Recently in York sports Category

Amy Staub submitted this photograph for publication in the new book Capture York. It shows her grandfather, Franklin Armold, and his wife, Lillian while out for a motorcycle ride in the 1920s. Also of interest: All presidential visits from the start and Washington Township, Jefferson Borough, Madison Avenue. How about an Obama Street in York County? and Yo, Yoe never was Yohe.

Years ago, Sam Snyder, Yoe borough council president, garnered a box of letters at a York County auction.

The writer?

Chester Alan Arthur.

That turned out to be Chester A. Arthur, future president of the United States... .

The New York Giants' Willie Mays makes what has become known as "The Catch" of York County native and Cleveland Indians Vic Wertz's long fly ball in the 1954 World Series. Mays amazing play overshadowed Wertz's stellar performance in that series. Background posts: Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname.

I've written before about York native and major league baseball player Vic Wertz.

All he did was hit .500 in the 1954 World Series in which his Cleveland Indians lost to the New York Giants.

He returned from a bout with polio to hit 32 home runs.

Late in his career, he broke his ankle and came back to play on.

But it was that World Series and Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder grab of Wertz's long fly ball that relegated Vic Wertz to baseball's "almost-great" list.

But this post really isn't about baseball.

In a York Sunday News column (11/1/09), I compare Vic Wertz to his native York County, Pa., a kind of human metaphor for this south central Pennsylvania county ... .

The York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News and MediaOnePa has released a new York County area picture book, "Capture York." The book is packed with user-submitted photographs. Melanie Wallace took this cover photograph. For details, visit www.captureyork.com. (See additional photo below.) Also of interest: Horse, buggy, one-room school make York County comeback. and The Four YorkBloggers write and Postcards tell story of York County community .

Here's a chance to see an Amish school up close.

The GFWC New Holland Area Woman's Club is hosting its 11th Annual 'HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES' Nov. 14,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Lancaster County tour includes 8 homes and an Amish School. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 on tour day.

Proceeds benefit community and charitable organizations including ELANCO Library, Liberty Fire Co., New Holland Recreation Center, New Holland Park Summer Arts Program and the park playground, New Holland Rescue Squad, Garden Spot Soccer League, and Garden Spot Little League. For tickets and further information, call 717-351-9995.

- More neat stuff below. -

Hanover High School's Al Bemiller became known nationally as Jack Kemp's center during the Buffalo Bill's glory years in the mid-1960s. (To learn about a Bemiller hobby during his days in York County, see the back side of his player card below.) Also of interest: Wikipedia profiles Al Bemiller and seven others with national status bearing Hanover roots and Academy Award-winning costume designer Ann Roth's sketches exhibited in Hanover and How Hanover's Eichelberger school morphed into 'The Eich'.

The Buffalo Bills - yes, the Buffalo Bills - made the news twice this week in York County.

An 18-year-old New Freedom resident is leading the charge to purchase billboard space near Buffalo to show concern about this NFL's team inability to win.

Susquehannock High School grad Ryan Abshagen is fed up with the Bills' losing ways.

Then, Red Lion High School's quarterback has been dismissed from the team. Chad Kelly is the nephew of former Bills quarterback and football hall of famer Jim Kelly.

But actually York County has enjoyed a connection with the Bills for years.

Hanover High School's Al Bemiller played center on the Bills' championship teams in the 1960s... .

A photo of Eddie Plank holding a baseball on the wall of Gettysburg Eddies, an eatery in Adams County, Pa., tied to native son and baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Plank. Also of interest: Remembering York/Adams major leaguers and Vancouver, B.C., has beauty, but York, Pa., has a life-sized Brooks Robinson statue and York County sports a miniature Cooperstown.

Fellow blogger Pat Abdalla has profiled baseball players from York and Adams counties who performed in the Major League post-season.

The most prominent is Vic Wertz and his long fly ball out hauled in by Willie Mays.

In his Southpaw blog, Pat also explores the post-season work of: ... .

This scene comes from one of York County, Pa.'s, best-known miniature golf courses, Putter's Paradise in Manchester Township. Putt-Putt golf courses have been around York County for decades and not all of them have been outdoors. Also of interest: Bucolic Outdoor Country Club started in busy York neighborhood and On Eisenhower's York County golf round: He turned in a 'commendable score' and Why is Hanover Country Club in Abbottstown?.

Reader Walter B. Ziegler has identified a miniature golf course that was here prior to the 1940s when York Township's Lil Duffer is known to have been operating.

But the putt-putt course that Walter Ziegler pointed out had a roof... .

The Hippodrome, one of downtown York's many theaters in their early 20th-century heyday, is example of stories told in a Junior Curators' exhibit unveiled this week at the York County (Pa.) Heritage Trust. Background posts: You maybe didn't know it but ... they're from York County - Part II and TV show box set 'Terry & the Pirates' to be part of a museum exhibit someday? and Young curators produce York Fair exhibit: 'A Fair of Our Own'.

Maybe it was meant to be.

Big league pitcher James "Lefty" York lived his later years in York, Pa.

He was in the majors for a cup of coffee with the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago Cubs covering parts of two seasons, 1919 and 1921. He compiled a 5-11 record in 42 games.

The Arkansan would be forgotten to history, except that Junior Curator Alex Daugherty has resurrected him as part of "From Artists to Athletes: a History of Entertainment in York County" exhibit at the York County Heritage Trust... .

This image comes from the front of the Eastern State Penitentiary brochure. The long-closed Philadelphia prison was America's first penitentiary, constructed to inspire penitence in those detained. It's now a museum raising the question about whether York County, Pa.'s old jail could be used for fundraising purposes. Other posts of interest: Old York County, Pa., jail on endangered list and Prison listing brings back food loaf memories and 'There were only so many cells in that old stone prison.

Look east from several points at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium, and you'll see a fortress-like, ruddy building rising high well beyond the outfield fence.

That's York County's old Chestnut Street Prison, vacated in 1979, when inmates were moved to a brand-new lockup near the county-owned Pleasant Acres in Springettsbury Township.

The old jail has been for sale for many years. One prospect considered making it a restaurant. Some places - Boston, for example - have converted old prisons into apartments.

The old building is difficult and expensive to knock down because its built, well, like a prison... .

Baseball great Brooks Robinson is seen in his York (Pa.) White Roses uniform in 1955. His statue can be seen everyday in Brooks Robinson Plaza at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Brooks Robinson - and stories about his York, Pa., pro debut - enduring and York Town Square reader: 'I thought Vic Wertz had some connection to York?' and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

True or false?

Brooks Robinson broke into professional baseball in York and went to the majors and greatness after a short gig here, never to return to minor league baseball?

The answer is .... .

York, Pa.'s Loretta Claiborne joins other Special Olympians and Eunice Kennedy Shriver in this portrait hanging in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. From left are Airika Straka, Katie Meade, Andy Leonard, Claiborne, Shriver and Marty Sheets. According to the York Daily Record/Sunday News, this was the first portrait commissioned by the museum that was not of a person who had served as president or first lady. (See additional photo below.) Background posts: William Penn Senior High School Hall of Fame honors a host of York County achievers and Loretta Claiborne's achievements bring spotlight her way and Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties?.

Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne first met Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1972 and crossed paths with her again in 1980. The two kept in touch after that.

In an interview at the time of Shriver's death, Claiborne told the York Daily Record/Sunday News: "She was a woman of wealth. She could have gone anywhere, but she wanted to help humanity."

But how did York's celebrity Special Olympian get involved with those games to begin with? ... .

Former Oakland Raider teammates, Mo Collins, right, and Lincoln Kennedy, joke around between holes during the Celebrity Golf Classic in June. Background posts: Names of stars from York County with pro sports links just keep increasing and York County has produced star NFL players and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

Lincoln Kennedy was born and raised in York.

He starred at the University of Washington, attracted the Atlanta Falcon's first-round pick in 1993 and later played on three division champions with the Oakland Raiders.

Before retiring in 2003, he was viewed as a leader on and off the field.

And he's still leading.

He's a good example of a celebrity who has not forgotten his hometown, coming back frequently to lend his name to charity efforts... .

Judge Emanuel A. Cassimatis, William Penn Senior High School class of 1944, is a member of the William Penn Hall of Fame. The retired judge of York County Court is among an elite group of achievers who are members of the hall. Background posts: York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and York County high school grads teach lessons in achievement on national stage and York County native Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. assumed major role in guarding post-9/11 D.C.

A recent post about an upcoming Smithsonian exhibit honoring pioneering Appalachian Trail through-hiker Earl Shaffer included an interesting fact

The most famous trail hiker in the world had to wait three years to be inducted into the William Penn Hall of Fame.

The hall takes one person a year and equally deserving candidates had been nominated before him.

That should show the quality of those who are members of the hall.

Who are others who have been so honored? ... .

Hal Colston, a York native who has become a leader in the anti-poverty movement in Vermont judges greens in a February 2008 cookoff. The event took place at Hannah Penn Middle School, where he attended before matriculating to William Penn Senior High School. Background posts: All celebrities posts from the start and All York County people posts and William Penn: People mag features York native Hal Colston as a 'Hero Among Us.'

The recent high school graduation season provided an impetus to gather links to national achievers who received their sheepskins from York County secondary schools.

These are just a few of hundreds and hundreds.

Just consider this a history lesson from the blogs:

Earl Shaffer chat with fellow Appalachian Trail hikers north of Harpers Ferry during his last through hike in July 1998. Other hikers recognized the celebrity Shaffer during this hike, which came on the 50th anniversary of his first through hike - the first such on the Appalachian Trail. West Manchester book contains valuable gold coins' and Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and Highpoint offers Susquehanna River view for the ages.

West Manchester resident Earl Shaffer was out of the service after Army Signal Corps duty in World War II.

And he was ready to "walk the Army out of my system" on the Appalachian Trail.

"Late in 1947 I had seen an article in an outdoor magazine entitled 'The Long Trail's Challenge,' " he wrote in in his book "Walking with Spring." "It said that no one was known to have hiked the entire Trail in a continuous journey, though many had tried, and such a trip might actually be impossible."

Shaffer proved it was possible with the first through hike in 1948, a second hike the other way in 1965 and a 50th anniversary hike in 1998. He was then almost 80 years old.

This information comes from a Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History news release, telling about the opening of an Earl Shaffer exhibit next month... .

This York (Pa.) Gazette story from Aug. 29, 1901, tells about the first night baseball game played in York - and probably York County. Special rules were put in for this game. Background posts: Sons of Union vets seeking relatives of Civil War soldier from U.S. Colored Troops, 32nd Regiment and York's American War Mothers monument captures interest and Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping'

Officials are looking for ways to give York's Penn Park new life.

The relatively light use of the city park today can shroud its heavy use throughout history.

For example, it was the place where freedman from the South headed upon reaching York, north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

It housed a large Civil War military hospital.

And, on a lighter note, a ballpark, complete with grandstand, home of a Penn Park team, operated there. It was there that York's first night baseball game was played in late August 1901... .

