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Posted By: Max WederBarry Just to get this clearly back to vintage baseball, there was the 1930s PCL slugger Arthur Hunt, who was widely known as Mike.

Posted By: barrysloateIs that really true? That's not a good name to have in the schoolyard! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

Posted By: Max WederBarry It's absolutely true. Obit from Seattle PI <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1996/9611270008.asp" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1996/9611270008.asp</a> SEATTLE RAINIERS' `OLD BAGGY PANTS' DIES OUTFIELDER WAS TREND-SETTER; 11,000 AT BALLPARK WEDDING BY ANGELO BRUSCAS P-I Reporter Wednesday, November 27, 1996 Section: Sports, Page: D1 Seattle baseball historians still remember the 1937 wedding when Arthur L. ``Mike" Hunt was married at home plate at old Civic Field in a ceremony witnessed by 11,000 fans of the then-Seattle Indians. Gov. Clarence D. Martin gave the bride away to the left fielder, who went on to lead the league in home runs and runs batted in. Next Monday, Hunt, 89, will be buried near the Ephrata home where he also was known as an easy-going, 28-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol. He died Monday in Federal Way. The popular cleanup hitter for the Indians and Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League also was nicknamed``Old Baggy Pants" and set a fashion trend ahead of its time in the 1930s when he wore his uniform down to his ankles. ``He was the first ballplayer I ever knew who wore his pants down below his ankles," remembers former teammate Edo Vanni, who broke into baseball with the Seattle Rainiers when Hunt was in his 30s. ``That was his nature. He was a low-ball hitter, so he tried to get everyone to throw the ball down to him." Friends, fans and former teammates forever remember him as one of Seattle's most colorful athletes. On July 9, 1937, he married Charlotte ``Pat" Axelson in a wedding that was reported by former P-I Sports Editor Royal Brougham on the front page of the newspaper. ``Arthur `Mike' Hunt, home run king of the league, took unto himself a wife last night, and 11,000 guests made it one of the most unusual and spectacular weddings in Seattle's history," Brougham wrote of the ceremony. `` . . . Women in sables rubbed elbows with their sisters in cotton prints, and all of them smiled, clapped hands and maybe cried a little as the pretty brunette took the square-shouldered six-foot-two slugger until death do us part." As a ballplayer, Hunt led the PCL in home runs in 1937 with 39 and tied for first with 30 in 1936. He also twice led the league in RBIs and batted .331 over 10 years in the PCL. During the 1937 season, the Indians were purchased by Emil Sick, who changed the name of the team to the Rainiers. Former Tacoma sports writer Jack Sareault, now a spokesman for the State Patrol, documented Hunt's career in 1992 for a special monthly newsletter. He noted that Hunt was known as one of the longest hitters of his time and most popular because of his appearance. ``High school players started emulating him with those droopy pants," Sareault said. ``Of course, him being so tall made it look even droopier." Born in Santa Clara, Calif., Hunt started playing pro ball in 1927, and was with the San Francisco Seals in 1932 when the team's centerfielder was Joe DiMaggio. He was traded to Seattle in 1934 and quickly became one of the key hitters for the Indians, often batting fourth. In Hunt's last season with the Rainiers, the team won the first of three straight Coast League championships, but his average slipped to .259 and he hit only 15 home runs. When told he was being sold to Portland for the next season, Hunt refused to report and retired from baseball. ``Some looked at Mike as one from the school of the highly individualist players," Sareault wrote. He that when Hunt went to work for the State Patrol in 1940, the former ballplayer had trouble adjusting to work without chewing tobacco. ``The Patrol made me quit chewing tobacco," Hunt told Sareault. ``They didn't like it when I spit out the window and the wind splattered it on the side of the white truck." Before becoming a trooper, Hunt worked for the Patrol as a license examiner, and was stationed in Ephrata in 1952 after 12 years in the north Seattle bureau. He retired in 1968, and the couple lived in Ephrata until Charlotte died in 1989. He is survived by his son, Arthur Thomas Hunt, a daughter-in-law, Sandy Hunt, and three grandchildren. ``He was really a personable guy," said Vanni, who was a rookie rightfielder in 1938 when Hunt already was a fixture in left. ``He never bothered anybody and he was a great hitter. He not only hit them out of Seattle's ballpark, he hit quite a few of them out of just about every ballpark he played in." ``He was way ahead of his time," added Dave Eskenazi, a family friend. The Indians beat the Sacramento Senators 3-1 on the night Hunt was married. The best man, pitcher Clarence Pickerel, got the win and hit a home run to cap the celebration. ``It was one of Seattle's most dramatic diamond spectacles," wrote reporter-broadcaster Leo Lassen. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Ephrata City Cemetery.

