Sokol-Clarence

Year Inducted – 1996

The City of Barberton has sent many premier baseball players into the GABHOF, and Clarence ranks among the best. He developed his pitching skills at Tallmadge High School, where he managed a 23-8 win-loss record. Upon moving to Barberton he began playing on the area’s top teams until his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corp. While in the service he pitched against such big league stars as Ted Williams and Willie Mays. His catcher was Wes Westrum of New York Giant fame and he compiled a 13-3 record. Following his service commitment he returned to Barberton and played the next six years with such teams as the Clark Excavators, Wadsworth Merchants, Borden Autos, Krispy Kremes, P.O.C. Beers, and Ohio Merchants, having had winning records with each team. In 1956 he finished second in the voting for the Frank Garcia Award, losing to Hall of Famer Dean Dutton. Clarence was a member of eight championship teams and was selected on three All-Star teams.