Name: Tony Frink () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 16:59:07
E-Mail: tfrink@microsoft.com
Class: 1978
City and State: Glyndon, MN
Message: While I can't speak for the '60's athletes at HHS, I would still like to weigh in on the topic of the best catcher who played at HHS. Any discussion on this subject would be remiss without mentioning either Mike Colburn (who also caught for the White Sox), and my favorite, Bruce Phelps (c/o '75). Phelps had a cannon for an arm, and was one of the best hitters ever to come out of Hawthorne. I probably don't have the years correct here, but I think he was a sophomore on the team that featured Mike Scott and Colburn. If I recall correctly, Colburn caught for Scott when he pitched, and Phelps caught Colburn when Colburn pitched. That was one of the finest baseball teams HHS has ever produced.
Thanks Tony.....

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 16:10:43
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: Bud, I made the correction from Nick to Mike in an earlier post. Now, before JB gets his pant stretchers in a bunch, we will return to the "All Hawthorne High, all the time" format.
Anyone remember the Hawthorne Fair that use to be at the Hawthorne Memorial Center each summer. I would always look forward to the fair coming to town. I was really good at winning goldfish.

Name: Cindy Colby () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 16:10:23
E-Mail: cindycolby@att.net
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 63
City and State: Laguna Hills, CA
Message: OK, now I have to jump in. Steve Yeager was an Adonis and yes he had the best butt I have seen in a long time (not that I would admit to it) I wanted to have his children. I was at a Dodger game when they pitched out to Yeager, he stepped out over the plate and hit the S--- out of it and knocked it out of the park to win the game. But I don't know nothing about baseball.

Name: budrhoades () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 15:18:28
E-Mail: budrhoades@earthlink.net
Class: 74
City and State: seal beach,ca
Message: Jill,I think you mean Mike Sciosa dont you?

Name: Robin () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 14:50:26
E-Mail: SportsTrivia.com
Maiden: Kluszewski
Class: 60
City and State: Strandcam, USA
Message: John, maybe I can help clear this catcher business up...Nick and Fritz Scioscia were the twin HHS foreign exchange students from Denmark in the late 50s. Coach Duff Means allowed Nick to be an honorary team member simply because of his love of the game. I remember the Morningside game, when Jim LeFevre tried to score the winning run from 1st on a double, and Nick layed him out cold about 15 ft. from home plate with a fungo bat. Other than that he didn't do much plate blocking that I can recall. They had a kid brother Mike, they liked to talk about, but I don't know whatever happened to him. I hope this helps....:o)...PS..Russ..Who had the FIRST varsity letter in our class?
Thanks for clearing that up.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 14:37:33
E-Mail: whowerethesenators?.com
Class: 66
City and State: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Message: Well John, I hope that wasn't really Harmon Killebrew or we shall never hear from him again. But I believe the Texas Rangers were from Washington John and were known as the Senators. I know I am right. Check your sources, I learned this in Hawthorne once when I was taking the pants off the clothesline and got tangled in the pants stretchers.
Well Jim, yahsee the original Washington Senators moved to Minnesota leaving Washington without a team, so a new franchise Washington team came along, and lasted until 1971. In 1972 they moved to Texas and called themselves the Rangers and why are we still talking about sports when this is a Hawthorne High website?

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 13:18:23
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: Gosh, I feel silly, before y'all start to email me about my boo-boo, it is Mike Scoccia that I was refering too, I don't know who Nick Scoccia is. And no, JB, it was not Yeager's butt that I liked, but his ability to throw. However, Lasorda's rear was what did it for me!
Jill, I still can't find a Mike Scoccia. I did find a Mike Scioscia though; is that him?
You might be the only woman outside of Jo Lasorda that has a derriere fetish for Tommy.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 12:13:52
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: I am going to weigh in with my 2 cents on who I think were good catchers. Keeping in mind, I bleed blue, my votes goes to Steve (Boomer) Yeager, he had the ability to throw someone out at second with his eyes closed, and then there is current Angels manager Nick Scoccia, the best plate blocker ever.
But getting back to pant stretchers, thanks to whoever posted the picture of the pant stretchers, I now feel I can have an intelligent conversation about them, now that I know what they look like. Backyard incinerators? Don't know about those, but did anyone have a backyard bomb shelter?
Jill, like most women of his era, are you sure you didn't like Yeager because of his butt. (remember there's no such thing as political correctness in Ctown)
And that plate blockin' Nick guy....... I can't even find him on the Angel roster. Did he play for HHS?

