Bill Swank

With the start of a new school year, I reflect on my own early education.

My first day as a first grader at William Tecumseh Sherman Primary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin remains an indelible memory. It was September 4, 1946. I was unhappy… very unhappy. My mother made me wear a suit coat and tie for this momentous occasion. My brother was in kindergarten, so he didn’t have to get all dressed up like it was Sunday.

Back in the 1940s, kids didn’t know how to read when they entered first grade. My mother was comfortable sending me to school to be educated by real teachers. In those days, first graders could walk five blocks to school in a big city… alone.

(Another thing, almost all of my elementary school teachers had the same first name: Miss.)

Continue reading “What happened to Good Citizenship?”

November/December 2017 California Bountiful magazine 
Interview by Jolaine Collins
Photos by Zeena Gregg

Santas Richard Eckland and Bill Swank collaborate with farmers at the Vista Farmers Market in San Diego County to encourage healthy eating and offer produce samples. Photo: © 2017 Zeena Gregg

As the Boston Red Sox play the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 World Series, how many old-timers remember the Abilene Red Sox?

Abilene has had two professional teams: the 1909 Red Sox and the 1910 Reds. Both teams finished third in the old Central Kansas League. The Sox had a 37-30 record in ‘09 and the Reds won 44 and lost 34 in 1910. The star of the team was affable player/manager Affie Wilson who, in death, would become famous beyond his wildest dreams.

1909 was also a good year for the local high school team. AHS was loaded with future pro prospects. The most famous member of the team would become president of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower. As a boy, Ike dreamed of being “a real Major League baseball player, a genuine professional like Honus Wagner.”

Continue reading “1909 Abilene High School nine was loaded with talent”

By Bill Swank

Special to Abilene Reflector-Chronicle

Sports : Wednesday, August 28, 2013 7:00:00 AM

How might football coach Jeff Geist respond if someone suggested Cody Whitehair would return to the Cowboys two years after his 2010 graduation from Abilene High School?

Something like this actually happened over 100 years ago.

Dwight Eisenhower graduated from AHS in June 1909. According to Tim Rives, assistant director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, “Ike returned to Abilene High School in the fall of 1910 to prep for the West Point entrance exam; he took the opportunity to play another season of football. This is the odd part: he reportedly played under the name of Sweeney. Curious and curiouser.”

Continue reading “A MAN AMONG BOYS: Ike played AHS football at age 20”

By Diane Bell
UT San Diego, 03:03p.m. Aug 29, 2013

A baseball mystery surrounding Dwight D. Eisenhower has been the subject of speculation for decades.

Did our nation’s 34th president play pro or semipro ball before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or didn’t he?

Continue reading “Did Ike play pro before West Point?”

Baseball historian and author Bill Swank shows the team photo of the Junction City Soldiers and points to a player identified as Wilson, clearly not Dwight Eisenhower. (Photo by Ron Preston)

By RON PRESTON

Abilene Reflector-Chronicle

News : Thursday, August 08, 2013 7:00:00 AM

There is no doubt that Dwight Eisenhower liked baseball. There is no doubt that Ike was a good athlete. These are known facts that have been documented by known researchers and expert historians.

Continue reading “Eisenhower baseball controversy is thrown out”

Abilene– Historian Bill Swank will discuss the Eisenhower baseball controversy at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Visitors Center Auditorium on the campus of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.Swank is a San Diego baseball historian and author of “Baseball in San Diego: From the Plaza to the Padres.”

The controversy centers around the question of whether President Dwight D. Eisenhower played professional baseball before he entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“Ike said he did, but he always refused to give details,” said Tim Rives, deputy director. “Bill has done more research on this topic than any historian I’m aware of. I’m not going to give away his conclusions, but I will say that he has discovered many fascinating details of Ike’s baseball and football days in Abilene.”

– Salina Journal, August 2, 2013

Special Award Most Unique: Bill Swank, Santa’s Beard Trimmings

Collections Other Than Listed (First Place): Bill Swank, Santa’s Beard Trimmings

By Diane Bell
UT San Diego
4:45 P.M.FEB. 4, 2013

Bill Swank had planned to deliver a Local Authors Exhibit medal to former Chargers lineman Walt Sweeney while they watched the Super Bowl here together. But it wasn’t meant to be. Sweeney, 71, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this month, died Saturday at his home.

