Sonny Gluck

Edward H. "Sonny" Gluck


Born:
April 20, 1902
New York, NY

Died:
February 1, 1973
New York, NY


Career
1922-23 Bronx Dodgers (Independent)
1922-23 Dexter Big Five (Independent)
1924-25 New York Cliftons (Independent)
1927-28 Philadelphia Warriors (ABL)
1928-29 New York Hakoahs (ABL)
1928-29 Brooklyn Dodgers (Independent)
1929-30 Philadelphia SPHA's (EBL)
1929-30 Passaic (Independent)
1930-31 Camden (EBL)
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Americans (MBL)
1932-33 Jersey City Palace Diamonds (MBL)
1933-34 Bronx Americans (ABL)
1934-35 Albany (NYSL)
1935-36 Passaic Reds (ABL)

Gluck played a little bit of basketball before signing with the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1927-28 season. He played one day with the club, coming off the bench in both games of a doubleheader against the Detroit Cardinals on January 2, 1928. He would go one to play another 8 seasons.

After a lengthy basketball career, Gluck became president of Gotham Pressed Steel Corporation. When the company was purchased by Servotronics, we would become involved in electronic games and was behind the development of electronic sports games.

Source:
N.Y. Times, February 3, 1973

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/sonny-gluck/

Joe Dreyfus

Joseph J. Dreyfus


Born:
December 11, 1892
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
April 25, 1974
Farmingdale, NY


Career
1913-14 Syracuse Stars (NYSL)
1913-14 Utica Indians (NYSL)
1914-15 Cohoes (NYSL)
1914-15 Kingston Colonials (NYSL)
1915-16 Rosedale (NJ) (Independent)
1915-16 Norwalk 6th Co. (Independent)
1915-16 Stamford Stamfords (IBL)
1916-17 Stamford Stamfords (IBL)
1916-17 Danbury Danburians (IBL)
1916-17 Newark Turners (IBL) Head coach / player
1916-17 Scranton Miners (PSL) played under the name "Barney"
1916-17 De Neri Duddies (EBL)
1917-18 Norwalk 1st Home Guard (CSL)
1917-18 De Neri Duddies (EBL)
1918-19 Newark Turners (Independent)
1918-19 Staten Island Minesweepers (Independent)
1918-19 Staten Island Downey Shipyard (Independent)
1919-20 Pittston (PSL)
1919-20 Jersey City Skeeters (IBL)
1919-20 De Neri Daisies (EBL)
1919-20 Reading Bears (EBL)
1919-20 Pittsfield (NYSL)
1919-20 Holoyke All-Holyokers (IL)
1919-20 Brooklyn Non-Pereils (Independent)
1920-21 Reading Bears (EBL)
1920-21 Norwalk Company K (CSL)
1920-21 Plymouth Shawnees (PSL)
1920-21 Brooklyn Prospect Big-Five (Independent)
1921-22 Reading Bears (EBL)
1921-22 Utica Utes (NYSL)
1921-22 Brooklyn Pros (MBL)
1921-22 Springfield Gunners (IL)
1922-23 Schenectady Dorpians (NYSL)
1922-23 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1922-23 Philadelphia Jewels (EBL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Pros (MBL)
1922-23 Northamapton Hampers (IL)
1923-24 Albany Senators / Gloversville Wonder Workers (NYSL)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1923-24 Brooklyn Visitations (MBL)
1923-24 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1924-25 Trenton Royal Bengals (MBL)
1924-25 Yonkers Leaguers (MBL)
1925-26 New York Pros (MBL)
1925-26 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1925-26 Newark Mets (MBL)
1926-27 Newburgh Hillsides / Jersey City Skeeters (NLN)
1926-27 Paterson Crescents (MBL)
1927-28 New York Celtics (ABL)
1927-28 Catskill Howitzers (MBL)
1927-28 Dunmore (PSL)
1934-35 Newark / New Britian Mules (ABL) Head coach
1938-39 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL) Head coach
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL) Head coach

Born to Leo and Lenia Dreyfus, Joe went from high school right into pro and semi-pro basketball. The guard served in the U.S. Navy during World War 1 and returned to be one of the best guards in the east.

Joe and his wife, Josephine, had two sons and two daughters.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-dreyfus/

Connelly

Connelly


Born:



Died:




Career
1927-28 Rochester Centrals (ABL)

Played one game for Rochester.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/connelly-2/

Willie Carey

William Charles Buob
also played under the names "Willie Carey" and "Billy Ball"


Born:
September 30, 1896
Newark, NJ

Died:
December 1969



Career
1916-17 Hoboken Hobs (IBL) as Willie Carey
1917-18 Wilkes-Barre Barons (PSL)
1917-18 Jersey City Greenvilles (Independent)
1918-19 Newark National Turners (Independent)
1919-20 Bridgeport Blue Ribbons (IBL)
1919-20 Newark National Turners (Independent)
1919-20 Brooklyn St.Vincent’s (Independent)
1919-20 Jersey City Greenvilles (Independent)
1920-21 Pittsfield Hillies (NYSL)
1921-22 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL) as Willie Carey
1922-23 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL) as Willie Carey
1922-23 Cohoes Cohosiers (NYSL) as Willie Carey
1922-23 Brooklyn St.Anthony’s (Independent)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL) as Willie Carey
1924-25 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL) as Willie Carey
1925-26 Yonkers Leaguers (MBL) as Willie Carey
1926-27 Newburgh Hillsides / Jersey City Skeeters (NLN) as Willie Carey
1926-27 Ridgwood / Newburgh (NLN) as Willie Carey
1926-27 Yonkers Leaguers (MBL) as Willie Carey
1927-28 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL) as Willie Carey
1927-28 Yonkers Indians (Independent)



Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/willie-buob-2/

Bill Brown

William Brown


Born:
1902 or 1903


Died:




Career
1926-27 Chicago (Independent)
1927-28 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1928-29 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1929-30 Chicago Majestics (Independent)
1929-30 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)
1929-30 Knights of Columbus - Chicago (Independent)
1930-31 Dowling Knights of Columbus - Chicago (Independent)
1930-31 Cicero Elks - Illinois (Indepedent)
1931-32 Waukegan Elks (Independent)
1931-32 Chicago Nationals (Independent)

From the South Side of Chicago, Brown was a basketball and baseball player around the Chicago area. He played for various professional basketball teams, including the ABL's Chicago Bruins. He was also a first baseman with the Moline Plow Boys in the D-Class Missouri Valley League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in September of 1925 and was to report to the team for the remainder of the season. On September 11, 1925, he appeared in an exhibition games for the Reds when they travelled to Frankfort, Kentucky, to play a local semi-pro team. He joined the Moline Plow Boys in the D-Class Missouri Valley League in 1926, playing first base for them for a few seasons.

