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m- <;«>*-•'-4.. 4 V? ft?r fc’ r ■ SEC. A—PAGE EIGHT County Boys Are Stars In Major Leagues By MR. & MRS. A. H. COUNTS Newberry County will be repre sented in major league baseball this season by two fine young men, one in the American League and the other in the National. Along with approximately 160 pitchers in the majors will be Billy O’Dell of the Baltimore Orioles and John Buzhardt of the Chicago Cubs. The citizens of the county are proud of having there two hurlers in the majors, and daily news papers coming to this section will be scanned for the very latest news of their progress. Also a close guard on radio and TV will be kept. Billy’s record with the Orioles is well-known by a large majority, and this year is expected to be best. John was recalled from Port land, Ore., of the Pacific Coast League prior to the end of the *58 season. He joined the Cubs, having won his last five games at Portland, and increased his total to eight straight by winning his first three games with Chicago. Both O’Dell and Buzhardt are former members of the Newberry American Legion Junior baseball team. They were born and reared within six miles each other. Billy starred with Newberry High School’s' Bulldogs and also the Legionaires. He played with textile teams and others in this section. Upon graduation from Newberry High, he went on to Clemson where his record was so outstanding it will likely remain In the minds of Newberrians for years to come. John was a valuable member of the Prosperity High School ‘Fi xates. At the age of 15 he was pitching for Prosperity in the Dutch Fork League. He also play ed brilliantly in textile games in this section. So impressive was his speed and curve that Rube Wilson of the Chicago Cubs is said to have followed the youth in all his games through this sec tion, and when John had his Pros perity High diploma in hand, he was immediately signed to a Cub contract. Billy’s fine work while pitching with the Orioles made a niche in the hall of baseball fame when he entered the All-Star classic in Baltimore during the summer by mowing down the opposition in t4e NEWBERRY SUN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 195S order over the last three innings of the game. Business was at a standstill here while the game was in progress. O’Dell’s fine potential pitching qualities were first noted by Har ry Hedgepath, coach of the New berry High Bulldogs. Passing by a sandlot near the school one day, he noticed Billy tossing baseballs. He was so impressed with w r hat he saw, he extended the youth in knee-length pants an invitation to “come out and join the Bulldogs.” He did and look where he is today. Harry knew the minute the boy began practice that he had found a pitcher who w^ould draw the crowds and make the headlines, and he was not disappointed in his choice. In an address recently, Hedgepath, in speaking of Billy, said, “He can’t lose—he has got to remain up in the high brackets. He is too nice a boy. I have known him since a small kid and I have found him tops.” Buzhardt learned, like many other hopefuls, the climb from a country boy pitching for Prosper ity was a long and tedious trip to the majors. In ’54 he was sent to Hickory, N. C., and after a brief period, moved to Gainesville, Tex., in the Sooner League. The following two years found John Pitching with Paris, 111., in a Class D loop and Twin Falls, Idaho, in the Pioneer League. In ’57 he began with Memphis, Tenn., in the Southern Association, and near the end of the season drop ped to Des Moirhes, Iowa, of the Class A Western League. John began with Portland, in ’58 and continued to the end of the PCC season before being brought up to the Cubs. After working out with the Cubs in spring training, John was sent to Portland. He worried quite a lot during the early part of this season with Portland. John and his wife had a child born prema turely in July. This was the second time in two years. Sometime after this trying or deal John began to show real Stuff and was the idol of every one attending the games. With a few consecutive wins behind him, the Cubs ordered him to report to Wrigley Field. The Portland club, which is said to have a working agree ment with the Cubs, insisted John be permitted to finish the season. The Cubs eventually adhered to their demands. So Buzhardt didn’t get to fulfill his life-long boyhood dream of a big league career un til Sept. 5. His first win came in relief, causing his Prosperity- Newberry fans to