Well, the longest championship drought is over, and the lovable losers of baseball are losers no more. As we all say goodbye to the 2016 baseball season, I thought we might look back on some of Montgomery County’s baseball history.
Now, you may already know that Hall of Famers Tommy LaSorta and Mike Piazza were born in Norristown, but today, we’re going to look at some of the humbler players from Montgomery County.
The Norristown Base Ball and Athletic Association was founded in 1888. This copy of the charter is in Miscellaneous Deed Book number 29.
Two pages of charter members follow. Here’s one:
Without a doubt baseball was a popular sport in Norristown. The county’s “grand old man” of baseball was Patrick “Paddy” McGee, who played in the Industrial League in Norristown for many years as a pitcher on the State Hospital team. He also played in the Catholic League, the Bux-Mont League, and the Norristown City League. Later he started the Baseball School at Elmwood Park. McGee was born in Easton, PA, but moved to Bridgeport when he was 12. You can see him in this 1929 photograph of the Bridgeport baseball team. He’s the man stand in the thick cardigan (he was identified for us by longtime member James Brazel). In addition to all the baseball playing he also had a day job as an insurance agent for 35 years and raised eleven children with his wife Elizabeth.
Of course baseball as always been a popular sport for kids, and here’s a great picture of the 1920 Norristown High School team. I love this picture because the swagger and attitude of the players.
Was the attitude because they were winning? Well, maybe not. The 1920 season didn’t get off to a good start. They dropped their first two games, but won their third against Phoenixville. The May issue of Spice (which in the 1920’s was the school’s literary magazine and not an annual yearbook) was devoted to sports.
Inside, it features this student cartoon:
Poor James Long!
Good day. I have an old photo of my dad’s Montco. Penn square champs team . My dad was a pitcher. His name Ralph Strouse.. I would love to send you a photo in hopes you could tell me more? Thanks in advance. For any help. Bob