....or better than the one Terrell Lester gave you!!!!

There is NO WAY I could be any prouder of you!!!!

Us KOM'ers have known your talents for many years!!.... I'm glad that there is someone else [ especially of such stature ]

that is publicizing just SOME of your talents.

Because of your love "of the game"...coupled together with your writing abilities [ accuracy & investigating ] you have authored the

true life of the KOM League; its players and....fans.

That is just part of the story! .The time; money and personal sacrifices you have endured for getting us KOM League
"young boys of summer" together.

......Then....after that.......the planning and directing of all our reunions. Many, Many hours on the phone; traveling....and time
sacrificed.

......Also....doing an outstanding job of: .........MC'ing all of our WONDERFUL banquets!!

......On top of all this........taking time & spending your own money to attend funerals and send flowers for our departed teammates.

John...when you left "the ministry".....you really didn't ! ..you just do your ministry outside of the church confines.

We that have been so fortunate to know you...AND...Noel...want you to realize that you BOTH are VERY VERY SPECIAL.....and we
want you to know this !

Mushy???......NO........ just telling it like it is!!!! Sam.----

Ed reply:

WOW!!!! ............. This has been a great weekend. We've had great rains, unbelievable book reviews and overly kind remarks from players
like you who made the KOM league GREAT and the memories lasting. Very much appreciated, your friend, John.

Available to all

Any book that has been written by Yours Truly is available for reading even without purchasing a copy. In the beginning God created libraries. He
did so that those who for any reason who didn't buy a book could still read it.

Over the past few weeks I've noted an influx of orders through Baker and Taylor. They are the largest wholesale distributor of books to libraries.
Thus, I assume that some of you have been asking your local "word bank" to place the Mantle book in stock. As a reminder there are three books
that ensured I'll forever be in debt. If you wish to read any of the three they are available from "better and worse" bookstores, through the Internet
sources and from me, your friend in the KOM League business.

If you wish to have any of these books stocked in your local library go in and give the librarian part or all of the following information and plead
with him/her to get these books on the shelf.

Title Author ISBN
Majoring in The Minors John G. Hall 1-882336-09-7
The KOM League Remembered John G. Hall 0-7385-3340-8
Mickey Mantle Before the Glory John G. Hall 1-58597-317-3

These aren't the greatest books ever written but objectively speaking, "They aren't the worst, either." They are "okay" reading due
to the subject matter (and the subject does matter at least to a few people.)

Al Solenberger remembers former teammate

Readers react in various ways to stories based upon their perspective. In 1951 Al Solenberger, Ronnie Kline and Brandy Davis were rooming together
on the road at Pittsburg, Kansas when the telephone rang in their room at the Bess Hotel. The voice of the caller was that of Branch Rickey.

This story has been related in other KOM League publications but merits retelling. Solenberger didn’t believe it was Mr. Rickey at that late hour
or at any hour for that matter. He hung up Rickey twice before finally being convinced that the Pirate head man wanted to tell Kline and Davis they
were on their way out of Bartlesville and on to New Orleans of the Southern Association.

Rickey started out giving the pair their choice of staying in Bartlesville or going to New Orleans. He figured they’d jump at the chance of
going higher in the Pirate organization. When they both chose to stay in Bartlesville Rickey then told them to get to Tulsa and hop the plane
the next day to Louisiana. They missed their connection and went back to Bartlesville where Kline pitched and Davis homered and Carthage went
down to defeat. Upon their arrival in New Orleans Kline was told he was scheduled to pitch that day. When he informed Joe. L. Brown, team
president, that he had pitched the previous evening the brother of the famous comedian, Joe E. Brown, was not very happy with Bartlesville manager,
Tedd Gullic. But, there was nothing Brown could do but watch his Pelicans go down to another defeat.

The foregoing prefaces the emotions Al Solenberger had upon receiving his Summer ‘05 edition of the KOM League Remembered.

“Hi Guys: Received last edition of KOM Remembered and must admit I didn’t want to open it. I sat it down for a couple of days before I
decided to read about Brandy.

He was one of the best persons that I had the privilege to know. I also had the privilege of being his roommate on the road.

I feel certain that you guys got to know him as well as anyone. I felt like he was seriously ill when he didn’t respond to my get well cards. He
will surely be missed by all.

There is nothing like this program that you have taken on your own to make flourish. All of us so called ‘enemies’ are eternally grateful to you for
your actions. You will be long remembered by all of us for your diligence in keeping this going as long as you have. You have enriched all of our lives.

Hopefully, I can make the next and probably the last reunion.

Forever thankful for your work.”

Sincerely, Al Solenberger

P. S. Enclosed find my remittance for the coming issues.

Ed note:

Since the history of the KOM League cannot be changed Solenberger will always be the all-time hit leader and all-time great guy. It will be great to see
Solenberger at Carthage next September. Hey, that reunion is now less than 13 months distant. Gosh. And how the time will fly.

From Cincinnati

Enclosed is the check for the newsletter. It is always a great pleasure to receive it. Thanks for all the wonderful memories that the articles that you
write brings back to our still youthful minds.

Hope to be able to make the ‘Last’ reunion next year. Ken Boehme—Iola ‘51

From Windsor and the Castle of Newbill

Hi Brother. I'm writing to thank you for the prompt action on getting your book to my friend, Mr. Miller.

John, you are the best. I am so thankful to have you in my life all these years. Us old codgers have truly been blessed.

I am planning on making the last reunion in '06, but you never know. I will be 76 this month. I have outlived all the male members of
my family now.

I just wanted to thank you John. I hope we get to see each other one more time, Noel too. You sure picked a keeper when you picked
her. Your ole Brother, Bob Newbill-Windsor, Missouri--1949 Independence Yankees.

From Covington, Kentucky

John, that was a terrific, super write-up by Terrell Lester. Deservedly so. I really enjoyed it. Bob Curley

Ed note:

Writers of stories enjoy feedback. So, if anyone is interested contact Mr. Lester at the e-mail address contained at the start of this
report.

Animal/human story--the best kind

Jim Jay, former KC A's bat boy is a good friend. He attends all KOM League functions since the A's can't get anyone together to
relive the "good old days." Jay recalled an event this summer where I reported a successful attempt to save a large dog that
had been hit along Highway 50 in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The following happened east of Kansas City in a town named Odessa.

"John ~ You rescue dogs.........my daughter-in-law, Sabrina, (outside of Odessa, MO) rescues a lamb. Jim

**************************************************************************

Well.....this morning I had to rescue one of my neighbors lambs. I kept hearing it making its lamb noise. On my way out to work, I drove into their
property & listened for the area the lamb was. Sure enough, the dumb thing had its HEAD STUCK in the fencing. I'm thinking, "oh great". I grabbed a
towel out of my van to put across my clothes as I waded through the weeds. Of courses, I checked first to make sure no snakes were around! The lamb
wasn't very much help.....as I kept trying to push its head back through the fencing, it was pushing INTO the fence!

By this point, the other lamb came over to investigate & one of the llamas started walking close to me. I was thinking at that point, "great, the damn thing is
gonna spit on me!" I kept trying to push the lambs head back through the fence and wasn't making any progress. I stopped and started talking to the dumb
thing and told it to basically help me out a little by not pushing against the fence. Then I decided to grab hold of its muzzle (ok.....I'm sure its not called a
muzzle on them), and told it DO NOT BITE ME OR YOU WILL DIE STUCK IN THE FENCE.

Well.....that worked!! I was able to push its head back through the fence and it wasn't trying to push into the fence!"

About ready for "Prime-Time"

Minor surgery, sure, right. Some things that are minor can turn into something else. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned going to see the dermatologist
for a pair of skin problems. It appeared he took care of both, in short order. But, a week after the surgery I looked like "Rudolph the Red-Eared
Reindeer." I finally went to a walk-in clinic a weekend ago and the old doctor said I had cellulitis. Since Dr. Morgan had doctored both
Preacher Roe and Bill Virdon during their time in West Plains, Missouri I figured he knew what he's doing especially since Roe has reached his 90th
birthday. (Born 2/26/1915--Ash Flat, Arkansas.)

So, last week I took drugs and drug around the house. This coming week I'm scheduled to go back to the specialist to let him see what the "country doctor"
accomplished. It hasn't been a very pleasant way to spend my vacation. However, by weeks-end end I hope the Pryor and Baxter Springs trip will have
cured my case of "crummies."

The KOM League
Remembered
Notice!
August 16, 2005

Early this morning the KOM League lost one of its good guys. Last night David Newkirk went to bed at his home on Preston Park Drive in
Yukon, Oklahoma without an apparent problem. This morning he awoke in the hands of his Maker.

His son, Shawn called shortly after lunch to relay the news of his father's passing. The obituary has yet to be written but will be passed along
as soon as it is available.

Newkirk's funeral will be Friday at 2:00 P. M. at the First Christian Church at 23rd & Council Road in Bethany, Oklahoma. Services
will be conducted by the Mercer-Adams Funeral Home.

Flowers will be sent in the name of all the former KOM Leaguers who Newkirk dearly loved.

Personal condolences can be sent to:

The Newkirk Family
813 Preston Park Drive
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099

Dave Newkirk-(P) Born Blackwell, OK--Died 8/16/05 Yukon, Okla.
1949-Chanute, KS, KOM League. 1950-51 Iola, KS KOM League. 1952-54 In Military Service. Played for Grand Junction, CO and Fort Warren AFB of Cheyenne, WY (Semi-Pro). 1956-57 Shreveport, LA Texas League. 1958-59 Buffalo, NY International League. 1959 San Antonio, TX Texas League and Sioux City, IA Three-I League.

The stories on this guy are legend. He was a great story-teller and his time on the Kansas City A's roster during two springs was a special time in his life.
He is one of the few guys who could keep pace with a teammate at Grand Junction and Ft. Warren during their service days. The teammate--Billy Martin.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
8/22/05

This section is in regard to a column written by Terrell Lester a week ago!

This information is a bit "dated" but it will give me a chance to test my "recovering" computer.  It has more

symptoms than a hypochondriac.

I'm taking a great risk and sharing some comments from my trip into Pryor, Oklahoma and Baxter

Springs, Kansas this past weekend. It is the attachment to this report.  If you want to keep this report

brief then ignore the attachment.  If you do, however, you might miss out on a laugh or two.  I attempted

to test the weekend trip report with a few readers last night but either my "make shift" computer didn't work

or about 50 people received the report and ignored it.  So, if you are seeing the attachment for the second

time you'll know the reason.

Word from Cape  Cod

JOHN, I HURT MY HEEL PLAYING TENNIS OVER THE WINTER. IT HAS FINALLY HEALED

SO I CAN RUN AGAIN. THIS MORNING THE TEAM HAD A GAME AND I SHOWED UP OUT OF

THE BLUE JUST TO SEE IF I COULD STILL HIT AND FIELD WELL ENOUGH TO PLAY. I

SURPRISED MYSELF AND DID PRETTY WELL. I HADN'T SEEN ANY OF THE PLAYERS OVER

THE WINTER AND IT WAS LIKE A KOM LEAGUE REUNION. WE HAVE THE CAPE COD

OLDTIMER'S LEAGUE  AND YOU MUST BE BETWEEN 57- 90 YEARS OLD TO PLAY. WE HAVE

21 TEAMS (300 PLAYERS) IN THE LEAGUE AND IT BECOMES VERY COMPETITIVE. IT IS

A LOT OF FUN AND IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE READY FOR NEXT YEAR.  WALT

JOHN, JUST GOT THROUGH READING YOUR LAST HOT FLASH AND I MUST SAY

TERRELL LESTER REALLY GAVE YOU A VERY NICE PAT ON THE BACK  IT WAS WELL

DESERVED. IT WAS A  MUCH NICER PAT ON THE BACK THEN A CLASS "D" WRITER

SHOULD ORDINARILY GET. BUT WHEN YOU ONLY HAD CLASS "D" PITCHERS LIKE JOE

STANKA TO WRITE ABOUT IT DID TAKE YOU DOWN A NOTCH. YOU HAVE IMPROVED A LOT

SINCE YOU HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THAT KIND OF WRITING. JOE HAD AN AFFECT ON A

LOT OF PEOPLE.

      THIS CHRIS CARPENTER FOR THE CARDINALS IS REALLY DOING VERY WELL FOR A

YOUNG KID. HE REMINDS ME A LOT OF WALT BABCOCK. WALT HAD EIGHTEEN COMPLETE

GAMES AT CARTHAGE IN 1951. I DON'T KNOW  HOW MANY COMPLETE GAMES CHRIS HAS

BUT HE MUST NOT HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THE SIX OR SEVEN INNING GAME THAT MOST

PITCHERS RELIE ON TODAY. NOW YOU COULDN'T COMPARE HIM WITH JOE STANKA  JUST

BECAUSE HE IS 6' 5".  JOE WAS AS WILD AS A MARCH HARE IN EARLY SPRING. THIS

CARPENTER KID KNOWS WHERE HE IS THROWNG THE BALL AND DOES IT VERY WELL.. I

HOPE JOE DOESN'T READ THIS BECAUSE IT WOULD PROBABLY HURT HIM ENOUGH FOR HIM

NOT TO GO TO CARTHAGE IN SEPT. 2006. HE IS THAT KIND OF GUY.  SIGNED "UNKNOWN

Ed note:  "Unknown" is just another name for Walter what's his name?

Yes John, he (Terrell Lester) is obviously a great writer, but great writers are made by having GREAT THINGS TO WRITE ABOUT and all he

says about  John G. Hall is not even  enough!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats. Casey C.

>From a former colleague in state government

One word.  WOW!!!!!

What a great article--Dan Kay--Ottawa, Kansas

From Oklahoma

Terrell Lester "did you up real nice"!!!!! But he spoke the truth. I just returned home [to the lake] from Houston. We had a new grandson on Augest 4th. I had been in Houston for a month as my daughter was having a few health problems.

Both are doing fine so here I set trying to catch up on your flash reports. Still haven't had time to finish reading the Mick book, but what I have read so far is great. I really enjoyed reading about the family happenings. Hope to finish the book before long. Sounds like the book is selling well but we all knew it would. Take care, Bobbie Crampton

From Springfield, Missouri

What a great review! And much deserved, I'm sure. Congratulations, John.--Pat Elliot

From Terrell Lester

Thousand pardons ... I had not read my emails before I sent you the column from the weekend paper ... You beat me to it ...

As I said in the previous missive, I will send a hard copy of the sports section ... and the Claremore Progress / Pryor Daily Times Sunday sports sections
are combined ... we began putting them together only on Sunday about 2 months ago, when they moved me to Claremore full time and made me sports
editor over both newspapers ... (heckuva deal for a retired sports writer) ...The move was ostensibly for the football and high school sports seasons, but
we made the move early to work out all the bugs .... Still, the bugs found their way in (i.e. writings and ramblings about John G. Hall) ....

But, since I am the Sporting Ed, I can bug whoever, whomever I want.

I was semi-impressed that you had already obtained the column on-line ... although I should not have been surprised at your ingenuity and capacity.