Some things never change. Here's the Gazette and Daily's Walt Partymiller's take on June 1, 1949, about adventures and challenges facing high school and college grads. Background posts: Cartoonist made York newspaper owner's views an art form and Newspaper's founding date hard to pin down and Further education plans, YorkCounts quality-of-life indicator: Post-high-school prospects rising.

That happened recently when I was looking for what happened 60 years ago, on June 1, 1949.

History has a beginning and will have an ending and has meaning. None of this circular stuff. But sometimes recurring themes just keep popping up, as I was reminded on my scroll.

Some summaries from The Gazette and Daily for that date that might interest you:

Elizabeth 'Betty' Marshall is seen on primary day Tuesday. The 91-year-old was the first elected female mayor of York. She served one, four-year term starting in 1978. Background posts: Unfortunate incident puts leading York woman back into news and York's 221 E. Princess St. home to telling ironies and York Mayor E.S. Hugentugler clamped down on anti-Great War speech

OK, the York mayoral lineup for the fall, at least of this date, will be a faceoff between:

Kim Bracey - Democrat (Bracey gained her party's nod in Tuesday's primary.)
Wendell Banks - Republican
Joe Musso - Independent
Matthew Mann - Independent

One of these candidates will become York's 26th mayor (some have served more than one non-contiguous terms):

Brooks Robinson's statue is the key part of his namesake plaza at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The Hall-of-Fame third-basemen, who started his career at second base for the York White Roses, has fought back from a bout with cancer. Background posts: York has Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's? and Revs will easily pass 1969's full-season attendance stats and Batter up, pass the hot dog: York relishes the Revolution.

Brooks Robinson's revelation this week that he had been diagnosed - and now cleared - of prostate cancer brings to mind two stories about when Brooksie played with the York White Roses.

Brooks, of course, started his professional career in York in 1955.

And the story has often been told about how public address announcer George Trout introduced him as "Bob" Robinson.

Although Trout soon was informed of his mistake, the two local newspapers kept up the "Bob" Robinson routine for a good two weeks... .

The York Daily Record tells about native son and major league slugger Vic Wertz's life and career upon his death in 1983. Here, Wertz holds a photo sequence of his most-noted mark in baseball history. He smashed the 450-foot fly ball that Willie Mays turned into "The Catch" in the 1954 World Series. Background posts: Babe Ruth, indeed, played in York in 1928 and York turned its eyes to Joe DiMaggio and Before the York Revs came the Hanover Raiders.

When York-born major leaguer Vic Wertz did not make the top 10 list of 20th-century York County sports heroes, one fan posed a revealing question:

"How could you leave off Vic Wertz?"

Vic Wertz, indeed, was one of York County's most accomplished professional athletes.

If his long smash had eluded Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series, he would have been on that York Sunday News' list.

But Mays' execution of "The Catch" relegated Vic Wertz to a footnote in national history... .

Jacque Tracy, sports writer for The (York, Pa.) Gazette and Daily and the York Daily Record, died recently. He covered sports around York County for 51 years. Background posts: York Daily Record columnist Jim Hubley's last piece: 'Good luck weeding out tobacco' and 1874 York Daily: Is it worth anything? and York newspaperman's bio: 'Superb in every respect and difficult to put down'.

Jacque Tracy was always the go-to person for background on things, often about information on the old Gazette and Daily.

Jacque Tracy was always the go-to person for information on other people, often about information on the old Gazette and Daily.

For example, his comment when fellow sportswriter Jim Hubley passed away: "I admired him because he was a man of principle."

And when former Gazette and Daily Managing Editor Edward 'Eddie' Schaeberle died, Tracy commented, "I can't begin to say enough about him. He was like the brother I never had."

So, it's fitting that we put forth here a comment about Jacque soon after his recent death at age 88... .

A worker with Continental Signs cuts the weights off the familiar statue along Interstate 83 in 2002. The 13-foot-tall, 1,000-pound statue has signaled the York Barbell building since the 1960s. Wind disabled the motor that rotates the statue north of York, Pa., and once workers dug into that problem, they noticed other damage to the statue. (See additional photo below.) Background posts: Former Mr. America Jules S. Bacon passes away and John Grimek lifted up musclemen of York, Pa. and All York Barbell posts from the start.

Ask people outside York County if they've ever been there, and some will say:

"Yes, I've passed through. That's the place with the weightlifter."

That identifiable symbol of York and its iconic company York Barbell looks indestructible.

But even a 13-foot man with a steel frame skeleton covered with tough fiberglas has to withstand much.

Such as the wind... .

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New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays hauls a 450-foot fly ball in the Polo Grounds' cavernous center field off the bat of Cleveland's - and York, Pa.'s - Vic Wertz during the first game of the 1954 World Series. The Giants won a 5-2 victory, thanks, in part, to Mays' handiwork. Background posts: Old York lefty remembered young Brooks Robinson and The Tuleyas: A love story, not baseballs and hand grenades and Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping'.

York Town Square viewer Bill Landes raised a good question in a comment about a recent post of major leaguer from York/Adams.

"I thought Vic Wertz had some connection to York?"

Yes, indeed.

The York native played outfield and first base for 17 seasons with six teams - the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins... .

John D. Fair's book "Muscletown USA" gives insight into the role played by Bob Hoffman of York Barbell in the use of steroids in sports. Background posts: Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories and York, Pa. made big, heavy things - and was immensely proud of it.

Major League Baseball again is exploring allegations that Alex Rodriguez use steroids as a member of the New York Yankees.

When steroid abuse makes the headlines, that raises the question about where steriod use in professional sports began - or at least came into steady use.

There's solid documentation that the answer is York, Pa... .

John G. Coulson's "Hanover Raiders, Minor League Baseball in Hanover, Pennsylvania" tells about the life and times and players in the Blue Ridge League. His work nicely adds to the repository of the names of major league players who hailed from or played in York and Adams counties. Background posts: Before the York Revs came the Hanover Raiders and Big league baseball fans from everywhere remember Gene Crumling and York County sports a miniature Cooperstown.

At the moment of the Atlantic League York Revolution's home opener for season No. 3, it's a good time to review former major leaguers with York roots as well as those who were here for a cup of coffee.

Atlanta Braves superscout Paul Snyder is from York County. So is Greg Gross. And Jim Spencer. And Gene Cumling. And Ken Raffensberger.

Robert Rohrbaugh might be the region's next major leaguer.

York Town Square just profiled Eddie Plank, the great southpaw 300-game winner.

Just when you think you exhausted the pool of York/Adams countians with Major League Baseball ties (click here for another long and impressive list) who were born here or lived here, you run across another batch... .

Eddie Plank, a Gettysburg native, won more than 300 games in his Major League Baseball career, the first lefthander to do so. Plank ended his career with 327 victories. He entered the majors in 1901 and retired in 1917. He became a hall-of-famer in 1946. Background posts: Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname and Southpaw could be next York/Adams major leaguer and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

A Gettysburg restaurant recently has themed native son and baseball Hall-of-Famer Eddie Plank.

"Gettysburg is a town that lives on the dead, their legends, speeches and actions.
Most restaurants, gift shops and museums have themes that deal with the borough's famous battlefield and presidential history," blogger Pat Abdalla wrote under the headline, Finding a niche with Eddie Plank.

"Restaurant owner Bill Wills, however, has found a different niche in Gettysburg's history: Eddie Plank, a legendary baseball player who was born and lived in the town."

This attention on Plank brings to mind a review of an article in "National Pastime" on Plank.

That York Sunday News article (7/25/04) debunked some myths about Plank, the first southpaw to win more than 300 games in the majors... .

These ornate iron pieces atop the York Elks porch are the type of fine metal work adorning the organization's 233 N. George St. building. (See related image below.) Background posts: York County ... 'A smorgasbord of architectural styles' and York County's connection to the French Quarter and Collector searching for Western Maryland Railroad memorabilia and When the bridge over the Codorus moved

My recent post - Plaques offer historic insight into 'The Swamp,' before Sovereign Bank Stadium drained it - provides a historic look at York's Arch Street area.

But for those parking at Small's Field, north of Codorus Creek, or in the downtown area, south of the creek, their stroll to the park affords many landmarks scrutinize.

My York Sunday News column for July 1, 2007, covers interesting sites as one moves into or out of The Swamp... .

The William Penn Senior High School boys ....

... and York Catholic's state title runs are detailed in forthcoming York Daily Record/Sunday News' books. For details on these books or accompanying DVDs, visit www.inyork.com/booksales. Background posts: Will Autumn Lau gain top area basketball scoring record? It's possible. and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and Other YAIAA-related posts.

A York Daily Record/Sunday News editorial put the recently passed local basketball season into perspective:

"This has been one of the best YAIAA hoops seasons in recent memory. Today, the York Catholic girls are playing for another state championship, potentially the team's fourth in a row. To reach the title game, York Catholic had to beat another YAIAA team, Delone Catholic.

Saturday night, the William Penn boys will play for a state title; the city team hasn't played for a state championship since 1949.

York County could have two state championship basketball teams, a remarkable achievement.

... We can all take some pride in the accomplishments of these student-athletes. And we can learn some lessons from them... .

A new book will soon run off the press highlighting the West York football's district championship season in 2008. Background posts: Is West York's Brandon Real the best local running back ever? and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen'.

"The story of the West York football program's coming of age began with a 57-13 loss back in November 2006.

"Those Bulldogs, under first-year coach Ron Miller, entered the District 3 Class AAA playoffs with a respectable 7-3 record and a formidable foe ahead of them: the Manheim Central Barons, owners of 15 District 3 titles since 1989.

"The result was not surprising. West York got whupped. Whupped good. The Barons outrushed West York 378 to 3.

"But the Bulldogs had received a great, up-close look at what they wanted to become."

That was how York Daily Record/Sunday News' sports editor Chris Otto began the introduction to the newspaper's latest book-length work "Friday Night Bulldogs."

What they would become is district champs... .

The original Outdoor Country Club stands in The Avenues in this photo from the publication, "Northwest York, 1884-1984." Background posts: On Eisenhower's Country Club of York golf round: He turned in a 'commendable score' and Exploring ornate Springdale, sunken ballroom, golf course and all and Why is Hanover Country Club in Abbottstown? and 'Lady Linden', of York's Avenues neighborhood, gets full makeover

Many people know that the Country Club of York grew on fertile land now covered by York College of Pennsylvania.

But where did the York-area's other major country club - the Outdoor Country Club begin? Some might think its was birthed when it took over the Country Club of York's property when that group moved to its current location.

Actually, the Outdoor Country Club began in 1892 in the trolley suburbs now called The Avenues, according to the booklet "Northwest York" ... .

The decorative white rose from the facade of the White Rose Bar & Grill came down recently, to be replanted at nearby Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Revs will easily pass 1969's full-season attendance stats and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses and 'That's a stupid question;' Brooksie played second base.

