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“On the field one should be intense and aggressive, off the field one should be fair and understanding. The game isn’t the most important thing in life. HE is.” - Clarence Keegan, as recollected by his son C.K. Keegan “In July of 1936 Les Mann (former major league player) held Olympic team tryouts in Baltimore, and with the endorsement of Babe Ruth, was able to select a squad from some of the best college ball players in the US. A team of 20 players from various colleges that included Stanford, the University of Nebraska, the Western State Teachers College, the University of Texas, Brooklyn College, USC and others. Clarence Keegan was one of those who was good enough to make the team and start at third base. While None of these men is a household name they nonetheless performed on the world stage, helping to advance the game beyond U.S. soil. Some of Clarence Keegan’s items from his Olympic adventure have been on display at the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown.” - Jim Carter Clarence Keegan was born in Easton on July 13, 1915 to James and Helena Keegan. While attending high school at Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill, he lived with his brother, Frank, who encouraged him to participate in sports and to continue his education. During Clarence’s senior year, 1933, he led the ACI team to their first Aroostook League baseball championship. In the fall of 1933, Clarence entered the University of Maine at Orono, where he majored in agriculture. Having been an outstanding high school athlete, Clarence decided to play baseball for the Black Bears, and as a sophomore centerfielder in 1935 he led the team in hitting with a robust .366 average. Stats are unavailable for his junior year, but in 1937, his senior year, he hit .362 over the regular season, and after the state playoff series he wound up with a .379 average. While attending Orono, he played summer ball for the Mars Hill Mountaineers in the northern Maine semi-pro league. In 1933, the Mountaineers tied Caribou for the league title but ended up losing in the championship game. The following year, Clarence had another stellar season at centerfield and at the plate, culminating in his selection to the Aroostook League All-Star team, which played the Houlton Collegians at the Northern Maine Fair. During the 1935 season, he was again selected to the All-Star team, this time playing the Boston Braves in Houlton. The All-Stars later traveled to Bangor to play the Boston Red Sox at Bass Park. In 1936, Clarence, along with Hubert Shaw of Presque Isle, was invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic baseball team in Baltimore, Maryland. The Presque Isle A.A. played a benefit game against the Aroostook League All-Stars to raise funds for the two players. Clarence’s hitting efforts in the tryouts secured him a spot on the Olympic team. The team set sail for Hamburg, Germany on the SS Manhattan on July 16, 1936, and arrived at their destination a week later. Although baseball wouldn’t become a medaled Olympic sport until 1992, the game gained significant international exposure when two American teams played each other for the first time at the Berlin Olympics. In that exhibition game, Clarence and Shaw’s “U.S. Olympics” team lost to the “World Champions” team by a final score of 6 to 5. Clarence reported to his family that the parade into the Olympic Stadium was the highlight of his experience at the Berlin games. After playing several exhibition games in England, the Olympic team boarded the SS President Roosevelt and returned home to New York, where they were welcomed with a ticker tape parade and many other festivities. The legacy of Olympic baseball is honored in an exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, which displays several photos of the 1936 team, including one of Clarence Keegan. Upon his graduation from the University of Maine in 1937, Clarence continued to play semi-pro baseball for Mars Hill, helping to lead the Mountaineers to the Northern Maine League crown in 1938. A year later, he joined the Presque Isle Indians as both a player and coach. He played several positions and ended the season with a .388 batting average. He returned to the Indians the following season, playing centerfield. Clarence Keegan’s illustrious 28-year teaching career began in 1938 in Ashland, where he taught agriculture and coached basketball until 1942. From 1942 to ‘44 he held similar positions at ACI in Mars Hill. He came to Presque Isle High School in 1945, where he taught math, agriculture, and driver education, and coached JV boy’s basketball. He also took on the formidable task of promoting drug abuse awareness. From 1968 until his death, he was assistant principal at Presque Isle High School. Clarence Keegan passed away on April 15, 1977, leaving behind his wife of nearly forty years, Madeline. At the time of his death, the Maine State Legislature issued a sentiment recognizing Clarence’s many significant contributions to the local community and the State of Maine. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1936_Olympics Clarence played on the 1936 Olympic Team

Loyalty and longevity are the hallmarks of the remarkable coaching career of Bangor's Bob Kelley - virtually a Queen City Civic monument - who counts eight high school Class A state championships, 14 state final appearances and 22 Eastern Maine play-off entries among a lustrous 31 year coaching career at Bangor High School. Bob was born in Waterville, moved to Bangor at the age of four and to nearby Veazie at 13 where he has resided ever since. Bob graduated from Bangor High School in 1954 after a sparkling baseball and basketball career as well as three summers of pastiming for the Bangor Comrades Legion team. Bob’s baseball future looked bright after a promising freshman year at the University of Maine under the encouraging eye of Jim Butterfield (brother of head coach and U Maine legend Jack Butterfield) but a shoulder injury suffered while playing basketball robbed Bob of his ability to throw overhand and his playing career was cut short. Though his playing days had ended, Bob's instinctive feel for the game and natural teaching ability led him into coaching a career choice of immense and enduring benefits to baseball and generations of Bangor’s young ballplayers. Upon graduation from Orono in 1959, Bob took a physical education opening at the Fifth Street Junior High at a starting salary of $3600.00 plus a $300 stipend for 3-season coaching duties and commenced his storied coaching career. Two Fifth Street alumni who came under Bob’s tutelage were John Stubbs and Nell Waterman who later joined forces to serve as Bob’s assistant coaches at Bangor for the past 26 years. Bob took over the head coaching job at Bangor in 1968 and soon turned a struggling program into a perennial powerhouse. “Public expectations were low when | took over the job, recalls Bob. “There was not a lot to shoot for. All I did was try to convince the good athletes to come out for baseball and give themselves a chance to play beyond that level.” And did the good athletes ever come out for Bob Kelley! The list of notables who played for Bob reads like the Bangor Rams Hall of Fame, and more likely than not, includes a state championship beside his name. The first state title came in 1971 and featured WCSH sportscaster Bill Green at third and Bangor Daily News sports writer Larry Mahoney in center field. The 1974 champs were led by brothers Peter and Paul McCarty (whom Bob rates as his most naturally gifted athletes) and Mike Edwards and Kevin Leen. Tom Vanidestine and Bubba Boyce anchored the Rams’ highly respected program in the mid 1970s. Bob again led the Rams to Class A supremacy in 1982 and 1985, bolstered by Ail-States Dan Philippon and Chuck Nadeau respectively. 