One of the oldest ex major leaguers dies in Berlin

December 22, 2000


LOWER GRANITEVILLE, Vt. (AP) -- One of the nation's oldest surviving major
league baseball players has died.

Louis A. ``Crip'' Polli, 99, died Tuesday in the Woodridge Nursing Home in
Berlin.

Polli was born in Italy, but emigrated with his family at the age of seven
months to join his father, who had traveled to Vermont to work in the
granite quarries.

He played baseball growing up and in 1927 he signed his first professional
contract with the New York Yankees. He played for several years in the
Yankees minor league system, then pitched briefly in the major leagues for
the St. Louis Browns in 1932 and the New York Giants in 1944, comp 1/8 iling
an 0-2 record in 24 games.

During his minor league career he pitched three no-hitters, including his
last professional game for the Jersey City Giants against the Newark Bears.

After he retired as a player, Polli managed a semi-pro team in Halifax, Nova
Scotia.

He also worked as a rigger in the granite quarries and served for many years
as the constable, tax collector and town agent in Barre Town.

He is survived by a daughter, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.