Alvin W. (Al) Heckman
Born January 14, 1898 in Coplay, Pennsylvania, Al Heckman played ball in Pennsylvania and New Jersey before team manager Jake Solomon brought him to the city in 1922 to play for Peterborough in the Central Ontario Baseball League. In his pitching debut, in front of 2000 local fans at Riverside Park, Heckman pitched a two hitter 4-0 shutout, striking out 13, striking out the side three times and driving in the winning run. He was the “talk of the town”. During the golden days of the Central Ontario Baseball League, Al Heckman was considered one of the league’s outstanding hurlers and was Peterborough’s lone “workhorse” pitcher during the middle 1920’s. On July 17, 1926 Al pitched the longest game of his career in Belleville against Johnny Quellette. The game went 18 innings and ended due to darkness, deadlocked at 3-3. He played on into the 1930’s. Al Heckman worked for Canada Packers for 40 years. He passed away at Peterborough Civic Hospital January 1, 1970.
Year Inducted:
1988
Status:
Deceased
Born January 14, 1898 in Coplay, Pennsylvania, Al Heckman played ball in Pennsylvania and New Jersey before team manager Jake Solomon brought him to the city in 1922 to play for Peterborough in the Central Ontario Baseball League. In his pitching debut, in front of 2000 local fans at Riverside Park, Heckman pitched a two hitter 4-0 shutout, striking out 13, striking out the side three times and driving in the winning run. He was the “talk of the town”. During the golden days of the Central Ontario Baseball League, Al Heckman was considered one of the league’s outstanding hurlers and was Peterborough’s lone “workhorse” pitcher during the middle 1920’s. On July 17, 1926 Al pitched the longest game of his career in Belleville against Johnny Quellette. The game went 18 innings and ended due to darkness, deadlocked at 3-3. He played on into the 1930’s. Al Heckman worked for Canada Packers for 40 years. He passed away at Peterborough Civic Hospital January 1, 1970.