Unforgettable Sports Legends exhibit to open
COSHOCTON – Cy Young, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Robert Clemente and Whitey Moore will all be represented in the special exhibit, Unforgettable Sports Legends, at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum Saturday, Aug. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 6.
The exhibit features memorabilia and collectibles primarily from baseball but also from football, basketball and boxing. The display incorporates souvenirs like a Nolan Ryan Pitcher’s Plate, Cleveland Brown’s pennant, a 1940 World Series booklet (the Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds), Cleveland Indians pennants, Michael Jordan “The Last Shot” plate, and a 1956 World Series “The Perfect Game” plate. There are also objects that were used in the playing of the sport, such as a 1965 Cleveland Browns press Book, Whitey Moore’s copy of the baseball register, and a 1954 score sheet from an All-Star game at the Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Famous names like Rosen, Berra, Mantle, and Robinson are noted for their runs by the Pittsburg Gazette runner who filled out the sheet. Visitors will love the many signed hats, footballs, baseballs, programs and photos.
A special treat for collectors of baseball cards is the collection of rookie cards of the 500 Home Run Club members. Many rare cards will be displayed including one of Harry Wright, the first pro baseball player who started the first team in Cincinnati in 1869, Mickey Mantle’s All-Star cards, and the 1887 Allen & Ginter card of Cap Anson (the first person to have 3,000 hits).
Cy Young, who lived (and died) in Coshocton’s neighboring city, Newcomerstown, will be well represented in the exhibit. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 and still holds the MLB record for most career innings pitched (7,355), most career games pitched (815) and most complete games (749). Fans can view photos, newspaper articles, postcards, family photos, his milking stool accompanied by a photo of him using it, pennant and pin dating to about 1909, and a rare postcard of Cy that extolls his vice-less lifestyle. Of particular value is the Cy Young 1910 American Caramel baseball card for most wins. Another local boy gone star, Bob Brenly, will also receive special honors. Coshocton native Brenly played as a catcher and third baseman for the San Francisco Giants (1981–1988), Toronto Blue Jays (1989), and San Francisco Giants (1989). In 2000 he started managing and in 2001 led the Diamondbacks to win the World Series title. A number of his personal items and signed collectibles will be on display.
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. May through October.
In addition to this special exhibit, the museum’s permanent collections are displayed in three galleries: Historic Ohio, American Indian and Asian. A Civil War display can also be viewed in a fifth gallery. JHM is located at 300 N. Whitewoman St. in Historic Roscoe Village. A restored canal-era town sited along the former Ohio & Erie Canal, Roscoe Village offers many attractions. Costumed interpreters lead tours through the restored buildings, and numerous shops are situated within the Village.
Unforgettable Sports Legends is sponsored by the Downtowner Plaza and WTNS 99.3. The Ohio Arts Council also helped fund this event with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
For information, contact JHM at 622-8710, e-mail jhmuseum@jhmuseum.org or visit www.jhmuseum.org.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
