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Bobby Messenger Full name Charles Walter Messenger Born March 19, 1884, Bangor, Maine Died July 10, 1951, Bath, Maine Buried at Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Maine First Game: August 30, 1909; Final Game: May 5, 1914 Bat: Both Throw: Right Height: 5' 10.5" Weight: 165

Bob Miller was born in Providence, RI, graduated from Hope High School in 1957 and went on to Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. He attended Colby College and graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington where he left behind an outstanding academic and baseball record. His love for baseball began with Little League. Building on high school, prep school and college, Bob became a standout catcher and often pitched when called upon. He had a long and rewarding career in semi-pro baseball spanning 29 years with Chisholm/Livermore Falls Townies and Turner Towners. He was a professional educator and a teacher, coach, principal and maintenance supervisor in School Administrative District #36 (Livermore/ Livermore Falls) for 39 years. Although he is supposed to be retired he still substitutes nearly every day. Bob was a very respected board umpire, serving on the Andy Valley and Lewiston Boards for 32 years. He is married to his wife Delores (44 years). ‘They have a daughter Laureen, and a son Robert Jr., 5 grandchildren, and sister Nancy. Bob was a true leader of young people and a most deserving member of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joey Drapeau was born in Biddeford, Maine on December 30th, 1979. He grew up watching his Father, Andy, play softball and broomball. This is where his love of sports began. At a very young age, Joey excelled at all sports. As a 3rd grader at Saint Andres Catholic School, you would find him in the school yard playing with the 5th and 6th graders. He was usually picked well before most of the older boys to be on a team. Growing up, his father coached his older brother, Justin, on many different sports teams. Joey was lucky enough to be able to play during practices. From a young age, Joey always excelled on the diamond. He was the starting shortstop for the East Biddeford Little League All-Star teams as an 11 and 12 year old, and he was a key part of his 13 year old Biddeford Senior League team making it to the North East Regionals. Joey believes that the countless hours of whiffle ball with the neighborhood boys is what laid the foundation for his homerun swing. While at Biddeford High School, Joey excelled at both football and baseball. On the gridiron, he was a star running back for the Tigers and was an All-State selection as a junior and senior. He also was a runner-up for the Fitzpatrick Trophy and played in the Lobster Bowl. On the diamond, Joey started as a sophomore on the Western Maine championship baseball team that would eventually fall to Bangor 2-1 in extra innings for the state title in 1996. He had a great career at Biddeford High School. In his senior year, he led the team with 6 homeruns, had a .535 batting average, and was a USA Today High School All-American. Joey signed his letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Maine in the fall of 1997. Joey arrived at Mahaney Diamond on the UMaine campus in the fall of 1998. He learned quickly that being a high school star didn’t matter much at the Division 1 level. Joey ended up as a redshirt his freshman year and didn’t have a single college at bat until a year and a half later in the spring of 2000. As a now redshirt freshman, Joey hit the ground running and never looked back. He started at third base and led the Black Bears in hitting with a .359 avg and crushed a team high and freshman record 16 homeruns. He was named the America East Conference Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-Conference, First Team All-New England, Baseball America All-American, and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. Throughout the years playing for the Black Bears, he had many career highlights. These highlights include, 3 homeruns in a game against Delaware as a sophomore, being the start to a 5-4-3 triple play against Holy Cross, and as a senior he was named team captain. He was selected to the America East All-Conference and to the All-New England team all four years he played from 2000 through 2003. He also was picked as a sophomore and senior for the Baseball America PreSeason All-American team. Joey played his summer ball in the NECBL for the Eastern Tides located in Connecticut and the Coastal Plains League for the Fayetteville Swamp Dogs located in North Carolina. Both of these teams were premiere college baseball wooden bat leagues. Joey truly enjoyed playing baseball for his state university and left with an impressive list of career accomplishments. He is still 2nd on the UMaine all-time home run list with 50, he is 2nd in runs batted in with 196, and 5th in doubles with 58. He got to play with a fellow hall of famer, Mike MacDonald (15), and for hall of fame coach, Paul Kostacopoulos (14). After his baseball career was over, Joey spent a few years as an assistant coach for the varsity team at Biddeford High School. He was inducted into the Biddeford Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Today Joey lives in Biddeford working as a senior loan specialist for a national mortgage company. He is an avid golfer and still loves competing. Sadly, in 2017, his wife Jennifer passed away from a rare form of cancer, so most of his time is devoted to raising his two young daughters, Brynn and Aria. https://www.pressherald.com/2017/10/17/family-recalls-beloved-mother-kindergarten-teacher-lost-at-31/

