That's the old ballgame Shreveport -- acknowledgements

     Acknowledgements

     It has been "a project" that took more than two years to compile. But thinking about professional baseball in Shreveport, studying it, and researching it has been practically a lifetime experience.

     To put together the material in these 30 chapters brings to mind what the great, zany Casey Stengel was quoted as saying.

     After his New York Yankees clinched the 1958 American League championship, the old manager supposedly said: "I realize I couldn't have done it without the players."

     (Just to be sure, he said it again a few weeks later after the Yankees won the World Series.)

     So ... I could not have put together this material without help from a lot of friends.

     To begin, John Andrew Prime -- former reporter/writer for The Shreveport Times with a deep interest in local history -- suggested the topic and provided guidance along the way.
     A huge assist from John James Marshall -- state-champion quarterback (Jesuit High-Shreveport, 1976), Shreveport Journal sportswriting/editing regular in the 1980s -- who opened the door for research on newspapers.com.

     The great bulk of this material came from those Times files, and also from other newspapers that somehow tied into Shreveport baseball.  

     Whatever we gathered from the pre-1950s days, much it was from the writing of Shreveport Times sports editors Joe Carter (1922-47, his column was titled "Raspberries and Cream") and Barney Ghio (1947-51, ''Barney's Corner.").

     But so much of the 1950s/early 1960s Shreveport Sports material came from the writing of then-Times sports editor Jack Fiser ("The Inside Corner"), a superb wordsmith, a columnist who would have been a star in any market.

     And no one covered Shreveport baseball longer -- or better -- than Bill McIntyre at The Times, before, during and after his 15-year stint as sports editor. 

     McIntyre was my first boss at The Times -- he was an encyclopedia of sports knowledge -- and my association with Fiser was for much of my sophomore year at Louisiana Tech University when he was the sports information director. I have so much admiration for those two "mentors."  

     No one knows more about the 1980s Shreveport Captains than John James Marshall. No one knows more, or wrote more, about the 1990s Captains and early 2000s city teams -- or most every sports subject in the area -- than Scott Ferrell, whose three-decades stay at Shreveport newspapers now has him as the overall editor of The Times.

     Their help with my "project" was invaluable.
     Thanks to JJ and to Teddy Allen -- the "Designated Writers" team, my co-workers at the Journal in the mid-1980s -- for publishing a few of these chapters on their Designated web site.

     There were, over the last five decades, many, many sportswriters in Shreveport who left their piece of baseball coverage, and some material was gleaned from most of them.

     Taylor Moore, who was part of the Captains' ownership for 25 years and the team's general managing partner, was/is a valuable resource. One of the team's ex-general managers  and a good friend of nearly five decades, John W. Marshall III, has always made contributions.

     For photos, there was one major source (other than those photos taken from the Internet): The Texas League office. 

     The great majority of the photos in this project came from the TL office. The 25-year TL president Tom Kayser collected -- through donations from the newspapers and the Captains -- many of The Times and Journal baseball photos.        

     And then, in a great break for this project, Tim Purpura -- former Houston Astros general manager (among several of his baseball-industry jobs) -- succeeded Kayser as TL president and moved the league office to ... Fort Worth. 

      So that worked for me. Tim graciously opened the files in his downtown office to me to dig for Shreveport-related baseball photos. 

      It took several trips. Tim's executive assistant, Jessica McClasky (ex-softball star, current coach), helped by scanning dozens of photos; before that, league intern Tyler King was a big help.
      John Ridge, whose "Shreveport Confidential" site on Facebook is always interesting and who has done extensive research and posts on all things -- athletics included -- in north Caddo Parish, contributed several early day Shreveport baseball photos and clippings.
       There are more photos to be had, in the Times' and Journal negatives files, now located in the LSU-Shreveport archives section. Obtaining those, as well as formatting and publishing a printed book of this material, are in the "maybe" category.

       But for those who are interested in the Shreveport baseball history, it is all online, and the intention here is to at least provide a printed copy of the chapters to various outlets (newspaper, library, TL office, etc.).
       For now, though, we have reached the bottom of the ninth inning on Shreveport pro baseball. We have gathered the material, and we are grateful for all the help we  received.       

Nico Van Thyn
Fort Worth, Texas
August 19, 2019

That's the old ballgame Shreveport, chapter 30 -- A personal journey

    Chapter 30

      A personal journey

The writer, as Shreveport Journal executive sports editor, covering a Shreveport Captains game at the old, roofless
 SPAR Stadium in 1982. (Photo by Louis DeLuca, Dallas Times-Herald) 

     Baseball was my first American sports love, and it still is.

     From the time we first saw them, we loved the Shreveport Sports. Then we loved the Shreveport Captains.

     Over about a 40-year period -- boyhood to middle age -- those were our teams. 

     The Gassers and all those previous team nicknames? Too soon.

     The Swamp Dragons and the independent teams that followed? Too late. By the time they came along, we had left town. Soon, so had professional baseball.

     Too bad, and kind of sad.

     The players who represented professional baseball in our hometown,  who wore those white home uniforms with "Sports" or "Captains" across the front or the (usually) gray road uniforms with "Shreveport," those were our boys of summer (young men actually, although some were close to 40).

     And the ballparks, those were our home parks. Countless hours spent at each of those places.

     First, Texas League Park-turned-Braves Field-turned SPAR Stadium -- never "beautiful," but functional through the 1950s and '60s and a decaying facility in the 1970s that was a near-wreck into the mid-1980s. 

     Then, the new concrete Fair Grounds Field, so nice at its opening in 1986, so visible from Interstate 20. And for 17 years, home of Shreveport's Texas League team. For another nine, home of independent-league teams.

     And then gone ... a pro baseball void in Shreveport-Bossier that soon enough will be a decade long.
A ballpark still standing by I-20, but -- honestly -- an eyesore, even from a distance. Can it be put back into playing shape? Doubtful. Too expensive, too much negativity.
Maybe someday ... a fix, or a new ballpark. Difficult to see it in the near future.

     But once upon a time, following those Shreveport teams was a magical journey for us, and a totally unexpected one. Because before 1956, baseball indeed was a foreign subject for me.

 ---

     We came across the Atlantic Ocean on a boat as 1955 became 1956, and the hottest topics that first year in the U.S. were Elvis Presley, Mickey Mantle, Ike and, for us, the Mickey Mouse Club. 

     To think, the Brooklyn Dodgers -- for the only time in their history -- were the defending World Series champions. Did not realize then how much misery the New York Yankees had dealt them over the years.

     But Dodgers, World Series, Mantle, Yankees? All new to me. Baseball? Did not know the second thing about it.

     The first thing: It was a game that in the old country, The Netherlands, was called honkbal. A minor sport there. We had read (in Dutch) about it, but never seen a game.

     The kids on the elementary school grounds here, though, played baseball at recess and speedball -- same game, rubber ball (a bit bigger than a hardball). So, after rudimentary introductions to speaking, reading and writing English, came some of the basics of the game.

     Found out a couple of things pretty quickly: 

     (1) Hitting a ball with a wooden bat was not all that easy, especially when -- as Bill McIntyre would write in The Shreveport Times a few times in future years -- pitches were fired in anger; 

     (2) If you lined up in the catcher's position, without benefit of a mask, and got too close, the wooden bat could hit you in the face. A few weeks into the experience that meant a severe black eye, but luckily no further damage.          

     Slowly that first spring and early summer, we would begin hearing about the Shreveport Sports. A professional baseball team in our city, and Dad's company had tickets for games at the stadium. His bosses, hearing of the son's sports interests, suggested we take the tickets and go to a game.

     We lived close enough to the ballpark in the old Allendale neighborhood that -- without benefit of a car -- we could walk, and be there in about 20 minutes. Down Jordan Street to a right on Southern Avenue, then across the railroad tracks toward downtown, and soon enough, a few blocks away, you could see the stadium light poles behind the fence in right field.

     Can close my eyes and see that scene, and remember the thrill. It was almost -- not quite, but almost -- like going to Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam (also within walking distance of our little house there).

     Hello, Texas League Park, 1956.

     Recall going in the front gate and then seeing the ballfield and the stands, the Sports in their home white uniforms, the Dallas Eagles in the visiting grays. The date -- researched this in The Times files -- was July 8, the only Sunday game the Eagles played in Shreveport to that point in the '56 season.

     And I know, I remember, it was the Eagles as the visiting team.

     Do not think, however, that I was aware of how special a season 1956 would be in Shreveport, or how special one player -- home-run hitting phenom Ken Guettler -- was that season.

     By that Sunday, Guettler had hit 33 home runs -- past the halfway mark of the Texas League record (55). 

     He did not hit one that Sunday, but he would make history, earn his forever place in Shreveport baseball lore -- and make the cover of this book.

     We sat in the upper grandstand, Dad and I, two of the 1,319 paid for the game. We were about 10 rows up just to the right of home plate, but enough so we could see into the home-team dugout on the third-base side. In Shreveport, the home team side was always on the third-base side.

     No one was more enchanted by baseball than I was that day. It was instant love.

     Maybe it was the first inning -- Dallas scored three runs, then Shreveport scored five. (The Eagles ended up winning 8-6, but that did not matter much to us then.)

