"Pee Wee Reese, One of Kentucky's Most Famous"

 

One of Kentucky's most famous exports came alive today for Rotarians through a performance by Paducah native, Dick Usher, who portrayed baseball legend, Pee Wee Reese.

Kentucky native, Harold Henry Reese got his famous nickname not because he was small in stature, but from a type of marble he used when he was a young boy playing in marbles tournaments. "Pee Wee" would later make his mark as one of the all time greatest players in major league baseball.

His skills at short stop made him a legendary member of the famed Brooklyn Dodgers, which had a fantastic run during the Reese years. During the 13 seasons Reese played with the Dodgers, the team was first in the National League 7 times, second 4 times, and third twice. He and the Dodgers were finally able to achieve one of their sweetest victories against their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees by winning the 1955 World Series.

Reese was also known as the "glue" that kept the team together. His leadership skills are credited with helping the team and baseball fans everywhere to accept Jackie Robinson as baseball's first African American player, as well as for deftly defusing many tense moments on the field and in the stands during Robinson's first season with the Dodgers in 1947.

Reese retired from baseball in 1958 and went on to further success as a TV baseball commentator paired with his colorful friend and partner, Dizzy Dean. Later he returned to his hometown of and promoted one of the city's other famous exports, the Louisville Slugger. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984

Usher's performance is a presentation of the Kentucky Chautauqua program.