Joe Crawford member of Naismith Basketball HOF class of 2026

Congratulations to Joe Crawford for becoming Delaware County’s newest member of the Naismith Basketball HOF. Joe’s induction with the class of 2026 will truly be a well-deserved honor. We are so happy for Joe and his wife Mary. For many years Joe and Mary have been loyal contributing members of the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum. Best wishes Joe and Mary, from Delco’s only Sports Museum. SLDC Museum 301 Iven Avenue Wayne, Pa. 610-909-4919.

Joe Crawford shown here with his Gold Whistle Award. This award is presented annually to a recipient selected by the National Association of Sports Officials who has made significant contributions to the betterment of officiating. Help us preserve Delco’s Sports History by making a donation to Delco’s only sports museum via our Paypal button on the home page of our website www.delcosportsmuseum.org

Nominated for EMMY award

SLDC Museum’s very own Steve Burman  one of the producers of this Clemente Documentary.

Roberto Clemente Collection by Steve Burman

2025 Thank You

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The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum is offering fans the opportunity to see their name in print by sponsoring their favorite Delco sports personality. Rich Pagano, the museum’s resident historian, has been hard at work for the past few months writing part two of his trilogy on Delco’s sports legends. As a museum fund raiser, your donation of $100 will enable you to have your name placed next to your friend, relative, or favorite sports personality. Rich has already included these subjects in the pages of his forthcoming book.
In return, you’ll receive a copy of Rich’s new book, in which your name will appear as a SLDC donor next to your selected athlete, plus you will also receive a copy of his first book. Select your favorite, from the list below. For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at (610) 909-4919 or vankoski21@comcast.net.
www.delcosportsmuseum.org . The SLDC Museum is a 501[c] [3] tax exempt organization. Your donation should be made out to SLDC Museum and mailed to Rich Pagano 208 Jackson Avenue Milmont Park, Pa 19033. Rich Pagano 267-280-6696 email rp1751@aol.com

Please view PDF list

Rich Pagano's book

NBA

Ted Williams batting with Mickey Vernon on deck. 1956

In 1956, Ted Williams and Delco’s own Mickey Vernon enjoyed outstanding years for the Boston Red Sox. Each made the American League All-Star Team and at the conclusion of the season, each was 38 years old. The two men were at the top of their game. Jim Vankoski 610-909-4919 

vankoski21@comcast.net www.delcosportsmuseum.org 

A National Treasure

Bobby Shantz 98 year old 1952 American League MVP shown here with Delco Sports Museum curator Jim Vankoski. Photo was taken this past weekend. Bobby is one of a handful of WW II veterans with major league experience still living.
The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum is saluting the golden age of baseball and this country’s “Greatest Generation” with a DVD called “Ballfield to Battlefield and Back–From FDR to JFK”. The DVD features sixty minutes of color footage of WW II and Korean War-era major league players from 1939 through the 1950s. More than eighty players in the DVD who served in the military, including 40 members of the Hall of Fame, are identified, along with their branch of service. Among the Hall of Fame veterans featured are Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Bob Feller, Warren Spahn, Hank Greenberg, Jackie Robinson, and Yogi Berra. All of those featured were professional ballplayers prior to WW II, served their country during WW II and then returned to the ballfield–Ted Williams was called to serve again during the Korean war. The DVD also features four presidents (FDR, Harry Truman, Ike, and JFK) “throwing out the first ball” in Washington DC. There is also color footage of Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium in 1947 and of the legendary Honus Wagner when he was a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This national treasure was filmed and narrated by two former major league players, George Case (six-time stolen base champion and four time all-star) and Mickey Vernon (two-time batting champion and seven -time all-star). For information on how to obtain this DVD for that special fan of the WW II and Korean War era, contact Jim Vankoski at the SLDC Museum at 610-909-4919 or email. vankoski21@comcast.net SLDC Museum

Mickey’s Horsehide Club

Living Members of “Mickey Vernon’s Horsehide Club. As of January  16, 2025