TARP SKUNKS: Vince, thank you for chatting with us about Howard Ehmke, the pitcher from Silver Creek. First, he was a fantastic pitcher. Who better to honor on a jersey top than a guy who won Game 1 of the 1929 World Series with a then-strikeout record. What kind of cool trivia do you know about the 1929 World Series that some of us may not know?

VINCE MARTONIS: In beating the Cubs 3-1 (in Game 1), Howard Ehmke got one of the six hits for the Philadelphia Athletics. While pitching, Howard Ehmke held the great Hall-of-Fame players Rogers Hornsby, Hack Wilson and Gabby Hartnett hitless, striking them out five times.

See EHMKE, Page B2

Also, Hall-of-Fame player Kiki Cuyler struck out two times and got one hit. Ehmke set a World Series record, striking out 13 Cubs batters, a record not broken until 1953. Ehmke’s salary for 1929 plus his share of the Series came to $9,000.

Hanover historian Vince Martonis shows off Tarp Skunks gear at Jamestown Cycle Shop in January. Submitted photo

TARP SKUNKS: That’s a lot of money for 1929. And to get a hit in that game, talk about pitchers who rake. Vince, we know about Howard Ehmke’s baseball heroics – as he is a 1983 Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, but what else makes Howard Ehmke so special to Chautauqua County?

VINCE MARTONIS: In one simple word, Ehmke was a gentleman. He held on to the values he learned from his parents, and carried them through his life: kindness, honesty, truthfulness, sharing and giving to others, teaching others. He didn’t drink or smoke, and he believed in proper behavior when in public. His home was Silver Creek. Ehmke was honored at a banquet and reception in Silver Creek on Oct. 10, 1930. More than170 people attended, including the manager of the Cubs. Howard was presented with an engraved watch by the people of Silver Creek. The inscription read: “From Silver Creek fans.” People should know that Howard Ehmke loved his country enough to take time off from baseball to join the Navy during World War I.

TARP SKUNKS: He sounded like a great guy to be around, and very well liked back home. What were some of Howard Ehmke’s hobbies?

VINCE MARTONIS: Howard returned to Silver Creek from time to time to visit family and friends. He was a member of the Silver Creek Masonic Lodge. Howard liked golf. While visiting Silver Creek, Howard used to hit golf balls off the high banks of Walnut Creek to practice. An amateur golf tournament in Philadelphia was named after Ehmke.

TARP SKUNKS: Bet he could drive a golf ball pretty far. So, Vince, what do you think Howard Ehmke would have to say about his name being on the Tarp Skunks jersey?

VINCE MARTONIS: I really believe that Ehmke would absolutely love the idea that his name was on the Tarp Skunks jersey, but he would be humbled by the honor. He wasn’t one to seek glory. He loved the idea of kids learning baseball and being able to see it played at all levels. He played for the Silver Creek Horseshoes and watched their games when he visited Silver Creek. He was a huge supporter of amateur baseball.

TARP SKUNKS: That’s great to hear, hope he never had a run in with skunks! Vince, did Howard realize at the time that his application of a tarpaulin on the field totally changed baseball for the better?

VINCE MARTONIS: As far as I know, Howard did not realize that the infield tarp he sold to teams would make that big of a difference to baseball or go down in baseball history. He was an intelligent man who saw a need that he could fulfill in baseball and make some money doing it. Remember, pitchers, probably more than any other player, are aware of what a wet ball and field can do to winning a game!

TARP SKUNKS: Absolutely! Vince, thank you so much for helping us celebrate Howard Ehmke’s 126th birthday!