Emmett Littleton “Ash” Ashford (1914 - 1980)

Major League Baseball Umpire. He was the first African-American to umpire a Major League baseball game. After toiling in the minor leagues for 14 years,  mostly in the Pacific Coast League,  he was promoted to the majors for the 1966 season when he was 51 years old. During his brief five-year career he umpired the […]

Richie Ashburn (1927 - 1997)

Hall of Famer Major League Baseball Player. Richie Ashburn played Major League Baseball as an Outfielder for 15 seasons (1948 to 1962) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. He was a two-time National League batting champ with the Phillies. The ultimate singles hitter, he hit leadoff for 15 years, batting over […]

Barry Ashbee (1939 - 1977)

Barry Ashbee played his junior hockey with the Barrie Flyers in the Ontario Hockey Association, started his professional career by playing eight seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, although he did play 14 games with the Boston Bruins of the NHL during the 1965–66 season. He became an NHL regular with […]

Les Ascott (1921 - 2013)

Professional Football Player. Les Ascott played at the offensive tackle, offensive guard, and defensive tackle positions for eleven seasons (1940 to 1941, and 1945 to 1953) in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts. As team captain he led the Toronto Argonauts to five winning Grey Cup championships in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, and […]

Antonio Ascari (1888 - 1925)

Antonio Ascari (15 September 1888 – 26 July 1925) was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing champion. Antonio Ascari was born near Mantua, but in the Veneto region of Italy, as the son of a corn dealer. He began racing cars at the top levels in Italy in 1919, using a modified 1914 Fiat. Along with […]

Alberto Ascari (1918 - 1955)

Alberto Ascari (Italian pronunciation: [alˈbɛrto asˈkari]; 13 July 1918 – 26 May 1955) was an Italian racing driver and twice Formula One World Champion. He was a multitalented racer who completed in motorcycle racing before switching to cars. Back to back World titles in 1952 and 1953 sandwiched an appearance in the Indianapolis 500 in […]

John O’Gorman Arundel (1927 - 2002)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Arundel was born on November 4, 1927. At 5’11, and 181lbs, he played the position of Defense for teams in the PCHL, AHL, NHL, MMHL, QSHL, and the QHL hockey leagues. Arundel played for the Los Angeles Monarchs from 1949 to 1950, Pittsburgh Hornets from 1949 to […]

Inga Artomonova (1936 - 1966)

Athlete. Born in Moscow, Russia, she was a Soviet speed ice skater and the first four-time All World Champion in women’s speed skating history. She won the All-round World Championships in 1957, 1958 and 1962, and was second in 1963 and 1964 before capturing her fourth World Championships title in 1965. Over the course of […]

Lee Robert Reno Artoe (1917 - 2005)

Professional Football Player. After growing up in Tacoma, Washington, he was recruited by Santa Clara University in California. After about a year, he got married. This was against the rules at the Jesuit institution and he was asked to leave. He became an All-American at the University of California at Berkeley, despite being too busy […]

Luis Arroyo (1927 - 2016)

Major League Baseball Player. For eight seasons (1955 to 1957 and 1959 to 1963), he was a left-handed pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees. Born Luis Enrique Arroyo, he marked his Major League debut with the Cardinals on April 20, 1955 and recorded 11 wins earning all-star […]

William Stephen “Bill” Arnsparger (1926 - 2015)

Professional Football Coach. He became famous as the “mastermind” of both the “No Name Defense” and the “Killer B’s” defense of the Miami Dolphins during the 1970s and 1980s. After serving in the Marines during World War II, he got into coaching in college football, serving as an assistant at Miami (Ohio), Ohio State, Kentucky, […]

Morrie Arnovich (1910 - 1959)

Major League Baseball Player. Born in Superior, Wisconsin, he was an outfielder known as Snooker when he made his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 14, 1936. For seven seasons, he played with the Philadelphia Phillies 1936 to 1940, Cincinnati Reds in 1940 and the New York Giants 1941 to 1946. He was selected […]

Louise “Lou” Arnold (1923 - 2010)

Professional Baseball Player. A pitcher, she spent four seasons with the South Bend Blue Sox of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Raised in Pawtuckett, Rhode Island, she was a stand-out athlete in high school and was signed by the AAGPBL in 1948 at the point when the league was switching to overhand pitching. […]

Neill Armstrong (1926 - 2016)

Professional Football Player, Coach. For seven seasons (1947 to 1951 and 1953 to 1954), he played at the offensive end and defensive back positions in the National and Canadian Football Leagues with the Philadelphia Eagles and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Born Neill Ford Armstrong, he attended Tishomingo High School in Oklahoma, prior to participating in football, […]

Murray “The Chief” Armstrong (1916 - 2010)

Professional Hockey Player, College Hockey Coach. For eight seasons (1937 to 1942, 1943 1943 to 1946), he played at the center position in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York/Brooklyn Americans and Detroit Red Wings. His lengthy association in the sport began with the New York Rovers, followed by a stint […]