1994 produced perhaps Bob’s most talented nine and the first of a remarkable streak of four consecutive state titles. Matt Kinney, Mark McEwen, Tony Fernandez, Eric Murray and Tommy Waterman were the mainstays of Bangor’s unrivaled dominance in the 1990s. Bob retired from teaching this year but plans to remain at the coaching helm for at least a few more seasons. For this easy-going, self-effacing legend whose coaching career moves seamlessly from decade to decade, that should be a snap. The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is indeed proud to welcome to its ranks the dean, chancellor and chairman of the board of high school coaches - Bob Kelley. Bangor Daily News . http://offtherim.bangordailynews.com/2017/06/20/high-school/bangor-high-baseballs-success-is-bob-kelleys-legacy/ Bangor High baseball’s success is Bob Kelley’s legacy June 20, 2017 By Bob Cimbollek While listening to the Bangor-Falmouth baseball state class A championship game Saturday afternoon on the radio, I couldn’t help think about how Bangor High School has been so successful over the years with their teams in their 102 state championships is because many of those 102 state championship teams were coached by former Bangor high athletes in the sport they played at Bangor. They then went on to coach that same team to championships. Baseball is an excellent example of this process of success. It was 20 years to the day that Bangor won it’s fourth consecutive State Class A baseball championship from 1994-97 under Bob Kelley. Kelley, my lifelong friend, was a former outstanding center fielder and hitter for Bangor under coach Red Barry. Kelley, a physical education teacher and baseball coach at 5th Street Junior High school was named the baseball coach at Bangor by Athletic Director Barry for the 1969 season. Since 1970 when baseball had 4 classes Bangor has won 13 state class A Championships including the four year consecutive state championship run from 1994-97 under Coach Kelley. Kelley would go on and win 8 state championships and 15 Eastern Maine A championships in his 31 year career before he retired in 2000. Athletic Director Steve Vanidestine, a former outstanding Bangor baseball player himself, who played for Kelley named Jeff Fahey, an outstanding center fielder for Bangor who also played for Kelley and was the Bangor High JV coach as the head coach to replace Kelley in 2001. Jeff Fahey would go on and win 4 state Class A baseball championships in his 15 years coaching the Rams. He had won 3 consecutive state Class A championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016. When Fahey retired after the 2016 season, Athletic Director Steve Vanidestine, again reached into the Bangor baseball alumni connection when he named 7 year Bangor high assistant baseball Coach David Morris, a former outstanding Bangor high catcher for Coach Kelley in the early 80’s to coach the Rams in there attempt to win 4 states in a row for the 2nd time. Morris also coached the Bangor American Legion team to two state championships in 2014 and 2015 and a state runnersup position last summer in 2016. What did Morris do, just lead the Rams to their fourth consecutive state class A baseball championship. So all of Bangor’s baseball success since 1970 has been coached by former Bangor High graduates, former Bangor high baseball players and all who were coaching baseball in the Bangor school system when named the head coach. So Bangor has always seemed to look to fill coaching positions from within first and if they had a assistant, JV, freshmen or middle school coaches that the AD’s thought could do the job they hired from within. Since 1970 the 2 athletic directors (Barry and Vanidestine) have hired former Bangor baseball players for the head job and look how that has paid off in 13 state championships and 2 consecutive 4 year runs. I know when I was AD at Bangor and John Bapst that I always tried to hire from within. I really looked to reward loyalty and if the coach was a former Bangor or John Bapst athlete or coach. the better the hire was. AD Vanidestine, who replaced me (and I was a former Bangor High Basketball player 1952-55 and basketball coach from 1969-77) as AD in 1986, has also employed the same hiring philosophy and he has led Bangor to 68 of those 102 state championships over the years in his 30 plus years as BANGOR’s AD and the AD with the second longest consecutive years run as a Maine AD. Bob Kelley is still positively effecting the success of the Bangor High Baseball program even though he has been retired for 17 years, former players of winning coaches usually use many of the things that they learned from their successful high school coach when they played in their coaching techniques when they go into coaching. Bob Kelley is now the great-grandfather of successful Bangor High School Baseball seeing that two of his boys have won state championships since he left the program. https://bangordailynews.com/2014/06/18/sports/bangor-middle-school-gym-to-be-named-in-honor-of-bob-kelley/

John Kezal’s baseball playing days began modestly in the summer of 1945 with the Pine Street Gold Sox of Rumford. Relegated to playing JV baseball as a freshman and sophomore at Stephens High School due to the abundance of WWII Vets returning to high school after the war, Kezal nonetheless caught the baseball fever, and finally made the varsity as a junior while spending summers playing for the Virginia Bees in the newly organized Oxford County League, the precursor to the Pine Tree League. Kezal served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951-54, never missing the chance to organize a baseball game when in dry dock. Returning to Rumford following his discharge, John went to work for Oxford Paper Company and promptly set about what would become a five-decade career of organizing, coaching, umpiring and promoting baseball in the River Valley. He either organized, played for, or managed, sometimes performing all three roles for the same team, the Rumford Hobos, Rumford Point Athletic Association, Bryant Pond and Norway-South Paris, all competitors in the Pine Tree League. Kezal especially recalls the memorable seasons playing alongside Maine Baseball Hall of Famer Leon “Stubby” Truman. “We always had a great group of guys, as well as players, and enjoyed many good times on the field and at outings at Stubby’s house or mine,” said the affable Kezal. Available records indicate Kezal had a lifetime batting average of .340 in