Hospice volunteer brings 1945 ALWS champ to game in Shelby
Before the American Legion World Series concluded in Shelby this week, staff and volunteers from VIA Health Partners, founded as Hospice Cleveland County, recently met at a game.
Jim McSwain, Hospice volunteer, brought along his friend Loy Paige.
Paige, who is 95, played in the ALWS Championship games. The team's victory over Trenton, New Jersey in 1945, was the first and only ALWS championship Shelby has won.
VIA Staff enjoyed meeting Paige and hearing his stories.
Born in Rutherford County, Paige was raised in Cleveland County, where he lived most of his life with his wife and family. He worked as an accountant with Minette Mills in Grover before retiring.
He started playing street ball when he was 6 years old. He recalled how they made their own balls out of string from the mill where his father worked. He played baseball in junior and senior high school before being selected to be on the American Legion team in 1945. His jersey was number 10, and he played left field.
Back in his younger years, they played and practiced at the old Shelby ballpark on West Sumter Street. His most memorable game was the final game in the ALWS in 1945 when Shelby, Post 82, beat Trenton, New Jersey. The game was played in Charlotte with most of Shelby in attendance. When asked what his favorite baseball snack or food was, Paige said he enjoyed hot dogs and still does today. His favorite team to watch is the Atlanta Braves.
VIA Health Partner’s staff were delighted to meet him and enjoy a fun night out together, according to Assistant Vice President Rachel Hill.
“Our staff and volunteers are amazing and work hard to provide excellent care to patients and their families with a life-limiting illness in our community, so it was nice to be able to spend time together outside of work and treat them to a night out,” said Hill.
VIA Health Partners
VIA Health Partners is a nonprofit specialized in providing end-of-life care to 32 counties across North and South Carolina. To inquire about volunteering, call Krista Haynes at 704-487-4677. To learn more, go to hospicecares.cc or VIAhp.org.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Hospice volunteer brings 1945 ALWS champ to game in Shelby
