 |
| Collect your teacher’s autograph! |
Saul Rogovin became a star after his playing career.
He became a teacher. Forget his stats. Read Ralph Berger’s stirring profile (linked above) from the SABR Bio Project. Rogovin started his education career at age 51, serving students for 12 years. The feature says that Rogovin had to produce his baseball card to convince classes of his earlier career!
One of the most eloquent replies I’ve received came from former Cub Ed Mayer. Mayer taught for 25 years after his pitching days ended.
That’s what led me to seek out more players-turned-teachers to contact.
Here’s my magnificent seven from the past week:
Dave Fleming
Rich Beck
Don Wengert
Ford “Moon” Mullen
Bob Lacey
Jeff Keener
Jim Morris
Who would you add to this list? Yes, I’ll write them, too. Teachers are my heroes. If you serve a classroom (or more), you have my thanks and admiration. In my eyes, you’ll always be an all-star.
Interesting story about Mr. Rogovin. Ed Goodson became a teacher after his playing career and ended up being a jobs specialist at a high school.
I interviewed Charlie Gorin a few years ago who was a PE teacher for many years. He was great to talk to and would enjoy this. Bob Addis also went into teaching. I think Dan Schatazder is currently teaching as is Bill Long (White Sox pitcher 1980’s / 1990’s).
6/18/14 “Coach Charlie Gorin was a coach, PE and health teacher at my Austin Tx high school. I was lucky enough to have him as an educator in 1968-69. Great coach, better teacher and man. Also a member of the Univ of Tx College World Series champions of 1949 and 1950. Another one of the men whose careers were interupted or shortened by military service. Thanks Coach! Richard Gossett Cedar Park Tx
my uncle saul told me about his intention to teach. he followed his dream. he taught frankie rodreiguez how to pitch. i asked him if he ever pitched to dimaggio. he smiled and said…..”i struck him out”