Lamar Garrard, a graduate of Richmond Academy and Georgia Southern has long been a passionate student of baseball history. His current exhibit at the Georgia Heritage Room at the main library is entitled: “AUGUSTA’S WORLD SERIES STARS.” As we approach the World Series season, it is timely that we celebrate ball players that have played for Augusta and participated in the World Series.
Garrard in his pursuit of the history of these players has uncovered some interesting facts and antidotes about 35 players who once roamed the ball parks in Augusta, Warren Park, Municipal Stadium (known as Jennings Stadium), Lake Olmstead Stadium and SRP Park.
Did you know that one of Augusta’s catchers was the catcher for Babe Ruth in two victorious games as the Boston Red Sox bested the Chicago Cubs four games to two in the 1918 World Series? Would you have guessed that a former Richmond Academy player and player for the Augusta Electricians was the winning manager in the 1914 World Series earning him the nickname of “Miracle Man.”
Are you aware that Ty Cobb who played for Augusta in 1904 and ’05 was in three losing efforts and never won a World Series. What about a New Jersey native who came to Augusta to play for the Augusta Tigers and lived in Augusta the rest of his life, because he married an Augusta native. Add to his credentials that he played 3rd base on four NY Yankees World Championship teams.
One of the Augusta Pirates players who was on the Florida Marlins 1997 World Series Championship team had a father and his dad’s two brothers who were all major leaguers.
Consider that two Augusta GreenJacket players were on three World Championship teams with the San Francisco Giants and spent time here at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
These are just a few of the many interesting facts that are emphasized in this exhibit. There are many baseball cards, photos, programs, signed baseballs, books, etc. to catch the eye.
Mr. Garrard writes a baseball newspaper column for 5 area towns that includes:
Washington and Lincolnton, GA. McCormick, Edgefield and Greenwood, S.C.
He has also written articles for the AUGUSTA MAGAZINE and the COLUMBIA COUNTY MAGAZINE. He speaks to civic clubs, churches, schools and historical societies about Baseball History. His favorite talk subject is about the heroic generation of ballplayers that took part in WWII.
Staff of the Georgia Room sends a big thank you to Mr. Garrard for writing this blog post and for displaying so many items from his vast baseball collection over the last seven years. That’s right folks, this is the seventh baseball exhibit hosted by the Georgia Room. Thank you Lamar!