Name: HARMON KILLEBREW () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 11:54:04
E-Mail: 573@MLB.COM
Class: TWINS
City and State: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Message: HARMON WHO? Try 573 home runs and I am still ahead of Bonds! Today anyway. I came up with the Washington Senators as a third baseman and ended my career with the Minnesota Twins as a first baseman. That was before free agency and I was never traded so how could I play for two different teams, and no I was never placed on waivers? I am still 5th on the all time home run list and a member of baseball's hall of fame.
Because Washington moved to Minneapolis in 1961, but Mr Killebrew, you must've forgotten you played for the Kansas City Royals in 1975. Must be that age thing.
BTW, Did you go to Hawthorne High and if not, why are we even talking to you.

Name: doris () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 11:16:48
E-Mail: overthehill.com
Maiden: donaldson
Class: longlongago
City and State: beautifulWARMidaho
Message: The prize goes to Sloey ... or at least he was the closest! It's the YOGI!!!! YES! My hero. And although he was not a catcher, doesn't anybody remember Harmon Killebrew? Or are you ALL just too danged young!!!??? :-D
Harmon WHO???

Name: Linda Reynolds () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 09:20:40
E-Mail: linrey@yahoo.com
Maiden: Jones
Class: 62
City and State: Chatsworth, CA
Message: Dear classmates of Class of '62:
Looks like another great turnout but please get your checks for our 40-year Reunion ($40 for each person) to me as soon as possible. We didn't put a deadline on receiving the money and we really do need to start putting deposits down. Please send to me at:
Linda Jones Reynolds
22112 Sun Ranch Ct.
Chatsworth, CA 91311-1270
Thank you so much!

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 00:55:33
E-Mail: we'retalkingbaseball.com
City and State: redondo beach, ca
Message: Myk told me he was the best that ever lived. I think if he hadn't gotten hurt Johnny Bench may have been an after thought. The best catcher in the old "Negro League" was Josh Gibson, Bench probably the best all around catcher, and Yogi and Piazza the best two hitting catchers, but neither was/is very good behind the plate. Myk's varsity coach was #109, Sid Semon. But the best catcher at HHS was Billy Schultz no question!

Name: Myrna () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 22:43:00
E-Mail: mybizz@onemain.com
Maiden: Bell
Class: 66
City and State: Coalinga, CA
Message: Hey Johnnie's Mom (that's how I knew you, way back then!) I'm glad you had a very happy birthday. If I didn't think it would go to his head I'd tell you that I think you raised a terrific son!! He's done an awful lot for a whole lot of people. Thanks, John!!! Have a question. We went fishing Saturday at San Antonio Lake (central CA coast), but we didn't go catching. We have a lot of nightcrawlers left and I'm trying to find out how to "house" them so that we can use them next time we go "catching". Anyone have any info on that subject? If so, please e-mail me (put nightcrawlers in the subject so that I'll open it) Thanks, Myrna
Put them in the refrigerator.

