Today is Super Bowl Sunday. It is a day in the year that everything seems to come to a stop for a few hours, as tens of millions of Americans sit around their television sets watching the pinnacle of America sports.
Well, a few generations ago, in New Gretna, the big question would be, "What's all the fuss about the Super Bowl?" You see, back in the 30's, 40's and early 50's baseball was king, and New Gretna had its share of baseball stars. No one much cared about football.
Baseball uniforms in the 1930's through the 1950's were what we would call "babe magnets" today. Newman Mathis entertains Ann Carr (r) and Georgia Cramer. Year unknown. Perhaps the car can give us a clue.
The old timers passed on their love of the game and baseball knowledge to the younger generation at an early age.
Clarence Mathis giving a few baseball pointers to his grandson, Skip. Wonder if that's an out house or club house out back? My money's on an out house and, from its size, looks like it might be a two seater. (Photo courtesy of Norman and Ann Mathis.)
The following baseball box score from 1939 shows well recognized New Gretna family surnames. I'm sure they were elated in defeating their arch enemy, Tuckerton. I feel confident in saying that the word "bingles" in the news story is probably a typo for "singles." I don't think that baseball terminology has changed over the years.
Tuckerton Beacon - May 25, 1939
The news article identifies only two first names of the New Gretna players, Tal (short for Talbert) Loveland and Foster Lamson. I could use some assistance identifying the first names of the other players. Can anyone out there help? That is, if I can tear you away from Super Bowl Sunday for a few minutes.
Pete S