Brown signed with the Bruins on January 23, 1928.

Disappears from my radar after that.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brown-007w--

Source:
Cincinnati Enquirer, September 11, 1925
Moline Dispatch, July 2, 1928

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-brown/

Joe Brennan

Joseph Raymond Brennan


Born:
November 15, 1900
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
May 10, 1989
New York, NY


Career
1915-16 St. Augustine High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1916-17 St. Augustine High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1917-18 St. Augustine High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1918-19 Brooklyn (Independent)
1919-20 Brooklyn Whirlwinds (Independent)
1920-21 Brooklyn Nonperials (Independent)
1920-21 Trenton Bengals (EBL)
1920-21 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1920-21 Wilkes Barre Barons (PSL)
1920-21 Plymouth Shawnees (PSL)
1921-22 Brooklyn Dodgers (MBL)
1921-22 Wilkes-Barre Brons (EBL)
1921-22 Springfield Gunners (IL)
1921-22 Holyoke Reds (IL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Dodgers (MBL)
1922-23 Philadelphia Jewels (EBL)
1922-23 Troy Trojans (NYSL)
1922-23 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1922-23 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1922-23 Springfield Gunners (IL)
1922-23 Ciollege Pt. Big-Five (Independent)
1923-24 Brooklyn Visitations (MBL)
1923-24 Albany Senators / Gloversville Wonder Workers (NYSL)
1924-25 Brooklyn Visitations (MBL)
1924-25 Kayoula - Phladelphia (PBL)
1924-25 Philadelphia Cathedral (PBL)
1925-26 Brooklyn Visitations (MBL)
1925-26 Philadelphia Cranes (EBL)
1925-26 Trenton Bengals (EBL)
1926-27 Brooklyn Visitations (NYN)
1926-27 Paterson Crescents (MBL)
1927-28 Hudson (MBL)
1927-28 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1928-29 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1929-30 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1930-31 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1930-31 Chester (TSL)
1930-31 Paterson Antlers (Independent)
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1932-33 Joe Brennan All-Stars (Independent)
1933-34 Pittston (PSL)
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1934-35 Pittston (PSL)
1936-37 Brooklyn Americans (Independent)
1937-38 Yonkers K of C (Independent)
1941-42 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1942-43 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1943-44 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1944-45 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1945-46 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1946-47 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach
1947-48 St. Francis College - New York (College) Head coach 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1975

Brennan was one of the games greatest guards of his era, playing for three ABL championship teams and was also the leading scorer in the Metropolitan League in 1926-27. He played professionally for 19 seasons before becoming a coach at St Francis.

He was also a banker, worker at Emigrant Savings Bank throughout his playing career. His work sometimes prevented him from playing road games, but he stayed with Emigrant through 1961 when he became the president of Atlantic Savings and Loan in Brooklyn. He retired from banking in 1968.

Source:
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-brennan/

Jude Baesman

Julius Melvin "Jude" Baesman


Born:
September 13, 1897
Newark City, OH

Died:
August 30, 1971
Memphis, TN


Career
1916-17 Portsmouth High School - Ohio (High School)
1925-26 Baesman Selects - Zanesville, OH (Independent)
1926-27 Baesman Selects - Zanesville, OH (Independent)
1926-27 Columbus (Independent)
1927-28 Washington Palace Five (ABL)
1927-28 Columbus Robert Lees (Independent)
1928-29 Columbus Robert Lees (Independent)
1928-29 Coshocton Independents (Independent)

Born to Fred and Lillian Baesman, Jude grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio, and played pro basketball Zanesville and Columbus in Ohio. He signed with the ABL's Washington club in October of 1927, and appeared in six games with the club before being let go. He returned to Columbus to play the the Robert Lees and then the Coshocton club. Also a dance instructor, he owned a dance academy in Portsmouth, which also hosted boxing matches, and a restaurant (The Marigold). He also worked as a county clerk before moving to Memphis, Tennessee, around 1931. In Tennessee, he worked for the Tennessee Electric Power Company and also as a salesman for Frigidaire.

In my research, I found a unique story about Baesman. In August of 1927, Baesman was arrested in Portsmouth for disorderly conduct when he left a club with two friends who were loudly playing a French harp. A patrolman told them to "cut out the noise," at which point words were exchanged and Baesman was arrested and charged. Around this same time, Baesman's wife, Ida Mae Lane (b. 1899), filed for divorce, claiming physical abuse and cruelty. Jude admitted he had "slapped his wife a time or two" but the judge denied the divorce. They remained married and had one daughter, Mary.

Source:
Portsmouth Daily Times, August 2, 1927
Portsmouth Daily Times, August 5, 1927
Portsmouth Daily Times, October 7, 1927

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/Jude-Baesman/

Cliff Anderson

Clifford Oscar Anderson


Born:
March 2, 1903
New York, NY

Died:
June 7, 1992
Bay Head, NJ


Career
1920-21 CCNY (College)
1921-22 CCNY (College)
1922-23 Starling Grays (Independent)
1923-24 Kingston Shirtmakers (MBL)
1924-25 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1925-26 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1925-26 Nonpareils (Independent)
1926-27 Greenpoint / Trenton (NBL)
1927-28 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1929-30 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1931-32 Original Celtics (Independent)

After graduating from CCNY, Anderson played pro basketball for a few seasons before becoming a buyer for Kinney Shoe Corporation in 1931. He rose through the rank at Kinney as a sales manager and merchandising manager before becoming the company president in 1959. He would serve on the board of directors for Kinney, Woolworth and Coca Cola. A longtime resident of Montclair, New Jersey, we would move to Bay Head in 1957 and died there after a short illness in 1992.

