Among the first inductees into baseball’s hall of Fame. Considered one of the finest defensive center fielders in history of game. Hit .344 in 22 major league seasons, including nine with Boston Red Sox and 11 with Cleveland Indians. Was playing-manager of Indians from 1919 through 1926 and guided them to their first World Series Championship in 1920. After his retirement he served as a consultant with the Indians until his death in 1958.
Outstanding righthanded pitcher who enjoyed a 20-year major league career with the Cleveland Indians. Won 223 games, lost 186 and owned a lifetime earned run average of 3.80. Was the starting pitcher for the Indians first major league baseball game ever played in Cleveland Municipal Stadium. After his retirement as an active player, served for many years as pitching coach for Cleveland.
Coached and sponsored the Cleveland Striders Track Club dating back to the early 30s. Early involvement with the Knights of Columbus Track Meet Association (1940) led him through ever higher positions of leadership culminating in 1965 when he became Director of the meet. He was one of the founders of the Catholic Youth Organization. Made a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Track and Field in 1964, he has continued to serve youth through leadership roles in the Lake Erie Association of the AAU.
After a brilliant football career at Washington and Jefferson College capped by a Rose Bowl appearance in 1922, he mixed law studies and pro football while at the same time launching a coaching career that was to span three decades. St. Ignatius, John Carroll and University School were the recipients of his winning programs. He helped organize the “Big Four,” ushering in the golden era of local collegiate football.
An incredible record of having officiated basketball for 52 years, football for 46 years and baseball for 15 years marks the baseline of a remarkable career. He has been a world-wide clinician and was elected to officiate at the World University Games on several occasions. As Supervisor of Organized Sports for the Cleveland Division of Recreation, he gave leadership to many programs and opportunity to thousands of youth.
As a coach in several different sports and then as a leader in the Police Athletic League programs, he has served untold numbers of youth. While Golden Gloves and Amateur Boxing have been the particular focus of his interest, he has also provided leadership in a broad spectrum of youth oriented sports activity. His responsibilities have also extended to leadership at the national level.
Fashioned an outstanding career as a soccer player stretching from 1921 to 1940. His administrative skills were vital in the strong development of soccer in the Greater Cleveland area through the Cleveland American Soccer League. The respect of his peers led to the title “Mr. Soccer” in 1958. He also was an early developer of indoor soccer. In 1967 he was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Football Association Hall of Fame.
Coached East technical High School to twin state championships in 1958 and 1959, the first such titles by a Cleveland team. From 1953 through 1959 his teams won 122 games while losing only 6, twice fashioning undefeated seasons. He was elected to the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Hall of fame in 1965.
One of the original founders of the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. (1975), he served as a Trustee until 1984. His lifetime commitment to civic, religious and charitable causes put him frequently in the midst of new and innovative community programs. He was instrumental in creating Cleveland’s first marathon race which subsequently has developed into the Revco-Cleveland Marathon.
A graduate of Maple Heights High School, he continued a distinguished competitive career as a walk-on at Michigan State where he was a finalist for four NCAA titles, winning twice, winner of three Big-10 Titles and the Big-10 Medal of Honor, and was chosen All-American all four years. He was subsequently voted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. He is also the youngest NCAA wrestling champion in history.
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