Awesome find prof! I love this stuff from just after WWII (and in color to boot). I have fond memories of meeting the old "Davenport Destroyer" about 25 years ago. His name was Joe Brovia and he hailed from a small farming town north of Santa Cruz named Davenport (hence his nickname). He and I sat for about 30 minutes in my office and I peppered him with questions regarding the old PCL. He regaled me with stories of games gone by and seemed just a little bitter about the fact he only had a cup of coffee in the MLB. He had been talking seriously with the White Sox when Uncle Sam came a callin'. Like so many of his generation, Joe lost a few prime years in the Army to WWII and, while certainly proud of his service, he felt it kept him from reaching his full potential. Brovia was a big man and well known as a power hitter. He freely admitted he wasn't too good a defensive player and was comparatively slow. This hindered him a bit in comparison to some of the guys who did make it from the PCL to the MLB in those times. Based on my recollection of the conversation and translating it into "Sim speak", I'm gathering he would have been a D/D- fielder with 58 speed, LOL.
I don't recall which PCL team he played the longest for, but know he was with the Seals, Solons, Oaks, and Beavers. The person who introduced us and arranged for the "one on one" told me old Joe had been a real fan favorite. Joe presented me with an interesting paperback back book which I reread every 5 years or so. Of course I had him inscribe the tome to me. I also had The Davenport Destroyer sign a couple of baseballs; one of which I still have with the other being in my brother's possession.
6/3/2016 1:28 PM (edited)