Looking Back: Marv Staehle Was a 1963 Vol
When the Southern Association folded at the end of the 1961 season, professional baseball temporarily left Nashville. The Nashville Vols had been inaugural members of the league since its organization in 1901, fielding a team each year. The Sulphur Dell ballpark was vacant in 1962 except for barnstorming and amateur teams.
Then came the South Atlantic League (Sally) to the city and the ballpark the next year. The Vols were resurrected and back in business as an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. One of those Vols players was infielder Marv Staehle who would lead the league in batting (.327).
"When I was in Nashville, I lived in a big high rise mixed with a lot of college men," Staehle said recently. "I could walk to the ballpark. I got to meet Eddie Arnold and some of the country music performers. I also met Gene Autry who was the owner of the Angels. I had never been in that part of the country before like going through Gatlinburg and those cities in the South. I really enjoyed my time in Nashville."
Staehle was from Oak Park, Ill and turned down a full baseball scholarship from Northwestern University and another opportunity to play basketball at Michigan. Not coming from a wealthy family the left-handed batter chose to sign as a free agent with the hometown Chicago White Sox and a $25,000 bonus. Staehle began his professional career in 1960 at age 18 in Class D Clinton, Iowa.
"That first year was rough," said Staehle. "One of the things we did in spring training was taking an old school bus from Sarasota, Fla., to Clinton, Iowa. Clinton is a very small town. I struggled a little in the beginning since I was right out of high school.
"In the minor leagues I played shortstop, but I was a converted outfielder. I had a real good arm and they needed some shortstop help in their minor league system. So, they brought me in from the outfield to play shortstop. That was a very difficult transition for me. I made 40 errors that first year."
In his three years at Clinton, Staehle batted .251, .301 and .282. In his last two seasons in Class D ball, he appeared in 121 and 122 games with 48 and 33 RBIs. Staehle would begin the 1963 season in Nashville and an old ballpark with strange dimensions. The Sulphur Dell right field fence was 262 feet from home plate on top of an embankment with a 30-foot high screen. The bottom of the fence was 22 feet above the playing field.
"Playing in that old ballpark was good for me," said Staehle. "I liked the ball pitched away from me. Everybody was afraid of the left-hander because of the fear of giving up a home run to that short right field porch. I got plenty of balls out in front so I was able to take advantage of that situation.
"What was hilarious was the low line drive that was hit half way up that embankment with the right-fielder charging down the hill trying to catch the ball and he can't stop. So the second baseman has to go out there and get the ball.
"The Angels had about five or six players in Nashville, the rest of the players were fill-ins or on loan from other organizations like myself. I led the Florida Winter League in hitting (.352) in 1962. They wanted me to play in Double-A. The White Sox allowed me to play in Nashville rather than Lynchburg [White Sox affiliate]."
In Nashville, Staehle appeared in 109 games, batted .327 (139-for-412), with one home run and 30 RBIs. Staehle could not remember where he hit his lone home run, but did recall a memorable at-bat in Sulphur Dell.
"There was a concession stand several rows back of third base," said Staehle. "And as a left-handed batter they were pitching me away like they always did. I hit a line shot foul ball into the concession stand which hit a huge mustard jar that splattered mustard all over the patrons."
The Southern Association had never been integrated, but the South Atlantic League had black players on their rosters for many years. The Vols had two blacks on their roster, the first in the Nashville Vols history. Unfortunately this was an era of segregation especially in the South.
"The only problem I saw was near Knoxville," Staehle said. "We got in somewhere around Knoxville up in the mountains. We were going to get out and eat, but were told the black players had to eat in the kitchen and not in the dining hall with us. We were a tight group and hadn't had any problems before so we left and went somewhere else to eat."
The Vols finished that season in eighth place in an eight-team league with a 53-86 record 27.5 games behind champion Macon. Staehle was named the shortstop to the year-end Sally League All-Star team, as he was at mid-season. The manager that season for the Vols was John Fitzpatrick
"Fitz was a good man," said Staehle. "He had his hands full because the Angels didn't have enough players to fill a Double-A team. And like I said before a lot of us came from other teams. Les Moss was the manager of the Lynchburg club at the time.
"Moss did not like having a young player like me with somewhat dubious fielding. Most of my errors were throwing errors. I had a strong arm and was still getting used to playing in the infield. I was fortunate to have played in Nashville that season."
