The amazing Ogeechee League champs of ’59 would end their run in ’60. Jobs and golf took its toll, but they didn’t go out lightly.

One late summer evening in ’60, as they were again Ogeechee League champs, they played their last game as original members. In the regional tournament in Savannah, Millen being fully loaded locked up with a team that was equally loaded from Cobbtown. What ensued was the longest game ever played in these tournaments. For 18 innings these teams were in a battle like a heavy weight title fight or a war.

In the bottom of the ninth, Millen was leading 7-4, Cobbtown had two on and two outs when their shortstop (Tingler or Tiner) hit a Doc Brown slider to Jacksonville to tie the score. From then on, we would score, and they would match until the bottom of the 18th. Cobbtown had two outs and the bases loaded when one of their left-handed hitters hit an ordinary ground ball to our second baseman. He would make this play 99 out of 100, but this was the one.

It trickled between his heels into right field and Cobbtown was the winner. Cobbtown made a gallant effort in the championship game, but the damage had already been done. A good friend of mine told me that one of their players later played in the majors.

These original players, now in their mid 70’s, were the best of their time. In a session of games, they beat two Georgia Southern University Hall of Fame icons; ex-pro and All American Whitty Verstright and Clyde Miller in the mist of winning 13 straight college games. To top is off, they beat former St. Louis Cardinal Phil Clark.

These guys made their mark and set the table for the great teams to follow. In ’61, began the college era and Mr. Parker.

To characterize how good they were, I would have to give them nick names: Jimmy “Mr. Clutch” Knight; Charles “Solid Rock” Bragg, Walter “Hits” Bragg, George “Wild Horse of the Osage” Gunn, Frank “Kool and Smooth” Stephens; John “Beechnut” Taylor; Connie “MVP” Lewis; T.W. “Organized” Frawley and William “The Professor” Gunn.

To our young aspiring players, work hard at your craft and enjoy the sweetness of victory.

Thanks, Butch Joiner

Millen