A Trip to Happy Felsch's House

[Jobu]

I was poking around Net54 several days ago when I came across this beautiful Happy Felsch signature and photo:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=211015

I got really excited when I saw the address as I currently live 10 blocks from there. I saw this mid-week and had to wait until the weekend to go check it out in the daylight while walking the dog (stupid winter). Following a chilly walk, I discovered that Hap lived in the upper portion of a duplex (pictures below).

After I returned home, I started poking around on the ol' Google to see if I could find any info about the address and Hap's Milwaukee connections. It turns out he was a life-long Milwaukee resident. Even cooler is the following (http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cd61b579):

By 1949, Happy had begun his final career as a crane operator. In 1952 he and Marie, parents of three and eventual grandparents of 11, ended their somewhat nomadic existence as they entered their final home on the second floor of a flat at 2460 N. 49th Street. At this location, Eight Men Out author Eliot Asinof and sportswriter Westbrook Pegler conducted their pivotal interviews with Felsch.

How cool does that make that cut signature?!

(Both the seller and new owner are ok with my telling this story)

[ErikV]

Bryan,

It truly brings a human element to the collecting side of our hobby when
we get to see for ourselves houses where famous (or, in this case infamous)
players once lived. Thank you again for taking the time and effort to snap
these pictures, especially in the snow.

Best,

Erik

[7nohitter]

Bryan,

Awesome story and photos! Things like this make us (me, at least) feel closer to history.

I am lucky enough to live about 5 minutes away from Babe Ruth's 'country get-away' in Sudbury, MA. Every time I pass the house I wonder what might have transpired there all those years ago!

[Exhibitman]

That's fun. Being in LA I see tons of celebrity houses but I still get a kick out of passing Bing Crosby's house on my way to work each day.

[Bpm0014]

Cool story! Thanks for posting!

[xplainer]

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

[DHogan]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

Bryan,

Awesome story and photos! Things like this make us (me, at least) feel closer to history.

I am lucky enough to live about 5 minutes away from Babe Ruth's 'country get-away' in Sudbury, MA. Every time I pass the house I wonder what might have transpired there all those years ago!

Andrew, About 10 years ago, there was a story going on about when Ruth lived there. He got mad about a piano in the house. In the middle of winter he pushed the piano out onto the ice of a small pond near the house. He left it there. it sank in the spring. Someone with too much money these days. Searched the pond. But never found anything.

[mark evans]

A bit off-topic. For several years back in the 50s, and during the production of the Honeymooners, Audrey Meadows lived in a house in Arlington, Va a few blocks from the house where I now live. Her husband at the time, real estate developer Randy Rouse, continues to live in the house to this day. For those with an interest, you can learn more by a Google search of 'Febrey-Lothrop house.'

[brass_rat]

Nice work, Bryan! Thanks for the great writeup!

Cheers,
Steve

[Jobu]

Glad y'all think that this is as cool as I do. When I run I pass Warren Spahn's old house, it has a huge wrought iron Old English S on the chimney and I heard that it had/has spindles on the railing uptairs that are made out of baseball bats. I am still waiting to see the owners in the yard to ask.

This makes me wonder: has anyone ever put together a guide to the former houses of baseball stars?

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by Jobu

This makes me wonder: has anyone ever put together a guide to the former houses of baseball stars?

http://www.amazon.com/Babe-Ruth-Slep.../dp/1888698152

I have this book but haven't taken advantage of it. Maybe this summer.

Baseball landmarks around New York City.

[Rickyy]

This was a cool read!

RickyY

[MacDice]

I find it interesting reading old newspaper articles where they actually reference an athletes address how things have changed