| Remembering Jimmy
Porter The following are my personal memories and a brief
biography of a man whose life and influence upon those who knew him personally
are beyond measure. Now outside of my hometown of Carrollton, Texas; I dare say
few have even heard of Jimmy Porter. And as he passed away almost 35 years ago,
perhaps even in this North Dallas County suburb where he spent the majority of
his life there are a dwindling few who can recollect any memory of the namesake
for one of Carrollton’s local Parks. All the more reason then why the memory of
such a man as Jimmy Porter should be celebrated and cherished for as long as
those who knew him personally are still here to recollect his life and his
deeds.
Not to say that my hometown has forgotten our long gone local hero. For to the
credit of Carrollton, the name of Jimmy Porter is not only memorialized in the
way of the aforementioned City Park, but likewise in the awarding of an annual
Civic Award in his name. And I am grateful that the leaders of Carrollton
continue to honor him so. But as so much time has elapsed since Jimmy passed in
late 1984, then surely the number of those who knew Jimmy Porter personally is
indeed dwindling. And so as I myself was lucky enough to have been personally
acquainted with Jimmy, it is my honor to share some history and personal
thoughts regarding this kind old gentleman.
Jimmy Porter was undoubtedly one of the finest human beings that I have ever
known. Though a mere pauper, this man was enriched with a treasure which
transcends the mere concept of concrete commodities. Not that Jimmy was without
personal possessions. In fact, as he was a local hero, Jimmy Porter’s earthly
goods are housed in Carrollton’s Historical Museum:
A few cracked baseball bats, some left handed baseball gloves, several well worn
baseballs, and a collection of dusty old baseball caps.
And to we who understand the significance of those antiquated artifacts, Jimmy’s
baseball equipment represents a shrine to his memory. In fact, those antiquated
artifacts were the tools with which Jimmy shared his treasure with those who
knew the man. For the treasure of Jimmy Porter was his genuine humanness, his
quest to enjoy the experience of the moment, and his sincere love for humanity.
Jimmy understood how to socialize, how to relate to his fellow human being, how
to love, how to care, and how to enjoy life on a level which was seemingly
unprecedented. In my opinion, Jimmy Porter truly lived the experience of genuine
humanity….
(I have just recently learned that a childhood friend and High School Classmate
of mine by the name of Tim Liberto proudly possesses one of Jimmy’s old gloves.
Jimmy gave that sacred relic to Tim personally)
Approximately a mile South of the George Bush Tollway in Carrollton, Texas;
immediately south of the railroad tracks as they cross Josey Lane, there is a
City Park where young girls and boys play Little League Baseball and where
families entertain their children on pleasant weekend afternoons. This City Park
has been a source of such leisure for over 40 years. Near the Concession Stand,
a plaque records a brief history of the establishment of the park and features
several photos of its namesake. These images of Jimmy Porter are representative
of this man whose influence is indelibly stamped within the memory of every
person who grew up in Carrollton, Texas during the mid to latter 1900′s. When I
stand before these images of an elderly black man wearing a baseball cap, my
mind drifts back to a time when there was no such place as the “Jimmy Porter
Park”. I recollect a time when this elderly gentleman, wearing dirty blue jeans
and a faded work shirt, soaked with sweat, would be seen walking down Perry Road
carrying several wooden baseball bats upon his shoulder, headed in the direction
of the baseball backstop of any one of Carrollton’s Elementary Schools. On his
balding head was always a stained baseball cap, and attached to his bats were
several old baseball gloves. At his side, he carried a bag of well worn but
still useful baseballs. His slow but steady gait was that of a man who was
intent on a mission. For Jimmy Porter; whose daily duties when I knew him
consisted of mowing lawns and doing general labor, everyday was a quest. For
whenever this elderly gentleman was seen walking with bats over his shoulder in
the direction of town; everyone knew that Jimmy Porter was ready. Ready for that
next “pick up” baseball game…
I first met Jimmy Porter in the Summer of 1969. That Summer Nixon was in the
White House, the Soldiers were in Vietnam, the Hippies were at Woodstock, Neil
Armstrong was on the moon, and Major League Baseball was celebrating its 100th
birthday. I recollect somewhat of those national events, but frankly I did not
care. I was a typical 8 year old who was just glad to be out of school for
Summer Break!
Now at that time, to me Jimmy was just the nice old man who played ball with all
we locals at the backstop of Carrollton Elementary. Although he was not there
every day, when he was there all the neighborhood kids would congregate like
parishioners at church for our religious practice of “pick up” baseball with the
fun loving old man who we simply called “Jimmy”. Several years later I learned
that Jimmy operated somwhat of a “circuit” in order to accommodate us all. Some
days he was at the backstop of Central Elementary to play ball with the kids in
south Carrollton and north Farmers Branch. Other days he was at the backstop of
Good Elementary to play ball with the children of North Carrollton. And then
there were the days that he was at the backstop of Carrollton Elementary, which
was just down the street from where I lived.
