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BARROW JOURNAL • BARROW COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
Ransom Jackson
Ransom Jackson, the
Arkansan, who adopted
Athens. Ga., as his home,
was a gifted athlete whose
natural abilities were such
that he competed so effort
lessly that he developed a
reputation for underachiev
ing.
His laid back
style camouflaged
the competitive
embers of the
fire in his belly.
While his career is
not storybook, it is
one that includes
milestone achieve
ments and cele
brated affiliations
that countless ath
letes would kill
for.
He played college foot
ball in the forties in the
glory days of the old South
western Conference and
was the infielder whom the
Brooklyn Dodgers chose
to replace the dynamic,
but aging Jackie Robinson
whose considerable skills
were in retreat.
While he does not have
Hall of Fame credentials,
Ransom’s major league
career in the fifties is note
worthy and linked him with
some of the most memora
ble names and times in a
decade when baseball was
arguably its best. If he had
played a couple of decades
later, he might have
enjoyed, like many other
Big Leaguers, opportunity
to sup with Midas. As it
is. he is enjoying life as a
nonagenarian. Like Bob
Hope. Ransom is thankful
for the memories, and most
appreciative of Marvin
Miller’s handiwork with
the Major League Baseball
Player’s Association.
For the record, which
ain’t too shabby, he played
10 years in the
Big Leagues, bat
ted .261. earned
a World Series
check and has two
career records that
will not be broken
— the only player
to play in back-
to-back Cotton
Bowls with two
different teams
and is the first
Major Leaguer
to be given credit for a
free pass for an intentional
walk.
Before that day in April,
1955. hitters were docked
for an at bat when they
were walked intentionally.
That milestone gained him
recognition at the Base
ball Hall of Fame at Coo-
perstown. He is the last
Brooklyn Dodger to have
hit a home run. As an ath
lete Ransom Jackson was
the dog “that could hunt.”
If he had joined the PGA
Tour, he likely would have
been a very successful pro
fessional golfer.
Today, he is enjoying his
rocking chair and the gold
en years. He has written a
book, which recalls his life
and times. It’s interesting,
and it is good.
Unfortunately, it won’t
make the New York Times
"best-seller list,” but Randy
is given to insightful rem
iniscing. Published by
Rowman & Littlefield,
this autobiography, is well
worth the purchase price.
The book’s title comes
from his early nickname,
"Hansome Ransom.” If you
hung out in the sports pages
in the fifties, you would
enjoy Ransom’s narration
of his life’s story which he
tells with Gaylon White,
whose research accents and
illuminates the author’s
recollections.
To have spent the better
part of your youth at Texas
Christian, the University of
Texas. Wrigley Field and
Brooklyn, when the Dodg
ers were the toast of the
National League, was an
eventful and joyful ride. To
live with Ransom vicari
ously as you peruse the
pages of his book, allows
you to recall the days when
the war was over and sports
arguably had never had
greater love and passion.
There’s love and passion
today, but it is all about the
money.
Sports teams have cult
followings now which
can be a good thing, but
can you imagine the era
when Cub fans knew that
every home game would
be played as baseball was
meant to be played — in
the afternoon sun? Can
you not bleed emotionally
along with all those Brook
lyn fans who felt that they
were losing their birthright
when the Dodgers lit out
for California?
This book is not only
about a man’s life and
experience, but it is also
about an era which we, per
haps, won't see again.
Hank Williams, Frank
Sinatra. Bing Crosby. John
Wayne. Marilyn and Joe.
Truman and Ike. “I’ve Got
a Secret.” the Grand Ole
Opry with Martha White
Flower and no crossover
stars. Helping hands all
about, a chicken in every
pot and a time when a
man's word was his bond.
The country was growing
and life was better for most
of those who had emerged
from World War II with
“The Greatest Generation."
Hope sprang eternal every
spring with the crack of
the bat.
Life, for the most part,
was good and baseball,
including the plethora of
minor league teams, was
central to the good times.
Those times were “Han-
some Ransom’s times.
From Jackie, the Duke.
Willie and Mickey. Stan
the Man and others, you
can enjoy slow dancing and
soft rock ‘n roll scenes of
yesteryear which is com
forting if you remember the
fifties as Ransom Jackson
remembers them.
Lora n Smith is host of the
University of Georgia foot
ball radio pre-game show.
w
7$ %
loran
smith
FROM THE BULLDOGGS TO THE BRAVES
Winder-Barrow High School graduate Travis
Demeritte, a former first round draft choice of
the Texas Rangers, was recently traded to the
Atlanta Braves organization. Demeritte was a
top prospect out of high school often playing his
games in front of numerous scouts.
Photo by Jessica Brown
Demeritte continued from IB
Recently. Demeritte competed for the High Desert
Mavericks, located in Adelanto. Calif. In 88 games
with the team, he has compiled a .272 batting average
with 25 homers and 59 RBI.
Demeritte was the 30th overall pick in 2013. His
trade sent Lucas Harrell and Dario Alvarez to the
Rangers’ organization.
During his final season of high school for the Dia
mond Doggs, Demeritte batted .400 with 12 homers.
The news of the trade quickly spread among local
sports fans on Facebook and Twitter last week.
The 2013 draft was an eventful one for local
baseball fans as Winder-Barrow’s Dalton Carter was
drafted by Cincinnati in the 17th round that year.
Carter was released by the team in 2016.
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