Alan Greenwood

Minor league ballplayers have long been underpaid, if not under-appreciated. But if anyone can find a modern version of the following note please send it along.

JUNE 17, 1947 – “A classified advertisement in tonight’s paper carries an appeal to fans of the Nashua Dodger ballclub to help first baseman Lou Ruchser find an apartment for his family.

“Lou has a wife and young son and wants them to be with him. As a matter of fact, he has told Dodger management that if they can’t help him out that he is seriously thinking of quitting baseball. Fans who like the work of the big first sacker know that Ruchser is going to be needed in the pennant drive coming along.

“If you know anyone that wants to lease their apartment until Labor Day get in touch with Dodger management at once.”

JUNE 18, 1962 – “A varied and unusual program is being planned for the opening of the Nashua Dodger home season tomorrow night when the local Northeast League entry entertains Manchester at Holman Stadium.

“… Many city officials, led by Mayor Mario J. Vagge, are expected to be on hand as the major throws out the first ball. Also during the pre-game ceremonies, the Dodgers will pay tribute to Tom Shanahan, one of their former ace pitchers, who was killed in an auto accident a few months ago.”

JUNE 19, 1972 – “Mel Briggs of 120 Flagstone Drive has been named to the dean’s list for the second semester at Boston College. The football standout has also been selected as a leading receiver in the East. He will appear in a college football film that will be released in August.

“The former Nashua High football and track star, who was named Athlete of the Year at NHS in 1970, recently attended the Miami Dolphins spring training session.”

JUNE 20, 1977 – “The James E. Coffey Post baseball team opened its season with a split this past weekend, crushing Keene 9-4 on Saturday and losing a close one in Dover, 4-1, on Sunday.

“In the first contest Coffey Post rapped out a total of 14 hits and received outstanding pitching from Marc Migneault and Mike Krueger.”

JUNE 21, 1987 – “Anyone who knows Alvirne High School basketball coach Rick Taft knows the guy can’t sit still for a minute. So, when it was made known that the Broncos had an opening for a boys soccer coach for next fall, no one was surprised to see the personable former Keene State goalie jump at the chance.

“ ’That’s what I went to school for,’ Taft says. ‘To coach.’ ”

JUNE 22, 1992 – “Carrie Strong did several things Sunday to make a name for herself om the world of New Hampshire track and field. Seven things, to be exact.

“On a hot and mostly sunny first day of summer, the Hollis High School freshman closed the state’s spring track season by taking top-10 spots in four events, and finishing in the top 20 in the other three at the 16th State Heptathlon at Nashua High School. Her 3,394 points propelled her to a fourth place overall finish, the best among area athletes.”

JUNE 23, 1982 – “Nashua Country Club assistant pro Dick Dichard teamed with Jerry Croteau of Green Meadow Golf Club to fire an 8-under par 64 to finish first in the weekly pro-am in Keene. The win was Dichard’s second of the season.”

Contact Alan Greenwood at 594-1245 or agreenwood@nashuatelegraph.com.

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