Mary Carew Armstrong (1913 - 2002)

Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Born Mary Louise Carew, she was a fifteen year old sprinter when she won the first of her four straight National Titles in the 40-yard dash in 1929. At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, Armstrong ran the first leg of the 400-meter relay race. As a member […]

Henry “Hurricane Hank” Armstrong (1912 - 1988)

Professional Boxer. Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight Champion of the World. One of the greatest fighters in history, “Hurricane Hank” is the only fighter to hold 3 world Championships simultaneously. His first title came in 1937 when he wrested the Featherweight Championship from Petey Sarron via 6th round ko. His second title came on May 31, […]

Loyd Arms (1919 - 1999)

Loyd Arms was a high school wrestler in the state of Oklahoma during the late 1930s. He wrestled in the heavyweight division, and captured the Oklahoma state heavyweight title in both 1938 and 1939. Following high school, he began wrestling at Oklahoma State University. Arms was named an All-American during his sophomore season in 1941. He placed […]

William Clark “Bill” Armour (1866 - 1922)

Major League Baseball Manager. Managed in the Major Leagues from 1902 to 1906 with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. In 736 Games Managed he had a record of 382 Wins and 347 Losses. He was the Tiger’s manager when future Baseball great Ty Cobb was brought up in 1905.

Tommy Armour (1895 - 1968)

Tommy Armour was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and educated at Fettes College and the University of Edinburgh. During his service in World War I, Armour rose from a private to Staff Major in the Tank Corps. His conduct earned him an audience with George V. However, he lost his sight to a mustard gas explosion […]

Paul “Pitchin’ Paul” Arizin (1928 - 2006)

Hall of Fame Professional Basketball Player. In 1996, he was named to the NBA’s All-Time 50 Greatest Players List. For ten seasons (1950 to 1952, 1954 to 1962), he played at the forward and center positions in the National Basketball Association with the Philadelphia Warriors. Born Paul Joseph Arizin, he attended LaSalle High School, at […]

Hank “Bow Wow” Arft (1922 - 2002)

Major League Baseball Player. He played first base for the St. Louis Browns from 1948 to 1952. Batted .253 with a .352 on base percentage in 300 career games. After retiring, he became co-owner of Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin, Missouri, and wrote for the Browns’ Fan Club newsletter. (bio by: HMS)  Family links:  Spouse: […]

Walt Arfons (1916 - 2013)

Walter Charles “Walt” (Poppy) Arfons (December 10, 1916 – June 4, 2013) was the half brother of Art Arfons, his former partner in drag racing, and his competitor in jet-powered land speed record racing. Along with Art, he was a pioneer in the use of aircraft jet engines for these types of competition. Walt Arfons was […]

Ray Arcel (1899 - 1994)

Hall of Fame Professional Boxing Trainer. One of the most respected men in the history of boxing, Ray Arcel trained a record twenty world champions. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1899, Arcel grew up in a tough New York City neighborhood. Ray handled more than 2,000 fighters during his 70-year career in the ring, […]

Eddie Arcaro (1916 - 1997)

Horseracing Jockey. He rode Whirlaway and Citation to Triple Crown winners, the only jockey to ever accomplish this feat. Acaro won the Kentucky Derby five times, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes six times. Forced retirement was mandated in 1962 because of severe Bursitis in his right arm. In his career of 24,092 races, Arcaro […]

Amos “Butch” Arbour (1895 - 1943)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Victoria Mines, Ontario, Arbour played the position of Left Wing for teams in the NHL, OHA-Jr, NHA, and the St-Cup hockey leagues. At 5’08, and 160lbs, Arbour played for the Victoria Harbour Station from 1914 to 1915, Montreal Canadiens from 1915 to 1916, 1918 to 1921, Toronto 228th Battalion […]

Al Arbour (1932 - 2015)

Professional Hockey Player, Coach, Executive. Arbour, born Alger Joseph Arbour, was a professional hockey player, coach, and executive who coached the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cups (1980 to 1983). He played for four different teams, winning three Stanley Cups, during his professional playing career (Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black […]

Art “Golden Boy” Aragon (1927 - 2008)

Professional Boxer, Actor. He was a former lightweight contender. Born in Belen, New Mexico and later residing in Los Angeles, he fought such notable opponents as Billy Graham, Johnny Gonsalves, Jimmy Carter and Carmen Basilio. He would retire from boxing in 1960 after compiling a record of 90 wins, 20 losses with 6 draws in […]

Sylvanus “Syl” Apps (1915 - 1998)

Hall of Fame Professional Hockey Player. A native of Paris, Ontario, Apps played for teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). At 6’00”, and 185lbs, he played the position of Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1936 to 1943, and 1945 to 1948. He was the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy for 1936 […]

Luke Appling (1907 - 1991)

Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. Known as “Old Aches and Pains”, played shortstop 20 seasons (1930 to 1950), all with the Chicago White Sox. His finest season came in 1936 when he led the American League with a .388 batting average (the highest average ever for a shortstop) and drove in 128 runs. […]