Talk:Pop Kelchner

From BR Bullpen

He "had a hand in..." ? Did he really sign all these players? or is there some grandstanding here? --Jeff 22:21, 18 September 2007 (EDT)

Research vs Sarcasm 
(ron October 8, 2007)

I would like to respond to your comment on Pop Kelchner. If you would have researched any of the following items you would have seen that Pop was associated with all but two of the players mentioned.

The only exceptions are:

Tommy Glaviano was signed by Pop's brother Jay. Jay was a scout for the Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers. Jay also signed Nippy Jones and Bud Malone.
Pop recommended Whity Kurowski to Branch Rickey but Harrison " Muck " signed him for the Cardinals. Muck later became the farm director for the Chicage Cubs.
For verification of Pop's information I would recommend the following articles:
 1. January 14, 1942 The Spoting News, Charles Kelchner Veteran Ivory Hunter
 2. January 3,  1935 The Sporting News, Kelchner Brings Learned Mind to Scouting
 3. October 1,  1958 The Sporting News Necrology, Pop Kelchner Dies at 84
 4. August 20,  1950 Harrisburg - Patroit News Man - Hunter Pop Kelchner

I am attaching a brief outline of my research on Pop for your reading.

 Charles "Pop" Kelchner 

Dean of Scouts Born: Fleetwood ,Pa. August 2nd, 1875 Died: Palmyra, Pa. September19th, 1958 Age 84 Wife: Carrie A. Meyer Daughter: Kathryn M. Kelchner Brother: Jay Kelchner scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals

Pop was a scout for the Philadelphia A's (1909-1911), St. Louis Browns (1912-1917) and St. Louis Cardinals (1918 until his death in 1958). His career spanned 58 years as a player, manager, owner, scout and one of the organizers of the Tri- State League. He sent more than 50 players to the major leagues and was associated with at least 60 more.

Albright College in Reading, Pa. dedicated the baseball field in Pop's name in 1952. Branch Rickey gave the dedication speech; Connie Mack also attended.

The list of players includes Ruth, Hornsby, Coveleski, Thorpe, Bender, Ehmke, and Jake Daulbert. Names added later were Jake Flowers, Charley Gelbert, Joe Medwick (last triple crown winner in the National League), Rip Collins, Ted Wilks, Howard Krist, Eddie Lake, Max Surkont, Nellie King, Danny Murtaugh, Ken Raffensberger and others.

Pop was considered to be the most erudiate member of the scouting profession. He was a graduate of Lafayette College with two degrees and was proficient in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Classical Latin and Greek. He served as Professor of Languages and Athletic director at Albright College for 21 years.

Pop Kelchner Outline

Pop Kelchner Scout for 58 years Philadelphia A's 1909-1911 (Connie Mack hired him ) St. Louis Browns 1912-1917 (Robert Lee Hedges hired him ) St. Louis Cardinals 1918 -until his death in 1958 (Branch Rickey hired him ) Sent over 50 players to the major leagues (list available) 60 other players are associated with Pop (list available)

Owner, Manager, Player, Scout , helped organize the Tri-State League Atlantic City ( Player) Milton, Pa. 1905 Playing/Manager ( Susquehanna League ) Wildwood, N.J. 1906 Manager Kane, Pa. 1907 Manager (Interstate League) Bridgeton 1908 Manager (South Jersey League) Harrisburgh, Pa. 1909 Captain (Tri - State League) Clearfied, Pa. 1910- 1911 Playing/Manager (Blue Mountain League) Lowell, Mass. 1915 Manager (New England League) Lebanon, Pa. 1918 owner and Manager (Bethleham Steel League)

             1918 Betheham Steel League (Lebanon Team)  
                      Pop Managed Hall of Fame Players
                      Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby and Stanley Covaleska. 
                      Other major league players on that team were
                      Sam Agnew, Joe Schultz,  Bill Beebe,  Tony Walsh , Charlie Babington,
                     Joe Bugsa, Eddie Miller , Norm Plitt, Del Pratt, George" Ducky " Hale, 
                     Tom Jones, Jim Shaw and Ernie Shore                  
Reading Coal Barons, Pa.  Manager (1919  International League)

Helped Organize the Tri -State League

Information Resources The Sporting News (News Research 2000) January 14th , 1932 "Charles Kelchner Veteran Card Ivory Hunter" January 3rd, 1935 "Kelchner Brings Learned Mind to Scouting" Pop's Letter to the Sporting News 1947 (Steve Gietschier)

          (32)  Players receiving their start and development under Pop.   (1900 - 1912)
          (28)  College and Semi-Pro Players recommended by Pop.  (1912-1914)
          (26)  Partial List of Players on Minor League Teams who were recommended by Pop.
          (27)  List of Players whom Pop recommended to purchase but did not happen.
              Thoughts on Players of Today
              Player Development Philosophy
              Night Baseball and it's impact on Major League Baseball 