Staehle, 74, said that near the end of the season the Vols honored him with "Marv Staehle Day" for wining the batting title. Said Staehle, "Many of the businesses around the ballpark contributed gifts for me for clinching the batting title by two percentage points. They gave me gift certificates and all kinds of stuff."
The 1963 season would be the final for the Nashville Vols and Sulphur Dell. Staehle said during the season the team was aware of the Nashville Vols financial difficulties reported by the local media and newspapers. The fan-owned Vols folded and the South Atlantic League became the Southern League the following year. Sulphur Dell was demolished in 1969.
Staehle began the 1964 season in Indianapolis the White Sox Triple-A farm club of the Pacific Coast League. He appeared in157 games, batted .301 (176-for-584) with no home runs and 38 RBIs. At the end of the season, Chicago called Staehle to the big leagues when rosters were expanded. Staehle will never forget his first game and first plate appearance as a White Sox player against Detroit pitcher Dave Wickersham.
"It was a wonderful situation being called up," said Staehle. "When you get called up you are all excited about being part of the 40-man roster. We were are all in the dugout from all over the place. You really didn't think you are going to have an opportunity to get an at-bat.
"You are only there so management can see what you've got. We were sitting in the dugout chitchatting and looking over what the signals were. I didn't really pay that much attention. Jim Landis had struck out with a runner on third base. All of a sudden Al Lopez [White Sox manager] says, 'Staehle, get in there you're going to hit.' Lopez was thinking about a suicide squeeze because I was known for being a good bunter. I went to bat not thinking about a suicide squeeze. I saw Tony Cuccinello coaching at third base flashing signs. I thought to myself 'oops, I think one was a suicide squeeze.'
"On a suicide squeeze everybody needs to make sure they are on the same page. So I called a time out. I went down to Coach Cuccinello and asked if that was the suicide squeeze? He said yes, but you can't do it now because everyone knows about it. I went back and got a base hit and won the ball game."
Staehle played in six games with the White Sox batting .400 (2-for-5) with two RBIs and one stolen base. Said Staehle, "I had two hits and both won ball games. Smoky Burgess [played for the Nashville Vols in 1948] and I became the dynamic duo as far as pinch-hitting. We almost made it to the World Series, but the Yankees were too good for us."
In the next few years, Staehle began the season in Indianapolis with a late season call-up with Chicago. Staehle was becoming frustrated with his situation.
"The White Sox in those days were loaded in the minor leagues," said Staehle. "We had Dave DeBusschere of the New York Knicks, Ken Berry and all kinds of guys. We were in Triple-A with no place to go.
"Being on the 40-man roster would protect you, but after a few years you became a free agent. When Kenny Hubbs died there was a big push by the Chicago newspapers to bring me over from the White Sox since I was a local boy. [Hubbs was the Cubs second baseman that died at age 22 in an airplane crash just before the 1964 season]
"Of course that never materialized and Glenn Beckert became the Cubs second baseman. Glenn had never hit .300 in the minor leagues and went up to the big leagues and did wonderfully."
In 1967, Staehle was sent to the Cleveland organization, back to the minors in 1968, traded to Montreal and later played in Atlanta. In Montreal (1970), Staehle played the most as a major leaguer appearing in 104 games, batted .218 (70-for-321), no home runs and 26 RBIs.
"I got an opportunity to play in Montreal and platooned with Gary Sutherland at second base. A lot of my skills had diminished by then. In those days I used to play in Puerto Rico, Venezuela and in the Dominican. I was playing about 200 games a year.
"I had speed and when you are playing 200 games a year you are more susceptible to injuries. My body basically broke down. I've had about 12 surgeries in my life for replacement of hips and knees of which I contribute to baseball."
Staehle recorded one major league home run in a late season call-up to the Expos in 1969, but could not remember the pitcher who gave it up. Said Staehle, " I hit a rope that wasn't very high and I took off. I was in a full sprint. By the time it left the ballpark I was half way to second base and had to slow down. The guy I hit it off of was sent to the minor leagues the next day."
Staehle's final season in the big leagues arrived in 1971 with the Braves. He batted .111 (4-for-36) in 22 games. Staehle's contract was purchased by Hawaii the Triple-A club of the San Diego Padres. After appearing in 17 games, Staehle knew it was time to retire from baseball.
