Today's Birthday: Dick Donavan (Hartford Chiefs, 1949)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 Former Eastern League prospect Dick Donovan was born on this date in 1927. He pitched for the Hartford Chiefs in 1949 (12-6, 2.66 ERA).

Donovan played in the majors during 15 seasons with the Boston Braves (1950-52), Detroit Tigers (1954), Chicago White Sox (1955-60), Washington Senators (1961) and Cleveland Indians (1962-65).

After his playing days, Donovan worked as a real estate appraiser in Massachusetts. He died on January 6, 1997, at the age of 69.

 

 

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Gus Niarhos (Binghamton Triplets, 1942 & Quebec Carnavals, 1971 manager)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect and manager Gus Niarhos was born on this date in 1920. He played for the Binghamton Triplets in 1942, and managed the Quebec Carnavals in 1971.

He played for the New York Yankees (1946, '48-'50), Chicago White Sox (1950-51), Boston Red Sox (1952-53), and Philadelphia Phillies (1954-55). 

After he retired as a player, Niarhos managed for several minor league teams and was a coach for the Kansas City Athletics (1962-64).

Niarhos died on December 29, 2004, at the age of 84.

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Al Moran (Allentown Red Sox, 1959, '60, & Johnstown Red Sox, 1961)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 82nd birthday to former Eastern League prospect Al Moran. He played in the Eastern League during three seasons with the Allentown Red Sox, 1959, '60, and Johnstown Red Sox, 1961.

He played for the New York Mets in 1963 and 1964.  

Source: Baseball Reference

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

Today's Birthday: Dick Ricketts (Allentown Cardinals, 1955-56)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League Prospect Dick Ricketts was born on this date in 1933. He played for the Allentown Cardinals during the 1955 and 1956 seasons.

He played basketball at Duquesne University and during three seasons in the National Basketball Association for the St. Louis Hawks and Rochester/Cincinnati  Royals,

Ricketts pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959, appearing in 12 games (1-6, 5.82 ERA).

He died March 6, 1988, at the age of 54.

Source: Baseball Reference and Basketball Reference

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

This Date in Eastern League History: December 3, 1954

The Eastern League will operate during the 1955 season, even if there are only six teams.

Note: There were 8 teams in the Eastern League during the 1955 season: Reading Indians, Allentown Cardinals, Binghamton Triplets, Schenectady Blue Jays, Williamsport Grays, Wilkes Barre Barons/Johnstown Johnnies, Elmira Pioneers, Albany Senators).

Source: The  Ithaca Journal  via Newspaper.com

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

 

This Date in Eastern League History: December 2, 1970

The Eastern League added two Canadian franchises at Quebec City and Trois-Rivières in the province of Quebec during baseball's winter meetings. Roy Jackson was elected league president.

Source: The Journal (Meriden, Connecticut) via Newspaper.com

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

 

Today's Birthday: George Lerchen (Williamsport Grays, 1946 & Tigers, 1947, '51)

Credits: Detroit Free Press via Newspapers.com

Former Eastern League prospect George Lerchen was born on this date in 1922.

He played for Williamsport during three seasons (Grays, 1946 and Tigers, 1947 & 1951) and went on to play in the majors during two seasons for the Detroit Tigers (1952) and Cincinnati Reds (1953). 

Lerchen died on March 26, 2014, at the age of 91.

Source: Baseball Reference

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