Life After Baseball

I was 10 years old when my father's youth baseball coaching career came to an end, 57 years ago today. And what an ending it was! On the evening of August 22, 1965, his Covina Post 207 team won the Anaheim American Legion Invitational Baseball Tournament, emerging victorious over 72 of the best teams in California. Winning the Anaheim Tournament was a supreme accomplishment – the perfect coda to his coaching days – and I was never prouder of my father as I was that night.

As happy as I was over his tourney win, though, I was also sad. Literally all my life, my dad had been a baseball coach. To me, that was practically his whole identity. "Ed Shannon" meant "baseball" more than anything. I couldn't conceive of him not being involved with the game in some way.

And yet, as we drove away from that last game, Dad seemed strangely lighthearted. Of course, he was always an upbeat guy, but as important as baseball and his boys had been to him for so long, and as final as his departure was to be, I really thought he should have been somber, not smiling, maybe even crying. Surely he'll be sad when it finally sunk in that he'll never set foot on a baseball diamond again?

But of course I was wrong, and it just went to prove how little I knew at that age about how adults really see the world. Now I look back, and I can fully appreciate why Dad felt the way he did. For when time closes one door, opportunity opens another. He was now free to pursue other interests, and over the next couple of years, he went on to start a new import business: a venture which grew to be far more remunerative than his old steel fabricating plant ever was or could be.

So there was life after baseball, after all! Far from being a loss, that bittersweet ending brought good fortune to my father and to our family, and taught me an important lesson about grownup life, as well.

Epilogue

My only remaining mementos of Father's Little League tournament successes...

As you can see, when my mother framed these pins, she clearly left room for a fourth ribbon, but there would be no more after 1959. I don't think I ever really knew why Dad stopped coaching Little League. Or maybe I did and I simply forgot why. I'm just speculating now, but as much as he loved his boys, I have to believe something bad must have happened to sour the experience for him. My best guess is that he had a falling out with League management. I know it couldn't have had anything to do with Moe Fox. He and Dad remained fast friends, and would coach together again in Colt League 3 years later. If I live long enough, I'll be posting about that in 2022!

For now, though, that's a wrap for 1959 and Dad's stint with the West Covina American Little League.

 

The Last Game

Saturday, August 8, 1959

Today's obituary says it all. West Covina basically let the championship game get away from them in the 2nd inning, and despite solid pitching from that point on, our boys never recovered.

La Puente National.......050 000–5 4 3
West Covina American.....100 010–2 5 2

An interesting footnote that didn't make it into the paper. Evidently, the reporter (and others, including the WC coaches) noticed that La Puente batted out of order at some point during the game, perhaps in that crucial 2nd inning. As Manager, Ed Shannon had the prerogative to challenge the game based on that infraction, but chose not to.

I rather suspect this would not have been mentioned if it clearly would not have made a difference in the outcome. At this point, though, who's to know? In any case, what's done was done. 1959 was over for West Covina.

Wrapping up the rest of the this year's Little League post-season, La Puente went on to the Divisional tournament where they lost to La Jolla 3-0 in the final. At the Regionals, Auburn defeated La Jolla 10-4 for bragging rights as California's top team, then bested Vancouver, Washington, to win the West title 11-3. At the World Series, Auburn continued their string of victories until they were shut out in the championship game by Hamtramck, Michigan, 12-0.

My mother took this home movie of my father umpiring and 7-Up playing at Cortez Park, and at 1:25, the trophy presentation at the Sectional tourney in San Bernardino. This is the only footage I've yet discovered from Dad's time coaching Little League. (Your Humble Narrator makes a brief appearance at 0:15.)

Finally, a personal anecdote from this day, 60 years ago. After this last game, I was riding alone in the back seat of our car as we drove home west on the San Bernardino Freeway near Colton. I was wearing my dad's baseball cap. I rolled down the window on the driver's side, stuck my head out, and OFF flew Dad's hat! Shocked and dismayed, I looked back and watched as it settled on the ground near the center divider. I cried out in distress about what had just happened, but Dad didn't say a word, and he didn't slow down or turn around, either. He just kept driving in silence. I was afraid I was in big trouble. I'd lost Dad's All-Star hat! I couldn't believe it. I felt incredibly stupid failing this early lesson in the physics of wind.