The 12-foot-long white rose that hung above the main entrance of the White Rose Bar & Grill in York is no more.

It will be moved to a prominent place at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

The ongoing presence of a giant white rose somewhere in the White Rose City makes sense.

But how many people know the story of why York, Pa., is named the White Rose City? ...

Chris Daughtry performs with Live's front man and York County native Ed Kowalczyk, right, on the 'American Idol' stage in 2006. It is well known that Live band leader Kowalczyk is from York. But the roots of other local folks performing on the national stage - or who did so in the past - aren't as well publicized. Background posts: Wiki profiles eight with national status bearing Hanover roots and Dorkin' in York box set features Kevin Jones and TV show box set 'Terry & the Pirates' to be part of a museum exhibit someday?.

An occasional visit to Wikipedia's list of famous people from York County always brings forth previously unknown connections to this region.

At least, usually unknown to me.

Here's a sampling of other people on the Wiki with York County links whose local connections might surprise and intrigue:

Former Hanoverian Ann Roth's photograph is seen next to a sketch from 'The English Patient.' She earned an Oscar for her costume work in that film. The Hanover (Pa.) Area Historical Society will display some of Roth's sketches in March at the Warehime-Myers Mansion in Hanover. Background posts: York County continuing ed classes offered for matures who love to learn and Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here and Young Alan Alda performed along the Codorus? Researcher checking that out.

The Hanover Area Historical Society is exhibiting sketches by famed costume designer Ann Roth this month.

In so doing, the society is taking a step the 20-something historical groups throughout York County should emulate: Embrace popular culture as part of the historical enterprise.

Communities throughout York County have produced dozens of celebrities... .

Northeastern's Autumn Lau (42) celebrates after scoring her 2,000th point against Dover in early January. She has since become the leading girls' scorer in York County's basketball history. Background posts: York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen' and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News story told of Autumn Lau's record-breaking basket against West Perry last week in simple fashion:

"The Northeastern senior converted a bank shot in the paint from the left side to pass 2006 Fairfield graduate Lauren Beckley for the top spot on the YAIAA girls career scoring list. Lau put 20 on the board in the winning effort to increase her career total to 2,275 -- 17 points ahead of Beckley and 113 behind boys career leading scorer Jacob Iati, who set the record playing for York Catholic last season."

Will she pass Iati's mark of 2,388?

Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee has been named the greatest prep athlete in York and Adams counties history. Background posts: Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname and Central York High School's Laura Beveridge: 'I certainly have not forgotten her' and York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen'.

The votes are in, and former three-sport Red Lion star Scott Fitzkee reigns as York/Adams' Greatest Athlete, as put forth by the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

Readers placed Fitzkee, who went on to play football at Penn State and the NFL, at the top of their list, as did YDR/YN sportswriters Frank Bodani, Steve Navaroli and Sean McLernon. (Jim Seip listed him at third.)

Here is the vote of the readers:

Former Steeler George Tarasovic, No. 52, has a framed program profiling the Steelers versus the Cardinals in his York County, Pa., den. Background posts: Was Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee the most-talented three-sport athlete ever in York and Adams? and York County has produced star NFL players and Dover's/Packers' John Kuhn: 'He is able to grasp things very quickly'.

The number of present and former athletes, coaches and others in professional sports with York County connections keeps adding up.

Last year, Hanover native Pat Flaherty coached the offense line of Super Bowl Champs New York Giants.

York County was in the Super Bowl again.

At least three York countians are linked to the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers -George Tarasovic, John Norwig and Bruce Arians.

The following is quick information on the three based on York Daily Record/Sunday News reports:

Joe Paterno and President George H.W. Bush stumped at a Northern York County fundraiser for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in June 1992. This shows part of the York Daily Record's coverage of the event. Background posts: Presidents visit York, alive and via funeral trains and York native to captain new carrier USS Bush and Bill Goodling: Jerry Ford might have been the most important president he served with.

Joe Paterno regularly visits York County for recruiting trips, fundraisers or political appearances.

Not political appearances for himself, of course.

But primarily for two former presidents named Bush... .

Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry signs items at a January 2009 reception in York. Author Steve McKee includes Berry as part of his memories of the Baltimore Colts in his Da Capo Press book, "My Father's Heart." Background posts: 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great' and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links and Playland plays nostalgic note for York countians.

How do you tie together such York County icons as York Area Sports Night, Gino's, York Catholic basketball and the Baltimore Colts?

Well, Steve McKee deftly did so in the following excerpt from his "My Father's Heart," soon to be released in paperback.

Here's an excerpt from the nationally distributed book, published in the York Sunday News (1/18/09):

Several years ago, the Smurfit-Stone site was cleaned up in preparation for the minor league ballpark that later became Sovereign Bank Stadium on a cross-town York, Pa., site. Here, demolition work is taking palce along Grantley Road in Spring Garden Township. Background posts: New York College book provides insight into school, community and Researcher leaves detailed files on more than 300 York and Adams mills and American pastime vs. American dream playing out in York, Pa. and Worker saved key historical surveys from Glatfelter pulping machine.

A commenter on a recent York Daily Record/Sunday News story about the former King's Mill site put its history into perspective:

"That mill had been making paper since John Adams was our second president. And some of the equipment in there, a few of the steam dryers, were actually original or close to it."

That's about right.

York College is buying that site - known today at the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. - that loaned its name to King's Mill Road... .

Babe Ruth's autograph is shown on a piece of Hotel Penn stationary owned by West Manchester Township resident Jason Showvaker in 2006. Showvaker obtained the stationery from another collector. Background posts: Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname and York turned its eyes to Joe DiMaggio and Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping'.

His late grandfather saw them play there.

"I saw your article which included a picture of the park from July of 1945. Was any baseball ever played there? Whatever info you could provide would be appreciated,"
he wrote.

We'll turn the question of the Babe's appearance at the White Oak Park ballfield, north of York, to any fans out there to respond.

Here's some help.

York Daily Record columnist Jim Hubley wrote an account in 1995 of the Babe's visit to Eagles Park for the game that Jim Fickes' grandfather probably recalled:

Theodore Roosevelt's1906 visit made York County news when The York Dispatch published a rare front-page photo. This marked one of the last times - if not the last time - the Dispatch would depart from a gray, eight-column front page without photos for the next 82 years. The image of another U.S. president, George Bush, prompted a front-page photo in 1988. Roosevelt, just back from dedicating the new capitol building in Harrisburg, rode in an open carriage from York's Centre Square to the fairgrounds where he touted York's growing prosperity. Background posts: Presidential visits listed, York-based historian shakes hands with 8 U.S. presidents and Presidents visit York, alive and via funeral trains

In the buildup to the inauguration of new U.S. President Barack Obama, I'll post numerous entries here about presidential links to York County.

We'll start with the well-attended visit by popular U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt... .

Henry 'Hinkey' Haines, left, and Babe Ruth were teammates on the 1923 World Series champion New York Yankees. Background posts: Southpaw could be next York/Adams major leaguer, York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Red Lion's Butch Wynegar ranks bright among York's sports stars.

Henry L. "Hinkey" Haines might have been the most accomplished athlete ever to come out of York and Adams counties.

So contends Frank Bodani, who spearheaded the Greatest Athletes series now running weekly in the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

Certainly, he made the York Sunday News' top 10 list of greatest athletes of the 20th century.

But he did not make the top 10 list of Red Lion Area Senior High School athletes.

The book "Red Lion, The First One Hundred Years" offers a possible explanation for that:

This photograph shows the Codorus Creek near Richland Avenue before Depression-era flood-control efforts changed its appearance. (Courtesy of York County Heritage Trust.) Background posts: Destructive flood of 1933 struck York County 75 years ago, It couldn't happen in York County? Women were trampled in Depression-era labor unrest and Bad economy turned York Safe and Lock toward lucrative defense work .

In a previous post Great Depression not only pinched in York County, it punched, I take a poke at the notion that the county somehow escaped the very tough times of the 1930s.

That assertion has come down over the years because no bank in York failed during the Depression.

No banks apparently failed in the city.

But using Charles Bloomfield's Millersville University master's research, I point out that 17 of York County's 46 banks either failed or reorganized.

This discussion caused Warren Miller of Hanover to inquire about which banks did, indeed, fail... .

Here's a hint to answer part of York County Smarts quiz, Part IV: This former York County legislator made history when she became the first woman elected to the General Assembly in the 1960s. (See additional photo below). York County smarts quiz, Part I, Part II, Part III.

Since its beginning, Pennsylvania has accomplished awesome results in the civilized arts -- more so than other areas of the United States of comparable size.

So says Philip Klein in his "History of Pennsylvania."

"Every region generates some creative people," he and co-author Ari Hogenboom wrote, "but Pennsylvania produced them by the hundreds."

Why?

Credit it to a diverse population, William Penn's quest for liberty and a varied, resource-rich geographic landscape.

Benjamin Franklin is Klein's Exhibit A of a Pennsylvania who showed original thought coupled with practical experiment.

All this could help explain why York countians have long made their mark on the state and national landscape... .

Scott Fitzkee graduated from Red Lion High School in 1975 and went on to play football at Penn State and the NFL. He was one of a number of York County athletes to play professional sports. Background posts:
York County has produced star NFL players, Ex-York countian, ex-Phillie Greg Gross: 'I'm jealous not to be sitting there in the dugout with them' and
Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties?.

"He was arguably the most talented three-sport athlete ever to come out of York and Adams counties."

That's how the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Greatest Athletes series describes three-sport Red Lion start Scott Fitzkee.

That selection is also certain to draw controversy, but the Greatest Athletes description makes the case for Fitzkee's accomplishments in football, basketball and track. He went on to play wide receiver for Penn State and then the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers in the NFL, before ending his career in the USFL... .

Educational publishing house WorldScapes has released a book on Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne called "In her Stride." Background posts: Vilma Garcia-Jones remembered as prime spokesman for Latinos in York County, Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and Stetler Dodge transition indicative of other York-area changes .

In a recent post, I suggested that horticulturalist and York Imperial Apple developer Jonathan Jessop should be placed on the list of York County luminaries begging for more research.

Now, I'll take one off.

Loretta Claiborne is one of the important people on that York Town Square list who has long deserved a book-length treatment of her life. The Special Olympian earned a Disney movie a few years ago... .

Bill Kirk, left, a former York White Roses coach, looks on as Curly Holtzapple, center, greets Brooks Robinson before the York Revolution's first home game at Sovereign Bank Stadim in June 2007. Filmmaker Brian Plow tells the story of how the stadium came into being in "Home." Background posts: Will Sovereign Bank of York stadium name fame lose its crown?, Map explains York, Pa.'s $50 million redevelopment area and Phillies in York via 30-ft. TV: 'Isn't going to the ballpark the best part about a baseball game?' .

The title of Brian Plow's documentary film "Home: The American Dream, the American Pastime and Urban Renewal in York, Pennsylvania" is long but its exploration of the return of baseball to York is far from ponderous, moving quickly.

