“A Street Becomes a Boulevard: A Life in Baseball and Joplin” Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6:00 P.M.
Baseball is about the sights and smells.
It’s about the noises you hear and the memories created that mean more with each passing season.
The memory of the ballfield never leaves once you have been there.
The life of Gabby Street, presented by Dr. Galen Irwin. Guests can view Dr. Irwin’s Gabby Street baseball memorabilia collection that will be on display at the Joplin Museum.
Refreshments at 6 P.M., presentation at 7 P.M.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Joplin History & Mineral Museum, 504 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO 6480
Free admission.
This presentation is in connection with the Joplin Sesquicentennial Lecture Series.
Complimentary Hot Dogs, Peanuts, Popcorn, and Crackerjacks are provided by the Joplin Historical Society and SMB.
Charles Evard Street acquired the name “Gabby” in his early years and was known by that nickname for the rest of his life.
In 1908 Street became immortal for being the first person to catch a ball thrown from the Washington Monument.
Gabby Street came to Joplin to become player-manager of the Joplin Miners in 1922, leading them to a league and intersectional championship that year. In 1923 he married a Joplin girl, Lucinda Chandler, and they made their home in Joplin for the rest of their lives.
Street was a Joplin celebrity. The Joplin Globe and Joplin News Herald regularly reported on his activities, Joplin honored him with Gabby Street Day, including a parade with 27 units and the dedication of Gabby Street Boulevard.
Dr. Galen Irwin’s father, Arnold Irwin was an instructor in political science at Joplin Junior College. Galen Irwin attended JJC and completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas. After that, he obtained a Ph.D. in political science at Florida State University.
In 1980 Dr. Gaylen Irwin regained his love for collecting baseball cards and began collecting cards of Gabby Street and various memorabilia related to Gabby. His latest project is to obtain cards of all players who played or managed in both Joplin and the major leagues, as well as players who were born in Joplin or in Southwest Missouri.
For more information contact the Joplin Museum, 417-624-1180,
or visit joplin-museum.org