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“I was very fortunate to have him. Just the intensity, focus and drive that he had. He taught me a lot about the mental side of coaching.” - Jason Harvey “My #1 asset in baseball was my competitiveness. This was developed in my childhood. Not by one person but rather by my brothers, neighborhood, community and school. We completed daily and I loved it. There was always a way to get a game in and it was usually competitive. So many excellent leaders that passed on a very strong tradition of completing. It is amazing how many of us from Orono ended up teaching and coaching.” -Dave Gonyar Dave Gonyar brings a well established pedigree to The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Dave was inducted into the Orono High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Bucksport High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. The family he speaks of would be his late father George, his stepmother Sharon, his mother Patricia, brothers Gary and wife Nonnie, Robert and wife Alice, Brian, and sisters Debbie Flint and husband Bob and Joanie Gay. Dave is the father of Ryan age 22, Ben age 21, and Ally age 19. His significant other is Cara Coffey-Roope. Many people certainly did a lot of things right along the way. We will revisit this competitiveness as the story develops. At Orono High Dave was the consummate three sport athlete. He lettered in basketball for three years, and in his junior season lead the Red Riots to a state championship over Greely. His gridiron resume is no less impressive. He never experienced losing during his high school career. Orono teams went 36-0 winning four straight LTC Championships and four straight state championships from 1978 to 1981. Dave was all LTC First Team on both offense and defense his junior and senior seasons. Of course you know he also played some baseball while he was there, or you would not be reading this. He was captain of the Riots in both his junior and senior seasons batting over .500 in both years, and was selected as an All Conference player for three years. Dave was the recipient of the prestigious Frederick Burpee Sweater in 1981 and was selected to the National Honor Society that same year. That combination of intellect, character, and athleticism caught the watchful eye of one Dr. John Winkin at UMaine. Dave’s career as a Black Bear spanned from 1982 to 1986. These were some impressive and memorable years for Maine baseball fans, and Dave played a significant role in that success. He was a member of the 1984 and 1986 UMaine College World Series teams , serving as captain of the 1986 team. You might remember a home run he hit as a sophomore. It happened in the twelfth inning of the Eastern Regional against Harvard. It was a walk-off which propelled UMaine into the CWS. Quite a flare for the dramatic and a good barometer of that competitiveness. You young folks can google that one if you want to watch it. A teammate named Mark Sutton fanned that competitive flame when he asked Dave to work out with him prior to one season. In Dave’s words,”He showed me what training was really like. I’m sure that I would not have reached my full potential without .” Clearly, that lesson resonated. Upon graduating in 1986 with a degree in Health, Fitness and Physical Education, Dave began a long and no less successful coaching career at Bucksport. He credits his onetime football coach, Tom Sullivan, for much of his success with the Golden Bucks. Coach Sullivan was instrumental in getting him to Bucksport and some of his “best days” were spent coaching with him there. Good choice, Coach Sullivan! During his tenure at Bucksport from 1988 to 2001, Dave’s teams had a winning percentage of .833 and went to the Eastern Maine Championship game eight times. He also coached the Brewer Falcons American Legion team for ten years leading them to back to back State Titles in 1996 and 1997. Along with Tom Sullivan, Dave cites Coach Winkin for “enhancing his baseball skills, knowledge and passion”, Dennis Kiah and David Paul who were “awesome to be around and from whom he learned so much.” Dave certainly learned how to pay it forward from some very fine mentors, and he did just that. Though he has worked for Wight’s Sporting Goods and has been the general manager at Gold’s Gym for eight and one half years, his influence is still close to the game. Former player Jason Harvey, the current Husson University coach was quoted in The Bangor Daily News saying of Coach Gonyar, “I was very fortunate to have him. Just the intensity, focus and drive that he had. He taught me a lot about the mental side of coaching.” Another former player from John Bapst, Andrew Catlin put it this way,”With our new coach, we feel really confident.” When Dave returned to coach at Bapst, the AD Rick Sinclair said, “As a person, Dave’s a great guy. And as for what kind of coach he is, that goes without saying. He was just what we were looking for.” So was The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. From Bangor Daily News https://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/14/sports/former-bucksport-coach-gonyar-to-lead-john-bapst-baseball-team/