the Pine Tree League. Veteran pitching opponent and Pine Tree icon and Maine Baseball Hall of Famer Bitsy Ionta described his at bats as “challenging and difficult.” Bitsy went on to say, “In any line-up there are certain batters that a pitcher has to really bear down on when facing them. John was that type of hitter.” Lewiston Sun Journal sportswriter Bob McPhee estimates Kezal played on more than 75 baseball fields in Maine and New Hampshire during his Pine Tree League career. If the opportunity arose to schedule a game with a new opponent, Kezal was eager to do so, and his teams traveled to Lisbon to take on the Roberts 88ers and trekked to Gorham and Berlin in New Hampshire for cross-border rivalries. In 1978, Kezal hung up his spikes but remained as involved in the game as ever, devoting much of his time to umpiring and organizing youth leagues. He served as Commissioner of the North Oxford County Little League for 10 years and became a certified umpire with the Central Maine Board in Auburn and the Androscoggin Board of Approved Umpires. John umpired full time through 2000 and officiated many games at all levels, often for no charge. Though he often personally knew players from both teams, John was regarded as an eminently fair and accurate umpire and could always be counted on to be “completely even” for both teams. In 1979 Kezal became the Athletic Officer for the Napoleon Ouellette American Legion Post 24 in Rumford and was instrumental in starting up a legion baseball team sponsored by Post 24. Largely through his drive and persistence, the team remained viable throughout the 80’s and 90’s. Former coach Jerrold Cohen commented on Kezal’s contribution: “Without his efforts, there would have been no legion team available for the many players anxious to take part in summer baseball. Many of these players have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, policemen and other professionals. Some are now baseball coaches themselves. John Kezal had a very positive effect on all their lives.” Since 2000, John has been the liaison chairman for the South Paris Veterans’ Home and just last month was appointed a trustee for the Maine Veterans’ Homes. Former UMO head football coach and member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, Rumford native Walter Abbott summed it up best when making the case for John Kezal’s induction into the Maine Baseball Hall of Famer: “Being involved in sports at many levels for the past sixty years, I have grown to appreciate the folks that go above and beyond the call of duty so that others can have an opportunity to have the joy of competing in sports. John’s commitment to baseball was a driving passion. He was always there behind the scenes working for the betterment of the great game of baseball.” From The Maine Legionnaire . http://www.mainelegion.org/media/download_gallery/JulyAug2012_2.pdf RUMFORD Corner — The opportunity to play baseball began innocently for John G. Kezal, however, the sport took on another persona and evolved into a passion that has lasted a lifetime and is being recognized by the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. The Rumford native is slated to be inducted into the MBHOF during ceremonies on August 5th at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Kezel was relegated to playing JV baseball as a sophomore and junior under Coach Jim Sullivan at Stephens High School because of all the guys that left school to join the service during World War II. It was during this time that Kezal caught lust of performing in America’s pastime and played organized ball in 1945 in the Oxford County League and played in that league until he graduated. This league later became the Pine Tree league. While serving in the Coast Guard (1951-54) he played baseball with the late Bernard Drury (Dixfield) at Fort Hallibard in Maryland. When he returned to Maine he played and coached full time through 1982. “It was a great time playing back then,”Kezal said, who has a twinkle in his eye while recalling numerous events and personalities. “I’d come home from work, pack a lunch and off the family (wife, Ann, and children, Pam and Steve) would go. I met a lot of great people throughout the years.” During his 37 year career, available records indicate that Kezal had a lifetime.342 hitter; including career-best .400-plus for the Norway team in the 60’s. Whenever a team needed a coach, it was Kezal who was sought out. “It helped provide others with a chance to play,” Kezal said, who was employed by the Mechanics Institute (now Greater Rumford Community Center) from 1955-62. “It was during that time Claude Belyea coached the Rumford Rams and there was an abundance of guys in River Valley who were interested in playing baseball, so we formed a B team and scheduled different teams.” This commitment to baseball was always geared toward making the experience enjoyable for all. These organizational skills became well-known and his goal was to assure every player was getting enough playing time. He always scheduled additional games outside the league every week. “My son Steve was still a teenager,” Kezal said. “I’d put his name on the roster. It was a good thing, because work schedules and such would prevent guys from being at games, so some times Steve was the ninth man.” During his Pine Tree career, Kezal has played baseball on more than 75 fields in Maine & N.H. if the opportunity arose to promote the sport, Kezal was eager and his teams traveled everywhere to play and enjoyed many games in Gorham & Berlin N.H. This included playing the Roberts 88ers in Lisbon with Stan Doughty and George Fergurson, plus a visit to the Maine State Prison in Thomaston. “I knew the guy who ran the recreation programs at the prison,” Kezal said. “He asked about playing, but he stipulated that they didn’t travel, so we needed to go there. Well, down we went and what memorable experience.” The field was located in a pit and the high left wall resembled the green monster at Fenway Park. The guards, equipped with rifles, encompassed the field. “The games were well played,” Kezal said. “There were basketball courts in right field, so Harris Elliot had to wear sneakers. My brother Mike, who was 12 at the time, joked that he was the youngest person ever to go to prison.” Kezal served as commander of Napoleon Ouellette American Legion and organized the Post 24 baseball teams. The retired paper mill worker had 43 years of service. In 1982, he stepped down from coaching/playing full time and through 2000; he devoted most of his time to coaching youngsters and umpiring baseball & softball games. He was a certified board umpire on the Central Maine Board and the Androscoggin Valley Board full time through 2000 and over saw many games at all levels for no charge. Kezal believes strongly in ‘better serving the community’ and has taken on numerous civic duties. Since 2000, he has been the liaison chairman for the South Paris Veterans Home and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Maine Veterans’ Homes. He still does volunteer umpiring, but his commitment to the Maine Veterans Homes does not afford him the time to be certified and scheduled.