“It took him about 15 years to get his book published,” said Swank, who had helped fine tune Sweeney’s tell-all autobiography, “Off Guard.” The book details Sweeney’s early use of team-approved performance-enhancing drugs and chronicles the impact of drugs and alcohol on his life.

“When he knew he was dying, his biggest concern was finding a home for his dog,” said Swank. “He had a big soft spot. It was a side many people didn’t know about Walt.” In the end, Sweeney’s son, Rick, took in the dachshund. As it turned out, Sweeney had inherited the dog from a friend who, likewise, was dying of cancer…

Claus for a cause: Bill Swank, a local baseball historian who doubles as Santa Claus during the holidays, took his campaign to get a statue of Ted Williams erected at downtown’s former Lane Field to the S.D. Port Commission board meeting Tuesday. Guards allowed the red-suited “Baseball Santa” to enter, but minus his candy cane-striped baseball bat and his “Occupy Lane Field” protest sign.

Swank delivered his plea Santa-style:

“T’was the night before baseball

and all through the town

Not a creature was stirring

when Santa took the mound.

He told the board members

I have a goal,

a statue of Ted Williams…

or I’ll give you all coal!”

Swank elicited a few chuckles but no comment on the statue. Given the current cold snap, coal might actually be much appreciated.

Continue reading ““Occupy Lane Field” A Statue for Ted Williams”

Local Baseball Author and Historian Wants A Piece Of San Diego History Preserved

photo by AP

Bill Swank, a local baseball historian, says it’s time one of San Diego’s most prolific baseball players be honored with a statue downtown.

That slugger is Ted Williams who played for the Boston Red Sox, and became one of baseball’s greatest players of all-time.

Williams who was born in San Diego in 1918, began his pro career at the old Lane Field downtown, when the Padres joined the pacific coast league.

On Saturday, Swank stood at the corner of Pacific Highway and Broadway, and said a statue of Ted Williams should be placed there along with the home plate plaque and patch of grass that signify where the old ballpark once stood.

Original story here.

In 1949, our family moved to Columbia City, Indiana where my father became the Cub Scout Pack Master and Superintendent of the Presbyterian Church Sunday School. He was even Santa Claus for one year and a constant source of embarrassment to his family.

Santa and his Sons (Indiana – 1950)

Shortly after that encounter, my wife and I attended a neighbor’s party. These two charming ladies (above) convinced me to be the replacement for their aging Santa Claus who was retiring following controversy between the Community Christmas Center and local atheists. I remembered their life-sized Nativity dioramas from when I first moved to San Diego. I took my kids to see the Christmas Story at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion when they were little. I gladly volunteered to be their Santa Claus, because the spirit of the CCC is low-key and non-commercial. Christmas has become too commercial. Santa should be about giving and not about making extra income during the Holiday Season. I was honored to become part of a great San Diego tradition in Balboa Park.

Baseball Santa (2002)

This little boy was afraid of Santa and wouldn’t talk. I asked if he liked baseball. He nodded, so I handed him my bat. I asked if he’d like to wear my baseball cap. Again he nodded, so I put it on his head. Next, I asked if he would do me a favor. Would sit on my lap so I could have a picture of him with my bat and cap? To my surprise, he agreed. I didn’t know it then, but I had become “Baseball Santa.”

My best friend and former basketball teammate, Rich Nelson, is an American Legion baseball commissioner in Illinois. In 2003, he invited the original House of David base ball team to play an exhibition game at Elfstrom Stadium, home of the Class A Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. Secretary of Trustees and team captain Ron Taylor agreed to allow Santa Claus to play for the bearded religious colony. From the 1920s through the 1940s, House of David was a famous barnstorming team that played all challengers including the great Negro League teams of the era.

Chicago Tribune (July 27, 2003)

By the way, the hidden baseball mentioned in the Chicago Tribune article was not a fake ball. It was the actual game ball. Former 98-year-old HOD catcher Eddie Deal taught me the trick. It was part of their entertainment which included the renown House of David “pepper game” routine.