      Could not always figure out exactly what was happening in the game (although it was easier to learn than American football), but I loved the pitcher-batter battles, I loved the speed of the baserunners, loved the mixture of white-and-gray uniforms -- and loved the red and blue trim of the Sports' colors (especially the two-tone hat) with the "S" logo.

     Along with the Sports, I found another favorite team because they were on television a lot -- once we got a TV -- and in the news. The pinstriped home uniforms were unique, eye-catching. Lots of interest, I discovered, in the Yankees and especially the center fielder, No. 7. It would be Mickey Mantle's greatest season, so it was natural to become a fan of the player and the team.

     Think we went to one more Sports game that summer, but by the next year, Dad's company had box-seat tickets, so we went often -- although attendance had fallen off dramatically -- and I remember Dad proudly leaning over the railing on the third-base side to scoop up a couple of foul-ball grounders. Never an autograph seeker, I took those baseballs and used them on the playground.)

     By the next year, I had a Shreveport Sports cap and a yellow-and-blue Sports T-shirt.

     It was disconcerting to learn that there would be no Sports in 1958; the ballclub left town. Did not really understand the reasoning then -- a ban on integrated games was a huge issue -- but was delighted when the Sports' franchise came back to life in 1959 ... in the Southern Association.

     So, it was the 1959-61 Sports -- a Kansas City Athletics' farm team -- with which we most identified. Found a player who, other than Mantle, became a personal favorite -- a 19-year-old second baseman, Lou Klimchock, "Baby Lou" to the Shreveport media. 

     He was terrific that season and he wore uniform No. 4 for the Sports. And for the four years in which I played at baseball -- not well, at all -- my uniform was No. 4. (Also liked the Yankees' No. 4, Lou Gehrig, subject of the first book I read in America.)

     Those Sports players -- Peden, Posada, Grunwald, Slider, Ward, Hankins, Hunt, McManus, Howser, Wickersham, Spicer, Pfister, Blemker, Black, Davis and Davis, Parks ... I could go on and on -- were magic for me. Followed their career paths in their years after Shreveport.

     Tough to see the ballclub leave again after 1961. But the ballpark became a close friend -- as a scorekeeper for high school, American Legion and recreational ballgames, and sometimes P.A. announcer, too.

     When pro ball returned in 1968, I was a college junior and one of our Louisiana Tech friends, basketball-baseball star George Stone, started the '68 season pitching for the Shreveport Braves (in the Atlanta Braves' organization). As he commuted to home games, we came with him several times in the early season.

     He was on his way to the major leagues; that year, in fact. I was on the way to a sportswriting career.

     That summer, 1968, among the assignments as a Times intern a half-dozen times was coverage of Shreveport Braves' games (with that came the official scorer role). The next summer it was a fulltime position -- and frequent Braves/Captains stories and columns for almost the next two decades.

     From that standpoint, it was less being a fan and more being a reporter. But still, it was -- as it had always been -- a point of pride in seeing Shreveport in the standings (yes, it was in bold in the newspapers). It looked especially good at the top of those standings.

     However, I always felt like a jinx for Shreveport teams. In the years I lived there (1956-1988), there were this many league championship teams: zero.   

     In the four years before we arrived, the Sports won two Texas League playoff championships (1952, 1955) and one regular-season championship (1954). Two years after I left for good, the Captains won the first of back-to-back championships (1990-91), and then they won again in '95.

     Oh, well.

     Another point of pride was identifying former Shreveport players and/or managers as they moved on, many to the major leagues, some as big stars. For a short time in their lives, they were our guys.

It was tough, but understandable, to see the demise of pro baseball in Shreveport starting in the year 2000 when the ballclub -- mostly locally owned for some 25 years -- was sold to corporate interests. Personally, the independent-league teams that followed were not of much interest for someone living out of state.

But the game endures, without a team in Shreveport. So do memories.
And so does the love for a baseball past in a place that meant so much to us.

That's the old ballgame Shreveport, chapter 29 -- short subjects

     Chapter 29

      Short subjects

     The New York Giants-Cleveland Indians spring training game at Texas League Park on April 5, 1954, was the first national coast-to-coast radio sports event carried from Shreveport.

The Mutual Broadcast System announcing team -- one of the best-known in the country -- was Dizzy Dean, Buddy Blattner and Al Helfer. (Ol' Diz and Buddy did baseball's national Game of the Week on national television from 1953 to '59).
The 1954 spring-training broadcast was originated by KENT, the Shreveport Sports' home network. 

---

     Dizzy Dean was a fading star, barely hanging on to his pitching career although he was only 30 when he was back in the Texas League -- at his request -- in 1940.

     His June 26 start for Tulsa, anticipated by The Shreveport Times, attracted some 7,500 fans to the third-year ballpark.

     Times sports editor Joe R. Carter wrote: "The great J.H. 'Dizzy' Dean, a little shopworn from wear and tear but still the talkative national celebrity who can always command an audience, will be on display at the Sports' ball yard in the role of hurler tonight."

     Dean had pitched for Houston in the TL in 1931, compiling one of the great records in league history -- 26-10 record, 1.57 ERA, 303 strikeouts in 304 innings over 41 games -- and starting the next year was on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1934, he was the game's biggest star with his 30 wins for the St. Louis Cardinals and two more in the World Series, and he had 133 wins in a six-year period. 

     Injuries (a fractured toe in the 1937 All-Star Game and then arm issues) had curtailed his career, although he pitched well for the Chicago Cubs against the Yankees in Game 2 of the 1938 World Series, taking a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning when the Yanks rallied and dealt him the loss.  

     At his request, he went from the Cubs to the Tulsa Oilers early in the 1940 season, trying out a sidearm delivery instead of the overhand style that had characterized his blazing rise to stardom.

     From The Shreveport Times' front sports page June 26, an Associated Press story datelined New York and written by Whitney Martin started:

     "Dizzy Dean has gone back to the minors and his brave attempt to be philosophical about it strikes a pathetic note, particularly his hope that the southwest sun will bring comfort to his ailing arm. ...

     "Sure, he's been an arrogant showoff. Sure, he criticized not wisely but too well. Sure, he got in more jams than a kid in a pantry. But that's Dizzy Dean and he couldn't be any different. He was great when he had it, and sometimes when he didn't, and even his severest critic will miss him and hope he can come back."

    The Sports scored two runs before Diz registered his first out. But although he gave up 12 hits, he pitched eight innings, walked only two (one intentional), and after being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth, got the pitching win when the Oilers rallied with two runs for a 6-5 victory.

    Diz was 8-8 with a 3.17 ERA in 21 games and 142 innings for Tulsa that season. But he pitched only 13 more innings professionally and became one of the nation's best known baseball broadcasters for a couple of decades. He made several trips to Shreveport and the ballpark during that time.

---

     At the April 8, 1967, spring exhibition game (Cleveland Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds)  came the first warning sign that Shreveport's ballpark since 1938 was aging, and crumbling.

     During the seventh-inning stretch, a row of seats in the grandstand on the third-base side gave way -- the concrete slab had loosened because the I-beam holding it had shifted -- and fans sank with it.

     It was above the home clubhouse, and that helped break the fall. But, as The Shreveport Times reported in a Page One story the next morning, two children from the same family landed on a pile of lumber that was stacked nearby and were injured. The game was held up for about 10 minutes, the children were taken to a hospital, treated for cuts and bruises, and released. 

     SPAR officials later said stadium damage was minimal, and repairs were made that summer. But a decade later, just before the 1977 Texas League season, the upper grandstand was deemed unsafe by architects and closed permanently, and the I-beams for the lower reserved seat sections had to be re-enforced. Stadium capacity went from some 5,000 to 2,000, and remained that way through the Captains' last season there (1985).

---

     One of the most bizarre Shreveport baseball incidents was 1938 Sports manager Claude Jonneau's season being ended by a fight with one of his players -- ex-major league catcher Walter Stephenson -- outside a San Antonio hotel.

Jonneau suffered an eye injury, which became infected and he was in critical condition for a time in Schumpert Sanitorium in Shreveport.

     Six stitches were needed to close a cut under his right eye, which because of a childhood accident was artificial, and had to be removed when his face became infected after the fight. He recovered, but did not return to the team -- interim manager Hub Northen finished the season -- and was let go after the season. 

     First reports in newspapers were that Jonneau had been hit in the face by a ball while in the outfield during batting practice. He was treated and came to the ballpark that night and the next one, his face heavily bandaged, and the true story was reported soon thereafter.

Stephenson was not suspended, and issued a public apology a couple of days after the fight. 

---

     Paul "Pound 'Em" Easterling, a legendary Texas League outfielder for 16 seasons (13 full seasons), was with the Shreveport Sports in the Dixie League in 1933, then returned to them late in the 1939 TL season.

In his first at-bat with the Sports after a trade from Oklahoma City, he hit a home run at Fort Worth. He was traded to Dallas early in the 1940 season; in his first game for the Rebels, he hit a home run against the Sports.

---

     Longest games for Shreveport teams: 

     21 innings -- Captains 4, San Antonio 3, in San Antonio on May 21, 1987;

     20 innings -- Gassers 1, Fort Worth 1 (tie), May 8, 1918, in Fort Worth;

     19 innings -- Sports 4, Fort Worth 3, first-round playoff game, Sept. 14, 1942, in Fort Worth. 