Former Thornton Academy pitcher, NY Yankees farmhand . SMAA League Batting Champions Telegram League began play in 1919, SMAA began play in 1977 Charles Mistos (Thornton) .451 https://www.onlineathens.com/dogbytes/football/2016-08-16/loran-smith-charlie-trippis-1947-was-best-year-ever

“Paul has always been a hall of famer in my book, not only in baseball but also in life. His statistics at Waterville high school, Bates and UMaine speak for themselves. The Mitchell family has been extraordinary and Paul going in the hall of fame is just another example of their accomplishments.” - Dennis Libbey “We learned a lot playing sports growing up-how to compete, how to work as a team and how to conduct ourselves both on and off the field. Those lessons carried over into our everyday lives, helping us with problem solving, watching out for our neighbors and being contributing members of our communities. I had great coaches who instilled these lessons in us, and I’ll always be grateful for that.” -Paul Mitchell, SR. Paul J. Mitchell, Sr. was born in Massachusetts on January 20, 1926 to George and Mintaha “Mary” Mitchell. The family moved to Waterville when Paul was four years old. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1944. While there, Paul was a three-sport athlete-playing football, basketball and baseball, and lettered in all three sports for three years of high school, and lettered all four years in baseball. He played baseball for Waterville High School under Coach Wally Donovan, playing the outfield. He was team captain for two years and won several awards during his high school career. In 1944, Paul was a member of the legendary WHS basketball team, which won the New England Schoolboy Basketball Championship. “We learned a lot playing sports growing up-how to compete, how to work as a team and how to conduct ourselves both on and off the field. Those lessons carried over into our everyday lives, helping us with problem solving, watching out for our neighbors and being contributing members of our communities. I had great coaches who instilled these lessons in us, and I’ll always be grateful for that.” Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Bates College and subsequently the University of Iowa as a cadet in the Navy’s V-12 Flight Training Program during World War II. While at Bates he played both basketball and baseball. After a two-year tour, he received an honorable discharge, completed his college education at University of Maine where he also played baseball, covering second base, and was one of the top batters on the team. The University of Maine is home to the Paul Mitchell Batting Pavilion, named in his honor.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Maine in 1949. Following that, Paul enrolled in graduate school at Columbia University in New York City and earned his degree of Master of Arts in 1950. Paul married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Yvette Pooler, in 1949. The couple has four children, Paul Jr., Linda, Jeffrey and Bill, as well as 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He began working for Liberty Mutual Life Insurance Co. in New York City and remained with the company there until being transferred to the home office in Boston in 1957. Two years later, Paul and Yvette moved their family back to Waterville, where he joined the insurance firm of J. B. Friel Co. In 1964, he purchased the agency and then merged it with the Hodgdon Agency and subsequently with the Goddard Agency. Paul successfully ran what is now known as GHM Insurance Agency from 1964 until 2000. Paul is a former Democratic Alderman, served in Waterville City Government as chairman of the Board of Aldermen until 1962, when he resigned to become executive director of the Waterville Urban Renewal Authority. During his tenure with the Renewal Authority, from 1966 to 1978, Paul was a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and was a member of two national committees. One of his proudest achievements was serving as chairman of the Waterville Housing Authority. “I only served briefly-long enough to get it started and develop its initial proposal we submitted to HUD. I was director of the renewal authority, because it made sense for me to deal with them on housing as well as urban renewal business. I believe the HUD program has been very successful for the city as it has generated Elm Towers and other decent, safe, sanitary housing for seniors and families.” In 2006, Paul was recognized by the Maine House of Representatives for a lifetime of achievements including serving as the President of the Maine Insurance Agents Association, a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, and a Paul Harris Rotarian. Paul also served for over 25 years on the City of Waterville Planning Board and the Waterville Sewerage District. In 2016, Paul was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Waterville, and in 2017 a dugout was named after him at the Fran Purnell Wrigley Field in Waterville in honor of his lifetime love of baseball. “Paul has always been a hall of famer in my book, not only in baseball but also in life. His statistics at Waterville high school, Bates and UMaine speak for themselves. The Mitchell family has been extraordinary and Paul going in the hall of fame is just another example of their accomplishments” said Dennis Libbey, a long-time friend of Paul's both in baseball and in business. In 2004, at the age of 78, Paul was appointed to the University of Maine Board of Trustees by Governor John Baldacci. He served as a Trustee until 2014 serving on various committees. Paul loves to travel, read, spend time with his family, remains an avid sports fan, and enjoys coaching the Red Sox (and several other professional sports teams) from his armchair. https://bangordailynews.com/2012/08/21/sports/umaine-baseball-family-celebrates-dedication-of-mitchell-batting-pavilion/ From Legacy Pages ~Morning Sentinel https://obituaries.centralmaine.com/obituaries/mainetoday-centralmaine/obituary.aspx?n=paul-j-mitchell&pid=188172260&fhid=29428 1926 - 2018 WATERVILLE - Paul J. Mitchell, of Waterville, died peacefully on Feb. 11, 2018, after a brief illness. In 2006, he was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Waterville and in 2017 a dugout was named for him at the Purcell Wrigley Field in Waterville in honor of his lifetime love of baseball. He loved his sports teams, and spent hours watching games, pacing the room, and analyzing the decisions of the players and managers, particularly those of the Red Sox. It was with great joy that he attended Game 1 of the 2004 World Series and saw his Red Sox defeat St. Louis.