Small of size but boundless in energy, savvy and heart, Frankie Goodie helped write rich baseball chapters at Deering High School in the 40’s and at the University of Wyoming in the 50’s, tossing in some sharp semi-pro and armed service action as well. Highlight of Goodie’s diamond career as a three-sporter at Deering (nine letters including football and basketball as well was his two-way contribution to the Purple’s second Telegram League championship. Timely hitter and steady, yet sprightly, afield in his second base patrol, the Bucksport native nailed down the Telly title by driving in the winning run with a crisp single to right center as the host Rams edged Thornton Academy, 9-4, In the ninth inning of their 1946 finale. For this and consistent seasonal feats, Goodie was named to the All-Telegram team. Frankie captained Deering’s strong ‘47 contenders. Used to holding his own or better against older rivals since his Downeast springs and summers as a youngster on Bucksport’s sandlots, Goodie also logged significant play in the fast Portland Twilight League for the C.E. Noyes entry. Four years in the Air Force followed. Stationed in Denver, Colo, for a period, Frankie’s work with seismic instruments to detect potential nuclear explosions by Russie combined with play on service teams to earn admission to U. of Wyoming’s electrical engineering department and a full baseball scholarship. Goodie proceeded to hit .342 in his three seasons with the Cowpokes, 1959-97. By then he was a third-baseman where his quick reflexes were made-to-order for the bang-bang demands of the proverbial not-corner. The 1956 campaign was tops for Frankie and company. Goodie led the Pokes with a .363 average as a prime factor in their drive to the College World Series where he had five hits in three games. in route, Frank was named to the District Eight NCAA Region all-star team The Goodie post-graduate career has likewise been impressive. Frank added a masters degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. And he was a project manager in an 18 year span with Martin-Marietta and the Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TWA) Companies in California. Thence, Frankie’s entrepreneurial spirit took hold. He formed and operated a mobile and modular homes factory in San Bernardino, CA for 13 years, finally, a home improvement company, Frank Goodie & Sons. https://trib.com/sports/college/a--year-legacy/article_b1f7c2ad-b773-5374-ab90-509483b024b1.html

A keen, spirited infield-plate-base-running presence at every baseball level shy of professional through Maine, New England and into Canada, Brian Gordon made an indelible impression on friend and foe alike. The award-laden Gordon escutcheon’s initial entry was an all-star selection in the Mattanawcook Little League, closely followed by a similar honor at Eliot after a family move to the southern tip of the state. Next stage came Gordon’s .511 batting average for Eliot High School’s unbeaten 1959 Southern York League champions. The Gordon leadership mode continued at Gorham State Teacher’s College, forerunner to USM. Gordon captained the 1963 Hilltoppers and paced the club with a .375 BA. Basically a third baseman with occasional cross-diamond duty at first base, Gordon’s move to the Greater Portland area resumed semi-pro play that had started in Mattanawcook where he batted over .500 in each of five seasons. Gordon was the 1957 Portland Twilight League batting champion for the Ametek entry with a .375 mark. A solid basketballer along the way as well, Gordon coached Lincoln Junior High’s hoopsters plus baseball leading to the Deering High court post. Baseball was always No. 1 in Gordon’s heart, however. Brian in 11 years at Lincoln Junior guided the Lion Nines to a 61-21 record and three intown League titles. He was also the Deering athletic director for 12 years. Awards that Gordon earned include, a citation for the Maine Principals Association Baseball Committee and the Dick Costello Award from USM for career achievement in 2001.

