Legendary Lefties a local sports legacy

Leftys - This priceless photo shows Johnny Morris and Chris Short (Lewes High left-handed hurlers) and Costen Shockley (Georgetown lefty first baseman) together in Phillies uniforms. I think Lefty’s Alley and Eats off Dartmouth Drive behind Wawa should have this photo on the wall. It doesn’t get any more lefty local. Sportswriting colleague Chuck Durante, who knows more than I know but not all that I know, mentioned that for nine days in July 1964, Dallas Green, Chris Short and Costen Shockey, three Delaware guys, were all on Phils together. I’m thinking of a photo collage: “All League Local Lefties.” I think I could crank that number to 100 easily.

A Short story - Launching this photo into the matrix of social media brought Rhawn Short, a Cape graduate, back into my orbit. Rhawn played football and baseball for Cape circa 1980. He just retired after 30 years teaching physical education and special education in Wilmington. “I taught at Wilmington Friends, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Richardson Park Learning Center and Warner Elementary,” Rhawn said. Rhawn and his sister recently visited Cape’s Chris Short Field to take a photo of the plaque and to share some stories. Another photo shows Chris Short’s children Diane, Mickey, Rhawn and Eric holding his plaque at the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2016. The photo was taken by Charlie Manuel. Short and Manuel were each inducted in 2016, a class that also included Brian Dawkins, Jimmy Watson, Steve Fredericks (sports talk radio) and the 1967 NBA champion Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame is separate from the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. You either had to play in Philly or be from Philly to be eligible for inclusion. 

Not my call - I’ve always been a loyalist when it came to high schools, from Bishop Egan, where I attended, to Cape Henlopen, where I taught, and to the colleges where I matriculated and gesticulated, including Temple, West Chester and Delaware. I grew up with the professional sports teams from Philadelphia. The first word I spoke as recorded in my baby book was “Ashburn.” But here in 2018, wasting away in “millenniumville,” the emphasis has changed. And I’m behind the times – there are just too many balls to chase. I always investigate midsummer movement of athletes, from those changing high schools and colleges to others who leave a sport to try another or because they just want to skim and surf. I can tell you Cape is losing some good kids this year, athletes who have transferred out or optioned out after middle school to greener pastures.

Slighting the narcissist - Terrell Owens falls somewhere along the narcissistic personality disorder spectrum. But T.O. is smart with a broad smile, and he can be engaging and actually listen to other people when they talk. If you are no threat, you are a no-count; it’s just that he has a problem with sharing the spotlight. This Saturday, the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame class will be inducted. The class includes Ray Lewis (first ballot), Randy Moss (first ballot), Terrell Owens (third year eligible), Brian Urlacher (first ballot), Brian Dawkins (second year eligible), Robert Brazile (29th year eligible), Jerry Kramer (45th year eligible), and Bobby Beathard (contributor committee). Owens will not attend the ceremony, but have his own at the University of Chattanooga because if you reject Owens twice, don’t expect him to play nice. “Get your popcorn ready!”

Snippets - “Did you hear who left out?” Pending acceptance, Cape rising junior softball/field hockey player Rye Elliott is transferring to Sussex Tech. Skylar Johnson, a rising junior basketball player, is also heading to Sussex Tech. Jake Gelof, a rising junior in soccer and baseball, is heading to IMG Academy in Florida, as is fellow junior placekicker Hunter Simmons. Corey Barnes, a local product and rising junior basketball player, is going back for his second year at Archbishop Carroll High School in D.C. Prize eighth-grade recruits out of Mariner, Chancler Johnson and Jaydon Mifflin, are reportedly heading to Sussex Tech. The big question is, “Is the lottery blind or doesn’t it have eyes?” Lost good friends through sports Sonja Jackson, 60, and John Kleitz, 64, good people who loved their kids and grandkids and Cape Henlopen sports. Phillies have played more than 100 games and are in first place in NL East. Can it last? The Eagles open training camp, and why is it that a trip to camp is more fun than some lame preseason game? They should learn a lesson from soccer and rename those games friendlies. Go on now, git!