 ---   

     Highest scoring game in Shreveport baseball history: the very first season and first week, 1895, April 28 -- Grays 21, Sherman 20.

     That must have been the way the game was played then because two days later Shreveport lost to Fort Worth 24-20. 

      And in May, the Grays hit another high mark with 26 runs (26-10 victory against Houston) in which every Shreveport player had at least two hits and the team stole 13 bases.

---

     Shreveport teams had quite a run of top thieves in the early years -- stolen base leaders.

     Tony Thebo of the Shreveport Pirates was the Southern Association stolen-base champ in 1908 (with 90) and 1909 (with 63). 

     In 1905, Jim "Snapper" Kennedy led the Southern Association with 57 stolen bases, and Bob Byrne was the leader the next season with 46. Then, when the team nickname became Pirates, Tony Thebo was the champ in 1908 (with 90) and 1909 (with 63). 

     For the Gassers, it was three Texas League leaders in steals in a six-year period -- Al Nixon (37, 1917), Mel Silva (39, 1920) and Homer Ezell (55, 1922).

---

     Dave Wilhelmi had an unremarkable six-year pro baseball career, but did have one remarkable night.

On May 3, 1983, in Little Rock, Ark., the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Shreveport Captains right-hander pitched the first perfect game in the Texas League in 48 seasons. He was 21, in his fourth pro season, and had spent two weeks on the disabled list, but in only his second start of the season (his record was 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA), he retired 27 Travelers in a row as Shreveport won 7-0. Two difficult outfield catches in the ninth inning saved the gem.  

---

     Left-handed pitcher Mike Remlinger came out of Dartmouth College in 1987, joined the Shreveport Captains late in the season and was an immediate sensation. In his first home game, on Aug. 12 at Fair Grounds Field, he struck out the first nine Tulsa batters -- one short of the league record -- and wound up striking out 15 in seven no-hit innings (with one walk) when, after 122 pitches, he was pulled. A reliever gave up a hit in the ninth; Remlinger's victory gave him a 3-0 record.

He would go on to a lengthy major-league career, mostly as a reliever.

---

      The 1992 TL All-Star Game in Jackson had an incredible finish: The East team rallied with seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the West 8-6, and it was Shreveport first baseman Adell Davenport who hit a game-winning two-run, two-out home run.

---

     Toughest loss in Shreveport baseball history? One strong candidate: Game 5 of the Texas League Eastern Division best-of-five championship series in 1994 (Sept. 3).

Leading 1-0 from the top of the first inning on, the Captains had two outs in the bottom of the ninth, one out from reaching the league finals. Jackson had not scored in 22 innings. Then Tom Nevers and Jeff Ball hit consecutive home runs -- in a span of four pitches -- to steal the victory (and the finals spot) for the Generals.  

---

     Taylor Moore, Captains’ president and managing general partner for close to 25 years, provided this tidbit about the man who ran the ballclub from 1938 to 1961:
"As an aside, Bonneau Peters lived at 535 Elmwood Street. We lived at 553 Elmwood Street. Side by side. What would be the odds that the two individuals heading baseball in Shreveport for the longest periods of time would have houses next to each other?"

That's the old ballgame Shreveport, chapter 28 -- the minor players

Chapter 28

The minor players

       Players from North Louisiana who played minor-league baseball but did not reach the major leagues.

HENRY "HANK" CHELETTE -- RHP, born in Natchitoches but raised in Shreveport, he signed with the Shreveport Pirates in 1908 to begin an eight-year pro career. He had a 3-6 record in 10 games for Shreveport as a rookie and stayed in the Texas League in 1909-10 with Oklahoma City, with records of 7-2 and 21-17 (including a no-hitter vs. Waco and 327 innings in 1910). His best season was 27-12 with St. Joseph, Mo. (Western League) in 1911. His career tailed off from there and in 1915, he was back in Shreveport for a 3-6 record in 15 games and again for a bit in 1916. He became a newspaper stereotyper and was with The Shreveport Times when he died of a heart attack Dec. 23, 1934, at age 45.

     PRINCE GASKELL -- RHP, early in his 11-year pro career he was with the Shreveport Pirates in 1907 (10-10 record in 22 games) and 1908 (8-4 in 15 games). His last season, 1917, ended in Shreveport with the Gassers (2-3 record in 10 games). He had two sensational seasons -- 21-4 record for Chattanooga (Class C Sally  League) in 1909 and 27-9 (42 games, 322 innings) for Denver (Western League) in 1914. Made his off-season home in Shreveport, worked as warehouseman for Gulf Oil in Mooringsport in off-season; returned to Shreveport in 1924, longtime car salesman for Rountree Cadillac-Oldsmobile, sales manager and vice-president at end of his career. Died April 17, 1966, in Shreveport at age 81.

     FRANK CARMODY -- SS, a Shreveport native who played baseball and football at Notre Dame in 1910 and 1911 -- Knute Rockne was a teammate -- and entered pro baseball after a long tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the spring of 1916. A slick fielder, he was recommended to them by the Shreveport Gassers' manager, who  wanted to sign him, but Carmody was reluctant to begin his career with his hometown team. He then was headed to play for Winston-Salem, N.C., but the Pirates sent him to Terrell (Central Texas League) and then to San Antonio (Texas League) for 20 games in 1916. In 1917, he did join the Gassers, but only for two games in which he went 1-for-6. He batted .119 in 59 recorded pro games, then joined the military and did not play pro ball again. He was a longtime Shreveport resident, an independent oil operator. Died Oct. 14, 1957, at age 64.

     GEORGE BUSH -- RHP, listed by Baseball Reference as having been born in Jackson Parish, La., and attending Louisiana Tech and then Centenary. At age 25, he signed with the Shreveport Gassers in 1921 and made the team to open the season. A Shreveport Times preseason game story said he was "wild at times as a Comanche Indian on raid," and his record with the Gassers is listed as 0-1. On April 22, he walked 10 and hit one batter in an 11-1 loss to Wichita Falls, and apparently was cut soon after that game.

    
TAYLOR PHELPS -- SS-3B, a star at Shreveport High School, he signed a pro contract with the St. Louis Browns organization in 1925 and began his career in Texarkana in 1924-25 and was first in the Texas League with San Antonio for part of 1925. He made the hometown Shreveport Sports in 1926 and batted .195 in 13 games, but that was as high as he went in six pro seasons. He was a senior clerk and administrator with Arkansas Fuel Oil Co. in Shreveport for 31 years until his death June 6, 1958, in his mid-50s.

     JOSEPH R. "POLLY" PHELPS -- 3B, younger brother of Taylor Phelps, he was an All-State football player and baseball star at Shreveport High, then went to LSU for two years and signed a pro baseball contract, beginning his career in 1928. He played three of his first four seasons with Monroe, La. (Cotton States League), and in 1932 was with the Shreveport/Tyler Texas League team, batting .243 in 52 games. In seven seasons, he was a .282 hitter. Died Jan. 11, 1943, in Monroe at age 35.

      J.D. McKELLAR -- OF, standout football tackle and baseball player at Plain Dealing High and then at Louisiana State Normal (later Northwestern State) -- where he also played basketball -- he had three pro baseball seasons. He was with Longview (Dixie League) in 1933 (104 games, .295 average, 24 doubles, 11 triples, six home runs) and 1934 (51 games, .216, eight doubles, two triples, three home runs), and with Lafayette (Evangeline League, a St. Louis Browns farm team) in 1937 (15 games, .367 average). Those years spanned his long coaching career at Mooringsport High, starting in 1929, and ending when it was a junior high in 1971. Died Oct. 11, 1984, in Shreveport at age 78.

     
ART TILLINGHAST -- LHP, from Mooringsport (just north of Shreveport), he pitched for LSU and then had one pro season (1933) for the Shreveport Sports and Baton Rouge Solons in the Dixie League, with a 3-1 record in 34 innings. A lifetime resident of Mooringsport, he was a World War II veteran and retired from Gulf Oil Co. as an area superintendent. Died Sept. 23, 1992, in Shreveport, at age 79.

     ALBERT WINTERS -- LHP (6-2, 185), Byrd High School, signed by Shreveport Sports in 1938, pitched one game (six innings) for them in 1941. Had records of 12-14 and 18-14 with Marshall (East Texas League) in 1939-40, 10-12 and 4-10 for  Waterloo (Illinois League), a Chicago White Sox Class B affiliate, in 1941-42. Pitched more than 200 innings each season except his last (97 in 1942).

     JAMES "COTTON" BARNES -- RHP, Vivian High and Centenary College, high school star in football and baseball, quarterback/running back and baseball pitching ace for Centenary 1937-41, signed to Shreveport Sports contract by team president Bonneau Peters, a leading Centenary booster. "Cotton" pitched for Opelousas, La., in Class D Evangeline League in 1941 (9-10 record, 151 innings in 25 games) and seven games with Waterloo, Iowa, in Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (III) League in 1942 before joining U.S. Army. After World War II, longtime high school football official in North Louisiana, and Hollis and Company employee. Died Jan. 14, 2011, in Shreveport at age 91.

