by Larry Chowning –
The Nov. 15, 1990 “Do You Remember?” column in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal featured a photo of the Mathews ALLSTARS semi-pro baseball team with Syd Thrift, first baseman and manager on the front row. Thrift, a Locust Hill native, would go on to become general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and occupy front office positions for several major league teams. In the photo on page B4, Thrift and Elton Hudgins are holding the Tidewater League 1952 championship trophy.
E. Hudgins and his wife Jane were organizers of the team. Hudgins was a utility player and helped manage the championship team. The ALLSTARS home-field was at Mathews High School.
During the Korean conflict, Thrift was stationed at Fort Eustis in Newport News from 1950 to 1953 and was manager/player of the Ft. Eustis Wheels. In the championship photo Thrift, front row second from left, shows off his Ft. Eustis (E) on his hat.
The war had increased the need for recruitment of American boys to serve in the service. Major league baseball players were being drafted and sent to military stations around the country.
As manager of the Wheels, Thrift scheduled games, organized practices and pitched and played first-base. During those years…
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