George Newman compiled an sterling record of 126 wins against just 40 losses in 11 seasons as a pitcher in Cleveland Class A amateur competition between 1952 and 1964. He built a 20-2 record in 1956, becoming only the third pitcher in Class A history to win 20 games. George once pitched an incredible 59 consecutive complete games. He was twice named All-Mid-American Conference pitcher at Western Reserve University (1951-54).
An All-American collegiate basketball player, Frank Baumholtz’s exceptional talent allowed him to play both professional basketball and baseball at the same time. He starred for the Cleveland Rebels and the Youngstown Bears in the pro basketball league that was the forerunner of the NBA as well as playing baseball for ten years in the National League with the Reds, Cubs and Phillies. His lifetime batting average was .291.
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.“
Spent 10 seasons in the baseball major leagues with the Twins, Pilots, Brewers and Indians. Was the American League’s All-Star third baseman in 1962 and was an important factor in the Twins pennant drive in 1965. Lifetime batting average .272.
An outstanding glove man, he played first base for the famed Fisher Foods team in the Muny Class A League in the 1930s and early 40s. He consistently batted over .350. At 6-4, one of the tallest men in amateur baseball in his day, he was considered one of the best fielding baseman in the game.
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.
The dominant pitcher in Cleveland amateur baseball in the era between 1915 and 1924, he gained his greatest fame in pitching the White Auto team to the World Amateur Championship in 1915. In seven games in the championship series he allowed just two runs. Crowds estimated between 40,000 and 100,000 watched the series games played at Cleveland’s Brookside Park.
Born in Cleveland and developed on the Cleveland sandlots, he became one of the Cleveland Indians’ best hitters of the 1930s. Most outstanding season came in 1935 when he led the American League in hits (216), doubles (47) and triples (20). Lifetime batting average was solid .307. Teamed with Earl Averill and Twitchy Dick Porter to give Indians one of their all-time best outfields.
A native son of Cleveland he enjoyed a 17-year major league pitching career during which he started 368 games and completed 23. Between 1919 and 1928 he won 20 or more games three times with the Indians. Enjoyed his greatest season in 1926, posting a fine 27-11 record and pitching an almost incredible 32 complete games in 36 starts. Ended his major league career with an even 200 victories.