Lander, Wyoming’s Eagle Bronze Foundry has had the opportunity to help create some iconic pieces from all around the globe. One of their latest is recognizing a professional baseball Hall of Famer, and an Alabama legend.
If you’re not a baseball fan, or perhaps even if you are, Joe Sewell might not be a household name. But, his athletic achievements are becoming more widely known. In Alabama however, a state that lives for football, Joe Sewell is a hero.
Sewell was born in 1898 in Titus, Alabama. He grew up loving the game of baseball and ultimately played shortstop at the University of Alabama from 1917 to 1919. He signed a professional contract in 1920 and went to the minor league’s, playing half a season for the New Orleans Pelicans.
It only took half a season for Joe to get the call up to the big leagues. He played 9 1/2 seasons for the Cleveland Indians. In 1930, he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played with Babe Ruth for his final three seasons.
Joe is known as one of, if not THE, toughest out in baseball. He holds the record for lowest strikeout rate in Major League history. He struck out once every 73 plate appearances and holds the record for most consecutive games without a strikeout, an amazing 115 games.
Joe became a professional baseball scout and in 1964 at age 66, he returned to Alabama to become the Crimson Tide’s Head Coach. He passed away in 1990 at age 91.
Today, Alabama baseball is played at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, which honors both Joe and former UA Coach Frank Thomas.
Alabama sculptor Chip Taylor began working with the University to create a life-sized statue of Joe that will be placed outside of the stadium this year. Taylor is a former orthodontist who realized his sculpting ability while he sculpted teeth.
Taylor is a baseball fan, and from Alabama, but his connection to Sewell is much deeper. He’s married to Joe’s granddaughter.
County 10 reporter Amanda Fehring recently had the chance to connect with Chip about the project and with Ed Hooper, who is the Manager at Eagle Bronze Foundry.
The interviews and story were turned into a show on the County 10 Podcast. To listen to that show, you can find the County 10 Podcast on your favorite podcast app or by simply, clicking here.
More content from this story will be posted very soon!
For more information on Chip Taylor, click here.
For more information on Eagle Bronze Foundry, click here.
