Paul Flaherty was the consummate athlete. Not only was he an excellent baseball player for Catholic High and Portland High during the 1920s, but he was also a three-year star in football and basketball.
Flaherty captained the 1926 baseball and basketball teams at Catholic High, making the All-Telegram League club that season before transferring to Portland High the next year. He was All-Telegram for the Bulidogs too.
After high school, the “Splendid Splinter,” a name given him years before Ted Williams played by late sports editor Bud Cornish, also excelled in three sports at Hebron Academy. He was All-Maine in prep baseball and basketball. He went on to play semi-pro baseball in Madison, Portland and Kennebunk.
in basketball, he played semi-pro for the Portland Athletic Club. As a baseball manager, he headed the 1940 state champion semi-pro softball club and the legendary Westbrook Little League nine with Hall of Famer Pinky Watson.
in later years, he served as a referee for high school and college basketball. He was president of the Western Maine Basketball Board of Officials for two years.
One of only two Mainers to be made an Honorary Life Member of the international Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Flaherty also was the first Maine official to work the New England Basketball Tournament.
Because of his tremendous all-around athletic abilities, he also had the nickname “‘Flash.”’
thanks so much for the additions to our site!
Two more photos of Paul Flaherty