Name: Dan Dye () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 21:58:48
E-Mail: DanADye@earthlink.net
Class: 1962
City and State: Torrance,Cal 90505
Message: Thanks for the birthday wish Janet B and Cheryl Kari for the get well card and the warm words of encouragement. Mon Baker I hope you had a great Birthday at John's, but don't let them put too many candles on your cake. My daughter put 58 candles on my cake, however she had to take out a fire permit and I didn't think I would ever blow them out. Then we had to put up with all the smoke. It only took the fire dept. 30 minutes to clear the smoke out of the house with their fans. Talk to you later Cougar family Dan Dye C#62

Name: Susie Russelle () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 21:34:26
E-Mail: Mustangsusie21@msn.com
Maiden: Klingenhagen
Class: 7T1
City and State: PinchmeI'mdreamin',NM
Message: I have to tell the world and Cougartown is that to me...I'll make this quik...It was around November 1962 when I first heard Surf Beat by The King of the Surf Guitar, Dick Dale. I still have the album, Surfers Choice, and still play that song...in August, 2001, I ordered a Fender Custom Dick Dale Strat that was delivered in January. D.D. signed the certificate for me and I'm going to meet him May 4th (his birthday) in Colorado Springs where he'll be playing that nite...Somebody pinch me...ps. the words" backyard incinerator" sent me on a flashback without drugs!
Sounds like a chance of a lifetime, Susie. Tell the King of the Surf Guitar that all the Ctowners say hi.

Name: ROJO () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 20:36:43
E-Mail: I-DY-HO
Maiden: YOU KNOW
Class: TEACHERS.
City and State: SAMEASLASTTIME
Message: Bake, I think you forgot one hell of a catcher in our own R. Lord. After all, he and I taught Myk about everything there was to know about the sports. Anyway the ones where there's a ball that bounces. Ask Myk!:):) And anyway "THE COACH" and coach PLUM said at the last reunion that I was the best down field blocker that they had ever had at HHS and that I would have been a Hell of a catcher.:):) And Royal and I were only approached by 5 major league teams, before we got out of high school. Me two and I know as good as Roaly was he had to have three. By the way who was the varsity baseball coach when Myk was a senior? Curious? And by the way MYK, how many positions did you play your senior year? I played all 999999. Rich Sloan and I were 3 sport athlete's, the only two in our SR year. and he's RICH and I'm having fun on COUGARTOWN. Rich... thats a plug for you. Ain't life great!!! By the way Coug's ...I'm welcome for a rebuttal. MYK...he was good! But there were a lot of good athletes who never had the chance to prove it! Thanks to the attitude's of some of our mentors. MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU! JAKE N JUDE.
Hey EL, The question wasn't who was the best down field blocker, who played all positions on the baseball field, or who did the best catcher learn from.
Yes, Royal was a good catcher too and you were a good...........well, whatever position you played, normally, but I think that Gary was the best, period. Anyone else??

Name: Janet Burkett () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 19:51:29
E-Mail: jmburkett@att.net
Maiden: Humphreys
Class: 62
City and State: Mission Viejo, Ca
Message: OK, just one more comment on the subject...Chris Prewitt is my hero...he found a place to find pantstretchers, NEW, on the Internet. Thanks Chris!
And a belated birthday greeting to Dan Dye. It was so nice to talk to you last Friday and hear that you really are getting better. Hope it continues so you'll be up and out soon!
Lastly, Mom B...you are just toooo much fun. But, next time we will challenge you to blow out more than just one candle on your cake! JB2

Name: Dan Dye () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 19:33:40
E-Mail: DanADye@earthlink.net
Class: 1962
City and State: Torrance, Cal. 90505
Message: Hello Cougar Town, I want to thank all of my CT family for your prayers for my recovery from my two back surgeries. Thank you for all the cards and e-mail get well wishes, THANK YOU JOHN BAKER for giving us CT. I am from a small family, I only have one brother, David and I lost my father when I was 11 years old. Now with CT we are a big family of about what John, 8,000? I want to thank my good buddy Jim Sloey, who drove me to several of my medical procedures prior to my surgeries when I couldn't drive and has called almost everyday while I was in the hospital and when I was really down. Jim and John Baker have said "if you need anything, just call". I can't wait to get back on the bike path with you guys at 0600 hours. I want to thank you guys. But when I start again you are going to have to lay off the pancakes. I want to thank Tom Burroughs for the phone call from Arizona and Neil Anderson for the call from Oregon and Dick Dixon, sorry I missed your call, I was out of my hospital room doing physical therapy when you called. Thank you Cheryl Nicocia, my eighth grade girlfriend, for the call and the e-mails, you are the best. Thank you Coach Chauncey for the insight of your back surgery and what to expect in recovery. Thank you Ruth Watson (Kara) for the insight of your back surgery. Thank you Frank Romomo, Doris Ferreira, Mom Bierman for the card and e-mails, and Sharon Branigan, Dizzy Lizzy, Janet Burkett, Howard (Paco) Duran, and Sherry Wingo, Linda Reynolds (Jones) for the get well e-mails. I know I am forgetting one very nice lady that is 5'7" tall short blond hair, I am very bad with names. Please forgive me if I have missed anyone else. We are the Mighty Mighty Cougars.
Thank you CT for being out there when I needed you. And thank you John Baker for all your hard work with this website.
As Always, Dan Dye
Thanks Dan....

