Pieces of Our Past: December Week 5

Looking the Part: Richard Sacane Had a Profound Impact on the 1952 Little League World Series Tournament

By Museum Staff
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
December 29, 2009

In 1952, Richard Sacane was a power-hitting shortstop for the Optimist Little League from Monongahela, Pa. During the Pennsylvania State Tournament, Mr. Sacane hit four home runs in three games, and pitched a one-hitter in the championship game.

Due to his outstanding performance, Mr. Sacane was called the “Babe Ruth of Little League,” because he seemed to be on base most of the time.

Fifty six years after that memorable summer, Mr. Sacane was passing through the Williamsport (Pa.) area when he decided to visit the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum.

He was pleasantly surprised to see how prominently his team was represented in the museum.

While looking at old news articles and photographs from the ’52 Series, Mr. Sacane shared many memories of his playing days. He admitted that one of the highlights of his recent visit was watching the 1952 World Series championship game, which was filmed by the Emerson-Yorke Film Company.

After returning home, Mr. Sacane decided to donate one of his prized possessions to the museum - his World Series uniform.  The gray uniform is on display in the Museum’s World Series Room.

In a display case that includes historic uniforms from World Series past, the uniform is much different from those worn today. The gray uniform is made mostly of cotton, while uniforms today are made mostly of nylon. Many former players who wore the old cotton uniforms mention how hot they were to play in during the long hot days of summer.

This research was made possible through a General Operating Support Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Museum is located at 525 Route 15 Highway, just south of Williamsport, and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and by group appointment from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Its hours are extended during the summer season. The facility is accessible to the disabled.

Rates are $5 for adults; $3 for those 62 and older; $1.50 for children between the ages of 5 and 13. There is no fee for children 4 or younger. Group rates and tours are available. The Museum also offers birthday parties and after-hours facility rentals.

The Museum is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.
For more information, call the museum at (570) 326-3607; or visit http://www.LittleLeague.org/Learn_More/museum.htm.