THE PLAYERS SPEAK

Survery Questions Answered by Former Major Leaguers!

THE QUESTIONS
WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER WHILE GROWING UP?
WHO WAS YOUR NICEST TEAMMATE, AND ON WHICH TEAM?
WHAT WAS YOUR POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION?

GEORGE ARCHIE
NICEST TEAMMATE: (MINOR LEAGUER) HAL TURPIN/SEATTLE RANIEERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED FOR NASHVILLE BRIDGE CO.


JOHN BABICH
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SALESMAN FOR A WHOLESALE PLUMBING CO.

RED BADGRO
FAVORITE PLAYERS WHILE GROWING UP: TY COBB/WALTER JOHNSON/BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: RED KRESS/BROWNS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OLYMPIA, WASH.

RED BARKLEY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: SAM WEST
NICEST TEAMMATE: DOLPH CAMILLI/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SEMI PRO MANAGER/G.M. IN TEXAS LEAGUE/SCOUTED FOR 50 YRS.

ALLEN BENSON
NICEST TEAMMATE: RAY ELLIOT (A CHILDHOOD FRIEND WHO CAUGHT BENSON)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: FARMER 

EWELL BLACKWELL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: GRADY HATTON/REDLEGS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SALESMAN

FRENCHY BORDAGARAY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: PEPPER MARTIN/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED 15 CEMETERIES/SPORTS SUPERVISOR, VENTURA, CA.

MACE BROWN
NICEST TEAMMATE: BOBBY DOERR/RED SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUTED AND COACHED FOR THE RED SOX FOR 42 YEARS

JIM BUCHER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: STAN MUSIAL
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT

DOLPH CAMILLI
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: COOKIE LAVAGETTO/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUT

SOUP CAMPBELL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LOU GEHRIG
NICEST TEAMMATE: MEL HARDER/INDIANS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MILKED 65 COWS/GRAIN FARMER

ROY CARLYLE
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED A HARDWARE STORE

BUBBA CHURCH
NICEST TEAMMATE: ART LUCE (OF FOR THE BIRMINGHAM BARONS)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: REAL ESTATE/INSURANCE/SALES REP FOR A SURGICAL SUPPLY CO.

FLEA CLIFTON
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: TY COBB
NICEST TEAMMATE: BILL ROGELL/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: V.P. IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS

JOE COLEMAN SR.
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: WALLY BERGER
NICEST TEAMMATE: HANK MAJESKI
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE MASS. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

EDDIE COLLINS JR.
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: THE PLAYERS FROM THE 1929-31 ATHLETICS
NICEST TEAMMATE: SAM CHAPMAN/ATHLETICS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: ASSISTANT FARM DIRCETOR AND ASSISTANT TO THE G.M. OF THE PHILLIES 

TONY CUCCINELLO
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ/DODGERS (THEY WERE SUCH CLOSE FRIENDS THAT THEY LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM EACH OTHER UNTIL CUCCINELLO’S DEATH IN 1995)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACHED FOR HIS FRIEND AL LOPEZ

BENNY CULP
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: STEEL MILL WORKER

IKE DANNING
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED AT 20TH CENTURY FOX STUDIOS IN HOLLYWOOD, CA.

RED DAVIS
FAVORITE PLAYERS GROWING UP: MICKEY COCHRANE/LEFTY GROVE
NICEST TEAMMATE: JOHNNY GRODZICKI/HOUSTON (TEXAS LEAGUE)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MANAGED AAA TEAMS FOR THE GIANTS FOR 11 YRS.

EDDIE DELKER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: CHARLIE GEHRINGER
NICEST TEAMMATE: SPARKEY ADAMS/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: CONTRACTOR/CEMETERY CARETAKER

JIMMY DYCK
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: JOE DIMAGGIO
NICEST TEAMMATE: HARRY BRECHEEN/BROWNS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED A BOWLING ALLEY

WOODY ENGLISH
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: ROGERS HORNSBY
ALL OF HIS TEAMMATES ON THE CUBS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: STATE FARM INSURANCE CO.

DICK ERRICKSON
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MECHANIC

ED FREED
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LOU GEHRIG
NICEST TEAMMATE: PAUL SAAS/TRENTON SENATORS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: TEXTILE WORKER

MILT GASTON
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: ALEX GASTON (MILT’S BROTHER)
NICEST TEAMMATE: ALEX GASTON/RED SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: DEPUTY SHERIFF IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL.

