Dear Mr. Walsh,
I have an autographed 1957 Amarillo Gold Sox baseball, that has your father's signature on it.
I would be delighted to send it to you, if you would like to have it. It came into my possession in 2010 when my (former) brother-in-law died---Harry Benson Gilstrap III. Harry III's father---Harry B. Gilstrap, Jr.---was a long-time journalist and sportswriter for the Amarillo Globe News. What is now called the Amarillo Globe News---the morning paper and evening paper were combined long after Harry Jr. died. No doubt he wrote for both publications during his career (Amarillo Globe-Times and Amarillo Daily News). Harry Jr was also a southwest U.S. historian of considerable reputation, and a Civil War scholar and writer. And Harry Jr had a tender heart for athletes, especially boxers.
I don't know if the baseball was originally Harry Jr's or Harry III's. Certainly Harry Jr would have written about the Amarillo Gold Sox during your father's time with them, and Harry III would have been a teenager at the time, and likely a fan of the team. Harry Jr---with easy access to the club house---may have gotten the ball autographed for young Harry as a surprise. Regardless, Harry still had it in 2010.
On a whim, I started (internet) researching the names on the baseball after it came into my possession, and that's when I found the birthday note you wrote for your father (Dec 2009). Shortly after that I was diagnosed with cancer, so I am now---finally!---getting back to my various projects, one of which was contacting you.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=3c26978c
This is the link I used to bring together the names on the baseball. It appears that Bill Walsh played only one year in Amarillo, so it has to be 1957. Not all the names on the roster on on the baseball, but here is what I can make out by studying the roster and using a magnifying glass:
Lenny Attyd
Eddie Bockmon
Jack Venable
Jerry Speck
Al Curtis (I think)
Jim Johnson
Bill Walsh
Frank Murray
Hugh Blanton
Roger Herrscher
Al Pinkston
Ray Webster
Clayton Dalrymple
Johnny McNamara
Billy Shields
Names that are unclear or partial, and I am guessing a lot:
Pete Chr------
George Dver---
Ken ----
John M---dill or maybe Goodell
Read more about Pat's mother and father, here.
Sports Guy Pat Walsh
Pat Walsh is a native of Elk Grove, CA. He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1978. Later, he attended Butte Community College and graduated from California State University, Chico where he received a degree in Communication Arts and Technology. Pat was a finalist for a 1989 Emmy Award for Video Documentary.
Pat's interest in baseball came from his father, William Walsh, who played for the Sacramento Solons during the 1950's.
Pat began his broadcasting career as a sports and news anchor for KPAY radio in Chico, CA from 1990 to 1993. He then became a news anchor and morning show producer at Talk 650 KSTE, Sacramento from 1994 - 1996. In 1996, Pat became the sports anchor at NewsTalk 1530 KFBK.
Pat's interests includes the mountains, Bluegrass music, Frank Zappa, The Andy Griffith Show, the Sacramento Kings, St. Louis Rams and LA Dodgers.
Listen to Pat's sports highlights every weekday morning and afternoon.
Pat's interest in baseball came from his father, William Walsh, who played for the Sacramento Solons during the 1950's.
Pat began his broadcasting career as a sports and news anchor for KPAY radio in Chico, CA from 1990 to 1993. He then became a news anchor and morning show producer at Talk 650 KSTE, Sacramento from 1994 - 1996. In 1996, Pat became the sports anchor at NewsTalk 1530 KFBK.
Pat's interests includes the mountains, Bluegrass music, Frank Zappa, The Andy Griffith Show, the Sacramento Kings, St. Louis Rams and LA Dodgers.
Listen to Pat's sports highlights every weekday morning and afternoon.
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San Francisco Giants - Los Angeles Dodgers Rivalry
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Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Father's Autographed Baseball Found
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