Artie Gore, who signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1927 and was immediately assigned to Portland of the New England League under Manager Duffy Lewis, returns to the Forest City with considerably more fanfare. The Mirror Lake, N.H., resident and 12-year National League umpire has been added to the Maine Baseball Hal! of Fame. Gore also played with NEL clubs Nashua, N.H., and Lowell, Mass., and briefly with Durham, N.D., of the Piedmont League and Jersey City of the International League. Shortstop service in the old Cape Cod League in the early ’30s led to friendships with fellow campaigners Red Rolfe, Blondy Ryan and Maine Hall of Famer Jack Burns. Gore switched to umpiring in 1936. He spent two years in the Canadian American League, four in both the Eastern and International Leagues. He “‘called ’em’” in the 1945 Little World Series. Major League umpiring duties embraced senior circuit toil from 1947 through 1956. The articulate Gore worked the 751 and 753 World Series and the “49 and 56 All-Star games. He was president of the Eastern Massachusetts Basketball Officials in 41 and officiated 19 years of high school, college, and pro basketball. Gore made news at birth. One of triplets, he was born to William A. and Margaret Gore of Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 13, 1907. Irene and John died at age Gore will be renewing acquaintances with, among others, Clyde Sukeforth, Waldoboro, Sid Graves, Kennebunk, and William (Doc) Doherty, Portland, Maine Hall of Famers, and longtime friend Bill Cullinan, Cape Elizabeth. From An Umpire’s Gift From the Heart Posted by athomeatfenway on February 24, 2012 From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artie_Gore Arthur Joseph Gore (November 13, 1907 – September 29, 1986) was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1947 to 1956. Gore umpired 1,464 major league games in his 10-year career. He umpired in two World Series and two All-Star Games. Gore played minor league baseball in 1928 and 1929 as a shortstop. https://athomeatfenway.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/an-umpires-gift-from-the-heart/ The heart is very much at the center of this story. In 1949, a 12 year old boy living with his family on Slade Street in Belmont lost his Mom to a sudden stroke. To protect his privacy, I’ll call this boy Little Johnny. Little Johnny also suffered from polio. His Mom was gone. His Dad was not around. If ever there was a challenging start to adolescence, this was it. Mildred (nee Flaherty) Gore would throw open a window on the front side of her Slade Street home when her husband, Artie, the National League Umpire, had a night game. She would lean out the window and call into the afternoon air, “Kids ! Play further down the street. Artie has a night game and he’s trying to catch a nap !” The kids complied. They liked the affable Artie. He was known to walk his 5’9”, 170 pound frame up Slade Street with pockets full of game used, official National League Ford Frick baseballs, handing them out to the neighborhood kids. Gore was down to earth. He paid his dues to get to the Majors, spending 10 years in the bushes. After MLB unceremoniously ejected Artie from the game after 10 Big League seasons, he became a New Hampshire Sheriff, a working man’s job if ever there was one. He is buried in Wolfeboro today. Artie Gore took a liking to Little Johnnie. To raise his spirits, the Umpire began to pass official game balls into the dug outs, getting the players to sign them. In all, Gore gifted Johnnie 8 baseballs, including a team signed ’52 Dodgers ball; a team signed ‘51 Yankees ball; a team signed ’50 Red Sox ball including Harry Agganis; another signed by Ralph Kiner and his wife, tennis star Nancy Chaffee; one personalized single signed Joe DiMaggio ball; a team signed ’51 NY Giants ball; another signed by Gore himself and Umpire Scotty Rabb only; plus one unsigned official N.L. game ball with the stamp of William Harridge, the heartless man who fired Gore in 1956 for being too old at age 49. Artie & Millie would eventually move to Lexington, the same town where the early shots of the Revolution were fired. He left behind a grateful boy, who grew strong and served his country as a Green Beret, and today works as a State Marshall, casting off any presumptions about the limitations one should have about a 73-year-old man. National League umpire Artie Gore is shown during the latter years of his career, 1954. Though he started his baseball career as a shortstop in the New England League, Gore switched to umpiring shortly afterward. Don Wingfield photographer's stamp, "Artie Gore, N.L. Umpire" hand written in blue pen, Sporting News Collection

