Hanover is famous for its many pretzel and chip manufacturers, but a new book shows it's ties to Cooperstown are just as plentiful.
John G. Coulson has written a thoroughly well-researched tome, "Hanover Raiders Minor League Baseball in Hanover, Pennsylvania," about the borough's history as a minor league town.
A very interesting note is that one former player was Clyde Sukeforth, who played in 486 games. Sukeforth was far-from the team's most famous alumnus as far as what he went on to do on the playing field goes. What Sukeforth is best remembered for is that he signed Jackie Robinson to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
One of the best parts of the book is the chapter about the Blue Ridge League's 1917 season, during which several Hall-of-Famers visited the town.
It was during that campaign that the Hanover Raiders were managed by Connie Mack's son, Earl.
One of the umpires in the league was Bill McGowan, who was inducted into the Hall in 1992.
The Blue Ridge League had many players who went on to Hall of Fame careers, including Eddie Plank, Hack Wilson and Lefty Grove.
The league had teams in towns such as Hagerstown, Gettysburg and Chambersburg.
According to Coulson's book, Hanover's all-time roster included George Burns, who collected more than 2,000 major league hits; Jimmy Dykes, who recorded 2,000 hits and 1,000 runs batted in; Willie Sherdel, who had 165 wins; and Eddie Rommel, who won 171 games for the Philadelphia Athletics.
Once we've finished the book, we'll give it a more thorough review.
For more on baseball history in York County, click here.
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