Baseball

Kneeling Row: Tony Sahal, Dan Slomiaty, Mike Bartkowski, Jim Scalzitti, Bobby Kokenes, Fran Celmar

Middle Row: Head Coach Doug Peterson, Larry Wierer, Rich Flaza, Dennis Hejna, Mike Steinke, Bobby Bianco, Coach Len Zabroski
Top Row: Jug Olmstead, Jim Caffarello, Randy Flebinger, Gary Olmstead, John Asan, Phil Miska, Tom Abma, Art Grzeskowiak, Joe Genna

Who is Bill Hapac?

Bill Hapac was born January 26, 1918. He lived on 15th and Laramie, in Cicero, above his father’s tavern. He graduated from Roosevelt Grade School after skipping two grades. During his senior year, he was All State in basketball and baseball. In basketball, he led the Suburban League in scoring with an average of 17.45 points per game. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Illinois, but took a gap year before starting classes in 1937. There, he played basketball and baseball.

In 1940, he was named a Consensus All American in Basketball and an All American in Baseball. He was voted the 1940 University Of Illinois Athlete Of Year. Bill was also member of the College All Star team that defeated the Harlem Globetrotters. As Co-Captain of the 1940 Illinois Basketball team, Hapac scored 36 points in a game against the University of Minnesota.

Hapac was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, but while waiting for spring training to begin, Hapac was inducted into the US Army and served from 1941 to 1946. Hapac’s dedication to his country would earn him the rank of Captain. Following the war, Hapac coached at Morton from 1952 until his death in 1967.

Shortly after his death, the newly constructed gymnasium at Morton East was dedicated in his memory.

Who is Lee Mungai?

Lee was 100% Italian. He was raised in the 1500 block of Maple Avenue in Berwyn. Lee went to Jefferson Elementary school.
Lee was all – state in football and got a scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played four years. He was also all – state in baseball as a catcher, batting. 425 his senior year at Morton. Lee was an outstanding wrestler and won the Illinois High School Heavyweight weight division championship in 1962. This three-sports athlete was one of the nicest guys I ever met.

Morton Baseball

1985-86 Girls Softball State Champs

1964-65 Morton Football Team(Undefeated)

Who is Bob Miller?

Bob Miller lived at 2441 Grove Ave. in Berwyn. His mom and dad were a combination of German, Czech, and Irish. He attended St. Odilio Grade School. During his time at Morton, he played varsity basketball, football, and baseball. In 1953, Bob was named the Outstanding High School Athlete in the State of Illinois. Bob was a left-handed pitcher on the Morton baseball team, making All-State in 1953.

Drafted later that year by the Detriot Tigers, he began his professional baseball career in 1953 on the same day Baseball Hall of Famer Al Kaline did. Bob was the youngest pitcher in history ever to beat the New York Yankees, who went on to win the 1953 World Series. He threw a two-hit shutout, only days past his 18th birthday. In 1954, he pitched 34 games and had an earned average run (ERA) of 2.32,
giving up only one home run that year.

In 1957 was named the MVP of the Mexican National Championship. In 1960, he shared the MVP honors with Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson for the Venezuelan Winter League. Bob was chairman and CEO of the Major League Alumni Association, along with his lifetime friends Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra.

Bob has received many civic awards, is active in 14 different charities, and over the years has donated $3.5 million to Northwestern Hospital. The St. Charles North baseball stadium was named after him. Bob was instrumental in introducing and marketing Mexican beer in the U.S. Bob is truly a giant in our time.

Who is Jim Vopicka, Jr.?

Jim was born July 31, 1941 and lived at 6932 w. 30th Street in Berwyn. His mother and father were both Czech. He attended St. Leonard’s grade school as a young child, and later went on to Morton High School.

Jim played on the football team and had a stellar athletic career. He started in every single football game for his junior and senior year, as a Mustang, he played outside linebacker on defense as well as a starting halfback. He led Morton in tackles for two years and scored three touchdowns at Highland Park his senior year. During his time at Morton, Jim was also Vice President of the Letterman’s Club. He played with other memorable Mustangs, such as Art Siml, Don Persern and Bob Prawdzik. Ken Geiger was his favorite coach.

His impressive athletic performance got him a Football Scholarship to Wake Forest, where he played both offense (tight end) and defense ( left defensive end) from 1961-63. Jim captained Wake Forest in 1962 and 1963. After graduation, he joined the Marines and flew jets.

Jim currently lives in Palm Desert, California with his wife of 47 years, Lucille. He was a very successful business man in business interiors for many years.

Who is Larry Mack?

Larry Mack was born July 23, 1943, and his family resided in the Grant Works area of Cicero, present-day area of 50th Avenue and 16th Street. He was the fourth Mack to attend Morton High School, his father Ray, along with his two brothers were also Morton graduates.

Larry was a proud Mustang, who played on the football, basketball, and baseball team throughout his high school career. He received several recognitions during his time at Morton; All-Suburban League End for football, All-Suburban League, All Chicago and All-State Illinois for basketball, and helped Morton win the 1961 State Championship for baseball. Larry was also featured in
an article in Sports Illustrated; "Faces in the Crowd" (June 19, 1961).

After graduating from Morton, Larry went to the U.S. Navy Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in 1965. During his time there he was captain of his basketball team and played on the varsity baseball team.

After two years in the U.S. Navy, Larry became a Naval Aviator in 1967 and flew a P-3 Orion Sub-Chaser for three years until his leave in 1970.

Back Row: Mgr. Bob Prucil, Irv Kadlec, Jim Vopicka, Pat Callahan, Rick Rakowski, Don Cervenka, Rich Rawski, Leon Miller, Billy Posen, Coach Wally Johnson, Coach Stan Pace, Head Coach Dick Kucera.

Middle Row: Ray Marcin, Wayne Reznicek, Lee Heager, Tom Roth, Mike Dawson, Marty Nemamich, Al Kornack
Front Row: Tom Legan, Rich Hanus, Larry Mack, Arnie Vesely, Buddy Ryan, Don Chmelik

1961 Morton Baseball Team

The 1961 Morton baseball team won the state championship over Wood River at Bradley University in Peoria by a score of 20-0 on a no-hitter pitched by Larry Mack. They also won the Suburban League. The 1961 Mustangs set or tied eleven different state tournament records and placed six players on the All-Tournament team: Wayne Reznicek, Rick Rakowski, Arnie Vesely, Rich Hanus, Larry Mack and Billy Posen. Arnie Vesely was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Arnie hit the only grand slam in tournament history and collected another 5 RBI’s and seven runs scores in the three-game tournament.