Clifford Rankin “Pat” CRAWFORD

1902 - 1994  (91 years)

• Name	Clifford Rankin “Pat” CRAWFORD  [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Birth	28 Jan 1902	Society Hill, South Carolina
  Gender	Male
  Education	he graduated from Sumter High School, Sumter, South Carolina, in 1919 where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball; he went on to Davidson College in North Carolina and starred in basketball and baseball and graduated with honors in 1923
  HIST	Is this the correct Clifford “Pat” Crawford in the article that follows? jkh Source says he was 89- but if he was born in 1902 he would have been eith 90 or 91 years of age. Date Published: August 2, 2009 Sumter's Crawford a World Series champion Cardinal; local boy dies of polio CLIFFORD “PAT” CRAWFORD By HUBERT OSTEEN Item Editor Hubert@theitem.com 75 YEARS AGO - 1934 Week of Sept. 27-Oct. 3 The World Series opened in Detroit between the hometown Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals, whose ace pitcher Dizzy Dean shut down the American League champions in an 8-3 victory during which the Detroit infield made five errors. Sumter hometowner Clifford “Pat” Crawford was a member of the Cardinals squad. In a sidebar on Crawford's Sumter connection, the story stated that the utility infielder was a graduate of Sumter High School where he was a star athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He went from Sumter High to Davidson College, excelling in baseball and basketball. After graduating, he entered professional baseball, playing with a number of minor league teams before being called up in 1929 to the major leagues, first playing with the New York Giants managed by Hall of Famer John McGraw for almost two seasons, joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1930 for the remainder of that season, returned to the minors and then on to the Cardinals in 1933. According to the story, “Pat has many friends here who are pulling for him in this series. Mrs. Lionel Best of this city is a sister of Crawford.” Born in Society Hill, Crawford moved with his family to Sumter at a young age. He played for four years in the majors, ending his career in 1934 following the Cardinals' World Series victory over the Tigers, four games to three. Item file photo Sumter High School Gamecocks playing in 1959 were, foreground from left: Lonnie Caughman, Doug Patterson, Bill James (top) and Doug Patterson;back row: Mike Strange, Sha Gaillard, Jerry Lucas, Buddy Ray Smith, Jan Warner, Butch Tisdale and Harvey Sims. More on Pat Crawford: His first hit in the majors was a pinch-hit sixth-inning grand slam home run against the Boston Braves in 1929. His name entered the record books along with Les Bell of the Braves who duplicated the feat with a grand slam against Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell in the next inning, the only time in baseball history that two pinch-hit grand slam home runs were struck in the same game. Before Crawford joined the Cardinals in 1933, he played in the American Association minor league for the Columbus Red Birds and was named Most Valuable Player in1932. He compiled a lifetime .280 batting average during his four years in the majors, and his best season at the plate was in 1929 with the Giants when he hit .298 in 65 games. After ending his professional baseball career following the 1934 World Series, he moved to Morehead City, N.C., in 1937 and purchased a 20-acre site. The following year he and his wife Sarah founded Camp Morehead By-The-Sea for boys and girls and operated it for 22 years. He also coached athletics at Gastonia High School, Guilford College and Ohio State University; served as director of physical education in Goldsboro, N.C.; and served as superintendent of recreation for the City of Kinston, N.C., for several years. He was one of the initial inductees into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 11, 1983. When Crawford died on Jan. 25, 1994, at the age of 91 in Morehead City, he was the last living member of the St. Louis Cardinals' famed “Gashouse Gang” that won the 1934 World Series. He is believed to be the first Sumterite who played in the major leagues, played on a league championship team and in a World Series as a member of a winning team. In local sports, Sumter High's Gamecocks won their second game of the season, blanking Camden High 19-0. It was also the team's second shutout, the first a 40-0 whitewashing of Andrews in the season opener. Sumter was led on offense by quarterback O.V. Player and halfback Tracy Chewning, who each scored. Player also tossed a touchdown pass to Hartwell Goodson for the final score. Leading the line play both on offense and defense were Alford, Reardon and Kirkley. The Better Citizenship Program for boys sponsored by the YMCA was attracting a large amount of participation as it officially began during the week. Three divisions of boys will compete: the Friendly Indians for boys 9,10 and 11 years old; the Pioneers, boys 12 and 13; and Hi-Y, boys 14 and up. The program for the contest, which will last seven months, is a four-square one with development of the boy physically, mentally, religiously and socially as a basis for all the points awarded. All boys making an average of 85 percent of all points possible will be officials during Boys' Week in May. The winner in the Hi-Y group will act as Sumter's boy mayor, receive a solid gold medal and a trip to Washington, D.C. Winners in the first two groups will serve as city councilmen, receive medals and a trip to Washington. The next five in each of the three groups will get a free trip to the beach for four or five days in addition to other awards. Phil Booth III served as mayor during the past May. Sumter County Fair secretary J. Cliff Brown announced a beauty contest would be staged during fair week on Tuesday night, Oct. 30. The queen will be crowned “Miss Sumter County Fair,” and the contest will be open to young ladies from Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties, 15 years and up. Contestants