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Oldest living Miami player throws out ceremonial first pitch for 99th birthday.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Clarence Wheeler was a little uncertain about the ceremonial first pitch. "I'm going to roll the ball out," he said with a smile, his right arm swinging down in a bowler's motion.
He was kidding. The oldest living Miami University baseball player, who played his last collegiate game in 1932, still has a limber arm and a lively disposition to use it.
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Wheeler celebrated his 99th birthday early Friday evening by throwing a one-hop strike a to Miami sophomore catcher Eric Darlage. Then each player and coach of Miami's baseball team lined up, stepped forward and shook his hand.
It was part of a ceremony at McKie Field honoring the former second baseman prior to the RedHawks' game against Bowling Green.
Wheeler, a native of Miamisburg who has lived in Hamilton for the last 68 years, is one year shy of 100 but looks decades younger.
"I'm still perking," said Wheeler, who explains his good health and longevity to "good living. I didn't smoke or drink much. I was always an athlete and back then smoking and drinking were taboo in athletics. They were really strict."
Wheeler didn't mind.
"I never did like beer," he said, "and later in my life I'd drink a whiskey sour once or twice a year ... I'm in good shape. I have a vision problem (macular degeneration) which bothers me more than anything. Other than that, I'm fine. I have a good home with good food, good neighbors and a good wife."
Clarence and Opal Wheeler celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary last year.
"It's been fun." Opal said. "He's been my hero."
The Wheelers had plenty of company at McKie Field.
They were accompanied by their three children (Dave Wheeler, Barbara Hinkel and June Conlin), nine grandchildren (including former Fairfield High School state-champion wrestler Scott Hinkel), three great-grandchildren and dozens of friends.
Some of the friends in attendance were Wheeler's former students, now in their 60s and 70s. He taught in Hamilton at Roosevelt Junior High and for some 35 years was principal at Adams Elementary.
As a college player, he was a good fielder with quickness. "I was called 'Feather' for running the bases fast," said Wheeler, who lettered two years at Miami after transferring from Wittenburg.
Following his college career Wheeler remained involved in athletics. He played amateur baseball in Dayton, became the first football coach at Seven Mile High School and also coached baseball and basketball there, and coached baseball at Roosevelt.
"I've always been mixed up in athletics," he said, "and I've always believed in keeping in good shape. When I was a coach, none of my guys were involved in smoking or they'd get kicked off the team. I've had an athletic background and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