You would have made a good detective.

See you Friday. Terrell

Nonpareil got to some of the readership:

Some of you gave Yours Truly some "grief" about the reference in Terrell Lester's recent article.  I know what the word means as

most of you do.  I only inquire as to which of the three definitions listed below you place me.

A person or thing that has no equal; a paragon.
See painted bunting. (A South American bird)
A small, flat chocolate drop covered with white pellets of sugar.

Newkirk's passsing

From Houston, Texas

John, really sorry to hear about Dave's passing. I didn't get to know him very well, but sure liked what time we spent together at the meetings and also on the phone a few times. I will be mailing a check this afternoon. Joe Stanka

From Dallas, Texas

The second person to get in touch was Merlyn Mantle. She had just heard of Dave's death through the memo I sent to Danny and David. She had
planned on calling beforehand since she was wanting some more copies of the book. She commented, "The book is wonderful." I asked her to
repeat that and she did. She wondered if Newkirk was about the same age as Mickey and I informed her that they broke into the KOM League
the same season. She remarked, "There are no ballplayers like the old ones."

I found out a couple of things that I will share that aren't confidential. If any of you saw an MRI of Mantle's for sale on the internet it
was legitimate. However, the attorneys got hold of the person in possession of it and it has been taken off the internet. Stealing confidential medical
files is a crime and it is a good bet the fellow trying to peddle the MRI is going to get a good bit of punishment...like prison time if convicted.

Also, I asked Merlyn if she ever hears from Ryne Duren. As a matter of fact she had spoken with him last night. For all you baseball fans what
was the outstanding physical feature of this pitcher? If you said Coke bottle glasses you are on my wavelength. However, if you would see Duren
these days you wouldn't recognize him. After eye surgery he no longer wears glasses.

Some of you fellows remember Tom Sturdivant. He is another of the Mantle's teammates who stays in touch with the family. Sturdivant is pretty
well known to a number of former KOM Leaguers as they played with him in many of the D & C leagues. He was hurt in an auto accident a number
of years ago and he is having a tough time. He still resides in Oklahoma City.

From Dayton, Ohio

JOHN, THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME ON ALL THE INFO. John Palcher

From Lawrence, Kansas

What a SURPRISE!!!! He was "one of a kind!!!"

I wonder if his leg problems had anything to do with it?

I caught Dave in Chanute....1950...and...maybe a game for Iola 1951. ....I also think he was with Chanute in 1949 ?

My.......you never know! ............It makes a person aware of their mortality.

I'll send a card tomorrow. Sam Dixon

From Covington, Kentucky

John, I am very sory to hear of Dave Newkirk's passing. I got to know him somewhat from our reunions. I'll cerainly express my sympathy to the family.
Even at our ages it seems our time here on earth is very short. I just can't believe I'll be eighty in thirty five days. Bob Curley

From Ramona, California

Does anyone wish to be a kind-hearted soul? A note was received from Ramona, California today. It read, "Just a quick not to let you now
of my interest in the KOMLR (That's the printed newsletter.) I have not had contact with any of the players on the 1950 Carthag team except for
Don Anderson. If you include my phone number, 760-788-1359 and my address 23741 Calistoga Place. Ramona, Calif. 92065, maybe someone
will get in touch.

I'm still active in coaching baseball at the local high school and play golf three or four times a week when at home.

Pleaes find a check enclosed for the KOMLR and the Mantle book and a KOM League baseball cap.

Please make a reservation for the June reunion next year in Carthage. My wife Connie and I plan to attend and I would enjoy a round of
gof on the course next to the baseball fied. Thanks for everything you do! Galen Bowman

Ed note:

If you played with or against Bowman in 1950 get in touch with him. He was a pitcher. I could name the guys on the Carthage club
from 1950 but you know who you are. If you played in 1949 or 1951 you might wish to get in touch with Bowman. Not much changed
over that three year span and you might find out that you had a lot in common, like dating the same girl, eating at the C &W Cafe and
residing int he same rooming house.

And by the way, if you get in touch with Bowman tell him to come to Carthage in September instead of June. He'd have that golf course
to himself if he shows up in June.

Another Class D reunion is history

Hello Mr. Hall, (Dad)

Well the 2005 Georgia-Florida-Alabama Minor Leagues Reunion is over.

We had a very successful weekend.

We started the weekend off with a Golf Tourney and boy was that fun. My team finished Third out of three teams.

We had a Home Run Derby and 85 year old Jim Tyler (pitched for Dublin-Eastman 1950, Eastman 1951 & 1952 and Sandersville in 1953) batting practice for us.

Believe it or not, but Mr. Tyler can still bring it and boy can he hit.

The Reunion on Saturday was great fun.

We capped off the night with Special Guest Speaker, Taylor Phillips.

Mr. Phillips was on the 1957 World Champion Miluwakee Braves.

Can’t wait till next year.

Again, anyone connected to the KOM is Welcome to attend our Reunions.

God Bless,

Clint Chafin

Getter and Kroger

John, when and where in the Texas league did Dick Getter play?

Also, in the whatever it may be worth dept., while in Krogers today, I was looking in the books for sale, and it struck me to ask where they get their books , hardback and paperback. The mgr. was out so an office gent gave me a form to fill out requesting the Mantle book, as well as Majoring, and the KOMLR books. Filled in my phone no. and I expect to hear from her whether she can get me the book. Hopefully they can, and stock more of them, Who knows.............. Bob Curley

Ed reply:

Getter played in the Texas League with Dallas in 1955, 1957-58 & 59 and wound up playing for San Antonio in 1960.

With regard to Kroger Grocery they purchase their books & magazines through regional distributors. I can assure you their policy is to stock everything
a customer requests. If they don't have it, they can get it. If any of you ever go to a Krogers, Ralphs, Bakers, Dillons, Gerbes, Food for Less etc. they are all
under the same umbrella and they'll do about anything to sell a product. Just ask. When you request a book from them let them know that the guy who
wrote it gets his "weakly" paycheck from them.

Information

Hey Mr. Hall! Continued kudos on all that you do – you’re a wonderful person!

Do you have any contact info for any remaining members of the 1947 Indy Yankees? Just wanted to know. Thanks!

Kevin McFarland

Proud Son of Bill McFarland

KOM League 1947

Ed note:

I appreciate the kind remarks of the readers full well knowing that "wonderful" is something I've never been or will be. However,
the contact information on former players is dwindling like a snowman on a hot day. It is rapidly coming to the place that the only
news I receive is "not so good."

The scary thing is that the guy who prepares these reports went across town on the evening of August 16th for a birthday celebration
for a grandson that was wearing diapers and a toothless smile 'just a few weeks ago.' When he got his present this year it wasn't
the toy cars but a real one. The little guy just turned 18 and it made me realize we're all on steep slide going down hill all too swiftly.

The end--of the beginning--if you don't open the attachment.

Okay, I made it through the e-mail comments. If you are interested you can pull up the attachment of what went on during the trip
into Oklahoma and Kansas last weekend.

One other item. When my computer hard drive was restored the e-mail address list was gone. I had to revert to an old version. Thus,
if you know someone who received Flash Reports until recently and no longer get them (lucky people) let me know. If they don't
want back on the list I'll understand.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
8/24/05

September song

August is careening toward September rather rapidly. So, it is time to announce a few things that will happen with regard to the Mantle book next
month. This is basically the I-70 tour through Central Missouri and Illinois.

Date Place City, State Time
13 Boone Landing Columbia, Mo. 1:30 p. m. (Speaking engagement at residential care facility.)
*15 WDWS-AM Champagne/Urbana, Ill. 3:15 p. m. (The Gary O'Brien Show>)
*21 WXET 107.9 FM Effingham, Ill. 8:00 a. m. (The Mark and Kenna Morning Show.)
24 Cross County Mall Mattoon, Ill. 10.00 a. m. (Book signing at sports collectible show sponsored by Waldenbooks.)

If anyone in a radius of 400 miles would like to sponsor a book signing let me know and I'll show up with a truckload of books and an ink pen
full of fluid. Not only do the Mantle books make all trips with me but so does Majoring in The Minors and The KOM League Remembered. The
latter two items are about depleted. So, if you want a copy of either of these you'll have to put the word in early.

* The radio interviews will be by telephone, and live from the very seat in which I am now residing.

Once again, if you wish to read the book and don't want to purchase a copy, for any reason, just contact your local library and ask them
to add it to their collection. That is the reason libraries exist.

An Ailing Whiz Kid

Hi John...Just wanted to let you know I was unable to see you in Baxter last Saturday..we had some things going on at our church and just couldn't
make it. Am sure a great time was had by all.

I did want to tell you about our brother Bob (Steele.) He recently found out that his body is not making red blood cells which is, obviously, very serious.
He is currently taking blood transfusions and shots of Aranesp, a treatment for anemia. His bone marrow has been checked with no signs of leukemia or
cancer. We're told that the diagnosis is myleodisplastia (not sure that is spelled right.) Would appreciate your putting him on your prayer list.

Will keep you informed of his progress.

Regards, Don Steele

Ed note:

Bob Steele and Mickey Mantle were teammates for a couple of seasons with the Whiz Kids. When Baxter Springs joined the Southeast Kansas
Ban Johnson League, in 1949, they played their first game in Coffeyville, Kansas. Steele pitched and won, Mantle played shortstop and homered.
We wish Steele all the best. If any of you would like to send him a card let me know and I'll forward his address.

Comment regarding trip to Pryor and Baxter

John Hall, you yourself are truly an institution-------great reading for this afternoon!!!!

Ed note:

The institution is where I'm heading as soon as the bed is ready.

Thanks!!!

First round of thanks goes to Bob Mallon. He, Mantle's first roommate in professional baseball was the first person to go on
the Barnes and Noble website and make a comment regarding "Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory." You can all read what
Mallon had to say by going to Barnes and Noble.com and looking up the name of the book. When you get there go to
the "Comments" or "Book Review" section and you'll also see where he was kind enough to rate the book with five stars. It doesn't
get any better than that.

Secondly, my thanks go out to anonymous folks by the score. Some letters, telephone calls, e-mails and other forms of
communication are done so if I promise not to reveal a person's identity or their deeds of kindness. I can say that many people
have received every conceivable item that is published by Yours Truly due entirely to the generosity of others. If you ever get
something by mail that you didn't request, it is a good bet that someone sent me a note and asked that it be shared anonymously.
You can bet it didn't come from my philanthropy for I have my generous impulses under tight reign. Well, I was accused of that by
the lady and her husband who showed up at the book signing last Friday at Pryor, Oklahoma as close to dead drunk as you could
get without being so. When they demanded a free book I nearly caved-in, but then wondered if the liquor store clerk gave them the
stuff that had them in such a "great mood."

Tough summer for Len Van de Hey

"John: It has been a long absence, with a hip revision that hasn't gone smoothly leading to an attack of gout which has rendered golf a 'no-no' for most
of the summer and more importantly the sudden death of one of my sons (46). It hasn't been a good year. We are sorry to have missed the Chanute
'doings', but very much plan on the next (last) one - reservations have been made. I was so saddened by the demise of Brandy. What a true gentleman -
likewise Dave Newkirk. I have still monitored your reports. A few comments: As Walt surely remembers, Ed Staab and Dick Getter were teammates
in Duluth in 1952. That was quite a league. I question Billy Martin being a teammate of Dave Newkirk's at Grand Junction, CO and Warren AFB.
We (Ft. Carson) played these teams in 1954 while Martin was playing for Ft. Carson and Goodland, KS. Sounds like the book is doing well. Keep up
the good work. Len"

Ed reply:

My continued solace goes out to you and the family over the death of one of your sons. That has to be the worst thing that can happen to a parent.
Sorry to hear about the bad hip. Also, thanks for the update on all the "who played with who." I probably misplaced Staab and Getter. They were
at Duluth. Somewhere in the mix Martin and Newkirk were teammates. I have pictures of that pair. I think they hooked up the year after you left
Goodland and Ft. Carson.

Everything else is going okay.

Mantle book to a Florida pastor

Well, I hope the special is still available. We want Mantle Before the Glory, signed of course. I need your address so we can send you a check.
We are still trying to come up with a salutation for the pastor. Got any ideas?

Debbie Kelly

P.S. That guy gave you a really good write-up. Glad someone in the press appreciates good writing. (That was in regard to Terrell Lester's column.)

Ed note:

I suggested "Parson to Parson" the takeoff off on the old Edward R. Murrow TV show. However, I must realize I'm older than many of my
readers and they probably never heard of Murrow or "Person to Person."

Taxation/donation/taxation or "fleecing?"

Hey - It seems as if it is time for me to renew my membership/subscription/donation/taxation for the KOM Newsletter. I have not a clue what the
tab is or when it is due and will rely on your good offices to let me know so Carol can get you a check. Sounds as " If You Write The Book
They Will All Come......And Be Critics ". You did good. Neil

Tongue-in-cheek reply:

For those who can afford it the price is exorbitantly high at $50 per year. For those less fortunate its $100. I reward the well-to-do and
stick it to the poor. How about that?

Only in newspaper archives

John where would I get information on the 1934 Springfield Cardinals? I am told there is quite a big of information about daddy out there somewhere
when he played for the Cardinals that year. I have searched the internet but must not be looking in the right place. Thanks Sally Howard Groves

Ed reply:

The only place I would know to get good and reliable information on the 1934 Springfield club would be through the archives of the Historical Society
of Missouri. The information would be in the Springfield News-Leader. The internet would be "mum" on this subject.

Ed note:

Sally Groves is the daughter of the late "and great" Frank "Goldie" Howard. His KOM League days were spent as manager of Chanute '46 and
Independence '47 and part of '48 until Burleigh Grimes ran him off. Boo! on Burly.

It worked the second time

Got the newsletter but didn't get the attachment. (Trip to Pryor and Baxter Springs) Could you attempt to send again?

Wylie told me something of the couple coming into the store wanting to know what you were selling but I'd rather hear you tell it!

Mary Ann Pitts

Action--it was resent

Reply:

Thank you, John! I fell off my chair laughing! If I hear Wylie tell that Billy Cook story again, I'm canning him! LOL...........................

Mary Ann

Reaction to Pryor/Baxter Springs trip

John, this is too funny.!!!!

Remembering In the Good Old Days when playing hurt was a badge of honor.

Today's so-called athletes with huge contracts have a hang-nail cannot play!

Big difference to be sure.  Thanks for keeping the history alive!

God Bless!!!!! Yours, Tom Earp

Ed note:

Them hang-nails hurt "plenty heap bad Tonto."

Special non-KOM League offering

USPS delivered the CDs and KOM newsletter this afternoon. Nancy and I will be turning off the TV, taking the phone off the

hook and sedating the boxers before settling in after supper to play the CDs. The one and only cut I've heard of Mercer's had me nearly falling

down laughing, so I just know we're in for a fun evening. And more laughs from all the replays, which are sure to come later on.