He and his wife, Dorothea, had two sons.

Source:
Asbury Park Press, June 10, 1992

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/cliff-anderson/

1927-28 Philadelphia Warriors (ABL)

1927-28 PHILADELPHIA WARRIORS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Eastern Division:
30-21 .588, 2nd place
Eastern Division Championship - Lost to New York, 2-0


Head Coaches:

• Harry Passon (April 1, 1897 - February 16, 1954)
• Eddie Gottleib (September 15, 1898 - December 7, 1979)

PLAYERS:

• Babe Artus (November 29, 1898 - June 11, 1984)

Biography

• Tom Barlow (July 9. 1896 - September 26, 1983)

Biography

• Soup Campbell (December 24, 1897 - March 5, 1942)

Biography

• Gaza Chizmadia (January 12, 1906 - April 23, 1987)

Biography 

• George Glasco (April 7, 1901 - December 23, 1983)

Biography

• Sonny Gluck (April 20, 1902 - February 1, 1973)

Biography 

• Teddy Kearns (January 1, 1900 - December 21, 1949)

Biography

• Al Kellett (October 30, 1901 - July 14, 1960)

Biography

• Babe Klotz (October 23, 1900 - June 15, 1962)

Biography

• Moyer Krakovitch (November 14, 1907 - February 21, 1985)

Biography

• Mickey Maister (June 28, 1904 - May 15, 1994)

Biography 

• Stretch Miller (March 7, 1901 - April 21, 1998)

Biography

• Sam Moorehead (October 4, 1892 - September 29, 1982)

Biography

• Prescott 

Biography 

• Reds Sherr (February 2, 1905 - August 4, 1978)

Biography

• Fritz Wesslock (October 20, 1905 - March 5, 1972)

Biography
 

• Doc Whyte   

Biography

1927-28 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)

1927-28 FORT WAYNE HOOSIERS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Western Division:
27-24 .529, 1st place

Western Division Championship: Defeated Cleveland, 2-0
ABL Championship: Lost to New York, 3-1


Head Coaches: 

• Ralph Miller (February 29, 1896 - March 18, 1939) 5-3  Also played. See Below
• Pop Morganweck (July 15, 1875 - December 8, 1941) 22-21

PLAYERS:

• Benny Borgmann (November 2, 1898 - November 11, 1978)

Biography

• Shang Chadwick (June 9, 1901 - October 3, 1973)

Biography

• Ted Feldt (January 17, 1899 - 1984)

Biography

• Bob Griebe (March 7, 1895 - January 13, 1969)

Biography

• Nick Harvey (February 6, 1892 - September 21, 1963)

Biography

• Pip Koehler (January 16, 1902 - December 8, 1986)

Biography 

• Bill McElwain (October 9, 1905 - November 27, 1981)

Biography

• Ralph Miller (February 29, 1896 - March 18, 1939)

Biography

• Rusty Saunders (March 12, 1906 - November 24, 1967)

Biography

• Frank Shimek (June 17, 1900 - May 10, 1991)

Biography

• Milas Shoun (October 4, 1904-October 10, 1983)

Biography

• Tillie Voss (March 28, 1897 - December 14, 1975)

Biography

1927-28 Rochester Centrals (ABL)

1927-28 ROCHESTER CENTRALS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Eastern Division:
24-28 .462, 4th place


Head Coaches: 

• Nick Harvey (February 6, 1892 - September 21, 1963) 17-23 Also played. See below.
• Johnny Murphy (March 6, 1889 - March 5, 1976) 7-5

PLAYERS:

• Phil Barlow (March 2, 1902 - January 3, 1986)

Biography

• Marty Barry (May 7, 1899 - November 26, 1983)

Biography

• Connelly  

Biography 

• Bob Grody (April 25, 1900 - June 21, 1982)

Biography

• Nick Harvey (February 6, 1892 - September 21, 1963)

Biography

• Fritz Knothe (May 1, 1903 - March 27, 1963)

Biography

• Hash McNeil (March 2, 1900 - August 11, 1977)

Biography 

• Jimmy Nolan (December 27, 1903 - June 17, 1962)

Biography

• Lou Rabin (December 30, 1904 - January 7, 1984)

Biography

• Frank Roxbury (February 10, 1906 - April 20, 1978)

Biography

• Sam Siegel (June 4, 1904 - October 20, 1995)

Biography

• Lefty Topel (March 25, 1896 - March 29, 1943)

Biography

• Joe Wallace (May 15, 1901 - January 12, 1972)

Biography

1927-28 New York Celtics (ABL)

1927-28 NEW YORK CELTICS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Eastern Division
40-9 .816, 1st place
Eastern Division Championship - Defeated Philadelphia, 2-0
ABL Championship - Defeated Fort Wayne, 3-1

After a season playing as the Brooklyn Celtics, the team went back to its original name and continued to be a powerhouse. They rolled to a 40-9 season, and lost only once in the playoffs on their way to the ABL title. The team kept the same nucleus as the year before, with the addition of Joe Dreyfus. Even coach Whitty came out of retirement to play in a handful of games.

• Head Coach: Johnny Whitty (February 2, 1896 - December 26, 1965) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Davey Banks (c.1901 - August 24, 1952)

Biography

• Pete Barry (November 16, 1896 - August 29, 1968)

Biography

• Dutch Dehnert (April 5, 1898 - April 20, 1979)

Biography

• Joe Dreyfus (December 11, 1892 - April 25, 1974)

Biography 
 

• Nat Holman (October 19, 1896 - February 12, 1995)

Biography

• Joe Lapchick (April 12, 1900 - August 10, 1970)

Biography

• Chris Leonard (February 10, 1890 - May 11, 1957)

Biography

• Johnny Whitty (February 2, 1896 - December 26, 1965)

Biography

1927-28 Detroit Cardinals (ABL)

1927-28 DETROIT CARDINALS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Western Division:
5-13 .278, 3rd place

For the second straight season, a Detroit team failed to finish the season. The Cardinals dropped out on January 3, 1928.


