Former Eagle editor Deitz pens biography of Hall of Fame pitcher [Spotlight]

Aug. 7—Harry J. Deitz Jr., retired editor of the Reading Eagle, has released his third book in two years.

"Covey: A Stone's Throw From a Coal Mine to the Hall of Fame" has been published by Sunbury Press of Boiling Springs and is available at sunburypress.com and on Amazon.

The book is the life story of Stanley Coveleski, a Shamokin native who escaped the Pennsylvania coal mines and became a Hall-of-Fame baseball pitcher.

"Many years ago, when I first considered writing this book, I didn't know much more about him than that he was in the Hall of Fame and was born and raised in Shamokin, the same community where my life began," Deitz said. "During my research, I discovered one interesting story after another about the difficulties and tragedies he overcame and the success he enjoyed. Whenever I learned something about his life, I wanted to know more about him."

Coveleski's life was a story of triumph and tragedy. He went to work in the coal mines as a breaker boy at age 12. He learned to pitch by throwing stones at tin cans, which eventually led to a 14-year career in the Major Leagues, where he competed with and against Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Walter Johnson and other early stars of the game.

In a season marked by personal and team tragedy — the death of his wife and the death of his teammate Ray Chapman, who is the only player to die as a result of being hit by a pitched ball — Covey pitched three complete-game victories in the Cleveland Indians' 1920 World Series championship.

Covey, one of 17 pitchers allowed to throw a spitball after it was outlawed before the 1921 season, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

Deitz said he hopes this book helps to keep alive the life story of Shamokin's most famous son.

"Deitz covers all the triumphs and tragedies of a man once so shy that he ate hot dogs from a street vendor rather than walk through the doors of a restaurant." said Scott Longert, an avid baseball historian who lives in the Cleveland area and has written several books about the history of the Cleveland Indians. "Despite being bashful, Coveleski managed to take the mound in front of thousands of people and face the likes of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, while winning three World Series starts and over 200 career games. This biography will be of great interest to baseball fans, particularly those who love the history of the game."

Last year Sunbury Press released Deitz's first book, "Our Father's Journey: A Path Out of Poverty," the story of his father's life. Earlier this year Masthof Press of Morgantown published "Journal of a Caregiver: A Story of Love and Devotion," Deitz's personal story of his six years as the primary caregiver for his late wife during her battle with Parkinson's disease and cancer.

Music

Tickets have gone on sale for a concert featuring Clay Walker with opener Tracy Byrd taking place Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading. Walker has racked up more than 30 charted singles and 11 No. 1s since rocketing onto the scene with his platinum-selling 1993 debut album. His 2021 single "Need a Bar Sometimes" has amassed 20 million on-demand and video streams. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.