Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Warren Cooney
Photographed By Sean Flynn
1. Warren Cooney Marker
who managed the Oak Park-River Forest PONY team to the World
Championship in Washington, PA on August 28, 1960. He inspired
the team, which won despite the loss of its very first district level game
and its first World Series game, with his never-say-die character.
From members of that squad at its 50th reunion, August, 2010."
Rich Battaglia
Chas Bellock
Larry Bock
Phil Corkill
Ed Denton, coach
Danny Gibbs (deceased)
Larry Hamm
Dick Jirsa
Randy Kadlec
Greg Marotz
Bob Mueller
Floyd Overgaard
Larry Roche
Courtney Shevelson
Steve Sullivan
George Tye
John Vrooman, scout
Greg Walstrom
The 1961 team also played in the world series, but lost to the team that went on to win the championship that year.
Erected 2010 by Members of the 1960 Oak Park-River Forest PONY baseball team.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is August 28, 1960.
Location. 41° 54.402′ N, 87° 48.154′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker can be reached from Le Moyne Parkway near Belleforte
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lindberg Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lindberg Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eugene Field Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gold Star Men of the World War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mann Elementary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alumni Bell Tower (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ernest Hemingway Boyhood Home (approx. ¾ mile away); Continental Divide (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.
More about this marker. Lindberg Park remains the primary home field for the OPRF PONY baseball team.
Regarding Warren Cooney. Warren Cooney was a World War II veteran who, according to a 2010 article about the 1960 championship team, used a friend's name to join the Navy at the age of 15. He was an iron worker and the father of five before retiring to Kissimmee, Florida, where he died in 2002.
The OPRF team lost its first game in the 1960 PONY World Series but rebounded to clinch the championship
Photographed By Sean Flynn, August 13, 2023
2. Lindberg Park
The Lindberg Park sign and entrance facing Le Moyne Avenue, across from the intersection with Belleforte Avenue. The plaque is on the rear side of the building in the background.
Also see . . . World champs forever: OPRF PONY team celebrates 50th anniversary of momentous win.
2010 article in the <em>Wednesday Journal</em> written by Kit Kadlec, son of 1960 OPRF player Randy Kadlec: "Cooney rallied his players on the 1960 team like he was rallying troops. A local paper quoted him before the first game as saying to his players, 'Never say die. And I mean never!' The rally cry stuck, especially when some of the players were a bit flustered by the opening loss."(Submitted on August 14, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Additional keywords. PONY oak park youth baseball
Photographed By Sean Flynn, August 13, 2023
3. Warren Cooney Marker
The marker is near the corner of the small building with a concession stand and restrooms, known as "The Shack."
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