Thanks a million for the kindness!  Don Potts--Batboy five decades ago for the Rock Hill, SC Chiefs

Ed note:

A couple of days have passed and I have heard from Potts.  I sure hope he didn't fall down laughing at the entire CD of Roy D. Mercer's

Greatest Hits.  If some of you have never heard of Mercer, you should.  That is, if you can take Midwest humorous telephone calls.

A funny place for the KOM League Flash Report to appear

Google Alert for: KOM League

Pet Sitting Services in Augusta, KS 67010 on Yahoo! Local
http://breeders.dogbreedinfo.com/index.php?c=Labradoodle · KOM League Flash Report.
KOM League Flash Report All about the old, defunct but still alive and ...

Ed note:

The foregoing was found while surfing the internet recently.  I wonder if someone in Augusta, Kansas "pet sits' and reads these

Flash Reports while doing so?  More than likely they copy the reports and use them in bird cages or for clean up.

Okay, one more time.

For those who missed the book review by Terrell Lester this is where you can go and fetch it.  I'm not printing the whole thing out

again for fear I'd be accused of "gloating," or something to that effect.  Just click on this:

Claremore

Progress - Sports

"Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory" is a can't-put-it-down read that captures and

  reveals for the first time the early days, the KOM League days, ...

Another request for the Flash Report attachment

Walt Babcock e-mailed to complain he didn't get the attachment to the August 21 Flash Report. I wrote back telling him he should leave well

enough alone and included the report in  printed rather than attachment form.

Babcock's reply:

WHY THE HELL DID I ASK ABOUT THE ATTACHMENT WITH YOUR 8-22-05 HOT FLASH? MY GOD IT TOOK ME TWO

HOURS AND I MISSED SUPPER. SO I GOT MY OWN. JOHN, JUST KIDDING BECAUSE I REALLY ENJOYED READING

ABOUT PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOU.

I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I NEVER DID LEARN THE END TO THE WOMAN & MAN DRUNK STORY. SEE I DID READ IT

VERY CLOSELY.  WALT

Ed note:

There sadly is no end, or good one, for those who consume too much of anything.  The pair went out the door and probably home once

again to drown their daily cares with alcohol.

In selling books --you take your chances!

John: I also have trouble with my computer. I can't find any of my sent e-mails and can't remember if I asked you about crazy (name omitted) in
(town omitted) who swears he wants to buy an unopened case of (Mantle) books for 40% off. How many books are in a box? I will tell him to send
a cashier's check or credit card. OK? Barb

Ed note:

If anyone is interested in a case of books there are 28 per case. I can't imagine anybody wanting that many. However, a "few" places have taken that
many and more. This is just to reveal that there are enough books remaining to fill a few Christmas orders. Keep that in mind. I'll guarantee you that I
will. If I don't sell some more of the Mantle books there won't be any Christmas. Bah! Humbug!

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
August 31, 2005

Disclaimer:

With what has transpired in the past few days things like KOM League Flash Reports don't seem all that significant. However, after being
concerned for some of those I know in the south and following a number of calls from the friends of the Bill and Joyce Bagwell I did some
calling around Louisiana and Mississippi. That precipitated the first article of this Flash Report and then the remainder of the "stuff" that
has accumulated over the past week or so was added.

Hurricane

Great concern was raised among the KOM League"family: regarding the fate of Joyce and Bill Bagwell of
Homer, Louisiana. They reside in the Northern part of the Pelican State and are closer to Magnolia, Arkansas
than they nearest largest town in that area, Shreveport. While others were suffering immensely in that part of the world,
the Bagwells were on "dry ground."

I placed a call to them and Billy stated that they didn't get a drop of rain. He and Joyce took their mobile generators
to Vicksburg, Miss. yesterday. He reported the eye of the hurricane passed over the home of his brother-in-law and
at Meridien and the place was utter devastation. He reported that from Meridien they didn't see a sign of electricity until
getting within 20 miles of Vicksburg.

Bagwell said the devastation was so great it would make you cry, but crying would help anybody. I told him a number
of his KOM League buddies had called me showing concern for him and the family. He said he greatly appreciated the thoughts
and it meant a great deal to him to be remembered.

Of course, this is only a glimpse of the hardship being experienced by our fellow countrymen/women in the Gulf Coast
States. If I hear from any others of our group who live in the Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana torrider I'll be passing
along the information.

Hall of Fame recognition of a gift!--
(When recognition means more than the donor can imagine)

This week Yours Truly sent copy of a recent Hall of Fame citation to two people who I thought would be interested. It was in regard to a copy of
Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory that was donated to the HOF. Upon receiving a nice certificate for that donation the following note was sent
to two people. "I couldn't think of anyone with whom I could share this who would appreciate it. Just lets you know that the names of Leathers
Publishing and Greg Olds are both at the Baseball Hall of Fame. So, if all the other copies books are lost at one will remain on file for a long time. John Hall

(If anyone would like to see a copy of the certificate the HOF gives in respect to a donation let me know and I'll download a copy in living color,
suitable for framing, but no one would frame it.)

This note came from Greg Olds. "And folks used to say I'd never amount to nothin'. But, in truth, this is nice."

>From Overland Park, Kansas came this note. "John, This means a lot - especially right now. Tom is in the hospital. He told me recently that his favorite
dream was to be in the major leagues and be at bat and hit a home run. Now he is in the Hall of Fame! That is so amazing and all due to your amazing life.
Did you ever suppose that you would be an author, a historian and a focal point for so many people in so many places who, through you, can share their joys
and sorrows, their past glories and hopes. Your life is surely one that will be in the Great Eternal Hall of Fame. Barbara

Ed reply:

Kind words, thanks.

I'm sorry to hear about Tom. Please send me his hospital name and room number.

I'm not sure I'm much of a focal point but to be in that "Great Eternal Hall of Fame" would be the greatest of
all honors.

Reply from Leathers Publishing

Tom is in ______ _____Health Center, but he doesn't want anyone to know! He is so weird about that. But he cried when I told him he was now in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He really was pleased. We hope he will be out of ICU soon. Barbara

Ed note:

I regret that it won't be possible to give out Tom Leathers place of hospitalization. However, it doesn't prevent any of us
from showing our concern or offering prayers if we are so inclined.

His friend, Harold Ensley, passed away recently. When I interviewed Ensley for my first book he was very guarded
with two items: His age and his physical condition. He told me that if he revealed his age he was afraid everyone would
think he was too old and wouldn't watch his television program any longer.

Catching up!

I've gotten behind on your emails in the last week. You seem to have gotten your computer problems sorted out, or are well on the way. Nice work.

Brenda and I greatly enjoyed the account of your Pryor and Baxter Springs weekend. Did Terrell Lester write anything in the Claremore paper? (Well,
I just scanned your KOM epistle and see he must have; I'll get to it.)

I was surprised and pleased that people still know where the Mantle home site at Spavinaw was located. And your visit in the front yard of the Cannon
place at Baxter Springs was vintage John Hall, the sort of thing that helps make your Mantle book so fine. Ditto, the encounter with the guy who drew
you the map of Bagdad Corner.

Now if you'll excuse me I have a bit of reading to do.

-Greg

Taking a "Stabb" at Staab

Previously someone writing you mentioned something about Ed Stabb when talking about Dave Newkirk. I am interested in

 finding out more info on Stabb. If you know or there is anyone you could pass this along to I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks

Rusty Aton

rda160@excite.com

1336 W Plainview

Springfield, MO 65810

Ed note:

Anyone with information on Ed Staab here is your chance to be an expert.

About Ensley

JOHN, I BELIEVE HAROLD ENSLEY HAD A SON THAT WAS ON THE KANSAS UNIV. BASKETBALL TEAM IN THE EARLY 60S
OR LATE 50S. DICK HARPE WAS THE COACH THEN. THIS OLD MEMORY CELLS. JP--Dayton, Ohio

Ed note:

Harold Ensley's son's name was "Dusty." Or at least his nickname was Dusty.

From 1947 Independence

http://cgi.ebay.com/1947-Independence-KS-Yankees-Schedule-Class-D_W0QQitemZ5233031622QQcategoryZ24441QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ebay Item, I thought you might be interested.

Ed note:

I thank whoever sent the e-bay item of a 1947 Independence Yankee pocket schedule. I see KOM League stuff quite
regularly on e-bay but have never bid on anything. My wife tells me instead of bidding I should be selling. She further advised that if
I started buying I'd be packing and finding another place of abode.

More about recent articles.

Watched Ensley from his TV start when we lived in Chanute...and caught Newkirk his second year in pro-ball....in Chanute also. ...Both within a few
years of one another.

Hard to fathom that Dave will not be in Carthage with us next year.

Take care'

Sam Dixon.

Ed note:

If anyone would like to go to the Legacy website and pay tribute to Newkirk you can do so between now
and 9/27/05. Just click on the following and follow the instructions. It would be nice if a few KOM Leaguers
shared their views on this site.

http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?ID=GB14861195

Way to go, Bob

John, I go into Barnes & Noble about every week looking for book bargains.I got a good one yesterday for 10.00 bucks.
"Pennants & Pinstripes The New York Yankees 1903 2002".While I'm there I always take the two books of yours
off the shelf and put them on the table face up.They put them back on the shelf and I come in the next week and put them out on the table, face up.

Bob Mallon--Highlands Ranch, Colorado

The KOM League
Flash Report
for 9/05/05

A small report to conclude Labor Day!

What started as a battle between Yours Truly and a wisteria shrub that I have "talked" into becoming tree turned into a long day in the yard.
When you start trimming a wisteria you don't know where to stop. It was like the barber who tried to give me a crew-cut when he was
drunk and wound up shaving my head. I was 11 years old and I won't tell you what my mother did to that poor old fellow.
He had originally lived in Leavenworth, Kansas and knew *Murry Dickson pretty well--he was even Dickson's barber. After the head-shaving the
old barber was trying to talk my mother into taking his Murry Dickson ball glove home to me as a token of his something or another. I don't think he
was all that sorry he shaved my head but no one ever wished to get in the way of my mother when she got upset. When she got home and told me
about the Dickson glove that was offered as a peace-offering I was upset that she didn't take it. My hair would and eventually did grow out but I never
had a Murry Dickson ball glove.

Geez, I never thought I'd get off on that tangent talking about wisteria. Anyhow, all day was spent cutting, mowing, hauling, scrubbing, washing and
getting the outside ready for the Fall season. Over the past couple of days a few things have been sprouting here and there on this computer so this
report is to trim up some of the "new growth" and to get rid of some of the clutter that has accumulated in the e-mail file.

(For you youngsters. This is the profile of Murry Dickson's big league career.)
* http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dicksmu01.shtml

Just so you don't think my mother was a mean lady, this is the rest of the story. A half-dozen years or so after my "scalping" that barber moved
across the street from us. His wife died shortly after the move. For most of that barber's remaining years mother fixed and had my step-dad
take the Sunday noon meal over to him. He loved Mother's cooking, who didn't, and would retell the story many times to my step-dad about how
mother tore into him for what he had done to her son. As time passed the old barber found a girl friend and asked my mother if they could
be married in her front room. The old barber also had another request, "Would your son conduct the ceremony?"

So, every thing came off like clock-work, the old barber was married to his second wife by Yours Truly. Now, if you think I got the Murry
Dickson baseball glove for conducting that ceremony that would be the conclusion of one of the greatest shaggy dog stories ever. No, I didn't get
the glove, the marriage didn't last very long and shortly thereafter mother was sending meals to the old barber with my step-dad doing the
delivery honors.

I've had visions many times of the barber's estate auction. I'm sure his daughter threw that old glove on a table and someone bought it for
twenty-five cents or less and never knew the history of that piece of leather or even knew who Murry Dickson was. Oh, the year I got the
head shaving and "almost" got the Dickson glove--that fellow won 20 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates who only won 64 and wound up
in 7th place. Yep, it was 1951. It was the Fall of the year right after I finished my career in baseball. I was washed up after that season since
there weren't any more Carthage teams and no one for whom to "fetch bats."

Worried about others!

After reporting on the status of Joyce and Bill Bagwell in the last report I heard from the Westrum-Self family from Minnesota. They were concerned
about former Joplin Miner third baseman, David Waters.

"John, Have you heard or do you know the e-mail of Dave (Muddy) Waters in Mississippi. I know they live there somewhere."
Cynthia Westrum-Self

Ed reply:

I've not been able to find anything about the Waters family. They live in Bentonia, Mississippi. That town is located Northeast of Jackson, Ms. and North
of Interstate 20. It appears the heavy weather didn't go that far except for the rain and some wind.

Death of Ralph "Lefty" Germano

John, I am very sad to tell you of my dads passing August 29th. He went peacefully. I have to tell you several days ago I was looking at his scrapbook
and noticed a photo of a team he played on and looked at the names of the guys. They were all gone. It made me think of watching the start of a game
and the teams are all lined up on the 1st base side and the 3rd base side ... the Star Spangled Banner concludes and the announcer says "And the home
team takes the field...." I see the 8 guys run to their positions and the announcer says...." And the starting pitcher, Ralph "Lefty" Germano takes the mound
for....." His team was just waiting for him and now they are all together with a new owner and different uniforms. It is hard. I was so very fortunate to have
him as long as I did. He was 87.

God Bless John. My dad enjoyed talking to you on the phone that day. Rocky Germano

Ed reply:

So sorry to hear the sad news. To my knowledge only one member of the 1941 Carthage, Missouri Browns of the Western Association survives.
The survivor is Frank Mancuso, the catcher. Sincerest regards, John Hall.

Check the following URL for the obituary and the way to leave a message on the Guest Book.
http://www.legacy.com/denver/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=14996734

GERMANO, RALPH ROCCO "LEFTY"

Ralph Rocco "Lefty" Germano, Sr. 87, born Denver, Co. Survived by son, Rocky (Joan) Germano; Grandaughters: Jacy, Lisa & Jana Germano.
Also many cousins and relatives. Mass, Friday, 10am, viewing 1 hour prior, at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community Church, 7700 W. 80th
Ave. Burial to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations to Spirit of Christ Building Fund.

Note from Florida

John: Thinking about all of the suffering in Florida over the last year due to hurricanes, it is not as great as

compared to the overall suffering and loss in Louisiana and Mississippi. The one thing that helped keep the

damage down in Florida is that the newer homes (within the last 5 years) have been constructed to new hurricane

standards. A lot of the damage in Florida was to the older homes and mobile homes. Smart people got out of there

while the getting was good!

When we could not evacuate when Charley came through, I thought we were going to die. That was a category 4

hurricane. It was like one big tornado. I can only imagine what people went through who did not heed the

evacuation warnings or could not evacuate.

I do not think we have heard all of the bad news due to Hurricane Katrina. The economic impacts will be felt all

over for some time.

Don Murray, AICP, Planning Division Manager

Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc.

Naples, Florida

Mantle book delivered

Lee Goodpasture of the 1947 Independence, Kansas Yankees recently took a copy of the Mantle

book to the Clinton County Leader in Plattsburg, Mo.  Lee wrote this note.  "Dear John:  I bet you didn't know

that I was a legend. Enclosed is proof thereof.(Copy of the article was enclosed)  All kidding aside the Editor

of the Plattsburg newspaper was really impressed by your book.  He played for the high school team I coached in

the early 70s.

