Please help ID people in this photo

[hollysawyer]

Hello, I don't have much baseball history knowledge except that my father-in-law, Roger Sawyer, played in the minor leagues in the 1950's. His short bio is below.

This photo is in his memorabilia. Nothing is written on the back. Roger Sawyer is the player on the left. Any clues to the older gentlemen in the center? Bonus points if you know the player on the right.

Roger passed away in early 2020.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Roger_Sawyer

Roger Eldridge Sawyer was a notable minor league baseball player born on October 31, 1934, in Warsaw, New York. He was a left-handed pitcher who had a substantial career spanning from 1952 to 1959. Sawyer played for various teams within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, including the Brunswick Pirates, Hutchinson Elks, Waco Pirates, Williamsport Grays, New Orleans Pelicans, Hollywood Stars, Columbus Red Birds, Tulsa Oilers, and Salt Lake City Bees.

During his career, Sawyer compiled a record of 60 wins and 42 losses, with a 3.02 ERA across 173 games. He showed remarkable consistency and skill, particularly noted during his time with the Hutchinson Elks in 1953, where he had an impressive 22-5 record with a 1.99 ERA.

After his baseball career, Sawyer served in the United States Army, continuing to play baseball and contributing to his team's championship victory in 1959. Following his military service, he briefly played for the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers, before retiring from professional baseball.

[Lucas00]

Connie Mack is in the center. Won't take long for somebody to get the pirate on the right 😃. Nice first post! Love the connection.

[hollysawyer]

Thank you so much! I knew someone here would get it right off the bat (no pun intended)!!

And yes, we have lots of good memorabilia! Which section is the best place to share?

[sbfinley]

I believe the player on the right is Charles “Whammy” Douglass. I would assume the photo dates to 1955 Spring Training as it was the first time the pair was invited together and Mack was essentially wheelchair bound by Christmas of 55. Sawyer and Douglass would pitch together in AA New Orleans that season.

Edit: I double checked and Whammy was righty. It’s possible the person on the right is Andy Olsen who pitched in the Pirates organization and later become an Umpire in the National League.

[hollysawyer]

Huge thanks!!! Love this info! I should have joined this forum much earlier! We are just diving into his things and it's amazing! Letters from Branch Rickey, etc.

[GaryPassamonte]

Love this, Holly. I'm from Mount Morris NY, where Roger grew up. ( Roger is listed as being born in Warsaw because that was the location of the hospital he was born in. He never lived there.) Roger was in Mount Morris about 15 years ago when he was inducted into our high school HOF. I've attached a photograph I have that pictures Roger during his American Legion playing days. He is second from the right. I never met Roger, but I was good friends with his younger brother David, who was a great athlete in his own right. I do have a couple others photographs that include Roger.

[hollysawyer]

Hello Gary! Yes! Roger was there about 15 years ago with Uncle Dave and my husband (Roger's son, Christian)! Very nice to meet you! It looks like Roger is the one in the dark suit!! So young!!!

Are you still in the Mt. Morris area? We would love to see the photos you have!

Here is the link to the HOF poster for Roger:

https://www.mtmorriscsd.org/page/rog...-2008-inductee

[GaryPassamonte]

Holly- My email address is garypass57@yahoo.com. Send me an email and I will forward you what I have.

I still live in Mount Morris and am on the MMCS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.