Mickey Vernon Sports Museum

Shown below is Connie Mack Stadium/Veterans Stadium Legendary Hot Dog Vendor the late Charlie Frank. If you recognize him you must come to our Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum to reminisce about those "Dog Days of Summer". The Hot Dogs that Charlie sold came from Medfords Meat Packing plant, Chester Pennsylvania. There is always a Delaware County connection. The SLDC museum is open free of charge, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. JIm Vankoski 610-909-4919 www.delcosportsmuseum.org

Help us preserve Delco's Sports History by making a donation to Delco's only sports museum via our Pay Pal button on the home page of our website. www,delcosportsmuseum.org

Over the course of his legendary baseball career, Mickey Mantle hit 536 home runs. His first came again Randy Gumpert, a Pennsylvanian who grew up on his family’s seven-acre farm in Monocacy and went on to pitch ten years in the big leagues.
I met Gumpert in 1991 at a Strath Haven High baseball game. At the time, I was the Strath Haven baseball team’s head coach and Gumpert was working for the ML Scouting Bureau. During our conversation, Gumpert told me he was on the pitching mound for the Chicago White Sox when Mantle hit his first Major League homer. Gumpert, as the story goes, tossed Mantle a screwball that “didn’t screw very well,” and Mantle crushed a 440-foot home run over the centerfield wall at Comiskey Park. Sufficiently intrigued, I asked Gumpert if he would sign a baseball for me, and he readily agreed. That ball is pictured above.
Gumpert, it turns out, played for five teams total, including the Philadelphia Athletics, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox. His baseball career was interrupted in 1943, when he served two years in the US Coast Guard during World War II. He played his last Major League game on September 23, 1952, for the Washington Senators and went on to become a pitching instructor, manager, and scout in the Yankees’ farm system. He passed away in 2008 at the age of ninety, having lived most of his life on his family’s ancestral farm.

To learn more about Gumpert and other local sports legends, feel free to contact me at (610) 909-4919 or [email protected], or visit the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum in person or online at www.delcosportsmuseum.org.

Congratulations to Joe Crawford for becoming Delaware County's newest member of the Naismith Basketball HOF. Joe's induction with the class of 2026 will truly be a well deserved honor. We are so happy for Joe and his wife Mary. For many years Joe and Mary have been loyal contributing members of the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum. Best wishes Joe and Mary, from Delco's only Sports Museum. SLDC Museum 301 Iven Avenue Wayne, Pa. 610-909-4919

Joe Crawford shown here with his Gold Whistle Award. This award is presented annually to a recipient selected by the National Association of Sports Officials who has made significant contributions to the betterment of officiating. Help us preserve Delco's Sports History by making a donation to Delco's only sports museum via our Paypal button on the home page of our website www.delcosportsmuseum.

Display to open April 20, 2026 at SLDC Museum 301 Iven Ave. Wayne Pa

Help us preserve Delco's sports history by making a donation to Delco's only sports museum via the Paypal button, on the home page of our website, www.delcosportsmuseum.org Thank you Jim Vankoski 610-909-4919

For the past several months, the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum and Delaware County Historical Society have been saluting prominent Delaware County athletes who served in the military and brought national recognition to Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The first four exhibits showcased athletes who served during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, respectively.

Now, for the fifth exhibit in the series, Vietnam veterans Bill Carpenter (football), Ed Dougherty (golf), John Cartwright(football), Bo Ryan (basketball), and Howard Starks(football) will be honored for their service during the Vietnam War era. Each of these Delco sports legends established a lasting legacy of courage, sacrifice, and character while serving his country.

The Vietnam Veterans Exhibit is expected to run from March 10, 2026 to April 14, 2026, and will be free to the public. Support has been provided by the Historical Society’s Steve Burman Exhibition Fund. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors are instructed to ring the bell if the door is locked. The Delco Historical Society and Research Center is located at 9 West Front Street, Media, Pennsylvania, 19063. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919 or [email protected], or visit the museum online at www.delcosportsmuseum.org

Cleats, skates, high-tops—when it comes to sports, perhaps no piece of gear is more important to an athlete than their footwear. Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum will be hosting an exhibit in May that features local Delco athletes’ personal tournament-worn athletic shoes. Dr. Eddie Coyle's Olympic Gold Medal winning weight lifting shoes ,compliments of Ed, are sure to be included in this most unique exposition. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919, or visit the museum online at www.delcosportsmuseum.org

Help us preserve Delco's Sports History by making a donation to Delco's only sports museum via our Paypal button on the home page of our website. www.delcosportsmuseum.org

The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum is offering fans the opportunity to see their name in print by sponsoring their favorite Delco sports personality. Rich Pagano, the museum’s resident historian, has been hard at work for the past few months writing part two of his trilogy on Delco’s sports legends. As a museum fund raiser your donation of $100 will enable you to have your name placed next to your friend, relative, or favorite sports personality. Rich has already included these subjects in the pages of his forthcoming book. In return, you’ll receive a copy of Rich’s new book, in which your name will appear as a SLDC donor next to your selected athlete, plus you will also receive a copy of his first book. Select your favorite, from the list below. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919 or [email protected]. www.delcosportsmuseum.org The SLDC Museum is a 501[c] [3] tax exempt organization. Your donation should be made out to SLDC Museum and mailed to Rich Pagano 208 Jackson Avenue Milmont Park, Pa 19033. Rich Pagano 267-280-6696 email [email protected]

OLYMPICS

1. Jake Hoyle
2. Richard Norris Williams
3. Ken Doherty
4. Lisa Raymond
5. Fred Luehring
6. Carson Thompson
7. Mike Gostigian
8. Brenda Borgh-Bartlett
9. Renee Hykel-Cuddy
10. Kia Davis
11. Howard Winfree and Bob Wilson
12. William Herrmann
13. Cindy Gilbert-Bevilacqua
14. Mojca Kopa-Tiernan
15. Frank Keefe
16. Irv “Moon” Mondschien
17. George Mattson
18. Darrell Hill
19. Richard hart
20. Jimmy Mills
21. Pat Duffy
22. Paul Rowe
23. Marcus McElhenney
24. Ruth Ann Davidon MacQuarrie
25. Newbold Black
26. Rolf Valtin
27. Richard Maley

Home - Connie Mack Stadium Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium 1909-1970 N 21st. & W Lehigh Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pastel Painting by Bill Sweeney Home of the Mickey Vernon Sports Collection. Dedicated to preserving the history and memory of Delaware County Sports Legends. The Mickey Vernon Museum Coll...

The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum is offering fans the opportunity to see their name in print by sponsoring their favorite Delco sports personality. Rich Pagano, the museum’s resident historian, has been hard at work for the past few months writing part two of his trilogy on Delco’s sports legends. As a museum fund raiser your donation of $100 will enable you to have your name placed next to your friend, relative, or favorite sports personality. Rich has already included these subjects in the pages of his forthcoming book. In return, you’ll receive a copy of Rich’s new book, in which your name will appear as a SLDC donor next to your selected athlete, plus you will also receive a copy of his first book. Select your favorite, from the list below. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919 or [email protected]. www.delcosportsmuseum.org The SLDC Museum is a 501[c] [3] tax exempt organization. Your donation should be made out to SLDC Museum and mailed to Rich Pagano 208 Jackson Avenue Milmont Park, Pa 19033. Rich Pagano 267-280-6696 email [email protected]