Of course, I was expecting to be punished when we got home, but nothing happened. Neither of my parents seemed to care about the hat, but I sure did. I must have said I'm sorry a million times. Anyway, probably a couple days later, Dad came home wearing the hat! Or at least I thought it was the same hat. How did he find it?, I wondered. I was so surprised! When I got a little older, I figured out that Dad must simply have gotten another hat from the League, but at the time I thought it was a real miracle. God had answered my prayers and Dad got his hat back!

But he never wore it again after that. I don't think I knew it at the time, but Ed Shannon had coached his last-ever Little League game.

 

Section VII Opener

Friday, August 7, 1959

By the Sectionals, the wheat has definitely been separated from the chaff. From this point on, you're only facing the best of the local best.

 

Like last year, young Rollie Fingers is once again on the roster for Cucamonga...

 

...however, Cucamonga was eliminated by La Puente in yesterday's opening game, so West Covina didn't get to play against Fingers this year, either.

I'd bet anything that big goose egg on the end of yesterday's game's line score was scribbled by 4-years-old Yours Truly. ;)

 

It's looking like the La Puente National All-Stars are going to be the team to beat this time around. Their pitcher, Steve Frausto, has already thrown 2 perfect games this post-season.

 

In today's early game, La Puente defeated Pasadena American 4-0.

Pasadena American......000 000–0 7 1
La Puente National.....220 00x–4 5 0

 

In the late game, West Covina steamrollered the San Bernardino–Knights of Columbus All-Stars in a 10-0 shutout. Lee Meyers dominated on the mound, giving up just 2 hits, striking out 11, and walking only 1. Tom Finch and Jim Mackenzie each homered in an offensive barrage that stunned the home town boys with 12 hits total.

 

West Covina will take on La Puente tomorrow afternoon for the Section VII crown.

West Covina American.....030 223–10 12 0
San Bernardino, KC.......000 000– 0  2 3

Dad's officials ribbon for the 1959 Sectional tourney.

 

District Hat Trick

Saturday, August 1, 1959

West Covina American won its third straight District championship today in a 7-1 rout of Covina National. Greg Mulligan struck out 8 and held the opposition to only 3 hits, while shortstop Tom Finch led the offense with 4 RBIs and the game's only home run.

 

Covina National..........000 100–1 3 4
West Covina American.....120 13x–7 9 1

West Covina now advances to the Sectional tournament in San Bernardino which begins this coming Thursday.

Zoelle Shines

Thursday, July 30, 1959

Four very evenly-matched teams of young All-Stars began competing today for the District 19 championship at Barranca Park in Covina.

 

In the opener, West Covina American pitcher Ken Zoelle was a one-man wrecking crew in a hard-fought game against Glendora American. Zoelle shone on a day to remember as he struck out 9 and smashed 2 homers that scored all 4 of West Covina's runs.

Glendora American........001 000–1 4 0
West Covina American.....010 30x–4 3 1

 

 

In a barnburner on Friday evening, Covina National and Baldwin Park's Eastside Little League traded run for run through regulation play until Covina scored the go-ahead in the bottom of the 10th for a thrilling 3-2 win.

West Covina American will meet Covina National in the District 19 title game tomorrow evening.

Area Champs Again

Saturday, July 25, 1959

West Covina American took the 1959 Area 2 title today with a 12-3 rout of Azusa American at West Covina National field. Despite a pair of wild pitches and hit batters, hard-throwing Lee Meyers struck out 9 for the win. Seven RBIs on home runs by Chuck Calver, Bruce Pittenger and Ken Zoelle drove the offensive scoring attack, with 6 errors by the opposing team contributing 4 unearned runs to West Covina's already comfortable margin of victory.

Azusa American...........020 010– 3 3 6
West Covina American.....522 30x–12 7 1

The West Covina All-Stars now move on to the District 19 Tournament at Barranca Park in Covina, which starts this coming Thursday.

1959 Area 2 Tourney recap:

Area 2 Opener

Friday, July 24, 1959

West Covina American's Ken Zoelle pitched a 1-hit, 3-run shutout of the Pacific Coast Little League All-Stars today, notching 10 strikeouts in the win. Lee Meyers and Greg Mulligan put all of the points on the board for WCALL with a home run each, for 2 and 1 RBIs respectively.

West Covina American.....002 001–3 6 2
Pacific Coast............000 000–0 1 1

West Covina American will meet yesterday's semi-final winner Azusa American in the Area 2 final tomorrow.

Post-Season Schedule

California District 19's tournament brackets for 1959.

Looks like Jay Johnstone's dad is this year's Area 2 Tournament Director.