Head Coach: Johnny Beckman (March 6, 1898 - July 31, 1970) Also played. See Below

PLAYERS:

• Johnny Beckman (October 26, 1892 - June 22, 1968)

Biography

• Buddy Bushman (December 18, 1902 - August 9, 1961)

Biography 

• Soup Campbell (December 24, 1897 - March 5, 1942)

Biography

• Art Carty (February 22, 1902 - January 13, 1997)

Biography

• Gaza Chizmadia (January 12, 1906 - April 23, 1987)

Biography 

• Ted Feldt (January 17, 1899 - 1984)

Biography

• Jimmy Gordon (April 18, 1904 - March 1966)

Biography

• Bob Grody (April 25, 1900 - June 21, 1982)

Biography

• Frank Roxbury (February 10, 1906 - April 20, 1978)

Biography

• Sid Sankovic (December 27, 1903 - October 3, 1976)

Biography 

• Frank Sibley (July 15, 1903 - February 25, 1981)

Biography

• Frank Stuchbury (November 17, 1902 - July 20, 1981)

Biography

• Tillie Voss (March 28, 1897 - December 14, 1975)

Biography

1927-28 Washington Palace Five / Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

1927-28 WASHINGTON PALACE FIVE / BROOKLYN VISITATIONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Eastern Division
25-26 .490, 3rd place (Palace Five 6-14, Visitations 19-12)


The Washington got off to a poor start and on January 2, 1928, the team folded and was replaced by the Brooklyn Visitations. Five players from Washington were sold to Brooklyn. The team performed better after the transfer, but still finished third.

• Head Coaches: 

Ray Kennedy (November 10, 1893 - February 1976) 7-16 Also played. See Below
John Donlin (August 26, 1889 - November 22, 1964) 18-10


PLAYERS: 

PALACE FIVE:

• Jude Baesman (September 13, 1897 - August 30, 1971)

Biography

• Willie Carey (September 30, 1896 - December 1969)

Biography 

• Gaza Chizmadia (January 12, 1906 - April 23, 1987)

Biography 

• Red Conaty (February 12, 1904 - May 27, 1979)

Biography

• Rody Cooney (May 17, 1902 - September 29, 1965)

Biography

• Swede Grimstead (March 23, 1891 - March 28, 1934)

Biography

• Mark Harper (August 11, 1904 - September 17, 1995)

Biography 

• Ray Kennedy (November 10, 1893 - February 1976)

Biography

• Howie Meyers (August 3, 1907 - April 5, 1990)

Biography 

• Chick Passon (May 30, 1900 - February 27, 1989)

Biography

• Elmer Ripley (July 21, 1891 - April 29, 1982)

Biography 

• Rusty Saunders (March 12, 1906 - November 24, 1967)

Biography

• Lou Schneiderman (January 10, 1899 - December 18, 1972)

Biography

VISITATIONS:

• Cliff Anderson (March 2, 1903 - June 7, 1992)

Biography

• Joe Brennan (November 15, 1900 - May 10, 1989)

Biography

• Red Conaty (February 12, 1904 - May 27, 1979)

Biography

• Rody Cooney (May 17, 1902 - September 29, 1965)

Biography

• Mark Harper (August 11, 1904 - September 17, 1995)

Biography 

• Pat Herlihy (c. 1910 - May 17, 1951)

Biography

• Ray Kennedy (November 10, 1893 - February 1976)

Biography

• Howie Meyers (August 3, 1907 - April 5, 1990)

Biography 

• Rusty Saunders (March 12, 1906 - November 24, 1967)

Biography

• Willie Scrill (September 1, 1907 - November 23, 1977)

Biography

• Bucky Williams 

Biography

1927-28 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)

1927-28 CLEVELAND ROSENBLUMS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Western Division:
22-29 .431, 2nd place
Divisional Championship - Lost to Fort Wayne, 2-0

• Head Coach: Dave Kerr (February 3, 1896 - June 12, 1959) Also played. See Below

PLAYERS:

• Buddy Bushman (December 18, 1902 - August 9, 1961)

Biography 

• Soup Campbell (December 24, 1897 - March 5, 1942)

Biography

• Cookie Cunningham (February 4, 1905 - November 3, 1995)

Biography

• Richie Deighan (February 3, 1900 - March 3, 1987)

Biography

• Eddie Dolin (August 1, 1892 - July 25, 1970)

Biography

• Vic Hanson (July 30, 1903 - April 10, 1982)

Biography 

• Nat Hickey (January 30, 1902 - September 16, 1979)

Biography

• Carl Husta (April 8, 1902 - November 6, 1951)

Biography

• Dave Kerr (February 3, 1896 - June 12, 1959)

Biography

• Whitey Littell (April 12, 1904 - February 26, 1982)

Biography

• Pug Mahoney (July 21, 1909 - December 2, 1963)

Biography 

• Elmer Ripley (July 21, 1891 - April 29, 1982)

Biography 

• Joe Sheehan (August 26, 1905 - November 23, 1978)

Biography 

• Red Skurnick (July 8, 1905 - December 18, 1980)  

Biography

1927-28 Chicago Bruins (ABL)

1926-27 CHICAGO BRUINS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (I)
Western Division
13-36 .265, 3rd place


Head Coach:

• Honey Russell (May 31, 1902 - November 15, 1973) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Red Barak (March 1, 1905 - June 18, 1987)

Biography

• Johnny Beckman (October 26, 1892 - June 22, 1968)

Biography

• Bill Brown (born around 1903)

Biography

• Clancy  

Biography

• Swede Grimstead (March 23, 1891 - March 28, 1934)

Biography

• Mark Harper (August 11, 1904 - September 17, 1995)

Biography 

• Dutch Krizenecky (1904 - May 18, 1950)

Biography

• Ike Mahoney (October 25, 1902 - November 21, 1961)

Biography

• Steve Olszewski (February 11, 1902 - October 18, 1977)

Biography 

• Honey Russell (May 31, 1902 - November 15, 1973)

Biography

• Milas Shoun (October 4, 1904-October 10, 1983)

Biography

• Homer Stonebreaker (November 1, 1895 - December 9, 1977)

Biography

• Jerry Sullivan (June 5, 1896 - March 17, 1972)

Biography

• Jack Tierney (August 3, 1893 - May 12, 1968)

Biography

• Tillie Voss (March 28, 1897 - December 14, 1975)

Biography

• Whitey Wickhorst (November 1, 1904 - October 24, 1992)

Biography

Nick Shaback Update

Information has surfaced that indicates that Nick Shaback, former BAA basketball player from the 1946-47 season, died back in 2010. I have been unable to find any concrete information to confirm this, so if anyone can find an obituary or story about this, please let me know.

