RIP former U-M pitching ace Irving "Pro" Boim

Former Michigan baseball ace Irving "Pro" Boim passed away a few days ago at age 92.  He led the Wolverines to the 1942 Big Ten Championship, and after the war spent several years in the pros (though I think mostly the minor leagues).  He even struck out Ted Williams twice in one game at a service game in Pensacola while he was still attending U-M (which got Williams to refer to him as "Joe College Fucking Rookie" after the game, lol)

His biggest accomplishment, IMO, was what he achieved in the classroom.  Pro spent 40+ years as a gym teacher in Chicago and Ann Arbor.  I was one of the fortunate ones to have him.  Imagine having Red Berenson as your gym teacher.  He was so passionate about sports, brought a wealth of knowledge and stories to tell from his own career, and would teach kids right, too.  I remember a game of kickball where a girl ran up to kick the ball and it hit the bottom of her heel and the ball just trickled and kids were whining it was a bunt (no bunting), but he said fair ball.  Some kids were whining back to class about it, so he took the time to come to our class and explained to them why it wasn't a bunt and set it straight. He was the best teacher a kid could ask for.

If anyone else on the board grew up in the A2 or Chicago areas, I hope you were lucky enough at some point to have him, too.  RIP, Mr. Boim.  You will be missed.

Iriving "Pro" Boim obituary

Former students to celebrate "Pro" Boim

YouTube interview: Pro Boim on Babe Ruth called shot, striking out Ted Williams, playing in the minors. Definitely worth the 30 minutes if you got it. The aforementioned Ted Williams story is about halfway through. If someone could embed this, that'd be great!