Chick, Steve

Steve Chick – (1990)

 

STEVE CHICK

The Steve Chick story began back in 1937, at the tail end of the depression, when it was still difficult for families to provide enough food for the table and Lorain entrepreneurs had little left over to sponsor league teams.

When the Recreation Department was unable to enlist a fourth team for a Class B baseball league, the impetus was provided for Ed Molnar, who had assembled a team nucleus, to approach his good friend Steve about backing his unsponsored players in the Class B league. Baseball was Steve’s love and, although he was only an employee at the time, he gave the stamp of approval for the entry of the Chick Dairy baseball team.

The inaugural year the Dairymen were defeated in the final by the Blackhawks. The second year, they moved up to Class A. It was to last another 13 years during which the aggregation won 8 championships and created a great deal of interest in Northern Ohio. Large crowds would assemble at Oakwood Park on Sunday afternoons and at twilight games through the week. Through his dairy, Steve Chick provided the balls, bats, uniforms and other equipment. And when the cost exceeded the dairy budget, Steve would reach in his own pockets to provide the money for his boys to play and the spectators to be entertained.

Known as “Pippie” to close friends, as a dairyman Steve was up at 4:30 a.m. every morning to pick up raw milk from area farms, return to the plant for homogenization and subsequent delivery to area customers. Even with this schedule, “Pippie” would find time to race out to practice, put a chaw of tobacco in his mouth and with his rubber arm pitch batting practice for two hours. As team interest rose and the time came to travel for exhibition games in Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia or to 3 NABF and 2 ABC tournaments, Steve transported the players in the company truck. If an outfielder was needed, his own uniform was always in the truck.

In 1945, a now humorous incident cost Chick Dairy the Ohio title. The club reached the ABC finals against Toledo and had a 6-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Two Toledo batters had been retired. Jay Lukesic was in left field and Ray Waters was patrolling centerfield. What appeared to be a positive third out cost Chicks the crown. A high flyball was lofted into left centerfield. As Jay and Ray converged on the ball, several players called “Take it Ray”, others yelled “It’s all yours Jay.” Confused by the dual calls, both players hesitated and as they looked at each other the ball dropped between them. Toledo went on to score a 7-6 victory.

Steve Chick’s interest and dedication provided the opportunity for over 200 players to entertain thousands of spectators. Many teammates went on to professional teams. The list includes Ernie Chonko, D.J. Vancs, Ray Waters, G. Vance, Bob Pekare, Ray Mize, Jay Lukesic, Laddie Paul, Ed Walsh, Clark Horning, Jerry Zelek, Tom Johnson, Del Bastock, Mike Trbovich, Gene Krupp and Ernie Rigo.