On November 3, 2008, three days after the Phillies World Series victory parade, Ruben Amaro, Jr. was named Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. His appointment marked an extraordinary personal trajectory that began in 1980 when at the age of 15, Ruben was the Phillies batboy. Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia,… Read more »
Bob Brooks was a multi-talented athlete who starred for Atlantic City High School in the late 1940’s in both basketball and baseball. In 1948 he led South Jersey in free throw shooting and was the second leading scorer and rebounder on a team that was the Group IV State Champion Runners-up. The starting pitcher for… Read more »
At age 12, when Allen G. Goldis won a home run hitting contest against Robin Roberts at Connie Mack Stadium in conjunction with the Junior Baseball Federation, he knew baseball would be in his future. He had a passion for sports and excelled at everything he tried. While at John Bartram High School, he not… Read more »
“Like mother, like daughter” is an adage that aptly describes Helen Josephs Goldstein and her daughter Estelle Goldstein, two outstanding athletes, sports pioneers and community leaders. Helen Goldstein had a passion for sports and would not be denied the joy of competition, but in the 1920s there were no leagues for her to compete in-or… Read more »
Dr. William P. (Pete) Leaness grew up in West Philadelphia and is regarded as the Dean of American Collegiate Soccer Coaches. He compiled a record of 245 victories, 97 losses and 36 ties during his 41 year tenure as Temple University’s head soccer coach, which began in 1930 following his graduation from the Temple School… Read more »
Max Patkin, to millions of Americans, is known simply as the “Clown Prince of Baseball”. His appearance as an underfed scarecrow, with 185 pounds spread out over a 6’3″ frame and his rubber-like face dominated by his nose, give Patkin the natural funny appearance of a true clown, which he has used to entertain millions… Read more »
Richie Richman excelled in varsity football, baseball and basketball at Overbrook High School in the late 1950s. In basketball, he was a starter on a championship team with great players – Wayne Hightower, Wally Jones, Walt Hazzard and Ralph Heyward – and his team was voted one of the best high school teams ever in… Read more »