A'S SOCIETY WALL OF FAME UNVEILED
By David Jordan
A full house was on hand on Saturday morning, June 5, as the A's
Society dedicated its new Wall of Fame, with the twenty-five plaques
formerly located behind the 200-level at Veterans Stadium in South
Philadelphia. 6 North York Road in Hatboro became the center of
Philadelphia baseball interest for the morning as Eddie Joost and
Bobby Shantz pulled away the blue cloth covering the plaques to
reveal the north wall of the museum with its tribute to the twenty-five
A's greats. Joost and Shantz were the two honorees for the ceremony,
Eddie having been inducted in 1995, Bobby the year before. They
were joined by Rube Oldring, Jr., the son of A's outfield great
Rube Oldring, whose plaque at the Vet had been dedicated in 2003.
For former All-Star shortstop and last manager of the A's Eddie
Joost, it was also a birthday celebration. Eddie, who came all the
way from his California home for the occasion, was 88 years old
on Saturday, and the milestone was marked with a delicious birthday
cake. A Channel 6 News cameraman recorded the cutting of the cake
for all of the Delaware Valley to enjoy. His many admirers were
happy to note that Eddie still looks like he could scoop up a ground
ball and retire the hitter at first.
A's Society members have long appreciated the willingness of stalwarts
like Eddie Joost and Bobby Shantz to help out the Society whenever
they could, and the two Wall of Fame honorees were joined on this
day of celebration by three other big league ballplayers who have
always been happy to join with the Society when it counts, Joe Astroth,
Forrest "Spook" Jacobs, and former Phillies infielder
Don Hasenmayer. Ruth Mack Clark, surviving child of Connie Mack,
was expected but could not attend because of illness.
Society president Dave Jordan, who conducted the festivities, noted
that, once again, it was general manager Ernie Montella who put
together the handsome display of the Athletics' plaques. Jordan
also thanked the Phillies, and particularly public relations director
Larry Shenk, for the willingness to sell the A's plaques as a group
to the Society in order to keep them together in one place.
The many people on hand were then able to enjoy a lavish spread
of cold cuts, fruits, and vegetables (as well as birthday cake)
while talking baseball with the retired ballplayers and each other.
Everyone seemed to agree that the wall of plaques of Athletics greats,
including such stars as Lefty Grove, Jimmie Foxx, Elmer Valo, Bob
Johnson, and Eddie Plank, adds immeasurably to the quality of the
A's Society museum.
New home of the twenty five Philadelphia Athletics
Wall of Fame plaques as seen from the Gift Shoppe section. |
Below the plaques are showcased some items from
baseballs past. |
This is how the Museum wall looked on
June 10, 2003. |
June 11, 2003 as it looked after sustaining smoke
and water damage. |
Eddie Joost former A’s favorite and last manager
of the Philadelphia Athletics chats with Society President
David Jordan prior to unveiling of the Wall of Fame.
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Spook Jacobs, Bobby Shantz, Eddie Joost and Joe Astroth
do the honors. |
Spook Jacobs and Bobby Shantz admiring the work done
by the Society's Museum committee.
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Eddie Joost & Bobby Shantz with a fan. |
A’s Society member Tom Saboy, Eddie Joost,
Bobby Shantz, Jay Turek, and Society secretary, John Patton,
posing in front of the Shantz, Joost Wall of Fame plaques.
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Nancy Patton, wife of Society secretary John Patton,
with V,P. Clara McGonigal as they reminisce about their days
at Philadelphia’s Olney High School. Nancy in the class
of 1951, Clara, 1952. John Patton was also a graduate of the
1948 class. Did you know that former Phillies slugger and
long time favorite Del Ennis is also an alumni of Olney High? |
June 8, 2003 At Veterans Stadium's Wall of Fame
Max Silberman and Rube Oldring, Jr. admiring Rube
Sr's. Wall of Fame plaque. Rube Sr. was the last former Philadelphia
Athletic to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame
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June 5, 2004 At the A's Society Museum
Peter Nash came down from Cooperstown, NY is shown
here with his friend Rube Oldring, Jr. as they admire the
plaque of Rube. Sr. Nash is a long time supporter of Rube,
Sr. and was instrumental in having a ball-field in Cooperstown
renamed Rube Oldring Field. |
Celebrating another memorable event that day the
Society held a surprise birthday party for Joost’s 88th.
Eddie’s 88th birthday cake supplied by Society member
Evie Peck. |
Eddie prepares to do the honors. |
Eddie poses with Bux Mont Office Supply employee
Teresa Adam’s who stopped in for the ceremony.
|
Steve Harlem, Herb Gorenstein, Joe Astroth and Rikki
Silberman enjoying the moment. |
Sociery employees Kaitlyn Finley, Patti Zeltner and
Mike Fesnak said something to bring a smile to Spook Jacobs
and Teresa Adam's after all of the festivities had ended. |
The 1954 A's (50 years later) Spook Jacobs,Joe Astroth,
Bobby Shantz and their then manager Eddie Joost. |
Mike Fesnak with Eddie Joost |
Eddie chats a moment with Rube Oldring, Jr indicating
their approval of the transfer of the Wall of Fame plaques
from the Vet to Hatboro.
|
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Eddie Joost ,with Society member Fred Coleman, and
former teammate Bobby Shantz.
|
Society member and long time Eddie Joost fan,Evie
Peck reminds him that it is his 88th birthday and she brought
a cake to prove it because as Evie says: "He looks fit
enough to put on his spikes agai.n" |
Eddie is all smiles as he points to his Wall of Fame
plaque. |
Eddie with Society Museum coordinator Carl Goldberg,
Bobby Shantz and local sports memorabilia uniform icon Jay
Turek. |
Not to be out done "me too" says Shantz.
|
Planning the days strategy, Ernie Montella, with
Shantz, Joost and Dr . Steve Harlem in the Society's newly
renovated conference area. |
Dr Harlem and Spook discussing statistics.
|
Eddie and Dave enjoying a comical remark from off
camera.
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Bobby Shantz and Eddie Joost
"A's
Hall of Famers recognized on walls of society's museum"
by
Mike Morsch.
"Vet Plaques Come to Hatboro"
By
David M. Jordan
Click
here to visit our online Wall of Fame.
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The Wall of Fame, June 5, 2004
The perpetual wall plaque is an acknowledgment to
supporters to the renovations and maintenance of the wall.
The inscription reads: If I could write my own epitaph it
would read,”He loved his God, his home, his country,
his fellow man, and baseball” Connie Mack summer 1939.
Contributors to this plaque will have their names and locations
recognized with an individual brass plate permanently attached
to the plaque and made a part of this historic tribute. You
too can become a sponsor by sending in your contribution of
$25 to the Society’s Hatboro, PA facility at 6 North
York Road,Hatboro, PA 19040.Mark the envelope
“plaque.”
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