 

1959 All-Stars

Wednesday, July 22, 1959

Introducing: The 1959 West Covina American Little League All-Star Team

Click image for full-res file.

Standing (l. to r.): Moe Fox (Manager), Sam Cooper, Chuck Calver, Lee Meyers, Tom Hartsock, Ken Zoelle, Pat Toomay, Bruce Pittenger, Ed Shannon (Manager). Kneeling: Larry W. Young, Greg Mulligan, Tom Finch, Ken Wiedemann, Jim Mackenzie, John McCaffrey, Larry D. Young.

 

This year's pitching crew...

Click image for full-res file.

Standing (l. to r.): Lee Meyers, Tom Hartsock, Ken Zoelle, Greg Mulligan. Kneeling: Pat Toomay, Chuck Calver (Catcher), Jim Mackenzie.

 

...and the coaches: 7-Up's Ed Shannon and Moe Fox.

The best picture ever taken of these two best friends.

 

And finally, your intrepid cub reporter in a contemporaneous photograph.

I must confess, though, that I spent a lot more time getting into mischief with Ricky Fox at these games than I did watching the action on the field. ;-) I couldn't write very well yet at this age, either, but I did already know my A-B-Cs!

 

7-Up's ace Kenny Zoelle will be on the mound for West Covina American when Area 2 tournament play officially gets underway tomorrow at West Covina National field.

 

7-Up, 1959

Sunday, July 19, 1959

Dad's 7-Up team were league runners-up in 1959. Half of this year's roster were veterans from 1958's squad: Mike Church, Tom Finch, Jim Mackenzie, Pat Toomay, Ken Wiedemann, and Larry Young.

Click on photo for full-res file.

7-Up, 1959. Standing (l. to r.): Moe Fox (Coach), Gary Patterson, Randy Reich, Larry Young, Pat Toomay, Walt Cameron, Mike Church, Ed Shannon (Manager). Kneeling: Ken Pearson, Steve Church, Ken Wiedemann, Tom Finch, Jim Mackenzie, Paul Poer. Not pictured: John Gary.

At the Little League family picnic on July 19, the 7-Up players all signed a thank you note...

...and presented their coaches with an appreciation trophy.

From left to right: trophies from the 1957 State Tournament, the 1959 7-Up team trophy, and the league "Champs" trophy presented to 7-Up's players in 1958.

Sadly, the photo above is all that remains of the 1959 7-Up trophy. I threw this and most of Dad's other trophies away in 1988 when I was preparing to sell my parents' house. All of his scorebooks, too. It makes me sad to even think about this now.

1959 tournament play gets underway July 24 when the West Covina American All-Stars will take the field against the Pacific Coast Little League team in their Area 2 opening match at West Covina National's field on Sunset Avenue.

7-Up Jersey Patch.

 

1959 WCALL Season Highlights

West Covina American Little League milestones in 1959:

June 19: Future Super Bowl VI champ defensive end Pat Toomay pitched the first no-hitter in West Covina American regular season history in 7-Up's 3-0 victory over Servisoft. Only a fielding error came between Pat and a perfect game.

July 5: In 10 innings, 7-Up defeated Driftwood Dairy 9-7 to capture the first-half title in the longest WCALL game to date.

July 11: On the last day of regular team play, Greg Mulligan set a league record for home runs in a single season with his 10th round-tripper in Charro's 6-1 win over Driftwood.

July 19: Charro defeated 7-Up 6-2 to win the 1959 West Covina American Little League championship.

At the league picnic at the end of the season, the roster of this year's WCALL All-Star Team was announced.

Chuck Calver (Charro) – 12
Sam Cooper (Charro) – 12
Tom Finch (7-Up) – 12
Tom Hartsock (Servisoft) – 11
John McCaffrey (Servisoft) – 12
Jim Mackenzie (7-Up) – 12
Lee Meyers (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Greg Mulligan (Charro) – 12
Bruce Pittenger (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Pat Toomay (7-Up) – 11
Ken Wiedemann (7-Up) – 11
Larry D. Young (7-Up) – 12
Larry W. Young (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Ken Zoelle (Servisoft) – 11

The Managers will be Ed Shannon and Moe Fox of 7-Up.

 

Okura Testamonial

Practically everyone who grew up in West Covina knows the name Michael Okura (1946-2012). A beloved local educator and sports icon, he made a lasting, positive impression on almost every person he crossed paths with throughout his life.

WCHS senior portrait, courtesy of the late Mrs. Leo Okura.

Mike with the 1958 All-Star team trophies, photo courtesy of the late Mrs. Leo Okura.

