Mr. Whitey Lockman

The phone calls from uncle whitey will always be remembered

As a teenager in the 40's and 50's I copied Whitey's actions whenever I played baseball. He gave his best every time he played baseball. I remember seeing Whitey hit a double down the left field line in the game they won the pennant in 1951. I will never forget him.

At the end of the last game the New York Giants played in the Polo Grounds, Whitey, Hank Sauer, Bobby Thompson , Wille Mays and I, at 10 years old, walked off the field. Whitey was my hero then. I was saddened when I googled his name and found that he had passed. He was a credit to baseball and to life.
Sincerely
Bill Spade (then from Westfield, NJ)

Whitey was one of those exceptionl athletes. He beat us in high school basketball one night in Davidson popping in 2-pointers from the top of the key. I followed him in the newspaper all of his career.

As a young boy growing up in New York, Mr. Lockman was my idol. The saddest day in my young life was when he was traded away from the Giants. I followed his career after he stopped playing, and was greatly touched by his passing. His humility and love of baseball made him the ideal man to idolize. He was kind enough to reply to letters when I wrote to him, and he will be missed.

My youth was in the days of great basball players. Among them all was my hero, Whitey Lockman. Not only because he was from NC, and not only because he was an outstanding player, but most of all because he was an outstanding man.

"Pickle" was my Dads best friend for most of his life. They never had so much as a disagreement during their friendship. Dad told of the great times they had growing up together in Paw Creek until his death in 2001. My heart goes out to all of his family as I know how much he will be missed. He was truly a great friend and a wonderful person.

Another wonderful person, passing on. I am joining my sister, Nancy Ray/Davis, in sending my sympathy to Mr. Lockman's family. My father, "Red" Ray, not only was a fan of Mr. Lockman, but also a friend. Growing up in the small community of Paw Creek, N. C., everyone was very proud that "Whitey" gained the recognition he deserved. God be with his family through this sorrowful time.