You’d think this guy would have had lots of reasons to be optimistic about his chances at playing Major League baseball after the season he had for the Amsterdam Rugmakers in 1942. He hit .307, banging out 146 hits in the 123 games he started in center field for manager Tom Kane’s ball club that year, which included 49 extra base hits, helping that Rugmaker team finish with a 75-51 record. But then again, three obstacles to reaching the Bronx and wearing a pinstriped uniform were standing right in front of him…

You can read more about this talented former Rugmaker in the new book “A Year’s Worth of Amsterdam Birthdays.”