New Jersey Honors Its Own
By David Hitchner
On Wednesday evening, May 30, 2007 a brief dedication ceremony was held in Roadstown, New Jersey, commemorating the lives and accomplishments of two former major league baseball players who resided there after their playing days had ended. Ironically, Rube Oldring, outfielder for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics (1906-18) and Leon “Goose” Goslin, hall of fame outfielder of the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers (1921-38), once lived across the street in this small village in southern New Jersey.
Two separate bronze, laser-engraved plaques providing a physical image and narrative of each one’s baseball highlights were dedicated and available to view. Rube Oldring, Jr. the senior’s son and Mary Goslin, sister-in-law of the late hall of famer, were present to assist with the ceremony.
Biographies and professional baseball highlights were shared with those in attendance. Contributors toward this project included several local businesses and area service organizations. The plaques were constructed in the form similar to those used in the National Baseball hall of Fame museum in Cooperstown, NY.
Each plaque describing each man’s contributions to his baseball team reads as follows:
RUBE OLDRING
Rube Oldring was born May 30, 1884 in New York City. After completing a few years in semi-pro baseball and a brief stint in the minor leagues, Rube began playing regularly for Connie Mack in August, 1905. The fleet -footed right handed throwing and hitting outfielder played on four Philadelphia Athletics pennant -winners. He batted a career-high .308 in 1910 but broke his leg on the eve of the World Series. He made one of the greatest catches in WS history in game 4 of the 1913 series. Career stats included a .271 batting average, 1,237 games, 1,268 hits, 205 doubles, 77 triples, seventh on club’s all-time list. He hit over .300 twice and led the American League in fielding twice.
Named the “ Idol of the Left Field Stands,” he was voted the most popular player by Philadelphia fans in 1913. Mr. Mack named Rube as his greatest left fielder. After completing his professional baseball career spanning from 1905-18, Mr. Oldring returned to his home in Roadstown, New Jersey where he passed away at 77 on September 9, 1961. He was later named to the South Jersey Hall of Fame by the Camden County Hot Stovers and inducted into the South Jersey All Sports Hall of Fame. “ Rube Oldring Field “ was dedicated in his honor at the Dreams Park Little League Complex in Cooperstown, New York. Completing his “ Grand Slam “ career, Mr. Oldring, representing the Philadelphia A’s, was inducted onto the Wall of Fame at Veteran’s Stadium. His plaque is currently on display at the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society in Hatboro, PA.
LEON “GOOGE” GOSLIN
Leon “Goose” Goslin was born October 16, 1900 in Salem, New Jersey. He was a consistent right-throwing left fielder playing his professional baseball career with the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers in the American League. Described as burly and strong-armed, the “ Goose” swung the bat left-handed with “Ruthian” effort and forged a reputation as a powerful clutch hitter. He spearheaded his teams to five American League pennants; three with the Senators and two with the Tigers. He drove in 100 or more runs and hit .300 or better 11 times compiling a .316 lifetime average and 2, 735 hits leading the Senators to a World Series title in 1924 with a .344 average and three home runs.
The Goose is best remembered for his prowess with the Senators. He is the only man to have played in each of the 19 World Series games featuring the Senators. He retired from professional baseball after the 1937 season and returned to Roadstown, New Jersey. Nearby, in Bayside, NJ he operated a fish and tackle business. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968 and was enshrined into the All Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He passed away in Bridgeton, NJ on May 15, 1971.