will be requested to wear evening dresses. The winner will be awarded a beautiful prize, Brown said. The Sumter County Game and Fish Association began a membership campaign for citizens interested in the conservation and propagation of wildlife and the development of natural resources of the county, according to M.S. Boykin, president. The membership fee is $1, half of which goes to the state association. Among the accomplishments of the local chapter were the securing of game sanctuaries for the county upon which feed is planted and the game protected; initiating work on a county fish hatchery; bringing a state forestry park to the county upon which work will begin on Oct. 1; and the approval of a state-owned forestry area that is expected to be approved by the government and will become the first development of its kind in the state. Sumter Shoe Store announced it would open for business on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 5 S. Main St. in the Pierson Building. The store is the 11th in the chain which operates in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Its manager will be I. Simon, who described the business as “a family shoe store.” In other business news, the A&P store, which has been located at 23 W. Liberty St. for many years, is moving to the corner of West Liberty and Sumter streets, former location of the A.J. Hatfield business. The annual meeting of the Cain's Mill Club was held Monday, Oct. 1, in the new club house recently erected to replace the old building that burned in a spring fire. Newly elected officers were: H.L. Palmer, president; E.P. DuRant, vice president; and Julius R. Chandler, secretary and treasurer. Committees were authorized to investigate the cost of repairing the dam, recently washed out, and to take steps to provide a lighting system for the club house. Advertisements during the week: Sumter Shoe Store at 5 S. Main St. opened for business on Saturday, Sept. 29, with its shoes for the family priced from $1.98 to $3.98. Ness' at 11 S. Main St. was holding its first fall two-day special dress sale, noting in the ad that “Mrs. Ness made a special trip to New York for these wonderful values. These dresses consist of silks and wools, one and two-piece suits; also tunic effects. All sizes, styles and colors.” The dresses were selling at special prices, $6.95 and $5.95, or two for $7.90, alterations extra. Belk-Robinson Co. on South Main offered “Values that appeal to thrifty shoppers” in a large ad that included a special sale of fur-trimmed coats for $14.95 and silk dresses for $4.95 for the ladies, plus men's shirts in broadcloth for 77 cents and boys' school clothes, sweaters and knickers for 98 cents, “Tom Sawyer” shirts for boys in all colors along with the guarantee, “A new shirt if it fades,” priced at 79 cents for two for $1.50. Yank Blanding advertised a chicken supper on Saturday night, 6 to 11, at American Tea Room Café, 6 E. Liberty St. Playing at the Rex Theatre: “She Learned About Sailors” starring Lew Ayres and Alice Faye showed on Thursday, Sept. 27, followed on Friday by “Stamboul Quest,” starring Myrna Loy and George Brent, while Saturday's feature film was a departure from the usual shoot ‘em up, “Midnight Alibi,” starring Richard Barthelmess, Helen Lowell and Ann Dvorak, a drama based on a popular magazine story by Damon Runyon. Another chapter in “The Vanishing Shadow” serial was also on tap. Monday kicked off with “Handy Andy” starring Will Rogers and Peggy Wood for a two-day run, while Wednesday featured the first big stage and screen show of the season. On stage was Charlie Mack's “Parade of Smiles,” a vaudeville show starring 18 dancers and comedians, while on the screen it was “Hold That Girl” starring John Boles and Claire Trevor for a two-day run. 50 YEARS AGO - 1959 Week of Sept. 12-19 Sumter County's first polio death of the year was reported by the City County Health Department on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The victim was 12-year-old William J. Camardese Jr., son of Master Sgt. and Mrs. William J. Camardese of Shaw Air Force Base. He was stricken with bulbar poliomyelitis last week and died at Columbia Hospital on Monday, Sept. 14. A brother, Michael, 4, was stricken with non-paralytic polio at the same time and is in satisfactory condition at Columbia Hospital. According to the story, William Jr. had one shot of Salk vaccine in 1956, while his younger brother has not received any immunization. These two cases bring to five the number of polio cases reported in Sumter County this year, four non-paralytic. Other local news: Well-known Sumter businessman Jack Parker Smith, 53, of 18 Glendale Court, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Tuomey Hospital. He was manager of Liberty Life Insurance Co. in Sumter for 31 years, a graduate of Sumter High School and attended the University of South Carolina. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Elks Club. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ard Smith; one daughter, Sandra; two brothers, Sidney and Harry Smith of Sumter; and four sisters, Mrs. John A. Hughes of Highland, N.C., Mrs. L.C. Merritt, Mrs. James Deaton and Mrs. Robert Saffold, all of Sumter. Photo provided Sumterite Pat Crawford is shown coaching boys at his Camp Morehead By-the_Sea in North Carolina. He played on the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1930s. T.W. Savage was recovering at Tuomey Hospital from head injuries after being struck by a go-kart at the Cane Savannah track during a race on Sunday, Sept. 13. The driver of the go-kart, Barbara McCoy, suffered a broken arm. Trinity Methodist Church pastor The Rev. John Shingler and Mrs. Shingler greeted church members and friends at the new parsonage on Winn Street, and were shown in an Item photo greeting former Mayor W.E. Bynum and Mrs. Bynum. Dr. H.I. Mercer was elected commander of American Legion Post 15 at its first meeting of the fall. The District 2 school board in Clarendon County announced it had turned down requests to 32 black