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Stan 'Stretch Marlin, Mitchell, began his storied baseball career as a Legion player in Alliance with the Alliance Elks, then played a year at Chadron State. In the summer of 1955, after one game of semi-pro ball, a Yankee scout followed him home and signed him to a contract. Stan played for Bristol, made the All-Star team, was promoted to St. Petersburg in 1956 and was 'On his way' in Greensville in 1957 when he hit 21 homers and 71 RBI's in only 116 games that projects to 31 'dingers' and 103 'ribbies' in 162 games. His two-year US Army career began at Ft. Carson, CO and Ft. Gordon, GA, when a clever general noticed his ball playing skills and made sure he was shipped out to his command in South Korea to play ball. When Stan returned to the states in 1960 he was assigned to the Yankee's Modesto club. The Yankees were 'money stingy' figuring the two years lost reduced Stan's value. With a wife and baby and no negotiating leverage, he left mid-season and headed for Chadron State to finish his college degree in Phys Ed. He played a year in the Panhandle League for the Scottsbluff Merchants where he was crowned league MVP and began coaching. Then of those years included a successful basketball gig at Tecumseh. In 1978 he moved to Mitchell where he coached the Legion baseball team to success and taught life skills along with baseball skills to his players. He served as assistant girls' basketball coach with the same results. Today he commands a position of the highest esteem and respect in the Mitchel community and throughout the region. Your time has come, 'Stretch.' Your photo is about to gbe displayed on the wall of the Nebraska Baseball Hall of fame. |
