by S. L. Price
62 When he returned that night, Razzano bumped into Eli Bozich . . . : ibid, page 9.
62 Beyond the NLRB’s description of him . . . : National Labor Relations Board ruling, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation and Amalgamated Association of Iron Steel & Tin Workers of North America, Beaver Valley Lodge No. 200, April 9, 1936.
62–63 Relations between black steelworkers and organized labor had long been scarred by bigotry and mutual distrust . . . : Dickerson, Dennis C. Out of the Crucible: Black Steelworkers in Western Pennsylvania, 1875-1980. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press, 1986: pg. 92.
63 Boyer came to J&L five years later . . . : National Labor Relations Board ruling, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation and Amalgamated Association of Iron Steel & Tin Workers of North America, Beaver Valley Lodge No. 200, April 9, 1936.
63 The year before, in the nearby town of Industry . . . : “Beaver County Official ‘Bucks’ Pinchot’s Order”, Pittsburgh Courier, September 9, 1933, pgs. 1, 4; “Beaver County Officials May Face Grand Jury Probe In Shanghai Case”, Pittsburgh Courier, September 2, 1933, pgs. 1, 11.
63 In 1933, a black man was killed . . . : Ruttenberg, Harold. “Steel Town.” The Nation, November 28, 1934: pg. 624.
63 Boyer was fired a month before Razzano . . . : National Labor Relations Board ruling, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation and Amalgamated Association of Iron Steel & Tin Workers of North America, Beaver Valley Lodge No. 200, April 9, 1936.
63 Mauk’s police introduced a new tactic . . . : Golden, Clinton S., letter to Moser, Clarence, March 7, 1935, Clinton S. Golden Papers, Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
64 “Silent intake of spectators’ breaths” . . . : Time, Altman, Nancy J. The Battle for Social Security: From FDR’s Vision To Bush’s Gamble. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
64 “When industries organize themselves on a national scale” . . . : Cortner, 164.
65 “A major turning point” . . . : ibid, pg. VIII of preface.
65 “Revolutionized industrial relations” . . . : Lieberman, Elias. Unions Before the Bar: Historic Trials Showing the Evolution of Labor Rights in the United States. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1950: 193-201; Green, 19.
65 Royal Boyer received $2,040 . . . : Pittsburgh Courier, April 24, 1937, page 4.
65 And Angelo Razzano . . . : Razzano, Angelo, Hoffman, Alice interview, January 16, 1974, p. 15.
65 “Utter disgust and dismay” . . . : Girdler, Jr., interview.
65 “When I hear Wagner Act went constitutional” . . . : Kennedy, David M. Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1999.
66 “I was bitter about this” . . . : Girdler, Sr., 226.
66 “My father made the famous statement” . . . : Girdler, Jr., interview.
66 The company pushed for a vote . . . : Green, 19.
66 A Clint Golden spy . . . : Clint Golden spy report, February 24, 1937, Clinton S. Golden papers (1565), Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University. Collection of Pennsylvania State University, Box 5, Folder 29.
66 Both J&L locals . . . : Green, 19; Inman, Wollman, 108.
67 At 11 p.m . . . : Inman, Wollman, 108.
67 “I beat the hell out of him” . . . : Razzano, Angelo, interview by Hoffman, Alice, January 16, 1974, p. 15.
67 “The strike is a rank-and-file affair” . . . : Inman, Wollman, 108, cit. Brooks, Robert R.R. As Steel Goes . . . : Unionism in a Basic Industry. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1940: 124-125, Green, 20.
68 “I don’t want any trouble here” . . . : Inman, Wollman, 111, cit. Robert R. R. Brooks, 126.
69 “J&L has been brought to its knees” . . . : Pacchioli, David, “Forged in Steel”, Penn State News, January 1, 1999, http://news.psu.edu/story/141007/1999/01/01/research/forged-steel.
69 “Let us forget the tension of the past few weeks” . . . : Inman, Wollman, 114., cit. The J&L Steel Employes Journal 2, no. 9, May 26, 1937: 1.
70 A recession in 1938 . . . : Harvard Business School, Lehman Brothers Collection-Contemporary Business Archives, “Jones & Laughlin Industries, Inc.”, http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/lehman/company.html?company=jones_laughlin_industries_inc.
70 “Very, very hard” . . . : Letteri, Joe, author interview, May 11, 2012
72 No one, of course, would have predicted that Suder . . . : “Aliquippa Star Played 13 Years in the Majors”, Bires, Mike, Beaver County Times, November 15, 2006; Elias Sports Bureau.
