Volume 8 , Issue 40

RedHawks Unveil Sculptures of Oklahoma Baseball Greats

(These articles were in the Perry Daily Journal on Monday, September 25th, 2006.) Two of those scupltures are the work of a Perry, Oklahoma artist, Jim Franklin. On September 19, 2006, the Oklahoma Red Hawks and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission unveiled sculptures of Oklahoma baseball greats: Paul & Lloyd Waner, Carl Hubbell, Pepper Martin. The busts joined other baseball greats outside the AT&T Bricktown Stadium.

Carl Hubbell of Meeker, OK, was best known for his "legendary" screwball and striking out 5 future Hall of Famers in a row in 1934 All-star Game: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Fox, Al Simmons, Joe Cronin,Hubbell was a one time member of Oklahoma City Indians of Western League. He was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame 4 years after retirement in 1947. Hubbell was born June 22, 1903; died November 21, 1988, Scottsdale, AZ, buried in Meeker, Oklahoma. Hubbell's sculpture bust was done by a Tulsa, OK artist, Jay O'Meilier.

Pepper Martin was born in Temple, Oklahoma, February 29, 1904. Martin had a major league career that spanned 13 seasons (1928-1944). Martin's nickname was "The Wild Horse of the Osage." He played 3 World Series. Martin helped lead the Cardinals to National championships in 1931 and 1934. Martin batting in 1931 was 500 with homer and 5 RBI against Philadelphia. Martin died March 5, 1965, McAlester, OK. Martin's sculpture was done by an Edmond, OK sculptor, Shan Gray. -- submitted by Roy Kendrick
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