The induction of Westbrook’s John Mullen into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame marks the arrival of one of the most feared hitters of his era in one of the most competitive periods of baseball in the Greater Portland area. Catching the baseball fever at an early age with neighborhood pick-up games at storied “Mullen Field”. John moved on to the hallowed Warren League Grounds, where he basked in the memories of historic pitching duels between his uncle Gene Hebert (MBHOF ’74) of Westbrook and Cheverus’ Husky Aube (MBHOF ’71). John’s career in organized baseball was bolstered by a succession of coaches who influenced the raw-bone youngster’s development and helped to harness his undeniable talent of hitting a baseball. Four years playing for Kiwanis in the Westbrook Little League under the legendary Buck Cote (“as kind hearted a man as there ever was”) led to the Babe Ruth years under the tutelage of Bob Smyth whom John credits with refining his emerging hitting prowess to an advanced level. “There was nothing I loved to do more than hit a baseball,” recalls John. “I was blessed with that ability.” Although he attended St. Mary’s in the 7th and 8th grade, John received permission to play baseball those years at Westbrook Junior High School under the reassuring, low-key presence of veteran coach Phil Kilbourn. John blossomed into a pitching and hitting sensation during his high school years at Westbrook, pastiming for Mickey Dolan and playing summers for the Manchester Post American Legion team commanded by Luther Small and Jimmy Burrill. Those years were highlighted by fierce rivalries with Deering and the Caldwell Post who featured the likes of Garry Smith, Ed Flaherty and Steve Conley, and with South Portland and Morrill Post who boasted future big leaguer Jim Beattie. Coach Jim Burrill remembers the Mullen years well: “John was such a competitor. He wanted to bat 1.000, so great was his desire to hit. You never saw the infielders creeping in when John was up. He was also an overpowering pitcher. I was constantly encouraging him to “reach back” and throw hard. Once he started throwing strikes, his confidence grew and he became one of the top American Legion pitchers in the state.” Mullen acknowledges his relationship with Burrill was tempestuous at time as harnessing his volcanic temper proved challenging to both strong-willed individuals. Fortunately, the avuncular presence of Luther Small buffered the rocky moments and John, like scores of Westbrook kids who played for Jimmy and Luther, is grateful for the unrivaled dedication to player development of that veteran duo. After a two-year stint at Leicester Junior College in Massachusetts, John attended the University of New Hampshire and finished up his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Maine. In 1973, at age 19, John began a 9-year career playing for the South Portland Merchants in the Portland Twilight League under Coach Bob Philbrick. The Twilight League had gained a well-deserved reputation for attracting top-notch collegiate talent in the 1970’s and John enjoyed his most productive summers competing at that elite level. In 1976, John was named MVP of the league, hitting .370 and belting 18 home runs. Philbrick notes one Mullen record that’s unlikely to be broken: “John holds the unofficial record for the most balls hit over the railroad tracks at Deering Oaks.” At the urging of Jack Dawson, John applied for and got a job coaching baseball at Cheverus High School in 1979. From there everything fell into place as a teaching position opened up the following year and John taught English and History at the Jesuit school for 9 years before becoming assistant principal for 2 years and eventually making his way to the principal’s office where he has presided with distinction for the past 20 years. John served as varsity baseball coach for 6 years and was a stabilizing force of the program during a challenging time. Tony Dibiase, Maine Baseball Hall of Famer and a Westbrook High teammate of John, sums up his buddy’s legacy: “I have played a lot of baseball, both in the local area and at the University of Maine. Our team went to the College World Series of Omaha. I have watched many baseball players in my career. John Mullen is on my list as one of the top three hitters who hit the ball REALLY hard. Moreover, John Mullen is a Hall of Fame person and should be a member of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.” Well said, Tony. We heartily agree.

