Those of you who attend Illinois baseball games regularly may recognize this man. His name is Ron and he has attended Illini baseball games as long as I have. Well, it turns out he’s been a fan for a long time. A long, long, time.
Why?
Ron’s great uncle is Garland “Jake” Stahl who played for the University of Illinois baseball team right around the turn of the 20th century. George Huff (who has an athletic stadium named for him at the University campus) was instrumental in getting Stahl to try out for the baseball team.
From the Jake Stahl bio page at sabr.org:
Huff also coached baseball at the University and encouraged Jake to join his highly successful squad. As the starting catcher, Jake batted .441 his sophomore year, and in his senior campaign, led Illinois to a Western Conference Championship.
Exhibiting an outstanding ability to organize and focus his efforts, Jake graduated with a law degree in 1903. Although his athletic and classroom activities clearly were his first priorities, Jake was no social wallflower in college. The University of Illinois yearbooks of the time contain two references to Jake’s social activities, including a poem describing his carriage ride with a young woman named Clara. Jake met his future wife, Jennie Mahan, at the university.
Those who are baseball historians are most likely familiar with the name Jake Stahl. He was a considered a pretty decent player in his era. Stahl played nine years in the newly-formed American League. He came to Boston as a catcher for the immortal Cy Young. That didn’t last long as Boston’s catcher came back from his injury. Stahl was then traded to the Washington Senators and was converted to a first baseman where he flourished. In 1910, he even led the AL with 10 homeruns (remember, it was the deadball era).
Not long after he made the bigs, Stahl was promoted to player-manager. Still with the Senators, he took over that role in 1905. As a manager, Jake Stahl probably had his biggest success when he was back with Boston. While he was 263-270 as a manager, he was the manager responsible for taking Boston’s World Series win over John McGraw’s tough New York Giants in 1912.
Ron wanted a photo of him next to the name of his “granddad’s uncle” and for a such a devoted fan, I was happy to oblige. If you see this, Ron, I will get you a copy.
The next time you are at a home game at Illinois Field, check out the plaque with all of the former Illini players who were lucky enough to make it to the big time. It is right across from the concession stand.
See you all at the Nebraska series! You too, Ron!