I couldn't put the book down until I had read it all.  Even Carlene read it and thought it was

great. Its a great history lesson how people lived and how poor a lot of us were.  I had a

brother who got married just to get the rice we were so poor. I better close before I tell a lie.  Hope

you are both well. Your friend, Lee Goodpasture.

The only request to see the certificate

Yes John, I'd like to see the copy of the certificate from the HOF about Leathers and Olds. Also, I kept going back to Kroger and asking about the
book, and couldn't get an answer till yesterday. They told me they couldn't get it. I came back at them about Dillons association with Kroger, and that
the author of the book was a Dillons employee. I'm not going to be satisfied with their answer. I'm going back at them. Bob Curley-Covington, KY

Dave Newkirk's Tribute page in the Daily Oklahoman

The Oklahoman Guest Book for Dave G. Newkirk has received one or more new entries. To read the entry or entries, visit the Guest Book by clicking
on the link below. If you are unable to click on this link, please cut and paste it into your browser's address bar.

http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?ID=GB14861195

I saw two other KOM League tributes on the legacy site and they were both from guys who caught Newkirk in the KOM League. If you would
care to read those tributes you'll figure out who those two catchers were. One lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and the other in Lawrence, Kansas.

Schedule update

The schedule of events for September where shared a couple of weeks ago. There has been a change in one of the items. I know that
few if any of you will have an ounce of interest. However, I have to put something in these reports so here is the change.

Date Place City, State Time
*13 Boone Landing Columbia, Mo. 1:30 p. m. (Speaking engagement at residential care facility.)
15 WDWS-AM Champagne/Urbana, Ill. 3:15 p. m. (The Gary O'Brien Show)
21 WXET 107.9 FM Effingham, Ill. 8:00 a. m. (The Mark and Kenna Morning Show.)
24 Cross County Mall Mattoon, Ill. 10.00 a. m. (Book signing at sports collectible show sponsored by Waldenbooks.)

*Update: The Boone Landing appearance will be at 2:00 p. m. on September 27th.

One of those e-mails that turn into multiples.

Hi John--I just got back from vacation in Wisconsin (wife's reunion). Beautiful weather while there. Thanks for the interesting article. Again I thought
of my favorite baseball pitcher -- STEVE DALKOWSKI ! It is famously reported that his fastball "rose like a softball pitcher's." The fastest of all time,
they say, and with that rising fastball, who could hit him? I think I need to go visit him up in Conn. at the rest home and get his story firsthand, and try
to determine where all that fastball rise and velocity came from. Say ---- this could make a book,
couldn't it ? ha ha--Bill O'

PS I saw Eddie Feigner pitch several times back in the early 50s when I was a teen. He used to pitch from second base, and even centerfield as part
of his act. And even blindfolded. Quite an athlete.

Ed note:

I encouraged O'Donnell to go visit Dalkowski while time permits. He responded thusly. " You are right. And I am a procrastinator of the first rank.
My better half reminds me often of this failing. I admire you, your ability to get things done and FINISH!!

Bill's reply:

As a kid, I saw some of the fastest softball pitchers in the world, as my little town had a top-notch team and played teams from New York City, Detroit,
etc. In those days, the pitchers were like hired guns, moving from one team to another. These guys were so good that pitching was nearly 99% of the
game. They all had a lot of strike-outs, and had fast fastballs that rose, dipped, and went in and out.

My town had a kid about my age who taught himself how to pitch and was good enough to be in the national softball hall of fame. He pitched all over
the country, but mostly, I think, for the Kodak teams from Rochester NY. His name is Bobby "Dubbie" Herman.

The fastest I ever saw might have been Roy Stephenson of the Grumman (sp?) Wildcats from Long Island (I think). He threw the ball "slingshot" style
rather than windmill (like Eddie Feigner). Anyhow-----with all that, I still loved baseball best, and had young teen dreams of one day pitching for the
St. Louis Cardinals, which was the favorite team of both my brother and me. In those tender days, we argued who was the greatest -- Joe D, Ted
Williams, or Stan the Man. My brother and I always liked Musial best.

Ah, those good old innocent days! The future was long and far, and the past short and near. Now the reverse is true. Bill O'Donnell

Getting the book into Cincinnati's supermarket community!

John, I went back at them today, and I feel sure I'll get some results. I asked for the mgr. but got service mgr instead. I proceeded to tell them about you
and Dillons, and that really they were full of crap that they couldn't get the book. I did not have the ISBN number with me so I looked it up in the MM book.
Is that the one I need. I'll get that to them too ?????????????? Bob Curley

Ed note:

With more folks like Bob Curley out there I could rid my garage of a bunch of books and have a place to put the KOM League truck when the
snow begins to fly. Frost is about 30 days away if things hold true to form. Then there will be some cold nights and cool days and then, whammo,
the snow and "freezy skid stuff" will be upon us.

New ranking

Everyone likes to look at polls and rankings. So, in that spirit I present the following. A few weeks ago I listed the top sellers of the Mickey Mantle Book.

The first three slots are unchanged, from there it is a free for all.

1. The Editor's own efforts.
2. Cowley Distributing--Jefferson City, MO--(Mostly through Gerbes/Dillons Supermarkets and bookstores in Jefferson City and Columbia, MO.)
3. Steve's Books and Sundries--Tulsa, Okla.
4. Amazon.com
5. Ingram Wholesaler--(Even though they've never reimbursed me a cent.)
6. Baker and Taylor Wholesaler (Basically library suppliers)
7. People who were sent books and didn't pay for them. (I'll start listing their names shortly.)
8. Books sent to media outlets--gratis. (Radio, TV and newspapers.)
9. Barnes and Noble
10. Hastings Books
11. Books-A- Million
12. The Book Barn--Joplin, Mo.
13. Tiger Tales Book Store--Columbia, Mo.
14. Wylie Pitts--Baxter Springs, Kansas
15. Howard Hunt--Hartford, Connecticut.
16. Orders sent directly to Leathers Publishing.

It will be here a year from this week.

The final, last, concluding, ending, terminal and swan song of KOM League reunions will be upon us in just twelve months. Thats about 365 days or
8760 hours. At the pace some of us are moving it will take those 31,536,000 seconds to make up our minds and then get to Carthage for the "last hurrah."

Many of you have expressed an intent to attend. I guess its time for me to start making a list of the names. Of course, the ones that really count are those
who register at the Precious Moments Hotel in Carthage where a special room rate has already been established. Preliminary work has already begun
with Ted Easley at the Precious Moments World Headquarters and it will be a special treat this time around. All food will be prepared and eaten at the
Precious Moments cafe. In the past when the events have been held at Precious Moments, all the food has been catered from outside sources.

Here are a couple of URLs you can click on to learn more about where we'll be spending most of our time, this time next year.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MOCARprecious.html

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==748

http://www.preciousmoments.com/

http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&hs=oyv&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official_s&q=precious+moments&near=Carthage,+MO+64836&sa=X&oi=localr

A refresher course:

The 60th Anniversary Celebration of the KOM League (The final one)
Date: September 7-9, 2006
Place: Precious Moments--Carthage, MO
Accommodations: Precious Moments Best Western. Group rate $59.99
To make reservations on-line go to http://hotel.preciousmoments.com or call 417-359-5900
(If you have any trouble making reservations, let me know. Sometimes folks have a difficult time understanding old geezers like myself making
reservations that far in advance.)

The reason for getting a handle on the number of attendees.

There are be a number of special events and "things" planned for this event. My wife is after me each day with this request, "Tell me
how many ladies you think will be there." She has some things in the planning stages that require a ballpark estimate of attendees. I fully
realize that our age most of us don't even purchase green bananas. But, if you think there is a chance you'll be showing up in Carthage, let
me know. Even if you have expressed an intent in the past to attend, let me know again. I lost a pretty good list of names when my computer
crashed late this summer.

What do you think?

Until Pat Robertson made Hugo Chavez from Venezuela the focus of attention not many people, other than Fidel Castro, ever heard of the "Presidente"
of that country.

When his face started appearing on TV I thought I was watching the highlights, or better stated--lowlights, of the Chicago Cubs on ESPN. This
Venezuelan "leader" and Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs are dead-ringers for each other. If they ever run that guy out of the country he can
move to Chicago and pass for Zambrano. The way Dusty Baker's boys are doing Chavez couldn't hurt them all that much.

Hey, if you haven't checked on the Cubs lately they are only about eight games out. The problem is, its eight games out of last place, not first.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
9/07/05

Explanation:

There really isn't much rhyme or reason for these Flash Reports. They probably are cheaper than paying a therapist to listen to the flashbacks
to my childhood.

I have been aware for about a decade that some people scan these Flash Reports and KOM League newsletters for obituaries. The people
searching for such information have a much wider audience than I do and they sometimes find news in these reports they don't get anywhere else.
Thus, when I receive a notice of the passing of any former baseball player I put out a Flash Report.

With the sophistication of search engines such as Google you can be notified of anything that transpires. All you have to do is go to their site
and enter some key phrases such as; The KOM League; Mickey Mantle Before the Glory etc. and you'll receive everything that gets on the
Internet regarding those subjects. If you wanted the notices of deaths of ballplayers that would be very easily entered into Google and each
day you'd be flooded with relevant and irrelevant information.

That segues into a note that Bob Mallon--Independence '49 sent today. You may find it interesting who the New York Yankees signed in
1949 out of the Metro St. Louis area and sent to either Independence, Kansas or McAlester, Oklahoma of the Sooner State League.

Getting the reunion ball rolling

Hi John: I just wanted you to know that only my wife will be with me at the reunion next year so maybe you will pass this on. We have already made our reservations and am looking forward to seeing everyone again. Take care!!!!!! Paul Hoffmeister-'49-50 Carthage Cubs

John: Responding to your note about who plans to make the next reunion.I have made reservations for 3 nights.Hope this finds you and yours well.
The hip is coming along but it is a slow process. Charlie Weber-'49 Independence Yankees

John, I have made reservations at the Precious Moments for Sept 7-9, 2006. The Pittsburg Browns will be represented at the final KOM Reunion. I will
also encourage all of the Springfield Generals Good Old Gals & Pals to attend. We (Good Olds Gals & Pals) can plan to have one of our annual reunions immediately before or after the KOM Reunion.

Best Regards, Frank Hungerford--'47 Pittsburg Browns

Ed note:

There have been a number of others who have contacted me in the past and still others who have registered at the Precious Moments Hotel.
What I will be doing for the next nearly 12 months is providing the names of those planning to attend.

Nearing of the end...of baseball season

John--I just sent this to a baseball buddy of mine. Don't know what inspired it -- a spur of the moment thing. But thought you might like to see it.

---Bill O'Donnell

P.S. He's a long-time Cub fan, and used to live in Illinois.

----- Original Message -----

From: William O'Donnell

To: John W W Pharo

Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:56 AM

Subject: The Season of Baseball winding down ...

Hello, doc...

Well, the old ball game is getting close to the end for another year. The (Durham) Bulls are done at home, and some leaves are falling from the trees.
Have you noticed how fast the months are going by lately? And the Cubbies tanked even earlier than usual. I think the lack of steroids is having its effect.
A cold front is on baseball's horizon. The players' heads are shrinking and so are their arms. Soon we'll be back to the great game of the '40s and '50s,
except all the players are Hispanic and there are no guys named Musial, or Williams, or Robin Roberts. Hurricanes abound and New Orleans and Mardi
Gras have disappeared forever, vanished. A new age is upon us. I don't know what it is. It's made up of global warming, and stem cells, and Iraq. A guy
can only wait and watch and keep his eyes and ears open. One can only wait for Godot.

Ed note:

If any of you have thoughts to share, don't hesitate to send them along. You'll find some folks who will agree with you and others get mad because
you had the skill or nerve to write them.

Then and now

John, I have a clipping from 1949 that says Yankees sign 4 area boys, John Hecht and Bob Mallon from St.Louis and Bob Heller of Maryville, Ill.

and Relly Herzog from New Athens, Ill.   Hecht, Heller, and Herzog will report to McAlester, Ok. In the Sooner State League while Mallon goes to

Independence, Kansas in the K-O-M league. There is more to the article.  Bob Mallon-1949 Independence Yankees.

This is the obituary that Mallon shared in today's e-mail.

HELLER, ROBERT

Robert Heller., Collinsville, IL, died Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, Monday, September 05, 2005; born Maryville, IL, Wednesday, June 24, 1931;

age 74 yrs.; married August 31, 1963; wife, Betty Jean Heller (nee Reszely) of Collinsville, IL; father, Rudolph Heller (deceased); mother, Mary Ann

Heller (nee Olic) (deceased); daughter, Laura Heller of Athens, GA; son, Michael Heller of Collinsville, IL; grandson, Jackson Robert Heller of

Athens, GA. Member Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Maryville. Memorials to Masses or donors choice. He was a retired civil

service worker for the Army having worked on the Chinook and Black Hawk helicopter projects. After retirement, he worked several years for Dynamic

Research in St. Louis, MO. He was a Korean War Navy veteran and a member of the Maryville American Legion. In his younger years he played minor

league baseball for the Yankees and the Cubs. Funeral Mass at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.,

Fr. Stephen Sotiroff. Visitation HERR Funeral Home, Collinsville, Thursday, September 8, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery in

Edwardsville, IL.

Ed note:

Bob Mallon and Whitey Herzog are the only two survivors of that foursome the Yankees signed back in 1949.  John Hecht passed away in 1994.

Herzog played two seasons at McAlester before winding up with Joplin in the Western Association.  I have seen the article Mallon quoted

when those four fellows were first signed and I really don't know where the first name of Relly came from. Some of you probably do.  If my memory

isn't shot I think that same article appeared in an early June, 1949  edition of The Sporting News.

Nothing goes unnoticed

In the last Flash Report Bill O'Donnell shared some memories of Eddie Feigner. That got the attention of former Carthage Cub
and Topeka Owl, Don Annen. When Annen played at Carthage in 1950 he was rated one of the top prospects in the Chicago
Cub system. Barring injury he would have probably played at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

John:

How about a change of pace - baseball to fast pitch softball. In your last newsletter it contained a reference to Eddie Feigner the pitcher for the King
and his Court. The King (Eddie Feigner) and his Court consisted of 3 teammates (4 total) which barnstormed extensively for years putting on a fantastic
show.

I batted against Fegner many times in the late forties and again in the late fifties after a back injury ended my baseball career. A fast pitch softball team
of Madison all-stars faced the King and his Court many times in this time frame. Wins and loses were evenly divided, but he put on a super show.

Feigner would demonstrate to the fans the different pitching styles used. Namely they were the figure eight, slingshot, windmill and the his favorite the
whirly gig ( illegal). He would also throw the assortment of pitches used in softball at this time. They included the fastball, curve, riser, drop, screwballs and knucklers.

