Raymond “Jackie” Clarke When Jack Clarke began his baseball career in the mid 1930's, he played with Harry Angelides and Bill Silsby. At Ellsworth High School, Clarke’s coach was Del Luce. Angelides and Silsby are in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. So are Charles Jude and Colby Wood who also played for Luce. It is entirely appropriate that Clarke's name be added to the list of Down East elite who have earned induction. during World War Il service with the United States Navy, Clarke was on a starting 9 team with five Double - A and Triple-A players managed by Bill Brandt, a pitcher with the Pittsburg Pirates.
After the war, Clarke played two summers for the the Ellsworth Redskins. Wood was the player-manager. In 1946 Clarke tried out with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was offered a contract by Clyde Sukeforth, but he elected to attend Bowdoin College. Clarke played with the Polar Bears 1947 - 48 - 49 -50. In 1947 his .375 average led the club in hitting. He was selected as the second team All-State centerfielder.
In the summer of 1948, Clarke played for Blue Hill in the Eastern Maine League. He batted .355 and was a Southern Division All-Star.
The following year he hit .348 and again was named an all-star. The following year saw the beginning of the end. Clarke's playing time was limited because of a knee injury which subsequently ended his playing career.
But it didn’t end Clarke’s association with baseball. From 1954-61 he coached in the South Portland Schools and Little League. His teams won six league championships and two Greater Portland titles. In 1961, Clarke was the recipient of the Kenneth C.M. Sills Award as Little League Manager of the Year.
From 1962-67 in the South Portland National League, his team was league champion three times. In American Legion, 1973-75, Clarke coached Stewart Morrill Post #35 to a 70-23 record. Clarke was most recently associated with Yarmouth Junior High School and Yarmouth Senior League. He was a member of the Board of Umpires, 1954-60.
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