Captain Ron and Santa (2003)

Ron Taylor and Baseball Santa are shown relaxing after the House of David game. Santa is drinking a nutritional supplement designed to maintain his santaesque waistline. Ron sent the following letter:

House of David (August 25, 2003)

During the 2003 Christmas Season, Santa stopped to visit his friends at the San Diego Hall of Champions. Founder Bob Breitbard wanted his picture taken on Santa’s lap as shown below in the 2004 Hall of Champions Journal.

San Diego Hall of Champions Journal (2004)

In 2004, Leslie Macher, a television producer for Major League Baseball, wanted me to talk about San Diego’s early ballparks for their new HDTV series, “Cathedrals of the Game.” Halfway through taping, the host, Michelle Beadle, confided that when the crew pulled into the Hall of Champions parking lot that morning, she joked, “Hey look, Santa Claus is on vacation in San Diego.” They was surprised to learn that Santa was their baseball historian. Michelle referred to me as “Santa” during the interview, but the reference was cut when the program aired.

Cathedrals of the Game (2004)

On December 11, 2004, Barnes & Noble and The Old Globe Theater sponsored an event known as “Million Books for a Million Children. Santa was invited to read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and the Old Globe’s Grinch acted out the story. Afterwards, the Grinch himself autographed a copy of Dr. Suess’s Christmas classic for Santa. Then the Grinch asked for an autographed copy of Santa’s Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco. Santa laughed, “I didn’t know you were a baseball fan.” Without cracking a smile, the Grinch deadpanned, “I am.”

The Grinch and Santa Claus (2004)

In 2005, the Surf Dawgs became San Diego’s entry in the newly formed independent Golden Baseball League. As a publicity stunt, the team held tryouts for the local media and Baseball Santa was invited to showcase his skills. Although not tendered a coveted professional contract, Santa did make the Channel 10 highlights when he backhanded a deep shot in the hole at short and fired a two-bouncer to first base.

East County Gazette (April 6, 2005)

Baseball Santa is shown below taking his swings during the Surf Dawgs tryout at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

In 2006, Baseball Santa again played for House of David in a doubleheader at Legion Park in Wheaton, Illinois. He is shown below watching a ball hit with his candy cane willow ricochet off the left field fence. With blinding speed, Santa was able to stretch a certain double into a single.

Santa connects (Wheaton, Illinois – 2006)

After the game, Rich Nelson and Santa went on the road to Sister Bay, Wisconsin to visit Pipka at her studio. It didn’t take long for her to decide to make a figurine with a baseball theme.

Baseball Santa and Pipka (Sister Bay, Wisconsin – 2006)

Later on the same road trip, Santa rejoined the House of David team at beautiful Eastman Field in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Davids were scheduled to face the mighty Bonneyville Millers from Indiana. Santa is shown below with ballists from the Millers club.

Santa and the Bonneyville Millers (Benton Harbor, Michigan – 2006)

A close play at second base (Benton Harbor, Michigan – 2006)

Below is a rare copy of Baseball Santa’s Upper Deck baseball card.

Baseball Santa Swank (Upper Deck – 2006)

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The card appeared on the New York Post website.

New York Post (December 24, 2006)

Bill Swank Upper Deck baseball card

Bill Swank (Upper Deck – 1955)

Upper Deck catalog

Upper Deck liked the “antique look” of the Farmington card so much that it was featured in their catalog. Antique look? 1955 isn’t antique!

Former Negro Leaguer Neale “Bobo” Henderson and Baseball Santa were invited to be Opening Day speakers for the Southeast San Diego Little League.

As a tribute to Buck O’Neil, Dave Winfield arranged for every Major League Baseball team to symbolically draft a former Negro League player during the annual amateur draft in June 2008. It was my privilege to travel to Orlando, Florida as a guest of MLB for this historic event.

Walter McCoy, Baseball Santa, John “Mule” Miles (June 5, 2008)

Santa with 102 year old Emilio Navarro (June 5, 2008)

When I gave my baseball card to the former Negro League players, rather than commenting about Santa Claus, they were impressed that I played for House of David. Several stated that when they first saw me, they immediately thought of the House of David. All appreciated the fact that House of David played against the Negro League teams.

In 1954, San Diego Post 492 won the American Legion National Championship. My good friend, Billy Capps, was the Legion Player of the Year in ’54. Billy invited Rich Nelson and me to join him and his wife, Sue, at the 2008 American Legion World Series in Shelby, North Carolina. I wanted to visit Shelby because its town leaders had allowed black ballplayers from San Diego Post 6 to play in the 1940 American Legion semi-finals.