Only two pitchers, at this time, threw over 100 miles per hour namely Feigner and Bob Feller. A Softball pitcher threw from 45 ft., while baseball pitchers
throw from 60 ft.. Do the math.

Harry Bright a teammate of mine at Topeka called softball a pussies game, when I told him about my softball days. I told Harry there was no one in
baseball who could throw the ball by me because of my softball background. I meant every word of it then - and now. Obviously, because of the pitching
distances a different mindset is involved in hitting. The velocities of the pitches are comparable.

I had many a beer with Feigner after our games. When I told him of my baseball ambitions he couldn't resist telling me how easy it was to strikeout
baseball players. I believed him.

Having played both sports I can truthfully say each are equally challenging. Thanks for listening,

Don Annen -- 911 Lake Ct.-- Madison, Wi. -- 53715 (608) 256-7456

Ed note:

When some name is mentioned there are times I list ONE URL that you can click and find something out about that person. With so many
people, like Feigner, you could stay on Google for hours. This is to let you know that whenever you see one reference you can rest assured there are
many more out that that you can research at your leisure or ignore at your pleasure.

http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/feignered.shtml

Reader recalls Bill Mosley

John, Saw your ad in the recent SABR newsletter.....what's your mailing address?

I'd like to order a book....

How's Bill Mosley doin?  I wrote a few magazine articles about Mantle's life in Commerce, and he and his lovely wife Neva gave me some good

stories.  I'll send 'em w/ the check.

Take care,

Jim Kreuz

Lake Jackson, Tx

Ed reply:

Jim, my address is:  (Provided but not listed here.)

Mosley is doing well. Neva died a few years ago and he has remarried.  He and his "new" bride came to the book kickoff in Joplin back in

April and they enjoyed meeting all the "old guys" once more.

I suspect that Mosley and Neva told you about going on the honeymoon with Merlyn and Mickey.

There we're some other "juicy stories" that Mosley shared with me that I couldn't print.  Bill is still living in Topeka and retired from coaching.

Thanks for getting in touch.

Ed note:

Bill Mosley and Mickey Mantle were high school teammates and friends.  Mosley and his late wife, Neva, even accompanied Mickey and Merlyn

on their honeymoon.  Mantle called Mosley the best athlete he ever saw at Commerce High School.

Murry Dickson

Murry Dickson was mentioned in one of my "rambling" articles in a recent Flash Report. Rod Nelson was kind
enough to send along some sources if you would enjoy going on-line to view some of his experiences in WW II.

Sources

The Sporting News, various issues,  1942-1989. His obituary appeared October

2,  1989.

Retrosheet.org

Keith Barnwell, stories in the Leavenworth  Times, April 2, 4 and 5, 1989, in

Dickson's file at the Hall of Fame  library.

Murry Dickson, answers to questionnaire by the National League  Service

Bureau (undated, but after 1945), in his HOF file.

Murry  Dickson's wartime photographs at

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/baseball_enlists/one.htm

James  N. Giglio, Musial: From Stash to Stan The Man (University of Missouri Press,  2001).

Milton Gross, "Are They Still Throwing the Spitter?" Sport,  October 1956, p. 28.

Bill James and Rob Neyer, The Neyer/James Guide to  Pitchers (Fireside, Simon & Schuster, 2004).

Anna Jovanovich,  manuscript and interview with the Syracuse Post-Standard, May 5, 1995, p. D-1,  both in Dickson's HOF file.

Kevin Kerrane, Dollar Sign on the Muscle  (Fireside, Simon & Schuster, 1984), discusses the modern prejudice against  "little righties."

William Marshall, Baseball's Pivotal Era: 1945-1951  (The University Press of Kentucky, 1999).

Murray Polner, Branch Rickey  (New American Library, 1982).

Frederick Turner, When The Boys Came Back  (Henry Holt and Company, 1996).

KOM League
Flash Report
for
9/11/05

It happened 9/11

Three years ago today the "few" and the "brave" headed out of New York State by air. It was the first anniversary of the
attack on America and most citizens were fearful of flying. The KOM League visit to Cooperstown had concluded and
the only feasible way home for most was to board an airliner.

The trip from Syracuse to St. Louis via Cincinnati was the last and most enjoyable flights of my life. There were no delays
in take-offs and landings and it was fun being on your own "private" jet. It is hard to believe those three years have passed
so rapidly and by this time next year the reunion of the KOM League will be the final act of a play that has "run off Broadway"
for six decades. What didn't someone come up with the term "KOM-pany" during that period of time? If I had thought of it, I
would have.

Come and join us in Carthage, Mo. next September 7-9. If you plan to attend, let me know.

Reunion "hopefuls"

John, Bob and I plan on being there. Don't think he has made reservations yet but plans to. Joan Speake

This week on radio

Around 3:15 p.m. on September 15, Yours Truly will be a guest on the Gary O'Brien Show. The show comes from WDWS-AM in
Champagne/Urbana, Illinois. I don't think WDWS is streaming their programming at this time. Thus, none of you will feel obligated
to listen. If you are in that area, as a number of former KOM Leaguer's are, you may wish to to warn Lou Skizas that we might
be talking about him.

Six days after the WDWS interview, and presuming I don't get banned from Illinois radio, I'll be on the morning show over WXET-FM in
Effingham. Both of those shows are a prelude to the visit to the Cross County Mall in Mattoon, Illinois on Saturday September 24.

Saturday's are "not big deals" in Missouri. The football season concluded for the "top" university in the Show Me State after one game
and three quarters. That is how long it took them to "tank" for the "seventy-eleventh" consecutive season.

So, if any of you have a suggestion as to where Yours Truly can head out to sign books on the weekends, until football season is
"officially" over, I'm open to suggestions.

Whitey "Relly" Herzog name resolved.

John: To answer your wondering about where Relly came from I can clear that up for you. Before he got into pro ball that
was what every one in this area called him. Don't know how he spelled his name if was Darell or Dorell. They both may be
spelled wrong but that is where the Relly came from.

Charlie Weber-1949 Independence Yankees.

Ed note:

It all makes sense. Whitey Herzog's given name was Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog. So, to make it easy they called him
Relly? Really.

Italian Tribune

The Italian Tribune in Newark, New Jersey is called "The Premier Italian American Newspaper Since 1931."

On the front cover of the August 25, 2005 edition are two photos--a team photo of the 1950 Joplin Miners and another photo
of Carl Lombardi showing off his baseball collection. On page one, if you look closely, you can see a copy of the book that
came as close as 11,000th place on the top seller list of Amazon. com.

However, on page two is a full-blown copy of the book and another photo. This one shows Carl Lombardi Jr., his son Jacob
and Mickey Mantle's oldest living son, David.

I'm not sure if you can get the entire story to download but the website for the newspaper is www.ItalianTribune.com

I'm not sure if very many people will be impressed that Yours Truly finagled his way into a top Italian newspaper. However, I
think my son-in-law, James Pescaglia, might get a chuckle out of it. (And, it isn't pronounced the way it looks. Just forget it has
a "G" in it.)

A past teammate revisited

John, last Wednesday my wife and I went to a restaurant where Joe Nuxhall and Greg Hoard were signing books about Joe. "Joe, rounding third and
heading for home". This was Joe's sign off after each game (He announced for the Reds after his playing days concluded) . After eating, we got in line
and bought one of the books. It took Joe a few minutes to recognize me. Said I was heavier when we were team mates at Tulsa. We had a nice
conversation about our time in Tulsa and Tampa. He mentioned Tommy Reis who was our teammate in Tulsa. Tom bought an older car while in
Tulsa, and thought the world of it. Joe told about the time he and a couple other guys put a smoke bomb and it was with a whistle, under the hood
of Tom's car, and when he started it went off, whistling and smoking. Tom is now 90 years old, and I'm going to visit him tomorrow at the Baptist home
in Newport, Ky. It's just across the Licking river in the next county. I'm also going to get Jack Hurley, Ken Boehme, and Bill Harbour, together again
very shortly. Just some rambling by an old man that's going to be eighty this month, Bob Curley--Covington, KY!

Ed note:

Joe Nuxhall and Bob Curley were the finalists for the last pitching roster spot for the Cincinnati Reds in 1953. Nuxhall got it. However, it still didn't
dim Curley's love for the game. It is demonstrated by the fellows with whom he still remains in contact. It is great that he is visiting with a 90- year old
former teammate now in a nursing home and he still keeps up with former KOM Leaguers such as Hurley, Boehme and Harbour.

And, happy birthday to Bob Curley.

More softball memories

John, I read the article about softball. After baseball I caught for one of the best fast pitch softball teams in St. Louis, " Broeker Cigar team." I was
amazed how these pitchers could make the ball move. We had a left hander Harold Siebert who must have had at least 5 different pitches. We used the old
"CLAW" type glove to catch with in those days and my hand would be sore after a game. I think a top pitcher in baseball and softball, both of them
would be tough. There would not be very many hits or runs in softball games. I remember Charley Colombo and some other great soccer players played
in The " St. Louis softball League."

Mickey was always saying Bill Mosley was a better athlete than he was. Bob Mallon

More research on the way

Dave Cox caught for the 1946 Pittsburg, Kansas Browns. He and wife Eileen attended their first KOM League reunion this past June in Chanute.
The only regret the Cox's expressed was that they waited so long to attend. They promise to be in Carthage next September. In the meantime, Eilene
is excited about finishing off her husband's scrapbook and was wondering about the availability of Pittsburg Sun microfilm.

I was able to tell Eilene how to work out the mechanics of getting her library in Moline, Illinois in touch with the Kansas State Historical Society.
Once the microfilm starts going from Kansas to Illinois it won't be long before Dave's scrapbook will multiply greatly in size and interest.

KOM League
Special Note
9/14/05

Ed note:

Seldom do I ever stop long enough for lunch to go inside for the food, let alone read part of a newspaper. Today I stopped
at McDonald's in Eldon, Missouri (the town that inspired the TV sitcom "Petticoat Junction".) The Kansas City Star
was on the table and after scanning the sports section I turned to the middle part of the paper and found some unsettling
news in the "Metropolitan" section.

The major story in that section was the news of the death of a fellow who had become a big part of my life recently.
Tom Leathers had pleaded and prodded me to let him publish "Mickey Mantle Before the Glory." After a couple of years
going back and forth we came to an agreement and I never regretted for one minute that decision.

In recent weeks I have mentioned that Leathers was in the hospital but he was adamant he didn't want anyone to
know where he was and start sending flowers and sympathy cards. Last night as I sat at my computer I had him on
my mind. Today, around noon I knew why.

Tom Leathers, publisher of The Squire, dies

By JIM SULLINGER

The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/local/12633697.htm

Tom Leathers, a Kansas City area journalist and publisher of The Squire, died Monday at age 77.

In addition to editing and publishing weekly newspapers for many years, he was the host of talk shows on area radio stations and cable television in Johnson County.

He also appeared in several movies shot in the Kansas City area: “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge” with Paul Newman, “Truman” with Gary Sinise and Robert Altman’s “Kansas City.”

Leathers was president of The Ad Center, an advertising agency, and publisher of more than 150 books by area and Midwest authors.

He was raised in Kansas City and attended Kansas State University, Manhattan, where he earned a degree in journalism. He formerly covered police and city government for The Kansas City Star.

During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy as a naval air intelligence officer.

Leathers founded the Best in Theatre Awards and was formerly a member of advisory boards for the Dream Factory, ALS Society and St. Joseph Health
Center. He was on the advisory board of Avila College and was program chairman of the Men’s Breakfast Club at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

He was married to Patty Leathers, a post-anesthesia nurse, and had two sons — David Leathers, former publisher of Kansas City Homes & Gardens, and
Kevin Leathers, a New York attorney.
Ed note:
The following is the article I found in the newspaper at lunch. Notice the first person quoted in this article. Yep, it is the same Ben
Craig, Kansas City banker, who was Mickey Mantle's teammate with the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids.

If you read this column closely you'll find why Yours Truly was an admirer of Leathers. You have to tip your hat a guy who goes his
own way.
With gadfly’s death, Squire no more
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/12637871.htm

Publisher ‘was the consummate outsider’

By JIM SULLINGER

The Kansas City Star

“His papers were extensions of his personality.”
Ben Craig

Tom Leathers, a fixture in Kansas City’s journalism community, will be remembered as a publisher who didn’t flinch from criticizing Kansas City’s elite or
powerful institutions.

For more than four decades, his voice was heard through the pages of The Squire newspaper, which circulated mainly in Johnson County and south
Kansas City. He died Monday at age 77, and his newspaper will die with him.

“His papers were extensions of his personality,” said Ben Craig, a banker and civic leader in Johnson County. “He was a colorful writer with a sharp wit.”

In addition to editing and publishing weekly newspapers for many years, Leathers was the host of talk shows on area radio stations and cable television
in Johnson County.

Leathers, a Leawood resident, was president of The Ad Center, an advertising agency, and publisher of more than 200 books by area and Midwest
authors. He founded The Squire in 1959, and it was published as a weekly newspaper until 1996, when it became a monthly publication.

In a short biography of the newspaper’s beginning, Leathers said he got the idea for The Squire when he was 10.

“Something came to me one morning and said that my life had a purpose — to inform and help educate people through a newspaper of my
own — through some form of journalism,” he wrote.

He saved $2,000 to start the newspaper, but never had to use a dime of it.

“The first issue made money,” he wrote.

Friends said he loved to take local politicians to task, follow the area’s professional sports teams and write about the city’s television personalities.

A reporter who would often see his name in The Squire was Dave Helling, formerly with KCTV5 and now with The Star.

“He tweaked personalities, but I think he enjoyed much more tweaking the news coverage decisions that stations made,” Helling said.

Leathers covered the 1968 robbery of the Metcalf State Bank in Overland Park and the subsequent shootout between one of the bandits, Henry
Floyd Brown, and police at a nearby apartment complex.

After Brown went to prison, Leathers stayed in contact with him, publishing a book of Brown’s poetry after his release in 1997 and helping him relocate
to this area.

In 1978, he took his only plunge into elective politics, challenging an incumbent for a seat on the Johnson County Commission and losing his bid after
waging an aggressive campaign. Although he considered himself a political independent, he ran as a Democrat in a highly Republican area of the county.

Former Kansas City Mayor Richard L. Berkley said he enjoyed spending time with Leathers, who shared his interests in sports, politics and photography.

“Tom was a remarkable individual who knew the metropolitan area particularly well,” Berkley said. “I may not always have agreed with him, but he spoke
out on a lot of issues that were necessary to be discussed.”

Steve Rose, chairman of Sun Publications, described Leathers as someone who liked to “tweak the establishment, a contrarian.”

Leathers worked at The Sun for a short time as a sports columnist before starting The Squire.

“He really pioneered the concept of the alternative weekly before anyone did it,” Rose said. “He was the consummate outsider, almost always taking
the contrarian view.”

Rose said one series of articles published by Leathers in the 1960s was particularly memorable and helped make The Squire successful. The series
focused on suburban high school gangs, and Leathers called the series “The Rat Pack.”