PAUL GREGORY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LEFTY O’DOUL
NICEST TEAMMATE: TED LYONS/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: HEADED DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FOR 45 YRS.

STEVE GROMEK
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: CHARLIE GEHRINGER
NICEST TEAMMATE: JIM HEGAN/CLEVELAND AND RAY BOONE/DETROIT
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: INSURANCE SALESMAN

BUDDY HASSETT
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SALES/MANAGED IN THE MINOR LEAGUES FOR 4 YRS.

FRED HATFIELD
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: STAN HACK
NICEST TEAMMATE: BOBBY DOERR/RED SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MANAGER AND COACH AT FLORIDA STATE UNIV.

JOE HAUSER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED A SPORTING GOODS STORE

JIM HEARN
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LUKE APPLING
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED THE JIM HEARN GOLF CENTER IN ATLANTA, GA.

WALLY HEBERT
NICEST TEAMMATE: ED WELLS/SAN DIEGO PADRES (PCL)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED AT FIRESTONE RUBBER CO.  (HE ALSO CAUGHT ALLIGATORS ON THE SIDE)

FRANK HOERST
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: CHUCK KLEIN
NICEST TEAMMATE: STAN MUSIAL/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: BUSINESSMAN

CHIEF HOGSETT
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: CHARLIE GEHRINGER/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: TRAVELING SPORTING GOODS SALESMAN

JIM HUGHES (1950’S PITCHER)
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LOU GEHRIG
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: CAPTAIN FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPT.

RANKIN JOHNSON, SR.
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED AT ODD JOBS IN THE SOUTHWEST DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION

BOB KEEGAN
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: RIP COLLINS
NICEST TEAMMATE: NELLIE FOX/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: PURCHASING AGENT AND PLANT MANAGER

NEWELL KIMBALL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: WHIT WYATT/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: INSURANCE BROKER

HARRY KIMBERLIN
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: JOHNNY MARCUM
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKED IN A HOSPITAL FOR 24 YRS.

ELMER KLUMPP
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: ROGERS HORNSBY
NICEST TEAMMATE: JOE CRONIN/SENATORS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: WORKS MANAGER FOR A GEAR MANUFACTURER

WHITEY KUROWSKI
FAVORITE PLAYERS GROWING UP: AL SIMMONS/JIMMIE FOXX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER

GENE LAMBERT
FAVORITE PLAYERS GROWING UP: BABE RUTH/BOB FELLER
NICEST TEAMMATE: NEAL STEPPE (PERHAPS A MINOR LEAGUER)
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER, MEMPHIS LIGHT GAS AND WATER DIVISION

JOHNNY LIPON
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: PINKY HIGGINS/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACHED FOR THE INDIANS AND MANAGED IN THE MINORS

BOB MAHONEY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: JOE DIMAGGIO/TED WILLIAMS
NICEST TEAMMATE: BILLY PIERCE/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: TRUCKING COMPANY

JIM MALLORY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: CLYDE KLUTTZ/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND COACH

DOC MARSHALL
HUGHIE CRITZ/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT CORP./CONTINENTAL CAN CO.

WILLARD MARSHALL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: HANK GREENBERG
NICEST TEAMMATE: KEN RAFFENSBERGER
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: REAL ESTATE/INSURACE BROKER

PINKY MAY
FAVORITE PLAYERS GROWING UP: CARMEN HILL/DAZZY VANCE
NICEST TEAMMATE: BOOM BOOM BECK/PHILLIES
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER

WILMER MIZELL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: DIZZY DEAN
NICEST TEAMMATE: HAL SMITH/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: U.S. CONGRESSMAN/COUNTY COMMISSIONER/ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE

BILL MUELLER 
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: WALLY MOSES
NICEST TEAMMATE: HAL NEWHOUSER/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED JEWELERY STORES

HUGH MULCAHY
PITCHING COACH AND SUPERVISOR FOR THE WHITE SOX’S MINOR LEAGUE TRAINING CAMP

PAT MULLIN
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: PAUL WANER
NICEST TEAMMATE: STEVE SOUCHOK/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: INSURANCE SALESMAN

LEO NONNENKAMP
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: CHICK HAFEY
NICEST TEAMMATE: JIM BAGBY/RED SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

LES PEDEN
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: TED WILLIAMS
NICEST TEAMMATE: BILL MOISAN/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER

HOMER PEEL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: TY COBB
NICEST TEAMMATE: MEL OTT/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: CLASS B BASEBALL

BOOTS POFFENBERGER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: HANK GREENBERG
NICEST TEAMMATE: CHARLIE GEHRINGER/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MACK TRUCKS, INC.

