Home Runs and Hometown Heros: Paintsville's Pro Baseball Team — Show Notes
- kentuckysportsmemo
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
About the Guests:
Mike Fyffe is the son of Paul Fyffe, the former owner of the Paintsville minor league baseball team. Mike shares insights about his father's passion for baseball and the establishment of the Paintsville team.
Doug Ormay began his radio broadcasting career calling play-by-play for the Paintsville baseball team. Since then, Ormay has built a radio career spanning over four decades. He has covered a wide range of major sporting events, including Kentucky high school basketball, University of Louisville football and basketball, and the Kentucky Derby.
Bob Wilber is a former player on the Paintsville baseball team in the late 70s. Bob grew up in St. Louis and provides a player's perspective on adjusting to life in small-town Paintsville and truly making the most of this minor league experience.
Episode Summary:
In this week's episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, Gary Fogle takes listeners on a nostalgic journey back to the days when Paintsville, Kentucky, had its own professional baseball team. From 1979 to 1984, this small town in Eastern Kentucky had a minor league team, thanks to the efforts of baseball enthusiast Paul Fyffe. His son, Mike Fyffe, along with former broadcaster Doug Ormay and player Bob Wilber, share their vivid memories and reflections on this unique chapter in Kentucky's sports history.
The episode highlights the unique challenges and charms of operating a minor league baseball team in a town with less than 5,000 residents. Mike Fyffe recounts his father's romantic view of baseball and his commitment to bringing the sport to Paintsville. Listeners also hear Doug Ormay's reminiscence of starting his broadcasting career calling the Paintsville team's play-by-plays for local radio, while Bob Wilber shares anecdotes about adapting to small-town life and the public's love for the players.
Key Takeaways:
Passion to Paintsville: Paintsville, Kentucky, hosted a minor league baseball team from 1979 to 1984, founded by Paul Fyffe, a radio personality and baseball enthusiast.
Community Celebrities: The Paintsville community embraced the team, offering support and hospitality, which made a significant impact on the players' experiences.
Lasting Memories: Stories from broadcaster Doug Ormay and player Bob Wilber capture the unforgettable experiences during those years. Bob Wilber is currently working on a book detailing his experiences as a player in Paintsville, expected to publish later this fall.
Notable Quotes:
"Dad just loved baseball, particularly minor league baseball. I think it was kind of a just, it painted a romantic picture to him of young guys with big dreams." – Mike Fyffe
"Cal Ripken was in the league that year. That’s how far back this goes. His first professional game and my first professional game were at the same time." – Doug Ormay
"We quickly learned all the places you could go to get either a deep discount or a free lunch because we were ballplayers." – Bob Wilber
Join Gary Fogle as he continues to explore the stories behind the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the world of sports in Kentucky. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into Paintsville’s unique minor league baseball history and to stay tuned for more captivating episodes of Kentucky Sports Memories.
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