Former American Legion Baseball Commissioner Lou Brissie, Billy Capps, Rich Nelson (2008)

Reverend Eddie, Zaiden, Baseball Santa (Shelby, North Carolina – 2008)

While at the Legion World Series, a little boy named Zaiden asked if I was Santa Claus. He became very excited when I handed him my card. A short time later, Zaiden wanted to give me a dollar bill that his mother had given to him to spend on a snack. I thanked the boy, but explained that Santa doesn’t accept money. Then I thought about a Baptist minister I’d met earlier in the stands named Reverend Eddie. He had told me about his out-reach program for the poor.

I asked Zaiden if he would be willing to give his dollar to help poor people. He said, “If that’s what you want me to do, Santa, then I’ll do it.” I introduced the youngster to Rev Eddie, but wanted to make sure the kid understood what poor meant. Immediately he replied, “Yeah, them’s broken people. They ain’t got no money.” Yes, he wanted to give his dollar to help poor people. The preacher and the boy’s mother both started to cry. Zaiden, you’re a great little kid! Shelby is a great town!

The Shelby Star (August 25, 2008)

As a goodwill ambassador at the Legion World Series, Capps usually makes the front page of the local newspaper, but I knocked him off the cover this time…

Alan Ford article about John Ritchey (Shelby Star, August 25, 2008)

In September 2008, Rich Nelson was invited to play in the final doubleheader of the season for House of David. I gave him an old Santa Claus beard and wig, but Rich didn’t want to be another “Baseball Santa.” I was finally able to convince him to play as himself: 112 year old Richard E. Nelson.

Terry Bertolino wheels 112 year old Richard E. Nelson to the mound (2008)

As a tribute to the House of David’s relationship with the Negro Leagues, Rich would pitch the first game of the twin bill and, as the legendary Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe used to do with the Kansas City Monarchs, catch the second game

Richard E. Nelson pitched in the first game (Benton Harbor, Michigan – 2008)

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…and caught in the second game (Benton Harbor, Michigan – 2008)

Note that Richard E. Nelson is playing catcher in a rocking chair to honor Negro League catcher Lloyd “Pepper” Bassett. Several “cranks” (fans) actually believed that Rich was 112 years old. HOD captain Ron Taylor told them (with a sly grin), “We just dug him up.”

Baseball Santa with Impostor (Benton Harbor, Michigan – 2008)

The Hobart (Indiana) Deep River Grinders brought their own Santa.

Richard E. Nelson (112), senior Grinder ballist (70s), Baseball Santa (68) at Eastman Field (2008)

House of David (2008)

2008 House of David team photograph (above) and, after all that, Rich needed his own baseball card (below):

Below is the cover of the 2008 House of David program. I was surprised to be included in the lower right corner.

As a favor to a friend who needed a Santa Claus, I agreed to take a “Santa job” during the 2008 season. I decided Baseball Santa would use the money to purchase baseball equipment for kids in Mexico. I learned about “The Christmas Train” which annually delivers 5,000 gifts packages to needy kids in Tecate, Mexico on El Dia del Los Tres Reyes . The train travels from Campo to Tecate. Because of bureaucratic problems with Mexican Customs, I could only smuggle a few jerseys and caps across the line at this time.

I met Tecate Mayor Donaldo Penalosa who is a big baseball fan. Arrangements were made to meet him in Jamul where we loaded his RV with gear for the Tecate Little League. Later, after learning the South Bay Little League in Chula Vista, California was experiencing problems, Baseball Santa took a carload of equipment to league president Art Diaz.

In 1972, the Madres were formed by San Diego Padres wives to support youth baseball. The theme of the 2009 Madres mid-summer meeting was “Christmas in July.” Almost $100 was raised for youth baseball by ladies posing for pictures on Baseball Santa’s lap.

Baseball Santa was interviewed by Randy Dotinga with Voice of San Diego in August 2009:

Pipka’s “Play Ball” figurine was introduced for the 2009 Christmas Season.

The following story is from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau website:

On May 2, 2010, Baseball Santa gave equipment to the Rosarito Little League as part of their Dia de los Ninos celebration.

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