Feature Article on Bob Ewing. Topic: SPORTS &
PEOPLE
Written by Rich Wallace in March,
1998
SIDNEY HELPED LAUNCH 'LONG BOB' EWING'S CAREER |
This is a picture of the 1903 Cincinnati Reds. Pitcher "Long Bob" Ewing, a native of New Hampshire in Auglaize County, is second from the right in the second row.
With springtime comes the sights and sounds of baseball, a game still considered America's favorite pastime. Stories of Ohio's professional teams, the Reds and the Indians, and their chances of success have begun to appear in local newspapers. The age-old dream is once again ignited in many a young man. Can I make it to the big time? The recent college baseball achievements of Sidney high school graduate Derik Goffena have some Sidney sports enthusiasts talking about Goffena as a potential pro prospect. Even at his level of achievement, the odds are still long. In fact, no Sidney player has ever made the big leagues in over a century of organized baseball. Sidney did play a role in the launching of the major league career of one of the best Cincinnati Reds pitchers of all time. This is his story. One hundred and twenty-five years ago this April, a baby boy was born in the small Auglaize County village of New Hampshire. He was given the name of George Lemuel Ewing, but everyone knew him as 'Bob'. By the time this young man had grown to his manhood height of six feet six inches, he had acquired the nickname of 'Long Bob' Ewing. Later he would also be given the moniker of 'Old Wapak', in reference to the town he called home. Near the turn of the century, after the conclusion of the season, professional baseball teams typically toured, or 'barnstormed' for a few weeks to generate interest among the fans who could not attend the regular season games. So it was in 1901. After slicing through a series of local Ohio teams like a hot knife through butter, the confident Reds arrived in Sidney on October 10 for a contest with the Sidney semi-pro team. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
