Tigers' State Title Brings World Series Memories to Life for Donovan
Aug 9, 2006, 23:31
Dave Kopp
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The magical postseason run being put together by the Matthews-Crawford American Legion Post 131 AAA baseball squad is a new experience for everyone involved. The Tigers' are the first team in the program's history to win the Missouri state championship and advance to Regional competition.
However, for one Warrensburg resident, Post 131's success is taking him on a trip down memory lane.
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| John "Jake" Donovan (left) shares a laugh with Matthews-Crawford Post 131 head coach Jason Abner prior to Tuesday's sendoff rally. (Photo by Dave Kopp) |
"It was just a great experience," Donovan continued. "We had a dinner there and I got to meet and get autographs from Bill Dickey, Lefty Gomez, Stan Musial and George Kell. They each spoke a little bit at the ceremony. Even though we didn't make it to the winners' bracket, I had a great experience and when Warrensburg made it to the Regional, it just brought back a flood of memories and I had to share it with them."
When Donovan attended the Legion's sendoff rally Tuesday, he brought a few mementos with him, including the World Series tournament program and the baseball autographed by the Hall of Famers he met.
"I just encouraged them to stay with it and wish them good luck," Donovan said. "They've gone so far now. This is the first time Warrensburg has done this and they should be proud of themselves, being able to represent their communities as they go on to experience more competition that they will never forget."
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| The Region 2 champion H-P Post squad from Staten Island, N,Y., featuring future Major League outfielder Terry Crowley (front row, left) and future high school guidance counselor John "Jake" Donovan (2nd row, 3rd from left). |
"He was 18 years old, a year ahead of me," Donovan recalled. "He pitched in high school and I caught him. We called him T-C, he was Top Cat. He was captain of the team and the leader. I had a lot of fun just being around him.
"He had great skills, but he was kind of like a stick. He was maybe 160 pounds. He liked the slender bats. He had quick wrists and boy, when he hit that ball, it went. He had a good eye and was just a consistent hitter and a good fielder, too. Just to watch him was a good learning experience."
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| Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers didn't need his now famous handlebar moustache when he became the American Legion Player of the Year in 1964, playing for Upland, Calif. |
"I never had the chance to face him or play against him because we lost our first game and his team was in the winners' bracket," Donovan said. "We had heard a great deal about him and he went on to be Most Valuable Player in the tournament there.
Donovan's experience with the American Legion is not limited to baseball. He recently retired after 31 years as a teacher and high school guidance counselor, a career that included stops in Holden and the last 18 years in Warrensburg.
"I've experienced that, going through the baseball system," said Donovan, who is now the WHS A+ program coordinator. "They support it 110-percent. I've always been impressed with the programs the American Legion has for students with Boys State and the money they spend on scholarships. It's a good organization."
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| Catcher John Donovan, 1964 |
"They're very impressive in their work ethic and they don't give up," Donovan said. "That's why they're there. The boys are going to make great memories and they should sit back and enjoy the ride."
