2024 MSBL World Series Hall of Fame Inductee: Jack Held, San Antonio MSBL
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Jack Held is a long-standing MSBL World Series ring-older (10, to be exact) who resides in San Antonio, plays in the SA MSBL, and arrived there via Houston, Austin, and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin?
“I grew in in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and eventually began working for Miller/Coors,” said Held. “We moved around roughly nine times with the company via Houston and then Austin, and finally ended up in San Antonio, where I was eventually able to retire.”
Jack has always allowed baseball to be a major part of his life.
“I played for a couple of years in Houston and hooked up in Austin for four or five years and then became a part of the Bombers in the San Antoinio MSBL in 2001. I still play for the Bombers in the 35 and over division in the league. I am 67 and we have a handful of guys over 60 but we hold our own in the league with the infusion of a few players in their 40s.”
The Bombers also make their presence known in the National Division every year at the MSBL World Series. Jack started playing in the World Series also in 2001. This year they’ll be competing in the 50s and the 65s, both in the top division.
“Nine of the rings came from the Bombers,” said the shortstop and outfielder. “Now I also play second and third so you can call me an ‘infield lifer.”
We asked Jack if there was a special moment in his storied World Series career.
“There have been so many but the year that sticks out is 2021. We won back-to-back rings in the 50s and 55s.”
What does this MSBL World Series Hall of Fame award mean to you?
“This award means a lot to me because of the lifelong friends and teammates I have made and the friendships created by coming to this tournament. Jerry Spencer started the Bombers team and ran it for about ten years and I took it over in 2017, based on how Jerry did things. This award solidifies that the journey has been well received.
I also want to thank Phil Galloway for his hard work and dedication as the League president in San Antonio and also my Bomber teammates at home and here at the World Series. They are well known for their ‘post-tournament review’ at the local watering hole and hopefully there will be many more”
Any final comments?
“Some of the guys and their families you only see once a year but we all share the love for baseball. Baseball has opened so many doors to allow the building of those lasting relationships. There is something about someone who plays baseball as being a truly genuine person. If someone has said they played MSBL baseball, they are your friend.”