RICHARD “TERRY” ORDWAY Star athlete of Schenck High School in East Millinocket, outstanding college pitcher and four years as a hurler in the New York Yankee farm system are the credentials Terry Ordway brings to the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
While at Schenck, from 1959 to 1962, Ordway was 18 and 9 and recorded almost 300 K’s in 209 innings. He was the dominant pitcher in the Northern Penobscot League. He was also an Eastern Maine All-Tournament selection in basketball. During the summer, he played American Legion baseball and followed that with experience with the Houlton Collegians, where he was a teammate of Woody Dunphy (HoF ‘96).
Ordway elected to journey to the warm Southwest and the University of Arizona.
He spent two years at Arizona on an athletic scholarship, playing both basketball and baseball. then it was back to his native Pine Tree State and the University of Maine. At Orono he came under the wing of Jack Butterfield (HOF ‘80).
This was to be very fortuitous for Terry when the highly respected Butterfield joined the Yankee farm system.
Ordway went 11-6 in his two year career at Maine, where ne fashioned a 1.41 ERA. He also hit .333. He was an All-Conference pitcher who had a microscopic 0.91 ERA in his senior year when he was 7-2. His slim ERA was 8th in the nation. At Orono Terry was caught by savvy “Stump” Merrill, himself destined for a long career with the Yankees.
In 1967, Ordway signed for a modest bonus to join the Yankee system. He was a six-foot, 190 Ib. right hander. Butterfield labeled his slider the best he had ever seen. He also possessed a good fastball and outstanding control.
Ordway toiled four years in the Yankee chain. In 1967, he was at Greensboro, N.C. in the class A Carolina League and at Binghamton, N.Y. in the AA Eastern League. He compiled a 3-2 log with a 2.73 ERA. He was at Binghamton again in 1968 where his record ran 3-4 with 5 saves and 3.33 ERA. In 1969, Terry tossed 107 innings at Manchester, N.H.. His five complete games led the Yankee staff and he finished 5-8. He returned to Manchester where he suffered arm ailments and finished his pro career. His four year minor league record closed at 12-14 with a 3.77 ERA.
In 1978, Terry served as pitching coach with the Oneonta Yankees. Jack Butterfield had not forgotten his former pupil.
Terry coached Stearns H.S. to 3 successful seasons, Including two Eastern Maine titles. His 1978 and 1982 nines lost to Lisbon and Cape Elizabeth in state finals.
Presently, Ordway is teaching at Millinocket Middle School and resides in East Millinocket.
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