the pirates' hoolie memorial patch

like the 2007 upper deck chris britton card i showed earlier today in the elrod hendricks memorial patch post, i showed this 1992 topps orlando merced card

in my memorials kick-off post a while back.  unlike the britton, the merced card remains in my collection as the example of the memorial it displays.  that would be the 'h' patch for the pirates' long time equipment manager john 'hoolie' hallahan.

hallahan had started with the pirates as a batboy and clubhouse assistant in 1941, and was promoted to equipment manager in 1957.  he held that position until his death in 1991 at the age of 64.  his reign over the clubhouse included the 1960 world series championship, the clemente years, another world championship in 1971, the stargell years, the 'we are family' championship of 1979, and the first few seasons of barry bonds' career.  not a bad time to have spent in a major league clubhouse.