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1958 Pennsylvania State Runner-Up Front Row: Eddie Martin, Phil Dattisman, Denny Favero, Jimmy Savena, Greg
Bailey, Jack Winters, Jackie Flavin. The 1958 Little League All-Stars from Brookline won their first seven games enroute to the District 4 City championship and then the Western Pennsylvania regional championship. Brookline's best then travelled to Sharon, Pa. for the State championship game versus the Eastern Pennsylvania champion, only to lose a heartbreaker to the team from Mill Creek of Philadelphia, 2-1. Brookline came within one game, one inning and one run of a trip to Williamsport, Pa. for the official Little League World Series. In the state championship game, with the score tied 1-1 after regulation, manager John Leaf was forced to make a pitching change. Mill Creek struck in the bottom half of the extra frame with a homerun to take the title, and with it a trip to the World Series. In the photo below, Brookline players Jackie Flavin, Jack Wertz and Fred Luvara are presented their District 4 City Championship trophy by Pittsburgh Mayor David L. Lawrence. The Brookline nine had just walloped the Perry Atoms, 16-0 to claim the city title. To celebrate their outstanding run at the state title, the All-Stars were treated to a banquet at the American Legion Hall on Brookline Boulevard, were the players were awarded jackets in honor of their acomplishment. Also pictured below is one of Brookline's ace pitchers, Jack Wertz, who tossed a no-hitter versus Hazelwood to propel the local nine into the final four, being presented his new jacket by tournament official Tom Foerster. This Brookline Little League team advanced further than any before or after, finishing second best in the state of Pennsylvania. Below are some Journal articles chronicling their quest for Little League glory. Brookline
Little League All-Stars The Brookline Little League All-Stars chalked up a 6-1 victory over the Washington Heights Nationals on Tuesday, July 22, at Brookline Community Center Field. The local nine came through with five hits and were aided by eight bases on balls. Bobby North of the Heights gave up two runs in the first on two walks and a single by Fred Luvara, followed by Casey DeBasi's double. In the second Brookline Added two more runs with three walks, an error and a fielder's choice. Billy McWirther came on in the third and held Brookline in check until the sixth when a walk to Jack Wertz, a fielder's choice and another double by DeBasi added more damage in the form of the last two runs. Washington Heights scored when Paul Snyder walked and scored following a fielder's choice and a single by Richie Simmens. Brookline's Jackie Flavin was in rare form, striking out eleven while walking only one. McWirther struck out eight and gave up three walks. Brookline's other two hits were singles by Luvara and Denny Favero. On Friday, July 25, the Brookline All-Stars defeated Washington Heights Americans in the quarter finals by the score of 5-0. Jack Wertz was the winning pitcher, striking out 14, while Brookline's bats banged out eight hits. In the semi-finals of the Pittsburgh Little League championship the Brookline nine downed Carrick to the tune of 5-0. In this contest Jackie Flavin winged the ball past twelve opposing batters while Jimmy Savena and Fred Luvara added a homer apiece to Brookline's seven-hit attack. * Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - July 31, 1958 * Brookline's Little League Nine Wins Over Perry Atoms, 16-0 The Brookline Little League All-Star baseball team won the District 4 Little League championship by taking a decisive victory over the Perry Atoms with a 16-0 score. The game was played Tuesday evening, July 29, at the Brookline Community Center Field. Jack Wertz pitched a one-hitter and Brookline's bats banged out 13 hits. Wertz received brilliant batting support from catcher Fred Luvara, who drove in seven runs with a triple and homer, both coming with the bases full. Brookline will meet Beaver Friday night at Ambridge in a state playoff game.
* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - July 31, 1958; Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph - July 30, 1958 * Little League Stars Move Up Notch In Title Race On Monday evening, Brookline's Little League All-Stars moved a step closer to the state championship, behind the no-hit, no-run pitching of Jack Wertz. The locals defeated Hazelwood 3-0 for the District Five championship. The localites, however, had their hopes for a state title dashed on Tuesday evening when they were downed, 2-1, by Mill Creek in Sharon, Pa., in an extra inning game. A home run in the bottom of the seventh won the game for Mill Creek. This is the first time that the local boys have fared so well in Little League play, and a great deal of credit is due the youngsters for their determined play. The Brookline Savings and Trust Company has been underwriting the expenses of the team and its leaders in the surge towards the state finals. * Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - August 7, 1958 * Click on images for larger photos.
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