But if viewers want an even quicker version of this full-length documentary, the filmmaker prepared a condensed version for the York Daily Record/Sunday News Web site, www.inyork.com/ydr:

A York Daily Record/Sunday News story about the film (9/13/08) follows:

Fellow blogger June Lloyd profiles Glen Rock native Cliff Heathcote who played major league baseball from 1918 to 1932. Somehow, this photo from The Gazette and Daily ended up on Google images. Heathcote, of the Heathcote family that helped found Glen Rock, is another major leaguer hailing from York County. Background posts: York County photo collection adds to historical record, 'The Commons' plays host to wonderful vintage photos and Fed photogs captured wonderful WWII images.

Philip Given, pgiven@gmail.com, passed along a Life magazine photo spread from May 1948 of trick shot champ Bob Geesey taking aim at an egg in York, Pa.

If you know anything more about Bob Geesey and his unique skills, comment below.

But this is a reminder that Google photos is a rich source of images, many historic, of York County... .

Laura Carroll Beveridge is Central's all-time greatest athlete, according to the York Daily Record/Sunday News. She's also credited with breaking the racial barrier at Central. Background posts: Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit, 1967 William Penn senior class scored firsts and Scores in York mourn death of former Cat chief.

Jonathan R. Stayer graduated from Central York High School in 1978, the same year as Laura Carroll Beveridge.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News recently selected Beveridge as that school's all-time top athlete.

But Stayer, now head of the reference section at the Pennsylvania State Archives, remembers Beveridge as a trailblazer on the racial front.

Here's his assessment in his own words from a recent e-mail:

West York's Brandon Real looks for running room against Littlestown this season.The senior holds several YAIAA rushing records. Background posts: Who is rightful owner of the area's basketball scoring record?, York County Tech sports: 'If they took something like that away it really would destroy the school' and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

Has West York's Brandon Real scored the best season ever for a YAIAA running back?

York Daily Record Sean McLernon has posed that question in a Line Up Card blog post.

Here's a quick look at Real's stats, according to McLernon and newspaper reports:

Wrightsville's Gene Crumling only had a cup of coffee in the major leagues, but fans from all over still remember the former catcher. Background posts: Before the York Revs came the Hanover Raiders, York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Old York lefty remembered young Brooks Robinson .

Former major leaguer Gene Crumling has regained the limelight twice since September.

The 86-year-old normally lives in obscurity around York County.

He threw out the first pitch in the York Revolution's first playoff game in September - representing the county as the oldest living former major leaguer.

Then the Wrightsville High School grad made the York Daily Record/Sunday News' front page in a profile to preview Eastern York High School's greatest athletes, part of a 22-part newspaper series on York County's prep performers.

Crumling had 12 at-bats catching for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1945... .

York County School of Technology is not used to full houses at its home varsity football games. Here, a faithful few observe Vo-Tech's team as it faces off against Delone Catholic in October 2008. The program gained the spotlight for a moment in the early 1990s when two girls played football. (See below.) Background posts: Presidents visit York, alive and via funeral trains, Unusual valve gave steam whistle prominence in World War II and Northeastern last York/Adams public school to field football team.

Should perennial loser York County Technical School, known for years at York County Vocational Technical School, continue to field sports teams?

York Daily Record/Sunday News sports writer Frank Bodani probed that question as part of his 22-part Greatest Athletes series.

Tech athletic director Rob Caruso seemed to settle the question: ...

Goldsboro's Greg Gross played for 17 seasons with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, ending his Major League Baseball playing career in 1989. He has strong coaching links with several Phillies playing in the World Series. Background posts: Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping', Sol and Brooks lead long York County sports parade and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

York County native Greg Gross reminds you of fellow county major leaguer Butch Wynegar.

Gross attended Red Land High School. Wynegar graduated from Red Lion. Their eventful major league careers overlapped... .

The York Revolution take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs during a game during the 2008 season at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium. The video board in the background will display an upcoming Philadelphia Phillies World Series game. For more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487), or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com. Background post: York has Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's?, Batter up, pass the hot dog: York relishes the Revolution, Stadium will be site of The Oaks music reunion.

Sovereign Bank Stadium officials are finding good use for their ballpark, home of the York Revolution.

They've accommodated a kickball tournament, a Crop Walk and a Class of '66 William Penn High School reunion.

Now, the stadium will become York's largest TV set this week, as Wednesday's Phillies vs. either Tampa Bay or Boston game will be shown on its video board. There will be no admission cost.

This Oct. 22 game marks a return of the Phillies to the World Series after a 15-year drought... .

Sovereign Bank Stadium rises from "the Swamp" in May 2007. That's the former York railroad station in the foreground and Small Field at top. Background posts: Film weaves threads of York, baseball, stadium and neighborhood change, POW Camp Security site: 'There's a lot of history waiting to be discovered' and Small Field missed a shining moment but could again claim a ray of York County's spotlight.

Writers, including this one, have noted the irony of a baseball team named Revolution playing in a ballpark Sovereign Bank Stadium that touts a monarchy. Such a stadium name in York, proud of its role in aiding and abetting American revolutionaries, adds to the fun.

And one could argue, perhaps loosely, that patriots fought the Revolution to prevent Britains imposition of eminent domain on the Colonies. Sovereign Bank Stadium backers used eminent domain to secure land for the ballpark... .

The demolition of buildings in 'the Swamp' part of York in August 2006 to make way for the stadium opened a view of Small Field, right, background, across the Codorus Creek. At one time, Small Field was a stadium site option. Background posts: 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part I, Old P.A. and S. Small building fit better than successors, Samuel Small tops list of community contributors and 1967 William Penn senior class scored firsts.

One of Bob Riese's questions about York County touched on Small Field - officially Small Field at the Meadow.

Why isn't it Small's Field? he wondered.

Discussion on that point (Reader doesn't understand some things about York County) led to an observation from another reader.

Luther B. Sowers, former assistant city schools superintendent, came across school board minutes showing the moment the field left the family of P.A. and S. Small and landed in the custody of the community... .

This image reflects themes from the upcoming documentary "Home," a documentary on York,Pa., and its new baseball stadium, Sovereign Bank Stadium. The film will premier in York at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 at York College, followed by a question-and-answer session with producer Brian Plow. Background posts: York had Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's, Season 2 of York's long comeback campaign and New baseball diamond serves as York cornerstone.

Filmmaker Brian Plow is bringing together the wide-ranging topics of baseball, economic development and those displaced by York's new stadium in an upcoming documentary.

The producer, a Towson University film professor, spent hours in York researching these themes.

York College's Humanities Film Series will be the vehicle to introduce the documentary called "Home." ...

Tommy Kono, Coach Tommy Kono at work. The location is unclear but those are York Barbells waiting to go airborne. Background posts: Olympian/lawyer Whitney Metzler comes home to York County, Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and York Barbell blog category.

Who was the greatest weightlifter in York's storied past?

Many believe it was three-time Olympian Tommy Kono.

And make that the greatest in America's past ... .

Jen German heads the list of all-time best Dallastown Area High School athletes. Where does she rank on list of greatest York County prep athletes? Background posts: Who is rightful owner of area boys' basketball scoring record?, Northeastern last York/Adams public school to field football team and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

A current 22-week York Daily Record/Sunday News series story opines about Shannon Bortner Werner, Dallastown Area High School class of 1998: "She is arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen." ...

Northeastern Football Association president Joe Griffith is a prime reason why Northeastern Senior High School will field a football team this fall. 'We were the largest school in the commonwealth not to have a football program. That's not a title to be proud of,' he said. To view a four-day series on how Northeastern football came to be, see York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Sean McLernon's Finally in the game. Background posts: Big Conewago separates Northeastern School District into two, Wolf Man, Wolfchester. No the village of Mount Wolf and New Weekly Records tell about community life.

Northeastern Senior High School will become the 22nd York Area Interscholatic Athletic Association team when the football is teed up on Friday, Aug. 29.

York Daily Record/Sunday News coverage of the addition of this costly sport in tight budgetary also showed that the YAIAA has more than doubled from its nine original teams in 1960.

The following YAIAA chronology, certain to be of interest, was part of that coverage:

A championship horshoe-pitching team poses at a location now flooded by Lake Redman. Three Lake Redman-related background posts: Mile-a-minute weed's York County origins questioned, Memorial honoring victims of alcohol-related crashes should be visited and Rainmaker's visit indicates much awry in York.

Over at sister blog The Lineup Card, Chris Otto connects the York-based national horseshoe pitching tournament just passed, local horseshoe pitching champions from old and the York County locale known as Smoketown... .

Camp Ganoga athletic director Don Roehm leads Boy Scouts in exercises in 1921. Scouts trooped about three miles into the isolated camp on the bank of the Big Conewago Creek near Strinestown after disembarking from the trolley in Manchester. This York County Heritage Trust photo was published in the book "On My Honor, 70 Years of Scouting in York & Adams Counties." The Big Conewago is the symbolic divide between northern York County and the other two-thirds of the county. Background posts: Monica Goodling proves that all roads lead to York, Part of Elm Beech still visible and Northern York area strawberry part of Neapolitan county.

Monica Goodling, in the news recently for her practices in hiring federal prosecutors, lived in a region where northern York County met southern York County.

In a forthcoming York Sunday News column, I tell about the Conewago Creek region where she lived and how at least intra-county cultures met on its banks.

The column follows:

This was the scene at the 2005 Musclecar Madness event at the York Expo Center, an event inspired by weekend racing at the York Airport - the U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way. The dragstrip operated from the late 1950s to 1979. Background posts: U.S. Drag-O-Way, Part I, U.S. Drag-O-Way, Part II and Wheels of York.

Tim Rearich, a former York countian living out west, remembers the U.S. 30 Drag-o-Way, subject of a couple of previous posts.

He particularly remembers the radio ads that went something like this:

"Saturday, Saturday, Saturday night at the US 30 dragoway... ."

Bill Stiles and Jere Stahl of York ran their 1966 Plymouth Belvedere in National Hot Rod Association competition and won every national event in '66. The photo was taken in 1966 at Stiles Performance. Jere Stahl received drag racing's Legion of Honor award at Musclecar Madness several years ago. The seventh annual racing event concluded over the weekend. Background posts: U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way, Part I: 'It was a great way to spend Saturday nights around here' and U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way, Part II: 'The traction at York U.S. 30 has never been better' and U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way, Part III: 'We would watch the dragsters on trailers head for Thomasville' and The night the furnace 'blew' and Wheels of York.

The news stories say that the U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way's 20-year run ended in 1979.

The York Airport's wide, long runway had served area piston-heads well.

As far back as 1972, the dragway had been struggling. It had even resorted to a promotion in which a dozen topless women would make an appearance.

The lure of demeaning promotions had been used in York County before in an attempt to bolster desperate situations... .

