In 1954, After Every Game
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When I played Little League baseball in 1954, I wanted to see my name in the paper
Dateline: Southend Little League
Bay City, MI -- 1954
Bay City, MI -- 1954
I played baseball every Summer from age 8 through age 23.
Little League, PONY League, American Legion, NEMC -- Summer baseball was a way of life for me as well as my parents -- who were always sitting in the outfield watching the game.
In 1954, I was an 11 year-old pitcher/catcher/third baseman for Jennison Hardware in the South End Little League. We played our games at Valley Welding Field deep in Bay City's South End.
The day after every game, I could hardly wait for the Bay City Times to be delivered to my house.
I wanted to see the "coverage."
I wanted to read about our game but I also wanted to read "Sports Stew by Jimmy Donohue."
Why?
SILLY QUESTION!
Of course, I wanted to see my name (O. J. Cunningham) in print. Call it ego. Call it whatever you want. Every athlete, at any age, loves to see his/her name in print.
Fifty-five years later, if you "Google" Sports Stew by Jimmy Donohue you won't find nary a reference to the former Bay City Times sports writer that covered the local recreation baseball circuit when I played the games as a youngster. (That's a tragedy)
I think Donohue cared about kids and understood what the "coverage" meant to the young players.
In 1954, I pitched and also played sometimes as catcher so my name was there in the box score -- win or lose. But, when my name was in the article, I always felt good about it . . . proud.
Mr. Donohue loved clever headlines. Mr Donohue tried hard to get as many kids' names into the articles. My Favorite headline of all time:
O.K. O.J. Pitches
Two-Hitter in Win
Over St. Joe's.
My mom cut it out and had it laminated.
In 2009, Little League is a different ball game.Two-Hitter in Win
Over St. Joe's.
If you're following MyBayCity's coverage of Little League, you might have noticed that we're ONLY using first names for the young players.
Broken homes, single-parent families, foster kids -- These are the reasons that we have been asked (by Little League officials) not to use the last names of the kids in our articles..
I don't think Jimmy Donohue would understand.
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mgaken9517 Says:
On June 07, 2009
at 09:11 PM
I don't understand either!! What is wrong with using a full name? Let the boys be proud of what he/she has done. Maybe a dad will come around to see his son.
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jchowell Says:
On June 08, 2009
at 05:11 AM
I almost can't believe I read that. You can only use a kid's first name when reporting little league baseball game results? Sounds like the work of Joe the Plumber to me. Has it become Little League Anonyous or something?
The Bay City Times could use another Jimmy Donahue. Well, of course, first we would have to bring back the Bay City Times... Jimmy Donahue's Sport's Stew was, to me, the best of the Bay City Times sports section back in our day. I remember that he also mentioned the names of youngsters who would receive recognition in few other places for their sports contributions--like high school football linemen, for example. Anyhow, those were the days. Thanks for the article. I like the memories it brings back. |
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Anonymous Says:
On June 08, 2009
at 09:10 AM
Maybe a foster child or one in protective services does not want that parent to come around. I believe it is done throughout the united states now to protect these children and unfortunately, there are many nowadays. Times are definitly different today than they were in 1954
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wstafford1 Says:
On June 08, 2009
at 11:04 AM
Little League stories miss something with last names being ommitted. In fact, they make little sense at all. I'm curious: This seems to be the rule for boys, but names are used in the EHLL games for girls. Why two sets of rules?
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sglaza Says:
On June 10, 2009
at 11:23 AM
I totally agree. The kids love to see their full name in print along with their photos.
OJ--thanks for all the great coverage and the wonderful pictures taken by John Keuvelaar at E-H Little League. Susan G. |
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lthompson Says:
On June 22, 2009
at 09:58 AM
O.J.,
I promise to get your name in The Times after your next hit! While Sports Stew was before my time, I've read dozens of them while doing research over the years. Definitely a fun read. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. There is still a Little Leaguer in us all. Lee T (NWLL '79) |
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swleaguer Says:
On June 30, 2009
at 09:45 AM
Can anyone tell me why there has been no coverage of the
Labadie Summer Classic Little League tournament on MyBayCity.com and next to nothing in the Bay City Times. Do they need to have a beer tent in order for the festival to get ink in the Times. The River Roar and the St. Stan's picnic got plenty of coverage. |
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mikeschweinsberg Says:
On July 05, 2009
at 10:58 AM
Agreed, OJ.....
I used to save all our hockey articles when I was young also. Too much hysteria here. |
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Karensuesaid Says:
On August 29, 2018
at 02:51 AM
Jimmy Donahue was my grandfather. I was just by chance googling him tonight and this came up. As a kid I was fortunate to have access to all the sports he covered and went with him any time he would let me. I loved his writing, not just sports. H e was a talented, sweet, and fun grandpa. I won?t mention when he made me go ice fishing with him. I was the first of 3 girls and my brothers were born when he was just getting ill. I thank you for your kind words and can?t wait until I can see him again
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O. J. Cunningham |
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