Domanski, Edward

 

Edward Domanski – (1989)

 

EDWARD DOMANSKI

Despite the strong urging from Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne that he stay in school and contact him in the spring of his graduation year, Ed “Dimons” Domanski left school to go to work before his senior year.

Blessed with blazing speed and fervent desire, Dimons could have been very competitive in track. He was the “standout” in an early Amateur Day at old Recreation Field. In full baseball uniform he ran the 100 yd dash in 11 seconds and circled the bases in 14.6 seconds, even though he had had no training. But it was football and the diamond sport where he gained prominence.

Displaying a razzle-dazzle style of running as a 175 lb halfback, Dimons achievements with the Lorain Nativities won him a spot on the semi-pro Massillon IGA eleven. He became their most feared and elusive runner and punt returner. Local sportswriters suggested that he could shake his hips like the renowned Gilda Gray of that era. His opponents often commented that despite his speed and change of pace, he was strong and difficult to bring to the turf—if and when you caught him.

Ed’s clippings from the Massillon area papers reached the Cleveland Panthers, forerunners of the Cleveland Rams. He signed on for one year with Cleveland and then joined the Chicago Cardinals. After creditable performances in the first three games, injuries slowed Eddie and he was forced to leave the squad.

Summertime and the baseball season caught Ed on the sandlots at centerfield with the Lorain Nativities and the Amherst Mischke Meats until he progressed to the Minor Leagues. He played in the Mid-Atlantic, the Mississippi and the Three-Eye Leagues and was acclaimed for his defensive prowess.

Returning to Lorain, Ed ended his sports career playing with top rated fast pitch softball teams, such as, the Washington Ave. Meats, American Stove, UPC, JK Coffee and the Pennzoils.

Appointed to the Lorain Sports Commission in 1938 for two years, Ed was instrumental in installing a Class B baseball league for athletes under the age of 21 in the city of Lorain.