Stu Locklin
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Stuart Carlton Locklin (July 22, 1928 – December 4, 2016) was a
Early years
Locklin was an all-state performer in three sports, football, basketball, and track, at Appleton High in Appleton, Wisconsin (now Appleton West High School). Locklin was a member of the National Honor Society in high school. Stu was the oldest brother, and his other two siblings Mory and Ron Locklin were also exceptional amateur athletes at Appleton High. Appleton West honored Locklin in a ceremony in 2011.[2]
He enrolled in the
Baseball career
Stu began his professional career in 1949 and successfully began moving through the Indians' minor league affiliates at Dayton, Oklahoma City, and San Diego. In 1951, Locklin appeared to be about to enter his prime as a ballplayer and the Indians' purchased his contract from their triple AAA affiliate in San Diego, priming him for a big league debut in 1952. However, against the backdrop of the Korean War, he enlisted in the
In 1955, Locklin made the Indians roster, primarily as a pinch hitter and runner. Locklin continued with the Indians into the 1956 season, when he suffered a leg injury and was optioned to the Indians' affiliate club. He returned to the Indians for spring training in 1957, but he did not make the roster. Locklin's professional baseball career continued for five more years in Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis, and San Diego. While playing for the Minneapolis Millers, Locklin participated in the 1959 Junior World Series against a team from Cuba.[citation needed] While playing most of the series in Cuba due to poor weather in Minneapolis, Fidel Castro attended each game. Before the deciding seventh game, Castro approached Locklin, pointed at his six-gun on his hip and stated "tonight, we win."[6] Locklin was traded to the Boston Red Sox organization late in his career. He retired from professional baseball after the 1960 season.[citation needed]
Later life
After baseball, Locklin became a school teacher, coach, and guidance counselor in his hometown of Appleton. He was a
References
- ^ "Stu Locklin Stats".
- ^ "Stu Locklin Honored in His Hometown High School". Sports Collectors Digest. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
- ^ "Wisconsin 1947 Football Facts and Athletic Review 1946-47 School Year" (PDF). University of Wisconsin Athletic Review. 1947: 29. 1947.
- ^ "1989 Wisconsin Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). University of Wisconsin Athletics Baseball History: 24. 1989.
- ^ a b c d "Stuart Carlton "Stu" Locklin's Obituary on Appleton Post-Crescent". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
- ^ "Minneapolis Millers vs. Havana Sugar Kings". stewthornley.net. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet