Nebraska State League
Norfolk Elks 1932
The Norfolk team was the cream of the crop in 1932. They won both halves of the split season and compiled a 75-35 record. The playoffs however, were a different story. Beatrice led by the stellar pitching of Cotton Pippen beat Norfolk in the playoffs to take the crown.
Joe McDermott managed the Elks in 1932. Joe managed Sioux City in the ill fated Tri State League in 1924, Norfolk from 1931-1934 and Omaha in 1935. He was back in the NSL in 1936 with Norfolk, Grand Island in 1937 and the Class "D" Western League with Worthington in 1939 and Sioux City in 1941.
Norfolk led the league with four all star picks.
Roster:
Hugh "Hal" Luby was the regular second baseman for the Elks in 1932. He averaged .282 in 110 games.
Joe McDermott played first base for Norfolk. He averaged .295 in 61 games.
Les Rock "Schwarzrock" played first for 41 games and averaged .294. He was 19 years old and hailed from Springfield Minnesota. He had a cup of coffee with the White Sox in 1936.
John Drost held down the hot corner for 108 games and averaged .264.
Ray Bertram was in the dirt at short and averaged .266.
Behind the plate in 1932 was Chick Starr. He averaged .294. He had a cup of coffee with Washington (AL) in 1935 and 1936.
Gene Williams averaged .317 while tending the garden with Gannon, According to Baseball Reference he was 14 years old in 1932.
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Oris Hockett averaged .301 in 106 games for Norfolk. He played for Brooklyn in 1938, Cleveland from 1941-1944 and the White Sox in 1945. |
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Oris Hockett 1944 Play Ball-- 1983 TCMA, there was no 1944 Play Ball Card |
Les Rock averaged .294 in 41 games.
Pitchers:
It is interesting that Norfolk had two league leaders in the pitching
department but did not place a pitcher on the all star team.
Otto Davis led the league with 24 wins against 10 losses.
Luke Bucklin led the league with a 1.89 ERA and was 16-4 for the season.
George Govenot was 10-3 for the Elks in 1932.
William Harrison was 15-8 in 1932. He averaged .283 in 54 total games.