The Hall doors swing open to welcome another good-hitting middle infielder - lawyer type: Ralph “Chubby” Clark of Fort Fairfield.
“Chubby” was an outstanding athlete at Fort Fairfield (co-captain basketball for 2 years), but the high school did not field a baseball team his sophomore year. He did star on the Aroostook County champonship team of 1945 and followed up with a good senior year in 1946.
in 1947, Clark played for MCI in Pittsfield before heading to Orono where he became a University of Maine star. In 1950, he started at second base for Coach Mike Lude’s team. He hit over .300 and captained the club which shared the Yankee Conference championship with Connecticut.
“Chubby” excelled in summer ball. In 1949, he played for the Fort Fairfield Wanderers, one of the best semi-pro clubs of Northern Maine.
Comprised of a number of New England collegiate captains, the Fort defeated the strong Augusta Millionaires of Harry Agganis-Ted Lepcio days. In 1941, he pastimed with the Houlton Collegians and hit .338, being nipped at the wire for the batting championship. He was a 98 168 Ib. switch-hitter.
He was scouted by the Phillies and White Sox but, facing draft eligibility, never got a chance at pro ball.
From 1951 to 53, Clark served in the Air Force tn North Africa where he managed to play some good ball. After his return to the states and civilian life, he played for the Presque Isle Indians.
Dr. Randy Walker of the Maine Department of Education labeled “Chubby” an “outstanding citizen and credit to the State of Maine’.
Lawyer Clark founded his own firm in Gardiner, served as mayor of the city, became a municipal judge and a bank president and, all the while, promoted baseball in the Gardiner area. He became an avid golfer, placing high in several amateur golf events in Maine.
“Chubby” is semi-retired, still practicing a little law and living in Gardiner with his wife of 47 years, Judy. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.
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