I have been researching professional athletes who were born and/or went to high school in the Beacon Journal’s five-county coverage area (Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne). Below is a list of baseball players who made it to the majors.
I couldn’t find all the high schools, so please let me know if you have any additional information about the players listed. Also, please notify me if you know of any players who have been left off the list. Finally, I must thank Beacon Journal baseball historians Bill Lilley and Larry Pantages for helping me compile the list.
Here it is:
Andy Sonnanstine (pitcher) Wadsworth High School/Kent State University — Tampa Bay … 2007-current.
Damon Minor (first baseman/DH) born in Canton and went to Hammon H.S. in Oklahoma/University of Oklahoma — San Francisco … 2000-04.
Ryan Minor (first baseman/third baseman/DH) brother of Damon Minor born in Canton and went to Hammon H.S. in Oklahoma/University of Oklahoma — Baltimore, Montreal … 1998-2001.
Jeff Tabaka (pitcher) Copley H.S./KSU — Pittsburgh, San Diego, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis … 1994-2001.
Kenny Robinson (pitcher) Archbishop Hoban H.S. — Toronto, Kansas City … 1995-97.
Mike Birkbeck (pitcher) Orrville H.S./University of Akron — Milwaukee, New York Mets … 1986-95.
Scott Fletcher (shortstop) Wadsworth H.S./Ga. Southern University/University of Toledo — Chicaco Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Texas, Milwaukee, Boston, Detroit … 1981-95.
Bob Knepper (pitcher) born in Akron and is believed to have moved out of the area for high school — San Francisco, Houston … 1976-1990.
Randy Bockus (pitcher) Sandy Valley H.S./KSU — San Francisco, Detroit … 1986-89.
Thurman Munson (catcher) now-closed Lehman H.S. in Canton/KSU — NYY … 1969-79.
Art Kusnyer (catcher) Buchtel H.S. – Chicago White Sox, California, Milwaukee, Kansas City … 1970-78.
Billy Baldwin (outfielder/DH) Buchtel H.S./Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana — Detroit, NYM … 1975-76.
Gene Michael (shortstop) East H.S./KSU — Pittsburgh, L.A. Dodgers, New York Yankees, Detroit … 1966-75.
Dean Chance (pitcher) what is now called Northwestern H.S. (formerly called West Salem H.S.) — L.A. Angels, California, Minnesota, Cleveland, NYM, Detroit … 1961-1971.
Mike Hershberger (outfielder) Massillon Washington H.S./University of Cincinnati — Chicago White Sox, Kansas City, Oakland, Milwaukee … 1961-71.
Jack DiLauro (pitcher) North H.S./UA — NYM, Houston … 1969-70.
Joe Sparma (pitcher) Massillon Washington H.S./Ohio State University — Detroit, Montreal … 1964-70.
Gene Woodling (outfielder) East H.S. — Cleveland, NYY, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington … 1943-62.
Hal Naragon (catcher) Barberton H.S. — Cleveland, Washington, Minnesota … 1951-62.
Rod Graber (outfielder) born in Massillon — Cleveland … 1958.
Ron Negray (pitcher) Garfield H.S. — Brooklyn, Philadelphia, L.A. Dodgers … 1952-58.
Paul Stuffel (pitcher) Marlington H.S./KSU — Philadelphia … 1950-53.
Tommy Henrich (outfielder/first baseman) Massillon Washington H.S. — NYY … 1937-50.
Charles Stanceu (pitcher) born in Canton — NYY, Philadelphia … 1941-46.
Vince Shupe (first baseman) born in East Canton –Boston … 1945.
Dick Hahn (catcher) born in Canton — Washington … 1940.
Steve Rachunok (pitcher) born in Rittman — Brooklyn … 1940.
Rabbit Warstler (shortstop/second baseman) North Canton Hoover H.S. — Boston, Philadelphia … 1930-40.
Fred Tauby (outfielder) born in Canton — Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh … 1935-37.
Bob “Fatty” Fothergill (outfielder) Massillon Washington H.S. — Detroit, Chicago White Sox, Boston … 1922-33.
