Chevrons and Diamonds

1944 Wedding Congratulations Greeting Card

VetCollector
2–3 minutes

This wedding card was signed by the 1944 Bainbridge Naval Training Station Commodores baseball team. Of the 23 autographs present, 17 of the signatories are from known professional ballplayers with 11 playing in the major leagues before or after their World War II service – or both.

Looking at the front of the card, one couldn’t have any idea of the incredible autographs that lay within (Chevrons and Diamonds Collection).
August 24, 1944 – Recruits at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center get their baseball served to them in true major league style – even the inevitable clash between umpire and players. Giving umpire Eddie Brominski a goodly portion of their minds are: (left to right) Elbie Fletcher (former Pirates first baseman), Ensign Gerry O’Brien (Bainbridge Manager), pitcher Maxie Wilson (former Philadelphia Phillie) and, approaching the group, former Giant, Dick Bartell (Chevrons and Diamonds Collection).

The 1944 Commodores featured a strong contingent of former professional players and competed in a service league that included both the Naval Training and Naval Air Stations in Norfolk, the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Station and the Army’s Camp Lee. The Commodores also faced major league clubs including the Boston Braves, Red Sox. and Washington Senators that season.
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PlayerProfessional Career Peak
Mike AzzoneClass B
Bill BarnacleClass AAA
Buddy BlattnerMajor League
Roy  BolesClass AA
Horace “Al” BrightmanClass AAA
Mike BudnickMajor League
Fred ChapmanMajor League
Lou CiolaMajor League
Bobby CoombsMajor League
Manuel “Manny” FernandezClass AAA
Mayo Farrell
Elbie FletcherMajor League
George Glavin
Ray W. LucasMajor League
Jess PikeMajor League
Sherry RobertsonMajor League
Bob ScheffingMajor League
Russ SehonClass B
Dick SislerMajor League
Ernie SitesClass A
Al “Bert” Wheeler
Mayo Farrell was the team’s trainer and served as an occasional pitcher. George Glavin and Al “Bert’ Wheeler were likely athletic Naval personnel who tried out for and made the team.
In addition to the 21 identified autographs, there are two unknown signatures from personnel who are are yet to be determined (Chevrons and Diamonds Collection).
October 30, 1944. Fred Chapman, Bainbridge Commodores with Eddie Rommel, major league umpire and Lou Finney, Boston Red Sox first baseman, all formerly with the Athletics under Connie Mack, met at U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland when the Commodores defeated the Red Sox in an exhibition game, 5-2 (Chevrons and Diamonds Collection).

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