World War II truncated a stellar, historic sports career at South Portland High School for Art Kierstead. But the last four-letterman in SP annals came back from multi-decorated service in the hottest of action in the European Theater to earn further distinction along the Southwestern Maine baseball front. The National Pastime was Art’s signature sport, though this veritable “Man for All Seasons” repeatedly reflected on the diamond and outfield, the qualities that served him and his teams well on the football gridiron, basketball court and track and field. An ideal centerfielder, Kierstead played errorless ball throughout his schoolboy baseball career and perfection afield was likewise the norm in postgraduate play. Art was an All-Telegram League selection as the charges of legendary athlete-coach Bill Curran won the 1943 Telly championship. The Press account of SP’'s title-clinching 11-10 victory over Westbrook noted the “Artful Artie Kierstead, the Capers’ speed demon outfielder, supplied the winning wallop in the ninth with a sharp single over shortstop to score Captain Johnny Gleason with the tie-breaking tally. [the hit was Kierstead's third of the day, since he'd previously singled and tripled.” Coincidentally, it was Coach Curran who was SP’s last four-sport letterman prior to Kierstead. Bill was later to state that Kierstead was one of the finest diamondeers he’d ever coached. Kierstead completed his SP letter quadruple by mixing in his track career with his baseball service. In one meet, simultaneous with a ball game, between innings and in his baseball uniform, he won the pole vault and high jump in an adjacent meet. Drafted into the Army after his junior year, Kierstead the prime athlete was the correspondingly solid soldier with the 2nd infantry Division. Normandy Invasion, Omaha Beach on D-Day-plus-One, five battle stars including the Battle of the Bulge, says It all. Back home, this older member of one of South Portland’s finest sports families -- whose presence is still deeply there today -- added eight seasons and more baseball honors In the venerable Portland Twilight League, playing with Century Tire, Yudy’s Tires and South Portland Merchants. Art was twice an All- Twi choice, once with the Merchants and once with Century. With his playing days over, Art umpired in the SP National Little league for two seasons and later was assistant coach under old sidekick Johnny Gleason in the Central Little League.

Interviewer: “Tink, when did your love of baseball start?” Tink: “Day One, I think.” - Donald Kilbreth “Don Kilbreth was undoubtedly the best ball player to come out of the Town of Turner, and possibly all of Androscoggin and Oxford County.” - Stan Timberlake Donald “Tink” Kilbreth of Turner carved out a remarkable baseball career that touched all aspects of the game that Mainers embraced in the 1950’s and 60’s: high school phenom, college star, service ball and town team icon. Like most ballplayers of that era, Tink’s passion for baseball was ignited early on. When an interviewer asked Tink, “When did your love of baseball start?”, Tink’s answer was swift: “Day One, I think.” He recalls rounding up the kids in the neighborhood, finding a dry field on Route 4 or 17, and playing ball all day. If they were lucky, they would have a taped-up bat, a scuffed ball and perhaps a glove or two, though bare hands were often a small price to pay for the opportunity of playing on a field of padded down grass and a rock-strewn infield. Nevertheless, Don says, “A lot of good baseball started right there.” Don Kilbreth is one of Leavitt Institute’s finest athletes, playing three varsity sports during all four years, as well as serving as captain of all three during both his junior and senior years. Although his high school pitching stats are not available, a conservative estimate is that he won between 80% and 90% of his games for Leavitt. Kilbreth further honed his baseball skills in the summer playing for Cushman-Hollis in the Twin City League and the storied Auburn ASAS. His outstanding career at Leavitt attracted the attention of several college scouts and with the help of the Leavitt Principal, Dr. Ellis, “Tink” was given a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Connecticut. As a freshman, he pitched a no-hitter against Rhode Island, narrowly missing a perfect game when he walked the 27th batter! Another memorable day in Don’s Yankee Conference pitching career was during his junior year against the University of Vermont. Called in as a relief pitcher, he finished the first game, also getting the game winning hit! He followed that with a one-hitter in the second game – the winning pitcher in both games of the UVM doubleheader! However, Kilbreth maintains his best college performance “was when I pitched against Steakhouse. It was 1954 – 10 innings, 4 hits, and UConn won 1-0.” (“Steakhouse” was actually Dave Stenhouse of Rhode Island, who went on to pitch in the big leagues for the Washington Senators). During his college days, Kilbreth also pitched summers in the highly