Erie recently lost two native sons who rose to the top of the sporting world.
Dave Wickersham, who was born in West Springfield and grew up here, played in the big leagues for 10 seasons. He died at 86 on June 19 in Overland Park, Kansas. And Hobie Billingsley, one of the world’s top diving coaches who mentored more than a dozen Olympians, died on July 16 in Bloomington, Indiana, at the age of 95.
Wickersham, who pitched for the Kansas City A’s, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals, was a crafty right-hander who won 19 games for the Tigers in 1964. He was later moved to the bullpen as starting pitchers. Tigers included Dennis. McLain, Mickey Lolich, Earl Wilson and Joe Sparma.
More: Dave Wickersham, whose 1964 ejection cost him a shot at 20-win season for Tigers, dies at 86
I remember a speech Wickersham gave at a local sports banquet where he lamented his banishment to the bullpen. “The Tigers told me they wanted to keep the hard-throwing pitchers in the starting rotation,” he said. “I also threw hard, but my pitches just took a little longer to make it to the plate.”
The New York Times found on the death of Billingsley, whose achievements as a diving coach and innovator were incredible. When Hobie was a boy in Erie, he and his mother suffered abject poverty. Billingsley said he learned to swim at a local YMCA, and developed his innovative training techniques by studying diving pictures on the wall.
More: Hobie Billingsley, who helped create one of college sports’ greatest dynasties, dies at 95
● We were about to leave for the horse races at Presque Isle Downs on a recent Friday when I called to check the start time. Lo and behold, Friday racing has been canceled for the rest of the season. Something is wrong.
● Send a card to longtime Erie Times-News editor and editorial page writer Ed Wellejus, who is dealing with an illness. Ed was one of the giants of local journalism and was always a gifted historian and storyteller — not to mention a very good man.
● Mercyhurst University has some big names for the 2022-23 season for its Institute of Arts & Culture. Bernadette Peters will open the season at the D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on September 17. He will be followed by Fran Lebowitz on October 6, Michael Feinstein on October 26 and many more.
● When I picked up a copy of Cleveland writer Dan Coughlin’s book, “Crazy, With the Papers to Prove It,” at the recent Great American Book Sale, I was surprised to find a very funny profile of Don Elbaum from a native of Erie. Coughlin gets along well with the boxing promoter.
From the Archives: Boxing promoter Don Elbaum, who grew up in Erie, recalls Ali fondly
● Fans of Erie basketball star Kayla McBride won’t want to miss Mary Solberg’s fascinating profile and interview with the former Villa Maria and Notre Dame standout. The article appears in an upcoming issue of Faith magazine, published by the Catholic Diocese of Erie.
● August is just days away, which means Erie can look forward to two of the best local ethnic festivals. St. Paul’s Italian Festival is set for Aug. 12-14, and Zabawa, Erie’s Polish festival at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, is scheduled for Aug. 26-28.
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Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.
