LANE TECH 1957 BASEBALL TEAM WON STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:34am — ROBERT W. BECKER

THE 1957 BASEBALL TEAM COACHED BY GEORGE WALLENTA WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. IT WAS THE ONLY STATE CHAMPIOSHIP LANE EVER WON IN ITS HISTORY. SHOTGUN BECKER AND JIM WOODS WERE NAMED ALL STATE AND IN 1975 INDUCTED INTO THE ILLINOIS STATE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.BOTH PERSUED PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CAREERS.LATER JIM INTERED AVATION AND BECKER PERSUED A CAREER IN PRODUCT DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE.

Comments

Tue, 04/29/2008 - 1:46pm — Arne

If you go to the following

If you go to the following website it indicates that Lane actually also won the State Championship in 1945, shorly after the State Championship was initiated.

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/114.html

It is interesting to note that the Cubs also won the national League Pennant in 1945 and lost the world series to the Detroit Tigers 4-3. This was their last appearance in the world series, but I think this is our year. Hopefully it will also be Lane's year to once again win the State Championship.

 

Congratulations to Shotgun Becker and Jim Woods and the whole 56 team for their accomplishments.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 10:03pm — Gerald Vaver

I remember the 1957 Lane

I remember the 1957 Lane Tech Baseball Team well and the names of Shotgun Becker and Jim Woods. I played catcher for Tuley High School that year and Lane defeated us for the right to represent Chicago in the State Playoffs. Jim Woods was exceptional that day and our hopes of a season ended. We did not go away. The next year we returned the favor by defeating Lane at Portage Park to represent Chicago in the State Playoffs. Unfortunately we did not experience the same success as did Lane the year before. Playing baseball in that place and time was an unforgettable experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even losing to Lane. Hey, just being there in the big game was what it was all about. Thanks for the memories Shotgun. No hard feelings.

Fri, 02/25/2011 - 9:38pm — johnshack

I tried out and made the '56

I tried out and made the '56 team. Coach W. said I had potential as a pitcher. I remember Bob Murowski. a huge left-hander, Jim Woods, Shotgun Becker (he also was a gymnast), Chuck Walshon, a fellow named Calderone. I didn't last very long because I won the 175# intramural wrestling championship and was "drafted" by coach Manasin to the wrestling team. I had to choose between baseball and wresting and I became a Grappler.

Our wrestling team consisted of Bob Deasy, Scott Bullis and a number of fellows whose names I can't remember. Coach Manasin was a great mentor and he was instrumental in having me join the USN. We did neck bridges and wore sweat suits in those days. Also ran many indoor laps around the core of the building.