My grandfather was Russell "Sheriff" Van Atta. He was a lefty pitcher for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns. He was born June 21,1906 in Augusta, NJ. He went to Penn State and then from 1933 to 1935 he played for NY, pitching a shutout in his opening game. After his first year playing, he cut his elbow when his home caught on fire in the middle of the night attempting to go back in to "rescue" the family dog. Unbeknownst to him though, the dog was already out. It damaged a nerve which then affected his pitching. He was then traded to the St. Louis Browns mid-1935 and there, he played until 1939.
Later in life, after his baseball years, Grandpa became county sheriff (which earned him his nickname), was freeholder, and owned an oil company. He was married to Helen DePue and had four children, (Betty Jane, Gerladine, Alwilda, Russell Jr.). He was good friends with the Babe and on several occasions had him to Sussex County to hunt, fish, and for various little league events. He passed away due to Alzheimers October 6,1986. He was more than just a ballplayer, he was a wonderful man - he was my Grandpa.
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Copyright © 2005 by Heather Parks. Posted March 1, 2005.
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