Tom Page
Tom Page, former New York Yankee Pitcher, is now teaching all phases of baseball in Lake Forest, California.
Tom has been passing on his knowledge about baseball since 1967. People who know him say he has a "photographic mind" when it comes to the skills of the game. All Tom has to do is watch someone for a short period of time and he can tell whether or not they have potential.
To give you some background, Tom played with the Yankees from 1948 through 1960 with a two year interruption from Uncle Sam. When Tom first signed his "bonus" contract, he was sent to a "Rookie" league in Amsterdam, New York. His pitching was so good that after only four weeks the Yankees moved him up to AA league in Wisconsin. He played there during the months of June and July in 1949. To finish the season, the Yankees called Tom up to the AAA Kansas City Blues of the American Association. In March, 1950, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Tom was on the Honor Guard for General Strickler of the 28th Infantry Division as well as being chosen to pitch for the 28th Division All-Stars. While playing a game in Stuttgart, Germany, Tom made the headlines. He was the first person ever to pitch a perfect game in all of Europe. It is no wonder that the All-Stars went on to play the Armed Forces World Series. Unfortunately, Tom was involved in a military related accident. He broke his pitching thumb and had to sit on the bench for awhile. After discharge in 1952, Tom rejoined the Yankees. He not only played in B, A, and AAA league, but was also interim manager for several terms. While pitching in exhibition games, Tom struck out some of the greatest names in baseball. Among them in Yankee exhibition games were, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Phillip Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Ted Williams, and many more. Even with all his successes, as a result of his military accident, Tom decided to retire from baseball in 1960.
Tom sat on the sidelines until 1967 when a mother asked if he would teach her 9 year old son how to play the game of baseball. That's when he began working with Charles "Chuck" Colby, who in spite of a broken back at age 14, went on to be the 1ih round draft choice for the Seattle Mariners. While working with Chuck, Tom also started instructing 14 year old, Bill Garritty, who eventually was signed with the Minnesota Twins. On top of these great players, Tom also began instructing Seattle Mariner pitcher David Aardsma at age 9.
Although Tom was a pitcher, he is able to teach all phases of the game. It is interesting to watch him instruct. In just a few sessions, he has been able to help players improve their game. In fact, as a result of Tom's instruction, several young men have been given full athletic scholarships to some of the best colleges in the nation.
Tom has been passing on his knowledge about baseball since 1967. People who know him say he has a "photographic mind" when it comes to the skills of the game. All Tom has to do is watch someone for a short period of time and he can tell whether or not they have potential.
To give you some background, Tom played with the Yankees from 1948 through 1960 with a two year interruption from Uncle Sam. When Tom first signed his "bonus" contract, he was sent to a "Rookie" league in Amsterdam, New York. His pitching was so good that after only four weeks the Yankees moved him up to AA league in Wisconsin. He played there during the months of June and July in 1949. To finish the season, the Yankees called Tom up to the AAA Kansas City Blues of the American Association. In March, 1950, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Tom was on the Honor Guard for General Strickler of the 28th Infantry Division as well as being chosen to pitch for the 28th Division All-Stars. While playing a game in Stuttgart, Germany, Tom made the headlines. He was the first person ever to pitch a perfect game in all of Europe. It is no wonder that the All-Stars went on to play the Armed Forces World Series. Unfortunately, Tom was involved in a military related accident. He broke his pitching thumb and had to sit on the bench for awhile. After discharge in 1952, Tom rejoined the Yankees. He not only played in B, A, and AAA league, but was also interim manager for several terms. While pitching in exhibition games, Tom struck out some of the greatest names in baseball. Among them in Yankee exhibition games were, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Phillip Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Ted Williams, and many more. Even with all his successes, as a result of his military accident, Tom decided to retire from baseball in 1960.
Tom sat on the sidelines until 1967 when a mother asked if he would teach her 9 year old son how to play the game of baseball. That's when he began working with Charles "Chuck" Colby, who in spite of a broken back at age 14, went on to be the 1ih round draft choice for the Seattle Mariners. While working with Chuck, Tom also started instructing 14 year old, Bill Garritty, who eventually was signed with the Minnesota Twins. On top of these great players, Tom also began instructing Seattle Mariner pitcher David Aardsma at age 9.
Although Tom was a pitcher, he is able to teach all phases of the game. It is interesting to watch him instruct. In just a few sessions, he has been able to help players improve their game. In fact, as a result of Tom's instruction, several young men have been given full athletic scholarships to some of the best colleges in the nation.