Sherman Oaks Little League History

Opening day at the Sherman Oaks Little League was a celebration of baseball, community spirit, and everyone enjoyed themselves according to people who attended the event. Honored guests included Rep. Howard Berman and former Los Angeles Dodger third baseman Ron Cey.

The field was in great condition, amenities connected to Little League everywhere were appreciated by the large crowd. In fact, this 60th anniversary of Sherman Oaks Little League brought back memories of what it was like in 1952, when the league was founded.

Los Angeles restauratuer Bob Spivak was a player on one of the teams on that opening day in 1952, when the Sherman Oaks Little League was launched.

Bob sent us this email which brings back the past.

"All the fathers built the field. There were two fields originally and two more built in 1954. Fields all dirt no grass. I can remember playing like it was yesterday. My father's restaurant sponsored the team I was on. Our name was Smokey Joe Colts. One kid we played with made the majors. His name was Norm Miller. He played for the Braves and Astros. I'm still friends with a couple of the guys I played with."

Incidentally, Bob was one of the Valley's most outstanding athletes during his youth. He was a track star who competed in the Maccabee Games (and he still swings a mean golf club).

As a businessman, Bob is still competing on a fast track. His bistro businesses, which include Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills and The Daily Grill restaurants, are flourishing all over the country. The latest edition of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal did a profile on Bob's business empire.