"I was working out in Hawaii and tore my ACL while running wind sprints in the outfield," said Staehle. "That was the end for me. My son was a college baseball player and tore his ACL twice and the doctors are so wonderful these days they can take care of that type of injury. In my day the doctors were just starting to figure it out. It was really the end of my career."
In Atlanta former Home Run King, Hank Aaron, was one of Staehle's teammates. They became good friends.
"We used to walk together to the ballpark on road games," said Staehle. "In those days Henry could walk in the streets of Cincinnati and other National League towns without any concerns. The "Hammer" was very congenial to me. In those days there wasn't too much to do in the daytime when we were in other cities. We would head out to the ballpark about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
"Hammer had to sign all these balls everywhere he went. It bothered him with the Babe Ruth people as he was closing in on Ruth's home run record. Either you were for Babe Ruth or you were for Henry Aaron. Hank handled it all with grace and dignity."
Staehle also became friends with another great future Cooperstown Hall of Fame member.
"I also had the pleasure of playing with Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico in winter ball," said Staehle. "I don't think Clemente had an ounce of fat in his entire body. I played in San Juan, which was Clemente's team. Orlando Cepeda was also there. I hit over .300 the both years I was in Puerto Rico.
"I became a slap hitter. In one game, Clemente came way in from centerfield and motioned for me to try and hit the ball over his head. I did hit a ball over his head and he chased it down to the 402 sign. He took two steps and two-hopped the ball from that wall and almost got me at home plate. Then he came up laughing."
In his major league career, Staehle played for four managers -- Al Lopez (Chicago), Eddie Stanky (Chicago), Gene Mauch (Montreal) and Lum Harris (Atlanta). Who was Staehle's favorite skipper?
"Al Lopez," Staehle said without hesitation. "Some of my relatives did not think Al gave me an opportunity early enough and by the time I was ready, I was out of gas. Al knew what he was doing with the situation. He kept another player that I don't want to mention who could steal bases and play good defense. I was more of the type of an everyday player. I didn't get much of an opportunity with Al, but I respected him as a man."
In seven major league seasons, Staehle appeared in 185 games, batted .207 with one home run and 33 RBIs. His minor league numbers in 13 seasons include 1,424 games, batted .286 with 10 home runs and 402 RBIs. Staehle also collected 108 stolen bases.
And who were the toughest pitchers Staehle faced?
"Everyone that was a right-hander," Staehle said with a laugh. "I guess the toughest were Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. They tell a story that if a ball from Ryan is coming at you waste high and if it gets past you its over your head. He had such a hard riser. I didn't have to face too many lefties."
After baseball, Staehle became a State Farm Insurance agent in Buffalo Grove, Ill, retiring after 34 years. He lives his retirement in Lake Geneva, Wis. and Ft. Myers, Fla. with his wife Mary Lou. The childhood sweethearts just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Staehle was asked to look back on the one accomplishment in his baseball career that makes him most proud.
"To have the respect of your teammates was always very important to me," said Staehle. "Jim Bouton was very complimentary to me saying I was a player's player and I always gave it my all every time. I believe I had the respect of my teammates. Several people have written books that have mentioned me. I want to be remembered as a team player."
Traughber's Tidbit: In 1908, three local newspapers Nashville American, Nashville Banner and Nashville Tennessean held a naming contest for the Nashville baseball team. Grantland Rice was the Tennessean's sports editor at the time and he announced on February 29 with a bold caption "VOLUNTEERS" THE PICK. Rice wrote: The Volunteers in a common canter! By an overwhelming vote the local fan colony has picked the above as the Nashville sobriquet for all time to come. The official count registered 950 votes for this nickname, while The Rocks and The Lime Rocks were so far distanced that they were not even in the running at any stage of the contest.
"Except for a few straggling votes, the bulk of the fans were decidedly in favor of The Volunteers-and so will stand.
"The days of The Fishermen, The Finnites, The Boosters, The Dodders, etc., are over. The name selected is one that can stand, no matter who the manager or owner may be."
Eventually the name was shortened to the "Vols." The Nashville club was formed in 1901 and did not have an official name. Though in the first season Rice did make a reference to the team as the "Wanderers" when on road trips and "The Fishermen" for its manager Newt Fisher. The team's first managers were Newt Fisher (1901-1905), Mike Finn (1905-06) and Johnny Dobbs (1907).
If you have any comments or suggestions contact Bill Traughber via email [email protected].