72 “From a total disaster into a busy little town” . . . : Steinfeld, author interview, October 14, 2012.
72 “That’s eight Oscars” . . . : Piroli, Gino, author interview, May 11, 2012.
74 Steam whistles . . . : “New Year Brings Back Memories of Past Celebrations”, Piroli, Gino, Beaver County Times, January 11, 2016.
74 Three men a year . . . : Estimate based off author interview with Piroli, Gino, May 11, 2012.
74 “Our sport consisted of turning off the lights” . . . : Zernich, 6.
75 “Rockne is dead” . . . : “Speaking of Sports”, Bickford, Peter, The Daily Republican, Monongahela, Pa., February 28, 1941: 2.
75 “The varsity grid cupboard is bare” . . . : Amper, Richard, Aliquippa Gazette, February 21, 1941.
76 The team local papers dubbed the “Steelers” . . . : “Steelers Open Season with 39-0 Victory Over Freedom”, The Daily Times, September 6, 1941, pg. 7.
76 He worked as a “burner” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview, November 16, 2010.
77 J&L logged a $10.3 million profit in ’40 . . . : Inman, Wollman, 116.
77 1,279 pupils . . . : The Daily Times, Beaver, Pa., April 18, 1941, page 2, column 3.
77 407 students dropped out . . . : “Aliquippa”, The History of Beaver County Schools, Volume 1. Adams, Belle, ed. Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation, printed by Closson Press, Apollo, Pa., 1982.
77 J&L’s furnaces . . . : “Army-Navy ‘E’ Is Presented in Aliquippa”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 7, 1943: 16.
77 Over the next four years . . . : B.F. Jones Library Holding: “General Marshall’s Victory Report on the Winning of World War II in Europe and the Pacific”, “Added Section Featuring the Contributions made by our Community toward the Winning of the War”, 1945, U.S. Department of War, distributed by Aliquippa VFW Post # 3577.
77 “The men would congregate” . . . : Letteri, Gilda, author interview, May 11, 2012.
77 “Power by Jesse Gunn” . . . : “Too Much ‘General’ Lee-New Castle Easily Wins Class AA Title”, Kurtz, Paul, Pittsburgh Press, November 27, 1942: 38.
78 “There was no warning” . . . : “22 Killed When Bus Is Crushed by Avalanche”, United Press, Shamokin News-Dispatch, Shamokin, Pa., December 23, 1942.
79 “Watched him play all the time” . . . : Letteri, Joe, author interview, August 2012.
79 In December of ’43 . . . : The Evening Times, February 9, 1945.
79 “He never made it back” . . . : Suder, George “Juke”, author interview, June 6, 2012.
80 In March 1943 . . . : Inman, Wollman, 124.
80 But only the Aliquippa Works . . . : ibid, 127.
80 “Distinguished service” . . . : “Army-Navy ‘E’ is Presented in Aliquippa”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 7, 1943: 16.
80 “This war is not merely the army’s war” . . . : ibid.
81 “Don’t worry about us” . . . : Piroli, Gino, Beaver County Times, July 22, 2002.
82 “He didn’t get in the war” . . . : Ditka, Charlotte, author interview, November 5, 2010.
82 “You ever pitch before?” . . . : Suder, George “Juke”, author interview, June 6, 2012.
83 In mos
t other years, that would’ve ended Aliquippa’s shot at a sectional title . . . : “Coaches’ Rivalry Began in College Days”, Piroli, Gino, Beaver County Times, January 15, 2001, page A2.
84 “The only insignificant phase of the proceedings” . . . : “Quips Win First WPIAL Title,” Wallace, Nick, Aliquippa Evening Times, June 6, 1944.
84 “First guy up” . . . : Suder, George “Juke”, author interview.
85 That afternoon’s Evening Times . . . : The Evening Times, Aliquippa, June 6, 1944, page 1.
85 The only mention . . . : The Evening Times, June 6, 1944, page 1.
85 John Kaurich . . . : Omaha Beach Memorial, http://www.omaha-beach-memorial.org/public/kia.php.
85 Ninnie Vuich . . . : The Evening Times, June 25, 1944.
85 Toats DiNardo . . . : The Evening Times, February 9, 1945.
86 In July of ’44 . . . : The Evening Times, July 17, 1944.
PART TWO
96 “You accepted those things” . . . : Frank, James, author interview, May 14, 2012.
96 By 1940, some 3,200 blacks . . . : 1940 Census of Population and Housing: Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., 1940.