Name: doris () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 19:05:20
E-Mail: sometimesomewhere.com
Maiden: donaldson
Class: waybackwhenandthensome
City and State: Happiness,Etc,USA
Message: Well speaking of baseball ... is anyone old enough to remember the all-time best catcher ever? Could always depend on his getting on base when the chips were down, too! And how about Harmon Killebrew? We could only afford the right field bleachers, but ah! WHAT A VIEW!!! And JOHN!!! I lived in Hawthorne at the time ... does that count as a Hawthorne story?????
Hey Doris, My pick is Josh Gibson (Negro League) for the best all time catcher. Johnny Bench would be second, and if you're talking about HHS, it would be Gary Mykkanen. (No pic' from Pac')

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 17:49:17
E-Mail: fedexcandeliveranything.com
Maiden: outtacommission
Class: 66
City and State: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Message: Jill, We are looking into a Fed Ex delivery. The Dodgers are Hawthorne, at least as much as well, you know. The year I graduated from Hawthorne High [see Hawthorne story] my two best friends were Bill Tamburrino and Tim Thomas and I went to a Little League night, [we left from Timmy's house in HAWTHORNE] because Tambo was coaching a little league team in HAWTHORNE and we got to go for free. In fact all you had to do in those days was show up at the bleachers in the outfield, tell them what little league you were with and you were in. Well you didn't sneak much by Tambo, he asked how many nights do you have little league night, and the answer was every night we have a different league come in. We're talking baseball, Tambo, Tim and Jim. I mean from the middle of June until the end of the season we had season tickets in the outfield bleachers. The Dodgers won the pennant that year and went to the World Series [funny that was all you had to do was win the pennant then] and we sat in the Bleachers for game 1 but we had to pay for those, an overnight adventure I shall never forget.

Name: Betty Rodriguez () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 17:34:54
E-Mail: tombetty@pe.net
Maiden: Kean
Class: 69
City and State: Lake Elsinore, CA
Message: Happy Birthday, Georgia! Geez, I have all these birthdays written down in my book, but I can't find the book half the time! CRS. . . I don't watch Major League Baseball - I've got my own star right here at home - a Little League star, for sure - he hits home runs, triples and doubles every game - his team is UNDEFEATED! I LOVE LITTLE LEAGUE!!!!!
Betty
Everyone is always talking about Hollyglen little league, but does anyone remember the OTHER little league in Hawthorne? When I was in little lieague, it was at Hawthorne Park my first year, then it moved to the diamonds on Van Ness and 120th (Snark Field). We had 4 teams. Does anyone remember the names of those teams?

Name: Tim Helble () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 16:31:28
E-Mail: TKHelble@netscape.net
Class: 73
City and State: Columbia, MD
Message: We've probably covered pants stretchers pretty well. Anyone remember backyard incinerators? I remember back when I was a little kindergartner, we had one in the corner of our back yard. I still remember staring into it and watching paper milk cartons and such burning up. Sometime in the early '60s they were outlawed in an effort to reduce air pollution, but then the L.A. air quality authorities realized that cars were the real culprit.
I DO, I DO!!! I remember incinerators in Hawthorne. Everyone had one in their back yard. Does anyone remember garbage cans and garbage day? What a smell they produced.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 14:44:59
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: Sloey, guess I will not be getting those pancakes anytime soon, since 1. I live behind the Orange Curtain, 2. I work. Oh well, wouldnt be the first time I am not able to cash in on a once in a lifetime opportunity. I too am a big ole Dodger fan, I bleed blue. Remember when it use to be dangerous to sit behind first base when Steve Sax played 2nd base? Baseball memories.
Everyone have a great week!

