Games and Notes of 5/1

1. Lee Lowenfish event:

Peanuts, Popcorn, Crackerjacks & Branch Rickey
A Salute to Baseball with Noted Baseball Writer, Lee Lowenfish

Tuesday, May 17th
6:00 pm Reception & Book Signing
6:45 pm Ballpark Dinner & Remarks
$25 per person, Chit Bar


He was not much of a player and not much more of a manager, but by the time Branch Rickey (1881-1965) finished with baseball, he

had revolutionized the sport – not just once but three times. Famed baseball writer Lee Lowenfish, author of the definitive biography

of Rickey, will talk about the man sportswriters dubbed “The Brain,” “The Mahatma,” and, on occasion “El Cheapo.”


As the mastermind behind the St. Louis Cardinals from 1917 to 1942 Rickey created the farm system, which allowed smallmarket

clubs to compete with the rich and powerful. Under his direction in the 1940’s, the Brooklyn Dodgers became truly the first “America’s team.” By signing Jackie Robinson and other black players, he single-handedly thrust baseball into the forefront of the civil rights movement. Come listen to Lee speak about a man whoselife is itself a crucial chapter in the history of American business, sports and society.


Lee Lowenfish is a historian, journalist, broadcaster, jazz commentator and the author of four outstanding baseball books. For reservations, please email Jessica Lyon at events@unionleagueclub.org.


2. Games of 4/24
Heckscher was closed but SFLOI headed over to West 54th Street, and played a ghost runner doubleheader extravaganza in the beautiful weather. Appell beat Rosengard 5-4 in Game 1, coming back from a 4-2 deficit in the final frame. Eric Schulman's 2-run double tied it, and Freddie Melendez's single won it. Alex Rivera was 4-for-5 with a solo HR, and Schulman was 4-for-6 with 3 RBI. In the nightcap, Melendez shut out Hewes 12-0. Rivera homered again and drove in 4, and Schulman, Appell, and Scott Weir each added 4 hits.

3. Games of 5/1
Again, a close game and a laugher. O'Connor beat Parfrey 5-4 in the opener, singling in the winning run himself in the top of the 7th. Alex Rivera homered yet again, and Eric Schulman had 3 hits. Chris Hall was 4-for-4 for Parfrey's side. In the second game, Hewes revenged his earlier defeat by trouncing Melendez 19-6. Rivera and Phil Ciccone each homered twice and drove in 5 runs. Sam Melendez homered and drove in 3, and Bill McLaughlin was 5-for-5. Chris Hall homered in a losing cause.