If Shaback did indeed die in 2010, that means that with Jerry Rullo's passing late in 2016, all players from that first season of the NBA (known as the BAA then) are all deceased.

Al Zingone

Albert Angelo Zingone


Born:
October 20, 1903
Sicily, Italy

Died:
August 18, 1988
Leeds Point, NJ


Career
1926-27 Paterson Legionaires / Kingston Raiders (NBL)
1926-27 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1927-28 St.Louis Americans (Independent)
1928-29 St.Louis Americans (Independent)

Born in Sicily, Zingone came to the United States with his family, settling in Passaic, New Jersey. He took to athletics, and played basketball for a few years professionally and later would work as an umpire in baseball games around the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern United States and the AAGPBL. He was best known as a comical basketball player, a drawing card with slapstick antics much like modern-day Globetrotters. He took his comic trade to baseball as well, making a decent living as an entertainer.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/al-zingone/

Paul White

Paul Arnold White


Born:
November 9, 1903
Franklin, IN

Died:
December 2, 1952
Urbana, OH


Career
1919-20 Franklin High School - Indiana (High School)
1923-24 DePauw College - Indiana (College)
1924-25 Huntington Legionaires (Independent)
1925-26 Huntington Legionaires (Independent)
1926-27 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)

White was a star on the Franklin High School State Champion team in 1920, and would move on to DePaur. He would play pro basketball for a few years while going to Indiana University to study for his masters degree. He would serve as principal and coach at New Haven High School for 16 years before moving to Urbana, Ohio, in 1943. There, he took work as a district manager for Morgan Trailer Company. 

White was shoveling snow in December of 1952 when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 49 years of age.

He was married to Waneta Brattin and they had two daughters and a son.

Source:
Franklin Evening Star, December 3, 1952

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/paul-white/

Fritz Wesslock

Frederick L. "Fritz" Wesslock


Born:
October 20, 1905
Staten Island, NY

Died:
March 5, 1972
Morrisville, PA


Career
1926-27 Washington Palace Five (ABL)
1927-28 Philadelphia Warriors (ABL)
1927-28 Carbondale (PSL)
1928-29 Trenton Royal Bengals (ABL)
1928-29 Carbondale (PSL)
1929-30 Syracuse All-Americans (ABL)
1929-30 Carbondale (PSL)
1930-31 Carbondale-Honesdale (PSL)
1930-31 Reading (TCL)

Born to August and Minnie Wesslock, Wesslock played four seasons in the ABL concurrently with four in the Penn State League. Fritz would serve in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

Fritz married Kathryn South (1910-1986)

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/freddie-wesslock/

Bill Vincent

William Edward Vincent


Born:
January 5, 1903
Salisbury, VT

Died:
May 9, 1983
Cohoes, NY


Career
1922-23 Cohoes Cohosiers (NYSL)
1923-24 Cohoes Cohosiers (NYSL)
1926-27 Hudson (Independent)
1926-27 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1927-28 Hudson (MBL)

Born in Vermont but raised in Cohoes, New York, Bill played basketball for the local Cohoes entry in the New Yprk League for a couple seasons before a brief stint in the ABL.

He married Lillian Rondeau (1910-1952) and they had two sons and four daughters. He later remarried to Edna May Montgomery (1923-1992).

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-vincent/

Barney Varnes

Blair L. "Barney" Varnes


Born:
April 28, 1904
Stoughton, WI

Died:
April 27, 1999
Clinton, IA


Career


1924-25 Chicago YMCA (Independent)
1925-26 DePaul University (College)
1926-27 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1926-27 Ke-Nash-A Blue Streaks (Independent)
1927-28 Ke-Nash-A Blue Streaks (Independent)
1928-29 Ke-Nash-A Blue Streaks (Independent)
1929-30 Ke-Nash-A Blue Streaks (Independent)
1930-31 Ke-Nash-A Blue Streaks (Independent)
1931-32 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach


Referred to by George Halas as "a one-man scoring machine," Varnes played pro basketball while working his way through law school. He would practice law around Chicago and would eventually become a circuit court judge in DuPage county in Illinois.

He married Madeline Wardan (d. 1968) in 1933 and they had two sons and two daughters.

Source:
Obituary, Chicago Tribune, April 29, 1999

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/barney-varnes/

Hank Thomas

David George "Hank" Thomas


Born:
July 8, 1896
Pulaski, VA

Died:
September 9, 1982
Edison Township, NJ


Career
1921-22 Gloversville Glovers (NYSL)
1922-23 Schenectady Dorpians (NYSL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Pros (MBL)
1923-24 Schenectady Doprians (NYSL)
1923-24 Kingston Shirtmakers (MBL)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1925-26 Perth Amboy Amboyans (MBL)
1926-27 Philadelphia Quakers (ABL)
1926-27 Baltimore Orioles (ABL)
1926-27 Kingston Colonials (MBL)
1926-27 Paterson Crescents (MBL)


Born to Mathew and Mary Thomas in Pulaski, Virginia, Thomas grew up in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. While playing for Perth Amboy on December 18, 1925, Thomas was punched during a game against Trenton by opposing player Tommy Barlow. Thomas had his jaw broken, and missed most of the season. In early 1926, he filed a $15,000 law suit against Barlow for his injuries and lost wages.

