The Observation Deck

Some Lakewood World Series connections:
Fox announcer Joe Buck is the son of Lakewood High School grad and Hall of Fame Announcer Jack Buck.
Born Aug. 21, 1924, Buck graduated from Lakewood High in 1942, went to work on the Great Lakes ore boats, was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he won a Purple Heart and eventually enrolled at the Ohio State University. Buck majored in radio speech at OSU and upon graduation took broadcasting positions doing Ohio State basketball and Columbus Red Birds baseball. The Redbirds were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1954 Buck became the radio voice of the Cards. Before he died in 2002, Buck received the Ford Frick Award for Baseball Broadcasting by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. A highway in Missouri is named in his honor among other recognitions.
Buck still has relatives in the area.
His well known son Joe will be broadcasting World Series games for Fox Sports.
Buck is among several baseball greats who have called Lakewood their home including Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx who played briefly with the Cubs in 1942 and 44, at the end of his career. The baseball field at Kaufmann Park in named in Foxx’s honor.

Thomas J. George wrote:Some Lakewood World Series connections:
Fox announcer Joe Buck is the son of Lakewood High School grad and Hall of Fame Announcer Jack Buck.
Born Aug. 21, 1924, Buck graduated from Lakewood High in 1942, went to work on the Great Lakes ore boats, was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he won a Purple Heart and eventually enrolled at the Ohio State University. Buck majored in radio speech at OSU and upon graduation took broadcasting positions doing Ohio State basketball and Columbus Red Birds baseball. The Redbirds were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1954 Buck became the radio voice of the Cards. Before he died in 2002, Buck received the Ford Frick Award for Baseball Broadcasting by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. A highway in Missouri is named in his honor among other recognitions.
Buck still has relatives in the area.
His well known son Joe will be broadcasting World Series games for Fox Sports.
Buck is among several baseball greats who have called Lakewood their home including Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx who played briefly with the Cubs in 1942 and 44, at the end of his career. The baseball field at Kaufmann Park in named in Foxx’s honor.

Back in the days before large contracts (mid 1970s), Major League players often lived in modest apartments during the season.
I've heard that Cleveland Heights was a common home for players. One friend of mine has great stories about "Sudden" Sam McDowell's wild parties in Heights.

Did Indians players ever live in Lakewood? It seems a logical place....reasonably priced, and very conveniently located to the old Stadium.

Mike,

There are too many former Indians who lived in Lakewood to even begin to make mention. Rick Manning and Dennis Eckersley and his wife reportedly lived in the large home at the southeast corner of Clifton and Nicholson. George Uhle, great Indians pitcher who played in the 1920 World Series, lived in Lakewood as did Bill Wambgsganss (Wamby) who in game 5 of the 1920 World Series, completed the only recorded unassisted triple play in World Series history. At the Foxx Field dedication, former Indians announcer and Yankee first baseman the late Mike Hegan recalled growing up in Lakewood and playing ball at Horace Mann on West Clifton. A reliable source told me the Franconas lived on Parkwood when Terry's father Tito played for the Indians in the late 50s and early 60s....

Tom, Mike

You make it all worthwhile...



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Thomas J. George wrote:Rick Manning and Dennis Eckersley and his wife reportedly lived in the large home at the southeast corner of Clifton and Nicholson.

Even though it's after midnight, I won't comment. This is a family website.

Thomas J. George wrote:A reliable source told me the Franconas lived on Parkwood when Terry's father Tito played for the Indians in the late 50s and early 60s....

That's the one we need to find out.
IF Terry lived here (even for just a year as a toddler) and IF he wins the World Series, something in Lakewood should to be named after him.
Maybe one of the ball diamonds at Lakewood Park?

I've really enjoyed this thread.
Thanks for all the background information and a very cool photo.

Michael Deneen wrote:Did Indians players ever live in Lakewood? It seems a logical place....reasonably priced, and very conveniently located to the old Stadium.

I am sure some must have. Owners lived here, from an earlier Tom George piece...

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2012/0 ... cess-story

"Stouffer was also the owner of the Cleveland Indians during a troubled time in the franchise’s history. He purchased the Tribe in 1966 and did his best to maintain the team during some lean years in the win column. At one point Stouffer sold part interest of the team to New Orleans investors with the intent of playing 30 Indians games in the Emerald City, but this idea was voided by the American League.

Another West Shore resident, George Steinbrenner made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the team which Stouffer eventually sold in 1972 to another Lakewood native, Nick Mileti, whose son Jim today owns the popular Winchester Tavern on Madison Avenue."

We also had Dick Jacobs here, and Browns owner Mickey McBride.


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Last night from Ohio City/Tremont, Game time 7:08pm.


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Michael Deneen wrote: One friend of mine has great stories about "Sudden" Sam McDowell's wild parties in Heights.

Wasn't Ted Danson's "Sam Malone" character on Cheers modeled after McDowell?

See you all at the game, or the bar, or the friend's house or the...

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Let the cheers be heard - all the way from Lakewood!
GO INDIANS!!!

Marguerite Harkness wrote:Let the cheers be heard - all the way from Lakewood!
GO INDIANS!!!

My continuing series of Jacob's Field during the World Series, Game 6.

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Chicago Wins World Series!

Great 2016 Cleveland Indians, thanks for the great year.

The last in the World Series series of photos of Progressive Field.



Wild ride!