Lefty Grove = Lefty Groves... And Lefty's 1921 Tip Top Bread Card

[barrysloate]

Good observation Brad. I didn't know that about Lefty.

[Kawika]

Exactness does count in my book, too. Thanks for the information, Brad. If anyone would know you would be the one. I noticed on your website that his tombstone shows the name "Grove". Do you suppose he changed his name legally at some point?
http://www.bandkgreen.net/lefty_grove/photos.htm

(I add parenthetically on a similar note that I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been called Mr. McDonalds by one dumbo or another. To the best of my knowledge there never was an "s" in all the generations).

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Kawika

I add paranthetically on a similar note that I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been called Mr. McDonalds by one dumbo or another.

No, no - they meant Mr McDonalds plural, you know, for your frequent, mid-day, Big Mac benders. Like Mr MoneyBags.

[Kawika]

Maybe we should start employing first person plural in our postings.

[Jim VB]

Hawaii's Toughest Want List?

[leftygrove10]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Do you suppose he changed his name legally at some point?

In 1925 or 1926, I don't think there was anything legal about names. So, I would say, No, he didn't legally change his name. He just started using "Grove" instead of "Groves".

Part of this opinion comes from a converstation that I had with my aunt several years ago. My aunt grew up in the small town of Lonaconing, MD just like Lefty. She was born just a few years after him in the 1920's. We all knew her as Catherine. However, she was born as "Katherine". She said that in school, when she first started writing her name, she was having trouble writing the K in "Katherine". The teacher said one day, "Just make it a C instead of a K. C's are easier to write." So, her name became Catherine. I said to her, what about your birth certificate? She said, "Brad, in the 1920's, there were no birth certificates."

[Cat]

Thanks for the info.

BTW, did that Net 54 Kabul win the Tip Top commons?

[ChiefBenderForever]

Great info Brad, I hope you can add that card to your collection someday ! Is that his RC ?

[leftygrove10]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

Is that his RC ?

Most people would consider the Tip Top Bread card to be Lefty's Pre-Rookie card since it was issued in 1921 when he played minor-league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles of the International League.

[Orioles1954]

Thanks for the background info Brad! I was the writer of the Lefty Grove card. I hope to have otherwise done it justice

James