96 “I never grew up prejudiced” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview, November 16, 2010.
96 “Everybody was equal” . . . : Zmijanac, Mike, author interview, September 23, 2010.
96 “Very prejudiced” . . . : Ditka, Mike, with Pierson, Don. Ditka: An Autobiography. Chicago: Bonus Books, Inc., 1986: 47.
97 “Each of the plans had a gang” . . . : Crile, George. Charlie Wilson’s War. New York: Grove Press, 2003: 43.
97 Until the mid-1950’s . . . : “Black Workers at the Aliquippa Works”, Beaver Valley Labor History Journal, September 1979: pg. 5; Dickerson, Dennis C. Out of the Crucible: Black Steelworkers in Western Pennsylvania, 1875-1980. Albany: N.Y.: State University of New York Press, 1986: 52–53.
97 “I knew there was no future” . . . : Smith, Eugene “Salt”, author interview, November 28, 2011.
98 35,329 others . . . : Baseball Reference box score, “Brooklyn Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates, June 24, 1947”, http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT194706240.shtml; Piroli, Gino, “Robinson’s First Pittsburgh Game A Momentous Occasion”, Beaver County Times, May 6, 2007.
98 “He was the crack” . . . : Frank, author interview.
99 “Five white boys” . . . : Smith, author interview.
100 “My father thought I played in the band” . . . : Marocco, Frank, author interview, January 4, 2012.
100 “My dad wasn’t too much on us playing ball” . . . : Frank, Jimmy, author interview.
100 Led by Frank . . . : Piroli, Gino, “Aliquippa’s Run Brought Back Memories of 1949 Basketball Team”, Beaver County Times, March 29, 2015.
101 Nate Lippe just missed out . . . : Piroli, Gino, “Coaches’ Rivalry Began in College Days”, Beaver County Times, January 15, 2001: A2.
101 The Beaver County Times . . . : Bires, Mike, “Quips Rekindling Memories of 1949 State Champs”, Beaver County Times, March 20, 2015; Piroli, Gino, “Aliquippa’s Run Brought Back Memories of 1949 Basketball Team”, Beaver County Times, March 29, 2015.
101 “Let me tell you, friends of mine” . . . : Piroli, ibid.
101 30,000 people: ibid.
101 “My father wouldn’t let me go” . . . : Letteri, Joe, author interview, May 11, 2012.
102 “We didn’t expect that kind of turnout” . . . : Frank, author interview.
102 “They were going to fire him” . . . : Piroli, Gino, author interview, January 4, 2012.
103 “They called us into a room in study hall” . . . : Mott, Lou, author interview, February 17, 2013.
103 “He never discussed things like that” . . . : Aschman, Carl, Jr., author interview, February 28, 2012.
103 Played well enough . . . : Beaver County Hall of Fame, “Carl Aschman”, http://www.bcshof.org/halloffamers/aschman1976.htm.
103 “Paper heart” . . . : Aschman, Carl, Jr., author interview.
103 “Some people thought he was nuts” . . . : Yannessa, Don, author interview, March 29, 2012.
104 “Crewcut Club” . . . : Kriegel, Mark. Pistol: The Life Of Pete Maravich. New York: Free Press, 2007: 48.
104 “Come here, you!” . . . : Marocco, author interview.
104 “Today’s football is a war game” . . . : Aliquippa Gazette, February 1, 1945, Section 7, pg. 5.
105 “When I was a kid, you had to be tough” . . . : Marocco, author interview.
106 “He didn’t push me” . . . : Aschman, Carl, Jr., author interview.
106 “I didn’t think he was the greatest guy” . . . : Frank, Jimmy, author interview.
106 “I gave my dad my paycheck” . . . : Frank, Willie, author interview, October 31, 2011.
106 “Like Stalag 17” . . . : Evasovich, John, author interview, November 6, 2011.
107 “Aschman served breakfast” . . . : Marocco, author interview, November 12, 2010.
107 “Come and get me, I’m finished” . . . : Frank, Willie, author interview.
108 “He was a good teacher” . . . : Aschman, Carl, Jr., author interview.
108 “Black players under Carl Aschman” . . . : Frank, Willie, author interview.
108 “I played my whole life” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview, November 16, 2010.
109 “They’re comparable” . . . : Evasovich, author interview.
109 The Quips rolled Erie Tech . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910–2010: Football History, Aliquippa High School, Aliquippa, Pa., 2010.