Little did I realize at that time just how influential this man would prove to
be in my life. Nor could I even perceive the influence that he would have on the
lives of all the children of my hometown. Most of all, I simply had no concept
in the Summer of 1969 of the history of the nice old black man that we kids
simply called “Jimmy”…..
Jimmy Porter came to Carrollton in the 1920′s after a brief career as a Negro
League baseball player in St. Louis. Jimmy; who was born in Tennessee in 1900,
arrived in town unemployed and uneducated. In consideration of the times; he
seemed destined for a life of poverty and obscurity. Although Jimmy was indeed
poor; he was anything but obscure. Jimmy Porter would become the best known and
most loved man in Carrollton, Texas! He lead parades; was the namesake of the
aforementioned Jimmy Porter Park; appeared on television, and even received a
house from local businessmen before his days were done! The account of the
events which lead this young, unemployed black man to be honored as Carrollton’s
most celebrated personality is the story of Jimmy Porter….
Shortly after his arrival in the 1920’s, Jimmy formed a black semipro baseball
team known as The Carrollton Cats. He played for the Cats for several years,
until they eventually disbanded. Yet he continued to promote the game he loved
so dearly. In fact; eventually Jimmy helped to influence city leaders to found,
and was himself a coach in the Carrollton Little League. Even after his
“official” coaching days ended, he continued to teach children the game of
baseball by way of informal “pick up” games. EVERYONE was welcome to play
baseball with Jimmy Porter! Boys and girls of all ages would participate in the
grand ole game under the supervision of this kind old gentleman. The games were
casual. Jimmy selected the teams; and he always made sure the youngest and the
smallest got to bat first. He even provided the equipment. The wooden bats
usually had nails driven through the barrel due to cracks; the baseballs were
worn; and most his gloves were left-handed; but everyone was welcome to use his
supplies. Jimmy usually did all the pitching; and he definitely did all the
umping. At the end of the game; every child left with a hug and with an
admonition that sticks in my mind to this day. In my mind’s eye I can still
visualize Jimmy’s smiling face, waving goodbye as he says “everybody just love
everybody”.
Such was Jimmy’s motto. And such was Jimmy Porter.
Jimmy was a role model to the children who idolized him. He had a gift for
making every child, regardless of skill or lack of athleticism, feel special. As
time went by, the children who adored him grew to become the citizens of the
city which he had embraced so many years before. Every year; he rode in the
front of the firetruck that lead the Opening Day ceremonies of the Carrollton
Little League. He grinned and waved as he tossed candy to the children who ran
down the street yelling his name. His attendance at any Little League game was
an honor for the children, and obviously was a joy to the aging Jimmy Porter. He
was always allowed a select seat directly behind homeplate, and was well known
during the games to verbally encourage each batter. Whenever a player got a hit;
Jimmy would wave his cap and holler in approval. Just as he had done in his
“pick up”games; Jimmy made each child feel like the star of the game.
In time, Jimmy became the most celebrated citizen in town. In 1973 Jimmy Porter
Park was constructed and dedicated in his honor. The monument with his picture
was erected there in 1975. Furthermore, a beautiful oil painting of Jimmy was
displayed in the Carrollton Community Center. In 1977; Jimmy, who had no
children of his own, was awarded a lifetime membership by the Texas PTA. In
fact, in 1982 Jimmy even appeared as a guest on the Today Show. As his health
declined, several local citizens; many of whom had grown up playing baseball
with Jimmy; had a one bedroom house built for the elderly Porter. Jimmy, who at
one time had lived in an abandoned railroad car on the North edge of town, moved
into his new home in 1983. He lived there for the brief duration of his life.
Jimmy Porter died on December 11, 1984. His modest gravestone features 2
baseball bats crossed at the barrel. Every year the city of Carrollton presents
a citizen who excels in community service with The Jimmy Porter Award. Those who
actually knew the man remember his passion for baseball and life; and his
compassion for one and all. Such was the life of Jimmy Porter….
Jimmy Porter; b Sept 2, 1900 (Tennessee)
d Dec 11, 1984 (Texas)
I dont get back to Carrollton much these days. But when I do, I make the effort
to visit the grave of my old friend. His final resting place is but a few steps
from Perry Road, where I often saw him walking, bats over his shoulder, heading
towards the backstop of the playground of any one of Carrollton’s Elementary
schools at the time, on a quest for that next “pick up” baseball game….
And so concludes my thoughts and memories of my old friend, Jimmy Porter.
Dave Henderson
Carrollton resident 1963-1978 |
Baseball
institutions sometimes die.
Jimmy
Porter, Carrollton's 84 year-old baseball legend, died Tuesday at Dedman
Memorial Hospital in Farmers Branch.
Carrollton-Farmers
Branch TXGenWeb