I first had the pleasure of meeting Frank Reiber, when he was in his late eighties, when I managing a hotel in southwest Florida.
He and his charming wife checked in and they continued their stay with us almost constantly, for several years, leaving in the warmer weather to enjoy their boat docked nearby, until Frank passed away on December 26, 2002.
For some time and because he was a very private person, I only knew Frank as a friendly and congenial guest that had a ready smile and good word for all who came accross his path! He had a knack of making everyone feel good about themselves, that they were the most important person he would talk to that day!
Stopping by my office he often spoke about baseball with me, offering comments on how my team, Boston, was making out in the pennant race, often asking probing questions about why "Pedro threw a paticular pitch" in a certain situation or did I agree with a decision the manager made during the game.
Knowing what a fan of the game I was, Frank asked me to stop by his room one afternoon as "he had some things I would be interested in seeing".
When I arrived he and his wife, Julie, put me at ease and then proceeded to open an old shoe box with various articles and old photos. Frank showed me a very old baseball and I observed the autograph's of Ruth and other heroes of the day.
I was impressed further,when he pulled out a World Series Championship Ring "Detroit Tigers 1935" inscribed.
I asked how he got the ring, had he played ball? He said "If you can keep a secret, yes, I was with the Tigers, a catcher."
>From that day forward until his death, Frank took a great deal of time to share stories of his experiences in the American League as well as his stints in the minors, playing in Texas and Oklahoma and Canada, playing against The Babe,and what it was like being a catcher on the same team with Hall of Famer,Mickey Cochrane as not only the first string catcher, but the manager.
Frank was kind enough not only to share old Tiger team photos, newspaper clippings,but his personal comments, ranging from what an outstanding curveball Tommy Bridges had, to the wonderful play of Charley Gehringer at Second base.
Shortly before Frank's death I was able to purchase a tape with some rare Tiger footage that had been filmed during the 1934 World Series, between the Cardinals and the Tigers.
Frank got very sentimental watching all the guys he knew and played with nearly 70 years before. He also would mention anecdotes like how he hated to play cards with Billy Rogel becasue "Bill hated to lose and I could beat him easily"!
He told of a bus ride in the minor leagues when Hank Greenberg, after taking verbal abuse about his Jewish heritage from another player, finally told the bus driver to stop, he challenged the young pitcher from Mississippi, who was spewing the slurs, to step off the bus. After pummeling the offender, Greenberg shook hands with him and they boarded the bus to continue on their with no further derogatory remarks, ever.
After Frank's retirement from professional baseball he went on to be a very successful busninessman. No doubt, his wonderful personality and work ethic served him well.
Frank gave me a momento which I cherish, a picture of himself in his Tiger uniform, with a personal note to me which, I know,was heartfelt when he inscribed it, "To Gary, My very special friend".
I miss him, I miss his wisdom and stories, I miss his ready smile and encouraging word.
Sometimes I feel a bit cheated because I did not meet him sooner, but I don't think I could have known him any better.
I miss him because he was a very special friend!
» Gary Dorschel: co-Owner of Crestmont Hospitality, Inc. and never got further than Little League.
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Posted July 14, 2004.
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