Hal Haid (pitcher) born in Barberton — St. Louis, Boston, Chicago White Sox … 1919-33.
George Sisler (first baseman) now-closed Central H.S. in Akron/University of Michigan — St. Louis, Washington, Boston … 1915-30.
Fred Bratschi (outfielder) born in Alliance — Chicago White Sox, Boston … 1921-27.
Roger Peckinpaugh (shortstop) born in Wooster — Cleveland, NYY, Washington, Chicago White Sox … 1910-27. Player/manager for NYY in 1914, manager for Cleveland 1928-33 and 1941.
Bill Upham (pitcher0 born in Akron — Brooklyn, Boston … 1915-18.
Harry Betts (pitcher) born in Alliance — St. Louis, Cincinnati … 1903-1913.
Fred Graf (third baseman) born in Canton — St. Louis … 1913.
Scott Ingerton (utility) born in Peninsula — Boston … 1911.
Bob Spade (pitcher) born in Akron — Cincinnati, St. Louis … 1907-10.
Herm Malloy (pitcher) born in Massillon — Detroit … 1907-08.
Warren Shanabrook (third baseman) born in Massillon — Washington … 1906.
Ed Poole (pitcher) born in Canton — Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Brooklyn … 1900-04.
Sam Wise (utility) born in Akron — Detroit, Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Buffalo … 1881-93.
Joe Neale (outfielder/pitcher) born in Wadsworth — Louisville, St. Louis … 1886-91.
Ossie France (pitcher) born in Green — Chicago Cubs … 1890.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a good discussion. I want to emphasize how good Sisler was. Born in Manchester, he is often overlooked and he shouldn’t be. He is one of the best third baseman ever to play. He had a 41-game hit streak in 1922 and was elected to the Hall in 1939.
I would add former Cleveland manager Roger Peckinpaugh to the list. He is from Wooster and had a long playing and managerial career. I believe Mel Harder played for him in the late 20s.
Also, Ossie France is from Akron I believe also.
Sorry, a typo. Sisler was obviously first base.
France is from Green and pitched only two innings in his career.
Also, Peckinpaugh was the manager when Cleveland Municipal Stadium opened in 1932. Mel Harder lost to Philadelphia’s Lefty Grove 1-0 that day.
Wow. Great stuff. I appreciate the feedback and Peckinpaugh and France have been added to the list. Please let me know if you come up with anything else.
I am befuddled how the usually astute Mr. Lilley would have missed Don “Moonlight” Coughlin, a stellar second-sacker for the Philadelphia Athletics back in the dead ball era.
I don’t see Moonlight in the Baseball Register. Could he have played for an early version of the New York Knights?
Moonlight Coughlin played for the great manager Phil Leotardo. It’s notable that the team’s trainer during those days was Vito Spattafora, who was one of the founders of Firestone High School.
According to Buster Olney, the writers of the Baseball Register are a group of nerds who spend to much time watching Star Trek reruns when they should be doing the proper baseball research. In an attempt to reach someone from SABR for confirmation, I was told that they were all attending a Star Wars convention. More nerds? YOU make the call!
Did Moonlight Coughlin have an actual at-bat or just get a walk?
Or did he actually score a run in is career or was it simply a food run to Swenson’s for a milk shake?
Actually, Coughlin once hit for the cycle. But there was a big misunderstanding on his part. He took dead aim and pulled a pitch foul over the left field grandstands and hit a parked motorcycle. He hooted and hollered, according to legend, over “hitting the cycle”, but was laughed out of the league shortly thereafter.
You missed outstanding football talents from the 70′s. Tom Curtis from Aurora who was the best athlete I ever played with, MIchigan and then the Colts. Stan White from Roosevelt,OSU. Jack Lambert Crestwood ,Kent and Steelers. Vrabel, walshJesuit and new England. I sure I’m missing some.
Do your research!!!
I appreciate your comment, but please read the blog before telling me to do my research. This is a list of baseball players not football players. I am working on local legends lists for football and basketball, but I haven’t completed them yet.
Problematyką tą interesuję się już od dawna i zawsze bardzo chętnie zabieram się za czytanie nowych artów o tym. Wielkie dzięki więc za porcję informacji.