From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gore Officially born in Saccarappa, Maine (although it is also claimed he was born in Hartland, Maine), Gore was born into a poor, country family. As a young man, he grew up playing baseball in and around his hometown of Hartland. While working for, and playing for the S.D. Warren Paper Mill in Westbrook, Maine, his skills caught the attention of pro scouts and in 1877 he signed a contract with a team in Fall River, Massachusetts of the New England League. He showed up to his first professional baseball tryout without shoes. The following year, he played for the New Bedford Whalers, batted .324 and helped the team win the New England championship.[Scouts from seven major league teams were vying for his services, but it was when he was playing in an exhibition game against Anson's Chicago White Stockings team that he got his opportunity to sign a major league contract. After the game, White Stockings owner Albert Spalding offered him a contract to play for his team, and Gore signed. Spalding offered him $1,200 a season, and although Gore originally asked for $2,500, they eventually compromised on $1,900. He made his major league debut with Chicago on May 1, 1879.[3] He played in 63 games that first season as the club's starting center fielder and batted .263.[3] Gore excelled during his second season with Chicago, leading the league with a .360 batting average, as well as a .399 on-base percentage, and .463 slugging percentage.[3] Additionally, he finished in the top five among league leaders in runs scored, hits, doubles, runs batted in (RBIs), bases on balls and singles. In 1881 and 1882, Gore continued his hitting success, as he finished in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories. He led the league in runs scored both seasons, and walks in 1882.[3] On June 25, 1881, he became the first known player to record at least seven stolen bases in one game when the Chicago Tribune noted that Gore stole second base five times and third base three times . It considered the all-time record even though at the time stolen bases were not recorded as an official statistic. This feat has only been equaled by Billy Hamilton, who also stole seven bases on August 31, 1894. The White Stockings failed to finish the 1883 season in first place, after having captured league titles the previous three years. Gore's production did not decline despite his team's sinking performance as he was again among the top players in several offensive categories over the next two seasons, including a league-leading 61 walks in 1884. In 1885 and 1886 the White Stockings returned to the top of the NL. Gore's offensive production continued at a high level, again among league leaders in several categories.On July 9, 1885, in a game against the Providence Grays and their pitcher Charles Radbourn, he gathered five extra-base hits, three doubles and two triples. He is the first player to accomplish this feat, which has since been equalled many times, but never surpassed. After the 1885 season, Chicago played the St. Louis Browns, the American Association (AA) champion, in a best-of-seven series of exhibition games known as the "World Series." The series ended with Chicago and St. Louis each winning three games, and one game ending in a tie. Gore joined a New York Giants team that had a roster that contained no less than six future Baseball Hall of Famers: John Montgomery Ward, Roger Connor, Buck Ewing, Tim Keefe, Mickey Welch, and Jim O'Rourke. Gore took his usual position in center field, replacing O'Rourke, who was the starter the previous season. Gore played well that first season in New York, batting .290 and scoring 95 runs, but the team finished in fourth place in the National League. For the 1888 season, Gore played in just 64 of the team's 138 games. O'Rourke had reclaimed a starting position, this time in left field, while Gore split his playing time between center and left field. Gore regained his starting position in center field for the 1889 season, and his play improved over his 1888 performance. He batted .305, scored 132 runs, and hit seven home runs in 120 games played . The Giants again finished the season as the champions of the NL, and met the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in the 1889 World Series after the season. New York was again declared the victor after winning six of the nine games exhibition games played. Gore played in five of these games, collecting seven hits in 21 at-bats for a .333 batting average. Players' League After the 1889 season, Gore's teammate, John Montgomery Ward, had organized a new league, the Players' League, and many players were a part of his new union of baseball players called "The Brotherhood". The Players' League began play for the 1890 season, and Gore joined many of his fellow Giants as they joined the new league to play for the New York Giants. Again, Gore split his playing time between left and center field with both Slattery and O'Rourke, but did finish the season appearing in 93 of the team's 132 games, and batted .318 with 132 runs. Return to the Giants Following the 1890 season, the Players' League folded and all the players were allowed to return to their previous teams. Gore returned the Giants along with all of his teammates. In 1891, the Giants did not return to their previous championship status. They finished third among the league's eight teams, with Gore as their starting center fielder, while O'Rourke had moved to left due the departure of Slattery. Gore batted .284 and scored 103 