Smokies in Military Service - Don Mills

I was asked over the weekend if I knew of any Smokies players that had given their life in military service. I had to answer that I didn't know, but I'd look around. In doing some research I've found a few that did serve. One of them was a former Smokies' batboy, Don Mills, who was in the Air Force.

Stars and Stripes - March 10, 1957

image from ancestry.com

Knoxville Names Park

I'm starting to do a bit of research into the ballparks of Knoxville.  Here's a start.

Smithson stadium, named after Knoxville Councilman W. N. Smithson, was razed in early 1953.  It was replaced by Knoxville Municipal Stadium in 1953.  In 1957 it was renamed Bill Meyer Stadium in honor of the former player and manager, William Adam Meyer.

The Greensboro Record - May 2, 1957

Former Buc Mentor Billy Meyer, 65, Dies

Pacific Stars and Stripes - April 2, 1957

images from Ancestry.com