Lory Lodestro
Lory Lodestro
Although just missing the major leagues, Lory Lodestro was one of the top pitchers ever to come out of Chautauqua County and gave countless hours to the youth of the area.
Lodestro was born on January 26, 1896, in Vallelunga, Italy, and came to Falconer when he was four. He attended school until he was 12 and then left to help support his parents and five brothers and a sister.
After World War I service in the Army overseas, Lodestro pitched very successfully from 1918-1923 in the minor leagues for such teams as Syracuse and Newark of the International League, which was just a step away from the majors.
Also, he hurled for Saginaw and Kitchner of the Michigan-Ontario League, Hagerstown of the Blue Ridge League and Petersburg and Rocky Mount of the Virginia League, Lancaster of the Mid-Atlantic League and Lowell of the New England League.
Lodestro later became a player, coach and manager with numerous area baseball teams. He was also an outstanding volunteer as he taught baseball and football to area youngsters for 54 years.
He coached six Junior American League baseball teams to five county championships and one district title. Additionally, he guided three county association squads, the Falconer town team and several Babe Ruth teams.
Lodestro was the type of person whose main objective was sportsmanship rather than winning.
Nicknamed Larry Peel, Lodestro had several players he coached on the first Pony League team for Jamestown.
In his younger days, Lodestro played tackle for the semi-pro Falconer Merchants and one of his teammates was Henry Mosher, who died in World War I and has the Henry Mosher Post 638 in Falconer named in his honor.
When a brochure was printed commemorating Falconer's centennial, it stated about Lodestro, "He taught us so well, and he died without an enemy in the world; he was low pitch, easy going, a strong man with plenty of courage and a dislike for any reference to star status." Lodestro was married to Grace Ognibene in 1923 and were parents of four children - Lorraine LaMancuso, Sally Gregory, Rose Marie Johnson and Lucian Lodestro and had 10 grandchildren.
Deceased Post-Journal Sports Editor Frank Hyde, who was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, wrote in his 1977 "Frankly Speaking" column that "fellows like Lory Lodestro, the old furniture worker, come along periodically during a lifetime. Often their talents and their great personalities are overlooked until they pass on. Then their true character is appreciated and missed. That was Lory Lodestro, who played sports and the game of life with the gusto of a true champion."
Lory Lodestro died in 1977. He was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.
Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Announces Banquet Ticket Locations
Chip Johnson, chairman of the 31st annual Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet has announced the locations where tickets may be purchased for the February 20th event. Matt's News on Third Street in Dunkirk, Fredonia Food Mart on Temple Street in Fredonia and Jamestown Cycle Shop on Harrison Street in Jamestown are the official distribution sites. Tickets can also be ordered by phoning Johnson at 485-6991. The price per ticket is $50.
Inductees for the Class of 2012 are Jim McElrath Sr., Bob Schmitt, Greg Peterson, the late Ben Bishop, John O'Neil and Betty Bartkowiak. The guest speaker will be Andre Reed, former Buffalo Bills All-Pro wide receiver. Chautauqua County high school and college athletes who have earned First Team All-State or All-American status will also be honored.
The Lakewood Rod and Gun Club will again host the CSHoF banquet. Hospitality begins at 5:00 P.M. with dinner to follow at 6:30.
CSHoF to Screen The Natural
The Natural, the tale of unknown middle-aged batter named Roy Hobbs with a mysterious past who appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league, will be shown Wednesday, February 1, 7 p.m., at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown. Scenes from The Natural were shot in Buffalo's War Memorial Stadium and South Dayton.
The Natural, starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close and Kim Bassinger, originally released in 1984, will be the third classic sports film shown in a series of eight Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame movie nights that will be held on the first and third Wednesdays, from January through April at the Jackson Center. The movies are open to the public with no charge.
Lee Harkness, director of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation will introduce the film and relate his experiences in leasing horses to the production. Also, Dave Roehmholdt, Jamestown High School baseball coach, will explain the acting role his grandfather had in the film.
Support the CSHoF and the Jamestown Ironmen
Craving some hometown hockey? Interested in supporting the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame? Well the Jamestown Ice Arena is where it's at!
You can order tickets online at the arena's website, www.jamestownarena.com. When purchasing your tickets, use the promotional code, CSHOF. With every ticket sold using this code, we will receive a portion of the ticket cost.
Thanks so much for your support of the Chautauqua Sports Hall Of Fame and the Jamestown Ironmen. Go Ironmen!
Join the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
Member Benefits
- CSHOF window decal
- $5 off the 2012 induction banquet ticket
- monthly newsletter
- membership card with discounts at selected sports-minded marketing partners
The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce that a membership program is now available to persons who are interested in preserving the history of sports in Chautauqua County and honoring the outstanding individuals who have created our cherished sports memories.
The CSHOF maintains a hall located at 15 W. Third Street in Jamestown staffed by volunteers that contains our Hall of Honor and displays of sports memorabilia.
Our program also includes an induction banquet. Held each February to induct a new group of honorees into the Hall of Fame, the banquet provides an opportunity to recognize the special accomplishments of outstanding local high school and collegiate athletes.
In addition to helping the CSHOF carry out its twin missions of maintaining a hall of fame and a sports exhibit hall, members will receive several value-added benefits for their membership fee.
One year memberships are only $25 for individuals and $100 for businesses. Business members will receive 4 discount cards and plus an acknowledgement at the CSHOF hall and website.
Please join us by purchasing a 2011-2012 membership in the only organization solely dedicated to preserving and honoring the wonderful history of athletics in Chautauqua County.
CSHOF Membership Card Marketing Partners
- Jock Shop • 10 Harrison Street • Jamestown
- 10% off regular items, excludes team sales, service & sale items
- Jamestown Jammers • Diethrick Stadium • Jamestown
- $1 off game ticket excluding Dollar Night
- 10% off retail price in Jammers gift shop
- Jamestown Savings Bank Arena • 319 West Third Street • Jamestown
- Buy one public skate, get second free
- Gametime Sports Bar and Grille • 850 Foote Avenue • Jamestown
- 10% off food purchase
- Lakewood Golf Center • 4341 W. Fairmount Avenue • Lakewood
- Buy one round of mini-golf, play second round free
- Pinehurst Golf Club • Route 20 • Westfield
- Buy 2 for the price of one green fees
- South Hills Country Club • Busti-Stillwater Road • Jamestown
- $5 off 18-hole golf services on Fridays
- Hometown Grille • 718 West Third Street • Jamestown
- 10% off your order, excluding specials
- Honest John's • 1245 East Second Street • Jamestown
- 10% off regular prices
- Wing City Grill • 10450 Route 60 • Fredonia
Wing City Grill • 273 East Fairmount Avenue • Lakewood- 10% off food purchase
