Talk:Orlando Flyers
From BR Bullpen
Some of this should probably be moved to the talk page, while some would make good content. I have a 1958 Guide so can supply some 1957 stats when we tease out the relevant information. - --Mischa 19:58, 7 Jun 2006 (EDT)
I find first hand accounts from players incredibly fascinating. The entry should be kept whole somehow, and the relevant info should be in the article. --Just me 20:16, 7 Jun 2006 (EDT)
[edit] Original Anecdote
I played for the Orlando Flyers in 1958. My name is Gerald Manale. The club was owned by Robert Feemster who owned the Wall Street Journal. It was an independent team and had no affiliation with any major league team although there seemed to be a working agreement between the Toronto Maple Leafs of the triple A International league, the Chicago White Sox, and the Orlando team. Charlie Grant was the playing manager. He played the previous year for Toronto. Ty Braziel was the first baseman and the bus driver. I played shortstop mainly but, as a result of having so few players, I also played every other position save pitcher, catcher, centre field, and left field. In 1958 Cuban players were trying to escape the mess in Cuba between Castro and Batista and so we had Roberto Paul playing third base and Rogelio Rodriguez in left field. Lawson Mitchell played centre field. Wayne Lanter and Larry Torkelson were the catchers and Eddie Miller Jr.(the son of Eddie Miller, the Phillies major leaguer) played shortstop for a short time before being released. The pitchers I can recall were Bill Frencl(released), Bobby Wright, Mike Eastman (who later became a scout), Nelson Skuce and a black pitcher who's last name was Grant. Mitchell, Skuce and I were from Toronto and were signed by Toronto after playing sandlot ball there. As I recall other events I will record them on this site. By the way we were not a very good team. I believe we finished either last or close to it in both halves of the season. We played at Tinker Field which was across from Lake Lorna Doone and in the same area of Orlando as the football stadium which held some bowl games.