runs in 130 games played. St. Louis Gore began the 1892 season as the starting center fielder of the Giants, but through an unknown transaction, had moved on to the position of player-manager for the St. Louis Browns of the NL. He began his tenure on August 1, and it ended on August 18, during which time his Browns had a win–loss record of 6–9 in the games he managed. In the 20 games that he played in, his batting average was .205. He soon departed the team, and he never played major league baseball again. From the Society of American Baseball Research . This article was written by Will Anderson https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/6e664ded Maine’s only batting champion as of 2010 was most definitely one of the outstanding performers of his day. That his day was a long, long time ago should not detract from his achievements. A batting champ of one era is not likely to hit .214 in another! George F. “Piano Legs” Gore was born in Saccarappa, Maine, in 1855. It was in Hartland that he learned a love of the game, playing as often as he could in fields and pastures in and around town. He even­tually moved to Saccareppa (Westbrook), where he found ample opportunity to play – and play well – for the S.D. Warren paper mill team. In one game he blasted a ball 450 feet. Word spread, and soon George was persuaded to leave Maine and give pro ball a try. Playing briefly in 1877, George hit .319 in 33 games for Fall River in the New England League. The next season, 1878, he really began to show his stuff: He socked a solid .324 for the New Bedford Whalers, in the International Association. “They paid me $55 a month and expenses. That was good money for a youngster in 1878,” George later reminisced. A.G. Spalding, owner of the Chicago White Stockings, was impressed: He offered Gore $1,200 to play in Chicago in 1879. George said, “No.” He wanted $2,500. Many credit him, accordingly, with being baseball’s first holdout. The two eventually com­promised on $1,900 and George started his 14-year major-league career. From The Working Waterfront Archives http://www.workingwaterfrontarchives.org/2009/04/01/the-colorful-career-of-one-of-the-states-best-baseball-players/ "Baseball statistician and historian Bill James ranks Gore as the 40th best centerfielder of all time and the best player in the National League in 1880" From Baseball Reference https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gorege01.shtml George Gore fan forum https://www.baseball-fever.com/forum/general-baseball/hall-of-fame-talk/36435-did-george-gore-have-a-valid-hall-of-fame-case

Another excellent teacher-coach and an outstanding catcher enters the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame when Bobby Graff receives his plaque. Bob was a three-sports star at Portland High School from 1938 to 1941 and caught for two title teams. In 1940 his Portland nines shared the Telegram Title with Westbrook, but in 1941 the Blue Bulldogs stood alone and senior Bobby Graff was the All-Star catcher. It was a stellar team and teammates Hank Stillman, ““Nundi’ Romano, Jack Silverman and Funzi DePaulo joined their popular Captain, Graff, on the All-Star club. After high school, Bobby attended Coburn Classical Institute and then had a stint with Uncle Sam’s Army during which he managed to get in some innings with the Medical Corps in New Guinea (a “household name” in World War II days). it was reported in 1943, upon leaving for the Army, that he was “such a brilliant catching prospect that big league Scouts kept tabs on him while he was in school!’’. Returning to civvies, Bobby attended Bowdoin College and became one of the Polar Bears best in football and baseball]. Under the colorful and legendary Dan MacFayden, Bowdoin was enjoying a great run in baseball and Bobby was a significant part of it. The rugged backstop played on State Series Championship teams in 1949, 1950 and 1951 and was Co-Captain of the 1950 club with his battery-mate, Bernie Johnson. To this date still, Graff holds the Bowdoin record for highest batting average for a season - .433 in 1950. Bowdoin was 34-11 for the three seasons. While attending Bowdoin and for a few years after graduation, Graff played in various circuits including the Portland Twilight League, Down East League with the Franklin Flyers, Pine Tree League, York Co. League and a New Brunswick League. In 1955 Bob, then coaching baseball as an assistant at Portland High, teamed with his Head Coach, the late Edson Hadlock (H of F ‘76), in a very interesting Twilight League game. Hadlock pitched a one-hit shutout with 12 K’s and 0 walks. All Graff did was catch and account for the only runs in the game with a first inning two-run homer. Prior to returning to his Alma Mater at Portland, Bobby served as baseball coach at Livermore Falls High School. In addition to his baseball duties at P.H.S. Bobby coached football for 20 years (12 as head coach) until his pigskin retirement in 1972. Dick Doyle labeled Bobby’s wife Mary, “one of sportsdom’s most enduring, loyal gals’ and tonight Mary will be joined by their children Libby, Margaret, Jimmy and Mary-Ellen in saluting Dad.

