Stan Sperry: A Career in Baseball
Held March 24, 2019 at Emma’s Table, 104 West Main Street, Evansville, WI
The third annual History in the Park was originally scheduled for August 2018 in Leonard-Leota Park. However, due to a scheduling conflict with a major end-of-season baseball game, the event was rescheduled and relocated to Emma’s Table in downtown Evansville.
Despite the shift in date and venue, the event delivered a vibrant celebration of Evansville’s baseball legacy. The presentation, titled Stan Sperry: A Career in Baseball, was led by John Graf, who brought to life the story of one of Evansville’s most notable professional ballplayers.
A warm and enthusiastic crowd filled the room—including Pop’s son Peck and several other members of the Sperry family—and the evening was rich with reminiscence, laughter, and shared pride. Guests swapped stories, reflected on the local teams of yesteryear, and honored Stan “Pop” Sperry’s contributions to Evansville’s sporting heritage and those of his family.
This season opener for the Grove Society was, as usual, free, and included hotdogs and Crackerjacks with a little local history thrown in. The gathering was a heartfelt reminder of how Evansville’s history lives not only in its landmarks, but in its people, its pastimes, and its enduring community spirit.