competitive Connecticut semi-pro league in the Hartford area. Although Tink’s outstanding career in both college and semi-pro ball in Connecticut attracted the attention of several major league scouts, he was unable to pursue a professional baseball career at that time due to a two year ROTC commitment. Upon graduating from UConn in 1956, Don joined the army as a 2nd Lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, where he spent most of the next two years playing baseball for the United States Army – and winning two Southwestern championships. Military service ball in the 1950’s was highly competitive and comparable to high-A or AA pro ball. Military bases packed their teams with players already under professional contract and often played over 100 games a year against other base teams. Kilbreth went 11-1 in 1957 for the Brooke Army Medical Center Comets. He was able to play weekends for independent teams in Texas and Arizona against teams that featured a number of both former and future major leaguers. Playing for these independent teams could be very “interesting”. There was heavy betting on these games, and recruits like Tink “were asked not to show up until 10 or 15 minutes before the game started and the betting was over”! Also, “on more than one occasion, the players got a police escort out of town”! In 1959, Tink returned to Turner and played for eight years for the Turner Townies, but usually as the second baseman. By this time, his pitching arm was feeling the effects of all those pitching outings he had throughout the 1950’s. Comparing pitching in his day with today’s pitchers, Don recollected that in his day, there was “a totally different attitude about pitching.” He said that in the 1950’s no one was concerned about a “pitch count” and that “when you started a game, you were expected to finish it. Typically, you pitched nine innings, averaging about 120 pitches per game. You pitched until you couldn’t stand up.” Don did do some relief pitching for the Townies over the next several years, but he was an excellent infielder and hitter, usually batting third in the lineup. The Townies had successful teams in the 1960’s, especially in 1965 when they won the Yankee American Baseball Congress, championship and went to compete in the New England Tournament held at New Haven. Kilbreth retired from the Townies after the 1967 season, and by then his Hall of Fame credentials were solidly established. Hi legacy is best summarized by Harold Small, his Townies teammate: “Tink used his experience, winning attitude, hard work and love of baseball to instill the importance of being a team player and always giving the game your best. Don was always a good teammate who was a lot of fun to play with and was the epitome of a solid, all-around ballplayer. He has certainly earned Hall of Fame recognition in the State of Maine.” Fellow Townie Stan Timberlake, as usual, had the final word: “Don Kilbreth was undoubtedly the best ball player to come out of Turner and possibly all of the Androscoggin and Oxford County area.” Better Homes and Gardens https://donaldkilbreth.masiello.com/?chome=1&odoor=

WILLIAM T. KILEY Abraham Lincoln’s immortal words: “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time” applies to baseballer William T. (Bill) Kiley. in 1921, in a Portland-Deering Thanksgiving football game, Kiley (on the Bulldog side) shattered his right wrist. “When they took me off the field my arm was just hanging at my side, completely useless,” the now deceased Kiley said at the time. Nonetheless, for nine seasons, he played outstanding semi-pro baseball at second base, despite being unable to throw effectively. Not many picked up his deception but he couldn’t fool manager Duffy Lewis of the Portland team in the New England League who opted for alive arm, even though Kiley was batting .438 at the time. Nonetheless, Kiley was honored this year by being tabbed for the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Before the injury, Kiley owned a rifle arm. He always had speed to burn and a potent bat. He first started playing baseball in 1917 at Catholic Institute Grammar School, later going to Cheverus for two seasons before transferring to Portland to play for famed coach Fred Ostergren. infield mates on the Portland club were Major League stars and Maine Hall charter members Fred Parent and Harry Lord. Kiley retired from the game in 1930 with the Portland Athletic Club of the Twilight League. But Kiley was more known for the administrative side of sports. He was area recreation director for the National Youth Administration from 1935 to 1940 and was named assistant semi-pro baseball commissioner in Maine in 1942. In 1944 he became Cheverus High baseball coach. Moreover, Portland’s Recreation Activities Director for 16 years (1944-60, the year he died), and father of six daughters with wife Louise, wrote a series of newspaper articles on baseball and an informative booklet on softball. The Eastern Promenade’s Kiley Field, known for fastpitch softball, was named in his honor.