believe he would stick and be a success like O’Dell. Buzhardt married Miss Jane Hawkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Hawkins, who live near St. Luke’s Lutheran Church near Lake Murray. They were classmates at Prosperity High. They have one child, Randy, four years old. John is the son of Mrs. Eula Buzhardt and the late Mr. Buz hardt. John is 22, weighs 200 pounds and stands 6-3^. He throws right-handed. A Portland sportswriter had this to say before John left the coast: “Big John Buzhardt, the Cubowned right-hander who has been the big stopper for the Be- vos and a surprise one, at that, has a promising major league fu ture and the guess is that the big man from Prosperity, S. C., will get a real shot with the Cubs next year.” Not only did John star in base ball while attending Prosperity High, but also in football and basketball. He received the most valuable player awards in all three sports. He was captain of the All-State Class B football team and played three years as a member of the Newberry Ameri can Legion Junior baseball team, and was team captain in ’53. John is in Cuba playing winter baseball with the Havana club and is not expected home until around Jan. 10. Then for a few weeks he will recuperate while visiting his mother and his wife’s parents be fore heading for Arizona spring training with the Cubs. The two Newberry players are true southerners in that they are polite and nice to everyone. This has been shown by numerous articles in which both participat ed. O’DELL KIND TOA LL A number of people from this section have been to Baltimore to see Billy pitch and came back with statements that he remained behind most of the others to sign autographs. He never overlooks scores of kids, known as knot- holers, and autographs seekers. Most Newberrians know Billy grew up with a baseball in his hand. It clung to him and playing baseball is what he wants to do. The baseball and Billy go to gether. So, by being nice and po lite Billy is one of the best liked players on the Baltimore team. Looking back to ’50, Hedge- path had the best high school baseball team in the state with pitchers Leroy Vaughn and O’Dell and Bobby Morris behind the plate. At the end of the season, Vaughn had won 10 games with out a loss and had 132 strikeouts in 66 innings, while O’Dell posted LAFF OF THE WEEK "I’ll bet on a clear day you could almost see the diamond with the naked eye.” a 6—0 mark and struck out 101. Both had a no—hit, no—run game to their credit. The Bulldogs took the last 17 games in a row. In ’54 while pitching for Clem son, Billy was named to a sec ond team All—America berth. The announcement came after Billy had joined the Orioles. FIFTH IN LOOP O’Dell who is a most enthusias tic bird hunter, took time out this week to receive congratula tions from friends on coming in fifth in earned run averages in the American League this season. He was also commended for win ning the trophy for the most val uable player in the all—star clas sic this summer in Baltimore. A- V Vi: m'y iVA' / ■«mr Oi A AX ^ a* Q O W f Vi ’tzr h_G-Li_JL To our Faithful old Friends, To our new Friends and To those whose friendships We hope to earn, We extend Greetings of the Season And our wishes for a New Year of Good Health and Success. WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY Robert Wagner, Dana Wynter, Jeffrey Hunter, Hope Lang, Sheree North, France Nuyen In Love and War (In Cinemascope & Color) Also Cartoon—Good Will To Men SATURDAY Rory Calhoun, Beverly Garland, John Larch The Saga Of Hemp Brown Also Cartoon—Truant Student LATE SHOW SAT. NIGHT 10:30 Also MONDAY & TUESDAY Jill Corey, Paul Hampton, Jimmie Komack, Barbara Bostock, Mitch Miller, Connie Boswell, Bob Crosby, Toni Arden, Freddy Mar tin and his Orchestra Senior Prom Also Cartoon CLOVER LEAF :-in Theatre Carpenters FRIDAY & SATURDAY Rock-A-Bye- Jerry Lewis, Marilyn Maxwell Added Color ^Cartoon—Smitten Kitten SUNDAY The Reluctant Debutante Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, John Saxon, Sandra Dee Added Color Cartoon—Guns PERSONAL Mrs. T. A. Scarborough and Miss Ethel Jones left Tuesday for Brogdons where they will spend the holidays with their sister, Mrs. J. C. Brogdon. and daughter, Kathy of Mobile, Ala.; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Randal and sons, Randy and Derrill of Beaufort; and Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Beat and sons, Bill, Larry and Doug, of Toledo, Ohio, are spend ing the Christmas holidays with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Derrill