students who had requested transfer to East Clarendon High School. Reason given by the board was the requests came too late for the opening of schools. Districts 1 and 3 have yet to announce their decisions on other transfer requests from black students. In sports news, the Edmunds High Gamecocks ended a winless streak dating back to November 1956 when they defeated the Charleston High School Bantams 20-14, in Charleston. The Gamecocks were led by the running and passing of senior quarterback Joe Cannarella, who scored twice, while speedy halfback J.B. Bradley accounted for the final score. It was the first victory of the current season for the team, which had lost its opener to Camden, 27-20. Former Edmunds High fullback and tackle Pat Killen was expected to see plenty of action for Clemson's Tigers during the fall as a sophomore guard. Killen, 20, stands 6-2 and weighs 200 pounds. Clemson opens the season on Saturday at Chapel Hill against the North Carolina Tar Heels. At Gamecock Raceway, Charlton McLeod won his second main event in a row, followed by Jimmy Allsbrooks, Earnest Nicks, C.D. Galloway and H.C. Pritchard among the first five finishers. Advertisements during the week: Ness' on South Main was holding a ladies' hats sale in feathers, velvets, felts and silks, in all the latest fall colors and styles, selling from $3.98 to $8.98. Belk-Stroman also had a sale of its own famous Heiress nylons for 88 cents a pair. Playing at the downtown theaters: The Sumter was showing “Never Steal Anything Small,” starring James Cagney and Shirley Jones. It was followed by “The Beat Generation” starring Mamie Van Doren, Steve Cochran and Louis Armstrong. Coming Sunday was “Yellowstone Kelly” starring Clint Walker, Edward “Kookie” Byrnes and John “Lawman” Russell….At the Carolina, the feature was “Blue Denim,” starring Carol Lynley, Brandon deWilde and Macdonald Carey. Contact Editor Hubert Osteen at Hubert@theitem.com or (803)774-1298. Date Published: August 30, 2009 Crawford interviewed in hometown; Sumter fair kicks off Item file photo The caption for this 1959 picture reads: EVERYBODY'S HAPPY NOW -- Tom Brewer, Boston Red Sox hurler from Cheraw, and Robert Richardson, second baseman from Sumter, flank the Jaycees' Jimmy Kinney as the discuss the major league exhibition game to be played at Riley Park Saturday night. Kinney is chairman of the project. By HUBERT OSTEEN Item Editor Hubert@theitem.com 75 YEARS AGO – 1934 Week of Oct. 28-Nov. 3 The Sumter County Fair kicked off for a four-day run during the week, sponsored by Sumter American Legion Post 15 and chaired by J. Cliff Brown. A horse show was the first main event on Tuesday, Oct. 30, while on Wednesday horse races were staged, featuring harness races and flat racing. Also on the program were foot races by boys and an exhibition by YMCA boys, plus a beauty contest was held during which Grace Owens, sponsored by Sumter Gas Co., was crowned "Miss Sumter County Fair." Among the more unique races was one between grocery store delivery boys, won by Watford's Meat Market while H.J. Commins Grocery Store placed second and Cantey-Plowden third. The event attracting the largest attendance on Thursday was the annual tilting tournament, won by Knight Virgil Harvey of Elliott, witnessed by over 2,000 spectators under the chairmanship of S.A. Harvin. According to its sponsors, all attendance records were broken by the 1934 fair. Clifford "Pat" Crawford returned to Sumter for a visit with his sister, Alda Crawford Best, in the aftermath of the World Series won by his team, the St. Louis Cardinals, over the Detroit Tigers. Crawford played on the team during the season as a utility infielder and went hitless in two at-bats in the World Series. He was the subject of a lengthy interview by H.D. Osteen in which he discussed his professional baseball career that began in 1924. Osteen noted that Crawford graduated from Sumter High School in 1919 where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to Davidson College in North Carolina and starred in basketball and baseball. Graduating with honors from Davidson in 1923, he became a teacher and coach at the Gastonia, N.C., high school. "In the summer of 1923," Osteen wrote, "he was given $150 for his signature on a contract with the Charlotte baseball team, a member of the old South Atlantic League. At that time he was playing and managing the Lenoir, N.C., team, a semi-pro outfit in the Blue Ridge League. Cliff had not made up his mind at that time whether he wanted to become a professional ball player. Certain features of professional ball, such as Sunday games, were distasteful to him." However, by the spring 1924 Crawford signed on full-time with Charlotte and played in the South Atlantic League for four years, first in Charlotte and then to Greenville, for three seasons, playing first base and third base. He also managed the Greenville Spinners in 1925. In 1926 and 1927 Greenville won two successive pennants, with Crawford playing a key role with his hitting and fielding. "Attracted by his stellar play," the story went on, "John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants, personally scouted Cliff, watched him play two games and then purchased him from Greenville, paying the owners a fancy price for the young first baseman." By 1928 Crawford had obtained a position as coach of athletic teams at Guilford College in North Carolina. Osteen wrote: "Partly because of Sunday baseball and partly because of his position at Guilford, Cliff refused to report to the Giants at the opening of of the 1928 season." However, later in the season he relented and reported to McGraw, who sent him to Toledo, Ohio, for further seasoning. Before the season concluded he was recalled by the Giants and played with the team into 1930, when he was sold to Cincinnati, playing there for part of the season before he was sold to Hollywood, Calif., in the Pacific Coast League. Again, he refused to report because he didn't want to move his family to the west coast, having married and become the father