The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes another pitcher to its glittering mound staff with the election of Dick Grant from Saco. Dick, who always wanted to be a big league baseball player after his introduction to the National Pastime at Burns Junior High, really blossomed at Thornton Academy. He was an All Telegram League choice in both 1953 and 1954. As a junior in 53, he tossed two sparkling one-hitters. He also lost a 16-inning duel to Portland’s Willie Greenlaw (HoF ‘ 84). As a senior in ‘54, Grant led the Thornton Maroon to the Telegram League Championship. He compiled a 5-1 record and led the circuit with 103 strikeouts while walking only 14!!! It was no surprise when he was unanimous all-league selection. Veteran sports editor, Blaine Davis, wrote that Dick attracted the most scouts in 10 years. It was rumored that he received offers from 8 Major League teams that were very impressed by his motion. After graduation, Dick signed with the Chicago White Sox and made his debut with Edmundston in the Maine-New Brunswick League. He pitched a no-hitter in this league and he also pitched a no-hitter in his Twilight League debut. As a 19-year old, he made the league’s all-star team. The 6 1801b. right-hander, reputed to possess good speed and a sharp curve, began a steady climb in the White Sox chain. in 1955 he pitched at Madisonville, Kentucky, where he won his opener, and at Dubuque, lowa. At Dubuque he was 14-7. 1956 was spent at Waterloo, lowa, a Class B league, where he finished at 12-6. At Waterloo he was a team mate of future American League batting champ, Norm Cash. In 1957 Grant moved to Davenport, lowa where he was a workhorse with a 13-8 record. 1958 saw Dick toiling for Colorado Springs, a Class A club that won its league title. 1959 and 1960 were spent with Charleston, S.C., another Class A assignment. In the spring of 4960 he was invited to the Major league camp. In 1961, Dick was enjoying a good season as the top relief pitcher with the Colorado Spring Sky-Sox in the Class A Western League. He went 8-8 with a 3.91 ERA. At this time he was labeled a “good prospect to make the big leagues”. However, pulled tendons and muscles in his shoulder curtailed his season and he was eventually released. Dick received a ringing endorsement in his nomination by former Sanford coach, John Cochin. From Minor League Stats https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/p-b07eca14 Richard Grant compiled a career record of 61 wins and 47 losses in his 223-game pitching career with the Dubuque Packers, Madisonville Miners, Waterloo White Hawks, Davenport DavSox, Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Charleston ChaSox and Charleston White Sox. He began playing during the 1955 season and last took the field during the 1961 campaign.

