Haddix back in the spotlight as area celebrates his feat

News-Sun archives/Harvey Haddix pitched for the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1959 and was a pitching coach in Cincinnati in 1969. He was part of two World Series champions, the 1960 Pirates as a pitcher and the 1979 Pirates as a pitching coach.

News-Sun archives News-Sun archives/Harvey Haddix pitched for the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1959 and was a pitching coach in Cincinnati in 1969. He was part of two World Series champions, the 1960 Pirates as a pitcher and the 1979 Pirates as a pitching coach.

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 8:15 AM Tuesday, May 26, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — By all accounts, pitcher Harvey Haddix didn’t mind being the center of attention. In 1980, former News-Sun sports writer Brad Schmaltz told readers of covering a speech Haddix gave in Wapakoneta seven years earlier.

Haddix “bedazzled” those in attendance, and then instead of racing back to his farm in South Vienna, Haddix conducted an impromptu pitching clinic.

“Using a wadded-up piece of paper as a baseball, Haddix slid around on the tile floor like a member of the Ice Capades,” Schmaltz wrote, “as he threw curve balls and fast balls, the sweat pouring off him like Niagara Falls.”

More than 15 years have passed since Haddix’s death, but this week, he’s everywhere. Today, May 26, marks the 50th anniversary of the 12-inning perfect game Haddix threw for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Milwaukee Braves, a game Haddix lost 1-0 in the 13th inning.

It is the Sistine Chapel, the Citizen Kane, the Mona Lisa of pitching performance. Nothing comes close.

That’s why one event in Urbana tonight and another in Springfield on Saturday will honor Haddix and his feat. All these years later, it’s still important to keep the story alive.

“It’s a record that can be broken every day,” said Mark Miller, of the National Trail Parks and Recreation District. “Not every record can be broken every day. And nobody’s even come close.”

Miller has helped put together a day of events at the Heritage Center of Clark County on Saturday. A free exhibit in the morning will showcase memorabilia, and the U.S. Postal Service will issue a special postage cancellation stamp.

From 2 to 4 p.m., a special program will include live interviews with invited guests from Haddix’s family and former big leaguers Bill Virdon, Jim O’Toole, Galen Cisco and Rick White. Recorded interviews and footage of Haddix will also be played.

Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased by calling 937-324-0657.

Tonight at 7 in Urbana, the Champaign County Historical Society (809 E. Lawn Ave.) will present a free program honoring Haddix. It will be hosted by Urbana Daily Citizen Sports Editor Steve Stout and Haddix’s widow Marcia.

Harvey Haddix

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