     EARL MAYENCE -- 2B, born in Shreveport suburb of Cedar Grove, a  promising player at Byrd High School (1940 graduate), in American Legion ball and for semipro Cedar Grove Indians. Signed with El Dorado Oilers (Cotton States League) and in 1941 played 124 games, batting .289 with 30 doubles and 50 RBI. Signed by Detroit Tigers, but joined U.S. Marines. Severely wounded (shattered right arm, lost right eye) in 1944 battle for Saipan. After 17 months in hospitals overseas and in U.S., came home to live in Shreveport, his baseball career ended. Died in February 1985 in Shreveport at age 63.

    
 CLARENCE PETERS -- SS, from Greenwood -- just west of Shreveport, near  Texas border -- signed with Shreveport Sports coming out of high school in 1938  and played four seasons with Class C and D teams in area leagues. A light hitter,  he broke in with Marshall (East Texas League) and last played 33 games with El Dorado (Cotton States League). Joined U.S. Army for World War II, landed in Normandy a few days after D-Day, and killed in action July 8, 1944, in France.

BILL ZEIGLER -- LHP, a Byrd High graduate (1943), he went into military service, then pitched for four years (1946-49), mostly in Class D for Louisiana and East Texas teams in the Evangeline, Lone Star and Big State leagues. Available stats for him shows records of 6-13, 5-13 and 7-10. He went on to graduate from Centenary College and was a teacher-coach for 30 years in Caddo Parish -- remembered as head coach at Lakeshore Junior High and assistant football and head baseball coach in the early years of Northwood High School. He then coached for 12 years at private First Baptist High School. He also was a successful longtime American Legion junior baseball coach of the Fair Park-based Optimist Club teams. He died July 18, 2013, in Shreveport at age 89.

     
CHRIS SIDARIS -- SS, Byrd High School (also a star QB there), a seven-year pro player who hit .273 overall. That included two brief stays with Shreveport Sports -- six games (2-for-11) in 1946 and one game (0-for-1) in 1948. He then was a 35-year Shreveport Parks and Recreation department employee, its athletic director for a couple of decades, and also a longtime high school and college football official. Died July 7, 2000, in Shreveport at age 73. 

  
  SINCLAIR KOUNS -- 1B, Byrd High and LSU, a civic leader in Shreveport-Bossier, head of Caddo Parish Police Jury and deeply involved in many city projects that included athletics, a lanky first baseman before U.S. Army duty in World War II. One year of pro ball, 1950 for Class C Monroe Sports (Cotton States League), batting .225 in 65 games. Died Nov. 17, 2000, in Shreveport at age 73.

     

BOBBY GREENE -- RF, Fair Park High, longtime owner-operator of plumbing and heating company in his name in Shreveport, a left-handed hitter for Shreveport Sports-connected minor-league teams in Louisiana for four years (1947-48 and 1950 for Alexandria in Evangeline League, 1951 for Monroe in Cotton States League. Hit .320 overall in 473 games, including .361 in 1948 and had 15 home runs in 1950. Died Sept. 3, 2015, in Shreveport at age 88.

     BILL HALLEY -- RHP, Farmerville, pitched for two full seasons (1951, 1954) in the minors. With the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm team in Billings, Mont. (Class C Pioneer League) in ‘51, he had a 6-12 record and 5.21 ERA in 35 games, 159 innings. Briefly with Greenwood in the Cotton States League (also Class C) in 1952, he spent the 1954 season with the Monroe Sports in the Cotton States League as the ace of the staff with an 11-9 record and 2.86 ERA in 31 games (24 starts) and 198 innings, and led the league with 176 strikeouts. He became the leading pulpwood producer in Union Parish (Farmerville was his home) and also was in the restaurant and chicken-raising businesses. Died Aug. 23, 2012, in Farmerville, four days short of what would have been his 82nd birthday. 

     CLAUDE WHITE -- RHP, Oil City High (northwest corner of state), pitched for six pro seasons, including 1952 for Shreveport Sports, had 3-12 regular-season record for Texas League playoff champions, 0-2 for Sports in 10 games in 1954. Career began at Kilgore (East Texas League) in 1949 and 1950, starred for Monroe's 1951 Cotton States League champions, 15-11, 2.86 ERA (32 games, 28 starts, 217 innings). Back in Monroe in 1953 (5-13 record), most of 1954 with Alexandria (Evangeline League). Final minor-league record: 54-70.

     SCOTTY ROBERTSON -- IF (primarily first base). A team leader in basketball and baseball at Byrd High (Shreveport) who went on to play at the University of Texas before a transfer to Louisiana Tech. Before embarking on a legendary coaching career, he played one pro baseball season (Chicago White Sox organization) -- 15 games for Baton Rouge (Evangeline League) in 1952; he batted .200. He was a teammate there with fellow Shreveporter Lee Hedges; from 1956 to spring 1960, they coached together at Byrd. Robertson primarily was known as a basketball coach, with great success at Byrd and Louisiana Tech, and then a 25-year NBA connection as a head coach (three teams) and mostly as an assistant coach and scout. He was voted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Died Aug. 18, 2011, in Ruston at age 81.

     LEE HEDGES -- OF. One of the biggest stars of his era as a football running back-defensive back at Fair Park High (Shreveport) and then as a halfback at LSU, he played pro baseball for two years (1952-53) for Baton Rouge (Evangeline League), batting .312 and .302 (.307 overall), with 50 doubles, 17 triples and 11 home runs in 266 games. He then began a legendary football (and tennis) coaching career, the winningest coach in Shreveport-Bossier high school football history, and was selected for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. 

     ALBERT HAROLD “PINKY” WILSON -- RHP, Minden. A star for Minden in high school, Legion and the Big Eight semipro league, he signed with the New York Giants’ organization in 1951 and pitched six minor-league seasons, around two years of service. His 39-38 record  included one sensational season -- 1956 for the Danville Leafs (Class B Carolina League) when he was 18-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 33 games (26 starts) and 191 innings. He was in Class AA in 1957 with Nashville (Southern Association) -- six games (five starts), 35 innings, 1-3 record. Died July 9, 2018, in Nutley, N.J., age 86.  

     PETE SOLICE -- OF, Shreveport -- Fair Park did not have baseball while he was in school, and he signed as Shreveport Sports' property, then  played three pro seasons (1952-54), almost all with Alexandria (Evangeline League). Lefty hitter, fast defensively, 347 games, .256 average, 41 doubles, 15 triples, nine home runs. Played fastpitch softball in Shreveport in late 1950s and early 1960s.

    
 JACKIE FULLER -- RHP, Sibley High, Shreveport Sports signee, pitched in five pro seasons (1951-57, missed '53-'54 military service), was 20-game winner (21-12) with Alexandria (Evangeline League) in 1955 when he worked in 41 games (30 starts) and 279 innings. Pitched in seven games for Shreveport in 1956, 0-2 record. Minor-league totals: 67-43 record, 169 games (74 starts), 880 innings.

 
    JOHN CODDINGTON -- RHP, Byrd High (1952-53, 25-2 record) and American Legion ball, signed pro contract with Shreveport Sports and began his career in 1953 at Alexandria (Evangeline League). In six minor-league seasons, 25-37 record, including 4-12 for Alexandria in 1956 (4.07 ERA, 141 innings). Twice pitched for Shreveport Sports -- seven games (0-3 record) in 1956 and four games in 1959 (0-1 record). Died May 7, 1987, in Shreveport at age 51.

   
  RONALD RICE -- IF, Fair Park High and Centenary College, starting HB for Fair Park football team that reached state-championship game, signed in 1954 by  Alexandria Aces out of Shreveport Sports' tryout camp after two seasons at Centenary. Sent to Vidalia, Ga. (Class D Georgia State League), hit. 286 (20-for-70) in 18 games, four doubles, four RBI. In Shreveport, longtime American Legion baseball manager/coach, talented staff artist for Shreveport Journal and then The Shreveport Times, known for his sports portraits/caricatures.

     CHARLES SANDEFUR -- RHP, Natchitoches, pitched well in American Legion ball, signed by Shreveport Sports after tryout camp in 1954, with Abilene and Lubbock (West Texas-New Mexico League) that year, 0-1 record in five games; military service 1955, 1-2 in six games with Crestview (Alabama-Florida League) in 1956.

   
  WAYNE THRASH -- RHP, OF-3B, Jamestown High and Centenary College. Four-year regular in basketball and baseball at Centenary, 1951-55, pitched and also played in field in pros. Signed by Shreveport Sports in 1955, three years in  Class C Evangeline League (two in Alexandria, one in Thibodaux), hit .247 in 214 games, 1-8 as pitcher in 30 appearances. Longtime principal and successful basketball-baseball coach at Shongaloo High (Webster Parish).

     NATCH BROCATO -- SS, Fair Park High (starter in '53 season), signed by Shreveport Sports out of 1955 tryout camp. Played two pro seasons in Class D Alabama-Florida League -- Panama City 1955, Crestview 1956, 75 games, .220 average, nine doubles, two home runs.

    
 DANIEL "BLAINE" BUMGARDNER -- LHP (6-3, 205), Ringgold High -- Signed by Shreveport Sports, pitched four minor-league seasons (1954-57), including one game for Sports in 1956. Had 8-8 record for Alexandria (Evangeline League) in 1955 (35 games, 17 starts). One game for Sports in 1956; injuries at Carlsbad, N.M. (Class B Southwestern League) cut short his season, 0-4 in '57 for Class B and C teams. Pro totals: 11-25 record, 90 games (31 starts), 292 innings. Died Dec. 4, 2010, in Shreveport at age 75.