Leathers was born and raised in Kansas City and attended Kansas State University, where he earned a degree in journalism. He worked for
The Kansas City Star in the late 1940s covering police and city government.

During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy as a naval air intelligence officer.

Leathers founded the Best in Theatre Awards and was formerly a member of advisory boards for the Dream Factory, ALS Society and St. Joseph
Health Center. He was on the advisory board of Avila College and was program chairman of the Men’s Breakfast Club at the United Methodist
Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

He was the winner of more than two dozen national journalism awards, including one for best sports writing in the United States given by the
Suburban Newspapers of America.

He married Patty Leathers, a post-anesthesia nurse, about 10 years ago. He had two sons — David Leathers, former publisher of Kansas City Homes & Gardens, and Kevin Leathers, a New York attorney.

“He loved Kansas City, and I always told him he was the essence of what the First Amendment was all about — where you just say I’m going to write
what I think in the paper and try to sell it to people,” Helling said.

David Leathers said one more edition of The Squire will be printed and it will be a tribute The KOM League
Flash Report
for
9/19/2005

This report is to catch up on some of the material that accumulated over the past 3-4 days. I'm sure these reports aren'twelcomed by
all recipients but the good news is that that don't cost anything and if unwanted, the delete key works wonders.

If your delete key is becoming worn out due to these reports just send me a note and I'll find a way not to send them in the future.
That's a better offer than any SPAMMER will offer.

For the rest of you this is your "dose of KOM League news and other views."

Bunny Mick's obituary from Tampa Tribune

http://legacy.com/TBO/LegacyHome.asp

MICK, M.F. "Bunny," 82, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 14, 2005, after a four-month battle with cancer.
A native of Tampa, he attended Gorrie Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School, H.B. Plant High School and the University of
Tampa. Bunny was the leader of Plant's first state basketball championship in 1941 and was First Team
All-State for two years. He left his basketball scholarship at Tampa University to serve three years in the Army Air Force
during World War II. Bunny played nine years of professional baseball with the New York Yankees organization, hitting
over .300 eight times, once at .356, winning two batting titles. In 1949, his ratio of 104 walks to three strikeouts is still the
best in baseball history, majors or minors.

He was a player and manager for six years and coached in the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros. He later
became a vice president in the Astros organization. Bunny generally was considered to be the nation's premier instructor for bunting, base running and
"working the count."

As an insurance agent, he was the leading producer in the United States for American Heritage Life Insurance Co. in 1960. He
was a charter member of the Tampa Sports Authority and a member of the Downtown Sertoma Club, serving as president
in 1965.

Bunny was the top aide to Florida Gov. Claude Kirk, was Florida sports director and was appointed to "The
Florida Council of 100" along with Bob Hope and Arnold Palmer. He was an avid fisherman and a member of Idlewild
Baptist Church. Bunny was predeceased by his older brother, Walter. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy; daughters, Dr.
Terry Mick and husband, Wesley Cox, and Kathy Mick and husband, Michael Lehman; brother, Mitchell
and wife, Helga; cousins, nephew, nieces and their families. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September
17, 2005, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. Mac Dill Ave., with the Rev. Ken Whitten, senior pastor of Idlewild
Baptist Church, officiating. A reception will follow immediately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Idlewild Baptist Church,
Recreation Ministry, 1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33613.
Published in the TBO.com on 9/16/2005

Joe Pollock

John,

We finally got Joe’s story up on our website. The newsletter has been delayed, but is expected out before the end of the month.

Thank you so much for your help with the story. You and your books were wonderful sources of information.

I will send you a copy of the newsletter when it comes out.

Brian Jackson, Donor Family Representative

LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma

5801 N. Broadway, Suite 300

Oklahoma City, OK 73120

1.888.580.5680 x137

NOTE: Brian's mother was raised in Wink, Texas and she once gave the school yard bully a "beatin" after he had attacked her little brother.
I related that story a few weeks ago. Oh, the young man she "whupped up on" was Roy Orbison. Check that name out if you don't know him.
You might know one of his hit songs, "Pretty Woman."

Go to this site for a story on KOM Leaguer and friend, Joe Pollock. On here you'll see a couple of photos and the story.
For those of you who don't have the energy to click on the URL the story is included. http://www.lifeshareoklahoma.org/

Not Your Average Joe

The rain stopped on April 24, 2004, just in time for city officials in Miami, Oklahoma to hold a special ceremony to dedicate the baseball field on
5th Street. More than 100 friends, family members and former players gathered to honor local sports legend and hero, Joseph “Joe” Pollock. The
words inscribed on the bronze plaque located at the edge of the field offer just a glimpse of Joe’s lifetime of giving to his community. With his death
on July 22, 2003, Miami’s beloved coach, scoutmaster, and professional baseball player had shared the ultimate gift of life.

By the time Joseph Steven Pollock graduated from Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio, he had earned recognition as a state champion saxophonist
and an all-sports athlete. Joe was a starting halfback on the football team that also featured Heisman Trophy winner, Les Horvath, and NFL Coach, Don McCafferty. As an all-state track star, Joe was privileged to participate in a 100-yard exhibition race with a newly crowned Olympic champion. They
matched strides for the first 25 yards, but for the rest of the race all Joe could see was the back of Jesse Owens.

Following high school, Joe signed a professional baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1942. He only played a few months of minor league ball
before trading in his ball glove, cap and cleats for a rifle, helmet and boots. Assigned to the Anti-Tank Company, 309th Infantry, Corporal Pollock
bravely served his country in Europe during World War II. The highly decorated soldier fought in the historic conflicts of Ardennes, the Battle of The
Bulge, and Remagen Bridge. In addition to numerous combat and service medals, a special athletic award, signed by General Eisenhower, was presented
to Joe for participating in the European Theater Track and Field Championships held in Nuremberg, Germany. The General stopped to wish Joe good
luck as they watched his long jump being measured. Joe was crowned 100 Meter Champion and recognized as an All-Seventh Army Track Star. With
the end of the war came a discharge from the Army and a return to the states to resume his career in professional baseball.

Joe arrived in Oklahoma in the spring of 1946 as a member of the Muskogee Reds in the Western Association. Instead of a doubleheader at the ball
diamond, it was at a professional wrestling match in the Muskogee Civic Center where he met his future bride. However, Marye Ruth Oliver soon
became a regular fan at Joe’s games and enjoyed watching the KOM (Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri) League’s leading base stealer in action. She
remembers cheering from behind the 3rd base line during one nine-inning game when Joe stole 6 bases (including home twice). In his book, “Majoring
in the Minors,” baseball historian and author, John G. Hall, names Joe Pollock as “the fastest man in the (KOM) league in 1946,” with a record 119
bases stolen in 123 attempts (1946-1947 seasons). Hall recalls that Mutt Mantle from Commerce, Oklahoma attended games regularly so that son,
Mickey, could cheer for his hero, Jumpin’ Joe. On November 16, 1946, Marye and Joe exchanged wedding vows. When Joe retired from baseball
in 1947, the couple settled in Miami, Oklahoma where they raised two sons, Kenneth and Ronald. The former soldier/ballplayer happily adapted to
his new role of loving husband and doting father.

Still wanting to share his love for baseball, Joe served on a committee that brought little league and youth league baseball franchises to Miami. He then
coached in these leagues for the next 20 years. “Coach Joe,” as he was known by scores of youngsters (including Heisman Trophy winner, Steve
Owens, and younger brother, Tinker), always saved a couple of spots on his roster so that every child would have an opportunity to play. Scoutmaster
Joe participated in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for a total of eight years. When his son, Ron, was a member of the talent-laden track team at Miami
High School, Joe volunteered to help out as an assistant coach from 1970 -1973. During a recent interview, Steve Owens remarked, “I think Joe was
so honest with young kids, and speaking for myself, I knew that he cared about me – not just for what I could do athletically – but, as a person. I think
he sent that message not only to me, but to a lot of young kids growing up in Miami. Joe gave of himself so much, in so many ways.”

In February 2003, Joe was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition. The prescribed diet and medications did little to help. Consistent with his
lifetime of caring and giving, Joe was adamant about becoming a donor. “In his mind’s eye, if he could give a child a chance to walk, whether they
went on into sports or not, or perhaps help a child that would have to go through life with a disfigurement…. that was the legacy he wanted to leave
through his donation,” according to Marye. She notes that Joe’s donation has helped to create a greater local awareness of the need for organ, eye,
and tissue donors. With every chance she gets, Marye explains donation to her friends and acquaintances. “We don’t like to think about it, but life is
uncertain. I like to do anything I can to help people understand the importance of donation.”

Joseph “Joe” Pollock died at the Integris Baptist Regional Health Center on July 22, 2003. He was 82 years old. His family and community grieved
the loss of their husband, father, grandfather, coach, soldier, ballplayer, hero and friend. The lifetime of unselfish giving to family, community, and country
had come to an end, but not without one final act of love and compassion. By choosing to be a donor, Joe saved his best gift for last.

Remembering Harry Truman's birthplace--Lamar, Mo.

John, once again I have to say thank you for all of the insightful stories!   Joe (Nuxhall) The Nux, hadn't

thought about or remembered (him) for years!

God, what a pleasure it is to hear from you and yours and other's memories!

(I was) Just a number turner from the old Lamar town team! (Score board attendant) I did have a few great times with

the guys!!!!

Totally Yours with thanks.   Keep them alive.  Thomas Earp

Memories of Bunny Mick

John:

Another one!....and what a career he had! I'll never forget the first time I met "Bunny"...at our FIRST

reunion in Pittsburg......1996. .....His renditions of his times with Casey Stengel were fantastic.

Just before leaving Pittsburg, I spent an hour with him alone in his room......discussing hitting.

Oh my!.........if I only had him as my Manager.....I might had done a respectable job.....AT the plate.

Appreciate you keeping us all informed....and sending a gift from us KOM'ers.

We should have another "Remembrance" collection next year in Carthage....as I can see "the handwriting on the wall"

......with you doing this for all of us in the future

Quite an honor to write a person's obituary! You know enough about all of us KOMers that you could be kept

awfully busy.....in the FUTURE.

Looks as if the Virdons have been busy also. I know you will do well on WDWS radio later today.

Also....give my regards to Bill Clark.

Take care' Sam Dixon.

Ed note:

The radio show on WDWS went very well and rapidly according to host Gary O'Brien. By clock time we were on the air 40 minutes. Mike Witwicki
of the 1949 Ponca City Dodgers arranged the broadcast and he was also on the air adding greatly to the program. O'Brien spoke after the broadcast
and wants another interview on a "special day." It may well be that Mickey Mantle will be revisited on his birthday with O'Brien hosting and Yours Truly
being roasted.

And, the meal with Bill Clark went well also. I have learned he hasn't missed running around the world scouting for the Braves, Padres or whoever. He
is busily engaged in local newspaper writing, public speaking, grass roots politics and bugging Yours Truly about my next writing venture. I told him I finished
my Will and that the only thing remaining is the Obituary.

Anxiously awaiting new book

John, Great...you tease me with sniglets from your book.....I can't wait to read it.....

Yes, I'd love to see some pic's of Mosley and new bride....he had mentioned to me in a letter years ago about Neva passing away and remarrying......

Bill is a really neat guy...I hope to get to meet him face to face some day...

A Musial fan, eh?  Did I mention that during the 1995 SABR National in Pittsburgh, my father and I drove down to Donora for Stan Musial's high

school baseball team (1938) reunion?  The only invitees were his teammates, the town historian, and the Kreuz's!!!!

Stan, Lil and Lil's mom attended..we sat 10 feet from them at the dinner.....what a nite!!!!

When is my book showin' up?  I can't wait!!!!!!

Thanks, "Anxious reader"--Lake Jackson, Texas

The Lombardis from New Jersey

Hi John: I finally got my computer to work (I hope)... Haven't been able to use computer for some time sure hope this message goes through..
Hope that you are well and that you have had a nice summer. Ours has been a very hot & humid one...Hope you had a good crop of tomatoes this
year. We didn't have a garden this year and I miss all the good fresh veggies. Maybe next year. I hope you received and enjoyed the news clippings
I sent that was written about Carl since we returned home from Joplin. Spoke to Merlyn Mantle last month and we had a nice chat about the family and

the great time we had at the reunion. Family and friends have purchased the Mickey Mantle book &they all have enjoyed it immensely. I hope the sales
have gone sky high for you. Stay well and keep in touch my friend...... Sincerely, Anna & Carl Lombardi

Jack Castleberry remembered.

Jack Castleberry was our 2nd baseman in 1946 at Chanute. Nice guy. Quiet, and got a kick out of everything anybody said or did. I didn't know he had
passed away. Where did you look all that up ????? Bob Curley

Ed note:

In the last Flash Report it was mentioned that Jack Castleberry's nephew, James was doing some genealogy and wanted to know more about his
uncle's baseball career.

Tribute to Tom Leathers

He certainly was a good man. Leathers was the first company that got my writings in print. Thanks for the news.

Sincerely, CORD G. COSLOR

Celebrity Direct Entertainment

Former batboy responds

John: I was sorry to hear about Bunny Mick this a.m. He was always friendly to me in our encounters at the KOM reunions. He will be missed by family and
friends.

I have just "booked" reservations for September 7, 8, 9, 2006 in Carthage this am, it made some what sad to know it will be the "last harrah" for KOM's
"Boys of Summer". I have always looked forward to the friendships, stories, banquets, programs (planned or not), side day trips and the food. Reading
to events with Lee, Sam, Mace (and sisters) and others leaves great memories. So much effort goes into each and every reunion, and it is always appreciated
by the participants. The settings in the past game towns have been "special".

Take care, Jim Jay--Former K. C. A's batboy

Coming soon!!

The KOM League Remembered, remember that publication? The Fall edition goes to the printer on September 19. It used to be sent
monthly but now has gone to a quarterly issuance.

I can't see that very many, if anyone, missed getting it every 30 days. I can tell you that its a lot more difficult to write a quarterly edition than it
was when it was monthly.

The Fall edition has two themes; the 2006 reunion and recent deaths. After the 2006 reunion, if the publication survives, I guess it will be down to
a one theme publication.