of a young girl. As Osteen wrote, "Believing that he was through with professional baseball for good, Cliff entered college in Springfield, Mass., and began work on a masters degree in physical education." But Crawford's professional baseball career was far from over. The St. Louis Cardinals, impressed by his potential, picked up his contract and assigned him to the Columbus, Ohio, Senators (later to be renamed Red Birds), where he played sensationally in 1931 and 1932. He batted .374 in 1931 and .369 in 1932, leading his team in home runs and being named Most Valuable Player in the AA American Association. That led to him joining the Cardinals in 1933 and into 1934 as a member of a world championship team, the famed "Gashouse Gang" led by pitcher Dizzy Dean. Speaking of Dean, Crawford told Osteen: "Well, the Deans (Dizzy and brother Paul, also a pitcher) are just a couple of big country boys, good-hearted and hard-working. They are not nearly as wild as pictured. Neither one drinks nor dissipates in any way. Dizzy is married and Paul boards with his brother and sister-in-law. Mrs. Dean accompanies her husband on all his trips, not because she is needed to hold him down, but because she loves baseball and is interested in Dizzy's career. Both boys are swell pitchers (Dizzy won 30 games in the 1934 season). Paul is probably just as good as Dizzy but hasn't had as much experience. I don't believe there will be any trouble over signing up the Deans for another season with the Cardinals." Osteen concluded the article by stating: "Always noted for the fine type of life he has led, Cliff reflects great credit on organized baseball. He has made a business of baseball, but when he discards his spiked shoes for the last time, he will be ready to step into private life with the certainty that a steady income awaits him in the field of physical education." In other news, a newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. John Witherspoon, were painfully injured when their car collided with a truck near Rembert on Sunday, Nov.2, as they were beginning their honeymoon trip shortly after their marriage. The accident occurred when Mr. Witherspoon was turning his car around to return to the city for his overcoat, which he had forgotten. Both Witherspoons are recuperating in Tuomey Hospital. The Sumter High Gamecocks won an easy 32-0 victory over Kingstree High School on the home field, led by the passing and running of O.V. Player and the running of Tracy Chewning. Next up for the Hugh Stoddard-coached squad is Florence High School, also on the Sumter field. Advertisements during the week: Sumter Marble and Granite Works urged Sumter County fair-goers to visit its booth at the fair, noting in the ad it was "Eastern Carolina's largest and oldest monumental plant" and "the only manufacturer in Sumter." J.P. Commander is owner of the firm, which is located at the corner of Hampton Avenue and Magnolia Street. Also advertising in the special Sumter County Fair edition of The Item was John Evans, "Carolina's largest and best equipped garage" where "Wheels aligned to run and steer like new." The business is located at 108 E. Liberty St. H.C. Bland Motor Co. at 8-18 N. Sumter St. offered "Automobile bargains" on its used Fords, ranging in price from $185 to $495. The Capitol Department Store at 37-39 N. Main St. advertised "Hundreds of new dresses" in woolen, silks, plaids and stripes, priced from $3.85 to $5.75 – "Our buyer is now in New York and is surely 'picking them.' New frocks arriving daily." Playing at the Rex Theatre: Monday and Tuesday the feature film was "Servants' Entrance" starring Janet Gaynor and Lew Ayres, followed on Wednesday by "Big Hearted Herbert," starring Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee. Thursday and Friday it was "Hide Out" starring Robert Montgomery and Maureen O'Sullivan. The Saturday shoot 'em up was "Straightaway" starring Tim McCoy and Ward Bond, plus Chapter 4 in the "Red Rider" serial. Item file photo From 1959 -- LET IT RAIN, SNOW OR SLEET, you'll get your paper, thanks to the carrier perseverance personified here by Julian Hynds, ready for a rainy day delivery of The Item. The Item joins the nation in saluting all carriers today, National Newspaper Boy Day. 50 YEARS AGO – 1959 Week of Oct. 12-19 Fair week in Sumter was also kicking off with J. Cliff Brown still the manager, as he was 25 years earlier. It featured an Amusements of America Midway along with all the agricultural departments and exhibits. A highlight of the first day was an open-air concert by the Ninth Air Force concert band stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. Prizes were awarded by the Sumter Merchants Association during the week, along with prizes in the cattle and poultry competitions. The Item celebrated the 65th anniversary of its founding by H.G. Osteen with a special 80-page progress edition. Youth carriers who normally deliver by bicycles will be assisted by parents in their automobiles. The anniversary edition was distributed on the anniversary day, Thursday, Oct. 15. A 30-year-old Sumter man employed by Sumter Builders was electrocuted while attempting to install a 7,200-volt power line on a pole near Lexington. He was identified as Walter E. Hughes, who was married with one child. J. Clarke Hughes, owner of Hughes Tire Service, was elected president of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce, succeeding William B. Boyle. E.C. Stroman was elected vice president and Harry E. Wilkinson Jr. treasurer. The Chamber board also accepted an invitation from the Pinewood chamber to take over the promotion of the Lone Star-Rimini bridge across the Santee River and of securing rights of way to make the Pinewood Road a Class A state highway. Chamber of Commerce Executive Secretary Worth D. Holder appeared before City Council to reconsider its decision three weeks earlier to scrap plans for a much needed $2 million capital improvement bond issue because of public apathy. He pointed out that the Chamber had re-endorsed the proposal