Donora, Pennsylvania

[Captain Cold Nose]

Driven through Donora twice. Haven't seen any references to either Stan Musial or Ken Griffey Jr., in town, oddly. Some really hilly streets, though.

How long was the Cincinnati-educated Griffey Jr. actually in Donora? Or is it a "Texan Roger Clemens just happened to be born in Dayton, Ohio" sort of thing?

[Gee Walker]

According to Stan Musial, Ken Griffey Sr.'s father was an excellent ball player. He was roughly the same age as Stan, roughly Jackie Robinson's age, but never pursued pro sports.

I also never knew that Stan Musial's father died from the fallout from the smog coming from the zinc factory in 1948.

[BigRon]

I believe that the bridge over the Monongahela River to Donora is now named Stan Musial Bridge. I haven't seen it- I rarely get to that part of the Mon Valley, but I think I read about it a year or two ago.

[Ben Grimm]

Good call on the bridge. Apparently it was approved and renamed just this spring. Looking at the documents, it's called the "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge and should have signs located in the vacinity. I zoomed in thru google satellite, but I think the name change is too recent.

[Pere]

How long was the Cincinnati-educated Griffey Jr. actually in Donora?

They moved to Cincinnati when Junior was six.

[Captain Cold Nose]

They moved to Cincinnati when Junior was six.

Ah, thanks. More legit than Dayton's claim on Clemens. Or Texas's claim on Eisenhower.

Sounds like I'll be stopping in Donora on my next trip through Pennsylvania. Thanks all for the info.

[Phantom Dreamer]

Driven through Donora twice. Haven't seen any references to either Stan Musial or Ken Griffey Jr., in town, oddly. Some really hilly streets, though.

How long was the Cincinnati-educated Griffey Jr. actually in Donora? Or is it a "Texan Roger Clemens just happened to be born in Dayton, Ohio" sort of thing?

Very eerie that both Griffey Jr. and Musial not only were born in this town but they also share the same birthday.

[Seattle1]

Very eerie that both Griffey Jr. and Musial not only were born in this town but they also share the same birthday.

Erie is actually about 3 hours up I-79 from Donora. ;-)

[Phantom Dreamer]

Erie is actually about 3 hours up I-79 from Donora. ;-)

Eerie, Indiana seems more fun.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Eerie, Indiana seems more fun.

Mad Anthony Wayne is buried in Erie. That won't be topped.

[Dude Paskert]

Good call on the bridge. Apparently it was approved and renamed just this spring. Looking at the documents, it's called the "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge and should have signs located in the vacinity. I zoomed in thru google satellite, but I think the name change is too recent.

In Vecsey's bio of Stan, there was a photo of a mural that showed notable sports figures from the town...I think it must have been at the high school, not sure because I gave the book away.

Very eerie that both Griffey Jr. and Musial not only were born in this town but they also share the same birthday.

Bill James had a great line in one of the Abstracts stating the Griffey Jr. was the second best left handed hitting OFer born in Donora, PA on November 21st.


I meant to quote the post about the death of Stan's dad, there was an inversion over Donora that was trapping all of the output from the zinc smelters. The problem developed early in the week and got worse and worse until the smelters were finally shut down on Sunday and rain came just after that. The crisis was national news and provided some of the impetus behind the federal government getting involved in environmental issues.

[LI METS FAN]

The 1948 "Donora Smog" during Halloween week that year caused 20 deaths and sickened half the town. PBS did an amazing special on it. This tragic incident is credited with the beginning of the Clean Air laws in the US.

[MBH88]

Mad Anthony Wayne is buried in Erie. That won't be topped.

All except his bones. If my memory serves me they are elsewhere.

[Phantom Dreamer]

Donora's population is less than 5,000. Rust Belt.

[Phantom Dreamer]

Donora, the birthplace of 2 HOFers, how about Cooperstown?