Smith on Main St. Holidays May Not Be Happy Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, but the Christmas holidays will not be happy ones for all families in South Carolina. For, you see, Virginia, many of our people will be killed or pain fully injured in hundreds of sense less traffic accidents that will oc cur during the next few days. But, Virginia, the Christmas holiday season can be happy for all South Carolinians, as not a single death need octur on our streets and highways, if all motor ists and pedestrians will put forth their best effort towards highway safety. However, Virginia, experience and records at the State Highway Department prove that all drivers don’t be careful. During the five day holiday .period last year, 11 deaths and 204 injuries occurred in 590 traffic accidents in South Carolina. The State Highway Department annually does everything possible to make holiday travel as safe as possible. The Highway Patrol will Dr. and Mrs. Neil Truesdell and family will spend the holidays at Dr. Truesdell’s home in Bethune. Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Lambeth Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Brooks left Tuesday for Moultrie, Ga. to spend the Christmas holidays with Mrs. Brooks’ brother, Hubert Kandel and Mrs. Kandel. be on the highways in full force railroad crossings, all through the holiday period in sisting on strict 4 obedience of traf fic laws and offering courteous assistance to motorists. Being sufficiently alert while driving is difficult at all times, Virginia, but it is even more so during the festive year-end season when more parties, late hours, ex tra shopping and home-for-the- holidays travel are added to the usual problems of traffic and win ter driving. The Highway Department offers the following rules for safe holi day v driving: Obey all traffic regulations and signs, comply with posted speed limits, and never drive faster,than safe for exist ing conditions. Slow down and live. Don’t drive when drowsy and don’t exhaust yourself by driving too far at one time. On long trips, stop every two hours for a coffee break or other rest. Driving and drinking is an open invitation to disaster. Don’t risk it. Be extra alert, constantly watch side roads for entering traffic and check your rear view mirror. Always grant the pedestrian the right of way. Stop, look, and listen at Allow at least one car lengt!* for each 10 miles of speed when, following other cars, and always^ dim your headlights when meeting" cars. And, finally, be sure your vehicle is in top mechanical shape* by having it safety checked be fore starting your holiday tripr. Remerqber that smooth tires, bad brakes and lights, and defective steering are invitations for disas ter. Virginia, we hope that we are wrong, and that the Christmas holidays will be happy for all families. CLASSIFIED! a rv A A ELECTRIC MOTORS NEW- T JSED—REBUILT Bought, Sold, Exchanged We Repair All Types Satisfaction Guaranteed Mann Electric Repair Co. 2329 Main St. Columbia, S, G» ' 7 : ':V *P| CAROLINA METAL WORKS Sheet Metal - Heating - Air Conditioning COLLEGE ST. EXTN. TEL. UV A. G. McCAUGHRIN, President & Treasurer. ym WS \4 yy Recent Marriages Calvin E. Morris and Patricia Ann Summer of Newberry were married on December 14 at New berry by Rev. Ralph E. Rhyne. Willie R. Martin of Newberry and Elizabeth L. Osborne of Jo anna were married at Newberry on December 19 by Probate Judge E. Maxcy Stone. RITZ Theatre “Man of the Year Dr. T. S. Buie, state conser vationist of the Soil Conserva tion Service for South Carolina, has been named “Man of the Year” in South Carolina Agri culture by The Progessive Farm er, according to announcement in the January issue of the maga zine. Dr. Buie is well known in Newberry, having spoken here on numerous occasions before civic and service clubs. Year End Clearance Begins FRIDAY, DEC. 26th Anderson’s Shoe Store ■ >5/ pafeir.) • •*. • -- < • I CHRISTMAS especially reminds us that we should thank God for His greatest gift to us: “For unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ, the Lord.” Let us also remember how Christ ministered to others, especially to those who are among the* less fortunate. Let us ever preserve a social conscience as Christ com manded us: "What ye do unto the least of these, AV' manaea us: wnat ye do unto the least ot ye do unto Me.” To you and your loved we fxtend our most sincere wishes. « ones, 7, C. D. Coleman Oil Company “DEPENDABLE SERVICE” Phone 548 [J *v: im 4