Source:
Central New Jersey Home News, October 11, 1926

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/hank-thomas/

Jerry Sullivan

Jerry Daniel Sullivan


Born:
June 5, 1896


Died:
March 17, 1972
Wantagh, NY


Career
1916-17 New York All-Stars (IBL)
1919-20 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1919-20 Pittsfield (NYSL)
1919-20 Gloversville Glovemakers (NYSL)
1919-20 Paterson Silk Sox (IBL)
1919-20 Springfield Fisk Red Tops (IL)
1919-20 Brooklyn Big Atlantics (Independent)
1919-20 New York MacDowell Lyceum (Independent)
1920-21 Gloversville Glovers (NYSL) Head coach / player
1920-21 Hartford Wyanokas / Turners Falls Athletics (IL)
1920-21 Westfield Whip City AC (IL)
1921-22 Gloversville Glovers (MYSL) Head coach / player
1921-22 Kingston (NYSL)
1921-22 New York MacDowell Lyceum (MBL)
1921-22 Westfield Whip City AC (IL)
1921-22 Ware Wonders (IL)
1921-22 Mt.Vernon Armory Big Five (Independent)
1922-23 Troy Trojans (NYSL)
1922-23 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1922-23 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1922-23 New York MacDowell Lyceum (MBL)
1923-24 Amsterdam Flashes (NYSL)
1923-24 Utica Utes (NYSL)
1923-24 Mohawk Indians (NYSL)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1924-25 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1924-25 Tri-Council (PBL)
1924-25 Pottsville Big Five (AnBL)
1925-26 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1925-26 Pottsville Miners (EBL)
1926-27 Greenpoint*Trenton (NLN)
1926-27 Baltimore Orioles (ABL)
1927-28 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1928-29 Trenton Royal Bengals (ABL)
1929-30 Dayton Kellys (NPBL)
1929-30 Syracuse All-Americans (ABL)
1929-30 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1930-31 Wilmington (TSBL)
1931-32 Bridgeton Moose (EBL)


After a year in pro basketball, Sullivan served in the U.S. Army during World War 1.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jerry-sullivan/

Lefty Stern

Hyman "Lefty" Stern


Born:
March 30, 1907
Baltimore, MD

Died:
June 30, 1993
Baltimore, MD


Career

1923-24 Baltimore City College (College)
1924-25 Allied Club - Baltimore (Independent)
1924-25 Baltimore City College (College)
1925-26 Baltimore City College (College)
1926-27 Baltimore Orioles (ABL)
1929-30 Baltimore Pros (Independent)
1931-32 Stonewall Democrats - Baltimore (Independent) 
1933-34 Stephen Seth and Company - Baltimore (Independent)
1934-35 Westenders - Baltimore (Independent)

Stern was a talented athlete who played football, baseball and basketball, plus wrestled. He played for the Baltimore Orioles in the ABL, and also played some pro baseball for Salisbury in the Eastern Shore League. He would later operate an ice delivery business and worked as a taxi driver.

He married Selma Lehem (d. 1974) in 1945 and they had two sons.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stern-001---

Source:
Baltimore Sun, July 4, 1993

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/lefty-stern/

Dick Smyth

Richard Joseph Smyth


Born:
March 18, 1894
Manhattan, NY

Died:
September 11, 1967
Far Rockaway (Queens), NY


Career
1912-13 New York Nationals (Independent)
1912-13 Big Atlantics (Independent)
1913-14 Brooklyn Kirkman AA (Independent)
1913-14 Kingston Colonials (NYSL)
1914-15 NewYork Nationals (Independent)
1915-16 De Neri DUddies (EBL)
1915-16 Elizabeth Betsys (IBL)
1915-16 North Hudson Troys (IBL)
1915-16 Brooklyn Trolly Dodgers (IBL)
1916-17 Hazleton Mountaineers (PSL)
1917-18 Hazelton Mountaineers (PSL)
1917-18 Plymouth Shawnees (PSL)
1918-19 Brooklyn Notse Dry Dock (Independent)
1919-20 Plymouth Shawnees (PSL)
1919-20 Brooklyn Dodgers (IBL)
1919-20 Turners Falls Athletics (IL)
1919-20 Brooklyn Knights of St.Anthony (Independent)
1919-20 Brooklyn Van & Schenck (Independent)
1920-21 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1920-21 Wilkes-Barre Barons (PSL)
1920-21 Hartford Wyanokas / Turners Falls Athletics (IL)
1920-21 Westfield Whip City AC (IL)
1920-21 New York Nationals (Independent)
1920-21 Brooklyn Arcadians (Independent)
1921-22 New York MacDowell Lyceum (MBL)
1921-22 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1921-22 New York Celtics (EBL)
1921-22 Holyoke (IL)
1922-23 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1922-23 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Dodgers (MBL)
1922-23 NewYork MacDowell Lyceum (MBL)
1922-23 Yonkers Chippewas (MBL)
1922-23 Cohoes Cohosiers (NYSL)
1922-23 Greenfield AA Greens (IL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Knights of St.Anthony (Independent)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St. Anthony (MBL)
1923-24 Amsterdam Flashes (NYSL)
1924-25 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1924-25 Tamaqua Bengals (AnBL)
1925-26 Newark Mets (MBL)
1925-26 Paterson Legionaires (MBL)
1925-26 Trenton (EBL)
1925-26 Lou Gehrig All Stars (Independent)
1926-27 Ridgewood-Orange (NLN)
1926-27 Brooklyn Arcadians (ABL)
1926-27 Washington Place Five (ABL)



Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dick-smyth/

Red Skurnick

Harry "Red" Skurnick
born Gershon Skurnick

Born:
July 8, 1905
Warsaw, Poland

Died:
December 18, 1980
Los Angeles, CA


Career
1922-23 Commerce High School- New York City (High School)
1923-24 Commerce High School- New York City (High School)
1924-25 Commerce High School- New York City (High School)

1925-26 Savage School of Physical Education - New York (College)

1925-26 Greenpoint WMHA - New York City (Independent)
1926-27 Akron Wellocks (CBL) Head coach / player

1926-27 Akron Summit News (Independent) Head coach
1926-27 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1927-28 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1928-29 New York Hakoahs (ABL)
1928-29 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1928-29 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1929-30 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1930-31 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1931-32 Chicago Bruins (Independent)
1932-33 Chicago Bruins (Independent)
1932-33 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)

1933-34 Whiting Macks - Indiana (Independent)
1933-34 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)
1934-35 Halick-Skurnicks Chicagoans (Independent)
1935-36 Original Celtics (Independent)

1937-38 Chicago Hebrews (Independent)

1945-46 Boys Brotherhood Republic - Chicago (Independent)

Note: This account seems to vary from other research groups. I believe this one to be true.

