[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE LATE EDWARD LEONARD ``SHOVELS'' KOBESKY ON HIS 
         INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2019

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete 
and Northeastern Pennsylvania native, Edward Leonard ``Shovels'' 
Kobesky. This year, Shovels was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports 
Hall of Fame at the 35th annual dinner on August 11, 2019 for his 
distinct athletic achievements in the sport baseball.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania through 
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
  Shovels was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and received his nickname 
as a child because he was always carrying a pail with several small 
shovels. After playing high school and semi-professional baseball, 
Shovels joined the Bearded House of David barnstorming team. The House 
of David was a spiritual society which emphasized participation in 
sports, especially baseball, to foster spiritual and physical 
discipline. He then became a player and manager of the East Shore 
League Salisbury Cardinals. He led the league with nearly 20 home runs 
and helped them claim victory in the playoffs. After this impressive 
season, Shovels was promoted to Class A Elmira where he had a batting 
average of .289 and hit a career high of 11 triples.
  In 1942, he was picked up by the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A 
affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. As one of the most impressive minor 
league players of his time, Edward hit a .300 batting average eight 
times, including two consecutive seasons hitting .390. During his 
career, he had a batting average of .328, 26 home runs, and 129 RBIs. 
In 1943, he led the International League with 18 home runs. Between 
1942 and 1944, he averaged over 24 homeruns.
  As his career drew to a close, he moved to a class B team in New 
Jersey where he led the league managing an impressive .390 batting 
average and 21 homeruns. Following this standout season, he moved back 
up to Class A in 1949 to play with the Batavia Indians where he 
finished his career. In 1951, he hit a final grand-slam homerun in the 
bottom of the ninth, winning the game for Batavia. This grand-slam 
brought him the final win of his career.
  Shovels developed lung cancer which caused him to watch the rest of 
his career from the bench. In 1952, at the age of 38, he died in 
Greenwood, PA. For his influence on the sport, the Class A PONY 
(Pennsylvania, Ontario, New York) League has since established the 
Kobesky Award in his honor.
  It is an honor to recognize Shovels on his induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and athletic career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving 
for excellence.

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