Don 'Big Daddy' Garlits, right, was the big star at Musclecar Madness in 2006 at the York Expo Center. He also was the star driver at the old U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way when it operated from in the 1960s and 1970s at York Airport. Background posts: First York Airport's administration building stands today, Vehicle crash ends life of former Indy driver, Museum exhibit brings back early days of high fliers and U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way, Part II: 'The traction at York U.S. 30 has never been better' and U.S. 30 Drag-O-Way, Part III: 'We would watch the dragsters on trailers head for Thomasville'.

The seventh Musclecar Madness, a nod to the old Route 30 Drag-O-Way, concluded this weekend.

That dragway operated for about 20 years - from the late 1950s to 1979 - at the York Airport.

When the dragway was operating, the airport was shut down to air traffic and the dragsters took over. The events often drew crowds of 10,000 spectators or more.

The legendary "Big Daddy" Garlits and other drivers liked it... .

This Hanover Raiders team in 1921 is one of 300 photographs in the recently released book "Hanover Raiders: Minor League Baseball in Hanover, Pennsylvania." Background posts: Adding to baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping', Little school house in Hanover: A Story of Circus and Coal Room, and A journey from Delone Catholic to the Super Bowl.

John Coulson's new book on professional baseball in Hanover in the first part of the 20th century caused some Web commenters to call for the organization of such a minor league team.

"It would be cool to start up this team again in the same league as York (Revolution) and Lancaster (Barnstormers)," one person commented.

The Hanover area wouldn't appear to have the population base to support such a team, and it would take years and years to build a stadium.

But the comment shows that some in town yearn for those days when the Hanover Raiders ruled.

Coulson points the community's memory to those days, as the following Hanover Evening Sun story (7/07/2008) indicates:

In resolving one of the many issues he inherited as York's mayor, John Brenner tells Hattie Dickson, Lillie Belle Allen's sister, that 'we are sorry for your loss' during a 2005 news conference after the city settled a civil rights lawsuit with Allen's family. Allen was a victim of the 1969 race riots in York. Brenner said this week that he would not seek re-election next year for a third term. Background posts: Meeting of riot victims brought racial accord, Mayor: 'We're going to clean up this site' and York Charrette or charade?

Time needs to pass before a full assessment of John Brenner's mayorship can be undertaken.

But clearly his administration signals the importance of a committed and competent mayor of York.

Brenner's chief legacy may show that he took over the shambles of mayor Charlie Robertson's administration and ran a semblance of order through racial and financial chaos... .

An Associated Press photographer captured Whitney Metzler of Dallastown during the women's 400 Individual Medley event at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. Metzler went on to finish in eighth place at the Olympics. Metzler is now an attorney in York. (See photo below.) Background posts: Lineup full of stars with York County links, Olympic gold medalist Scott Strausbaugh another achiever with Dover links and Who were the most prominent York County athletes of the 20th century?.

York County has produced many star athletes, but not that many Olympians in recent years.

There were those decades that weightlifters from York Barbell were kings of that sport. About 40 lifters, coaches or trainers with ties to York Barbell went to the Olympics, and earned 11 gold medals.

And, according to the York Daily Record/Sunday News sports department, Hans Gerhard Boetzelen won a silver in 1932 in rowing (double sculls).

And Robert Sohl won a bronze in 1948 for the 200-meter breastsroke.

And Linda Myers picked up a fifth and seventh places in 1972 and 1976, respectively.

Recently, the county has produced two medalists.

Scott Strausbaugh picked up a gold in canoeing in the 1990s.

And the most recent participant, Whitney Metzler, finished eighth in swimming in 1996.

Now, Whitney Metzler is back in York... .

Loretta Claiborne long jumps in Special Olympics competition in York in 2007 - the competition which launched her achievements.

Someone recently nominated Loretta Claiborne as one of York County's top 25 most influential people, in a sampling conducted by the York Sunday News.

The York Sunday News named Claiborne in the top 10 sports achievers in 20th-century York County.

Though only in her 50s, she already has her name on the side of a building on South George Street in York.

But those are just local accolades... .

The York Sunday New rated Bob Hoffman, founder of York Barbell, at the top of the top 10 York and Adams counties sports figures in the 20th century. Background posts: Lineup full of stars with York County links, Author muscles way into York's body building world and Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News publication of the 25 most influential people in York County sparked much community discussion.

The same was true in 2000 when the York Sunday News issued its list of the 20th-century's top 10 sports people.

Bob Hoffman headed the list on the strength of his role as five-time Olympic weightlifting coach and his founding of York Barbell.

His selection - and others in the top 10 - brought accord and also disagreement... .

Voni B. Grimes plays his trademark harmonica at a York Revolution game in the team's inaugural season in 2007. Background posts: Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories, At the blind center: 'The bees have been enjoying this garden, too.' and Articles of Confederation don't get no respect.

Borrowing from Time magazine, the York Daily Record/Sunday is compiling a list of York County's most influential people.

The names of philanthropic industrialists and businessmen no doubt will make the list.

Borrowing from Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," I put forth in my Sunday column the names of two 'connectors' - Luther B. Sowers and Voni B. Grimes - for that list... .

Children enjoy the playground equipment at Campus Park in York. Campus Park is one of 23 city parks. It takes its name from York Collegiate Institute, a forerunner of York College, that occupied the South Duke Street and College Avenue site until 1962. That's Voni B. Grimes Gym to the left, formerly the school's gymnasium. College Avenue takes its name from the collegiate institute. Background posts: Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories, Growing off-peak trolley ridership: Build a park and Great Balls of Fire, Memorial Park to spin back to 50s.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News has published a neat Web map with informational windows showing York's 23 parks.

It even includes the city's newest park - Renaissance Park - at the corner of East Princess and Prospect streets in the Old Towne East neighbhorhood.

The following is a story accompanying the map telling about the new park:

Dallastown artist Lorann Jacobs' newest sculpture in York shows Brooks Robinson signing autographs on the plaza outside York, Pa.'s, Sovereign Bank Stadium. York is ahead of Baltimore in honoring Brooks. Background posts: Sculptor molds York, Pa.'s past for posterity, Old York, Pa., lefty remembers young Brooks Robinson, and York County sports museum a miniature Cooperstown.

About 8,000 fans have walked across Brooks Robinson Plaza and passed the statue of the O's legend on their way to the two York Revs games this season.

The statue, sculpted by the prolific Lorann Jacobs, reminds fans that Brooks started his professional career in York.

But no such reminder stands in Baltimore, where Brooks spent his entire major league career... .

A marker designates home plate as York's new Sovereign Bank Stadium was constructed around it. York officials - and many residents in York County - are hoping the return of baseball helps drive a stake through the heart of the economic struggle that sometimes confronts the city. Background posts: 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay - 1 of 31 iconic images, New baseball diamond serves as York cornerstone - 20/31iconic photos and First pitch could break link with York race riots.

For this year's special publication, our spread will show 20 images that help define York County.

Now, we've added four more sets of iconic photos to the mix.

These photos connect with a major plank in York city officials' platform for the city's renaissance - baseball... .

York Revolution pitcher Matt Ford, left, leads his teammates through the fence in center field for the York, Pa., team's home opener. Background posts: Revs will easily pass 1969's full-season attendance stats, 'Just try Bob, almost everybody's named Bob', and York Revs could help teach about American Revs.

Continuing the series of telling York County, Pa.'s, history through images: ... .

Tommy Kono was America's best weight lifter in the 1950s. He won eight world titles and went undefeated from 1952-59. Kono lifted for York Barbell, the answer to a quiz question below. Background posts: 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part I, A short test of your women's history knowledge , A short test of your York black history knowledge, Part I, Black history quiz, Part II.

The York Daily Record used this quiz in the mid-1990s to orient new employees. The questions and answers, some tongue in check and often tied into then-recent news stories, will continue to pique interest.

Some may seem easy to veteran York Town Square readers. Consider this a review. Others will seem arcane.

See how you do:

Abe Amoros, president of the York City Little League Board of Directors, is seen during groundbreaking ceremonies in 2005 for two regulation Little League fields at York's Allen Park. Amoros recently assumed temporary executive director duties for the state Democratic Party. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit.

Gov. Ed Rendell made York resident Abe Amoros an offer he could not refuse.

Would Amoros temporarily take over for the state Democratic Party's regular executive director, who is on leave to head Hillary Clinton's campaign in Pennsylvania?

Amoros' affirmative answer propelled him to the water's edge facing the political storm that is starting to wash across Pennsylvania as Clinton and Barack Obama vie for Dem votes... .

This big World War II mobile siege gun represented the legacies of two industrial giants. Neighboring factories S. Morgan Smith Co. and York Corporation jointly constructed the gun, which could lob 240-pound shells at targets 30 miles away. Background posts: Glatfelter, Morgan Smith head industrial legacy list and 'Little Johnny' called for Allies in World War II.

In a recent York Sunday New column titled "Contributors bring history to life (see below)," I muse about how York County factories historically have made big things and worked hard to tell the world about them.

I tied it to the recent sale of Bradley Lifting, which made big, heavy devices that helped lift big, heavy things.

I went on a riff like this: ... .

Dallastown High grad Paul Snyder, right, served 50 years as a player, scout and exec in pro ball. He recently retired from the sport. Background posts: Susquehannock grads make national sports news and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

Former Green Bay Packer GM Ron Wolf comes from New Freedom.

Pittsburgh Steeler assistant coach Bruce Arians is from York.

Hanover's Pat Flaharty is the New York Giants' offensive line coach.

Carmen Fusco, former assistant general manager and scout for the New York Mets, operates a baseball academy in Fairview Township.

York County has contributed its fair share of residents to professional sports management. The Atlanta Braves Paul Snyder is perhaps at the top of the pack... .

This 1979 photo of Three Mile Island shows steam rising from the unit that was damaged two weeks later by a near meltdown. Today, the steam plumes are reversed. The damaged unit's stacks sit silent. This iconic picture was taken by veteran photographer ( but new blogger) Bil Bowden soon after he started at the York Daily Record/Sunday News. For a warmup, see Bowden photos on this blog, York Town Square: A far different view of York County, Simple photograph helps frame York County and No light at the end of this (abandoned) turnpike tunnel.

For years, York Daily Record/Sunday News readers have enjoyed Bil Bowden's photographs.

Now, his blog Bil's Eye-View, part of the yorkblog.com suite of bloggers, will feature some of his best hit photos from almost three decades of shooting in York County and beyond.. .

Gerald "Jerry" Karl was a York countian who played on the national stage - or rather, drove on national tracks. Karl, who raced at the Indianapolis 500 six times, died recently from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Background posts: For scores of post on other celebrities with York County links, see http://www.yorktownsquare.com/york-celebrities/. To see achievers in sports, see http://www.yorktownsquare.com/york-sports/.

Pedestrian A.B. Farquhar survived an accident involving a vehicle, but injuries sustained hastened the agricultural equipment manufacturer's death.

As I've written before, it was the saddest irony that the life of a captain of industry - a man who harnessed machinery to make machinery to harness the earth - was shortened by a machine.

