Perritt, John “Whitey”

John “Whitey” Perritt – (1987)

 

John”Whitey”Perritt

“Whitey” Ford “Whitey” Herzog “Whitey” Perritt

Line ’em up and you have a trio of stars —.
Whitey Ford of New York Yankee fame.
Whitey Herzog of the St. Louis Cardinals.

And Whitey Perritt, who in the next few minutes will be enshrined in Lorain’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Soft-spoken and business-like, Perritt has mellowed through the years.
In the field of sports, he was a rugged individual, eager for victory.

This man was a unique sportsman in all fields from the 1930’s through the 50’s. Tall in stature and rangy for flexibility, Perritt ranked among the area’s best ballplayers and bowlers.

Let’s take a look at his achievements–in the 1930’s and 40’s in Class AA softball leagues, he donned the attire of Rogach Barbers, Dreamland Theatre, Smithberger’s, Rebman sports and United States Steel. “Whitey” was labeled the “best defensive first baseman in Lorain County.”

On the bowling lanes, the maples were flying when Perritt delivered with an abundance of power from his rangy physique.

He competed in the Andorka Classic League, North Central Ohio Traveling League, topped the Classic League with a 201 average and had a 27-year record of 195 average or better. He posted five 700 series at Andorka’s, and four 700’s on Saxon Club Lanes.

Perritt has a unique distinction–he rolled the only sanctioned perfect 300 game in Lorain YMCA bowling history. That was the “Y” at Pearl Avenue and 28th Street. At Avon Lake Lanes, “Whitey” set an all-time house record of 781.

Consistently, Perritt was among the tournament leaders in the Andorka Classic, George Vallos Classic at Youngstown, American Bowling Congress and Lorain City. After 27 years of tournament action with such greats as Ned Day, Buddy Bomar, Andy Varipapa and Don Carter, “Whitey” retired from the lanes following a leg injury.