top of page
Search

Horne, Stanwood H. (1983)

Writer: Maine Baseball HOF
Maine Baseball HOF
Aug 12, 2019
2 min read


Stan (Dixie) Horne emerged too late in baseball life from the Dixfield woods to attract the attention of those who could most advance him on the league ladder, but opponents of the snaky sidewinder right hander rated him in the top tier of “toughest to hit” pitchers.

Horne's fast ball, according to Lewiston Sun sports writer Fred H. Gage, came twisting into the plate from about the third base bag, rising higher as it picked up momentum.

The pall usually was next seen in the big mitt of Stan's battery mate and brother, Hal.

Even crowding 30, Horne was asked to try out with the St. Louis Browns both in 1949 and 1950.

Horne declined because of his years and because of a young and thriving family.

Most disappointed, perhaps, was shrewd baseball follower Irving E. Todd, who saw in Horne major league potential.

Horne didn't turn his back on the game, However, firing against the Nashua, N.H.

Dodgers of the New England League, Horne entertained the home fans at Pettengill Park and dazzled the Dodgers. He had a no-hitter for 4 2/3 innings.

Horne pitched for Dixfield from 1948 through 1950 in the Timber League.

Dixfield took division titles in ‘'48 and "49, and earned berths in the American Baseball Congress’ national tournaments in Battle Creek, Mich.

Horne pitched for the Auburn Asas of the Down East League in 1950 and ‘51.

His 10-3 record in ‘'50 included two shutouts. He struck out 84, walked 58, according to figures compiled by veteran official scorer Cliff Gove.

Horne suffered an injury in ‘51, and retired from the club July 5.

Though he didn't get the shot at the Big Top, Horne had the pleasure of facing such stars as Johnny Mize, Hoot Evers, Sam Mele, Luke Appling, Joe Dobson and Ellis Kinder.

Just chatting with Boston Braves southpaw Warren Spahn was a thrill the night Mickey Harris brought his All-Stars to Pettenglill Park.

William J. (Chick) Leahey, Asas shortStop and frequent Horne teammate, said, “Stan was steady and in pitching demand.

He never passed up a chance to pitch. He loved it. He was the crafty type, always determined, and he'd find a way to get people out.

He was ready to help on short notice.

He was a country boy who could mow hay all day long, then race to the ball park and mow down the opposition.”

 
 
 

Comments

Meet the 2026 Maine Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
​
Portland Press Herald 4/10/2026
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/10/meet-the-2026-maine-baseball-hall-of-fame-inductees/?copylink=true

​

 

​

Former St. Dominic and current Gray-New Gloucester coach Bob Blackman and Cony coach Don Plourde are among the 11 members of the newest class. Four coaches currently preparing for the upcoming high school baseball season are among the 11 inductees in the 2026 Maine Baseball Hall of Fame class.

​

Gray-New Gloucester’s Bob Blackman, Brewer’s Dana Corey, Hampden Academy’s Jon Perry and Cony’s Don Plourde are all part of the class that will be inducted on Oct. 4 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Blackman coached St. Dominic High School to nine state championships in 22 seasons before the school closed at the end of the last school year. He was named the coach at Gray-New Gloucester in September. Corey hit .359 at the University of Maine in 1971. He played two seasons in the Chicago Cubs system and has been the head coach at Brewer for 18 seasons.

​

Perry hit .381 at the University of Maine in 1981 and helped the Black Bears reach the College World Series. He has coached for the past 45 seasons at the high school, American Legion and collegiate levels. 

Plourde is in his 17th season as the coach at Cony High School and has been named the KVAC Coach of the Year five times. He has been coaching at various levels for more than 30 years. 

Others earning induction are: 

​

• Al Cloutier, who has been involved in baseball in Augusta as a player, Cony High and American Legion coach, Babe Ruth League director and volunteer. 

• John Kolasinski, who was a college coach at for 37 years, first at Husson and later at Siena Heights University in Michigan. He is a five-time New England Coach of the Year winner.

• Mark Littlefield, a Portland High graduate, who is now in his 36th season working on the medical staff of the New York Yankees organization. 

• Scott Littlefield, a Portland High graduate, who will be inducted posthumously. Littlefield coached at Florida State University and the University of Southern Maine before working for 34 years as a Major League Baseball scout, including 16 as a player personnel special assistant for the Texas Rangers.

• J. Ronald Livington, who will be inducted posthumously. Livingston was an All-Star infielder for the semi-pro Presque Isle Indians in the Northern Aroostook League in the 1930 and 1940s. He also coached and was a director in the South Portland National Little League.

• Mike McCullum, of Portland, who hit .338 at the University of Southern Maine and earned ABCA Division III All-American honors in 1999. 

• Jim Taylor of Lewiston, who was a founding member of the Central Maine Board of Approved Baseball Umpires and was instrumental in starting the Maine chapter of the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Association.

​

​

Maine Baseball Hall of Fame day  Delta Dental Park aka Hadlock Field 7/19/2026
bottom of page