A 30 year old campaigner with the Portland twilight league Mervin Kilgore died July 1, 1983

The sports pages of his day hailed him as “Orono’s long and lean southpaw Star, “the crafty Pale Hose lefty” and ““Worumbo’s able ace.” Don “Lefty” Kilgour, mainstay of the {University of Maine pitching staff in the mid- 1930's and semi-pro hurler for the legendary Worumbo Woolen Mill, brings impressive credentials to his well deserved perch in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Kilgour was raised in Lovell and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1933. Don was fortunate to toil under the tutelage of Cliff Gray (Hall of Frame 76). “Coach Gray taught me two good pitches: curveball and forkball,”’ notes Kilgour with appreciation. The accomplished moundsman went to play for Bill Kenyon at the University of Maine from 1934-1937, contributing to a State Championship tor the Black Bears in 1936. li was during the summers of °35, ’36 and ’37 that Kilgour would achieve state-wide notoriety with the storied Worumbo Indians of Lisbon Falls in the Maine semi-pro circuit. Kilgour anchored the pitching staff on the 1937 team that won the New England Semi-Pro Championship and he was chosen by the Semi-Pro Congress as one of 16 to make the All-State Team. The dream year continued as the Woolen Mill nine trekked to Wichita, Kansas for the National Semi-Pro Tournament and came in 4th out of 32 teams from throughout the country. Kilgour’s poise and stylish delivery caught the eye of several professional scouts at the Wichita tournament and in February, 1938 Don got the call to report to the Dallas, Texas farm club of the Chicago White Sox. Kilgour later was assigned to the Rayne, Louisiana club in the Evangeline League and posted a 14-9 record for the 1938 season. The Maine native thrived in the stifling Deep South heat, pitching 199 innings that summer and completing a no-hit, no-run masterpiece in the process. Kilgour’s fortunes appeared to be on the rise when his contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians in the winter of 1939 and he was assigned to Shreveport in the Texas League — a jump of three minor league steps from a Class D to a Class A organization. This release from a Shreveport newspaper captures the promotion: “Purchase of two pitchers from the Rayne club of the Evangeline League has been announced by J. Walter Morris, general manager for the Shreveport team. The pitchers, both left handers, are Donald Kilgour and Walter Navie. and Navie were regarded as two of the best prospects in the league and were responsible for many of Rayne’s most thrilling games last season. Both boys were good box office attractions and also were extremely popular with their fellow teammates.” Alas, what started as a season of promise ended abruptly when Kilgour suffered a severe shoulder injury early on and asked for his release to return home to Maine. His career ended short of the big leagues, but Kilgour’s place in Maine baseball history is secure. Kilgour resides today in Rockland. His wife of 62 years, Barbara , passed away last month. The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame extends its deepest sympathies to Don as it honors him today. From Lovell Historical Society https://lovell.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Kilgour%2C+Donald+Campbell+%281915-2010%29&page=3 Married Oct 30, 1937 Buried at Cemetery No. 4. Taken from the Winter 2009 Newsletter, written by Catherine Stone: Maine Baseball Hall of Famer Donald Kilgour was born and raised in Lovell. After graduating from college in 1937, where he was hailed as "Orono’s long and lean southpaw star" and "the crafty Pale Hose lefty", he began a promising diamond career as a pitcher. Unfortunately, his professional career ended abruptly in 1939 when he suffered a severe shoulder injury. Don was born May 3, 1915 in an upstairs apartment above what is now the Masonic Hall. His parents, Olive (Benton) and James C. Kilgour, Jr. were prominent members of the community, active in many local organizations including the Lovell Village Congregational Church. They purchased a house on Christian Hill Road, kitty-corner from the church, and raised their only child. Don’s father was adept at many professions, from storekeeper to mail carrier and from ice cutter to stone mason. He was also a ball player and in his spare time he played catch with his son in the backyard. In a 2000 interview, Don recalled playing ball in Lovell. "We played in a cow pasture," he said. "One of the men in the sawmill made a home plate for us. One of us was assigned to take care of the plate. You can guess what we used for first, second and third bases (cow patties). You would go home with green stain on your pants. It might be grass or it might not be." Under the tutelage of Fryeburg Academy’s Coach Cliff Gray, Don learned his two best pitches: curveball and forkball (which is like today’s split finger fastball). He went on to play at the University of Maine from 1934-1937, contributing to a State Championship in 1936. During the summers he played the Maine semi-pro circuit and his "poise and stylish delivery" caught the eye of professional scouts. In February, 1938 Don signed with the Dallas, Texas farm club of the Chicago White Sox. He was later assigned to the Rayne, Louisiana club in the Evangeline League. During the summer of 1938 he pitched 199 innings and completed a no-hit, no-run masterpiece in the process. In the winter of 1939, his contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians and he was assigned to Shreveport in the Texas League—a jump of three minor league steps from a Class D to a Class A organization. His ascending career ended quickly, however, when he pulled a tendon in his left pitching shoulder that summer. Don returned to Maine and, thanks to a degree in mechanical engineering, made a new career with Central Maine Power. He and his wife settled in Rockland and visited Lovell often. He has fond memories of his youth and his days as a "twirler" when he could throw a ball past some of the best hitters in the country. "I really think I could have made it," he said of a major league career, "but it has all gone by. It is nice to dream. It sure would have been nice, but fate wasn’t that way. I had a good time and a wonderful experience."

JOE KINNEY Joe Kinney played baseball during a period when long and tiring train and bus rides from whistlestop to whistlestop were the order of the day. However, Kinney—a stalwart righthand pitcher in the ’30’s and ’40’s for countless professional leagues, though none the majors—never complained. “All us kids were crazy about baseball, © the 72-year-old Kinney, who attended Belgrade High said from his Lisbon Falls home, his wife Mary by his side. “If a guy would walk a mile for a camel, he would have walked 10 miles for a ballgame.” Possessing an acute sense of adventure, Kinney wandered America like a gypsy, following that alluring baseball. “I loved all the travel,” he said. Four years of high school baseball at Belgrade, followed by a year at Hebron Academy began his career and traveling. After a few seasons in Chicago, he hung his bat in Cedar Rapids for a team named the Bunnies. He threw a one-hitter—a ball he couldn’t handle—there in 1932. He only faced 28 batters that night; his control was excellent. Nonetheless, outbursts of wildness were an albatross for Kinney in his formative pitching years. ‘When I first came to the pros I tried to do too much,” the longtime office worker at Bath Iron Works said. “I tried to throw harder than | was capable of and that hurt. He had a major league tryout in 1933 with the Detroit Tigers, but refused to be sent to the minors. His only other major league opportunity was with the Boston Braves, who were willing to take him down south with the team if he would wait two weeks in Beantown. He didn't. He burned up most of the New England and Maine Leagues and was renowned as a strikeout pitcher. He once fanned 22 and 23 batters within a week at Belgrade High. And won 18 straight in 1939 for Lisbon Falls’ Worumbo Indians. He quit pitching in 1942, but not before carving a niche deserved of entering the gates of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Lewiston Sun Journal https://www.sunjournal.com/2008/07/24/worumbo-memories-still-burn/ "And they relive the stories of the acclaimed Worumbo Indians, a semi-pro baseball team that gained national stature. Worumbo’s owners recruited top players to come to work at the mill and play on the team. They included Joe Kinney and Tony Begos, a talented shortstop, who had played on an all-star team with Babe Ruth against Lou Gehrig. Begos also played in games against Jim Thorpe and Babe Didrickson."

