Brooklyn Dodgers that also played for the Bushwicks

[kramer_47]

There are a few Dodgers that also played for the Bushwicks under different names like Gene Hermanski was Gene Walsh when he was in the US Coast Guard station in Manhattan Beach during WW2. He was only getting $77 a month from the Coast Guard so he moonlighted for the Bushwicks where he made $50 for a doubleheader on the weekend and $50 for a night game. Tommy Brown also played for the Bushwicks while he was in the service under the name of Tommy Thomas. Some players like Hermanski played for the Bushwicks after the regular season ended, they went to tournaments in South America. Hilda Chester attended games at Dexter park home of the Bushwicks with her famous cowbell. Does anybody else know of other Brooklyn Dodgers who played for the Bushwicks.

[MSUlaxer27]

Were the Bushwicks a semipro team playing in Bkln during the war?

[Old Mike]

I know that Leon Cadore pitching for them in the late 20s, but that is probably earlier than you wanted.

[kramer_47]

Originally Posted by MSUlaxer27

Were the Bushwicks a semipro team playing in Bkln during the war?

Yes they were one of the best known semi pro teams in the world, they played in the Queens Alliance in the 1920's,30's and 40's, they played at Dexter park near Jamaica ave. My grandfather, uncle Bill and uncle Willie played semi pro against the Bushwicks, they all played at Dexter park. They were paying $75 a month to turn pro and go to class D back in those times. So alot of good players stayed home worked there regular job and played semi pro on the weekends and nights for $5-10 a game.

[kramer_47]

Originally Posted by Old Mike

I know that Leon Cadore pitching for them in the late 20s, but that is probably earlier than you wanted.

That's great Mike, I meant all Brooklyn Dodgers no matter when they played.
The great Negro league teams use to come to Dexter park to play the Bushwicks, also the House of David team played against them.

[VIBaseball]

I remember seeing a presentation on Dexter Park and the Bushwicks. Waite Hoyt was the big name mentioned.

I never associated him with the Dodgers, but when I looked it up, I found he had two short stints with them: part of the season in 1932 and the end of his career in 1938.

[franky]

Just a correction. The Buswicks never played in the Queens Alliance. The Bushwicks were an independent team who played many of the Negro League teams, end of season barn storming major league players and even played the Baseball N Y Giants in an exibition game in the 1930s.

The Bushwicks went out of business around 1951 due to the advent of TV. They played in Dexter Park, Sunday double headers. Wed and Fri night games.

When they disbanded several of the players hooked on to Queens Alliance teams. Mike Overduke CF for the Bushwicks went on to play with the Merkel (Meats)Robins.

I played for Jamaica Water Supply and later for U. S. Steel. I also played for F K Lane H S in Dexter Park. The last game played in Dexter Park was in 1955 when Jamaica Water Supply played U S Steel in the championship game of the Alliance. The prevous 2 game were played at Barton's Stadium in New Hyde Park and New Farmers Oval in MIddle Villlage, Queens

[kramer_47]

The Bushwicks were mentioned in articles with the Queens Alliance, Do you think maybe they played some games against teams from the alliance even though the Bushwicks usually played at the next higher level. Here are some sites with good articles on the Bushwicks and the Queens Alliance.
The third site mentions the game you played in in 1955.

http://timesnewsweekly.com/Archives2.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

[Flatbush Flock]

Originally Posted by kramer_47

The Bushwicks were mentioned in articles with the Queens Alliance, Do you think maybe they played some games against teams from the alliance even though the Bushwicks usually played at the next higher level. Here are some sites with good articles on the Bushwicks and the Queens Alliance.
The third site mentions the game you played in in 1955.

http://timesnewsweekly.com/Archives2.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

I just noticed Sam Nahem in the first picture. He played for the Dodgers as well as the Bushwicks.

[kramer_47]

Originally Posted by Flatbush Flock

I just noticed Sam Nahem in the first picture. He played for the Dodgers as well as the Bushwicks.

Thank you for finding Sam in the picture, I know there is got to be more Dodgers who also played for the Bushwicks.

[DODGER DEB]

In one of the photos I noticed AL PECORA. I believe he played MLB.

Also, noting AL CUCCINELLO in the 1939 photo....could he have been related to Tony Cuccinello, the ML player?

c.

[DODGER DEB]

Originally Posted by kramer_47

The Bushwicks were mentioned in articles with the Queens Alliance, Do you think maybe they played some games against teams from the alliance even though the Bushwicks usually played at the next higher level. Here are some sites with good articles on the Bushwicks and the Queens Alliance.
The third site mentions the game you played in in 1955.

http://timesnewsweekly.com/Archives2.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/Archi.../OURNEIGH.html

Thanks for posting the links to these interesting papers. They make great reading.

I was laughing when I read that BROOKLYN rejected Phil Rizzuto for being too small to play shortstop. It reminded me that the Boston Red Sox rejected OUR PEE WEE for the same reason.

c.

[Old Mike]

During WW II Nahem ended up being stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where he became a much beloved local star in the Sunset League. In 1946 he went back and forth between Newport and Brooklyn, pitching weekends for the Bushwicks and middle of the week games for Newport. He pitched a ton against Negro League teams in both places. I believe he had a law degree and baseball was likely not the biggest thing in his life. Can anyone fill me in more on him?

[Old Mike]

George Earnshaw also pitched for both the Dodgers and the Bushwicks, being noted for besting a lot of top Negro League teams after his major league career was over; 1938 being the year that sticks out in my mind.

[Paulmcall]

I think Joe Cronin had something to do with blocking Pee Wee's rise to the Red Sox. He was the shortstop and didn't want to be replaced.