     RENE DEHONDT -- RHP, Fair Park High (also QB there), signed pro contract in 1955 and began career with two seasons at Class C Alexandria (Evangeline League), records of 3-4 and 8-7 and ERAs of 5.78 and 5.27. With four teams in 1957, including two games for hometown Shreveport Sports (Texas League). Out of baseball for two seasons, tried again in 1960, 2-2 record for Minot (Northern League). Died Dec. 29, 2014, in Shreveport at age 78.

     JOE LOWERY -- RHP, Fair Park High. Top pitcher for Indians in 1954, signed by Shreveport Sports after tryout camp in 1955. Pitched in 12 games for Class C Alexandria (Evangeline League), 0-2 record, then combined 5-14 in 27 games (16 starts) for three Class B teams in 1957.

    JIMMY ORTON -- IF, Fair Park High and Louisiana Tech. One of Shreveport's best all-around athletes of 1950s -- All-City in football (QB), basketball (guard) and baseball (shortstop) for Fair Park (1957 state champions), then football-baseball player at Tech, signed as middle infielder with  Yankees in 1959. Played five pro seasons (last one with Angels' chain), reaching Double-A (Amarillo, Texas League) in 1962, had .248 batting average overall, best of .280 in 1961 for Binghamton (Class A Eastern League). Returned to Fair Park to start coaching career in 1965, head coach of 1974 state finalist football team. 

     

BOBBY GOUTHIERE -- RHP (6-1, 165), Fair Park High and Centenary College. Star pitcher for 1957 state championship team, signed with New York Yankees' organization after year in college. Two pro seasons, 1959 St. Petersburg (Class D Florida State League) -- 11-4 record, 18 games (15 starts), 11 complete games, three shutouts, 124 innings -- and 1960 two teams (Class C and B), released after injuring his arm. Totals: 12-6, 3.44 ERA, 29 games (18 starts), 165 innings. Died March 11, 1997, in Shreveport at age 57.

     IKE FUTCH -- 2B, Spearsville High (led Class B state championship team in 1959), signed with Yankees that year. Sweet-swinging, contact hitter deluxe, known in pros as "the man who rarely struck out." In six seasons in Yankees' system (last two in Double-A), hit between .319 and .302 each year, winning league batting title as 19-year-old first-year player. After year with Cardinals' AA team in Tulsa (Texas League 1965), moved to Houston Astros' Triple-A Oklahoma City team and on eve of callup to major leagues in 1966 wrecked a knee in a collision at second base. Returned to play one more season in minors. A .301 career hitter in 958 games, never struck out more than 18 times in one season, totaled only 59 strikeouts in 4,057 plate appearances. 

     ROBERT CLIFTON -- 2B, Bossier High, Centenary College, Northwestern State. One of best hitters of his era for Bossier, in college and in semipro ball in North Louisiana, signed with Kansas City Athletics' organization and played in Class A for three seasons (1965-67). Totals: 366 games, .292 average, 390 hits (52 doubles, 17 triples, 34 home runs. Hit. 299, 19 homers, 76 RBI, for Burlington, Iowa, in 1966. Died Jan. 26, 2014, in Conroe, Texas, at age 70.

     SAMMY LADATTO -- LHP (6-4, 170), Fair Park High, star pitcher for Indians'  "uncrowned" 1960 champions (team made state semifinals but was stopped by  controversial state high school athletic association ruling) signed with Cleveland Indians, pitched two years (1961-62) in Class D -- 27 games, 13 starts, 3-4 record, 5.31 ERA, 83 innings -- until arm trouble curtailed his career. Died May 25, 2014, in Shreveport, at age 73. 

 

    PAUL SOLICE -- 3B-2B, Fair Park High, star on powerful 1960 team "uncrowned" state champs, signed with Baltimore Orioles' organization and played two seasons (1960-61) at Class C and D levels, batting .198 in 151 games.

   

  DONALD GREENE -- RHP (6-3, 195), Fair Park High, Signed with Philadelphia Phillies in 1962, assigned to Dothan, Ala., in Baltimore Orioles' system, appeared in five games (two starts), 0-1 record in 13 innings. Longtime police officer. Died April 3, 2018, in Shreveport at age 75.

 
    BILL HANCOCK -- C-3B, Byrd High and Texas A&M, left-handed hitter, early 1960s standout for Byrd and in American Legion ball, then All-American at Texas A&M, signed with Milwaukee in 1964, played three years in Braves' system, part of each year for Double-A team in Austin and twice for short stays in Triple-A (nine games, 2-for-22). Batted .291 overall, including .359 over 47 games in '65 for Yakima (Northwest League).

     LOUIS "BUDDY" NELSON -- IF, Fair Park High, star on powerful Fair Park teams in 1963-64 and also in American Legion ball, signed with Houston organization in 1964 and moved to Minnesota Twins' chain next year. Third baseman and middle infielder for injury-interrupted seven seasons, always in Class A -- three years in Orlando, with career-best .294 batting average in 1969 and  career average of .243.

 
    
RONNIE ARNOLD -- RHP, North Caddo High and Northwestern State (all-conference), drafted Indians 1965, eighth round. Pitched three seasons (1965-67) in Cleveland system at Class A level, 55 games (13 starts), 9-9 record, 4.29 ERA in 149 innings.

     MIKE HERRON -- CF, Fair Park High and Northwestern State. Left-handed outfielder was star at Fair Park (1964 senior season) and all-conference in college,  signed with Braves in 1968, 36 games and batted .202 for West Palm Beach (Class A Florida State League). Died March 19, 1980, in Shreveport at age 33.

 
     DICK HICKS -- RHP, Fair Park High and LSU, drafted three times, signed with Astros 1968, fourth-round pick. ... State's best pitcher in leading Fair Park to  1965 Class AAA state championship, rotation regular at LSU for three years. Pitched three years in Astros' system, one year in rookie ball and two in Class A,  4-13 record, 5.37 ERA, became knuckleballer and closer, nine saves his last two years. 

   

  TOMMY FORD -- OF-RHP, Fair Park High (outfielder for 1965 state championship team), drafted Reds 1965, 17th round ... played two seasons (1965-66) for three teams in three organizations, hit .083 in 33 games, pitched in 11 games in 1966, 26 innings, 0-2 record, 6.58 ERA. Died June 3, 2017, in Shreveport, at age 70.

    WAYNE BURNEY -- 1B, Fair Park High (All-State 1966) and Northeast Louisiana University (conference "Player of the Year" in 1968), drafted Dodgers 1970, 22nd round ... Played six years in LA system, batting .300 (639 games, 28 home runs, 290 RBI). Drove in 75 runs in 1971 (Class A), hit .315 for El Paso (Texas League) in 1972, then spent three seasons at Triple-A Albuquerque, batting .290 and .296 the first two years. Stuck behind Steve Garvey in Dodgers' chain. Died Aug. 23, 2006, in Monroe at age 57.

   DON SHIELDS -- RHP, Woodlawn High, American Legion baseball and Northwestern State University, drafted Washington Senators 1969, 15th round. Pitched in Senators/Texas Rangers organization for four seasons (1970-73), reached Triple-A with Spokane in 1973 before arm trouble cut short his career. Minor-league totals: 25-37 record, 4.21 ERA, 108 games (73 starts), 521 innings, 22 complete games, four shutouts, five saves.

     JIMMIE LEE JACKSON -- LHP, Ruston (Lincoln High) and Grambling College, drafted twice -- 1966 Braves, 32nd round, and 1967 Cardinals, first round, after senior season at Grambling (11-1, 0.79 ERA regular-season record for team -- with a lineup including future major leaguers Ralph Garr and Matt Alexander -- that went 35-1, wound up 37-3 after NAIA national tournament. Jackson won a game in NAIAs. Began pro career in Double-A (Arkansas, Texas League). Pitched three minor-league seasons (20-34 record, 94 games, 75 starts) in Cardinals' chain; 10-10 record at Modesto (Class A California League) was his best year.

     CLYDE JETER -- OF, Bethune High School and Grambling College, a high school star who once outdueled Vida Blue (Mansfield-DeSoto High), played four years of pro ball (1971-74) at the rookie and Class A levels -- with the Giants' organization in '71, the Dodgers in 1972-73 and the White Sox in '74. He hit .267 in 339 games.

   
  DONNIE MCLAUGHLIN -- 2B, Airline High, All-State player who signed with Houston Astros in 1968, played eight seasons in minors -- four at Double-A Columbus, Ga., .281 hitter in 716 games, starting with .338 and .335 averages his first two years (rookie league and Class A). Hit .274 for Columbus (played second base and later third). In final season, 1975, reached Triple-A Iowa for 12 games.





    CHARLES GRIGSBY -- RHP, Minden High and Centenary College, nicknamed "Redeye," signed as free agent with Houston Astros in 1969 and spent five years, mostly as reliever, in minor leagues. Final two seasons in Class AA (Columbus). Career totals: 16-19 record, 3.49 ERA, 135 games (12 starts), 294 innings.

