Kirby Jordan Claims He's Best Dressed Harvard CPO

CSp(A) Kirby "Hollywood" Jordan has had one of the most colorful careers in organized baseball, a career which has taken him through three minor leagues, an-all-star series in Cuba, and spring training with a major league club. Still, the tall, handsome Chief, in charge of athletics for the Radar School, would much rather talk about clothes.

"That's why they call me 'Hollywood.' I'm the best dressed Chief in Harvard." Nor is this an idle boast: "Hollywood" has been voted the best-dressed hall player in every league in which he has played.

But the baseball experiences of the 25-year-old Florence, S. C. boy are also reminiscent of a scenario. Fresh out of Columbia Law School and Cumberland University, where he was a three letter man, Jordan signed a contract with the Philadelphia A's and was shipped off to Texarkana in the East Texas League, for the season of 1939.

That year the New York Giants were organizing to play a series in Cuba an all star club consisting of the best players from each minor league. Jordan was having a great year in which he was to end up leading the league in homers, with 33, and finishing second in doubles and runs-batted-in. Bubber Jonnard of the Giants was sent down to scout him, and s Jonnard sat in the stands unknown to Jordan, the Texarkana star walloped a double, triple, and homer. As he rounded the bases on his four-master, Jonnard bolted out of the Texarkana clubhouse and signed him for the trip to Cubs.

"Hollywood" was promoted to Little Rock in the Eastern League for the next season, but a broken leg kept him out of action. That spring, however, he was up for a look-see, with the Cincinnati Reds in spring training. It was the year after the Reds had won the world's championship, and there was little room. However, he became good friends with Ival Goodman, Mike McCormick, and Bucky Waiters.

"Bucky has wonderful personality, and is always helping everyone." Jordan saw him drop a hint on pitching motion to Elmer Riddle, which Kirby thinks was "the turning point in Elmer's career." These are a few of the diamond personalities which the Radar School's athletic director has met, and he is a good friend of Bob Feller, Pepper Martin. Yank Terry, Cliff Melton and others. "Martin wants to buy my bird-dog, but I won't let him have it."

In was San Diego in the Pacific Coast League for Jordan the next year and another fine season. The sports writers enthusiastically wrote that "the Padres have found another Ted Williams." But that was the year of Pearl Harbor, too. Jordan joined the Navy on December 8.

The Chief could hardly imagine that he was to play on the greatest team-yet. But he made the team at the Norfolk Naval Training Station, a star-studded club which won 96 and lost only six. They split with the Norfolk Air Station the following season. "Crash Davis and Chief Dunlap were on that team, but they only beat us in the second game 'cause Hugh Casey shut us out. We still had the greatest service team."