Born in 1905 in Poland, Gershon Skurnick's family came to the United States in 1907. Skurnick took to athletics, and while at Commerce HS in New York City, lead the school to the PSAL Championship. He went to the Savage School of Physical Education, and headed west to Ohio where he joined up with the Cleveland Rosenblums of the ABL. He eventually found himself sold to George Halas' Chicago Bruins and made Chicago his home. He worked at many youth camps in Chicagoland such as the Deborah Boys Club and the Boys Brotherhood Republic. He died in Los Angeles in 1980.

Source:
Naturalization Records

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/red-skurnick/

Reds Sherr

Louis "Reds" Sherr


Born:
February 2, 1905
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
August 4, 1978
Wynnewood, PA


Career
1922-23 South Philadelphia High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1923-24 Judaic Union - Philadelphia (Independent)
1924-25 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1925-26 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1926-27 Philadelphia Quakers (ABL)
1926-27 Hakoah (PBL)
1926-27 Wildwood (SJL)
1927-28 Philadelphia Warriors (ABL)
1927-28 Philadelphia Elks (PBL)
1927-28 Wildwood (SJL)
1928-29 New York Hakoahs (ABL)
1928-29 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1928-29 Millville (SJL)
1928-29 Kennett Square (EBL)
1928-29 Philadelphia Sphas (Independent)
1929-30 Paterson Whirlwinds (MBL)
1929-30 Kennett Square (EBL)
1929-30 Wilkes Barre (PSL)
1930-31 Philadelphia Elks-SPHA's (EBL)
1931-32 Philadelphia SPHA's (EBL)
1933-34 Philadelphia Passon (EBL)

Sherr was going to law school at Penn while playing professional basketball. He would play through the mid-30's while continuing to hone his legal skills. He worked for many years as an attorney in the Philly area before his death from leukemia in 1978.

Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 6, 1978

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/reds-sherr/

Johnny Schrey

John Frank Schrey


Born:
December 18, 1906
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
August 3, 1996
Palm Beach, FL


Career
1925-26 Philadelphia Pollock & Hudson (Independent)
1926-27 Philadelphia Quakers (ABL)
1926-27 Quartermaster (PBL)
1926-27 Ocean City (SJL)
1927-28 Philadelphia Elks (PBL)
1927-28 Salem (SJL)
1928-29 Philadelphia Elks (EBL)
1928-29 Salem (SJL)
1929-30 Philadelphia Elks (EBL)
1930-31 Reading Bears (TCL)
1930-31 Philadelphia Elks (EBL)
1931-32 Philadelphia Moose (EBL)
1932-33 Philadelphia Moose (EBL)
1932-33 Philadelphia WPEN (EBL)
1933-34 Philadelphia Moose-Enterprise (EBL)
1933-34 Wilkes Barre (PSL)
1934-35 Germantown (EBL)
1935-36 Germantown (EBL)
1937-38 Philadelphia Jaspers (NBL)
1937-38 Carpenter Steel (TCL)

Shrey was also a minor league baseball player, playing first base for Toronto and Binghamton.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schrey001joh

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/john-schrey/

Tony Schiffer

Anthony Louis Schiffer Jr.


Born:
February 17, 1905
Manhattan, NY

Died:
April 25, 1954
Easton, CT


Career
Ridgefield High School - New Jersey (High School)
1926-27 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1927-28 New York (Independent)
1928-29 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1928-29 Rochester Centrals (ABL)
1928-29 New York Beckman All Stars (Independent)
1929-30 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1929-30 Syracuse All-Americans (ABL)
1930-31 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1930-31 Trenton (TCL)
1930-31 Wilmington Cardinals (EBL)
1931-32 Philadelphia Jaspers (EBL)
1931-32 Camden Skeeters (EBL)
1931-32 Long Island Pro-Imps (MBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Americans (MBL)

Born in Manhattan to Anthony and Gertrude Schiffer, Tony grew up in New Jersey before a seven seasons of professional basketball. He was only 49 when he died in 1954, but I have yet to find a cause of death.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/tony-schiffer/

Sid Sankovic

Sidney R. Sankovic


Born:
December 27, 1903
Detroit, MI

Died:
October 3, 1976
Fort Pierce, FL


Career
Nordstrum High School - Detroit (High School)
1921-22 Rayl Cubs - Detroit (Independent)
1923-24 Rayl Cubs - Detroit (Independent)
1923-24 Studebakers - Detroit (Independent) 
1924-25 Peoples State Bank - Detroit (Independent)
1926-27 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1927-28 Detroit Cardinals (ABL)
1927-28 Detroit Michigan Centrals (Independent)
1928-29 Toledo Red Men (Independent)
1929-30 Detroit Olympics /Jackson (NPBL)
1929-30 Dayton Kellys (NPBL)
1931-32 Fintex - Detroit (Independent)

1933-34 Detroit Tivoli (Independent)
1933-34 Toledo Crimson Coaches (Independent)
1934-35 Detroit Tivoli (Independent) Head coach / player
1934-35 Our Lady of Lourdes - River Rouge, Michigan (High School) Head coach
1936-37 Catholic Central High School - Detroit (High School) Head coach
1937-38 Catholic Central High School - Detroit (High School) Head coach

The Detroit-area athlete played a lot of pro basketball, but was better known as a sandlot baseball figurehead. For many years he coached and ran sandlot leagues.

