FANS GATHER FOR BOOK SIGNING

by Max Silberman

September 28,2007

On Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society welcomed the autumn season with a book signing and autograph session at the Days Inn in Horsham.

A last minute illness kept Eddie Joost from attending but Lou Brissie, Spook Jacobs, Gus Zernial, Ned Garver, Bobby Shantz and Virgil Trucks delighted the fans with autographs and baseball chatter.Author Jeff Katz also signed copies of his new book "The Kansas City A's: Wrong Half of the Yankees." Other books being signed were Zernial's "Ozark Ike", Trucks' "Throwing Heat" and Garver's "Touching All The Bases".

Whether buying books or seeking autographs, the Days Inn was packed and as usual at A's Society events, the public had the chance to speak with the players, take photos and acquire some great books.

Other irons are presently in the fire so watch the website for some exciting future events in the coming year.

Scenes from A's Society Tribute to the Kansas City A's

Left to Right: John Addison, Lou Brissie, Joanne Zapata (General Manager Days Inn) Gus Zernial, Bill Hockenbury, Ned Garver, Virgil Trucks

Lou Brissie, Fred Coleman, Gus Zernial

Steve Harlem, Tom Risi, Tony Risi, Ernie Montella

Lou Brissie, Bill Hockenbury, Virgil Trucks, Dave Pomperoy

Milling around the new dugout at Bobby Shantz Field

Gary Pope (left) Gets to Meet his Boyhood Hero Gus Zernial.

Bobby Shantz, Fred Coleman, John Addision present a framed photo of Connie Mack's 1949 pitching core to Lou Brissie who is also shown in the photo at the far left

Steve Bozman, Bob Warrington, Bill Bozman & Tony Risi take a breather from Sunday's activity

.Lou Briisie & Gus Zernial talking about the players from their era

Virgil "Fire" Trucks busy signing for his fans

Gus "Ozark Ike" Zernial receives an actual 1948 Philadelphia Bulletin comic section from Carl Goldberg

Ira Berkowicz & wife spend some time with Lou Brissie about Brissie's upcoming book

That's Clara McGonigal on the left celebrating her return from surgery greeted by regular Rikki Silberman

Mike Morsch on the right kept Virgil Trucks busy signing all afternoon as Kevin Hughes watches

Two of baseball's best pitchers from the 1950's take a break,Ned Garver & Virgil Trucks.What a combo they would make for any of today's 30 starving for pitchers franchises.

Ned Garver at a quiet moment

Time for a fantastic buffet at Otto's in Horsham, Pa..Try it sometime. You will not be disappointed.

That's "Ozark Ike' with good friend Hal Britton who made the trip from the west coast to
attend the signing.