Calvin "Cal" Emery

Calvin 'Cal' Emery June 28, 1937 - November 28, 2010 Calvin (Cal) Emery, of Centre Hall, died on Nov. 28, 2010 in Tulsa Okla. Born on June 28, 1937, Cal pursued a notable career in professional baseball, marked by a passion for mentoring young players into the major leagues. He won the Most Outstanding Player Award in the 1957 College World Series, playing for Penn State and was signed a year later to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom he played briefly in the big leagues in 1963. In his final year as a full time position player, he hit .400 for the Eugene Emeralds in 260 at-bats and was selected as the first baseman on the 1969 Sporting News Triple-A West All Star Team. He went to play for the Hankyu Braves in Japan the next year and spent the rest of his career managing in the minor leagues, and in the major leagues as a hitting coach and scout. There was much more about Cal than baseball. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior September 10, 1978, and became an avid Bible reader. He committed many Bible passages to memory and even when the ravages of Alzheimers robbed him of his sense of self, he could quote whole passages. He enjoyed teaching hitting lessons to little leaguers as well as seasoned ball players, spending some off seasons working with major league ball players on their hitting skills. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert (Poppy) Emery and Edwinna Emery, and two sisters, Isabel and Lucile. He is survived by his wife Mary, and three children, Douglas, Debbie and Joshua, a sister Marge Miller, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and eight grandchildren. He was laid to rest in the beautiful Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Okla. Letters of remembrances can be sent to 4817 S. 195 E. Ave., Broken Arrow, OK 74014.