Sid married Claire Ryan and they had one son and one daughter. They divorced in 1951, and Sid would remarry to Dorothy.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/sid-sankovic/

Harry Riconda

Henry Paul "Harry" Riconda


Born:
March 17, 1897
New York, NY

Died:
November 15, 1958
Mahopac, NY


Career
1918-19 Staten Island Minesweepers (Independent)
1919-20 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1919-20 Westfield Whip City AC (IL)
1919-20 New York Whirlwinds (Independent)
1919-20 NY MacDowell Lycieum (Independent)
1920-21 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1920-21 Westfield Whip City AC (IL)
1920-21 Brooklyn Arcadians (Independent)
1921-22 Amsterdam (NYSL)
1921-22 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1921-22 Brooklyn Pros (MBL)
1921-22 New York Celtics (EBL)
1921-22 Coatesville Coats (EBL)
1921-22 Easthampton Hampers (IL)
1921-22 Springfield Gunners (IL)
1921-22 Brooklyn Brooklyns (Independent)
1922-23 Albany Senators (NYSL)
1922-23 Brooklyn Pros (MBL)
1922-23 Philadelphia Jewels (EBL)
1923-24 Schenectady Dorpians (NYSL)
1923-24 Kingston Shirtmakers (MBL)
1923-24 Greenpoint Knights of St Anthony (MBL)
1924-25 Kingston Colonials (MBL)
1925-26 Perth Amboy Amboyans / Passiac Mets (MBL)
1925-26 Philadelphia SPHAS (Independent)
1926-27 Paterson Legionaires / Kingston Raiders (NYN)
1926-27 Philadelphia Quakers (ABL)
1927-28 Albany Senators (MBL)
1927-28 Kingston Colonials (MBL)
1928-29 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1929-30 New York Celtics (ABL)

A notable athlete from New York City, Riconda signed to play the infield for Springfield, Massachusetts, baseball team in 1916, and in 1917 moved on to New Haven. He would enter the U.S. Army in 1917 and served his country in World War 1. After his return from the war, he returned to athletics. He began play pro basketball while continuing to pursue his baseball career. He returned to the diamond in New Haven, and after a 1922 season that saw him bat .335, he was purchased by Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics. Through 1931, he would bounce back and forth between the minors and majors with time on the Pirates, Dodgers, Reds and the Braves. The baseball off-season was very busy for him during this time. He played for various basketball teams each winter around the Mid-Atlantic states.

In 1958, Riconda took a vacation away from his home in New York City at nearby Lake Mahopac. While there, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Major League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riconha01.shtml

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/harry-riconda/

Phil Rakov

Philip Herman Rakov


Born:
August 23, 1903
NY

Died:
April 10, 2001
Jamesville, NY


Career
1923-24 Syracuse Cultures (Independent)
1924-25 Syracuse University (College)
1925-26 Syracuse University (College)
1926-27 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1926-27 Rockford Burrs (Independent)
1927-28 Chicago Nationals (Independent)

A member of the Syracuse championship team in 1926, Rakov would get his medical degree at SU and would work as a physician in Syracuse for 60 years. He served as a medic in World War 2.

Rakov died at the age of 97 in 2001.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/phil-rakov/

Buck Pierson

Irving "Buck" Pierson


Born:
January 25, 1904
Rochester (?), NY

Died:
March 20, 1973
Miami, FL


Career
1925-26 Rochester Kodaks (Independent)
1926-27 Rochester Kodaks (Independent)
1926-27 Rochester Centrals (ABL)
1926-27 Rochester Clermonts (Independent)
1927-28 Rochester Kodaks (Independent)
1927-28 Rochester Olds (Independent)
1928-29 Rochester Centrals (ABL)
1928-29 Rochester Olds (Independent)
1928-29 New York Beckman AS (Independent)
1929-30 Syracuse All-Americans (ABL)
1929-30 Rochester Aviators (Independent)
1930-31 Rochester Centrals (ABL)
1930-31 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1931-32 Rochester Centrals (Independent)
1932-33 Rochester Centrals (Independent)
1933-34 Rochester Centrals (Independent)

The Rochester native put in a lot of time playing basketball for various local outfits for almost a decade. His younger brother William "Bucky" Irving also played pro basketball.

Buck married Mary Goldfarb (1908-1994) and they had one daughter.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/buck-pierson/

Harry Passon

Harry Joseph Passon


Born:
April 1, 1897
Kiev, Russia

Died:
February 16, 1954
Philadelphia, PA


Career
1917-18 De Neri Duddies (EBL)
1917-18 Philadelphia YMCA (ALP)
1918-19 Philadelphia SPHA's (ALP)
1919-20 De Neri Daisies (EBL)
1920-21 Philadelphia SPHA's (ALP)
1921-22 Philadelphia SPHA's (Independent)
1926-27 Philadelphia Elks (PBL)
1926-27 Philadelphia Quakers (ABL) Head coach / player

Passon was born in Kiev, but after the family came to the United States (including fellow future pro baskball players / brother Chick and Nat), Harry took to sports and quickly became on of the larger figures in the semi-pro and pro sports world in Philadelphia. He organized various leagues and tournaments for baseball and basketball, and opened a very successful sporting good store in Philly. Passon owned and managed all-black baseball teams and also worked with other black semi-pro teams in the city. Passons' own team, the Bacarach Giants, competed with the established Negro League Philadelphia Stars and was able to secure fields of play in a time when that was difficult for black-owned sports teams. Passon also fought against the "Blue Laws" in the state, which prevented sports from being played on Sunday. This law was appealed in 1934.

Passon was approached by Cumberland Posey to have his baseball team, the Giants, to join to new National Negro Association being formed. However, the Philly Stars, owned by Ed Bolden and Ed Gottlieb, raised a protest against Passon's team joining. (Gottlieb was both a friend and a rival of Passon. Gottlieb was one of the co-founders of the SPHA's along with Harry.)

On February 16, 1954, Passon was supposed to meet with his brother Nat at a bank conference, but did not show. The next morning, Nat arrived at the store to open for business and intended to turn off the burglar alarm, but since the alarm was not turned on the night before, it went off and the police answered the alarm. Nat thought it was odd the alarm was not turned on, but did not think much of it at the time. Later in the day, with still no sign of his brother Harry and thinking back about the alarm, Nat and his employees began to look around the shop to see if maybe something was wrong. One of his employees found the body of Harry inside the store's gun vault. He had shot himself in the head.

He and his wife, Tillie, had two daughters.

Source:
Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), February 17, 1954
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 17, 1954
SABR.org

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/harry-passon/