From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mullen_(baseball_executive) John W. Mullen (September 30, 1924 – April 3, 1991) was an American Major League Baseball executive from 1947 to 1991 with the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. Born in Maine, Mullen served as the farm system director and head of minor league operations with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves from 1960 to 1966. In 1967, Mullen became the executive assistant to the general manager of the Houston Astros. He served as acting general manager from July 10 to August 7, 1975, when Tal Smith assumed the permanent GM role. He remained with Houston until 1979. Mr. Mullen believed in developing players through the farm system. "Baseball has changed greatly because of escalating salaries and long-term, no-trade contracts," he said several years ago. "Signing and developing your own players is still the best avenue for success. Trading has become less and less important." Mr. Mullen was also instrumental in player movements leading to a division title in 1982. Mullen then returned to the Braves as their general manager in May 1979 after the sudden death of Bill Lucas. Led by sluggers Dale Murphy and Bob Horner, the Braves won the 1982 National League West Division championship during Mullen's tenure in this position. After being replaced by Bobby Cox in 1986, Mullen served as vice president and assistant general manager of the Braves until 1990. John Mullen died at age 66 in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, April 3, 1991. He was survived by his wife, Clair; a daughter, Kathleen; and two sons, Christopher and Richard. Said Cox upon Mullen's death, "John had been with the Braves since their Boston days. No one has done more for the Braves than John Mullen. We'll all miss him."

Warren “Sonny” Munsey was not only a great baseball player, he was a great athlete. One of the finest athletes to ever wear the colors of Morse High School. As a fearless catcher who hit tape-measure homers with regularity, Munsey led Morse to the state baseball championship in 1953. A year earlier, he led the football team to the state crown too. as he was 2 power-driving fullback. He also played basketball. His tenacity from the football field helped him out as a catcher. Munsey, a flawless fielder who had a career schoolboy average of .361, showed plenty of courage when he would block the plate in the best Mickey Owens style. The first Bath athlete to get a direct call from a major league club, Munsey played two years in the New York Yankee farm system before an arm injury cut short a promising career. While at the farm club in Bristol, Va., in 1954, Munsey was married to Carolyn Jane Herrin, then of West Bath, at home plate. Nevertheless, despite the excitement, Munsey paced his team to win that night with two singles and a double. An all-state catcher during his entire high school career, Munsey died unexpectedly in 1973, at the tender age of 38. In his honor each year, the Smith Tobey Post (a team he helped gain two state Legion titles) gives out a sportsmanship award to a Bath youngster.

