Large pre-WWII American Basketball League (ABL) grouping

[ramram]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Some good hall of famers in that material: Barney Sedran with the Kingston Colonials, Bobby McDermott with Baltimore (His induction year into the HOF was my first year attending though he was long deceased) and the NY Rens. The Rens are HOFers as a team and two of the members of that team are in as individuals - Tarzan Cooper and Pop Gates. Gates showed up every year after he was inducted and Johnny Isaacs appeared for many years.

Some of those Rens players also played on some of the top Negro League baseball teams.

Rob M

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by ramram

Some of those Rens players also played on some of the top Negro League baseball teams.

Rob M

It was not uncommon for pro baseball players to also play in the ABL, NBL and BAA in those years. I also noticed one of the ads on the same page with the SPHAS and Rens rosters. Just above the Rens is an ad for Sam Gerson. He was an Olympic silver medalist in wrestling in 1920 and founder of the U.S. Olympians, the alumni group of American Olympic athletes.

[ramram]

You're definitely correct. This is baseball Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau playing for the NBL's Hammond team against John Wooden and his Indianapolis Kautsky's team in 1938.

Scorebook - Hammond vs Kautsky's 12-25-38.jpg

Scorebook - Kautsky's vs Hammond 12-25-38.jpg

[Smalltown]

Love it. That's an incredible collection you have there!

[Michael B]

[QUOTE=ramram;1816070]You're definitely correct. This is baseball Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau playing for the NBL's Hammond team against John Wooden and his Indianapolis Kautsky's team in 1938.

There were a few other players I ran across when I was collecting basketball autographs. Most of the other pre-1950's players had short careers in both sports. In the 1950's you had Chuck Connors and Dick Groat. In the 1960's you had Ron Reed and Dave DeBusschere.

[bgar3]

Also Gene Conley and Bill Sherman, who I don’t think ever played, but did get thrown out of a game.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by bgar3

Also Gene Conley and Bill Sherman, who I don’t think ever played, but did get thrown out of a game.

Correct. Gene Conley is the only athlete to win and NBA and MLB championship - Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Braves. Sharman never played though I believe I read that he was on the bench during Bobby Thompson's home run.

[jad22]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Correct. Gene Conley is the only athlete to win and NBA and MLB championship - Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Braves. Sharman never played though I believe I read that he was on the bench during Bobby Thompson's home run.

That is correct.