Mayhew pg 9 7-19-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
A sporty hello to former Putnamite and current Pomfret resident Jim Weiss. Weiss, who graduated from hockey powerhouse St. Lawrence University, celebrated a significant birthday July 11. He’s not divulging how many candles were on the tasty gateau. Weiss remains an ardent fan of “The Larries” hockey program. Belated Happy Birthday, Jim.
At the end of the year Woodstock Academy athletic banquet, those in attendance didn’t realize that something very special was occurring. Chris Mayhew, the Centaurs three-sport standout, was presented the outstanding athlete award. The well deserved tribute was something that had historically happened in the past in the Mayhew family.
In 1984, another Mayhew, Chris’ dad, Chris Mayhew was accorded the same award as he graduated from Woodstock Academy. Three years prior, in 1981, Chris’ uncle, Doug Mayhew, was also the recipient of the award. As Chris’ grandfather, Russell “Tuffy” Mayhew, a 1957 Putnam High School graduate, said, “We enjoy keeping the award in the family.”
Chris Mayhew, the most recent version, is headed to UConn-Avery Point in September where he’ll play for coach Roger Bidwell and the Pointers. The Avery Point program, under coach Bidwell has become one of the most noted and most successful in the country. The program has produced Major League products Pete Walker, bullpen coach of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rajai Davis, left fielder of the Blue Jays and John McDonald, utility infielder with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mayhew is playing his summer baseball for the Danielson American Legion Baseball Program, coached by Jonathan Krot. He is currently among the Zone VI leaders in hitting, doubles and triples. At press time, Mayhew was sporting a 13-game hitting streak.
It all started with Russ “Tuffy” Mayhew, who got his nickname playing neighborhood baseball in the Chapman Street area of Putnam. He later went on to a stellar career as a catcher and outfielder at Putnam High School. He was a four-year varsity player from 1954 through 1957 for coach Jim Greenhalgh. Although not a power hitter, “Tuffy” was one of the most feared contact hitter in the Quinebaug Valley Conference.
Today, Mayhew and his wife, Nancy, enjoy watching American Legion baseball in the summer. In addition to his grandson Chris, the Mayhews other grandson, Brady Matteau is one of the leading players for the Tri-Town American Legion Baseball Program. The Mayhews recently sat through the Tri-Town 6-0 victory over Danielson. They were rooting for both teams.
Thrilled to See Red Sox Vs. Yankees…
A Putnam couple enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Boston recently. Dick and Kathy Raymond, avid baseball fans, said the highlight of the weekend was attendance at the Red Sox versus Yankees game July 6. Seated near the famous ‘Pesky Pole’ the Raymond’s enjoyed a great evening of baseball. For more details stop in to the Putnam Library and see Kathy, where she greets the many customers with her famous smile.
Remembering a Hoop & Diamond Great…
In 2010 the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association inducted its first class into its Athletic Hall of Fame. One of the individuals selected was former baseball and basketball standout Alan Leboeuf, a great choice.
Alan Leboeuf was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 off the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University, where he had just completed a stellar sophomore season for the Warriors. He received the news of his selection while on Cape Cod where he had just reported to play in the prestigious Cape Cod Amateur Baseball League.
I remember visiting Leboeuf in spring training 1982 at the Phillies site in Clearwater, Fla. We went out for dinner that evening. It was my way of hoping to make him feel comfortable by seeing someone he knew and was familiar with. Our relationship had developed on the baseball field as player and umpire. It’s a friendship that’s endured for more than three decades.
As an athlete at Tourtellotte in the late ‘70s, Leboeuf had no equal in basketball or baseball, although the latter was definitely his love. He could best be described as a Wade Boggs type hitter. His knack for hitting a baseball was natural and he loved being put in clutch situations. During the summer months he plied his baseball skills with the Tri-Town American Legion Baseball program.
Leboeuf dominated Tourtellotte sports from 1976 through 1979 where he was a four-year varsity performer in both sports. It was through his baseball coach, Tom Auclair, that Leboeuf moved on to ECSU, where he immediately became an instant starter for coach Bill Holowaty’s Warriors.
Drafted by the Phillies in 1981, Leboeuf was ticketed for the Major Leagues until he was sidelined by a knee injury, which completely curtailed his playing career. Realizing the valuable asset they possessed, the Phillies hired him on as a minor league coach and manager. He was one of the organization’s longest tenured employees until the Phillies had a cleansing at the turn of the century. Leboeuf hooked on with a number of other teams as a minor league coach and instructor, a position he continues in today with the Nashville Sounds.
Run, Run, Run for Fun, Fun, Fun…
A quick reminder from Jimi Gothreau, the West Thompson Dam 2012 Fun Run Summer Series is in full swing. Gothreau encourages joggers, walkers and runners to come out every Wednesday evening at 6:15 and join the fun. It’s free. Anyone participating in three or more runs earns a “Dam Fun Runs” T-shirt. Meet and park at the yellow gate on Ravenelle Road. The starting line is right there.
'Chick' Ziobrowski…
Word from Mesa, Ariz., of the passing of Edwin Ziobrowski at age 87 brought back memories locally of the former star athlete his friends called “Chick.” Ziobrowski was a star athlete at Putnam High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball prior to his graduation in 1943. Returning to Putnam following a distinguished stint in WWII with the Navy Seabees in the invasion of Normandy, “Chick” continued his illustrious athletic career.
He was a standout with the semipro Putnam Blackhawks on the football field, while also playing semipro baseball in the summers. In his later years, he patrolled the ‘hot corner’ for the Putnam Hawks softball team, which travelled extensively throughout New England taking on all comers. He also coached Putnam youngsters in the Little League for a number of years. “Chick” retired to Arizona where he pursued his passion of sports on the links playing golf.
He’ll always be remembered as one of the best to ever play sports in Putnam. He leaves his wife, the former Dolores Gothreau and two daughters. Gone from Putnam and now gone from life, “Chick” Ziobrowski is remembered.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Why do we park in driveways, and drive on parkways?