Widely recognized as “Ya-Ya,” he set exceptional standards for softball play over a period exceeding two decades. Competed in 16 world championships, making the All-Star team in 7 of those, once being selected as the”Most Valuable.“
A stellar amateur baseball pitcher from 1926 through 1932, he capped a fine career while starring at the University of Michigan. During a university tour of Japan, he won 13 games in 14 starts. In 1932 he pitched in the amateur game at the Municipal Stadium which drew 60,000 spectators. A decision to begin work toward his life’s profession in law precluded accepting professional contracts for the Indians, Red Sox and Cardinals.
Between 1928 and 1940 he played on nine city championship teams in Cleveland Class A competition. During ten of those seasons he was the star shortstop for Fisher Foods which won four National Amateur Federation championships. He captained the team during much of that period. Finished his career with a lifetime batting average of .340 and a one-season high of .420.
Catcher for American League Champion Philadelphia Athletics in 1910-11. Played for the Cleveland Spiders in the American League in 1901 and returned to team in 1912 when it was known as the Naps. Became manager of Milwaukee team in 1917. Born in Cleveland, he was still making the city his home in 1977 at the age of 97.