And David E. Small, a noted York railroad car manufacturer in the 1800s, lost an arm after it became entangled in machinery.

Gerald "Jerry" Karl was similarly a York countian of national stature - a driver at a half dozen Indy 500s... .

Those in the military in World War II had a penchant for meeting fellow York countians. Here, Ed Tuleya is seen with York's Earl Roser, right, at the Gloucester Cathedral in Glocester, England. Ed Tuleya survived Omaha Beach, lost his baseball career, met his Czech wife (see photo below) and the rest is a love story. Background posts: Nazis murdered downed airman from York, Part V, Old York lefty remembered young Brooks Robinson and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

York Daily Record/York Sunday News' writer Jim Seip penned an exceptional story about a heroic World War II soldier.

But it's not really a war story... .

During the winter, southpaw Triple A pitcher Robert Rohrbaugh trains in Littlestown. Here, he lifts weights at the Littlestown YMCA. 'He's knocking on the door of the big leagues,' said Greg Hunter, the Mariners' director of player personnel. 'He's adjusted to every level he's been at.' Background posts: York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

Several years ago, Hanover-area left-hander Mark Phillips scored a big contract with the San Diego Padres. But his career so far has gone nowhere, falling far short of the majors. Last summer, Phillips labored in the Central League before landing a pitching slot in the Atlantic League.

But now comes another Hanover-area southpaw - Robert Rohrbaugh - one of the Seattle Mariners' top minor league prospects... .

In this 2004 photo, George Leader hands an ornamental chicken to Paul Masenheimer, who painted his nursing home - Providence Place - in York County's Dover Township. Leader bought the chicken to place outside the nursing home and to serve as a reminder of the link between chickens and the Leader family. His father was a renowned chicken breeder, and Leader began his career running a chicken hatchery. Background posts: Author muscles way into York's weightlifting, bodybuilding world and Gov. George Leader cleared dam plan.

York County Register of Wills Bradley C. Jacobs, a Dover-area native, pointed to several achievers to add to those that I pointed out in my column, Dover home to many achievers.

He particularly pointed to George Leader, the only Pennsylvania governor to come from York County. Leader grew up in York Township - Leader Heights. But after serving in World War II, Leader operated a chicken hatchery in Dover Township. That was his day job as he launched a political career... .

It would have been interesting to see this batter slide in his business suit in this photograph taken at a Blaw-Knox Special Ordnance Division picnic on July 29, 1945, at White Oak Park, north of York. Blaw-Knox succeeded York Safe & Lock near the Codorus narrows, east of the park site. AMF and Harley-Davidson followed Blaw-Knox at the plant. The park also accommodated dances with live bands in the 1960s. Background posts: Memories about 'The Oaks' pile up, Wanted: Old photos of teen hangout White Oaks Park and The Dell: 'It was like family'.

The promoters of a compilation CD of bands that played at White Oak Park Dances in the 1960s has a release date.

Oct. 18, 2008.

In an e-mail, Phil Schwartz wrote:

"The release of the CD is being timed to coincide with an even bigger event: a White Oak reunion... ."

Hanover native and Delone Catholic grad Pat Flaherty, right, is seen with his twin brother, Mike, center, before a Giants-Bears game in 2007. Pat Flaherty, offensive line coach for the New York Giants, received kudos for his line's play in Sunday's Super Bowl. Harry Hiestand, the Flahertys' brother-in-law and offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears, is at left. Background posts: Susquehannock grads make national sports news, Lineup full of stars with York County links and Wiki profiles eight with national status bearing Hanover roots.

Sunday's Super Bowl announcers were lavish in their praise of the New York Giants' offensive line.

They used the normal cliches: 'kept Eli Manning upright," "not big names," and "underrated."

At one point, they named the offensive line coach: Pat Flaherty... .

York Catholic girls' basketball player Megan Stewart, facing, leaps into the arms of teammate Kelly Rhein during the postgame celebration at Gettysburg Area High School in March 2007. Catholic girls went on to win the state championship. Background posts: Who is rightful owner of area boys' basketball scoring record? and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

York Catholic girls' success on the basketball court has people all over Pennsylvania scouring the record books.

The state champs' target appears to be 68, and it took some digging in Philadelphia Public League vaults to arrive at that... .

Jacob Iati has signed his national letter of intent to play Division I men's basketball at North Carolina's High Point University. Background posts: 71-year-old basketball player returns to home court and Susquehannock grads make national news.

When York Catholic's Jacob Iati passed the 2,000-point mark in December, the question surfaced again about who owns the leading point total in YIAA basketball history... .

Wikipedia lists several luminaries hailed from Hanover, including Academy Award-winning costume designer Ann Roth. Background posts: Actor John Baer among achievers in York High's Class of 1941 and And now starring actor ... Jakie Devers?

About 90 people with links to York have gained a national profile as listed on Wikipedia, the Web's free encyclopedia, number about 90.

A similar search for those in the national spotlight from Hanover comes in at eight.

But many luminaries are missing... .

Chantel Tremitiere of the Indiana Fever moves the ball upcourt against the Sacramento Monarchs in 2000. She is listed among 90 people from York cited for their achievements on Wikipedia, the free, self-selecting, or public-selecting Web encyclopedia that readers update. Post on other York achievers: Sol and Brooks lead long York County sports parade and Dominick Argento at top of York A & E hall of fame.

Some may remember my discovery outlined in a post some months ago that star BMX rider Kevin Jones (Dorkin' in York box set features Kevin Jones) has York roots.

I discovered that on Wikipedia under the category - people from York.

I check that occasionally and either see someone newly posted or a national figure I missed before... .

This was the first graphic or photograph to appear with a York Town Square post, accompanying York Market House No. 5 - Carlisle Avenue Market, revisited in April 2006. Incidentally, that the present-day Dreamwrights building was built as a farmers market still surprises folks. Background posts: There were 5, count 'em, 5 York markets and Don't know much about (York market) history?.

The year 2007 saw visitors to this blog increase exponentially over the previous two years we've been posting.

We hope you are enjoying each day's history lesson. The numbers, increased commenting and e-mails suggest you are.

A list of best, first and most popular posts at this blog follows:

Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall awaits his helmet before riding in a NASCAR race car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience before taking laps at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. in this Associated Press photograph. Edsall and his brother, Duke, a former Atlantic Coast Conference basketball referee, graduated from Susquehannock High School. Background posts about other York sports achievers: Butch Wynegar ranks bright among York's sports stars and Lenny Moore has strong links to York.

Two brothers from Glen Rock have made it big on the national sports scene.

Duke Edsall has called 20 NCAA tournaments, including one Final Four, as a basketball referee.

His younger brother and fellow Susquehannock High School grad has just coached University of Connecticut's football team to its best Division I season.

There just seems to be no end to people with York County roots making national headlines ... .

Sidney Poitier smiles while making his way to the podium at the Valencia Ballroom in 2002. Poitier was the guest speaker of The Junior League of York's "In The Spotlight" Speaker Series. For more on the Valencia, see below. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Valencia Ballroom became cool place during Depression.
You're sitting in the living room surrounded by visiting loved ones.

And the talk perhaps turns to York County, its strengths, weakness and befuddling quirks.

And you want to show your smarts about this complex, often perplexing county, which boasts of a bottomless fund of history.

So began my most recent York Sunday News column:

So to help you strut your intelligence, we continue what we started last Christmas and come up with another 20 questions for you to pose (search on this blog for additional details) ... .

William Penn High School grad Chris Doleman was one of several York countians to score success in the NFL. Background posts: Lineup full of sports stars with York County links and Hinkey and the Babe teamed up in '23 and Names of stars from York County with pro sports links just keep increasing and A journey from Delone Catholic to the Super Bowl .

Dover's John Kuhn is part of a short list of York County athletes who have made the NFL in recent years.

A sampling of former NFL players born in York County to join Kuhn, the former Pittsburgh Steeler and current Green Bay Packer into professional football, according to a York Daily Record report:

John Kuhn, right, works out at Leader Health & Fitness in 2005. Kuhn is a Dover High and Shippensburg graduate. After a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the back now plays for the Green Bay Packers. Background posts on other Dover achievers: Wiest's first store: 'Segars' 5 cents a grab and Olympic gold medalist Scott Strausbaugh another Dover product.

Add NFLer John Kuhn to the list of achievers from Dover.

Kuhn made it to the Super Bowl as part of the Steelers practice squad in 2006. He was the second York countian to play as a back for the Steelers in recent years following Eastern York High School grad Jon Witman... .

This Associated Press photograph shows Dover's Scott Strausbaugh, front, and Joe Jacobi of Bethesda, Md., in their successful quest for a gold medal in men's canoeing whitewater doubles in 1992 Olympic competition in Seu d'Urbell Spain. Strausbaugh is another successful Dover-area product. Background posts: 'The Edison of Cumberland Valley' and http://www.yorktownsquare.com/2007/11/dover-history-and-drawbaugh-1.htmlDover's uneven history runs deep into well-tilled German soil.

In covering celebs hailing from Dover in a previous post, Scott Strausbaugh is on the list as a pride of the community.

Strausbaugh was an Olympic gold medalist just 15 years ago, the fifth canoeing and kayaking medal won by Americans in that competition up to that point.

Here were some comments by and about the canoeist, a 1981 Dover Area High School grad, at that time:

The class of 1915 poses outside Cedar Valley School in Fawn Township. Notice that this school, as many southern York County schools, integrated well before the Supreme Court mandated such in 1954. A sizable black population lived in southern York County, sitting on the Mason-Dixon Line. (This comes from the Neal DeVoe collection.) Background post: One-room memories flow from readers' fingertips.

The Stewartstown Area Historical Society's "Yesteryears in Southern York County" is full of 200 or more photos submitted by readers.

And it boasts some unusual human glimpses of that section of the county not always seen in postcard-filled picture books that tend to focus on officials or institutions.

We published a few more photos showing women at play and work below as examples:

J.W. Gitt plays a round at Hanover Country Club at age 88. Gitt helped found the country club. This photograph came from Mary Hamilton's recent biography on Gitt, "Rising from the Wilderness." Background post: J.W. Gitt: 'Just say it ... straight out'

Gordon Freireich, York Daily Record/Sunday News columnist, raised the question in a recent piece about why the Hanover Country Club is in Abbottstown, not Hanover.

Mary Hamilton devoted many pages to the club and its founding in her recently published biography of J.W. Gitt, "Rising from the Wilderness."... .

George Trout has many signed baseballs from the York White Roses, prime occupants of stadium in Veterans Memorial Park in the 1950s and 1960. Trout was the public address announcer for the White Roses in 1955. When he couldn't confirm the Roses' newest player - a 'B. Robinson' - Trout announced 'Bob Robinson' as a substitution. Memorial Stadium will always be associated with Brooks Robinson's professional debut.

York city is planning a "Great Balls of Fire Car & Truck Cruise In" at Veterans Memorial Park later this month.

