Ethan Allen – pro baseball player, college coach for Bush, baseball board game creator

Stone193

Ethan Allen played professional baseball from 1926 to 38; he played for the Cinn. Reds, the NY Giants, the Phillies – just to name a few. His lifetime BA is a respectable 300! Playing the OF, he only hammered 47 round trippers.



On playing the game: “I don’t care how big they make the gloves, you still have to catch the ball.” Which is kind of ironic since he was not noted as a good fielder which lead to him being passed around from team to team.

Also, he played in baseball’s first nite game and roomed with Dizzy Dean and Hack Wilson; never played a day in the minors.

Basically, after baseball, he did some movie directing and settled in for 2 decades as the coach of Yale University (1946 to the 60s). As many would guess, he coached a young George Bush where they participated in the semi-finals of the first NCAA college WS in 1947. Also, he wrote many books and pamphlets on how to play baseball.

Here’s Bush with the Babe:



For me, another notable achievement is the invention of All-star Baseball manufactured by Cadaco-Ellis. The first one came out around the 1940s and cost a buck and quarter.
He said he received around 5K per year in royalties – wow has baseball changed today!



Here’s what I think is a cool letter where he talks about retiring from Yale and moving on; for one thing – working on board games.

I just picked this up – and as many know – I collect board games and have a few Ethan Allen Games. The letter puts into historical perspective his life and plans to produce more “board games” – this is the kind of stuff I like in terms of “companion” pieces to my board collection: the autographed letter:



I know this has a bit of limited appreciation but thanx for just viewing.
mike

Alfonz24

Awesome stuff!

The stats about sports are good, but the stories of some of the lesser known athletes are great.

Stone193

<< <i>Awesome stuff!

The stats about sports are good, but the stories of some of the lesser known athletes are great. >>

Thanx Alfonz!

I forgot to mention - I looked up the people he was referencing - none of them actually played with him - but obviously he was interested in them.

These kinds of threads bring very little interest since in no way does it include baseball cards.

One thing to add - I pulled the trigger on a PSA 2 Ethan Allen with an MK qualifier - 17 bucks - must be on the back - the card will be pulled out of the holder and mounted with the letter and perhaps a photo - the ones I posted are from a seller on ebay - wondosports - wonder if that's John Wondo who posts here - tho I haven't seen him latelely.



mike

Uphill

Mike

Very nice stuff. I always enjoy reading your posts.

EAsports

Mike,

Great stuff.

Here's my Ethan Allen stuff:

1934-36 Batter Up


My Goudey is bit more "loved" than yours...


And this is the "centerpiece"


I've got a bit more personal attachment, as I share his name. No one ever makes the connection to the Revolutionary war hero, or even to this guy.

Only to the furniture store.

Which, I can tell you... NEVER gets old.

Anyway, good stuff.

If you ever want to part with a lesser condition Ethan Allen baseball game, let me know. I'd love to have one.

Ethan

csmtampa

Few weeks ago I picked up an Ethan Allen signed blank "autograph card" Pretty sweet stuff!

relaxed

Mike, That is a cool letter that you have from Ethan Allen. Thanks for sharing your card also. I was a big player of his All-Star Baseball game when I was a kid. I couldn't wait for each year to buy that years disc's to add to my collection. I had disc's from the mid 55's through the early 60's. Unfortually, I must of gotten rid of the game years later. I did buy a 1955 All-Star Baseball game from e-bay a couple of years ago for the memories and also bought a 1944 edition just because it was unique.

Just a little more information about Ethan Allen. Allen once said "It occurred to me that a player's batting record could be graphed on a circle with his percentage of singles, home runs, walks, strike outs and so forth," "Once I hit upon that, putting the game together wasn't difficult." Selling it was harder. "Every big toy executive threw me out of his office at least once," Allen noted. Then in 1940 he visited Cadaco, a fledging Chicago-based firm owned by Donald Mazer. Don Mazer heard me out, banged his desk and said, Good idea! We"ll make it! the inventor recalls. Allen cemented the deal by delivering agreements from the top players of the day to use their names and records. Many of these agreements were sold on eBay in Februaury 2006 for over $10,000.

Thanks to Ethan Allen for some happy memories. Gary

PowderedH2O

I wrote to Ethan Allen in 1990 and he sent a nice note back and some information about the game. He was very proud of it, maybe even more than his career. Super nice guy from all I could tell.

Sam

GDM67

<< <i>Mike

Very nice stuff. I always enjoy reading your posts. >>

So do I, particularly the board game info. I think most of us are interested in pretty much anything that touches on the sport and it's history.

slantycouch

Very cool stuff! Thanks for posting.

To our "own" Ethan Allen, I can only imagine how old the furniture store connection must get.

WinPitcher

Nice stuff as always Mike, thanks for sharing!

Steve

uyu906

I played All-Star Baseball from Cadaco as a kid from about 1974-1982. I loved that game! I still have my original discs and one copy of the game. I had at least two other boards that I wore out and got rid of. I can still feel my finger flicking that spinner and hoping for a homerun.

I can't wait to play this game with my son who will soon be six. I guess I better dig it out of the closet.

Does anyone know if they still make this game and produce the round players disks for current players?

Stone193

<< <i>Mike, That is a cool letter that you have from Ethan Allen. Thanks for sharing your card also. I was a big player of his All-Star Baseball game when I was a kid. I couldn't wait for each year to buy that years disc's to add to my collection. I had disc's from the mid 55's through the early 60's. Unfortually, I must of gotten rid of the game years later. I did buy a 1955 All-Star Baseball game from e-bay a couple of years ago for the memories and also bought a 1944 edition just because it was unique.

Just a little more information about Ethan Allen. Allen once said "It occurred to me that a player's batting record could be graphed on a circle with his percentage of singles, home runs, walks, strike outs and so forth," "Once I hit upon that, putting the game together wasn't difficult." Selling it was harder. "Every big toy executive threw me out of his office at least once," Allen noted. Then in 1940 he visited Cadaco, a fledging Chicago-based firm owned by Donald Mazer. Don Mazer heard me out, banged his desk and said, Good idea! We"ll make it! the inventor recalls. Allen cemented the deal by delivering agreements from the top players of the day to use their names and records. Many of these agreements were sold on eBay in Februaury 2006 for over $10,000.

Thanks to Ethan Allen for some happy memories. Gary >>

Thanx for the contribution Gary - I had read some stuff about his game work - can't believe what little money he made compared to today!

The original game - as I wrote - was $1.25.

Thanx to EVERYONE else for the kind words and contributions - this makes me very happy - we need people to add some threads on what they really enjoy - info that can only enhance our appreciation for the sports we watch, the items we collect and the hobby experience in general.

mike

EAsports

<< <i>Very cool stuff! Thanks for posting.

To our "own" Ethan Allen, I can only imagine how old the furniture store connection must get. >>



You've kept my streak of about 10,000 consecutive days with a furniture store reference alive.

Thanks for the help!

I have to use my debit card in the morning, so I should be all squared away for tomorrow.

Stone193

<< <i>

<< <i>Very cool stuff! Thanks for posting.

To our "own" Ethan Allen, I can only imagine how old the furniture store connection must get. >>



You've kept my streak of about 10,000 consecutive days with a furniture store reference alive.

Thanks for the help!

I have to use my debit card in the morning, so I should be all squared away for tomorrow. >>

I don't understand the connection to the debit card?

mike

EAsports

Every time I use my debit/credit card or write a check or show my driver's license, I get to endure another round of furniture store questions.

Hoopster

At first glance, I thought it was a thread about Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys.

fkw