What produces men with such standout qualities? For most, it requires good parenting, good teachers, good mentors. I'm proud that my father was one of Michael Okura's earliest such role models.

After the 1958 Little League season, Mike's parents wrote us this thank-you letter. I can attest: no truer testament was ever written about my father's dedication to his young proteges. I'm particularly touched by the sentiments expressed in the last paragraph.

Like Mike Okura, many of Dad's young players became family friends in their adulthood, still coming to visit and talk with him and get his advice years after they last played for him. And if the boys he coached valued their association with him so much, just imagine how even more special it was to have that man as my own father.

So, that's a wrap for the 1958 WCALL All-Stars! Hopefully, I'll be back next year to tell the 1959 team's story, too. It would be Father's last season coaching Little League...

 

The 1958 Trophies

Family photos of the 1958 All-Star team trophies: the magnificent District 19 award, and the smaller but more prestigious Bi-District cup.

(For you retro video geeks: our TV here was a Packard-Bell console that had a radio and Hi-Fi record player built in: a state-of-the-art "home theater" in its day!)

A closer look at the bling.

This picture of the 1958 District 19 trophy was taken the following year. I'm certain of that, not only because of the date on the print, but also the newer black-and-white style of the All-Star cap that I'm wearing.

Also note that the formerly blank space on the brass plaque now says: "WEST COVINA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE".

Just like the 1957 State Tournament trophy, I don't know what ultimately happened to these team prizes. I know they were never among the collection of trophies at our newer home in Covina. My best guess is that Dad gave them to Fred Allen – the 1958 All-Stars' coach. I remember us going over to the Allen's house one time, and their whole living room was filled with youth baseball trophies that Fred's teams had won over the years. So, although I don't know for sure, it just make sense that the 1958 trophies ended up in his collection, too. I doubt they survive today, however, making these pictures the only extant evidence of these early WCALL tournament awards.

 

Sectional Shocker

Thursday, July 31, 1958

Although this year's West Covina American All-Star team was not quite the juggernaut they were in '57, no one doubted that they had the horses to win the 1958 Sectionals and go to the State Tournament again, and maybe this time, beyond. But it simply wasn't to be...

West Covina American.....000 203–5 9 2
Norwood Village..........301 20x–6 6 2

I think I'll just let this newspaper article describe the action. (Another here.) It was evidently quite a game.

So it was that West Covina American – the consensus favorite going in – was eliminated in an opening-round stunner. In the final, Norwood Village defeated Colton to win the Section III title and a berth in the State Tournament the following weekend.

Little League Post-Season Wrap-Up, 1958:

The hard-hitting newcomers from West El Monte ended up besting last year's West Covina American's 3rd Place finish in the California State Tournament, going home with the 2nd Place trophy this year. 1958 State Champion, Sacramento, in turn, took 2nd Place to Rose City (Portland), Oregon, in the Western Regionals. The West lost to North Region reps, Kankakee, Illinois, in the first round of the Little League World Series. Illinois ended up winning the U.S. title, while Latin America superstars and Series favorites Monterrey Industrial repeated as World Champs.

Bi-District Battle

Monday, July 28, 1958

Last year's Little League post-season tournament had Area, Division, Section, State and Regional levels of competition. 1958, however, saw the inclusion of a "Bi-Divisional" playoff: in our case, this meant Division 19 champ West Covina American would play Division 20 winner East Whittier for a spot in the Section III Tourney in Colton this coming weekend.

In the showdown at Barranca Park in Covina, Denny Allen shone on the mound, holding a strong East Whittier offense to only 2 hits. Allen's bat was key to winning the game, as well. In the 4th inning, he hit a double that advanced Tom Finch to third. Finch then took advantage of a wild pitch to score the game's only run.

West Covina American.....000 100–1 3 0
East Whittier............000 000–0 2 0

Another great action photo. Clearly, Tom Finch didn't just stroll home on that wild pitch!

East Valley's Best

Saturday, July 26, 1958

A lot was at stake for West Covina American and Pacific Coast of West Covina today at Glendora Little League Field: the District 19 title, of course, but the outcome would also decide the City Championship, and beyond that, secure the winner bragging rights as the best Little League team in the East San Gabriel Valley.

It was a hard-fought game. West Covina American pitching ace Don Bunch was truly on fire, striking out 14 while giving up only 1 hit, and extending his post-season scoreless-innings streak to 12. Pacific Coast was strong on defense, though, stranding 11 WCALL baserunners. With nothing but goose eggs on the scoreboard through 5-1/2, the break came when Steve Fox hit safely with a runner on in the bottom of the last frame to end the game.