[DODGER DEB]

Originally Posted by Paulmcall

I think Joe Cronin had something to do with blocking Pee Wee's rise to the Red Sox. He was the shortstop and didn't want to be replaced.

Likewise, I've also heard that indeed Mr. Cronin had objections, for personal reasons.

c.

[VIBaseball]

Originally Posted by DODGER DEB

Also, noting AL CUCCINELLO in the 1939 photo....could he have been related to Tony Cuccinello, the ML player?

Yes, Dodger Deb -- Al was Tony's younger brother. He played one year with the Giants, 1935. On July 5 that year, he and Tony each hit a homer in the same game at the Polo Grounds (Brooklyn rolled, 14-4).

Al passed away at the age of 89 in 2004. A few years before that, I inquired if he was available to make an appearance at the New York SABR annual meeting. Unfortunately, his relatives told me that he was bedridden.

[kramer_47]

Originally Posted by DODGER DEB

Thanks for posting the links to these interesting papers. They make great reading.

I was laughing when I read that BROOKLYN rejected Phil Rizzuto for being too small to play shortstop. It reminded me that the Boston Red Sox rejected OUR PEE WEE for the same reason.

c.

Your welcome, I love articles like that, I wish I were old enough to have seen the Bushwicks play but I heard alot about them from my uncle and grandfather. I use to go to the Parade Grounds with my grandfather on weekends to watch some good games.

[DODGER DEB]

Originally Posted by VIBaseball

Yes, Dodger Deb -- Al was Tony's younger brother. He played one year with the Giants, 1935. On July 5 that year, he and Tony each hit a homer in the same game at the Polo Grounds (Brooklyn rolled, 14-4).

Al passed away at the age of 89 in 2004. A few years before that, I inquired if he was available to make an appearance at the New York SABR annual meeting. Unfortunately, his relatives told me that he was bedridden.

Appreciate your confirming that info about Al Cuc, VIB!

c.

[MBC]

Just started trying to get information on my grandfather's baseball career and luckily came across this website. Not sure if this is the right forum and I know it was some time ago but if anyone has information or how to get information it would be greatly appreciated.
My grandfather Morris "Lefty" Smolkin out of Canarsie Brooklyn played for various teams in the 20's and 30's (middletown baseball club, east ny, bushwick etc) I recently came across his queens alliance championship medallion from 1933 and his spalding metal. During the depression years he made up to $25/game and had to turn down the dodger farm team in Maryland as he was supporting three families. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago at the age of 89 and I only have little pieces of information on his baseball career. From what my dad has told me, Gil Hodges knew him on a first name basis and 15 years after my grandfather had stopped playing baseball, Gil Hodges remembered watching him play as a kid. I was told he had pitched against satchel paige. The Long Island press did a where are they now article and he was mentioned in the 50's but I unfortunately do not have it. I also have a picture of him with the "middletown baseball" club from an unkown date.
Matt Smolkin
Helena , MT

[Aa3rt]

Originally Posted by Paulmcall

I think Joe Cronin had something to do with blocking Pee Wee's rise to the Red Sox. He was the shortstop and didn't want to be replaced.

Folks, Sorry to take this topic astray from the Bushwicks/DODGERS discussion, but thought you may find this of interest as it relates to the Pee Wee Reese controversy.

I just happened to read this in the last couple of nights:

From The Baseball Hall Of Shame 3 by Bruce Nash and Allen Zullo, in a chapter titled "The Ones Who Got Away",

Red Sox Loss Of Pee Wee Reese 1940:

"The last great shortstop the Boston Red Sox had was Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, the team's player-manager from 1935-1945. They would have had another Hall of Fame shortstop as his successor if only Cronin hadn't been so short-sighted.

But Joe just couldn't see how a skinny little kid named Pee Wee Reese could ever replace him.

In 1938, the Boston Red Sox paid $195,000 for the Louisville Colonels minor league team for no other reason than to own the rights to Reese, Louisville's hottest prospect.

But Cronin was less than impressed when he saw Reese play for the first time in an exhibition game between the Red Sox and the Colonels. Pee Wee was a frail, pasty-faced kid who had suffered an illness. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey-influenced by Cronin's low opinion of Reese's playing ability-decided to sell Pee Wee. Hoping he could get at least $50,000 for him, Yawkey told Billy Evans, head of the farm system, to seek out the best offer. But there were no takers. 'Not only isn't this guy a $50,000 ball player,' Cronin said, 'he isn't even a $5000 ball player.'

But in June, Reese began to hit and, more important, he began to field like a major-league All Star. The offers started coming in from other teams. Evans begged Cronin to come down to Louisville to take another look at Reese, but the manager refused. Yawkey, who took Cronin's word over Evans's, still wanted Reese sold. Brooklyn bought him for $150,000 and five players.

For the next sixteen years, Pee Wee anchored the infield for the Dodgers. His slick glove, clutch hitting, and leadership earned him respect, the team captaincy-and induction to the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Reese's success haunted Cronin. Time and time again Joe felt compelled to deny reports that he had insisted the Red Sox sell Reese to Protect his own job. 'Honestly,' Cronin admitted, 'I didn't think the kid could make it.'"

[Flatbush Flock]

Originally Posted by Old Mike

During WW II Nahem ended up being stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where he became a much beloved local star in the Sunset League. In 1946 he went back and forth between Newport and Brooklyn, pitching weekends for the Bushwicks and middle of the week games for Newport. He pitched a ton against Negro League teams in both places. I believe he had a law degree and baseball was likely not the biggest thing in his life. Can anyone fill me in more on him?

This is a very interesting article about Nahem.
http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-...playstory.html