About three times a week I search the internet by going to my home town newspaper in Ahoskie and the first thing I look at are the obituaries. This week I was disappointed to see the death of Tommy Umphlett. Tommy was a 1950 graduate of Ahoskie High and he was recruited by every school in North Carolina to play football but he chose instead to sign with the Boston Red Sox.
Dom Dimaggio the brother of Joe was the starting center fielder for the Red Sox for 11 years. The spring of 1953 a 21 year old rookie by the name of Tommy Umphlett beat out Dom and started in center field for the Sox. His rookie year he hit 316. Bobby Richardson who was one of the great Yankee players of the 50's and 60's in his book wrote that Tommy Umphlett was the best defensive outfielder he ever saw. Umphlett's playing career lasted less than 500 games played. He coached in the minors for several clubs up until 1970 when he came home to Ahoskie where I played high school baseball with his son Mike. I had many conversations with Tommy over the years talking about pro ball. The answer to the trivia question who replaced Dom Dimaggio in center field for the Sox in 1953 is a kid from North Carolina Tommy Umphlett.
Tonight in Volleyball Rocky Mount came from behind to beat Fike in five sets 3-2 while Northern beat Nash Central 3-0.
Last night at the weekly cross country conference run in Red Oak Northern Nash won the team event with Rocky Mount second.. Rocky Mount's Mason Holt was the top runner with a winning time of 16:51. This is the first time in a couple of years any Big East runner has broken the 17 minute mark. Nash Central's George Corbin finishing second followed by Stephen Whitehead of Northern Nash.
Rocky Mount girls won with Fike second. Nash Central's Michaela Williams was the winner with Lady Gryphon Nef Thig-pen Conyer 2nd.
Tonight on the mic for the jv football game which was a shootout as Rocky Mount beat Nash Central 48-30.
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