In the hot muggy days of the summer you could always find something to do and some pals at the local ball fields. In August of 1953 such a group was beating the heat at O’Sullivan Park located on Water St. where the Boys Club stands today.
It had been the home field for the Lawrence Millionaires of the now defunct New England league and also the home field of both Lawrence High and Central Catholic baseball. During the summer days it was used as a playground and many young athletes of the day would congregate for both playground league games and usually in the morning and in the afternoon they would be some pickup games. The accompanied picture features a group that played in both sessions.
Jackie Scannell came from the Essex Projects and later retired from the Lawrence Fire Department. John Brown also came from near the projects I think Winter St. George Janco and Bob Bouchard came from the Oxford St. area and so did Kenny West. Tinxmy Donahue came from the projects and later became a big time jockey and rode many races at Rockingham Park.
Jason Murphy also came from the Oxford St./Winter St. area; he later became a speedy running back for the great state championship football teams at Lawrence High School. When LHS was selected to play in Miami in the 50s, Coach Ed Buckley threatened to pull his team out of the game when the officials wouldn’t let Jason who was black, eat or stay at the team’s hotel. Buckley showed his Marine toughness and won his argument and Jason was not put into any other situations. Buckley simply said Jason is on my team and if he is punished for being black then my team is out of here and headed back to Mass. Buckley’s light never shone brighter.
Bobby Dion who later became a great ten pin bowler was at O’Sully and so were Jerry Guertin and Don Linehan from the projects. Don died at a much too early age and as a catcher in baseball he played and starred for LHS; he also played and caught for me in fast pitch softball and was a big time local bowler. All this with one eye!
George Maroun was one of the LHS all time stars a 3 spoiler. His talents got him to Michigan State and later the LHS Hall o Fame. He still lives in the area and once, while playing football at the Lawrence Stadium (I think it was against Beverly) he came running to his coach on the sidelines and said, “Here, hold these.” It was his three front teeth that had just been knocked out. How tough was that? Al Nassar later became a baseball player at LHS.
The young girl in the picture is Marie Gosselin, the former City councilor; she was Gagnon in those days, and a real good female athlete. She played softball and baseball, became a very good ten pin bowler, and a real good golfer. There wasn’t many scholarships for girls in 1953 but if they had been, chances out I’m sure she could’ve had many offers. This was the O’Sullivan Park Gang of 1953 and featured some real strong players.
