Baseball Nostalgia about Garinger in the 60's/70's

Van Kelly: Class of 64'

Don't forget Van Kelly class of 64'. He played all three sports but was drafted by the Braves out of High School. He played in the Majors with San Diego. He played Jr. Hi. baseball at Newell with Garry Hill.

 

I am sure!!!!!!!

Joe's favorite out at Garinger during close to the same time KNOWS him or at least did! Unlike no one being able to figure out Garinger's RHP stud pitcher and Leader of Post 9/ pitching staff who went to the World Series up in Minnesota! "Bill" faced future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers in one of those games up there hmmmmmmmmm?

 

Coach Tomanchek was the best

I played on Coach Tomanchek's last team (1979) and can tell many stories about him as a coach as well as how much of an inspiration he was to us on the "wrong side of the tracks". Joe was unbelievable, loved the game and us. To answer some of your questions/comments:
Brick is coach at Providence Day (hell of a ballplayer)
Twig finished his career with the the White Sox and was one of Joe's all time favorites (as was Van Kelly, but Van was more of Joe's boy in football, which Joe got banned from for some confusion over a call)
Joe coached cross country as well and won a state title in it with Tony Bateman (i think that's his name)
Joe's team in '77 got disqualified because Joe, being the stand up guy he was, discovered one of his players, a transfer, was illegal. He was illegal because his parents sent him down early to go ahead and finish his school in NC and live with a relative until they got there. problem was in NC at least as the time you had to live with your parents or legal guardian and his relative wasn't his legal guardian. Only reason this was discovered is b/c the guy, who rarely played, was pinch running in a gam and did not slide going into second on a double play ball and ended up wearing the throw to first in his cheek. When they were at the hospital, Joe discovered this kid didn't live with his parents. Next day Joe informed the NCHSAA that he had used an illegal player all year -- Garinger was forced to forfeit all those games. They were undefeated that year and nearly the entire lineup made the All County team -- they were incredible and would have won the state easily. BUT, Joe did the right thing and always played by the rules.

Thought I'd give you some info on these comments. Anymore, I'd be glad to answer them for you.

 

Bryan Little...now that's a name from the past. Played with him a Louisburg Jr. College in '78/'79 before he was drafted by the White Sox. Also Chuck Barcliff who I think was from the Charlotte area. Man...thanks for those memories.

 

good

good story. total honesty & integrity always best, but rarely seen these days.

 

good

great story, especially the part about the coach turns them in for the illegal player that is laid up in the hospital!. total honesty & integrity always best, but rarely seen these days.

 

Barcliff

Chuck played for Joe in the mid-70s; he played with Win Barclay, Tommy Little (Bryan's older brother)-my brother played on those teams. I believe Brad Bradshaw (all SEC at Tennessee) was on one of those teams as was one of the Tucker boys (who went on to Clemson). Good teams, and great hitting teams, but lacked depth at pitching to win it all. Tommy was the ace, left handed, Randy Jones (Padres pitcher) type, nothing but junk, but HS kids, like now, can't hit good, off speed junk. Joe hated it, but knew it was effective.

The shortstop on those teams was awesome, nicknamed MOJO, could fly, hit, and had incredible range, but given where all of us were from, other things got in the way of sports, he had to quit ball to work and help support his family.