Somewhere in Mansfield Stadium in Bangor Maine, is a plaque commemorating the 1989 Maine State Little League Champions. As a member of this team, Matt Kinney began a love affair with baseball that took him through youth teams, an exceptional high school career, to 16 years as a professional player. Matt was a slugging first baseman, shortstop, and pitcher at the Little League level. His parents Jeff and Deborah Kinney supported both their children, Rebecca and Matt, in all their athletic and academic endeavors. They saw Rebecca play Little League baseball and witnessed Matt grow into the most feared and dominant high school pitcher in the State of Maine. Jeff coached his son in Bangor’s Senior League. They won the league title. Matt was valuable and versatile as he played many positions and was a great hitter in both power and average. Matt went to Bangor High School and excelled in many sports. He played some golf, football, and was a dominant player on the 1995 Eastern Maine class A champion basketball team. He was however a four year varsity player on the baseball team. At Bangor Matt played for the legendary coach Bob Kelly. As a sophomore he went 5-0 and was named to the all conference team. As a junior Matt established himself as one the best players in the State. In a game against Old Town, Matt pitched a no hitter and stuck-out 17 batters. This game got the attention of John Winkin, the Hall of Fame coach at the University of Maine. Soon after, Matt signed a letter of intent to go to UMO after his high school graduation. In 1994 Bangor beat Portland 13 to 5 to win the State Championship. Matt was the winning pitcher and had the save in the same championship game. He had many hits including 2 homers. As a senior Matt was constantly scouted by the professional teams. It was not uncommon for a half a dozen or more to be on hand for each of his games. Matt was unstoppable as a pitcher. His year ended with another State Championship. Matt out-pitched Portland’s Bobby Agger 1-0 in 8 innings. Matt only gave up one hit and was the MVP of the game. Matt finished his high school career with a 24-2 record and became the most sought-after schoolboy player since Dick Joyce. Matt was playing a legion baseball game in Presque Isle when he heard he was a sixth round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox. He doesn’t remember how he did that day, as his mind was elsewhere. After talking with his parents who said they would support him no matter what his choice would be, he made a tough decision. Many great players such as Billy Swift and Mike Bordick began with their tutelage under John Winkin at the University of Maine but after meeting with scout Buzz Bowers, Matt decided to sign with Boston. As an18 year old, he was promptly sent to Fort Myers Fl. and the City of Palm’s Park. Thus he began a 16 year journey as a professional baseball player. Matt began his professional career in the Gulf Coast League. He finished the year with an ERA of 2.93. They used him as both a starter and a closer. The next two seasons Matt pitched in short season Lowell MA. and lower A in Michigan. Matt went 8-5 and only gave up 93 hits in 117 innings as a 20 year old. He continued to climb the professional ladder. He spent 1998 in Sarasota and Fort Myers in Hi A ball. Matt went 12-8 and pitched 159 innings and gave up only 140 hits. It was towards the end of July when Matt was traded by the Red Sox to the Minnesota Twins for Greg Swindell and Orlando Merced. By the time he was 23, Matt had filled out to a six foot five, 230 pound athlete. He started 2000 at AA New Briton. He went 6-1 with 2.71 ERA. He was promoted to AAA at Salt Lake. Matt went 5-2 with 59 strike-outs in 55 innings. With his fastball now touching 99 miles per hour, he was a short step to the major leagues. On August 18th Matt made his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched 6 and 2/3 innings giving up only two runs. A home run by Carlos Delgado was the only blemish of the day. A tough loss, but satisfaction to know he made it to the major leagues. Matt went 2-2 his first year in the big leagues. He spent 2001 in the Pacific Coast League with the Edmonton Trappers. In 2002 he was back with Minnesota. He pitched in 14 games, 12 as a starter. He went 2-7 with the Twins. In November, Matt was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2003 as a 26 year old Matt had his best season. He pitched in 33 games 31 as a starter. He was a 10 game winner in the major leagues. In 2004 he went 3-4 most as a relief pitcher. Once again Matt moved to another team and finished the the season with the Kansas City Royals. In 2005 Matt signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants. He went 10-8 in the minor leagues before getting the call to the Giants. He finished the season going 2-0 at the big league level. In 2006 and 2007 Matt pitched for the Fresno Grizzles in the Pacific Coast League. He had a combined record of 20-17, but never got the call to San Francisco. In 2008 along with his wife Meghan and son Maddox, Matt signed to play in Japan with the Saitama Seibu Lions. He enjoyed his time in Japan. He helped the Lions win the Japanese World Series. With one young child and another on the way, Matt and Meghan decided to come back to play in the United States. Matt again signed with the Giants and was assigned to Fresno. He spent two more years at the AAA level until a back injury told him it was time to retire. Relocating to Arizona, Matt got into coaching. He worked the Viper Baseball Academy. He primarily worked with 12 to 15 year old boys. With the wealth of knowledge he learned as a pro, this was an easy transition for him. He helped them improve their mechanics and conditioning. After a few years,Matt and Utah native Meghan, decided to move to Maine. He immediately got back into coaching. Matt became the varsity baseball coach at Herman High School. In his first year of coaching at the high school level Matt led the Hermon team to a 12 and 4 record. They were seeded 2nd in Eastern Maine class B. Despite