July 27, 2009 List of Legends

Max AlvisJasper, TX

This consistent and popular Texan had lifetime highs of .274 and 22 homers as a rookie in 1963. A career-threatening bout with spinal meningitis disabled him for six weeks in 1964, but he made a remarkable comeback and was an All-Star in 1965. In both 1963 and 1967, he was voted the Indian’s Man of the Year.

Jackie BrandtOmaha, NB

An All-Star in 1961 and Golden Glove Award winner, Jackie was known as an outstanding outfielder and then coach for seven years in the minors.

Gail CogdillSpokane, WA

This 11 year NFL player was named 1960 Rookie of the Year and 1962 Most Valuable Player with the Detroit Lions, and played four years in the Pro Bowl.

Vince ColbertCleveland, OH

This Washington, DC native was Cleveland’s only winning pitcher (7-6) with 10 or more stars in 1971. He was third on that staff with 50 total appearances, 40 in relief. He also excelled at track and basketball.

Ross FichtnerPlymouth, MI

Born in McKeesport, PA, this cornerback played for the 1964 world champion Cleveland Browns. He played from 1960 to 1968 with the Browns and the New Orleans Saints. During his career, he had 27 career interceptions with average returns of 21.5 years. He still owns one of the best averages in NFL history. His college ball was played at Purdue University.

Vern FullerAurora, OH

He played 2nd and 3rd base during 1964-70 with the Cleveland Indians. A slick fielder, he has also served with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni and as co-chair of their Cleveland Golf Tourney.

Ned GarverBryan, OH

A 14 year Major League pitcher, Ned completed 153 games with a 3.73 ERA. He won 20 games in 1951 and was the Starting Pitcher for the American League in the 1951 All Star game. He holds a career win total of 129 games. His 20 games won in 1951 for the St. Louis Browns makes him the only pitcher to ever win 20 games in a season for a team that lost 100 or more games. He was elected to the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Burton "Bubba" GilliamAllen, TX

As a sports “legend”, Bubba boxed while serving in the Coast Guard. He is credited with winning more Golden Gloves bouts than anyone in Coast Guard history at that time. As an entertainment “legend”, the silver screen beckoned. His credits include the desk clerk Floyd opposite Ryan & Tatum O’Neal in “Paper Moon”. However, he is best known for his unique campfire role in “Blazing Saddles”.

Greg KoscMedina, OH

A native of Bridgeport, CT, he graduated from the University of Texas El Paso in 1971. In January 1972, he attended the Al Somers Umpire School. During 1972 to 1975, he gained experience in the Minor Leagues while working as an Instructor at Al Somers School. On April 10, 1976, he began his career with the American League opening in Cleveland. Since then, he’s worked seven Championship Series, two World Series and two All Star games. He retired in 2002 after 26 years in the Major Leagues. In June 2008, Greg was inducted into the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame. Since his retirement, he does Pet Therapy with his Boxers Reni and Dieter in the Skilled Care Nursing Unit at Western Reserve Masonic Community.

Vern LawProvo, UT

Vern was on the Pirates World Championship team in 1960, and won the Cy Young Award that year with a 20-9 record and league high 18 complete games.

Jerry LyscioBrainerd, MI

Jerry pitched a no-hitter in his first and last games plus led the league in home runs during his professional debut in 1964 in the Rookie league. He was the first player drafted by the Houston Astros in 1965.

Don "Monk" MeinekeDayton, OH

A Dayton, OH native he graduated from the University of Dayton (UD) in 1952, having been an All American in 1951 and 1952. In 1951, he was part of the UD team that was the last one in NCAA history to play in both the NCAA and NIT Championship Games in the same year. He is a member of the University of Dayton Hall of Fame. In 1953, while playing with the Detroit Pistons, he was named the very first NBA Rookie of the Year. In 1992, Don retired after 30+ years in television sales and management. This year, he retired from commercial and residential security sales. He is the holder of a World Record (in the Guiness Book of World Records) for the most disqualifications (fouling out) in one season in the NBA during 1953.

