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Mystery Person # 10  Lus Oxley

Identified first by Ida Lee Hansel and Bobby McGuire


Lus Oxley was born in Ashland, KY on June 15, 1912.  He taught school there, and in 1938 served that community in the State Legislature as the Representative from Boyd County.  When the war started, he joined the Navy and saw action in both theaters of combat as the Commander of a Landing Ship Tank.  After his service, he moved to Hazard in 1946.  

The Hazard Kiwanis Club came up with the idea that Hazard needed a Recreation Center to give the young people of the area something to do.  Lus Oxley became the first Recreational Director and organized playgrounds and Junior baseball.  He coached the American Legion baseball team in Hazard.  "He was a great influence on many young people in our area.  Lus was a magnificent human being." said Bobby McGuire who played for Coach Oxley.  Oxley died on March 3rd 2002 in Frederick, Maryland.  Don McGuire, who was a member of the famous singing group, The Hilltoppers, gave the eulogy at Oxley's funeral.  Our Mystery Person's actual name was Luster C. Oxley.


Perry County's 1st American Legion baseball team in 1946.  Front row l to r: Bob Godsey, Gale Godsey, Don McGuire, Ocus Dobson, Babe Combs, Isaac "Ickie" Napier.  Back row l to r: Coach Oxley, Jack Steele, Bobby McGuire, Robert Cornett, Bill Strong, "Lefty" Combs, Paul Patterson and team sponsor - Bruce White.  The team was sponsored by White Motor Company in Hazard.  Photo courtesy - Bob Godsey

Bobby McGuire Shares His Memories Of Lus Oxley

Lus Oxley was an outstanding baseball coach.  We practiced three or four times a week.  He drilled us over and over with baseball fundamentals.  Most of all, he developed character and pride in us.  

We developed into a very good team.  Lus scheduled a game with the Jackson mens' team.  They were seasoned and one of the best in eastern Kentucky.  The game was played in Jackson, and during the last inning we were ahead by six or seven runs.  Three outs and we go home with a big upset.  I was pitching and somewhat surprised when the first batter came to the plate.  My team and I recognized him as the local deaf and mute young man who spent most of his time in the pool room.  He was dressed in street clothing and not even a member of the Jackson team.  The manager must have been mired in frustration by loosing to a team of such young players.  I threw him three fast balls for strikes and he never moved the bat from his shoulder.  Two more outs and we go home.  Not with Lus!  He came out from our dugout and called for a time out.  Lus summoned all nine of us to the pitchers mound, turned to me and asked, " Are you right?"  I wasn't sure what he meant, so I simply said, "Yes."

Lus continued," They have humiliated that young man by doing what they have just done, and if you are right, I'm bringing all nine of you into the infield and you are going to finish pitching this game without any outfielders."
 
Before I threw my first pitch to the next batter, I looked around and observed a rather unique, once in a life time, group of infielders.  We  had three shortstops and two second basemen along with the other normal position players.  The outfield was now made-up of only green grass that magnified the distance to the fences.  A routine fly ball will be a home run. The batter hit a soft pop-up to one of our three shortstops for out two.  I struck out the last batter, and the game was over.  That should be enough for Lus.  Not really.  He emerged from the dugout, turned around with hands on hips and stared at the ball park crowd for a few, very long seconds, then ducked his head and went back into the dugout. 
 
It spoke of Lus Oxley's character.

Bobby McGuire


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