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This left hander from Stromsburg may have been an integral part of one of the finest baseball teams in the state of Nebraska in the late 40's. This fireballing left hander shared pitching duties with another Hall of Famer, Max Quick. Other powerful teammates included 5 Kaeding boys. They could play the game! This lefty was dominant as clippings show. Striking out 18 in a no hitter while winning 1-0. His performance was not unusual. He did not need a reliever as he just went out and won games on that strong arm. Bruce Connatser, the Detroit Tigers scout continued to pester Vance to sign professionally. UNL wanted him to play football but he remained at home to help on the farm. Finally the professional money talked and he signed with the Detroit club in 1947 for $150 a month. He had a strong spring training and was planning to return with the big club. In the off season he returned home to work on the farm where he was in the barn and fired a corncob at a rat, threw his arm out seriously and his pitching career ended. What a shame. It is an honor to have Vance Toline enter the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame. Vance Toline of Stromsburg, Inducted Into Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame - Polk County News. |
