Yesterday was Jack Graney Day in St. Thomas and the events included book signings at the Joe Thornton Community Centre.
Ohio author Barbara Gregorich grew up cheering on the Cleveland ball team and so her book Jack and Larry was a natural.
It’s the colourful account of the St. Thomas-born baseball player turned broadcaster Jack Graney and the Cleveland Indians’ bull terrier mascot Larry.
But she was more than a sideline spectator, Gregorich loved playing baseball.
She was one of the attendees yesterday morning at the formal dedication of the Hometown Heroes baseball sculptures.
Both Graney and Larry are the subject of sculptures at the intersection of Fairview Avenue and Bill Martyn Parkway and Gregorich notes there is no shortage of attention for the latter.
Gregorich admits when growing up, she yearned to be a baseball player or a writer. As it turns out, she accomplished both.
Her novel She’s on First was called “the best book that’s written on the idea of the first woman to play professional baseball.”
Also present at the book signing was photographer Bill Rayner of St. Thomas, author of 3 and 2 Jack.
Rayner is a proud member of The Graney Gang, which includes city councillor Steve Peters, and which has kept the legacy of Graney alive over the years.
Written by Ian McCallum