in support of the Sumter Jaycees offer to continue solicitation of petition signatures from property owners to call for a bond election. Mayor S.A. Harvin promised Holder and Chamber directors that City Council would give the matter its consideration. Sports news: The Sumter High Gamecocks delighted the home crowd with a 32-0 pasting of the visiting North Charleston Blue Devils. Harvey Sims, Lonnie Caughman and Joe Cannarella led the Gamecocks' punishing ground attack, running up 289 yards. Sims and Caughman scored twice and Cannarella tallied another TD on a quarterback sneak. Upsets and near-upsets marked the first round of action in the men's club championship at Sunset Country Club. The biggest upset was Isadore Denemark's 2-up win over former champion Beau Graham. Lou Degenhardt took defending champion E.H. Moses III to the limit before losing on the 19th hole. In the women's club championship, Myrt Riccoboni will square off against Annette Roddey in the finals match. Mrs. Riccoboni won her semifinal against Sis Bradham, 4 and 2, while Miss Roddey downed Minnie DesChamps 3 and 2 in their match. In college football, Clemson maintained its perfect Atlantic Coast Conference record by blanking N.C. State, 23-0, while South Carolina was upset by North Carolina 19-6. Clemson's record in the conference stands at 3-0 while USC is 1-1 in ACC play. Clemson and Carolina will square off in the annual Big Thursday contest in Columbia on Oct. 22. Newberry shut out Carson-Newman 28-0 as Sumter's Wyman Taylor scored the first touchdown for the Indians and kicked the extra point. Sumter sports fans were looking forward to a Saturday game at Riley Park between major leaguers, with Sumter's Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees playing on one of the squads.The major leaguers, most of them natives of South Carolina and North Carolina, are on a barnstorming trip sponsored by the Carolina Major League Players Tour. The exhibition game is being held under the auspices of the Sumter Junior Chamber of Commerce. Richardson's team is captained by Billy O'Dell of the Baltimore Orioles while the other team's captain is Tom Brewer of the Boston Red Sox, both pitchers. Advertisements during the week: Home Federal Savings and Loan at 208 N. Main St. was promoting its new time and temperature sign, "Conveniently located in front of our offices in the heart of downtown Sumter." Hill Plumbing Co. at 29 Dugan St. in its ad touted "41 years of plumbing experience" in commercial and residential service, offering bathroom and kitchen fixtures, plus installations and repairs at reasonable rates along with up-to-date Goulds and Jacuzzi fixtures. Edward's on North Main Street was offering ladies' rayon panties, four pairs for $1, men's underwear, three for $1, and boys' polo shirts, two for $1. Playing at the downtown theaters: "Count Your Blessings" starring Deborah Kerr, Rossano Brazzi and Maurice Chevalier was featured at the Sumter, followed by a double feature, "Diary of a High School Bride" and "Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow." Coming next was "The Jayhawkers" starring Jeff Chandler and Fess Parker. At the Carolina, "The Blue Angel" starring May Britt and Curt Jurgens was shown into the week, followed by "The House of the Baskervilles" starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Beginning Sunday was Robert Mitchum and Julie London starring in "The Wonderful Country." Contact Editor Hubert Osteen at Hubert@theitem.com or (803)774-1298. Date Published: October 31, 2009 Crawford to join Sumter Sports HOF By DENNIS BRUNSON Item Sports Editor dennisb@theitem.com While researching The Item archives for a column, Item editor and chairman Hubert Osteen came across a story written by his father, H.D., in October of 1934, in which he interviewed a Major League Baseball player from Sumter named Clifford “Pat” Crawford. Having never heard his late father mention Crawford's name, Osteen began to do research on Crawford. What he found out that Crawford was a tremendous minor league player and had a respectable Major League career. “He was a special athlete who kind of got lost in the mist of time,” Osteen said of Crawford. “I'm glad I found him. (Item researcher) Sammy Way and I began to research him, and we came to the conclusion he needed to go in (to the Sumter Sports Hall of Fame).” Crawford will be inducted posthumously along with Tim Jones, Kenny Franklin, Harry Stokes and the late Jamacia Jackon on Thursday and awards dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Sumter located at 26 Council Street. “He was the first person from Sumter we know of who played in the Major Leagues and the first to play in a World Series,” Osteen said of Crawford, who passed away in 1994 at the age of 91 in Morehead City, N.C. Crawford played all or part of four seasons in the majors, all in the National League. He had a career batting average of .280, getting 182 hits in 651 at-bats. He had 23 doubles, five triples and nine home runs while driving 104 runs. His best season was in 1930 when he split the year between the New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds. Crawford batted .287 in 300 at-bats, with 10 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 43 runs batted in. Crawford was born in Society Hill in 1902 before moving to Sumter early in his life. He graduated high school in Sumter 1919 and went to Davidson College where he starred in baseball and basketball. After graduating from Davidson in 1923, he began his professional baseball career. As a minor leaguer, Crawford batted above .300 each season and had a career average of .347. While playing with Columbus of the American Association in 1931 and 1932 after breaking into the big leagues in 1929, Crawford batted .374 and .369, respectively. He was the league's most valuable player in '32 when he also hit 30 home runs. Crawford was personally scouted by New York Giants Hall of Fame manager John McGraw and was signed by the organization. He broke in with the Giants in '29 and was