If any of you on the Flash Report line don't subscribe and want a copy let me know and I'll print up a few extra. Probably can't entice anyone but this
is the listing of proper names included in the Fall edition:

Charlie Weber, Dave Newkirk, Ronnie Kline, Branch Rickey, Brandy Davis, Al Solenberger, Joe L. Brown, Joe E. Brown, Ken Boehme, Dave Fraley,
Jim Jay, Mickey Mantle, Jim Smith, Greg Olds, Galen Bowman, William R. "Red" Wilcoxson, E. L. Dale, Walt Babcock, Joe Stanka Cindy Stanka-Lott,
Mike Witwicki, George Fisher, Lee Coonradt, Bobby Bonebrake, Robert Taylor, Vic Morrow, Maury Wills, Dick Tretter, Bob Newbill, Stan Musial, Gale
Wade, Bob Speake, Harry "The Hat" Walker, Harry Chiti, Luke Easter, Virgil "Fire" Trucks, Ewing Kauffman, Frank White, Rex Heavin, Orville "Grab"
Holt, Elven "Mutt" Mantle, Jack Denison, Tom Kordas, Don Anderson, John Mudd, Russ Oxford, Len VandeHey, Don Biebel, Bernie Tomicki, Joe
DiMaggio, Red Ruffing, Kenny Washington, Alex Muirhead, Bob Passarella, Ed Hoke, Terrell Lester, Mickey Cochrane, Max Mantle, Wylie Pitts, Dean
Cannon, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, S. Rae Hickok, Curt Schilling, Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Bob Saban, Bill Delich and of course some of the tongue in cheek all-time favorites. They include: Ozark Ike, Ike and Tina Turner, Page Turner, Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Simon Peter, The Twelve
Apostles, The Epistle to the Romans, Roman Gabriel, Gabriel the Archangel, Archie Bunker, Archie Andrews, Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music.

If you've never read a KOM League Remembered newsletter you wouldn't believe that all those names could be manipulated to pertain to the history
of the KOM League. However, after reading it you'll get the drift.

Someone offered help!

John: Weekends for the Balance of the Football Season Suggestions:

In response to your request from the KOM League Flash Report for 9/11/2005

"Saturday's are "not big deals" in Missouri. The football season concluded for the "top" university in the Show Me State after one game and three quarters. That is how long it took them to "tank" for the "seventy-eleventh" consecutive season.

So, if any of you have a suggestion as to where Yours Truly can head out to sign books on the weekends, until football season is "officially" over, I'm open to suggestions."

Suggestion # 1: Follow the Pittsburg State Gorillas Football Schedule

Follow a Real Winner! Match up your signing dates with the PSU Gorillas football team schedule for the balance of the fall. There will be "guaranteed crowds" wherever they appear. So, book Joplin, MO this Saturday 9-17-05 (Missouri Southern game); Topeka, KS 10-1-05 (Washburn game); Bolivar, MO 10-15 (Southwest Baptist game); Kirksville, MO 10-22 (Truman State game); Arrowhead Stadium--KC MO parking lot tailgate party 10-22-05 (Northwest Missouri game); Pittsburg, KS Carnie Smith Stadium "Gorilla Village" parking lot for home games 9-24-05 (Emporia State game); 10-8-05 (Homecoming game vs Panhandle State, OK game); NCAA D II playoffs 11-19-05 (SW Region Playoff); NCAA D II Quarterfinals 11-26-05 (SW Region Championship);
NCAA D II Semifinals 12-05-05 PSU vs NE Region Champion; and Florence, AL 12-10-05 (NCAA D II National Championship game on ESPN-TV).

Suggestion # 2: Work the Columbia, MO Market Area

No one will be at the Tigers home games anyway or watching away games on TV...and the locals will likely be out doing earlier-than-usual Christmas
shopping. A really top notch baseball book like "Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory" might take folks mind off of football when you stop and think about it.

Hope these suggestions are beneficial. Just trying to help you out, my friend.

Ted Watts (PSU-BFA 1966)

Ed reply:

That's what I like, someone who makes suggestions. The only problem is, if you have a good football team the fans will ignore me and go straight to
see the Gorillas whup up on whoever it is they are playing. I think I'll work the Columbia market. I sure can't do any worse than the Tigers have
and will be doing for the remainder of the season. Thanks again. As a second thought, maybe I should go to Norman, Oklahoma and help those
Sooner fans take their minds of "losing football."

Ted Watts shared the following so as to offend almost everyone:

A popular Des Moines Barber shop had a new robotic barber installed. A fellow came in for a haircut. As the robot began to cut his hair, it asked him,
"What's your IQ?"

The man replied, "130." So the robot proceeded to make conversation about physics, astronomy, investments, insurance and so on. The man listened intently
and said, "This is really cool."

Later, another gent came in for a haircut and the robot asked him as it began the haircut, "What's your IQ?"

The man responded, "100." So the robot started talking about football, baseball, and so on. The man thought to himself, "Wow, this is really cool."

Later on, a third guy came in to the barber shop. As with the others, the robot barber asked him, "What's your IQ?"

"Pick Your Own Punchline"

Calculated to Offend Everyone

Republican's Punchline

The man replied, "70." The robot then said, "So, I understand you Democrats are really excited about Hillary running for president?"

Democrat's Punchline

The man replied, "70." The robot then said, "So, I understand you Republicans are really pleased with George Bush's performance as president?

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
September 22, 2005

Big night in store:

Last evening my oldest grandson called and asked a favor. He wanted some help in working up his first sermon. When I agreed to offer
what assistance I could he said, "Grandpa, we need to eat at G. & D. Steakhouse about 5:00 and then we'll get to work."

Today I found out his sermon is to last five minutes. Those are the toughest to prepare. Someone once asked me how long it took me to
prepare the short homily's (five minutes) that I used to do on KFMJ radio in Tulsa. I replied, "About an hour." Aghast the person asked "Well,
how long does it take you to prepare and hour's sermon.?" The reply "About five minutes."

This is Tony Pescaglia's first venture into this territory but he prepared a paper for school about preparation for the battle, a short vignette pertaining
his final match for the state wrestling championship last spring. After having heard my daughter read that to me on the telephone last night
there is nothing that grandpa can do for his grandson tonight except eat with him and then listen to his outline for his sermon. If he will permit, I'm
going to put his "Preparation for the battle" in an upcoming Flash Report. There are FEW columnists in these United States who could even
come close to writing such thing. I'll tell you for sure his grandpa wouldn't come close.

Amazingly, the first three notes in this Flash Report are from folks who wish to remain on the list. Will wonders never cease?

Stepson of former KOM League arbiter

John, please change our e-mail address from lewisdandc@aol.com to lewis4455@bellsouth.net We will be closing our AOL account soon and love to
get the KOM report. Thanks for all your work and efforts to make it happen. I am the step son of Estie Wells and started receiving KOM info. soon after
the article of Estie was published some time ago. Sorry I never got a chance to meet you when my wife and I visited Mom in Carthage, MO. Mom
in April of this year, so the closest I'll probably get to Carthage now is Lamar, where my sister is or Olathe, KS where my brother is.

Take care John and thanks again for getting the Flash Report to us. Hope all is well with you.

David Lewis

Another Class D performer

Mr Hall: Could you please add to me to your email list for the KOM newsletter? My dad, Ken Cluley, played primarily in the Texas and Longhorn
leagues in the late 40's and early 50's. He knew or played with many of the players from the KOM league and is interested in reading your articles.

Thanks, Ken Cluley, Jr.

Ed note:

If any of you fellows recall Mr. Cluley during your days in the Texas and Longhorn leagues let me know and I'll put you in touch with him.

Hello to all....

Just wanted to tell you that effective today we have a new e-mail address. This will now be our one and only e-mail address so please make this ]change in your
address book. Thanks and we'll be looking forward to hearing from you soon.......New address: Davis106c@aol.com

Carla & H. B.

Fooling around is ok and fun

John, I'm not the most knowledgeable person on the computer, but I like to fool around on it. By using the keyword and just putting the name in it. I got
some info on Nuxhall, and Tom Reis, both teammates. As I told you, Tom is 91 now and in a convalescent. home. I pulled up his 1939 record
Kansas City Blues. He was quite a pitcher then with a 17W - 4L record and 2 something era. So I tried the same thing with Bob Curly in the keyword.
I didn't know there were so many Bob Curleys, all eminent and accomplished gentlemen, (ahem). after quite some time, and hitting "next" till the 21st
listing came up, it had KOM Flash Report. The only reason my name was in it, was because I asked or said something relevant to a previous FR, or
something else with mutual interests. One of the 2 or 3 KOM Frs that came up was from 2003. Whatever. Do you do anything like that? Bob Curley

Ed note:

I do my best to look things up but if I'm doing that it is preventing guys like Curley getting his name on the internet. Many former KOM Leaguers
are deserving of being mentioned on the internet but sadly many of them are only there due to my spending far too many hours writing Flash Reports.

A shrinking world

John, Received this email from Carl Mays in Gatlinburg, TN. Thought you might enjoy Carl’s Mantle story.

The world is shrinking everyday.

Brian Jackson, Donor Family Representative

Brian... Always good to hear from you. I'll drop a copy of the article in the mail today.

Hall might be interested that I did a book signing sitting next to Mickey Mantle in 1991. He and I had books coming out near the same time and were both scheduled to sign books at American Book Association Expo at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Authors were placed in alphabetical order - Man; May. As a result of the meeting, the next time I was in NY I did a live broadcast and book signing on WFAN from Mickey Mantle's Restaurant across from Central Park. Great experience. Carl Mays

Word from New Jersey

Hi John: Thank you for the note and for sending the books out. It was greatly appreciated... So sorry to hear about the news of
Bunny Mick... Our condolences go out to his wife and family...We were happy to have met the man the Joplin reunion ... Our thoughts and
prayers are with them... By the way the check is in the mail..... Keep in touch, Carl & Anna Lombardi

Baseball wives also made friends for life!

John,  We talked with Nancy Mick  on Sat. and again Sunday night. I think Bunny's Memorial service went well and was well attended.  He had so

many lifelong friends in Tampa as well as his baseball friends.  The girls had compiled many pictures and other memorabilia for attendees to view after

the service.  He was such a "saver"-------Nancy said it will take a very long time to just sort through everything!   She seemed to be doing well, but is

exhausted both mentally and physically.  I know they are pleased to hear from the many KOMers who have contacted them.  We regret so much that

we couldn't be there in person, but so grateful for the time we spent together in April.   It is a loss we won't soon forget----They have been like family to

us for so many years.

Since I talked to you I have kept in touch with Joan Wright (widow of former Major Leaguer--Mel Wright) and have disturbing news to report.  She

 has been diagnosed  with pancreatic and liver cancer!!!!   She is in good spirits and her faith is strong, but please  include her in your prayers---This is a

tough one!   She became my very first friend in baseball and has been like a sister to me all of these years.  I know that our Heavenly Father never gives

us more than we can handle, but He is really filling my cup right now!  Needless to say, He has my full attention!  I know things will get better and like

all human beings, I'm not very patient though I try.   Maybe you better pray for me, too!!!

Thanks for your  listening ear and for always sharing both good and bad news with the KOM readership.  What would we ever do without our friends?

Best wishes to you and Noel and Blessings.    Shirley V. (Virdon)

End of radio career--and nearing end of  book signing career!

On the Mark and Kenna Show early Wednesday morning from WXET-FM in Effingham/Mattoon, Illinois,  Yours Truly probably had his final radio interview.

There are none scheduled and the word is probably out to steer clear of the old guy who has to keep explaining that the KOM League wasn't  semi-pro

or barnstorming baseball.

All that aside it was fun being carried on an Illinois station for the second time in a week.  I find that each interviewer has his/her own technique and line

of thinking. Thus, I never prepare for a radio interview.  If I don't know my subject by now its too late to start.

The radio show this morning was a preview for a book signing at Waldenbooks at the Cross County Mall in Mattoon on Saturday.  Its being held in

conjunction with a baseball card/memorabilia show at that mall.  The guy in charge of the mall is former Dodger farmhand, Mike Witwicki.  We'll have

a bite to eat on Friday evening and then both head off for "work" early Saturday morning.

If any of you are in eastern Illinois or western Indiana you are welcome to drop by and visit.  You won't even be expected to purchase a book.  I've said

it many times, book signings aren't places you go to sell books.  Book signings are places you go to hear better stories than the ones you wrote and for

people to tell you how much better they could have done the job than you did.  And, they are right.

More about Joe Pollock

John, I thought you might like to take a look at the post I put on my blog today about Joe Pollock. I must have overlooked a couple of KOM League reports in 2003 when Mr. Pollock died, but when I read the article about the dedication of the field in Miami to him, I had to write

something.

You can find the article at www.rturner229.blogspot.com

Randy Turner -Neosho, Missouri

P.S. The KOM League Report is still must reading for me. Thanks for all of the work you do .

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Jumpin' Joe has left and gone away

In the spring of 1998, I received a call from a Webb City High School counselor asking me if I would have any internships open for graduating high school
seniors. He had a number of students who were looking for work, and at the least, wanted each of them to go through the interview process. I was looking
for fill-in help for the summer, since this was a time when we were losing our lifestyles editor Amy Lamb Campbell and our sports editor Brian Webster, so I jumped at the opportunity.

And that was when I first met Jana Blankenship, a tiny blond who played a huge role in keeping our news staff afloat during those trying summer months.
I can't recall what question I asked that brought the response, but at one point, Jana said she would even be willing to clean the bathrooms to get the job. Fortunately for Jana, we already had someone to clean the bathrooms, but her resume was excellent, she had written some strong stories for her high school newspaper, and she had previous work experience, so a couple of days later I hired her, knowing that she was willing to try to write anything except for sports.
That changed on June 16 when The Press threw blanket coverage on the reunion of the KOM (Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri) League, which gave
Carthage a taste of minor league baseball in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Our interim sports editor, a stopgap fill-in who I was forced to hire to make sure we got the pages out, was ostensibly the point man for our coverage, but
I made sure the important stories were being done by the people whom I trusted.

On the day of the oldtimers baseball game, Marla Hinkle, an MSSC student who was also interning for us that summer, covered the effect the reunion was
having on the Carthage economy; Ron Graber provided photographic coverage, while Jana and I handled the features.

Jana conducted an interview with a KOM wife, Delores Liston and I loved her lead, "It was a scorching hot morning Tuesday as Delores Liston sat in
of Carl Lewton Stadium to watch her soon-to-be 72-year-old husband play baseball. She whooped and hollered at all the players and cheered when they
made a good play. "I'm not really on either side. I like to cheer for all of them," she said. "The game reminds me a lot of our grandson's games."
Jana smoothly guided the reader through the Listons' courtship and how they celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary at Carl Lewton Stadium the previous
day. As with most good feature writers, Jana saved the best for last:

But throughout the years, he continued to play baseball. He played until he was in his 50s and then continued to play softball until he was 61.
"In fact, he played for so long that he even played on the same team as his oldest son, Mrs.Liston said, 'One day my son came to me and he said, 'Mom,
how do I tell dad that I'm too old to play ball anymore?' " She simply told him, 'That's between you and your father.' "

After Jana interviewed Mrs. Liston, she tagged along with me as I did the remainder of the feature coverage. That included an interview with 77-year-old
Jumpin' Joe Pollock, who was described in John Hall's classic book, "Majoring in the Minors," as the fastest man in the KOM League, and Mr. Pollock's
wife.

Pollock at one time had been in a race with legendary Olympic champion Jesse Owens. He lost, but he kept up with him for a little bit. On that June day in Carthage, Jumpin' Joe Pollock made what was probably his last appearance as a ballplayer...despite having had knee replacement surgery on both knees.
He just shook his head when I asked him about that. "I guess we still love baseball," he said.