     RON BOTICA -- RHP, Fair Park High, American Legion ball and Louisiana Tech, drafted twice -- Royals 1968, 21st round; Angels 1971, second round. Hard-throwing prospect passed up first pro chance for college, then signed with California out of La. Tech and was assigned to Angels' Double-A team at home in Shreveport -- two seasons (1971-72), 9-9 record, 3.83 ERA, 35 games, 27 starts, 160 innings.

 
    ROBERT BODDIE -- RHP, Woodlawn High and Centenary College, drafted Orioles 1969, 43rd round, after he led Woodlawn's first district baseball championship team and state tournament entry in '69. Attended and pitched for Centenary for three years, then signed as free agent with Angels' system. Pitched for Idaho Falls (rookie Pioneer League) in 1972, 3-8 record, 5.37 ERA, 18 games (seven starts), 62 innings, and then two games for Shreveport Captains (AA Texas League) -- two innings, seven hits and four runs.

    
 FRED MCGAHA OF -- Fair Park High and Louisiana Tech, drafted Cardinals 1972, eighth round. Son of former Shreveport Sports player-manager and MLB manager Mel McGaha. Developed into all-conference player at La. Tech. Two years (1972-73) in St. Louis system at rookie and Class A levels, 164 games, .286 average. Signed as free agent with 1974 Shreveport Captains (Class AA, Texas League), 39 games, .237 average. Became an attorney in Monroe, La.


HARDY FRAZIER -- RHP, Byrd High, Panola College, Texas A&M, a star in high school and the 1967 All-City Most Valuable Player in American Legion junior ball as a third baseman-pitcher for Ford, Walker and Hearne, he went on to play at Panola College in 1968 and '69, pitching the final three innings of the Ponies' national junior college championship. He batted .368, too, that regular season. He then pitched as a starter for Texas A&M, then signed with the Angels' organization. He pitched in nine games, 12 innings, for Idaho Falls (Pioneer League) in 1971, with a 1-0 record and 1.50 ERA, and singled in his only pro at-bat.

  
   LARRY FRAZIER -- LHP, Northwood High and Panola College, younger brother of Hardy Frazier, signed as a free agent in the Milwaukee Brewers' system and was assigned to the hometown Shreveport Captains (Texas League) in 1972, nine games (two starts, one complete game), 1-1 record, 2.86 ERA, 22 innings.

     JIMMY STEWART -- RHP, Doyline High and Northwestern State. Member of high school state championship basketball team (6-foot-4 forward) and two-sport player at Doyline and NSU. Signed with Angels in 1972 after tryout at Shreveport's SPAR Stadium (Captains were California's Double-A affiliate). Pitched three years (1972-74) in Angels' system, including nine games for El Paso (Texas League) in 1973, followed by promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake City for 19 appearances. Minor-league totals: 9-5 record, 10 saves, 51 games (12 starts), 97 innings, 4.08 ERA. Longtime high school coach, then principal. Died April 8, 2017, in Doyline at age 68.

EDDIE TOBIN -- OF-LHP, Woodlawn High and American Legion ball, Baptist Christian College (Shreveport), drafted Reds in January 1971, first-round pick. Played three years of Class A ball in Cincinnati system, batting .211 in 170 games with nine home runs and 62 RBI, pitched five scoreless innings in 1973.

     

CRAIG KNIGHT -- 3B-C, Bossier High, drafted Reds 1971, 12th round. Sensational hitter for two seasons (1970-71, All-State) at Bossier, batted .571 as senior, with  protective plastic cast over broken wrist. Played for Cincinnati's rookie team in Gulf Coast League, converted parttime to catcher, released after only 29 games (15-for-61, .246).

     
JOHN CASSIBRY -- 2B, Ruston  High and Louisiana Tech University, signed with Kansas City Royals and played in 1972 with rookie team at Kingsport, Tenn. (Appalachian League), batting .237 in 33 games. Died Dec. 1, 1987, in Shreveport, at age 37.

     DON TAYLOR -- 3B-OF, Fair Park High (All-State 1977, primarily 3B), drafted Tigers 1977, fifth round. Converted to outfield, Played two seasons (1977-78) at Class A level, 67 games, .208 average, 15 doubles, five triples, two home runs, 44 RBI.

      DANNY HUFFSTICKLER -- 3B, Southwood High, East Texas Baptist College and Baptist Christian University, signed with Red Sox in 1979 and batted .300 in 41 games at Elmira (Class A New York-Penn League). Died Feb. 12, 2013, in Shreveport, at age 55 (complications from ALS). 

     

DAVID COSS -- OF, Southwood High and Centenary College, drafted Pirates 1982, eighth round. Played three seasons in Pittsburgh system, none above Class A, 235 games, .256 average (with best of .276 in 66 games for Macon, South Atlantic League, in 1984) and 62 stolen bases.

    
 RANDY RAY -- C, Minden High, drafted 1983 Expos, third round. All-State player helped Minden to three consecutive state championships, also a good QB. Pro career limited to two seasons by shoulder injury. Hit .198 in 29 games for Calgary (Class A Pioneer League) in 1983, sat out '84 (injured) and, forced to mix outfield play with catching, quit after 46 games (.268 average) for Jamestown (New York-Penn League) in 1985.

     KENNY WHITFIELD -- SS-P-OF, Minden High, drafted 1983 Blue Jays, eighth round. Considered by many best high school player in Louisiana in '83 as shortstop and pitcher, teamed with catcher Randy Ray to lead Minden to three consecutive state championships (1981-83). Had productive eight-year pro career (missed 1987), in Toronto system for four years, then Cleveland teams for four (1988-91) -- mostly in Class A. Reached Triple-A for 19 games with Colorado Springs in 1988 (batted .284), in Double-A with Canton-Akron his last season. Totals: 777 games, .257 average, 101 home runs -- 22 one year, 24 in 1990 with Reno (California League) -- and 425 RBI.

     JEFF OLLER -- IF, Minden High (All-State shortstop-pitcher), drafted 1985 Expos, third round. Played six minor-league seasons -- mostly at third base -- but above Class A only couple of games, batted .246 overall, had two double-figure home run seasons (15 and 12). Wound up in Texas Rangers' organization for most of last two seasons.

 
   
 KEVIN PICKENS -- RHP, Captain Shreve High, American Legion ball and Louisiana Tech, drafted 1987 Royals, 12th round. Pitched three minor-league seasons, 13-16 record, including Class AA (Memphis, Southern League) for seven appearances in 1989.

     WAYNE EBARB -- RHP, Zwolle High, drafted 1987 Rangers, 19th round. Dominant All-State pitcher in Class AA, signed in '87 and pitched two years for Texas' rookie Gulf Coast League team in Port Charlotte, Fla., 1-2 record in 30 games and 36 innings, all in relief.

     VAUGHN WILLIAMS -- OF, Parkway High and Northwestern State  University, drafted Cubs 1987, 18th round, that year played with two of their rookie-league teams for total of 42 games, hitting .220, three doubles his only extra-base hits, and 11 RBI.

     ROY GILBERT -- OF, Minden High and Centenary College, drafted Orioles 1988, 22nd round. Switch-hitter played four seasons (423 games) in Orioles' system, three years at Frederick, Md.  (Carolina League) and a half-season -- his last -- at Double-A Hagerstown (Eastern League). Hit .249 overall, with five home runs and 156 RBI.

      RUSTY RUGG -- RHP, Downsville High, drafted 1989 Brewers, 2nd round. Sensational high school career (43-3 record, three consecutive Class B state championships, national record 19 no-hitters, as senior in 1989, he was 12-1 with five no-hitters and 132 strikeouts in 60 innings. Pro career quickly interrupted by arm problems and two surgeries, had short stays with Helena (rookie Pioneer League) in '89 and '91, records of 4-0 and 1-1 and 5.40 ERA in 18 games (three starts) and 41⅔ innings.

     WES HAWKINS -- OF, Mansfield High and Louisiana Tech, drafted twice -- Yankees 1990, 40th round, and Orioles 1993, 10th round. Signed with Baltimore and played three years --  final year at high Class A -- and batted .231 in 220 games, Then played two seasons with independent-league teams.

      DON ROBINSON -- OF, Haynesville High and Louisiana Tech, drafted Braves 1990, 38th round. Football WR for powerhouse Haynesville and then a year at Tech, left-handed hitter played in Atlanta system for five seasons and 13 games of a sixth year, reaching Class AA for 133 games in 1994-start of '95 season. Hit  .243 overall. Then played one year in independent ball and one in Mexico City.    

    KEVIN DUNIVAN -- RHP, star at Captain Shreve High and in American Legion ball, drafted Rangers 1992, eighth round, With Texas' Gulf Coast rookie-league team in Port Charlotte, had a 2-4 record in 12 games (six starts) and went to  instructional league that winter. Killed in automobile accident in Shreveport on Jan. 7, 1993.

     

TREY POLAND -- LHP, Southwood High (1993) and University of Louisiana-Lafayette (1997), signed with Rangers in 1997, had an 11-16 record (35 starts) for Tulsa in the Texas League (1999-2000). Pitched for independent-league Shreveport Sports in 2003, 2004 and 2008, with 2-3 record.