traded to Cincinnati the following year. After the two-year hiatus in the minors, Crawford played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1933 and '34. He was part of the '34 World Series championship team that beat the Detroit Tigers in seven games. The 1934 team was also famous for the Gashouse Gang, which featured the likes of Dizzy Dean, Daffy Dean and Pepper Martin. “Well, the Deans are just a couple of big country boys, good-hearted and hard-working,” Crawford replied in H.D. Osteen's story. “They are not nearly as wild as pictured. Neither one drinks nor dissipates in any way.” Crawford's final two professional at-bats came in the World Series, and he was hitless in both. He contracted blood poisoning from an operation in 1935, leaving him with a stiff joint and he never played professionally again. Reach Sports Editor Dennis Brunson at dennisb@theitem.com or (803) 774-1241. Date Published: November 6, 2009 5 inducted to Hall Trevor Zion Bauknight / The Item Inductees and family members of the 2009 class of the Sumter Athletic Hall of Fame at Thursday's banquet at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club gymnasium. Left to right: Betty Ray Evans Murrell and Fran Crawford Sauls, first cousin and niece, respectively, of inductee Pat Crawford; inductee Harry Stokes; Rev. James and Cleo Jackson, parents of inductee Jamacia Jackson; Ella Jean Vaughn, mother of inductee Kenny Franklin; inductee Tim Jones. By TREVOR ZION BAUKNIGHT Item Sports Writer TBauknight@theitem.com Five athletes made up the 2009 class of the Sumter Sports Hall of Fame, which was inducted at a banquet on Thursday at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club gymnasium at the old Council Street campus of Sumter High. Former Eau Claire High School basketball coach George Glymph entertained those in attendance with a humorous keynote, in which he spoke of his “three C’s”, creed, code and character, keys, Glymph said, to success. Former track and field athlete Kenny Franklin, a 1995 graduate of Sumter High School, was the first inductee. Franklin, who lives and coaches track in Bridgeport, Conn., could not attend the banquet, and his mother, Ella Jean Vaughn, accepted the award on his behalf. He was introduced by Sumter High principal Rutledge Dingle, who said Franklin was his dream athlete as his track coach at SHS. Franklin won individual 4A state championships in the long jump and triple jump and was a member of the state champion 4x400-meter relay team, as well. He led the Gamecocks to a team track and field title in 1995 and went on to Clemson University, where he was a seven-time All-American and three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer. Former New York Yankees great and Sumterite Bobby Richardson introduced the next inductee, Harry Stokes. Stokes coached the Sumter American Legion Post 15 baseball team from 1953 to 1958, posting a 60-37 record and leading the team to the 1954 district championship. Richardson credited Stokes with helping him develop as a baseball player. The Item’s Hubert Osteen was called on to introduce another professional baseball great from Sumter, Clifford Rankin “Pat” Crawford, whose niece Fran Crawford Sauls accepted his award. Osteen recalled researching Pat Crawford’s accomplishments in old editions of The Item and said that Crawford’s induction was long overdue, some 75 years after his final professional game. Crawford , a 1919 graduate of Sumter High, was a standout baseball player at Davidson College until his graduation in 1923. In 1924, he began a 10-year professional career that culminated in his being a member of the 1934 World Series Championship St. Louis team known affectionately as the “Gashouse Gang.” He achieved a lifetime batting average of .347 and was a utility infielder for the New York Giants, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cardinals. He went on to establish a summer camp at Morehead City, N.C. and passed away in 1994 at the age of 91. Former Sumter High coach Allen Johnson introduced inductee Tim Jones, a standout baseball player at Sumter High and the Citadel, where he became a third-team All-American selection in 1985, batting .429 and stealing 46 bases before being selected in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Jones made his Major League Baseball debut in 1988 and played all or part of the next sis seasons for the Cardinals as backup to Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith. Jones urged the audience members to heckle him occasionally to make him feel more comfortable in front of a large group, to give him the feeling of being in the New York Mets’ Shea Stadium. He spoke of his strong family support in helping him achieve his potential and credited Sumter Sports Hall of Famers Johnson, Richardson and Hugh Betchman with giving him good guidance, urging him to attend The Citadel and to believe in himself. “I thought I was good, and if you think you’re good, the only thing to do is get out there and practice and practice and get better,” Jones said. “ Sumter High head football coach Paul Sorrells introduced the final inductee, former SHS and University of South Carolina standout free safety Jamacia Jackson, who as a junior broke Freddie Solomon’s school single-season records for rushing yards (2,187) and rushing touchdowns (32). Jackson was named most valuable defensive player in the Shrine Bowl and started 21 games at safety for USC before going on to play in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before passing away of natural causes. Jackson’s parents, Rev. James and Cleo Jackson, accepted his award, recalling “Puddin’” Jackson’s vivacious personality and love of life. 