Outside Looking In
Gorton talk inspiring
Pete Gorton of New Brighton pitched both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday. Actually, he talked a doubleheader.
Because the Minneota Junior-Senior Prom was scheduled on the same day, the number of those in attendance was modest. But those able to make one or both of his presentations on John Donaldson were impressed.
Donaldson was a left-handed pitcher who many regard as one of the best pitchers in the world despite not being a household name. Gorton is determined to make him known to all baseball and non-baseball fans.
Even one woman in attendance who admittedly has no interest in baseball said she really enjoyed the talk.
Gorton spoke about his 22-year quest to make Donaldson a household name, much like Satchel Paige, Buck O'Neill and other Negro League greats.
Among the 765 cities Donaldson played in during his barnstorming days was Minneota. Donaldson pitched two games for Minneota's semi-pro team in 1925, giving this community the honor of having one of the greatest pitchers ever to play here.
John's younger brother, James, played for Minneota as a pitcher and shortstop in 1925 before he died late in the season from meningitis. John Donaldson then returned to Minneota to pitch in James' place in order to honor his brother's contract with the team.
Gorton was the instigator of the Donaldson Network, a large group of historians across the country who are continually compiling Donaldson's statistics during his barnstorming days.
In all, the Donaldson Network has discovered 426 wins and 5,242 strikeouts in John Donaldson's career barnstorming and two years in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs. Those numbers are continuing to grow, though, as the Network discovers more games he played.
Donaldson became such a star in the 20s and 30s that cities were bidding for his services in order to attract large crowds into their community. An average game would attract 50-100 people, while a game in which Donaldson would pitch drew thousands of fans. Locals would announce his arrival with posters and large newspaper ads.
In a bit of irony, Gorton's father's name happens to be John. Two of his brothers' names are John and James. And his other three siblings' names are Peter, Paul and Mary.
"They weren't names after the singing group," Gorton said with a smile. "We are Catholic."
Gorton's power-point presentation was compelling and something everyone should get a chance to listen to and learn about how tough it was for African American ballplayers in those days.
Scott Josephson, the chairman of Boxelder Bug Days, was among those in attendance with his wife, Roberta. After the presentation, Scott inquired about Gorton possibly returning to Minneota to give his presentation during the 2023 Bug Days celebration when a much larger crowd will be able to attend. Gorton, however, is in high demand now as Donaldson is closing in on a Hall of Fame induction and is unable to make it tp this year’s Boxelder Bug Days celebration.
But he has committed to the 2024 Boxelder Bug Days event, which is three months before Donaldson is likely to be selected for Baseball's Hall of Fame.
More about Gorton's presentation appears on Page 1.
City Garage Sale
The annual Minneota Citywide Garage Sale is set for Saturday, May 6.
Some people having a garage sale are holding them a day or two before that date, so check out the ad in this week's Mascot to learn the addresses of each one, as well as some of the items for sale.
Spring Blowout Saturday
The annual Minneota Spring Blowout is also being held on Saturday, May 6. Several businesses are participating in the event with sales and drawings.
At Bethel Fellowship Church, several vendors are selling items. There is also a Sloppy Joe lunch and silent auction with proceeds going to the Minneota Public School for a project that students are working on.
See the ad for Spring Blowout in this week’s edition of the Mascot.
Graduation ads due May 11
Minneota graduation ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 13 at the high school.
The Mascot will be publishing a colored four-page issue commemorating the event in the Thursday, May 18 edition. As in past years, parents and other relatives can place ads in the edition to show support for their graduate.
We will have two different ad sizes available. The deadline for placing a graduation ad is Thursday, May 11.