NEW GAME

Here are the rules:
1. Must be a player you have actually seen play.
2. You must effectively back up your claim.
3. YOU MUST HAVE FUN!!

Here's the game:

Name the ALL-TIME GREATEST High School / American Legion / Showcase Player to come out of the state of NC. Who had it all? Doesnt necessarily mean he made it to the Major Leagues, he may have ruined his own career, or had it tragically cut short, or had some other personal reason. Bottom line... who's the best ever???

 

NC Only

Coach,

You tied my hands behind my back when you instituted the NC Only rule. I didn't grow up around here so I don't have the years of history needed.

I know my entry will be disqualified but I'll tell you that I played Legion Ball in Phoenix against a guy named Bobby Horner who was pretty good back then. He hit Back-to-Back-to-Back Bombs against us in the Legion Playoffs in 1975. Each one was further than the one before. The last one landed on the Football Field and had to be 500ft........and with an old Tennessee Thumper! Remember the swing weights? D1, C2, etc........ what was that all about?

I guess you young guys will have to google Bobby Horner. He finished his Sophmore season at Arizona State and went straight to the Big Leagues, hit 20 Home Runs in half a season and won the Rookie of the Year!

 

Best I actually played against was Franklin Stubbs from Richmond Cty back in 1979. He was a great lefty pitcher in HS but went on to set HR records in college and had a nice career in MLB. Only guy who ever struck me out looking when the only time I knew the pitch was a strike was when it hit the mitt.

 

That same year Pinecrest had a pitcher by the name of Tim Maples who had a screaming fast ball. He signed with Baltimore out of high school, but I don't know what ever became of his career. They played Richmond twice in conference play and they split - both games 1-0. Pinecrest won the state 4A championship that year and Hamlet Post 49 went on to play in the American Legion World Series in Chico, California with Franklin Stubbs. Back then Richmond was known more for baseball than football with George Whitfield as the head coach. Those were the glory days! By the way, this bit of info is based on a 28 year old memory, so some of it could be skewed.

 

You are exactly right in your memory. The old Southeastern conference was loaded with stud pitchers that year. Besides Stubbs and Maples, Pinecrest had Mike Antle who many believed was better than Maples. I tracked Antle on to UNC-W but don't know if he ever went further. Stubbs baffled me when I faced him. I recall a couple hits off the Pinecrest guys.

 

WOW

I can't believe someone actually posted a name of a player east of the Pee Dee river---I didn't think anyone posting on here had actually crossed over the river to watch a game and see some great baseball. Franklin Stubbs is a great guy and he was amazing to watch play. I would like to add a name to the list---Alex Wallace---he played SS for some of those great teams at Richmond Sr. and Post 49 back when they were the cream of the crop in the state. I believe Alex was on the team that went to the World Series---He also played at NC State. Also, speaking of Richmond County boys---Alvin Morman played at Wingate and also pitched in the Major League World Series with the Indians. I did see where the Coach Whitfield was mentioned----What a great motivator and coach---He can personnally place a kid with just about any college program in the state ---bar none---
Oh yea--someone mentioned Tim Maples---he has a son coming up with Pinecrest and word on the street is he is very much like his dad-----

 

I would have to say Franklin Stubbs what a show he put on at Newman park in the 79 state legion championship

Patrick lennon, Tommy Greene watched these guys at the southeast regionals when it was held in Cherryville

Chris Mason, Ralph Roberts 2 cherryville boys that could flat out play

Madsison Bumgarner we all know about this guy

Coe Brier Rowan County stakes claim to the Babe Ruth of american legion baseball in North carolina

What do you folks think of this list ?

 

There's a Pee Dee River?
















just kiddin' ya homeplate. Hopefully you will be able to help with that

 

Not the greatest but maybe the most intimidating HS player I ever saw was big Chester McGlockton of Whiteville, Clemson, and NFL fame. Stood 6-5, 295, played first and could flat hit it so hard no one would stay in front of it. Imagine Big Poppie playing HS ball.

 

Hey now...we grow killer tomatoes on this side of the creek...and a few good ball players as well!