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PAGE 6B 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. Northeast Georgia’s Business Directory Accounting B&B Bookkeeping & Tax Service Inc. Specializing in Small Business since 1972 B Individual Taxes © Corporate Taxes ’ C Authorized E-Filer C Book Keeping B Payroll Services © Notary W/ * * Joray Lockridge • 770-279-0488 115 Town Center Pkwy., Ste. 116 • Hoschton, GA Automotive Parts FIELDS AUTO PARTS Hydraulic Hoses • Welding Supplies Small Engine Parts Auto Plus 53 E. North Ave. Comer, CA 30629 706-783-5122 Locally Owned and Operated Since 1981 Electrical Ricky Hicks • 38 yrs. exp hicks ELECTRICAL Services Specializing in Re-Wiring COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL 706-789-3525 • 404-625-1368 LICENSED INSURED www.hicksclectrical.biz Equipment a Supplies Donald Childs Clint Childs Cindy Childs Keith Humphries Jerry Childs Shane Gee Childs Equipment and Farm Supply, Inc. 5057 Hwy. 334 Commerce, Georgia 30530 PI 1:706*335-3508 • FAX: 706-335-4071 Vernier Matter* Dealer A WARD Of EXCELLENCE ROUND RA 1.1 R» MOVERS M«>W | M CONDI ItONCRS MAVRA KIM* t i.ltlM.M* IUI.I. WRAPM.R4 HAI.I. PROCESSORS MAY ACCKSSORIKS PAR TS Ik SLRVKX Farm & Garden Shirley Feed & Seed 2439 North Elm Street • Commerce 706-335-2162 Feed & Seed • Plants • Farm & Garden Supplies Godfrey's www.go<Hreysteedxom Purina Mills Farm & Garden FARM S) a TACK seed SUPPLY FENCING Nutrena FERTILIZER 9766 Hwy. 98 West [CTi hardware Commerce, GA 30530 Iffl ANIMAL 706-335-7905 • FAX 706-335-5879 www.midwayfarmsupply.com HEALTH LAWN & GARDEN midwayfarmsupply@windstream.net Hardware & Supplies ■ Plumbing • Electrical ■ Lawn & Garden ■ LP Gas • Kerosene ■ Pet & Farm feed & supplies ■ Purina • Diamond Ftet Food ■ Wholesomes ■ Valspar & Porter Paint ■ We cut Chip keys ...all your hardware supplies 650 Hwy. 72 West • Comer, Ga. 30629 706-783-5016 UKIUtON facebook www.goSouthernHcirdware.com Heating And Air IT’S NOT A DREAM... ...Summer is here! Call us for a checkup on your heating & air system. Find trouble before it finds you. 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