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI actually think I have his autograph on some team-signed PCL piece!

Posted By: Bob CSince this thread is spiraling wildly out of control, a while back someone on the board said they always use the name DONNOR when asked by a restaurant hostess/maître de the the name of their party. I took it for my own and use it every chance I get. Makes my wife CRAZY! And, oh yes, since we are at it: Sean Connery: “I’ll take Social Diseases for $1,000.” Sean Connery: “What is a Cunning Runt Alex?" Alex Trebeck: “No.”

Posted By: Gene PalmerKind of reminds me of the race horse they named Hoof Hearted.

Posted By: Ed IveyI was going to get to the gym, but this thread did my workout for me.

Posted By: Dave SBoy, Yogi's looking old...

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmActually, I didn't think he lookd bad at all, given his age! I'm a lifelong BoSox fan, but who can't help but love Lawrence Peter?

Posted By: barrysloatePoor Willie McCovey could barely get out of his wheelchair. But it was great to see so many HOFers.

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmYeah, poor ol' Willie has been battling diabetes for some time. I was surprised to see how youthful his face still looked, however.

Posted By: leonIn a not so strange set of circumstances the accidental post of nothingness will have 10x the posts of the much more relevent thread that was intended. It's a wacky wacky world out here....I suggest everyone stay inside this evening...It could get ugly <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>...

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm...everyone here is having a great time, as opposed to the all-too-present bickering seen in other threads! I say we have more of this uselessness!

Posted By: Rob D.Bob C., That was me who shared my "Donner" immaturity. Still doing it. Still embarassing my wife. No plans to change.

Posted By: Frank Wakefieldwhat a thread.... Below is a card of the 1939 Seattle Rainiers. Mike Hunt is in the middle of the top row, hands on his hips, glaring at you guys for the comments you've made. <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/greatwake/1939Seattle.jpg"> I sought this card after I interviewed George Archie for the oral history project. He was one fine gentleman. A really nice guy. Can't say enough about how nice he was. Interesting career he had. But for WW II and being jammed down in the Tigers system contrary to baseball rules, Mr. Archie would have had a memorable career.

Posted By: leonI think we can make a go of it.

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmFrank, I called up the Archie residence around March of 2001. I was passing through Nashville at the time. His wife picked up and gave me an excuse as to why George couldn't come to the phone...then Mr. Archie himself picked up. It was a really sad outcome. I had to politely hang up the phone in the midst of his incoherent babbling. I felt really terrible for calling. Jodi

Posted By: BillWe are thinking........Why do we collect photographs of men. Then a...bolt of lightening struck me.......right after my Wife..... I told that ol' bolt of lightening...and the Wife....we're just in it for the Game.

Posted By: Aaron Patton...speaking of Rock N' Roll, Pussy Galore was a great outfit. I know some one on this board has to listen to JSBX/Jon Spencer. Thanks Bruce(s) for the open forum, Me likes a little indie with my cardboard. Go Tribe.

Posted By: Jason Lfor those SNL scripts...funniest thing I have read in a long time. Just had to explain myself here at the office for laughing too hard. two robbers walk into a bank while they are holding up the teller, one of the guy has his mask fall off. So he lines up all the patrons against a wall and starts to go down the line, asking each person, "Did you see my face?" First guy answers yes, and the guy shoots him dead Second person answers nervously, "only a little bit, for a second" Bang, shot dead. Robber asks the third guy in line, "Did you see my face?!" to which he answers, "No, -but my wife here saw everything!"

Posted By: barrysloateWhen it comes to jokes, wives generally don't fare very well. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

Posted By: boxingcardmanBecause they're worth it... Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

Posted By: boxingcardmanA friend of mine is handling the estate for his widow. Edited to add: and no, he is not getting paid in funny money. Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

Posted By: Steve

Posted By: ken McMillanTo quote Eric Cartman ..." Whatever, I do what I want. Whatever".......

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmBozo was once quoted as saying that his favorite song was Nena's "99 Red Balloons". Funny, I would of thought him to be a Sondheim fan. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> It's crazy.

Posted By: anthonyor this one... "screw you guys, i'm going home!"