     TYRONE FRAZIER -- SS-OF, Woodlawn High (also a fast QB, primarily  a runner), drafted Royals 1993, sixth round, passed up football scholarship at LSU for baseball. High school shortstop converted to outfield by KC, played three minor-league seasons, hitting .191 in 130 games (top season average was .210). Then returned to football, playing wide receiver at LSU in 1996 (his only season there).

 

    TOM SCHNEIDER -- LHP, Airline High (made state tournament)  and Centenary College, drafted Expos 1993, 14th round. Posted 12-17 record in three seasons in Class A, with winning record (6-5) in 14 starts at Jamestown (New York-Penn League) his first year. Last pro stop was 4-9 record for independent-league team in Tyler, Texas, in 1995.

     DONOVAN DELANEY -- OF, Haughton High and Bossier Parish CC, drafted Royals 1993, 45th round. Played six minor-league seasons (1994-99), three with Wilmington, N.C. (Carolina League), batting .255 in 425 games (top average of .272 in 1996). Known for his strong arm in outfield, he pitched his last two seasons in Class A,  0-7 record in 48 games.

     JASON STEPHENS -- RHP, Springhill High and Bossier Parish CC, then ace reliever for University of Arkansas in 1996, drafted Angels 1996, ninth round. Pitched in pros for six years, 31-40 record and 80 saves in 135 games. Three seasons, 1997-99, at Lake Elsinore (California League), a 6-7 record in 19 starts for 2001 Texas League champion Arkansas, and briefs stay at Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake City in 2002. Became pitching coach at Centenary College in 2010 for a half-dozen years. 

    
 MATT GREER -- C, Evangel and Louisiana Tech, drafted 1998 Dodgers, 26 round ... played 19 games for Yakima, Wash. (lower Class A Northwest League), hit .286.

   


   BRIAN HICKS -- OF, Natchitoches-Central High, drafted 2000 Brewers, 6th round ... two seasons at rookie-league level, 103 games, .224 average, 21 doubles, three home runs, 37 RBI.

      MIKE ROSE -- RHP, Southwood High, Hill College (juco) and Dallas Baptist University (1997-2000), drafted three times -- 1995 Marlins, 31st round; 1996 Marlins, 45th round; and Expos 2000, 15th round. Signed in 2000 with Montreal and pitched two seasons at Class A and rookie levels, six games (three starts), 11⅔ innings, no decisions, one save. Injuries cut short his career.

      CALVIN CARPENTER -- RHP, Natchitoches-Central High, drafted 2001 Brewers, 6th round ... five seasons (2001-05) at rookie and Class A levels, 16-12 record, 4.16 ERA, 79 games (37 starts and 172⅓ innings first three years, two starts, 92 innings last two years).

     CHRIS PHILLIPS -- C, Captain Shreve High (also a football QB) and two years at Northwestern State, sat out one season (shoulder surgery), finished college career at LSU. Signed as free agent by Mariners for 2003 season, played 32 games for Class A Wisconsin (Midwest League), .250 average, four doubles and 12 RBI.

      BRANDON HAYGOOD -- SS, Airline High (2001) and Louisiana Tech (2002-05), played 69 games with independent-league Shreveport Sports in 2005-26 as 2B-OF, and with El Paso in 2006, 107 games, .254 average. 

 

     WADE ROBINSON -- SS-2B, All-State shortstop at Bastrop High and four-year starter at Louisiana Tech, played in Astros' system for four years and reached Triple-A ... with Shreveport Sports for 106 games in 2007-08, batting .314 in '07.

     
THAD MARKRAY -- 3B-RHP, Springhill (La.) High, drafted 1997 Reds, third round. Pitched 14 pro seasons, including independent stay in Shreveport in 2004 (8-2 record, four complete games, 87 strikeouts in 82⅔ innings), then signed as free agent by Royals. Had 10-12 record for Wichita (Texas League) in 2004-06, then promoted to Triple-A Omaha. Pitched for Shreveport again in 2008, '09 and '10, 12-18 record.

 

     CAIN BYRD -- RHP (6-3, 210), Southwood High, drafted Rangers 2003, 18th round. Two years at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, then signed with Rangers as a free agent. Pitched two pro seasons (2005-06) at rookie and lower Class A levels, 21 games (all in relief), 2-1 record, 5.80 ERA in 35⅔ innings.

      BRYAN JAEGER -- 2B-OF, Haughton High and LSU-Eunice (2006 Division II junior college national champions), drafted 2006 Rockies, 43rd round ... signed with Colorado and assigned to rookie-league team, suffered broken neck in freak accident (slipped and fell headfirst into culvert, striking his head), paralyzed, wheelchair-bound.

      DERRICK CONATSER -- RHP, Southwood High, Tallahassee CC, drafted  2006 Angels, 42nd round, and 2007 Reds, 28th round, played two years at Cincinnati rookie and Class A levels, 35 games (two starts), 74⅔ innings, 2-5 record, one save, 4.70 ERA.

   
  LANCE WEST -- OF, Captain Shreve High (state champions in 2006), drafted by Rangers, 42nd round, but chose to attend and play at Bossier Parish Community College. Drafted in 2008 by Orioles, 36th round, played two seasons, 61 games, at rookie and lower Class A levels, .186 batting average. His brothers, Sean and Jared, also played pro baseball.

 

    JEFF HULETT -- SS-2B-3B, Evangel, Texas A&M and Oklasoosa-Walton CC, drafted 2008 Astros, 13th round ... played two years in Class A, 84 games, .220 average, and three years in independent leagues, including 22 games in 2010 and 2011 for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (American Association).

     

  ALAN KNOTTS -- RHP, Captain Shreve High and Louisiana Tech, drafted by 2008 Pirates, 38th round. … Front-line pitcher in high school and college … played two years of pro ball, 6-5 record, four saves, 4.02 ERA, pitched in 44 games (all in relief), 40 of them at State College (short-season Class A New-York Penn League). 

     CHAD POE -- RHP, Simpson, La., and Bossier Parish Community College, drafted 2008 Phillies, 27th round … pitched for three seasons in the Philadelphia system at the rookie and Class A levels, 38 games (four starts), 4-1 record, 4.84 ERA.

     MATT JACKSON -- RHP (6-3, 185), Haughton High, LSU 2007, Chipola (Fla.) JC 2008, South Alabama 2009, drafted Padres 2009, 31st round ... slowed by injuries in high school, sparingly used at LSU, blossomed in helping Chipola to national juco tournament. Seven years as pro, five in San Diego system, in 2012 and 2013, reached Triple-A Tucson for three games (2-0 record, 15⅓ innings) and was with San Antonio (Double-A Texas League) for nine games (2-2 record). Minor-league totals: 27-21 record, 4.51 ERA, 101 games (64 starts), 411 innings. Last three seasons with independent-league Winnipeg (American Association), 22-15 record, 49 games (started all but one), 286⅓ innings.

     AUSTIN ROSS -- RHP, Captain Shreve High and LSU, drafted 2010 Brewers, 8th round ... Sensational high school career (24-2 record, 1.32 ERA for 148⅓ innings, state championship as junior) and front-line starter for LSU (2009 College World Series champions), eight-year pro career was interrupted early by Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and ended by torn rotator cuff. Pitched in Class AAA in parts of final three seasons, had 9-0 record, 1.27 ERA in 18 starts for Pensacola (AA Southern League) in last season. Minor-league totals: 200 games (88 starts), 46-25 record, one save, 634 innings.

      CHASE LYLES -- 1B-3B, Benton High and Northwestern State, drafted 2010 Pirates, 32nd round ... played two seasons (2010-11) with Pittsburgh's Class A teams, 125 games, .241 average, 16 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 69 RBI.

     

 ELDRED BARNETT -- CF, Benton High, then LSU-Eunice and Grambling State (all-conference), drafted Giants 2011, 25th round, played with San Francisco's rookie-league team in Arizona, 2011-12, 38 games, .246 average, eight doubles, two triples, two home runs, 20 RBI.

           

     HAYDEN JENNINGS -- CF, Evangel (also played WR in football), drafted Nationals 2012, 6th round, passed up scholarship at LSU to sign pro contract. Two seasons (2012-13) with Washington's Gulf Coast rookie-league team, 91 games, .218 average. Played in 2015 with independent-league Grand Prairie (American Association), 25 games, .133 average.

     DAKOTA ROBINSON -- LHP (6-3, 190) -- Airline High and Centenary College, drafted 2010 Angels, 26th round. Pitched in Angels' system three years (2010-12), 100 games (all in relief), 13-11 record, 10 saves, 4.24 ERA, 163⅓ innings. Reached Double-A (Arkansas, Texas League) for 43 games, 50 innings, in 2012.   

     CARSON BARANIK -- RHP, Parkway High (also QB), 2012 LSU, 2013 Miami Dade CC, 2014 U. Louisiana-Lafayette. Drafted twice -- 2011 Reds, 41st round, and 2014 Dodgers, 33rd round. Signed with Dodgers, pitched for rookie-league team in Arizona in 2014, 15 games (one start), 28⅓ innings, 3-2 record, 2.86 ERA.

  
    BEN ALSUP -- RHP (6-3, 158), Ruston High and LSU, drafted 2011 Rockies, 18th round. All-State pitcher and starting QB in high school, four-year pitcher at LSU (12-6 career record). Four pro seasons (2011-14), all at Class A, 33-30 record, 4.35 ERA, 94 games (started all but two), 534 innings. Records of 14-5 (Asheville, Sally League) and 13-8 (Modesto, California League) in the middle two seasons.