The event will take a step back into the '50s, when the city assumed ownership of the park.

When was the park built? ...

Despite a resume that would consume a ream of paper, York native Ernest Lefever does not make Wikipedia's best-of-york list.

Wikipedia gives a list of 74 people from York with enough world-wide contributions to make the team.

Obviously, the list has some holes.

I recognized - and have written - about many of those listed.

But I didn't recall at least one name - Kevin Jones, BMX rider - a freestyle BMX rider... .

Former major leaguer Gene Crumling inspects his plaque during the recent opening of the York County Sports Hall of Fame.

Sandy Noel left a query on a previous post Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

It was one of those everyday riddles people like to solve.

Here is Sandy's query:

"My father, Luther James Brenneman was inducted to the Central York County League, Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. He was an infielder and played for North York. He would have played in the late 40's, early 50's. I received a plaque with his name on it, and I am trying to get more information about it."

If you know, please contact Sandy at sjnwhatever@comcast.net.

But those with sports questions have another resource. The York Area Sports Hall of Fame has a new home. So the museum at Insurance Service United office at 224 N. George St. in York might be a place for Sandy and others with sports questions to start. The folks there might not know it but might be able to point inquirers in the right direction.

A York Daily Record story on the museum follows:

A two-story-high scoreboard posted on The Gazette and Daily's East King Street building kept sports fans and news junkies up to date on sports and news happenings in the days before radio and TV.

Before the Internet, there was a scoreboard to keep news and sports enthusiasts up to date.

But before the scoreboard, there was a light bulb.

Columnist Jim Hubley recently wrote about a scoreboard outside The Gazette and Daily's building that updated the public between newspaper publishing cycles.

That brought to mind a newspaper story I read from the late 1800s about a way of notifying folks between newspaper cycles about the winner of, I believe, the 1896 presidential race between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan.

A light atop a tower on a tall building in York would flash a certain color assigned in advance to one of the candidates if he won.

People could tell that their guy won or lost by standing on their front porch.

People always have been hungry for the news.

Here's Jim Hubley's scoreboard column:

David Beckham has brought Major League Soccer into the spotlight in his debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He remains a member of England's national team.

England's national team. That's the one that lost to America's entry in the World Cup in 1950.

That 500-to-1 upset is outlined in the book, "The Game of Their Lives," and the movie with the same name.

That upset featured the great play of a York countian, John "Clarkie" Souza.

Here's York Daily Record/Sunday News writer Frank Bodani's 2004 story on York County's most famous soccer player:

The centerpiece on this front page tells about the return of the longtime baseball rivalry between York and Lancaster to the west bank of the Susquehanna after a 50-year absence.

The series between York and Lancaster's baseball teams has been tagged The War of the Roses.

Some people believe this ties into the American Revolution, in which America gained its independence and from which the York Revolution takes its name.

York, the White Rose City, and Lancaster, its Red Rose counterpart, actually take their nicknames from cities in 15th-century England.

It was no revolutionary war in England, but a civil war .... .

Curly Holtzapple, center, greets Brooks Robinson on the field at Sovereign Bank Stadium, where former members of the York White Roses were honored before the Revolution took the field for Friday's opener, the first professional game in town since 1969. Curly Holtzapple (center) greets Brooks Robinson as he joins the White Roses on the field before the York Revolutions first home baseball game in the new stadium on June 15.

The York Revolution's attendance after nine home games in their new stadium is 32,336.

The turnout for the entire home season for the York Pirates, the last professional team to take the diamond in York, came in at 52,934.

So, compared to the 1969 curfew- and race-riot plagued season, the Revs are on target to surpass that last season's attendance this month. And it wasn't that th 1969 team was bad. The Pirates won the International League pennant that year.

The turnstile numbers still have caused a debate. Some, including YDR writer Jim Seip contend attendance has been hurt because the stadium was opened before it was completed. Others disagree. Weigh in on this debate at The Exchange.

The Revs attendance stats so far, as compiled by York Daily Record sports editor Chris Otto:

"This is where the York Tri-State team plays in the summer time," the writer noted on the front of this postcard. But where was this?

Deb Hummel, a York Daily Record/Sunday News copy editor, found this postcard in Maryland.

It's the home of the York White Roses, but maybe old-timers would know where it was located. The background buildings suggest it might have been at the York Fairgrounds... .

A Life magazine artist captured the York White Roses in this 1941 painting. This scene is probably at York's Martin-Parry field. After World War II, the York White Roses played its games at Memorial Stadium, constructed to honor those who died and served in the war. It was at Memorial Stadium that Brooks Robinson made his major league debut on June 3, 1955.

I took a swing in a York Sunday News column about the night that Brooks Robinson broke into professional baseball. That was the night that P.A. announcer George Trout got his name wrong and the newspapers had him as second baseman "Bob" Robinson for the next two weeks.

But I particularly like the anecdote from shortstop Curly Holtzapple, the other half of the double play duo with Brooks, that I included with my column:

Greg Vojtanek brings acting experience to his role with the York Revolution. Central York High School's Mark Zortman is keeping a running list of those with national acting credits. Background posts: Hanover native Ann Roth explains how she designs costumes for Hollywood and Many national stars first performed on YLT's stage and York native Steve Zirnkilton's 'Law & Order' voice known to the world and Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here .

Greg Vojtanek, marketing manager for the York Revs, is bringing Hollywood experience to make each home game an event.

Vojtanek appeared in "Princess Diaries II," as George, the lip reader. He was also in a deleted scene (available on DVD) in "Raising Helen," as a security guard/stage manager. He had a brief walking scene with Kate Hudson.

He has appeared in commercials and soap operas before switching to promotions in organized baseball.

"I just said, 'I think I want to work in baseball.' I don't know why. I have no idea what came over me," he told the York Daily Record in a recent story.

He is another in a long line of people with York links to work as actors on stage or screen.

Mark Zortman of Central York High School keeps a running list of those who have gone on to big things... . (This supplements past posts on this blog.) ...

Thomas E. "Lefty" George is captured in this 1955 cartoon, appearing in Jim Hubley's book "Off The Record." Brooks Robinson was in York County for a cup of tea before going to the O's, but George captivated local fans with his antics for years.

Brooks Robinson was to become the most famous player ever to take the field for the York White Roses.

But Lefty George, who played into the 1950s, was the best-known during his playing days in York.

Writing about George in a column that originally ran in 1986, former York Daily Record sports editor Jim Hubley wrote about the eccentric lefthander: ...

While checking out Patriot Days activities at York County Heritage Trust on June 22-23, look for the case exhibit on the York White Roses. ...

The minor league teams in the late 1960s in York weren't very good. And minor league baseball had run its course until revived this weekend.

But a large crowd one day came to York's Memorial Stadium to see a game played on an artificial turf infield. It would become the first outdoor game to be played on Astroturf. The turf, installed free for experimental reasons, remained in place for about 10 years before softball cleats tore it up.

Here is a York Daily Record story from a few years ago telling the story of the pioneering turf:

Lt. Col. Phil Aubel of York stretches out the center of the American flag on display Friday night in center field at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The York Revolution's new ball park is full of connections to the American Revolution.

To continue to tie the past with the present, I again explained in a York Sunday News column the link between the American Revolution and the York Revolution baseball team playing in its first season.

I adjusted the column to show James Smith, York's Declaration of Independence signer, attending a York Revolution game, assuming he came back to live today.

Indeed, from young Alexander Graydon's account, Smith would have enjoyed such a festive occasion.

Graydon, attorney-in-training in 1773, found lawyer Smith fond of the bottle and bursting with whimsical humor: ,,,

York County's Hinkey Haines and Babe Ruth teamed up in 1923.

Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Brooks Robinson and former lefty Ken Raffensberger appeared in a York Daily Record roundup of athletes who touched York County in some way.

The 2006 story provides an impressive list of links between the world of sports and the county of York:

When Ken Raffensberger, York County-born former Cincinnati Reds' pitcher, died in 2002, sports editor Chris Otto linked the left-hander with the White Roses.

After a long major-league career that included the hurling of four one-hitters, Raffensberger almost finished as a Baltimore Oriole.

After playing with a team in Havana, Cuba, in 1955, he returned to York and played with the White Roses.

"That was the year Brooks Robinson played here and the Orioles came up for an exhibition game. I pitched and we whupped them something awful (13-1)...," Raffensberger explained in 1986. "I figured that game might earn me a contract with the Orioles but they had committed themselves to a youth movement."

About that exhibition game, The Gazette and Daily wrote that the Roses, "humiliated the so-called big league club." ... .

Lorann Jacobs works on a clay model, part of the Brooks Robinson statue she is sculpting for the plaza named after the former York White Roses and Baltimore O's star outside Sovereign Bank Stadium in York.

Sculptor Lorann Jacobs had to check some facts before her work on the Brooks Robinson statue, to be unveiled this summer at York's new baseball stadium.

She tried to verify Robinson's number when he played for the York White Roses in 1955.

Even Brooks couldn't remember his number. (An old photograph with No. 36 written on it suggests that might have been his number.)

She went with the famous No. 5 he wore as an Oriole, and the number he donned in both the White Roses' and Revs' jerseys that he wore in festivities before the Revs home opener Friday night... .

Brooks Robinson poses in a White Roses uniform in 1955. He graduated from high school in Arkansas and immediately joined the York team, where he started his professional career.

George Trout was at the mic before the York Revs' first game at the new stadium.

Brooks Robinson was on the field as part of a tribute to former York White Rose players.

Trout recounted the story of how he introduced Brooks, then in his first professional season in 1955, as "Bob."

The shorthand version of the story is that young public address announcer Trout needed a first name to go with the B. Robinson he was introducing.

The official scorer said it must be "Bob," and Trout went with it.

Here's Jim Seip's longer version, from a 2005 interview with Trout :...

Sovereign Bank Stadium

I put forth in a column timed to the opening of York's baseball stadium that this could be a pivotal moment for the community.

Fans reach out to touch the bat offered by a Rev.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News' Jim Seip has been covering the York Revolution baseball team for months now.

He wrote the most incisive story of how the Revs came into being at the time of the team's first game in Bridgeport, Conn., on May 6.

Here's an excerpt:

(Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust)

My York Sunday News column suggested that the York Revolution baseball team tantalize - and educate - fans with American Revolution facts during games.

I included several possible questions with that column.

Here is a sampling:

Virginia's Richard Henry Lee was one of 64 delegates who met in York Town for nine months from Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. One of his brothers, Francis Lightfoot Lee, joined him in York and another brother, Arthur, served as an American diplomat in Paris. All three were ancestors of the best-known Lee from Virginia, Robert E.

In a "Connections 2007" piece, I did my best to explain why the York Revolution baseball team drew its name from York's American Revolution past.

But the best part of the six-page spread is the first color printing that I've seen of the York County Heritage Trust's paintings of key figures from York and the Revolution -- the 1775 to 1783 Revolution, that is.

