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Archive for the ‘Estuary Park’ Category

Like all great socio-anthropologic efforts, you will never know everything about any one subject. It’s an ongoing search to uncover the unknown. So, too, is the case with PlayBall! – Alameda’s Sandlot Blog. We’ll never rest until every park rat has been identified, all the old shirts re-discovered, and every last one of Barry Weiss’ sunflower seed casings unearthed well, maybe we need SuperFund resources for that last one).

Thanks to a recent post by Fready B. Wishups, we know have a new path to follow. Mr. Wishups calls attention to what was once known as the Webster Playground. Our staff will will now begin to explore where Webster Playground was located and more about a seemingly forgotten haven for Alameda’s west end kids.

Here’s what Fready has to share: “WEBSTER PLAYGROUND had the following players: Tommy Harper, Sidney Lane, Mac Arthur Lane, Donald Johnson, Milton Johnson, James Carter, Marvin White, Emerson Johnson, James Nelson and more that I can’t think of now… Mr. (Don) Grant was a Playground Director at both Webster and Estuary with Webster being his first assignment.

So park rats and would be “socio-anthropologists” everywhere, start scraping the memory banks for more on this forgotten Island paradise. (LOL, the title of “socio-anthropologist” will get you into more places than just being an Elk, plus a discount at Walgreen’s at South Shore Shopping Center!)

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PlayBall! is sad to learn of the passing of one of our own. Curtell Motton, former park rat and outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, headed for home one last time on Thursday, January 21, following a yearlong battle with cancer.

Curt played on the Alameda sandlots with other legendary Encinal High School heroes, Willie Stargell and Tommy Harper. Motton would go on to play for the University of California at Berkeley and was signed by the Chicago Cubs in the 1961 amateur draft. The next year he was drafted by the O’s in whose organization Motton would spend the next nine years.

Called up to the Show in 1967, Curt would compete for playing time in the Birds all-star outfield consisting of Paul Blair, Don Buford, and future Hall Of Famer, Frank Robinson. He would also play for the Milwaukee Brewers and California Angels during his eight years in the majors (1967-74).

Motton’s best season was 1969 when he hit .303 during the regular schedule, and .500 in his first American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins. He would also appear in the World Series that same year against eventual World Champions… the Amazin’ Mets. Curt saw post season action again with Baltimore in 1971 and 1974, returning home in both to play against the Oakland A’s.

So long, Curt! Thanks for the memories.

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Here is a list of the Alameda Recreation & Park Department Boys Baseball All-Stars from 1963. Of interest to note, although a member of the Little Coast League Champion, Franklin Eagles squad, future MLB All-Star shortstop, Chris Speier was not among the ’63 stars. That honor went to Vic Gerson, John OBrien and Mike Reeder. See if that piece of trivial knowledge can win you a beer down at McGee’s Bar & Grill.

PEE WEE LEAGUE

Edison: Chuck Sewell

Estuary: Ken Walker

Franklin: David Farewell, Jerry Manis, Mike McCollum, Jeff White

Krusi: Ken Morris, Robert Olson, Gary Westmoreland

Lincoln: Chuck Sabbatini, John Tudal

Longfellow: David Jorgensen

Lum (Rittler): Mike Bordner, Bobby Davis, Jim Davis, Alan Deines

McKinley: Don Albright, Stan Bice, Jerry LaHue

Woodstock: Doug Mahoney

MIDGET LEAGUE

Estuary: Royce Ford, Jr., Forrest Haymon, Wendell Jones, Cliff Locklear, Reginald Mims, Larry Thomas

Franklin: David Inman

Godfrey: Dennis Peterson

Krusi: Mike Frecerro, Mark Hansen, Mike McKee

Lincoln: Mike Reichoff

McKinley: Ray Pagano

Washington: Willis Kellar, Steve Lucero

Woodstock: Rolando Araujo, Roger Alexander, Dan Hackley, Ron Hunter

LITTLE COAST LEAGUE

Estuary: Glen Abrams

Franklin: Vic Gerson, John O’Brien, Mike Reeder

Krusi: Steve Svendson

Lincoln: Steve Bartley, Greg Orton

Longfellow: Gilbert Araujo, Jim Sullivan

McKinley: Pat Sloan, John Westerbeck

Washington: Charlie Lucero, John Fernandez, Rich Fernandez

Woodstock: Robert Boyd, Ron Elliott

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Park Rat and ARPD Park Director

Larry was an Estuary Ram who shared his memories of Estuary Park in PlayBall! – Alameda’s Sandlot Saga. He also went on to work for the ARPD as a PD. Larry was a gifted all-around athlete and signal caller for the Encinal Jets varsity football team.

Tours of Duty:

QB Wayne in action against Berkeley - 1968 (Photo: Bordanaro and Zarcone)

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With a holiday week approaching, some ex-pat Alamedans will be returning to the Garden Isle for a whiff of mom’s (grandma’s) Thanksgiving turkey and home cooking. Take a minute to climb up in the old attic searching for your childhood ARPD treasures. T-shirts, trophies, and photos!

If you happen to run into anyone from the “old days”, please pass along news of PlayBall – Alameda’s Sandlot Blog. Ask them to take a moment and send us some names and memories.

Hopefully, an old Ram or two will find their way along the cyber trail to share some recollections of the “park” that had its backstop removed… never to be returned.

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The recorded history of Estuary Park is almost non-existent but for the memories of those kids who played on the rock filled lot that acted as their Yankee Stadium. Here’s one of the rare images from those days when Coach Don Grant’s kids from the West-end projects put on second-hand cleats and well worn gloves to give every team they played the battle of their baseball season. 

The Estuary Yankees of 1959

The Estuary Yankees of 1959 - Midget League

We’ll try to find the names associated with these smiling titans of the Midget League. In the meantime, feel free to send us your memories of playing the Estuary Yankees or their later entries, the Estuary Rams.

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Location: Estuary Field was located in the West End of Alameda near the Alameda Naval Air Station and the housing projects that were built after World War II.

Team Name: Rams, Yankees

Championships (3)

Midget League: 1963 (12-0); 1964 (12-0)

Little Coast League: 1964 (10-0)

Memories of Estuary Field:

“Estuary wasn’t really a park. Adjacent to John Muir School, the “field” was equal parts of dirt and rocks. The Shop Building helped form the 3b line which went on forever. If you hit a fly to deep right field, you might be lucky enough to bounce one off New Island Market.”

Sam Huie

“Terry Thelen and I also played on the 1957 or 58 Police League Champs sponsored by Alameda Sporting Goods. We beat Estuary who had Stargell, Mouton, and Harper. They had no pitching so we essentially outscored them and held them to a few runs to win it.”

Jim Battersby

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