Dennis Gratto was born in Portland and grew up with his two brothers playing our National Pastime on playgrounds, St. Dominic’s school yard and the Deering Oaks. Dennis is the son of the late George and Imelda Gratto who always supported Dennis and his love of the game. Dennis resides in Portland with his wife of twenty-six years, Bernadette and their daughter Therese. Professionally, Mr. Gratto is the Physical Education Director of the South Portland Boys and Girls club where he has held this position for nearly thirty-eight years. As a youngster, Dennis played Little League for the Knight’s of Columbus in Portland at the Douglas Street field. During his final two years, Dennis led his team to a record of 34-2 as an all-star catcher. Dennis then moved to 3rd base in the 7th grade and on to shortstop in the 8th grade at King Middle School. After two productive years playing in Portland’s Senior Little League, his family moved to South Portland. Dennis benefited from the move as he led Prescott’s Pharmacy to the S.P. National Sr. League title with fifteen wins. Dennis continued to show his flexibility on the diamond as he moved to center field for the all-stars and batted over 400. In high school, Dennis was a four-year varsity player for Cheverus high School. As a senior, Dennis won the Telegram League batting title in 1969 with a batting average of .421. He led a talented Cheverus team to the league championship game, but lost to his hometown team South Portland 7-5 in the finals. Championship game losses are always tough to take, but this one was even tougher as his younger brother Christopher played for the South Portland team. Dennis was a unanimous All-Telegram League first team selection. Dennis played American Legion baseball for Morrill Post of South Portland in 1968-69 for the legendary Leroy Rand. This team would go on to win the Zone 4 championship both years while winning the state championship in 1968. Batting clean up in 1969 for a very talented team, Dennis batted over .350 and led the team in RBI’s. He is the fifth member of this team to be inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame; the others are Peter Dresser, Al Livingston, John Gleason and George Beattie. Dennis has a long and storied history with the Portland Twilight league beginning in 1970 with the Falmouth Townies. Two years later, he joined the Yarmouth Townies and was instrumental in helping them win their last two championships. In 1972 with players like Ronnie Butland and Paul Sullivan they won the state championship (Governor’s Cup) at Auburn’s Pettengill Park under coach Pat Feury. 1975 Yarmouth won its last Twilight League championship with a 3-1 series win over three time defending champ South Portland Merchants under player/manager Al Livingston. In 1980, Dennis took full reins as the coach of the In-town Portland team that would become Forest Gardens and later Olympia Sports. In the five years as a player/coach his teams had a 128-64 record with two regular season championships and one overall championship in 1984. Beyond the play on the field, Dennis spent numerous hours each year raising funds for the team. He held dances, sold concessions at Bingo and went door-to-door to area business to raise funds. Dennis was a leader in pursuing publicity to raise awareness of the local talent in the league. He did weekly interviews for the Portland newspapers and television spots with Frank Fixaris and Bill Green. Mr. Gratto’s leadership, stamina and character were always displayed during his fifteen years with the Twilight League. As a UMO graduate with a degree in Physical Education, Dennis was able to live his lifetime dream of working with young athletes as a coach and mentor while providing a living for his family. As a coach in the Twilight League, Dennis influenced many young men who went on to professional sports careers: Tom Willerson (Atlanta Braves), Mike LaPierre (Montreal Expos), Dan Leach (Cleveland Indians), Vinnie Digifico (Boston Red Sox), and Kenny Joyce (coach San Francisco Giants). At the Boys and Girls Clubs he coached youth basketball to Charlie Furbush (Detroit Tigers) and Billy Swift who played for numerous teams at the major league level. In addition, Dennis is also proud of his influence on one of his former ball boys, Kris Roukey who majored in Sports Management at Springfield College and is now a merchandising executive with the Cleveland Indians.

George Edward Gray (July 17, 1873 – August 14, 1913) was a pitcher who played briefly for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1899 season. From The Green Weenie https://oldbucs.blogspot.com/2018/07/717-through-1910s-hans-day-babe-rube-21.html 1873 - RHP George “Chummy” Gray was born in Rockland, Maine. His tale is that of a AAAA pitcher getting his moment in the sun. After back-to-back 20 win seasons, Gray tossed a no-hitter with one walk for Buffalo in 1899. He got his reward when the Pirates brought him up for the last month of the season. Gray went 3-3/3.43 in nine games, completing six of his seven starts. Chummy then rattled around the minor leagues for a few more years, but never again returned to the majors before hanging up the spikes after the 1901 season. He passed away at age 40 from tuberculosis and is remembered as a member of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. From Baseball Almanac http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=graych02