BASKETBALL

1. Jameer Nelson
2. Dwayne Jones
3. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
4. Brent Hagwood
5. Derrick Jones
6. Tyreke Evans
7. Isaiah Wong
8.
9. Wilber “Zain” Shaw
10. Keith Wood
11. Ray Carroll
12. John Linehan
13. Darren Govens
14. Larry Yarbray
15. Mark Cubit
16. Jeff Jones
17. Dan Geriot
18. Nasir Robinson
19. Marty Ingelsby
20. Bobby Morgan
21. Linus McGinty
22. George Petrie
23. Tom Stewart
24. Steve Donahue
25. Skip Werley
26. Fred Cohen
27. David Duke
28. Reggie Robinson
29. Joe Rogers
30. Joe Cassidy
31. Dean Demopoulos
32. Donny Dodds
33. Tom Galia
34. Rodney Blake
35. Rap Curry
36. Gene Armstead
37. Tony Abbott
38. Tom Mann
39. John Smith
40. Paul Kelso
41. Jim Purcell
42.
43. Paul Gibson
44. Leroy Eldridge
45. Cliff Wilson
46. Eddie Swain
47. Tom Hauer and Tom Hauer Jr.
48. Sonny Realer
49. Lamont Ferrell
50. Billy Carr
51. Clarence Armstrong
52. Dave Pauley
53. Jeff Barrett
54. Gary Kasmer
55. Bruce Miller
56. Bill Lynch
57. Doug Kistler
58. Del Park
59. Lou Bayne
60. Jim Childs
61. John Dzik
62. Ray Edelman and Ray Edelman Jr.
63. Lou Garrison
64. Jerry and Billy Foster
65. Jack Weismann

Home - Connie Mack Stadium Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium 1909-1970 N 21st. & W Lehigh Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pastel Painting by Bill Sweeney Home of the Mickey Vernon Sports Collection. Dedicated to preserving the history and memory of Delaware County Sports Legends. The Mickey Vernon Museum Coll...

The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum is offering fans the opportunity to see their name in print by sponsoring their favorite Delco sports personality. Rich Pagano, the museum’s resident historian, has been hard at work for the past few months writing part two of his trilogy on Delco’s sports legends. As a museum fund raiser your donation of $100 will enable you to have your name placed next to your friend, relative, or favorite sports personality. Rich has already included these subjects in the pages of his forthcoming book. In return, you’ll receive a copy of Rich’s new book, in which your name will appear as a SLDC donor next to your selected athlete, plus you will also receive a copy of his first book. Select your favorite, from the list below. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919 or [email protected]. www.delcosportsmuseum.org The SLDC Museum is a 501[c] [3] tax exempt organization. Your donation should be made out to SLDC Museum and mailed to Rich Pagano 208 Jackson Avenue Milmont Park, Pa 19033. Rich Pagano 267-280-6696 email [email protected]

WOMEN

1. Jane L. Vache
2. Mary Fetter Semanik
3. Valerie Walchak
4. Barbara H. Longsteth
5. Marjorie Garinger
6. Ashlee Dardine Eckert
7. Eleanor “Pete” Hess
8. Chris Sailer
9. Tracy Stumpf
10. Lynn Cox
11. Crissy Muller Poplawski
12. Kara Ariza Cooke
13. Christie Jenkins Kemezis
14. Laura Harmon Schumann
15.
16. Rachel Becker DeCecco
17. Beth Potter Bryan
18. Amy formal Austin
19. Michi Ellers
20. Barbara Jordan
21. Nikki Lieb Schwob
22. Elizabeth Renahan
23. Helen Sneath
24. Elizabeth “Lee” Tortorelli
25. Jenn Cook
26. Sinead Farrelly
27. Kay Ruffino Ward
28. Annie Troyan
29. Andrea Peterson
30. Jessi Lieb Martin
31. Jennifer Rodden Jacobs
32. Loren Berkheimer
33. Merle “Mike” Werley
34. Theresa Dunbar
35. Candy Finn-Rocha
36. Trish Juhline Brunner
37. Kerri Whitaker
38. Debbie Schnellenbach
39. Natasha Cloud
40. Karin Bosch
41. Chrissie Doogan
42. Maureen Logan
43. Theresa Govens
44. Deborah DeJarnette
45. Robin Berry
46. Denise Dillon

Home - Connie Mack Stadium Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium 1909-1970 N 21st. & W Lehigh Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pastel Painting by Bill Sweeney Home of the Mickey Vernon Sports Collection. Dedicated to preserving the history and memory of Delaware County Sports Legends. The Mickey Vernon Museum Coll...