Former players help Coach Ferebee celebrate 98 years
Published 9:44 pm Wednesday, March 8, 2017
- Photo courtesy of Sandy Hatley ... Joe Ferebee, right, former baseball coach at Pfeiffer University, recently celebrated his 98th birthday with some of his former players. At left is Bob Gulledge, an East Rowan (1964) and Pfeiffer (1968) graduate. Ferebee was also a long-time coach for the Rowan County's American Legion baseball team.
By Sandy Hatley
For the Stanly News & Press
ALBEMARLE — Joe Ferebee, former Pfeiffer baseball coach and the winningest baseball coach in North Carolina history, member of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame and numerous other halls of fame, celebrated his 98th birthday recently at Spring Arbor Assisted Living with family, former players, friends and staff of Pfeiffer University.
Honored guests included Pfeiffer University president Colleen Perry Keith, 20 former baseball players and their wives, and Ferebee’s three sons, Mark, Joe and Rick.
Coach, smiling the entire time, brought a box of old bats to share with his former players. Ferebee was delighted that each wanted a bat.
“We were all pretty good ball players, but he made us better players,” added Vic Worry, who pitched for the New York Mets in the minor leagues after graduation. “I came from Pittsburgh. He was like my parent away from home.
“I got to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time,” continued Worry. “We were playing in Wilmington and Coach took four cars to Wrightsville Beach.”
Former player Charles Swanson, now a lawyer, traveled from Knoxville, Tenn., to attend the birthday party.
“I’ve never known a man who’s cared more about individuals,” Swanson said. “He loved baseball, but loved his players even more.”
Randy Benson, the 1972 Sporting News Left-Handed College Pitcher of the Year from Pfeiffer’s class of 1976, played professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and the Toronto Blue Jays. He also served as a scout for the Cardinals for 12 years.
“I was lucky. I got to play American Legion ball three years with the coach before I came to Pfeiffer,” Benson said.
Bob Baber, class of 1971 pitcher, made the trek from Lynchburg, Va., for his beloved coach’s party.
“He’s one of a kind,” said Baber. “He has a good memory. He doesn’t forget things. He remembered us getting kicked out of a game.”
The Hall of Famer still attends a few baseball games at Pfeiffer on the field that bears his name.
“He never cursed,” recalled Sam Law, catcher, class of 1966. “If he got really mad, he’d just say, ‘Ah, monkey!’ ”
“But he wouldn’t put up with any shenanigans, he was military,” added former pitcher Jack Cooke, class of 1968.
Former player and event organizer Gulledge concluded: “As long as we have him, we will keep doing this.”
Sandy Hatley is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News & Press.
