John Hallett Y

(Click on image to enlarge)

Continuing in John Hallett: From A to Z

Y = Yankees

Play baseball for the New York Yankees?

The dream of every young baseball player in the New York area and beyond! Imagine being invited to N.Y. to have a tryout with them! That was the offer given to John. Once before he had been given a tryout and had been given a scholarship to Columbia University. But this time, he had a train ticket to go to Yankee Stadium, "the House that Ruth Built" for another tryout. At that same time another "voice" was speaking to him. Go to Moody Bible Institute and prepare for ministry. John was a very capable pianist who, at an early age, was already in demand as an accompanist.

What would he do?

We know now that he chose Moody Bible Institute and a path that lead into music ministry. But he “loved” baseball!

John wrote this in an un-dated article:

“I had heard the Yankees were coming to the Triple Cities for an exhibition game with the “Triple Team”. It was the Yankees farm team. I had a try-out with the Yankees when I was l6 years old and made it. I received a scholarship to go to Columbia University to play baseball. I loved baseball so much. I played short-stop and 3d base.”

These notes are found in the blog entry “B” Baseball.

“…all the while he loved baseball. And he not only skilled his, emphasized his skill as a musician, he emphasized his skill as a baseball player. There was a team there in Binghamton that was a farm team of the New York Yankees. And that farm team asked Johnnie to play with him. And he played regularly from time to time with a Binghamton farm team of the New York Yankees. And then the Yankees heard about Johnnie and asked him to try out for, believe it or not, the New York Yankees baseball team. You’ll see why I mention that in just a few moments. But he loved baseball and he loved music, but ultimately it was music that won out, because of his love for music.” (recounted by his life-long friend Dr. Carl (Kelly) Bihl during John Hallett’s Memorial Service)

To his dying day, John kept a baseball glove and hat hanging next to the desk where he composed music. (See photo above) In his office he also had a variety of baseball memorabilia including baseballs autographed by members of New York Yankee teams over the years. One is signed by "Larry Berra," or "Yogi" to all of his fans! He loved baseball!