News from the Eastern League: August 27, 1968

Source: Lebanon Daily News via Newspapers.com    

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the or any of its teams

 

Eastern League News: August 23, 1953

Source: Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Mike "Spanky" LaValliere (Reading Phillies, 1983-84)

TCMA & Trading Card Database

Happy 61st birthday to former Eastern League prospect Mike "Spanky" LaValliere. He played for the Reading Phillies in 1983 and 1984.

LaValliere played in the majors during 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1984), St. Louis Cardinals (1985-86), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987-93) and Chicago White Sox (1993-95). He received National League Gold Glove for Catchers in 1987.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

 

 

 

Today's Birthday: Willie "Puddin Head" Jones (Utica Blue Sox, 1948)

Bowman & Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Willie "Puddin Head" Jones was born on this date in 1925. He played for the Utica Blue Sox in 1948.

A member of the 1950 Whiz Kids, Jones played in the majors during 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1947, '48-''59), Cleveland Indians (1959) and Cincinnati Reds (1959-61). He was a National League All-Star in 1950 & '51.

Jones died of cancer on October 18, 1983, at age of 58.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

News from the Eastern League on August 15, 1967

The Berkshire Eagle and newspapers.com

 

Today's Birthday: Earl Weaver (Elmira Pioneers manager, 1962-65)

York Dispatch & Newspapers.com

 

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver was born on this date in 1930. He managed in the Eastern League for the Elmira Pioneers from 1962 to 1965.

Weaver managed the Baltimore Orioles for 17 seasons, compiling a career record of 2541-1480. He led the Orioles to four American League pennants and one World Series Championship. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

He died on January 19, 2013, at the age of 82.

Source: Baseball Reference 

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Jim "Mudcat" Grant (Reading Indians, 1956)

Kahn's Wieners & Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Mudcat Grant was born on this date in 1935. He pitched for the 1956 Reading Indians. 

Grant played in the majors for 14 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1958-64), Minnesota Twins (1964-67), Los Angeles Dodgers (1968), Montreal Expos (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1969), Oakland Athletics (1970, '71) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1970-71). 

He died on June 11, 2021, at the age of 85.

Source: Baseball Reference 

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Bob Buhl (Hartford Chiefs, 1949)

Johnston Cookies & Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Bob Buhl was born on this date in 1928. He pitched for the Hartford Chiefs in 1949.

Buhl played in the majors for 15 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves (1953-62), Chicago Cubs (1962-66) and Philadelphia Phillies (1966-67). He pitched in the 1957 World Series and was a National League All-Star in 1960.

He died on February 16, 2001, at the age of 72.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Bob Chakales (Utica Blue Sox, 1945, '47-'48 & Wilkes Barre Indians, 1949-50)

 

Bowman Gum via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Bob Chakales was born on this date in 1927. He played in the Eastern League during five seasons with the Utica Blue Sox (1945, '47-'48) and Wilkes Barre Indians (1949-50).

Chakales pitched in the majors for 7 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1951-54), Baltimore Orioles (1955), Chicago White Sox (1955), Washington Senators (1955-57) and Boston Red Sox (1957).

After his baseball career, he built golf courses and served as president of the Golf Course Builders of America Association. 

Chakales died on February 18, 2010, at the age of 82.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams.

Today’s Birthday: Tommy Smith, Elmira Pioneers (1972)

O-Pee-Chee & Trading Card Database

Happy 73rd Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Tommy Smith. He played for the 1972 

Elmira Pioneers.

Smith played in the majors during five seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1973-76) and Seattle Mariners (1977).

After he retired as a played, Smith operated baseball instruction camps.

Source: Baseball Reference 

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, or any of its teams