eleven

Recently deceased members of the KOM League.

Bill Buck (l) and Stewart McMillan (r)
as members of the 1947 Carthage Cards.

Vice Admiral Kendall Moranville's view of life

....."I have had no regrets in my life. I have lived a good life and had done things that very few, if any, had done and most could not dream of. I had a good ride. So many times I flew away from you. Now I have flown away one last time. I know that this has been my best ride." "I loved you all."

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Bill Staker of the 1946 and 1947 Pittsburg, Kansas Browns was born March 16, 1920 and passed away May 31, 1999. Thanks to his family this first baseman/outfielder in the St. Louis Browns Organization from 1945-1950 is depicted graphically. The teams with whom he played were Elmira, NY and Raleigh, NC in 1945. In 1946 he played with the Gloversville Glovers until joining the Pittsburg, Kansas Browns. He was reputed to be the best throwing outfielder in the KOM League in 1947.

The 1947 Pittsburg Browns. Bill is the first one on the left in the back row.

This 1948 Gloversville, NY photo features Bill in the back row on the far right. Also in this photo is Cliff Fowler-far right front row and Mike Bernadette fourth from left on front row. All three played for Pittsburg, KS in 1946..

The 1949 Aberdeen Pheasants of the Northern League featured a number of former KOM Leaguers and one future Major leaguer. The guy in the back row, second from the left is Bob Turley. The middle row includes Jimmy Waugh-far left, Bill Staker-fourth from far left and Carlton Post far right. All these fellows performed for the Pittsburg Browns at one time or another.

Bill shows off his first baseman form in his Pheasant home white uniform and the Rawlings trappers mitt. Notice how ballplayers of that era knew how to wear their uniform.

This photo shows how ballplayers managed to get by on a couple of bucks a day meal money. Here five members of the Aberdeen Pheasants grab a bite to eat at a small Northern League diner. Notice the "A" for Aberdeen on the jacket hanging on the hook.

In 1950 Bill joined the Great Falls Selectrics of the Pioneer League. He is the third man from the left in the back row.

After his hardball days were over Bill Staker returned to St. Louis and played softball for MKT which I assume was a team sponsored by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. Bill is the fellow standing on the far right.