Collection Title: Hawk Taylor Collection
Series Number: MS23-09
Processed and Cataloged by: David Adams & LaDonna Hamontree
Date Listed: July 19, 2024
Date Span: 1950 to 1970
Size of Collection: 10.67 linear feet
Number of Boxes: 19
Type of Material: Correspondence, Memoribilia, Records
Condition of Material: Good.
Arrangement: Chronological arrangement.
Biographical / Historical Information: A native of nearby Metropolis, IL, and the hottest amateur prospect in all of baseball in the spring of 1957. He signed with Milwaukee for a then record $100,000 bonus. He went directly from his high school team, to the World Series winning Milwaukke Braves. He played with Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Warren Spahn. Even though prospect bottlenecks, fluke injuries, and military service all created obstacles, he played 15 years of pro baseball including 10 years in the big leagues. His family relocated to the Murray area as he was nearing retirement and he coached for Johnny Reagan's Thoroughbread in the early 1970s. His eldest son Bruce, played baseball for Vanderbilt and has been a long time coach for the Murray Tigers high School team. His yourgest Sam, played in the Philadelphia Phillies system before returning home and joing the TVA. His wife Marie is an accomplished pianist.
Scope and Content: Collection consist of correspondence, baseball autographs and memorabilia, information about his career and early life, documents and photographs. Some of his wife's, Marie Taylor, music and theater. There is also newspaper articles, posters, tribute book. His military uniforms are also included as well as, hairpins, Louisville Slugger bats, KC Royals letterman jacket and catcher glove. There are ties, books, plaques, scrapbooks, souvenirs and his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Taylor, Hawk
Baseball