109 “Son, you can run!” . . . : Frank, Willie, author interview.
109 “Once we got to high school” . . . : ibid.
109 Late in October . . . : “The Sport-Lite With Wally Fausti”, Fausti, Wally, Beaver Valley Times, November 5, 1952.
110 Nine thousand people crowded into Aliquippas stadium to see him open the scoring . . . : “Aliquippa whips Beaver Falls, 28-7”, Fausti, Wally, Beaver Valley Times, November 1, 1952, page 10.
110 The next week, Frank rushed for 102 yards . . . : “Quips Come From Behind To Whip New Castle, 18-7; For Ninth Straight Win”, Fausti, Wally, Beaver Valley Times, November 8, 1952, page 8; “Two Die, Eleven Hurt In Crash”, Beaver Valley Times, November 8, 1952, page 1.
110 An estimated 12,000 . . . : “Quips Earn Chance At Class AA Title”, Perrotta, Sal, Beaver Valley Times, November 15, 1952, page 6.
110 Aschman had his superstitions . . . : Aschman, Carl, Jr., author interview.
110 Some 8,000 showed up . . . : “Extra Point Gives Quips AA Title”, Anderson, Bill, Beaver Valley Times, November 30, 1952.
111 “On film, I saw eight guys absolutely make solid contact” . . . : Evasovich, author interview.
111 “That one year turned it all around” . . . : Mott, author interview.
111 “He was untouchable after that” . . . : Yannessa, author interview.
111 Dressed him like a little lord . . . : Ditka, Ditka: An Autobiography: 46.
112 “I didn’t even know him until I was five years old” . . . : Ditka, author interview.
112 Big Mike . . . : Ditka, Ditka: An Autobiography: 50–51.
112 “When he got done, he got up” . . . : Ditka, author interview.
112 He went to St. Titus for elementary school . . . : Ditka, author interview; Ditka: An Autobiography: 48–49.
113 “Nearly burned the woods down” . . . : Ditka, author interview.
113 “I tell you: It was bad” . . . : ibid.
114 “Why? Because that was a part of what you were” . . . : Evasovich, author interview.
114–115 Sophomore year, he was one of the last players . . . : Ditka, author interview.
115 “He cried a lot” . . . : Marocco, author interview, January 4, 2012.
115 “You can play” . . . : Ditka, Ditka: An Autobiography: 53.
115 Ditka worked out endlessly . . . : ibid; Ditka, author interview.
115 “Tough with my mom” . . . : Ditka, Mike, Telander, Rick. The ’85 Bears: We Were The Greatest. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2015.
115 “I would’ve stopped it more if I could” . . . : Ditka, Charlotte, author interview, November 5, 2010.
116 “It was all him” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview.
116 Weighed 160 pounds . . . : Ditka, Mike, Ditka: An Autobiography: 53.
116 The star receiver . . . : ibid, 52.
117 “They haven’t the desire” . . . : “Quip Cleaters Set for Opener”, Beaver Valley Times, September 14, 1955, page 12.
117 Aliquippa tore Westinghouse apart . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910–2010.
117 Then beat McKeesport in the rain . . . : “Aliquippa Eliminates McKeesport in AA, 18-12”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 24, 1955, page 15.
117 32–6 over Ellwood City . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910–2010.
117 23-6 over unbeaten Rochester . . . : “Aliquippa Ousts Rochester Gridders, 23-6”, Beaver Valley Times, October 8, 1955, page 6.
117 Easy wins . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910-2010.
117 Ambridge came to Aliquippa Stadium . . . : “Quips Bump Bridgers In Thriller, 26 to 12”, Fausti, Wally, Beaver Valley Times, November 12, 1955, page 6.
117 A three-inch snowfall . . . : “Aliquippa-Mt. Lebanon Game Postponed”, Beaver Valley Times, November 19, 1955, page 7.
117 Aliquippa was named 13½-point favorites . . . : “Quips Favored over Mounties”, Beaver Valley Times, November 25, 1955, page 8.
117 But Jimmy D’Antonio grabbed that prize . . . : “Wild Finish Beats Mounties and Gives Aliquippa High its Second Class AA Grid Crown”, Mitchell, Jack, Beaver Valley Times, November 28, 1955, page 4.
117 “Why didn’t you score?” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview.
118 “This is the time for the ‘Crossfire’ pass” . . . : “Milanovich Calls Touchdown Play”, Beaver Valley Times, November 28, 1955, page 4.
118 “I don’t think I have a fonder memory of high school” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview.
