Playing first base: Gordie Howe

[Brus]

I recalled reading in a biography of Gordie Howe many years ago that, after he had been playing with the Red Wings for several years, team owner Jack Adams was quite upset to learn Gordie had been playing semi-pro baseball during the (hockey) off-season. Adams made him quit baseball for fear of injury.

Recently I discovered this website about semi-pro baseball in Western Canada:

http://www.attheplate.com/wcbl/1951_1.html

Some details: Gordie played first base for a team called the Saskatoon 55s of the Northern Saskatchewan League.

Here's one game report from 1951:

(July 26) The Saskatoon 55's unlimbered their heavy artillery and overpowered the last-place Colonsay Monarchs 11 - 1, a win which boosted Saskatoon into 2nd place in the Northern Saskatchewan Senior Baseball League, a half game behind top place Delisle Gems. The 55's erupted for two five-run innings, the 2nd and 3rd, and then coasted from there behind the steady pitching of Jack Hannah who struck out 11. Gordie Howe had a 450 foot inside-the-park home run for the Hub City contingent.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Very interesting, I never knew that of Gordie Howe. I may have missed it in the article but did it say what he batted for the year?

[Brus]

Very interesting, I never knew that of Gordie Howe. I may have missed it in the article but did it say what he batted for the year?

I didn't see any full-season stats but one game report said he was hitting .386 at that point in the season.

[GiambiJuice]

Welcome to Baseball-Fever, Brus!

[ipitch]

Gordie Howe had a 450 foot inside-the-park home run for the Hub City contingent.

I'll bet they included the roll.