Eddie Griffin has been surrounded and encouraged by Maine Baseball Hall of Famers for 50 years. He rejoins their classy company tonight. The son of Ireland natives Nora and Edward Griffin, born in Portland on April 3, 1927, little knew what excitement lay ahead when, at the age of five, he crossed the bridge to residence in South Portland. Eddie thought he was leaving the United States. Only the main streets were tarred, and 32 Boothby Ave. wasn’t among them. From the sixth grade on, Eddie has been on a roller coaster ride in Sports Heaven. His latest “high” is sponsorship of a new team in the revised and upgraded Portland Twilight League now known as the Northern New England Semipro League. He’ll start at the bottom Dut, with typical optimism and enthusiasm, doesn’t think that lowly station will be permanent. At any rate, the game’s the thing for him. “Griffin Rescues Portland Twilight Baseball League,” a Portland Press Herald headline about 25 years ago, referred to sponsorship of a Twi team so as to complete the schedule after original backer withdrawal. That’s been typical of the Griffin direct action style for almost 40 years. American Legion team in sponsor trouble? See Eddie. Need a bailout or startup money in any sport? Call the Griffin Club. Few questions asked. ‘Get the uniforms, get going, and Good Luck!”’ It wasn’t that easy for Griffin as a youngster, but he had the good fortune of standout coaches and playmates. His sixth grade team at Frank |. Brown School, coached by Maine Hall of Famer Wayne Roberts and featuring Hall of Famer southpaw Herb Swift Sr., captured area grammar school honors. Eddie s high school career was a tale of adversity including a bout with rheumatic fever. But he did manage a 2-2 record pitching fora sub-par 4-12 Riot Varsity Squad. After sparkling outfield roles in 1950 for D.A. Fogg’s Twi Baseball Champions and Home Decorators’ state fast pitch softball titleists, Griffin entered the service. He pitched middle relief and finished up for the Munich, Germany Broncos. ‘The Broncos were the best team I ever played for , declared Griffin. Eddie pitched in 50 of the 75 games. Griffin that year pitched a no-hit, no-run game, and 12 years later for Peaks Island duplicated that feat against Cliff Island. Promotion, barnstorming, and a passion for all sports have been Griffin's way of life the past quarter century. The late Maine governor Jim Longley said it best “The name of Eddie Griffin is synonymous with athletics and sporting events in The Greater Portland Area.”’ From the Maine Irish Heritage Trail Perhaps the best-known Irish site in South Portland is the Griffin Club, a restaurant and bar located at 60 Ocean Street, across from the Bridgeway Restaurant. The club originated as the "Dugout," and was situated further up Ocean Street. Edward M. "Eddie" Griffin (1927-1993) was born in Portland, the son of Edward and Nora Greeley Griffin, Irish immigrants. He graduated from South Portland High School, saw active service in the Army during the Korean War, and was employed for nineteen years with the Canadian National Railroad. In 1966, he purchased the Champ restaurant at 95 Ocean Street which had been in operation since 1936. Eddie renamed it the Dugout Sports Grill and the place became a popular hang-out, especially for sports fans who could often meet famous basketball and baseball players (including many Celtics and Red Sox players) and boxers at the place. Griffin became a well-known sports promoter in Maine. In 1974, Eddie purchased 60-62 Ocean Street, one half being a restaurant (the Log Cabin Restaurant for many years). Here he operated Eddie Griffin's Dugout and The Griffin Club until his death in January 1993. Griffin had suffered for many months with terminal cancer and the previous fall a "live wake," in which over eight hundred people attended, was held for the man who had done so much for sports in the area. For the next fifteen years his widow Marjorie Pender Griffin operated the club until she sold it to a longtime employee and bartender. Irish and sports memorabilia can still be found within its walls. From circa 1920 until 1942, local Irishmen Lawrence J. McCabe and Edmond W. McLaughlin owned grocery stores at 62 Ocean Street with various business partners. "Published in the Sun Journal on Jan 22, 1993. Sports promoter Eddie Griffin dead at 65. PORTLAND - Eddie Griffin, a well known Maine sports promoter, has died at age 65. Griffin died Thursday at Maine Medical Center. Griffin owned The Griffin Club, a South Portland tavern. He funneled thousands of dollars to youth and adult sports teams and sponsored basketball, baseball, bowling, football and softball teams. He also promoted boxers and boxing shows, including one at Stevens Avenue Armory last month. At The Griffin Club, he served sports celebrities and fans alike." From Portland Press Herald Posted April 17, 2018 ‘Spirits’ remain as South Portland’s former Griffin Club disappears https://www.pressherald.com/2018/04/17/spirits-remain-as-south-portlands-former-griffin-club-disappears/