The Summer of ’71 (Part One)

Prologue:

Doc was holding court.  We were in a bit of a hitting slump, and Manager John “Doc” Yallaly was standing in the aisle of the ancient American Legion bus, steadying himself back and forth as the bus rumbled along, talking baseball with his players.  The bus was making its way from Cape Girardeau to Murphysboro, IL for a weekday night game.  Doc Yallaly was old school all the way, and was doing what he did best:  simplifying baseball down to its essence.  Baseball to Doc was always the noble pursuit.  He had dedicated much of his life to this game he so much loved and would do so for many years to come.  His impromptu speeches to inspire his players and to loosen them up were without peer, and that includes my college coach, Robert E. “H. S.” Finley. 

He was getting around to the main point of the discussion when he asked one of our guys what was the most important thing to think about when you are at the plate. I think my teammate may have responded with something about concentrating on swinging at strikes and making contact. Doc’s response was classic: “Aw, HELL no, man! You’ve got to swing HARD up there! You’ve got to DRIVE that ball! Get your money’s worth up there!  None of this ‘pat the ball’ shit”.  And finally, this highly polished gem:  “Look, boys, playing baseball is a lot like wiping your ass. You’ve got to find that groove!”. The wisdom of a good coach includes knowing when the team needs to loosen up.

Doc’s pep talk worked that day, as the record shows we won 3-0. Gene Dewrock had a monster night: he was 4 for 5 with a double and a triple. Also, Tim Kelley was 3 for 4 with two RBI’s. No surprises here, as both of these guys were solid. However, the biggest story of the night was Donnie Miller who struck out 23 (not a typo). 23 K’s is an impressive number for nine innings even with Murphysboro’s notoriously dim lights. 

1971, Summer, Cape Girardeau, MO

In the summer of 1971, our Cape Girardeau American Legion baseball team was strong. With veteran experience from a stout Cape Central High team, and a deep pitching staff, this team was able to match up against a pretty tough schedule. In addition to Cape Central High and Cape Notre Dame players, the team added several key players from Sikeston and Jackson to its roster. Everyday players from Cape Central were: Gene Dewrock, shortstop; Tim Kelley, second base; Carl Gross, first base; Troy Vieth, third base; Steve Schlick, catcher; John Wright, catcher; and Steve Volkerding, outfield. Other outfielders were David Hackney from Sikeston and Mike Frey from Cape Notre Dame High School. Utility player Mark Adams was from Jackson High School.

Leading our pitching staff was Galen McSpadden, a lean, rangy lefty from Zalma, MO, who had just finished an outstanding freshman season at Southeast Missouri State. Besides having a great name that sounded like it came from an old faded baseball card out of the 1950’s, Galen was the consummate pitcher. Six feet tall and broad-shouldered, Galen was poised, unflappable and confident. His stuff was good, but his execution was even better. He had a smooth deliberate delivery and did not throw all that hard, but his fastball was sneaky fast, and he had an excellent forkball he used as a change-up. He hammered the bottom of the strike zone and all of his pitches had a purpose. I don’t remember him having a bad game all summer. Galen, after college, went on to play in the Padres organization as high as Triple A. He would later become a successful JUCO baseball coach in Kansas. There could not have been a better role model for a young lefty like me that was still trying to find himself. I remember asking him once about his training regimen, and he did not hesitate: “I throw a baseball every day”.

Donnie Miller from Sikeston was also impressive and would become our number two starter. He had been a major nemesis of Cape teams in high school and Babe Ruth league tournaments for years. I was glad he was on our side for a change. He was a righthander who threw extremely hard, and had strikeout stuff. His windup was tight and controlled, smooth and measured, and his heavy two-seam fastball made a very satisfying buzzing sound before it popped in the glove. His breaking pitch was sharp and tight, and while it didn’t break big, he threw it very hard and for strikes. Donnie would go on to play for the Lobos at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Other pitchers added needed depth, including Cape Central’s senior staff leader lefty Mark Hogan. Hogan was a winner and he knew how to pitch; he had a smooth dart-throwing style.  His fastball was deceptively hasty. His stuff also had a lot of movement, and hitters had a hard time squaring the ball up. He had just come off a dominating senior season at Cape Central, and would later join SEMO’s pitching staff.  Later still, Hogan would have a very successful coaching career, leading Southeast Missouri State’s baseball team as its long time head coach.

The rest us were coming off of our junior seasons at Cape Central.  Big right hander Gene Schlick, was also a potential ace–a talented, if sometimes erratic, hard throwing right hander and was literally fearless. Danny Eaker was a stocky righthander, rock solid and a tough competitor, and would be counted on primarily to be a reliable option out of the bullpen. Rounding out the staff was yours truly, a lefty. My biggest challenge this summer was going to be getting a healthy share of innings on this team, let alone starts.

My summer of 1971 would be full of new experiences. The baseball season would provide tests of mental toughness.  I would be pitching against better competition than ever before.  My first real summer job of painting houses would be a learning experience. There would be long bus rides late into the night in an ancient blue American Legion bus passing time with brothers in arms.  The post game feast was always the same: soggy ham sandwiches, day old Dixie Cream Doughnuts, and lukewarm cans of Pepsi.  I have to say, we were always ravenous at that point and grateful.  Our Legion team would make a deep run in the playoffs, with a surprising twist.  Oh, and the most intriguing point of my summer? A bona fide secret admirer.  Heady stuff.  It would be a summer to remember.  More to come………

Top row: Gene Dewrock, Don Miller, John Wright, Carl Gross, Gene Schlick, Galen McSpadden, Randy Johnson, Truman Howard.

Front Row: Doc Yallaly, Steve Volkerding, Troy Vieth, Tim Kelley, Mark Hogan, Danny Eaker, Mike Frey, David Hackney. Injured and not pictured: Steve Schlick.