Best pitch veteran catcher-umpire Frank J. Naples ever made didn’t come on the baseball field. Because of an outstanding record as a welder in the East Shipyard, South Portland, Naples was tapped to christen the only Navy ship to be launched there. Naples scored a direct hit on the bow of the Ut. S. S. Coasters Harbor in 1943. Naples played three sports for four years at Cheverus High, and felt fortunate to have as a standout teammate William (Hooker) Foley in many memorable late ‘20's and early ‘30*s contests. Naples caught for the Portland Boys’ Club in the Portland Mercantile League and several area Twilight League teams before “finding a second home’ behind the plate. He umpired baseball for 40 years in area Twi, Sunset, Casco Bay and Mercantile leagues. Naples helped organize and was a charter member and third president of the Western Maine Board of Umpires. He also played softball for the CIO at the S.P. Shipyard and other Portland League clubs, and later umpired that sport. Naples was instrumental in shaping the Southwestern Maine Veterans’ softball tournament in the mid-40's. He was in much demand as a basketball referee, officiating local Lee Recreation League games for a decade. Naples couldn't resist a four-year coaching role with the local Marine Reserves basketball team. It was “rocking chair” duty, claimed Naples. At his disposal were such talented shooters and ball handlers as Phil Legere, Brad Mulkern, Pete Colello, Jenny Lee, Tommy Murphy, Bill Moran, Tom Kiley, Johnny McCarthy and Criqui Mallia.

Frank Nappi was Portland High School's last four letter man and earned an amazing fifteen varsity letters at P.H.S. Although Frank was certainly a “man for all seasons" for P.H.S. in the early 1950's, it was in the spring that his star shone brightest. During his four years of varsity baseball, Portland High had four winning seasons, highlighted by a 14-2 record during his senior year. he captained that 1953 squad to the Telegram League title. Tonight, Frank joins teammate Willie Greenlaw and Coach Edson in the Maine hall. In addition to his timely hitting and outstanding fielding at third base, Nappi was known for his exceptionally strong throwing arm. He also used that powerful right arm to quarterback P.H.S. to the 1952 state football championship and to win both the 1953 Maine and New England High School javelin titles. Opting to continue his education, Frank turned down opportunities to join the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees farm system teams. After a year at Milford, Conn., Prep, Nappi went on to play three years of football and baseball at the Univ. of Nebraska. in his junior year, he led the Cornhuskers in batting (.324) and sparked them to a second place finish in the Big Eight Conference. In the mid and late 1950's, Frank played several seasons in Portlands Twilight League. He was an integral part of three championship teams and was consistently among the league's leading hitters (.417 in 1955 & .391 in 1956). From Nebraska, Nappi joined the U.S. Army where he again excelled in several sports. While at Fort Dix, NJ, he was all-Army at half-back, as well as all-Army javelin champion (teammate of Olympian Don Bragg). Despite splitting his time between the infield and outfield tor the Fort Dix Burros, Frank was twice chosen for all-Army honors. After considering offers from the AFL New York Titans and another pro baseball bid, Nappi decided to complete his college career. At Austin Peay State College, Frank was a 1962 Tennessee Valley All Conference baseball selection. Frank then spent five years teaching and coaching in Trenton, NJ, followed by two decades in the civil service as the Fort Dix Youth Director. After retirement, Sally and Frank returned to Portland, where Frank has been involved in various sports, youth and community organizations. From Legacy Pages ~ Portland Press Herald Frank Nappi, 74 BUXTON -- Frank Nappi, 74, a Portland native, born May 21, 1934 and a graduate of Portland High School in 1953 passed away peacefully on Oct. 8, 2008 Frank has received many awards etc. for his dedication to athletics such as: Enshrinement into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1990; The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, 1994. He is also an original member of the Sports Legends Association.

Portland Press Herald 3/25/1979 Dr. William R and David D. Needelman, Portland, become the first brothers selected. Both began as brilliant baseball players at Portland high and continued to excel at Bowdoin College. World War I delayed the education of Bill Needelman, but he came out of army service a mature, poised man who captained the Polar Bear nine in 1920. Bill's time away from the sports field enabled younger brother Dave to join him on the diamond, a reunion that worked to Bowdoin's advantage.

Portland Press Herald 3/25/1979 Dr. William R and David D. Needelman, Portland, become the first brothers selected. Both began as brilliant baseball players at Portland high and continued to excel at Bowdoin College. World War I delayed the education of Bill Needelman, but he came out of army service a mature, poised man who captained the Polar Bear nine in 1920. Bill's time away from the sports field enabled younger brother Dave to join him on the diamond, a reunion that worked to Bowdoin's advantage.