Season of Shattered Dreams Archives

1946 Spokane Indians

Bob Kinnaman and a Once-Promising Career

Bob Kinnaman showed plenty of promise as a young hurler with the Spokane Indians in the early 1940s. World War II derailed his career, and a tragic bus accident ended his life.

Eric Vickrey 6 months agoSeptember 3, 2025

1946 Spokane Indians

Bob Paterson: Potential Unfulfilled

The biting cold air chilled the bones of the dozens of ballplayers who gathered for Oakland Oaks spring training in Boyes Springs, California, in early March of 1946. Oaks camp was bursting at the seams with players returning to pro ball following World War II. Among them was a strapping young outfielder named Bob Paterson. […]

Eric Vickrey 11 months agoApril 2, 2025

1946 Spokane Indians

Jack Lohrke Hits Record-Breaking Home Run

Before 1947, the 1936 New York Yankees held the major-league record with 182 home runs. Another Big Apple team—the Giants—shattered the record in ’47 by clubbing 221 round-trippers. The record-breaking 183rd homer was hit by rookie Jack “Lucky” Lohrke, whose life story is almost beyond imagination. Lohrke, a California native, signed with the Pacific Coast […]

Eric Vickrey 2 years agoJanuary 11, 2024

1946 Spokane Indians

Chris Hartje: Brief Glory in Brooklyn

Chris Hartje made his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter for the Brooklyn Dodgers on September 9, 1939. The 24-year-old catcher delivered a go-ahead, two-run double, helping propel the Dodgers over the rival New York Giants. Hartje appeared in nine games that September, recording five hits in 16 at-bats for a .313 average. Although he would […]

Eric Vickrey 2 years agoSeptember 17, 2025

Eric Vickrey

Tag: Season of Shattered Dreams

Bob Kinnaman and a Once-Promising Career

Bob Paterson: Potential Unfulfilled

Jack Lohrke Hits Record-Breaking Home Run

Chris Hartje: Brief Glory in Brooklyn

Before They Wore Dodger Blue