Name: Donna () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 13:22:28
E-Mail: DonnaDGW4
Maiden: Cook
Class: 69
City and State: LaPalma, CA
Message: Happy Birthday To My Sister Georgia now your 2 years older than me! Hey Donna Gohr you beat me to it. Your Next. It's time we get together. O.K.

Name: Janine Maples () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 11:57:08
E-Mail: CAMConst@aol.com
Maiden: Fenton
Class: 1984
City and State: El Segundo, CA
Message: Hi! Loving life not too far away from HHS. Wishing you and yours health and happiness. Need someone for the 20 year reunion - quick!

Name: Donna () on Monday, April 8, 2002 at 10:37:48
E-Mail: dgohr@aol.com
Class: 69
City and State: Torrance
Message: A birthday greeting to Georgia. You're as beautiful now as when you were in school. May this year be your best ever, filled with happiness, and may all your dreams come true. Much love always!

Name: Mom Baker () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 18:57:13
City and State: Seal Beach, CA
Message: Thank you all for the "Happy Birthday" greetings. I thought I was out of greetings at this age but I'm finding it all starts again. It was a thrill that my son gave me. People my age don't get thrills too often.
Thank you Janet for training him. He was always a hard one for me to train in those days - days when we used pants stretchers. Looking forward to one of your feasts on Sunday when my other Baker kids are there.
If anyone has a question for me to answer about mine, just ask. I'll tell you - he's a dear.
See there, I'm a dear..... Case closed.
Now just because you got wished a Happy Birthday, don't think you're going to get a cake or anything extravagant like that. Maybe I can talk Myrna outta those pants stretchers.
Love you Ma, and see you Sunday for the Baker Birthday Bash.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 17:45:26
E-Mail: we'retalkingbaseballwilliemickeyandtheduke.com
Class: 66
City and State: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Message: Well Jill we are at the Strand every morning or almost every morning between 6 and 7 except Saturdays and Sundays. And you know Jill, you have a good point, we all have our memories growing up, mine don't include pant stretchers and I doubt I ever noticed the smell of clean sheets, but I know when Maury Wills' birthday is, in fact I still celebrate it every year. So I'll make a deal with you pant stretcher fans, I'll turn over any pant stretchers I find in exchange for any old Honus Wagner "cigarette" baseball cards. Have a great weekend all.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 14:23:49
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Neverwonanythinginmylife
Message: Thanks Sloey, I will be looking forward to my pancakes. Although, I can not claim 100% credit for my victory, I had help. As for Dodger hater, and you know who you are, it's just baseball, and like the Angels are any better! Anyhow, enough of the "Sports" feedback, we now return you to your regular "Hawthorne" feedback. Everyone please share your stories of pant stretchers. Happy belated to Mom Baker, hope JB lets you out of the closet soon. Everyone have a nice weekend.
Thanks Jill

Name: Chris (Allen) Hunt () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 11:59:46
E-Mail: chris.hunt@compaq.com
Class: 1977
City and State: San Jose, Ca.
Message: Does anyone know if there is going to be a 25th reunion for the class of 1977?

Name: Doris () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 11:15:49
E-Mail: raydori@mindspring.com
Maiden: Donaldson
Class: '57
City and State: Twin Falls, ID
Message: HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY !!!! aka DAN DYE! Hope you're feeling FINE and can celebrate! doris

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 11:06:34
E-Mail: happybirthday.com
Maiden: nostrandcam4us
Class: 66
City and State: pancakes, ca
Message: Happy Birthday Danny and many more with a good back! We missed you today on our eat I mean ride. GET WELL SOON!