Leslie 'Les' McKeel
Leslie “LES” MCKEEL RHS 1936
In speaking of Les McKeel, Jess Bucy [RHSSHOF inductee] made the following comments: “I was several years younger than Les, and I did not see him play in college, but I played with him in semi-pro basketball as well as baseball, and there is no doubt in my mind that he was one of the very best athletes to ever come out of Rector”.
July 17, 2002: ‘Tootie’ Bateman, former resident of Rector and semi-pro baseball player, wrote a piece for the Clay County Democrat entitled: “Memories of baseball and a special hero…” The entire article was centered around Les McKeel. Near the end of the article, ‘Tootie’ said the following: “The following records were made when my hero returned to the Rector area, after being out of baseball for several years during WWII. He usually set these records after a big chicken dinner! Twenty-nine homeruns in a short semi-pro season, six homeruns in five games. Hit 2 for 4 against the great pitcher Johnny Sain. My hero was a great competitor and a great teacher of the game. He could whip you on the basketball court on Friday night with the local team, and then show you how to throw a “slider” on Saturday afternoon.”
The following statements taken from press clippings support Bucy’s and Bateman’s assessments.
April 3, 1941: Leslie McKeel has proved to be one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Murray State College, and this season he was named to the All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team and on the first team of the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball squads. “Mac” is also an excellent baseball player and is now working out with the varsity diamond Thoroughbreds…
April 1941, Leslie McKeel, Rector, Ark., was elected captain of the Murray State College baseball team, coach Carlisle Cutchin said today. McKeel alternates at second base, shortstop and pitcher for the Murray team.
August 1941, Les McKeel was a member of the championship baseball team of the Municipal Association—an amateur baseball league in Memphis area.
1942, Leading the MRTC [medical training replacement center] all-stars will be Sgt. Leslie McKeel, Rector, Ark. Mckeel played five different positions including pitcher and catcher in leading the 23rd regt. Team to this season’s MRTC championship. He will start tonight’s game at shortstop.
March 1945, AAU basketball--Les McKeel was selected to the Victory Basketball League honor roll. McKeel’s team was 1-14 in the league but McKeel lead all scorers in the 15 games with 260 points and a 17.4 ppg average. He made 102 field goals and 56 free throws. McKeel, a flash offensive performer was a sensation despite a weak supporting cast and starred in every game.
1946, Baseball--Leslie McKeel sparkled in the field…Rector’s “Mr. Short stop” made three plays that were strictly big league. He moved either to his right or left to scoop up sure hits for easy outs. He had the opposition talking to themselves by his seemingly effortless ability to rob them of base hits.
1946, Baseball--the highlight of the game was the home run knocked by Ethalbert McKeel for the Piggott team with the bases loaded.
1947, Basketball--Les McKeel on All Star team Les McKeel, Piggott school’s popular high school coach was named on Arkansas A.A.U.W all state team last week. Last year Les played with the Denver Colo. A.A.U. team and won a place on the Little All-American squad.
In addition to the above, McKeel coached football and basketball at Rector High School. He also coached American Legion baseball, was heavily involved in the starting of the Little League baseball program in Rector and starred on Rector’s semi-pro baseball and basketball teams.
In speaking of Les McKeel, Jess Bucy [RHSSHOF inductee] made the following comments: “I was several years younger than Les, and I did not see him play in college, but I played with him in semi-pro basketball as well as baseball, and there is no doubt in my mind that he was one of the very best athletes to ever come out of Rector”.
July 17, 2002: ‘Tootie’ Bateman, former resident of Rector and semi-pro baseball player, wrote a piece for the Clay County Democrat entitled: “Memories of baseball and a special hero…” The entire article was centered around Les McKeel. Near the end of the article, ‘Tootie’ said the following: “The following records were made when my hero returned to the Rector area, after being out of baseball for several years during WWII. He usually set these records after a big chicken dinner! Twenty-nine homeruns in a short semi-pro season, six homeruns in five games. Hit 2 for 4 against the great pitcher Johnny Sain. My hero was a great competitor and a great teacher of the game. He could whip you on the basketball court on Friday night with the local team, and then show you how to throw a “slider” on Saturday afternoon.”
The following statements taken from press clippings support Bucy’s and Bateman’s assessments.
April 3, 1941: Leslie McKeel has proved to be one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Murray State College, and this season he was named to the All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team and on the first team of the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball squads. “Mac” is also an excellent baseball player and is now working out with the varsity diamond Thoroughbreds…
April 1941, Leslie McKeel, Rector, Ark., was elected captain of the Murray State College baseball team, coach Carlisle Cutchin said today. McKeel alternates at second base, shortstop and pitcher for the Murray team.
August 1941, Les McKeel was a member of the championship baseball team of the Municipal Association—an amateur baseball league in Memphis area.
1942, Leading the MRTC [medical training replacement center] all-stars will be Sgt. Leslie McKeel, Rector, Ark. Mckeel played five different positions including pitcher and catcher in leading the 23rd regt. Team to this season’s MRTC championship. He will start tonight’s game at shortstop.
March 1945, AAU basketball--Les McKeel was selected to the Victory Basketball League honor roll. McKeel’s team was 1-14 in the league but McKeel lead all scorers in the 15 games with 260 points and a 17.4 ppg average. He made 102 field goals and 56 free throws. McKeel, a flash offensive performer was a sensation despite a weak supporting cast and starred in every game.
1946, Baseball--Leslie McKeel sparkled in the field…Rector’s “Mr. Short stop” made three plays that were strictly big league. He moved either to his right or left to scoop up sure hits for easy outs. He had the opposition talking to themselves by his seemingly effortless ability to rob them of base hits.
1946, Baseball--the highlight of the game was the home run knocked by Ethalbert McKeel for the Piggott team with the bases loaded.
1947, Basketball--Les McKeel on All Star team Les McKeel, Piggott school’s popular high school coach was named on Arkansas A.A.U.W all state team last week. Last year Les played with the Denver Colo. A.A.U. team and won a place on the Little All-American squad.
In addition to the above, McKeel coached football and basketball at Rector High School. He also coached American Legion baseball, was heavily involved in the starting of the Little League baseball program in Rector and starred on Rector’s semi-pro baseball and basketball teams.