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Big Six · 07-14-2006, 03:19 PM

124 Pierce Street
Sacramento, California

Mr. Patrick O’Farrell
c/o Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park
Boston, Massachusetts

July 27, 1936

Dear Mr. O’Farrell,

I don’t suppose you will remember me, since we met over fifteen years ago, and then only on the ball field. Please allow me to introduce myself once again.

My name is Travis Sargent, and I pitched for the Sacramento club that played against Roy Hitt’s All-Americans in the fall of 1920. I will never forget the way you and the other members of the All-Americans treated us, and when you approached me after the game I pitched and complimented me on my performance, it was perhaps the proudest moment I ever experienced on a baseball field. You beat us, 3-2, and I recall you telling me that I had pitched just about as well against us as any pitcher you had faced during your tour.

While my own playing career progressed no farther than the semiprofessional level, I have remained in the game as a high school baseball coach. I also enjoy attending Pacific Coast League games here in Sacramento, and I recently saw two young players with the San Diego team who impressed me tremendously.

Ted Williams is an outfielder, and Bobby Doerr is a second baseman. They are both teenagers; I believe both of them are eighteen years of age.

Williams is tall and slender, a lefthanded hitter. While he managed only two singles in the three games I saw him play, he was matched against veteran pitchers who understandably outsmarted him. In batting practice, however, he hit the ball so hard that it sounded like someone was firing a rifle. I watched Williams drive balls to all fields, and his power to right field is immense.

Doerr appeared smooth and confident in the field, making routine plays efficiently and demonstrating good range and a reliable arm. At bat, he hit three hard line drives, one of which hit the wall for a double. His batting practice displays were not as impressive as Williams’ were, but he hit the ball hard with consistency.

I had seen Doerr play before, as he was a member of the Hollywood team during 1934 and 1935. I remember much being made of the fact that he was only sixteen years old when he broke in with Hollywood, and I remember him playing very well for such a youngster. Not surprisingly, he is a much more polished player, one who would be a fine American Leaguer in time.

I certainly don’t flatter myself with the thought that I am the first to notice the skills of Williams and Doerr; in fact, you are probably aware of them already. I apologize if this unsolicited “tip” has been an annoyance, for I can only imagine how busy you must be. I wanted to do something to express my thanks to you, in some small way, for the cherished memories you and the All-Americans provided for me years ago.

Sincerely yours,
Travis Sargent

P.S. I remember reading somewhere that you are friends with a fellow who played with us in Sacramento and went on to make good in the big leagues. Please tell Archie Graham I said hello, if you have a chance to speak with him at some point in the near future.

Note:
(The Sacramento Bee's account of the game Sargent mentioned is found here.)

07-14-2006, 03:19 PM	#1011 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,410 Thanks: 117 Thanked 91x in 73 posts	Keep an eye on these fellows 124 Pierce Street Sacramento, California Mr. Patrick O’Farrell c/o Boston Red Sox Fenway Park Boston, Massachusetts July 27, 1936 Dear Mr. O’Farrell, I don’t suppose you will remember me, since we met over fifteen years ago, and then only on the ball field. Please allow me to introduce myself once again. My name is Travis Sargent, and I pitched for the Sacramento club that played against Roy Hitt’s All-Americans in the fall of 1920. I will never forget the way you and the other members of the All-Americans treated us, and when you approached me after the game I pitched and complimented me on my performance, it was perhaps the proudest moment I ever experienced on a baseball field. You beat us, 3-2, and I recall you telling me that I had pitched just about as well against us as any pitcher you had faced during your tour. While my own playing career progressed no farther than the semiprofessional level, I have remained in the game as a high school baseball coach. I also enjoy attending Pacific Coast League games here in Sacramento, and I recently saw two young players with the San Diego team who impressed me tremendously. Ted Williams is an outfielder, and Bobby Doerr is a second baseman. They are both teenagers; I believe both of them are eighteen years of age. Williams is tall and slender, a lefthanded hitter. While he managed only two singles in the three games I saw him play, he was matched against veteran pitchers who understandably outsmarted him. In batting practice, however, he hit the ball so hard that it sounded like someone was firing a rifle. I watched Williams drive balls to all fields, and his power to right field is immense. Doerr appeared smooth and confident in the field, making routine plays efficiently and demonstrating good range and a reliable arm. At bat, he hit three hard line drives, one of which hit the wall for a double. His batting practice displays were not as impressive as Williams’ were, but he hit the ball hard with consistency. I had seen Doerr play before, as he was a member of the Hollywood team during 1934 and 1935. I remember much being made of the fact that he was only sixteen years old when he broke in with Hollywood, and I remember him playing very well for such a youngster. Not surprisingly, he is a much more polished player, one who would be a fine American Leaguer in time. I certainly don’t flatter myself with the thought that I am the first to notice the skills of Williams and Doerr; in fact, you are probably aware of them already. I apologize if this unsolicited “tip” has been an annoyance, for I can only imagine how busy you must be. I wanted to do something to express my thanks to you, in some small way, for the cherished memories you and the All-Americans provided for me years ago. Sincerely yours, Travis Sargent P.S. I remember reading somewhere that you are friends with a fellow who played with us in Sacramento and went on to make good in the big leagues. Please tell Archie Graham I said hello, if you have a chance to speak with him at some point in the near future. Note: (The Sacramento Bee's account of the game Sargent mentioned is found here.) __________________ My OOTP dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: where it all began The Baseball Life of Tom Haley: a story of a modern player The New England Baseball League: a fictional league story Last edited by Big Six; 07-14-2006 at 09:18 PM.