'Pat' Crawford: A new type of big leaguer 'Pat' Crawford: A new type of big leaguer Shown are "Pat Crawford" and his 1919 Sumter High Baseball Team. BY SAMMY WAY Item Archivist Part two of our series on baseball in the Sumter community features Clifford R. "Pat" Crawford, a product of the Sumter school system. The following article by H. D. Osteen was printed in The Sumter Daily Item on Oct. 29, 1934. The article gives the reader a glimpse of a major league athlete who approached the game with excitement and respect. Crawford rapidly became one of the most respected and successful players in the Carolina league. His career, which was cut short by illness, and his baseball accomplishments are scarcely known in the community where he was born. The decision was made to reprint a major portion of the article with the intent of providing our readers a glimpse at a man who not only assisted his team in winning a World Series, but also helped instill a degree of pride and honor to the sport of baseball. CLIFFORD 'PAT' CRAWFORD: Clifford 'Pat' Crawford, pinch hitting star of the St. Louis Cardinals, who was visiting his sister, Mrs. Lionel Best, this week, is a shining example of the high-type of athlete that are fast finding their way into big league baseball. Highly educated, 'Pat' is well prepared for the time when his baseball playing days will inevitably come to an end. In his early thirties now, in perfect physical condition, 'Pat' bids fair ( has the ability) to remain a top-ranking player for a good many years yet, but he has not lost sight of the fact that sooner or later he will have to step out of organized baseball. Clifford, as he was always known in Sumter until he acquired his nickname of 'Pat,' graduated from Sumter High School in 1919. In his high school days, he distinguished himself in football, basketball and baseball. He played all three sports equally well. He entered Davidson College where he starred on the basketball court and on the baseball diamond. Clifford was unanimously elected captain of the Wildcat 1923 baseball squad. He earned his baseball letter in his freshman year and was selected as captain of the basketball team as a senior. Clifford was an athlete, as well as a religious leader on the Davidson campus, serving as president of the Y.M.C.A. He did not let his skill in baseball go to his head, however, as so many young athletes do. He graduated from Davidson with honors and stepped into a position of coach and teacher in the Gastonia, N.C., high schools. In the summer of 1923, he was given $150 for his signature on a contract with the Charlotte baseball team, a member of the old South-Atlantic league. At that time he was playing and managing the Lenoir, N.C., team, a semi-pro outfit in the Blue Ridge league. Cliff had not made up his mind at that time whether he wanted to become a professional ball player. Certain features of professional ball, such as Sunday games, were distasteful to him. In the spring of 1924, while he was coaching at Gastonia, the question of his reporting for duty with the Charlotte team came up. Cliff asked Felix Hayman, owner of the Charlotte team, to allow him to play semi-pro ball with the Abbeville, S.C., team during the summer. Hayman told him that he would let him go to Abbeville on condition that he would report to Charlotte if he was needed. "I packed up and went to Abbeville," Cliff said, "arriving there on a Friday. I worked out with the team Saturday and was all set to play Monday. Sunday I received a wire from Mr. Hayman telling me to report at once to take the place of the regular first baseman who had been injured. So without playing a single game with Abbeville, I boarded the train for Charlotte and began my professional baseball career on Monday at first base." "I played first base for Charlotte until the regular first baseman had recovered from his injuries. I was then shifted to third base, replacing the regular third baseman." Cliff played in the South Atlantic league for four years, going from Charlotte to Greenville, where he remained three years. In 1925, his first year with Greenville, he managed the team. The year before, while he was still with Charlotte, he was drafted by Chattanooga of the Southern league, but refused to report because of several factors, one of them being Sunday baseball. In 1926 and 1927 Cliff was a big factor in the winning of successive pennants by the Greenville team. Attracted by his stellar play, John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants, personally scouted Cliff, watched him play two games and then purchased him from Greenville paying the owners a fancy price for the young first baseman. McGraw later proclaimed that he would not take $150,000 for Crawford, which many sports writers proclaimed "makes Mr. Crawford the most valuable South Carolinian in existence." Meanwhile, Cliff had obtained a position as coach of athletic teams at Guilford College. Partly because of his position at Guilford, Cliff refused to report to the Giants at the opening of the 1928 season. Later in the season, however, he reported to McGraw, and after being with the team for two weeks was sent to Toledo for further seasoning. He was recalled by the Giants near the end of the season and remained with the New York team through half of the 1930 season. He was then sold to Cincinnati and, after playing there for part of the season, was sold to Hollywood, mainly because he did not want to get so far away from home, especially as he had now become the proud father of a fine little girl. Believing that he was through with professional baseball for good, Cliff entered college in Springfield Mass., and began work on his M. A. degree in physical education. Cliff proved a sensation with the Columbus team. He played with this outfit for two seasons, 1931 and 1932. His batting average the first year was .374, and his second- year average was .369. He also led the team in home runs and in 1932 was voted the most valuable player in the league. He was recalled by the Cardinals in 1933 and has been with the team since then. Cliff is a first baseman by training and prefers this position over all others. He is also quite at home at second or third base. He is an unusually good hitter and during the past season has served the Cardinals mainly in a pinch-hitting role. He played in 79 games during the past season and compiled a batting average