CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Imagine being able to say your dad played ball on the same field as an MLB legend.
That’s a reality for Cumberland resident John Grenon.
His late father, Arthur “Lefty” Grenon, was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers shortly after graduating from Mount Saint Charles Academy, where he honed his skills as a left-handed pitcher.
John said his father was a frequent flyer at spring trainings in Vero Beach, Florida, where he met the likes of Jackie Robinson, Pewee Reese, Johnny Padres and Clem Labine, according to his obituary.
Despite being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Arthur served stateside at Fort Eustis in Virginia.
It was there that he met Willie Mays.
Both men played for the Fort Eustis Wheels, a baseball team made up of soldiers who regularly played exhibition games in Negro League stadiums.
John grew up hearing his dad reminisce about the days when he played alongside Mays.
“On the drive back, Willie would take a nap in the back seat while my dad and [Jim Lubka] would be speeding to get back to base on time so they wouldn’t get in trouble,” John recalled. “They’d get stopped numerous times and every time, they’d wake up Willie in the back seat. He’d get up and shake the hands of the staties, and they’d say ‘OK, go ahead.’ They were just happy to have met Willie Mays.”
John told 12 News he reached out to Mays several times over the years. To his surprise, Mays always replied and even sent the Grenon’s a copy of his book “24,” just in time for Arthur’s 90th birthday.
“Willie had glaucoma and was unable to sign things near the end [of his life], so he said, ‘I can’t sign a picture to send to your dad, but I’d love to send him my book,'” John said.
In that book, which chronicles Mays’ life and legacy, is a team photograph that features the Woonsocket native.
When Arthur passed away in November 2022, John made sure to let Mays know.
“He just said, ‘So long, old pal,'” John said. “It was cool.”
Mays died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 93. John hopes that his dad and Mays are playing ball together once again.