TOT PRESSNELL
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: STANLEY COVELESKI
NICEST TEAMMATE: KIKI CUYLER AND WAITE HOYT/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: 34 YRS. AT  MARATHON OIL

HARV RIEBE
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: GABBY HARTNETT
NICEST TEAMMATE: JOHNNY LIPON/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: PURCHASING AGENT FOR A BRASS AND COPPER CO.

BILL RIGNEY
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: MEL OTT
NICEST TEAMMATE: LARRY JANSEN/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MANAGER/TV ANALYST-CONSULTANT

EPPA RIXEY
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: INSURANCE BROKER

PACKY ROGERS
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER AND SCOUT

HANK SAUER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LOU GEHRIG
NICEST TEAMMATE: STAN MUSIAL/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUT

LOU SCOFFIC
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: TERRY MOORE/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COAL MINER

ED STEWART
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: PETE REISER
NICEST TEAMMATE: EDDIE ROBINSON/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: NORTH AMERICAN AVATION

FRANK STEWART
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: SARGE CONNALLY/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: RAN A NIGHT CLUB

CLYDE SUKEFORTH
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACHED FOR THE DODGERS AND PIRATES/SCOUTED FOR THE DODERS, PIRATES, AND BRAVES

CARL SUMNER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: LOU GEHRIG
NICEST TEAMMATE: JACK RUSSELL/RED SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: PLANT MANAGER

KARL SWANSON
FAVORITE PLAYERS GROWING UP: TY COBB / BABE RUTH / TED LYONS
NICEST TEAMMATE: TED LYONS/WHITE SOX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: REAL ESTATE/OWNED A GROCERY STORE

OADIS SWIGART
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: CARL HUBBELL
NICEST TEAMMATE: ARKY VAUGHAN/PIRATES
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

ERIC TIPTON
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: HACK WILSON
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACH AT WILLIAM AND MARY UNIVERSITY AND AT WEST POINT

NICK TREMARK
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: MEL OTT
NICEST TEAMMATE: AL LOPEZ/DODGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUTED FOR DODGERS/HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER/TENNIS INSTRUCTOR

ELMER VALO
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH/JIMMIE FOXX
NICEST TEAMMATE: PETE SUDER/ATHLETICS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUTING AND P.R. FOR THE PHILLIES

JOHNNY VERGEZ
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: SCOUTED FOR THE GIANTS

HARRY WALKER
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: DIXIE WALKER (HARRY’S BROTHER)
NICEST TEAMMATE: STAN MUSIAL/CARDINALS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MAJOR AND MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER

WES WESTRUM
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BILL DICKEY
NICEST TEAMMATE: DUSTY RHODES/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACH/MANAGER/SCOUT

HAL WHITE
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
HAL NEWHOUSER/TIGERS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: CAR SALESMAN

WHITEY WIETELMANN
NICEST TEAMMATE: SIBBY SISTI/BRAVES
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: COACHED FOR THE PADRES

ED WINEAPPLE
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: JOHNNY PEACOCK/GIANTS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: MANAGER OF A THEATER

JOHN WITTIG
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: OWNED A GAS STATION/WORKED FOR A CONCRETE CO.

GENE WOODLING
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: EARL AVERILL
NICEST TEAMMATE: HANK BAUER/YANKEES
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: EATON CORPORATION

AL WRIGHT (1933 RED SOX)
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: BABE RUTH
NICEST TEAMMATE: JOE SPRINZ/P.C.L.
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: ROOS BROTHERS

HANK WYSE
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: DON JOHNSON
NICEST TEAMMATE: CLAUDE PASSEAU/CUBS
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: ELECTRICIAN

JOE ZAPUSTAS
FAVORITE PLAYER GROWING UP: JIMMY FOXX
POST-BASEBALL PROFESSION: PHYS. ED. DIRECTOR FOR RANDOLPH, MASS. HIGH SCHOOL