Jana, who was not a big baseball fan, was entranced as Joe Pollock began describing his days in the KOM league, including a time when he stole six bases
in one game (including home twice) and the fans passed the hat and collected $150 for him. "And the players were paid $150 a month at that time," he said.
He then talked about his coaching days after baseball, with his players including two Miami, Okla. greats Steve and Tinker Owens.
When the interview was over, Jana told me, "I could have listened to him all day." I fully agreed.

Those boys of summer are vanishing and until a few days ago, I was unaware that one of those boys who was no longer with us was Jumpin' Joe Pollock.
He died in 2003. John Hall, in his regular KOM update, wrote a few days ago about the dedication of a field to Mr. Pollock in his beloved Miami.
That is a wonderful tribute to a man who played and coached for the love of the game...and who for one pre-summer day at least, shared that love and taught
some lessons in life to young Jana Blankenship.

The KOM League
Flash Report
for
September 25, 2005
(Exactly three months until Christmas--Joy to the World!)

The Weekend!! (Please read this part, if nothing else)

A thirty-hour trip to Mattoon, Illinois and back took up most of the weekend. Mike Witwicki hosted a book signing for Yours Truly at
the Cross County Mall that he manages.

Witwicki was a great host where he fed and housed me in Mattoon's finest. He even put my name in "lights" on the giant marquee that
announces all the events to be held at that facility. I got to spend a little more time than usual and got to speak with him about his early
days in the Brooklyn Dodger organization. He was a teammate of Maury Wills and he was a good friend of Karl Spooner. He and Spooner
used to double date (not each other) when they both were aspiring to reach Ebbets Field.

During dinner on Friday night I would drop names of former Dodger minor leaguers and Witwicki would respond. One of the names was
Gino Cimoli. He recalled that Cimoli used to complain every spring that he believed he belonged in the major leagues but the Dodgers were
never going to give him the chance. I told Witwicki that Cimoli in fact finally got a shot and had a fairly long career. He said that he hadn't followed
Cimoli's career after he left the game and was surprised that Gino had made it. (Cimoli played for the Dodgers in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles and
then bounced around the "bigs" for another seven season with the Cardinals, Pirates, Braves, Kansas City A's, Baltimore Orioles and California
Angels.)

I bring up names of former big leaguers to show the time span some of the former KOM Leaguers fit into the scheme of things. As I was signing
books on Saturday a beer vendor for Busch Stadium dropped by to talk. I told him I had only seen two games at the new Busch Stadium in its
entire history. I told the fellow I had seen Pedro Guerrero's last game and had seen a Cardinal catcher steal home in the other. I mentioned
that the catcher was Glenn Brummer. Witwicki was listening to the conversation and remarked,"You know who taught him to steal home?" I
didn't, but by the nature of the question it was obvious. Witwicki coached the young catcher. Brummer was an Illinois lad who aspired to play
basketball. He was the sixth man on the squad and Witwicki told him he was a major league prospect as a catcher if he would apply himself to
that goal.

Having come out of the Brooklyn Dodger system of the 1940s, the things that all those players possessed was a good arm, great foot speed and
the potential of being good hitters. Witwicki took Brummer under his wing and "the rest is history."

The road to Mattoon

(Shortly before leaving on the weekend trip I called Joe Stanka in Fulshear, Texas, just 30 miles east of Houston. He informed me they
were "riding out" the storm.)

Foristell, Missouri lies between Columbia, Missouri and Mattoon. I decided to stop there and fill up with "cheap" gasoline. Also, that is the
hometown of a charter member of the KOM League, Oscar "Pappy" Walterman. I drove over to Pappy's house after giving everything I
had at that service station. Alighting from my truck I reached for my billfold. It wasn't there. So, I jumped back into the truck and headed
to the tank where I filled up figuring my billfold fell out of my pocket when I got back in the truck. You guessed it, the billfold wasn't on the
pavement.

So, I walked toward office of the service station and a gentleman in a service vehicle yelled out "Did you lose your billfold?" Of course, you
all know by now the response I made. He handed it to me and remarked "You look like the guy on the drivers license." I offered him a reward
and he refused. He said that he had lost his before and knew the feeling.

Back to Pappy's house I went for a few minutes of conversation. He told me he had thought about me yesterday as he went through his stack
of medical bills. He said that somehow in the middle of that stack was photo I had sent him a number of years ago of his 1946 season in Carthage.
Pappy reiterated that having been included with all the guys that have been "found" since the revival of the KOM League has taken place
in the last decade has been one of the greatest blessings in his life.

As much as he wanted to attend the 2005 reunion his health prevented it and his prospects of attending another aren't good. However, he has
great memories of that time in his life and continues to enjoy the news that comes out in the newsletter.

The evening in Mattoon

It has been mentioned that Mike Witwicki was a great host. When I got to the motel for the evening I had a telephone call from my wife. She
said that Joan Getter had called and the news on all fronts for the Getters wasn't good.

In recent days Joan had gone to the doctor with Dick to check on problem for which he was being treated. The doctor in turn told Joan she'd like
for her to take a test. As it turns out Joan is now undergoing chemotherapy for cancer for a problem the test revealed and Dick wound up in
the hospital for multiple heart bypass surgery. My wife said Dick had requested that Joan get in touch with me.

I didn't get in touch with Joan until this morning and it appears that Dick will be heading home from Baylor Medical Center within a day or
so--maybe today. However, Joan is feeling pretty bad. Since the reunion attendees know and love the Getters I wanted to share this with all of you.
Cards would be appreciated by both of these great people. The address is:

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Getter
3535 Pine Tree Circle
Dallas, Texas 75235

The road back to Mattoon and then some?

The Waldenbooks manager at Mattoon, Carol Speakman, was very pleased with the book signing results and wondered if I would be willing and
able to sign books in other Illinois and Indiana towns. Knowing the likelihood of that was "slim and none" I reported "Sure." Within hours of arriving
back home I had a call from Mrs. Speakman and she had contacted a outlet in Terre Haute, Indiana and they were requesting a book signing at the
earliest possible date.

At this rate I may yet work my way into the New York/New Jersey market to see if those readers have an interest in Mickey Mantle prior to
his Yankee days.

Grappling for the Gold

Ed note:

In the last report I mentioned that my grandson wrote something about his experiences in wrestling.  I spoke with him and asked if he would

allow me to share this with the KOM League Flash Report readership.  He gave me permission and asked if it would make him famous.  I

tried to explain that no one would ever get famous by having their articles placed in my Flash Report.  I did tell him it would be the best

stuff shared with the readership in a long time and he said "Grandpa you can do it."

So, here is a poem in wrote regarding his championship match at the Brute/Adidas Nationals this past summer in Enid, Oklahoma.

Grappling for the Gold

Lights shining down on the mat,

As if the gods are intensely eyeing the battleground.

Roars, cheers, screams explode from the nerve stricken parents of the wrestlers,

Who, on the outskirts of the battlefield, wait for the children to begin their duel.

The day of reckoning finally arrives,

With it's glorious champion waiting to rise.

Two gladiators stand alone,

Intensely glaring eye to eye across the 34 by 34 foot battlefield.

I am the underestimated blue gladiator,

My foe, the obviously self-confident scarlet gladiator.

An avalanche of sweat cascades down both warriors' foreheads,

Every skill, every strength, every mental preparation will be a necessity for either to rise victorious.

We give our honorable pre-match handshake,

Which represents a vow to respect one another during the match.

The volcanic eruption from the minuscule whistle,

Unleashes the steel chains from our greatly conditioned bodies.

Fear glistens from his marble-like eyes,

As I unexpectedly attack with all my fury.

Weapons clashing as if to start an earthquake from their collision,

Strategies previously rehearsed take control of both barbarians' reactions.

Precise jab after jab come from my sharpened artillery,

My enemy's barrier becomes weaker with each jab.

As the battle ensues from a common battle into an epic war,

My diminishing foes begins tasting defeat.

The blaring whistle rings around the battlefield,

The war has come to an end as the shameful white flag rises above my opposing warrior's head.

My victorious hand is lifted up to the sky, above the gruesome battlefield,

Presenting me to the gods as the National Wrestling Champion.

Ed note:

Grandpa will serve as Tony's literary agent for this and more stuff like this in the future.

If any of you have comments I'll pass them to Tony.  He doesn't have his own e-mail address.....yet.

Secondary markets

John:

It appears that you are developing a secondary market for the KOM with the second and third generation descendants of the original ball players.

We will all look forward to reading your grandson's message.

Toni and I hosted Judy Botts for about a week here in Arlington while she was in from California to watch her son, Jason, get into his first big league games with the Rangers. In his second game he went 3 for 4 with one RBI and his mother did not make a sound but had tears rolling down her cheeks. She raised this kid alone and nothing was going to keep her from seeing his first major league hit. This kid is an example of the new breed of position player. He is 6' 8" and 250 with body fat of about 4% and a rocket for an arm. He hit the ball with a check swing in his first at bat and the ball went 390' on a frozen rope five feet foul. His first big league hit was a screamer that didn't ever get over five feet off the ground but went right past the second baseman who didn't even have time to get his glove up. Your older KOM ballplayer readers will be delighted to learn, as I did, that Jason, like many of his young AAA comrades, lives for the game and takes it very seriously. When he is not in the weight room he is taking batting practice under the stands, watching videos of opposing pitchers or running. A week after this season ends he leaves for winter ball in the D.R., will have eight days after that season ends before he reports early to Spring Training and is already wondering what he will do to stay busy during the days between playing. Upon getting his first paycheck with some major league time computed in, his comment was " Gee, there is finally a comma in the amount column ". He would do it if they didn't pay him....and, in the minors, they almost don't. I see this kid ending up at his old position - first base - and being another Boog Powell without the rolls of fat. Tell the KOMers that there is hope for baseball.

Neil

Word on two former KOM Leaguers from Little Rock

Mr. Hall,  I can't thank you enough for responding to my letter. I am sorry to say that Uncle Jack died May 7, 1992 in

Little Rock so he was already gone when you started looking for him.  He would have been delighted to know

that someone from his baseball years was still interested in locating him.  He truly loved the sport.

.After his return to Little Rock he joined by Navy. From there he became a salesman for Oklahoma Tire and

Supply where he eventually ended up as manager for a store in Blytheville.  After his retirement he

returned to Little Rock.  His wife Barbara died in June, 1994.  He has two sons.

I also have some info on William Ward.  We knew him as Dub.  He was one of Uncle Jack's closest friends.  He

too was a salesman for Oklahoma Tire and Supply who also became a manager of a store.  He died of a massive

coronary 30+ years ago.  His wife died in September, 2005 (just a few weeks ago).

I don't have a picture of Uncle Jack when he was playing for Chanute.  Would it be too much trouble to

send me a copy of the picture you have?

Again, thank you for the information on Uncle Jack.

Jim Castleberry

Death of Harvey Tomter

John,

I just got word that an old teammate of mine from our first year in pro ball (Oshkosh Giants) passed away in July. His name was Harvey Tomter from Eau
Claire, Wisconsin. He only played a couple years in the minors, but then went on to make a name for himself in Wisconsin Fast-Pitch Softball, and also as
the manager of the Eau Claire Cavaliers (amateur baseball) for 26 years, and won many championships with them.Harv was my first roommate in pro ball
and a good athlete. Sad to hear of his passing. Thought maybe some of your readership might have known him, perhaps.--Bill O'Donnell

Curley sees some former teammates on DVD

John, I just wanted to tell you, a friend gave me 3 CD's DVD's titled when it was a game. They're marked 1, 2 , and 3. It's all about players in the 30's, 40's,
and 50's, and 60's.It's 8 and 16 mm film taken by individuals and the players themselves. I've looked at two of the three, so far, and they're great. Almost right
out of the box on No. 1 was Ross Grimsley in a White Sox uniform, sitting in the dugout. In the s econd one was Alex Grammas a teammate at Tulsa, as a commentator. Many of the players in the pictures were commentators. Very enjoyable.

Pete Goetz here is the friend that lent them to me. He and I were on opposing teams in high school.    Bob Curley

Still resonating

Former Bartlesville Pirate, Al Solenberger send a clipping his daughter extracted from the Coffeyville, Kansas Journal. It was the basic
story that Terrell Lester had written back in August prior to my book signing in Pryor, Oklahoma. (In other words, "prior to Pryor.")

The article was released through CNHI News Service. I had never heard of that service before but was glad the news made it as
far as "Daltonville." For you history buffs that is is the place the Dalton Gang ended their bank robbing career. The citizens of
"Javatown" rose up and took matters into their own hands. That was October 5, 1892. This is a link to the story. http://doncollier.com/historic7.htm

A little over 50 years after the event my grandfather, John B. Harrison, would relate stories to me about his acquaintance with the parents of
the Dalton Gang. He called them "God-fearing folks" who had sons that were a bit mischevious. Grandpa was a carpenter by day
and a itenerant preacher who would travel from his home in Nowata, Indian Territory to the small towns around the area to preach in the evenings.
One night he arrived home and thought he would startle his wife by creeping up to the window. Grandma, thinking he was one of the "Dalton type"
took grandpa's shotgun and drew a bead on him He did some fast talking to save his skin.

Then, fifty-seven years following the killing of Bill Power, Bob Dalton, Grat Dalton, and Dick Broadwell at Coffeyville, the Carthage Cubs
went through town on their way to Independence, Kansas to take on Mickey Mantle and the Independence Yankees. On the Carthage bus was a kid who
grew up in Al Capone's neighbor in Chicago. Being a street-smart wise-cracker Phil Costa requested that manager Don Anderson stop the bus
and let him off. Anderson inquired as to why he would want to do such a thing. Costa proclaimed that he would succeed where the Dalton gang
failed and rejoin the team at nearby Independence. Costa claimed he would divide the loot among his teammates and they'd have been lodging arrangements
and meal money while on the road. In those days players stayed 2-3 to a room (same bed) and ate three square meals on $2.25.

Death

The KOM League Remembered

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Posts from July to Dec.

John, I thought you might like to take a look at the post I put on my blog today about Joe Pollock. I must have overlooked a couple of KOM League reports in 2003 when Mr. Pollock died, but when I read the article about the dedication of the field in Miami to him, I had to write

something.

You can find the article at www.rturner229.blogspot.com

Randy Turner -Neosho, Missouri

P.S. The KOM League Report is still must reading for me. Thanks for all of the work you do .

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Jumpin' Joe has left and gone away

The KOM League Remembered

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Posts from July to Dec.

John, I thought you might like to take a look at the post I put on my blog today about Joe Pollock. I must have overlooked a couple of KOM League reports in 2003 when Mr. Pollock died, but when I read the article about the dedication of the field in Miami to him, I had to write

something.

You can find the article at www.rturner229.blogspot.comRandy Turner -Neosho, MissouriP.S. The KOM League Report is still must reading for me. Thanks for all of the work you do .

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Jumpin' Joe has left and gone away

You can find the article at www.rturner229.blogspot.com

Randy Turner -Neosho, Missouri

P.S. The KOM League Report is still must reading for me. Thanks for all of the work you do .