Pacific Coast of West Covina.....000 000–0 1 1
West Covina American.............000 001–1 4 2

I noted with some concern that Mike Okura was hit by 2 pitched balls today. I'd hate to think that was intentional...

Here's Dad accepting the District 19 Championship trophy. Pretty impressive for a local-level Little League award, isn't it? I know I have a couple of family photos of this beaut somewhere, but I can't seem to find them at the moment.

In my dad's notes, I found this bracket of the 1958 tourney action thus far. Out of all 13 Little League teams in the eastern SGV, WCALL had come out on top.

Now it's on to the Bi-District playoff next week in Covina!

West Covina Beats Covina, Again

Friday, July 25, 1958

West Covina American defeated Covina National today in the late semi-final game of the 1958 District 19 playoff at Glendora Little League Park.

Denny Allen was the starting pitcher for West Covina, but was replaced by Gary Beecher after Allen gave up a lead-off home run followed by 2 walks in the top of the 1st. With the game tied 1-1 going into the last inning, West Covina's offense exploded for 9 runs in the top of the 6th, with Mike Okura and Randy Harrison each hitting a 2-RBI double, and Denny Allen sealing the win with a 3-run homer. Gary Beecher had 11 strikeouts on the day, throwing 6-1/3 innings of shutout ball.

West Covina American.....100 009–10 4 1
Covina National..........100 000– 1 2 3

Bunch Hurls No-Hitter!

Friday-Saturday, July 18-19, 1958

Mom messed up and didn't save any newspaper clippings about Game 1 of the Area 4 playoffs, but from other information in the scrapbook, I was able to glean that Gary Beecher was on the mound for West Covina American Friday evening when they defeated Glendora American 8-2 at Cortez Park.

However, I do have an article and an official score sheet from Saturday's game against Covina American, and what a game it was! Our Don Bunch pitched a no-hitter! He struck out 12 of the 18 batters he faced, and would have thrown a perfecto except for walking the first batter. Greg Mulligan slammed a 2-RBI homer in the bottom of the 4th for the game's only runs.

This is a terrific photo. It's like a freeze-frame of an instant replay, and it clearly shows the umpire's pick-off call was correct, just by a fraction of an inch.

Shoddy reporting by the Tribune writer, though. Don Bunch couldn't possibly have retired "21 consecutive batters," because there are a maximum 18 outs per side in a regulation Little League game. Anyway, have a look at the official score sheet below and see for yourself that Covina American only had 18 at-bats.

Covina American..........000 000–0 0 0
West Covina American.....000 20x–2 6 0

So Area 4 champs West Covina American will face Area 3 winner Covina National when District 19 playoff action commences next Friday in Glendora.

The 1958 All-Stars

Tuesday, July 15, 1958

The tournament paperwork was signed and notarized today. The roster's official now.

Mike Adams (Exchange Club) – 12
Denny Allen (Elks Club) – 12
Gary Beecher (7-Up) – 12
Don Bunch (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Tom Finch (7-Up) – 11
Steve Fox (7-Up) – 12
Steve Gray (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Randy Harrison (7-Up) – 12
John Lyons (Elks Club) – 12
Lee Meyers (Driftwood Dairy) – 11
Greg Mulligan (Elks Club) – 11
Mike Okura (Driftwood Dairy) – 12
Ritchie Reiner (Elks Club) – 12
Terry Thorsness (7-Up) – 12

The 1958 West Covina American Little League All-Star Team

Click image for full-res file.

Standing (l. to r.): Ed Shannon (Manager), Steve Gray, Mike Okura, Ritchie Reiner, Don Bunch, Randy Harrison, John Lyons, Gary Beecher, Fred Allen (Coach). Kneeling: Greg Mulligan, Steve Fox, Terry Thorsness, Tom Finch, Denny Allen, Lee Meyers, Mike Adams.

 

The pitching staff: Mike Okura (Catcher), Denny Allen, Gary Beecher, Don Bunch.

Click image for full-res file.

Beecher will be on the mound when Area tournament play officially gets underway on the 18th.

Postscript: I remember Dad telling me that Mike Okura's surname was spelled "O'Kura" to protect him from possible anti-Japanese discrimination. That's why, throughout the tournaments, you'll see Mike's name printed with an apostrophe in newspapers, programs and on official league forms.