     

KOLBY COPELAND -- OF, Parkway High, drafted 2012 Marlins, compensation 3rd-4th rounds. The left-handed hitter played 62 games in 2012 at the rookie and lower Class A levels, hitting .280 with 14 doubles, seven triples, no homers and 34 RBI. Before the 2013 season, Miami suspended him 60 games for refusing to take an offseason drug test. End of career.

    

 HARLAN RICHTER -- LHP (6-6, 225), Evangel and Bossier Parish CC, drafted  Dodgers 2014, 27th round ... pitched with LA's rookie-league team in Arizona in 2014, 11 games (all in relief) 12 innings, 0-2 record, one save.

      

LOGAN NORRIS -- RHP, Benton High and LSU-Shreveport, signed as free agent by Rockies in 2013, pitched two years in Colorado system as rookie and Class A levels, 42 games (eight starts), 82⅓ innings, 6-5 record (one save), 4.34 ERA, then one year of independent-league ball -- one game in Australia, 2015 with Grand Prairie (American Association), 32 games (five starts), 60 innings, 3-6 record, five saves, 4.05 ERA.

     TAYLOR HENRY -- LHP, Airline High and four years at Centenary College, drafted Mets 2015, 21st round. Three seasons as lefty relief specialist (72 games, no starts), 7-1 record -- 4-0 in 2017 for Columbia, S.C., in  Class A South Atlantic League.

    
 JARED WEST -- LHP (6-6, 220), starred at North  DeSoto (Stonewall) High, pitched for University of Houston and LSU-Shreveport, drafted three times, signed with Mariners 2015, 29th-round pick. Only pro season: 2015 as reliever with Seattle's rookie-league team in Arizona -- 3-0 record, 14 games, 18 innings, three walks, 16 strikeouts. Older brother Sean pitched in majors with Florida Marlins.  

     DANIEL CUCJEN -- IF, Evangel High (state championship teams 2009 and 2011, All-State in 2012) and U. of Alabama (2013-16), signed as free agent with Pittsburgh, played with Pirates' Bristol rookie-league team in 2016, 39 games, .248 average.

     

  RANDY ZEIGLER -- LHP, Calvary Baptist, LSU, Bossier Parish CC, Univ. Louisiana-Monroe, drafted 2012 Giants, 19th round ... Twice state's "Outstanding Player" in his class after pitching his team to state championships ... After college career took him to Louisiana-Monroe's pitching rotation, played 2012 with San Francisco's rookie and lower Class A teams -- 18 games (one start), 1-6 record, 6.84 ERA in 26⅓ innings. Left law enforcement job in 2016 to pitch for independent-league team -- seven games (two starts), 0-1 record, 15 innings.

      PEDRO "PETER" PIZZARO -- C, Byrd High, after a strong senior season (.393 average, one home run, 42 RBI), drafted Angels 2012, 35th round, passed up chance to play junior college ball at San Jacinto to sign pro. Played three years for Angels' rookie-league teams, 54 games, .207 average (best season was .262 in 2013), two home runs, 16 RBI. 

     DAVID BURKHALTER -- RHP, Ruston High, drafted 2014 Brewers, 6th round, passed up scholarship with Louisiana-Monroe to sign pro contract, four years in Milwaukee system -- rookie-league team (2014), then three seasons at Class A Wisconsin (Midwest League). Career interrupted by shoulder surgery, released during 2017 season. Totals: 60 games (30 starts), 8-22 record, eight saves, 5.11 ERA, 211⅓ innings (101 in 2015 when he made 12 starts, had 5-9 record).

      IVAN WILSON -- CF, Ruston High, drafted 2013 Mets, third round ... After hitting 10 home runs in an All-State senior year, he signed with the Mets and played four years in their system -- the first three on rookie-league teams, then 64 games at Class A in 2016 before he retired. A defensive standout, he was in 223 games and batted .209 (.249 was his top season), with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases. He then played football (wide receiver) at Louisiana Tech.

     CHRIS COTTON -- LHP, Byrd High and LSU, drafted 2013 Astros, 14th round ... A smallish (5-10, 166) crafty, change-of-speeds artists, he starred at Byrd (city "Pitcher of the Year," three playoff victories), and went from walk-on at LSU to sensation (13-1 career record, 2.27 ERA, SEC Tournament MVP in 2013 as the Tigers' closer), then began a five-year pro career that was well-traveled (12 teams, plus two independent-ball stops at the end). He reached Triple-A (Fresno) twice, for 16 games in 2016, and went from the Astros' system to one year with the Dodgers. Minor-league totals: 9-12 record, 15 saves, 3.24 ERA, 132 games (eight starts), 228 innings. 

 
    GARRETT WILLIAMS -- LHP, Calvary Baptist High and Oklahoma State, drafted 2016 Giants, seventh round. Moved to Shreveport for high school years after his father took a job in the city; had been a Lubbock, Texas, resident and part of the Western All-Stars in 2007 Little League World Series. Drafted by Padres in 2003, 33rd round, but chose college. In 2019, he is in his fourth pro season, the last two with the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the Double-A Eastern League. He had a 3-9 record and 6.06 ERA in 81⅔ innings in 2018; as of July 27, he was 4-8 with a 3.97 ERA in 90⅔ innings this season. He started 34 of the 53 games he's been in the past two seasons, 19 of 20 in 2019.

Drafted, did not sign in Organized Baseball

     SHAWN JENKINS -- OF, Southwood High, 1987 Orioles, 47th round

     MICKEY MONDELLO -- C, Natchitoches-Central High, 1990 Red Sox, 32nd round

     JERRY BRANDON -- SS, Airline High, 1993 Astros, 35th round

     SHANE GRIFFITH -- RHP, Sibley High, 1993 Pirates, 49th round

     JEREMIE DURDEN -- OF, Huntington High, 1994 Astros, 94th round

     JARVIS LARRY -- OF, Parkway High, 1996 Yankees, 38th round

     STEVEN KNOTTS -- OF, Parkway High, 1996 Astros, 60th round

     DEREK WALLACE -- OF, Bossier Parish Community College, 1996 White Sox, 17th round

     JEREMY ALFORD -- OF, Benton High, 1999 Padres, 24th round

     WILLIAM HOOTEN -- RHP, Evangel High, 2000 Royals, 39th round

     BRANDON CHREENE -- 2B, Sibley High, 2000 Yankees, 48th round

     STONEY STONE -- RHP, Ruston High and Texarkana Junior College, 2002 Red Sox, 13th round

     DEREK PATTERSON -- OF-P, Evangel High, Rockies twice (2002, 32nd round, and after a junior college season, 2003, 36th round) 

     DERRICK THOMAS -- RHP, Captain Shreve High 2003 Royals, 28th round

     BRANDON BELCHER -- LHP, Ruston High, 2003 Diamondbacks, 32nd round

     DERRICK SHAW -- SS, Benton High, 2003 Rays, 48th round

     RILEY HOLLINGSWORTH -- RHP, Minden High, 2004 Royals, 29th round

     GARRETT VAUGHAN -- C, Lakeside High and Bossier Parish Community College, 2005 Rockies, 46th round

      T.J. FORREST -- RHP, Haughton High, LSU 2007, Bossier Parish CC 2008, U. of Arkansas 2009-10, drafted twice -- 2006 Marlins, 44th round, and 2008  Pirates, 32nd round. Only pro game: 2011 Shreveport-Bossier Captains (American Association), one start, two innings, one earned run.

      JOHN ANDERSON -- RHP, Captain Shreve High and Bossier Parish CC, Louisiana Tech 2008-10, drafted twice -- 2006 Astros, 34th round, and 2007 Royals, 47th round, 

      MATT PILGREEN -- RHP, Northwood High and U. of Louisiana-Lafayette, drafted 2007 Yankees, 29th round, only pro season was with 2008 Shreveport-Bossier Sports (independent-league American Association), 28 games (four starts), 58 2/3 innings, 2-8 record, 5.52 ERA.

       KHIRY COOPER -- CF (6-3, 205), Calvary Baptist and U. of Nebraska CF, drafted twice -- 2008 Angels, 5th round, and 2012 Red Sox, 25th round. Also a standout wide receiver, chose college (Nebraska football and baseball) over pro baseball, transferred to Tulsa U. for football, 2012.

       MOSES MUNOZ -- LHP (6-1, 185), Haughton High, Bossier Parish CC, Southern Mississippi and West Alabama, drafted 2008 Marlins.

       JIMMY HEARD -- RHP (6-1, 160) -- Airline High and Northwestern State Univ. Pitched for Shreveport-Bossier (independent American Association) in 2009, 7-1 record, 1.76 ERA, 11 starts, 66 1/3 innings.

       JEFF HARVILL -- LHP, Evangel High, drafted Phillies 2010, 40th round, but attended Univ. of Arkansas (2011-12), Arkansas-Monticello (2013-15), signed with independent-league Grand Prairie (American Association) in 2015, pitched in three games.

         CHASE WENTZ -- OF, Sarepta (Glenbrook School, Minden) and LSU-Shreveport, drafted Pirates 2010, 18th round.