a loss to eventual Eastern Maine champs Caribou, he had turned around the program in less than a year. With over 100 wins at the professional level, Matt Kinney went where few Mainer’s have been. He showed a tremendous work ethic, and overcame injuries to pitch for 16 years. He played with dignity and courage and we are proud to have him in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball Reference http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=kinnema01 Bangor Daily News https://bangordailynews.com/2014/01/16/sports/former-major-league-pitcher-bangor-high-graduate-named-hermon-high-baseball-coach/ By Joe McLaughlin, BDN Staff • January 16, 2014 Former major league pitcher Matt Kinney has been named the new varsity baseball coach at Hermon High School, according to Hermon athletic director Stephanie Biberstein. Kinney, a former Bangor High School star who was drafted in the sixth round by the Boston Red Sox in 1995, was approved as the new coach by the Hermon school board, which also named Megan McCrum the school’s new varsity softball coach. Kinney last pitched in the majors in 2005 with the San Francisco Giants. He has a career record of 19-27 with a 5.29 ERA and 297 strikeouts over five seasons. Kinney had been living in Arizona, but moved back to Maine last fall because he wants to raise his two boys, ages 5 and 6, in Maine. “He comes in with extensive baseball knowledge, with a coaching philosophy of hard work and fundamentals,” Biberstein said. “It’s a good match for the high school.” 92.9 The ticket ~ Carl 'Stump' Merrill was part of first MLB draft back in 1965. https://929theticket.com/stump-merrill-part-of-first-mlb-draft/

“Amel was more than a baseball figure. He was an enthusiastic citizen of Lisbon including selectman, town manager and active member of economic committees for the town. Roberts 88ers is still a known name in Lisbon being used by Little League and other teams. Many thanks to Amel Kiszonak for his contribution to Lisbon and Lisbon baseball tradition.” -Marty Roop The posthumous induction of Amel Kiszonak into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is an altogether fitting tribute to a decorated World War II veteran, a dedicated public servant and a premier figure in Maine town team baseball. Born November 16, 1910 in Lisbon Falls, Amel Kiszonak was one of seven children of Louis and Julianna Kiszonak. His athletic prowess was evident early on and he graduated with multi-sport letters from Lisbon Falls High School in 1927. On to the University of Maine, Amel won letters in baseball for three years and set a single-season record for triples (10) in 1932, a mark that would stand for 50 years. Following his graduation from UMO in 1932, Amel returned to his home town and from 1935-1941 he taught biology, history, business administration and civics at Lisbon Falls High School and coached football, baseball, basketball and track. Not content to fuel his passion for baseball solely from the coach’s box, Amel played and coached semi-pro baseball for the Lisbon Falls Lemons, later known as The Green Sox and the Braves, in the venerable Pine Tree League. He also suited up for the Worumbo Indians, another fast semi-pro team sponsored by the Worumbo Mill in Lisbon Falls. Amel departed for active military duty on February 10, 1941 and served in the U.S. Army until his discharge in 1945. He was a veteran of the European Campaign and was awarded five Bronze Stars. Amel continued to serve in the Army Officer Reserve Corps until his retirement in 1970. Following the conclusion of World War II, Amel returned to Lisbon Falls and resumed his coaching career as well as taking on the position of principal. In 1950 Amel moved into the private sector, first at the Worumbo Mill Manufacturing Company and later as Assistant Superintendent at the Farnsworth Mill, both important textile manufacturers in Lisbon. Amel would work for 16 years in the textile industry before becoming Public Works Director for Lisbon in 1965, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1970. The baseball flame continued to burn brightly for Amel even with his playing days behind him. In 1963 Amel, by now his civic stature increasing as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, took the lead in promoting and organizing a revival of town team baseball in Lisbon Falls. The Lisbon Falls Merchants competed respectably in the fast-paced Andy County League that summer spearheaded by a sparkling contingent of ballplayers (Bob Baumer, Marty Roop, Dave Begos, Stan Doughty, et al.) recruited by Amel. A devastating fire in the Kiszonak home on Thanksgiving morning in 1963 destroyed the team’s uniforms and equipment. Amel and his players were undaunted however and the team began the 1964 season under the sponsorship of Noyes and Rae Lawrence, co-owners of Roberts Pharmacy on Main Street. The pharmacy had been founded by Lawrence’s grandfather, George Roberts in 1988, and the Lisbon Falls entrant in the 1964 Andy County League would be known as the Roberts 88’ers. With Amel Kiszonak at the helm, the Roberts 88’ers won the Andy County League championship in 1964 and 1965, with identical 21-3 records in both seasons. The 88’ers went on to capture the YABC (Yankee Amateur Baseball Conference), Maine’s version of a state-wide, town team World Series, in 1964 and 1965 as well. Amel’s three-year record managing the 88’ers was 59-13, a crowning achievement during the golden era of Maine town team baseball. Amel Kiszonak passed away December 24, 1975. He was laid to rest with full military honors. Governor James B. Longley attended his funeral and, along with hundreds of others in attendance, he paid his respects to a man who served his town and his country nobly. The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is proud to add yet another honor to the enduring legacy of Amel Kiszonak. The Best Featuring Amel Kiszonak and Maine Born Professional Baseball Players and Their Families . Click link to watch . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQnSEEtjY7Q