Letters | Connie Mack pioneers
Submitted | Gary Bernally
Editor,
After 58 years, this historical photo has surface. This is the Shiprock Chiefs 1967 Connie Mack first-ever reservation team that played in the off-reservation Farmington Connie Mack League 16-18 years old. They played from 1963-1969.
My late father, Ned Bernally, founded, head coached, and built their Shiprock High School Ball Park in Shiprock. They endured dirty racist discrimination every summer. Through it all, my dad sent Larry Foster and Sonny Franklin to college football and Bill Manus, Bunky Echohawk, and Bill Blackwell to play college baseball.
Gary Bernally was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 1969 Major League Baseball after the Connie Mack season. Most of his players continue their college education getting their college degree, all in his players would be successful in their chosen careers.
“Most important they open the door for all future Navajo baseball players to play in Farmington, and some played in the annual Connie Mack World Series to this present day.”
This was the 1967 team. (Back row): Coach Rudy Duran, Elroy Bernally, Sonny Franklin, Randy Sells, Tommy Radcliffe, and Head Coach Ned Bernally. (Middle row): Brad Carpenter, Rick Oyama, Craig Edwards, Jim Haldana, and driver Gino Carrillo. (Front row): Mike Dearman, Mike Osgood, Gary Bernally, and Bill Manus. Not all the players are mentioned.
Through the years, Native American players came from Kirtland, New Mexico, Fort Defiance, Chinle, and Oklahoma.
Other teams in the Basin Connie Mack League were El Paso Natural Gas Gassers, Bloomfield Merchants, Aztec Bombers, Jim Hum Hummers, and Prater Mack Bulldogs.
Games were played in Farmington, Shiprock, Aztec, and Bloomfield. Connie Mack teams also played against American Legend Teams from Grand Junction and Durango, Colorado.
Gary Bernally
Shiprock, N.M.
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