Hal NaragonBarberton, OH

A member of the 1954 AL Champion Cleveland Indians when they won a record 111 games, he caught Hall of Famers Early Wynn, Bob Feller and Bob Lemon. In April of this year, the varsity baseball field of Barberton (OH) High School was named Hal Naragon Field. He caught Jim Perry's first major league start on April 23, 1959.

Jim PerryNew London, NC

Jim was signed in 1959 as a pitcher with the Cleveland Indians. He won 18 games and was named Cleveland's "Man of the Year". In 1963, he was traded to the Twins where he pitched for 10 years winning the Cy Young Award in 1970.

Milt PlumRaleigh, NC

A Penn State graduate, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, playing 1957 until '65. He then played for the Lions, Rams and Giants, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1961 and 1962.

Cazzie RussellSavannah, GA

Hailing from Chicago, he attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His play at Michigan inspired the popularity of Wolverine basketball causing the school to begin the construction of Crisler Arena. The facility later became known as “The House that Cazzie Built”. His junior year, he helped take his team to the NCAA Championship game. The Wolverines won 3 Big 10 titles and 2 NCAA Final Four appearances during the Russell era. Joining the Knicks, he played a key role in helping them win their first world championship in the NBA. He then played for the Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls. He was called to the ministry in 1989, and presently serves as Associate Pastor at Live Oak Community Church in Savannah, Georgia.

Chuck SuchSarasota, FL

Chuck is the founder of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He is the former General Manager of the Sarasota White Sox. Presently, he is Executive Director of the Otto Graham, Carlton Fisk Sports Legends Charity Classic played in Florida.

Don Paul "Suds" SutherinHartville, OH

A native of Empire, Ohio, he played for Woody Hayes at The Ohio State University, kicking the winning field goal in the 1958 Rose Bowl . Don is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) defensive back and placekicker, and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. In the NFL, he played for the Giants and Steelers. After his playing career, he was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and subsequently head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats until 1997.

Frank ThomasPittsburgh, PA

Known as “The Original One”, he played 16 years in the Major Leagues initially for Pittsburgh (1948-1958), then for Cincinnati. After the 1959 season, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, then to Milwaukee, NY Mets, Philadelphia, Houston, then back to Milwaukee. He holds two Pirate records that stand to this day. In 1953, he hit 30 runs and drove in 102 as a centerfielder. In 1958, he hit 35 homers as a third baseman. As a Pirate, he hit 3 homers in a game against Cincinnati in 1958.

Bill VirdonSpringfield, MO

Bill began his career with the NY Yankees 1950 to 53. He was traded to St. Louis in 1954 for Enos Slaughter. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1955. Traded in 1956 to Pittsburgh, he played there through 1965. He entered “management’ in 1966 for the Mets, for the Pirates (’72-’73), Yankees (’74-’75), Astros (’75-’82), Expos (’83-’84), and back to the Pirates (’86-’96). He coached the Astros (’97) then instructed (’98-’01). Coached the Pirates (’02-’03) and has been an instructor since.

George WilsonFairfield, OH

"Big" George Wilson was a member of the Illinois High School Championship teams in 1958 and 1960 and was First Team Parade High School All American in 1960. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, playing on their NCAA Championship Team in 1962. A member of the Championship Olympic Trials Team in 1964, he was a Gold Medal winner in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo – Basketball. He was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 1988, and into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. George played in the NBA from 1964 to 1971.



Information:

July 26th, 2010 Fox Meadow Country Club, Medina, Ohio to benefit Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Services.

For additional information on golfing or sponsorship opportunities for the July 26 event, call or email Glenn Beaver at 440-257-2027 or Ken Marsenburg at 888-248-2664.


September 13th, 2010 Greene Country Club to benefit Pathways Center for Alzheimer's Care.

For additional information on golfing or sponsorship opportunities for the Sept. 13 event, call or email Ken Marsenburg at 888-248-2664.