![]() And though saves were not an official statistic back then, he had a league leading 17 saves. ![]() In 1947, he racked up a 14-8 record, a 2.48 ERA and 116 strikeouts. He was beginning to enjoy success pitching mainly out of the bullpen. In the summer of 1944, Page’s father had a heart attack and died in the hospital.Īs he began his career in New York, Page’s family depended on him to send money home. His mom died during the 1943 season and his sister died between the 19 seasons after being hit by a car. Page’s mother and his oldest sister did not live to see his success. He suffered a compound fracture of his left fibula and ended up spending nearly half-a-year in the hospital.Īfter signing with the Yankees in 1940, he worked his way through the minors and finally earned a call up to the big leagues in 1944. In 1936, Page nearly lost a leg in a car accident. Page pitched for the Bronx Bombers from 1944 thru 1950 and considering what the ruggedly built lefthander had to overcome to make it to the majors, he had good reason to celebrate. “The car was running on the front yard and my mother found him asleep inside (the vehicle),” said Judy Hogan Conti, Page’s niece. One year he was so anxious to get home that the night the Yankees won the world championship, Page hopped in his car - following a bit of celebrating - and drove all night from New York City to Springdale. In fact, Page would return to Springdale during the off-season when he was with the Yankees. He always called Springdale his hometown.” ![]() I’m sure he would have been real proud,” said Jon Page. Page’s youngest son Jon accepted the Hall of Fame plaque on his father’s behalf. Page was the oldest of seven children - four boys and three girls - and quit school to work in the mines with his father and help support his family. He attended Springdale High but never graduated. Page was a student in the Allegheny Valley School District from 1922-1933. Page, who died of heart failure in 1980 at the age of 62, was one of the 2021 inductees honored at a special ceremony held at Springdale High School. Page, who went from the coal mines of Springdale to being a World Series MVP pitcher for the New York Yankees, was inducted into the Allegheny Valley School District Alumni Hall of Fame Saturday evening. Any Springdale athlete wondering if it’s possible to go from a small town known for its mining history to big time professional sports, need look no further than Joe Page’s story for inspiration.
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