We published 15 of the trust's 16 murals. We lost Richard Henry Lee because of space, although we picked him up above. The painting of Marquis de Lafayette, apparently part of the same series but displayed at York's Lafayette Club, did make the Connections cuts. ...

Dover's Bill School, shown here with his long trumpet, played "Call to the Gate" at the Preakness in May 2007. For a full story on the trumpet player, see below. Background posts: Artist Jeff Koons came back to York for a show and York County has produced star NFL players.

Remember that recent post about how York County people seem to regularly make the national news or are tied to big-time events?

Well, we have some more such links ...

John Fetterman is mayor of the Pennsylvania steel town of Braddock.

He's also a Harvard-trained lawyer.

He's also a York County native.

York countians are everywhere. We have our national celebs and athletes and politicians.

In the York Revolution's first game, starting pitcher Wayne Franklin fires to home plate.

The York Revs opening their first season on May 4, and that created a bunch of firsts.

According to the York Daily Record:

For the first time in nearly 38 years, a team representing York played regular season professional baseball on Friday night.

The York Revolution took the field at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard against the Bridgeport (Conn.) Bluefish in an Atlantic League season opener.

It was York's first pro game since September 1969, when the York Pirates folded after winning the Eastern League title.

Unfortunately, a 12-run sixth inning by the Bluefish - the Atlantic league's all-time winningest franchise - was too much for the Revs to overcome, and York lost, 15-8.

But for now, the result isn't too important, even if York's bullpen blew an 8-3 lead.

To help fans get their fill of Revolution trivia, here are Friday night's firsts in franchise history:

York County has several connections with Babe Ruth, now pushed to No. 3 on the list of all-time home run hitters.

One of the most direct links involved a native son who played with Ruth's New York Yankees in 1923. He's former Penn State and New York Football Giants' player Henry "Hinkey" Haines. Also, see Did the Babe visit York? and York turned its eyes to DiMaggio.

Here's how "Never to be Forgotten" describes Hinkey:

A marker designates home plate at York's new baseball stadium. Will the first pitch drive a stake through the heart of a sad body of York history?

Ugh, I hadn't previously connected the demise of the minor league baseball York White Roses in 1969 with that summer of unrest that we know today as the race riots.

But there was the link, in a brief history of York baseball writer by York Daily Record/Sunday News writer Jim Seip this week.

The impact of that terrible summer of 1969 keeps emerging. Perhaps the first pitch at the first home game of the York Revolution this summer will bury that link to one of York's moments solidly beneath the bedrock undergirding Sovereign Stadium's home plate.

Here is that brief history:

Stan Musial, left, and Hinkey Haines converse at York Sports Night in 1976. Haines was inducted in the York Sports Hall of Fame that night. Butch Wynegar, background, holds a pen, anticipating an autograph.

'York native Butch Wynegar is back in pinstripes.'

That's how the YDR's story on Red Lion-native and 13-year major-league veteran Butch Wynegar began. See Butch. It went on to explain that the recently released hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers was now a hitting instructor in the Yankees organization.

Anytime I read about Wynegar, I think about this photo bringing together three generations of baseball greats - Stan Musial, Hinkey Haines and young Wynegar... .

The rock group Live, actor Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick Martie Erwin Seidel all have York County roots. (See stars from York County.)

But often-forgotten Cameron Mitchell ranks near the top of a short list of accomplished entertainers hailing from York County.

Longtime York County journalist Jim Hubley knew Cameron Mitchell and remembers a moment when the future actor was mulling a career decision.

Hubley's York Daily Record column from 1994 follows:

A weight lifter who made York Barbell a name brand in the weight lifting world passed away over the weekend.

Jules Bacon, 89, a former Mr. America and Mr. Universe, died in York, an adopted town he helped build into Muscletown USA... .

The massive fire at Adhesives Research was one of the top York County stories in 2006.

The York Sunday News ran this list, compiled from the newspaper staff, of the top stories of 2006.

Take a gander at the following and see what you think:

York countian Gary E. Heiland pointed out a curious artifact uncovered during excavation of York’s baseball stadium.
See his letter below:

Look mom, only one hand. Legendary bodybuilder John Grimek lifts a York Barbell. Grimek scored a ninth-place finish in heavyweight competition in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Everytime you go into John D. Fair's "Muscletown USA" (Penn State Press), you come out with fascinating stuff about York county weightlifting history.

It's one of those books that keeps providing tidbits, even after you've read it. The book focuses around the life and times of weightlifting and bodybuilding guru Bob Hoffman and his legacy company, York Barbell.

For example:

On the York County history trail ...

In a visit near the Springettsbury Township site earlier this year, the green field with a rise to its rear just sparkled.

But the site features another point of interest. I stood near the Schultz house, a multi-story structure that is one of the oldest in York County and certain to be part of any park if preservationists prevail versus the developer.

Its history ran through my mind: ...

Lewis Miller, 19th-century artist/carpenter, left a rich legacy of drawings documenting 19th-century York County.

Because of his work, we know more about what life was like around here in the 1800s.

It’s fun to try to figure out who will become 20th and 21st-century Lewis Millers... .

Attractive white roses adorning the Leader Heights overpass abutments greet motorists driving north on Interstate 83.

There can be no mistaking it. Drivers are approaching the vicinity of York, Pa., the White Rose City, and the roses mark the start of the new and improved Dead Man's Curve.

Such highway enhancements are rare along the interstate in York County and might leave some wondering how York ever garnered such a symbol, a symbol fortunately discarded as the name of the city's new minor league baseball team. (The York White Roses, the longtime name of the now defunct York team, did not win the day in the 21st century. The York Revolution won that battle.)

Anyway, the following from Never to be Forgotten explains the origins of York, the White Rose City... .

During the week, James DeBord directs YorkCounts. At home, he goes to baseball games with his son and joins with his 8-year-old in collecting baseball cards.

Anyway, in pursuit of that hobby, he found out that Joe DiMaggio was a collector, too. Joe had a program that he had picked up at York Area Sports Night in 1974. The question is, why did Joe keep the program?

We’ll let James tell the story:

Sylvia Colston-Still

Sylvia Colston-Still came home Tuesday to visit Crispus Attucks Community Center. She starred in basketball in the 1950s and participated in other programs at CA's former center at 125 E. Maple St. building. In those days, the converted church was viewed as a home away from home by many in the black community.

After a long career as a school guidance counselor, Dr. Colston-Still continues to play basketball every day at age 71... .

The new York Revolution minor league baseball team’s association with the county’s rich Revolutionary War past could pique interest in the delegates who fled to York from Philadelphia.

Continental Congress came here in 1777-78 after the British pushed them out of the comforts of Philadelphia.

John Hancock was in York. So was Samuel Adams. And his cousin, John. Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee was here. So was Princeton Prez John Witherspoon.

Some of the 64 delegates who served in York Town, as it was then called, were luminaries. Some are little known today, and not that well known in their day.

To help make them come alive a little more, the following from “Nine Months in York Town" http://w2.ydr.com/news/ninemonths/ might be intrigue you:

York’s association with the American Revolution has been so strong that it was inevitable that its minor league baseball team would be named the "Revolution." Indeed, some even erroneously view its architecture as Colonial.

A few buildings remain from Revolutionary times — the Gates House and Plough Tavern and the Cookes House (See "Vandals strike house where Thomas Paine reportedly labored" entry in York Town Square archives), for example.

And a few 20th-century buildings are designed to bring people back to those days — the Colonial Courthouse replica along the Codorus and Sovereign Bank’s (formerly York Federal’s) downtown office.

But much of York’s building and house stock is predominantly Victorian, meaning late 1800s and early 1900s... .

The naming of York's new baseball team the "York Revolution" ties into the community's most cherished moment -- the nine months that the Continental Congress visited York County in 1777-78.

What's the evidence that York relishes its Revolutionary War past when Congress met in the town's Centre Square Courthouse? Well, count the historical markers downtown. About a dozen tie into the Revolution. Only one, way out in West York, connects with the Civil War... .

This panel, part of the Murals of York series, features two York-based Olympic weightlifters, Tommy Kono, center, and John Grimek, right. That's York Barbell's Bob Hoffman, four-time Olympic coach, at left.

Angela Grimek's grandchildren want to recognize their grandmother's June 24 birthday.

The wife of the late Mr. America and Mr. USA weightlifter John Grimek is turning 90.

This is a reminder that York County is not long past those days when it billed itself as Muscletown USA.

John Grimek was among the most successful of the musclemen training under the tutelage of Bob Hoffman, founder of York Barbell Co.... .

Both stayed at the landmark Yorktowne Hotel, placed on the sales block last week.

The landmark York hotel was completed in 1925 and would soon boast of a guest register that tells a story of York County social and cultural life... .

Golf courses in York County will soon turn from green to black, as in asphalt.

Residential builders want to cover over some or all of Copper Beach, Heritage Hills, Springwood, Honey Run and Hawk Lake courses. This isn’t the first time that development has sprouted up on a York County golf course.

In fact, it happened to the county’s first course. The Springdale section of York and York College of Pennsylvania cover the county's initial course dating back to the 1890s — or perhaps before. Then as now, the sand traps gave way to the cement mixer because a growing population made the land more valuable for other purposes.

The names of luminaries Grier Hersh and A.B. Farquhar were connected with this south York course, as the following excerpt from “Never to be Forgotten" points out:

King Solomon “Sol" White, a former minor leaguer who played in York, has scored a place in the baseball Hall of Fame. http://www.ydr.com/search/ci_3557882

This second baseman’s connection with York was little known here prior to the Hall of Fame’s calling.

York County’s sports history is a fertile ground for further research and writing. Former Major League baseball player Jim Spencer’s from here. So is Greg Gross. Woody Bennett. Scott Fitzkee. Brooks Robinson started his minor league career here. And now Sol White.

Here’s the piece I wrote on the Monarchs for “Never to be Forgotten."

The explosive Adhesives Research fire a couple of weeks ago near Potosi brings a question about how the Springfield Township crossroads got its name.

Fifty years ago, John D. Kilbourne, Historical Society of York County director, put forth an answer.

He had received an inquiry from a Wisconsin resident, who was trying to link mining with other towns in the Americas called Potosi. Kilbourne wrote back that iron ore mining occurred in the 1880s in the township, and the Potosi Post Office was established there in 1901.

Lenny Moore, famed Penn State and Baltimore Colts running back, is coming back home when he appears at York Sports Night.

The annual event is set for Jan. 25, 2006, at the old Central York High School, 300 E. Seventh Ave., North York. The autograph session will be at 6:15 p.m., and the show starts at 7:15 p.m.

Moore has strong family ties to York, as attested to by the following excerpt from “Almost Forgotten," my book on black history in York County:

Jason (jshow16@suscom.net), an autograph collector, has picked up the "mother lode,‿ a Babe Ruth signature from the 1920s. It was written on Hotel Penn letterhead.

Where was the Hotel Penn, he asked?