Necrology October 1958 (The Sporting News)


Additional Research Sources

             Ivory Hunter (Pic)  December 1937 ( Tryout Camp Pictures) Ivory Hunting
             Harrisburg Patriot -News  August 20th, 1950
                             (Lebanon Scout Spends Lifetime Seeking Talent)
             Reading Eagle (Bill Reedy Column)
             Lebanon County Merchandiser 11/11/00 
                             (Lebanon's Major League Team by Scott Ney)  
             Berks County Historical Society (June 8th,1952)
             Albright Sports News June 1952
             Reading Eagle Bill Reedy Sports Column June 1952
             Reading Eagle June 1952 Rickey and Mack Pay Tribute to Kelchner
             Reading Eagle June 1952 Dinner Held For Kelchner
             Letter to Ken Smith,  Sports Editor, Daily Mirror September 26th, 1937 
             Albany , Georgia Newspaper 
                             Lou Adamie St. Louis Cardinals Public Relations Staff 
                            " Be Yourself " Famous Scout Teaches Kids
             Los Angeles Times March 13th, 1936 Rickey's Aide Brands Tuttle  "Rookie  Prexy 
                             ( Kelchner personal representative of Branch Rickey)
             Albright College,  Fianna Holt, Head of Technical Services & Special Collections,  
                              Gingrich Library 
             Society for American Baseball Research
             Ralph Hall  (NEA) Column , Glen Falls,  New York  
                              "Pop Kelchner Tells of Trials In Securing Material"


Albright College, Reading, Pennsylvania Entered Albright Preparatory School, age 17, fall of 1895 Graduated 1898 with two degrees Proficient in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Classical Latin and Greek Served as Professor of Languages and Athletic Direction at Albright college for 21 years Baseball Field dedicated in Pop's name June 7th, 1952 Branch Rickey gave the keynote address (speech included) Connie Mack attended Kelchner Field Plaque

                         Named in Honor of
                      Charles " Pop" Kelchner
                  Pioneer in Athletics At Albright

Versatile Athletic - Athletic Coach - Teacher of Languages Loyal Alumnus - Well Known Baseball Scout Nationally Acclaimed For His Good Sportmanship and Christian Living He Played Well In The Game of Life - He Had The Will To Win

             Erected by The Board of Trustees
                             June 7th, 1952

Baseball Hall of Fame St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum (future consideration) The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame , Inducted in 1967 Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Inducted in 1967 Reading, Penna. Hall of Fame ( Hall of Fame Committee), will nominate Pop in October 2007 Eastern Lebanon County School District ( Pa.) continues to give out Pop Kelchner awards to the outstanding male and female student/athletics each year.

 Philadelphia 's Historical Society Article 
           Max Silberman, Vice Chairman of Philadelphia A's Historical Society
                Pop" Kelchner: Hall of Fame Scout?
                                        by Max Silberman

Who was Charles "Pop" Kelchner? Why does he deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Many readers from the Lehigh Valley remember "Pop" as a legend in his own time .Born in 1875 in Berks County, he spent most his life deeply involved in athletics. After graduating from Lafayette College in 1898 where had been an athlete and scholar, "Pop" spent 50 years as a baseball scouting, locating or recommending many stars and hall of famers. He worked for Connie Mack as a scout during the glory years of 1909-1911 and Mr. Mack was in attendance when the baseball field at Albright College (Reading PA) was dedicated to Kelchner and Branch Rickey in 1952. What players did he scout or recommend? Babe Ruth, Chief Bender and Jim Thorpe are just a few.He also served as athletic director at Albright for 21 years and headed the Department of Romance Languages. "Pop" Kelchner was not one dimensional. A true Renaissance man, he was fluent in German, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Latin! In addition he was an active member of his church, the Boy Scouts and the YMCA. We at the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society were contacted by Ron Smiley, a Society member who is serving on the Scouts Committee of SABR and was incidentally signed by Kelchner in l957, one year before Kelchner's death. Smiley firmly believes that scouts have played an extremely important role in baseball's success and men such as Charles Kelchner deserve enshrinement at Cooperstown. Space does not permit a listing of all Kelchner's accomplishments or the players he heped bring to stardom, but Ron Smiley has gifted the Society with a beautifully prepared binder on the subject which will be available at our research library for interested parties to peruse. The A's Society joins fans of the St. Louis Cardinals for whom Kelchner also labored and fully support the highest recognition for this great scout and wonderful human being.

Ron

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This page needs a LOT of editing! - --Mischa 09:26, 24 January 2011 (EST)

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