F is for Ferrell Brothers, Rick and Wes

Today we take you out to the ball game with the Ferrell brothers, Rick and Wes. On the east wall of Greensboro's downtown baseball stadium, you will see this bronze plaque dedicated to these celebrated major league baseball player/brothers with ties to Greensboro. Born in Durham in 1905, Rick was one of seven brothers. He attended Guilford College where he played baseball (and basketball) and went on to be a major league catcher from 1929-1947. Rick, a hall of fame catcher, was one of the best hitting catchers in the American league.

Brother Wes, born in Greensboro in 1908, was known as one of the major league's best hitting pitchers. At age 19, he entered the major leagues where he played from 1927-1941. In his book, The Ferrell Brothers of Baseball, Dick Thompson says that Wes was,"as talented as anyone who ever set foot on a baseball diamond and as good as any pitcher who ever threw a ball" (reference). Another great piece of baseball trivia is the fact that Rick and Wes were sibling batterymates* for five seasons.

We wish more information were available on the Internet about the Ferrell family. Where did all of those boys practice baseball growing up? Where did they go to school K-12? Since Wes was born in Greensboro and Rick went to college here, their ties to the local community are significant and they bring Greensboro considerable recognition as players during the golden era of baseball. With America going through the Great Depression, the Ferrell brothers brought the world a much-needed bit of distraction from the financial woes of the day.  Were there any of the brothers who didn't play baseball?We do know that their other brother George, a minor league player, had a long and tremendous career in the sport. 

The more we look around for people who have made an impact on Greensboro for the ABC Wednesday meme, the more we realize that often, Greensboro heroes come in pairs. Today is ABC Wednesday and "F" is for Ferrell brothers, Rick and Wes. See previous entries here.

*pitcher/catcher teams

Comments

[Valladolid Daily Photo]

I love it, great abc post. congratulations...

[Roger Green]

I'm a big FAN of baseball, so I like this info.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

[Tumblewords]

Terrific pair!