PETRAKIS, John - Revision history

Randylyon at 17:00, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T17:00:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:00, 5 February 2026
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	[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]		[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]
	[[Category: Firsts]]		[[Category: Firsts]]
			[[Category: Ancestry]]

Randylyon at 03:52, 29 April 2024

2024-04-29T03:52:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:52, 29 April 2024
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	1. Lagerstrom, Hal. "John Petrakis to Head 1963 Dubuque Baseball," ''Telegraph Herald'', Dec. 6, 1962, p. 19		1. Lagerstrom, Hal. "John Petrakis to Head 1963 Dubuque Baseball," ''Telegraph Herald'', Dec. 6, 1962, p. 19

	2. ''Nor'Easter'' (scoutleader newsletter),"Scout-O-Rama a Huge Success," June-July, 1960, p. 3 (Special thanks to Paul ~~Lewis_~~		2. ''Nor'Easter'' (scoutleader newsletter),"Scout-O-Rama a Huge Success," June-July, 1960, p. 3 (Special thanks to Paul Lewis)

	''175 Years,'' Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 15, 2008		''175 Years,'' Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 15, 2008

Randylyon at 01:53, 24 March 2024

2024-03-24T01:53:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:53, 24 March 2024
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	In 1961 the [[FOURTH STREET BASEBALL FIELD]] was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."		In 1961 the [[FOURTH STREET BASEBALL FIELD]] was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."

	~~Some of~~ Petrakis' honors ~~were~~ not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.		Petrakis earned honors not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.

	[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of [[JOHNNIE'S CAFE]], Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters. In 1960 Petrakis, active in local Boy Scouts, served as chairman of the Scout-0-Rama event. (2)		[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of [[JOHNNIE'S CAFE]], Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters. In 1960 Petrakis, active in local Boy Scouts, served as chairman of the Scout-0-Rama event. (2)
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	[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]		[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]
			[[Category: Firsts]]

Randylyon at 16:38, 19 July 2022

2022-07-19T16:38:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:38, 19 July 2022
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			Ancestry: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17036200/john-p-petrakis?_gl=11bjcftx_gaMTU4MDUyNDU2MC4xNjUxMjA3NTgw_ga_4QT8FMEX30*MTY1ODI0NzU4My44NS4xLjE2NTgyNDg2MzguMA..

	[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. Petrakis coached the [[CENTRAL CAFE]] softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.		[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. Petrakis coached the [[CENTRAL CAFE]] softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.

Randylyon at 18:37, 22 June 2021

2021-06-22T18:37:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 22 June 2021
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	[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. Petrakis coached the ~~Central Cafe~~ softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.		[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. Petrakis coached the [[CENTRAL CAFE]] softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.

	Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.		Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.
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	Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.		Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.

	[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of ~~Johnnie’s Cafe~~, Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters. In 1960 Petrakis, active in local Boy Scouts, served as chairman of the Scout-0-Rama event. (2)		[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of [[JOHNNIE'S CAFE]], Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters. In 1960 Petrakis, active in local Boy Scouts, served as chairman of the Scout-0-Rama event. (2)

	[[Image:petrakisparksign.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sign from the old ballpark sold at auction on January 7, 2011. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]		[[Image:petrakisparksign.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sign from the old ballpark sold at auction on January 7, 2011. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]

Randylyon at 01:17, 28 October 2019

2019-10-28T01:17:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 28 October 2019
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	[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. ~~In 1934 he arranged for Iowa's first nighttime baseball game.~~ Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.		[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.

	Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.		Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.
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	Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president, Joe McCauley. (1)		Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president, Joe McCauley. (1)

	In 1961 the ~~4th Street baseball park~~ was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."		In 1961 the [[FOURTH STREET BASEBALL FIELD]] was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."

	Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.		Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.

Randylyon at 00:47, 29 August 2019

2019-08-29T00:47:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:47, 29 August 2019
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	[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of ~~baseball~~ in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. In 1934 he arranged for Iowa's first nighttime ~~[[BASEBALL]]~~ game. Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.		[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of [[BASEBALL]] in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. In 1934 he arranged for Iowa's first nighttime baseball game. Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.

	Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.		Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.

	Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president Joe McCauley. (1)		Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president, Joe McCauley. (1)

	In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."		In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."

Randylyon at 05:32, 7 December 2017

2017-12-07T05:32:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:32, 7 December 2017
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	Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.		Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.

	Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962~~. He was elected by the board of directors over former Packer president Jake Sloan~~. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president Joe McCauley. (1)		Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president Joe McCauley. (1)

	In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."		In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."
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	Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.		Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.

	[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of Johnnie’s Cafe, Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters.		[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of Johnnie’s Cafe, Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters. In 1960 Petrakis, active in local Boy Scouts, served as chairman of the Scout-0-Rama event. (2)

	[[Image:petrakisparksign.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sign from the old ballpark sold at auction on January 7, 2011. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]		[[Image:petrakisparksign.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sign from the old ballpark sold at auction on January 7, 2011. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
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	1. Lagerstrom, Hal. "John Petrakis to Head 1963 Dubuque Baseball," ''Telegraph Herald'', Dec. 6, 1962, p. 19		1. Lagerstrom, Hal. "John Petrakis to Head 1963 Dubuque Baseball," ''Telegraph Herald'', Dec. 6, 1962, p. 19

	175 Years, Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 15, 2008		2. ''Nor'Easter'' (scoutleader newsletter),"Scout-O-Rama a Huge Success," June-July, 1960, p. 3 (Special thanks to Paul Lewis_

			''175 Years,'' Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 15, 2008

	[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]		[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]

Randylyon at 01:37, 17 August 2015

2015-08-17T01:37:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:37, 17 August 2015
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	[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of baseball in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. In 1934 he arranged for Iowa's first nighttime [[BASEBALL]] game. Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.		[[Image:imp953.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|John Petrakis. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]PETRAKIS, John. (Dubuque, IA, July 3, 1914--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1987). Dubuque's "Mr. Baseball." Perhaps no other individual has done more for the sport of baseball in Dubuque that John Petrakis. In 1933 he spearheaded fund-raising efforts to maintain softball and baseball programs in Dubuque. In 1934 he arranged for Iowa's first nighttime [[BASEBALL]] game. Petrakis coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941 to 1950, collecting eighteen trophies, and served as president of the Dubuque Packers, semi-pro baseball club.

	Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board. In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."		Petrakis' commitment to baseball did not go unrecognized. In 1956 he was featured in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' because of his success as the general manager of Dubuque's minor league team. The commissioner of major league baseball named him the Minor League's "Ambassador for Organized Baseball." The same year, he was named Executive of the Year for minor leagues by the ''Sporting News.'' In 1958 Petrakis was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Dubuque Realty Board.

			Petrakis was elected president of Dubuque Baseball Inc. for 1963 at the organization's annual meeting in December 1962. He was elected by the board of directors over former Packer president Jake Sloan. He therefore returned to the position he held for five years from 1955 until his resignation at the close of the 1959 season. He replaced the retiring president Joe McCauley. (1)

			In 1961 the 4th Street baseball park was renamed in his honor, and he received the Service to Humanity Award from the Dubuque [[JAYCEES]] and the Boys' Club "Man Behind the Boy Award." Petrakis was elected to the [[DUBUQUE SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME]] in 1985. On May 4, 1986, the new baseball field, part of the [[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"\|Gerald “Red” MCALEECE]] Recreation Complex, was named the "Johnny Petrakis Baseball Park."

	Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.		Some of Petrakis' honors were not related to baseball. He was named to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not'' in 1934 for his basketball free-throw records of 112 consecutive shots, 972 out of 1,000 and 4,665 out of 5,000. In 1935 he was named to "Iowa Oddities" for making 148 consecutive free throws.
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	Source:		Source:

	175 Years, Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2008		1. Lagerstrom, Hal. "John Petrakis to Head 1963 Dubuque Baseball," ''Telegraph Herald'', Dec. 6, 1962, p. 19

			175 Years, Volume 3, "Mr. Baseball's Hard Work Gained Attention," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 15, 2008

	[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]		[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]

Randylyon at 20:12, 11 January 2012

2012-01-11T20:12:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 11 January 2012
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	[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of Johnnie’s Cafe, Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters.		[[Image:jpetrakis.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]The former owner and operator of Johnnie’s Cafe, Petrakis began working for Life Investors Insurance Company in 1963. He served eighteen years as a member of the Dubuque Recreation Commission. In 1951 he organized the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]] Boosters.

			[[Image:petrakisparksign.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Sign from the old ballpark sold at auction on January 7, 2011. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]

	---		---