of .275. For a pinch-hitter this is considered a remarkably fine record. Crawford seldom strikes out. During last season the number of times he fanned could be counted on the fingers of one hand. In the World Series he was put in as a pinch hitter twice. He hit the second ball pitched on occasions, grounding into the infield the first time and clouting a long foul ball toward deep right field on his second appearance. In discussing the role of a pinch-hitter, Cliff dispelled the illusion that his object was to sock a home run. On the contrary, a pinch-hitter, he said, seldom takes a full swing at the ball. He usually chokes his bat and attempts to connect solidly for a safe hit, without exerting all his strength in trying for an extra-base clout. The heavy swingers strike out quite often, but a pinch-hitter is expected to hit safely if possible. "What do you think of the Cardinals' chances to win the pennant again next year?" Cliff was asked. "I think our chances are good," he replied. "With the addition of another pitcher and possibly an outfielder or two, I see no reason why the Cardinals, as at present constituted, should not cop the National League pennant again." Whether he will be with the Cardinals again next year or not, Cliff was unable to answer. Baseball contracts are mailed out in January usually and until then players are kept pretty much in the dark. "I will be delighted to play with the Cardinals," Clifford's added, "even though I am not given the opportunity of holding down a regular post. Last season I was ready to step in at first base for Collins if he had suffered an injury, but Jim played every inning of every game and was one of the big reasons for the Cardinals winning the flag." "What about the Dean boys, Cliff?" "Well the Deans are just a couple of big country boys, goodhearted and hard-working. They are not nearly as wild as pictured. Neither one neither drinks nor dissipates in any way. Dizzy is married and Paul boards with his brother and sister-in-law. Mrs. Dean accompanies her husband on all his trips, not because she is needed to hold him down, but because she loves baseball and is interested in Dizzy's career. Both boys are swell pitchers. Paul is probably just as good as Dizzy, but hasn't had as much experience. I don't believe there will be any trouble over signing up the Deans for another season with the Cardinals. Your guess about the salary they will receive is just as good as mine. The real salaries of baseball players are seldom divulged by the owners of big league teams." From Sumter, Cliff plans to go to Cheraw for a few days where he will assist his brother, Lafon Crawford, with his coaching duties at the high school. Cliff is a football as well as baseball fan and has made a study of the gridiron sport with a view to a coaching position when his diamond days are over. After his stay in Cheraw Cliff will visit his wife's people in Kinston, N.C., and then he and the missus and daughter will motor to Florida for the remainder of the winter and for spring baseball practice. Always noted for the fine type of life he has led, Cliff reflects great credit on organized baseball. He has made a business of baseball but when he (dons) his spiked shoes for the last time he will be ready to step into private life with the certainty that a steady income awaits him in the field of physical education. Clifford Rankin "Pat" Crawford died on January 15, 1994, in Morehead City, N.C. He had a lifetime batting average of .280. In 1934 he played for the Cardinals famous "Gas House Gang" where he served as utility player. He remains one of the few professional players whose first major league hit was a grand slam homerun. He accomplished this against the Boston Braves in 1929. Crawford entered the Kingston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 and was later selected as a member of the Davidson College Athletic Hall of Fame. Crawford's professional career spanned from 1929 to 1934 including several years as a scout and managing in the minor leagues. After retiring from the game he and his wife, Sarah, purchased 20 acres of land near Morehead City and operated Camp Morehead by the Sea until his death in 1994. Pat Crawford loved the game of baseball and his willingness and desire to play his best served as an example for many young players beginning their career in the sport. His athletic talent, strong religious faith and desire to serve mankind made Crawford an example of a true professional player and humanitarian. Reach Item archivist Sammy Way at (803) 774-1294. Posted in Reflections on Sunday, July 10, 2011  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Occupation	he became a teacher and coach at the Gastonia, North Carolina, high school- after graduating from Davidson in 1923, he began his professional baseball career  [1, 2]
  _UID	B5138CDD2E7C4ED19FABC1D9D62B256C7026
  Death	1994	Morehead City, North Carolina   [2]
  Person ID	I22313	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	14 Jul 2011

  
  

  Father	James Gibson CRAWFORD,   b. 1 Feb 1874, naar Latta, South Carolina d. 23 Oct 1944, Chesterfield County, South Carolina (Age 70 years)
  Mother	Sallie Ford EVANS,   b. 5 Jan 1882, Chesterfield County, South Carolina d. 30 Mar 1967, Orangeburg County, South Carolina (Age 85 years)
  Marriage	27 Jun 1900	Society Hill, South Carolina   [6]
  _UID	42950F4B2B3E467D96852E31CD411FD9DDB5
  _UID	42950F4B2B3E467D96852E31CD411FD9DDB5
  Family ID	F15733	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Unknown
  Marriage	27 Dec 1928  [6]
  _UID	C443021D77384BB2AEE105DB8A2266CB1E0F
  _UID	C443021D77384BB2AEE105DB8A2266CB1E0F
  Family ID	F15734	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	15 Jun 2000

  
  

• Sources

  [S12695] Crawford interviewed in hometown; Sumter fair kicks off. [S13074] Crawford to join Sumter Sports HOF. [S13089] 5 inducted to Hall. [S16312] People in Uniform. [S12541] Sumter’s Crawford a World Series champion Cardinal; local boy dies of polio. [S418] Lineage Chart 113, 113a Volume IV.