Yogi played in Rhode Island – Ed Iannuccilli

by Ed Iannuccilli, contributing writer

Not long ago I watched the documentary, “It Ain’t Over” about the incredible career of Yogi Berra. It outlined the remarkable achievements of this man both on and off the baseball field. It makes the strongest case that Yogi is one of the ten greatest ever to have played the game of baseball. The Yogi Berra Museum on the campus of Montclair State University solidifies that case.

Some years ago, I authored the story of Yogi’s trip through Rhode Island baseball history. Many of you were unaware of that connection, so I thought I would reprieve one of my earliest baseball memories and the story.

On those summer Sundays at Lido Beach, when Moms were reheating the macaroni and meatballs on the sterno stoves and kids were returning from the beach, Dads were sitting in their cars listening to baseball games. My uncles were tuned to the Yankees. Dad was the only one listening to the Red Sox. I seem to remember more cheering coming from my uncles.

“Dad, why are there so many more Yankees than Red Sox fans, and why do you like the Red Sox?” He was the rare Federal Hill kid who went for the Sox.

“They like the Yankees because of the Italians. The Yankees are loaded with them, from Lazzeri, Crosetti, and Rizzuto to DiMaggio. I’m not sure why I like the Sox.”

He paused a bit. “But I’ll tell you what. Berra is tremendous.” He was referring of course to Yogi, as he had a special affinity for him. Why?

Yogi Berra played in Rhode Island.

“When Yogi was stationed at Groton, Conn. while in the Navy, he played right here in Rhode Island, in Cranston, at the Stadium, for the Cranston Chiefs, to make a little extra money,” Dad said. “He played under an assumed name because he was not supposed to play. In the service, you know.”

From 1946 to 1947 the club was known as the Chiefs, and its team logo was a fire chief. The Providence Chiefs, sometimes known as the Cranston Chiefs, were a Rhode Island-based minor-league baseball club in the class-B New England League. In 1948 and 1949, the team became known as the Providence Grays. My friend Jack, a deeply knowledgeable fan, had a book (no surprise) and sent me a chapter.

The book, “The New England League; A Baseball History, 1885-1949,” written by Charles Bevis, further mentions Yogi and The Chiefs. Bevis writes: “In 1945, there was rampant use of professional ball players who used assumed names to participate in New England League games. Crash Davis and Yogi Berra were the two most famous ball players to use an alias. Players on leave from nearby naval bases at New London and Quonset played under assumed names.

“At Cranston Stadium, for example, a guy named Cusano kept hitting home runs for the Cranston Chiefs, and few people knew that his real name was Yogi Berra, a top Yankee prospect.”

Dad beamed, “I saw those guys play. Berra was so good, and just a kid. I‘ve loved him ever since. You know, the city had to raise the fence in right field 30 feet because one day Cusano (Berra), hit a ball 500 feet onto the roof of the bible building (the Cranston Bible Chapel, on Crescent Avenue). Plus, he never takes a pitch. He hits everything, no matter where it is. I hate the Yankees because they win so much, but I love Berra.”

What baseball history. Yogi Berra, one of the greatest Yankees of all, played here in Cranston, under the name of Cusano.

Dad turned back to the Red Sox. I headed for the macaroni thinking, “Boy, would I love to meet Yogi Berra.”

Ed Iannuccilli

edwrites.net