Brack Whitaker: a TOTS left fielder and a Bronze Star recipient

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Brackston Whitaker

Currently a standout left fielder on the TOTS and a Bronze Star recipient over 55 years ago

 

Brackston Whitaker turned 76 in April and has been a member of the Tucson Old Timers since 2019—his first full season was in 2020.

It's been a learning experience for Whitaker, one of a select few TOTS born and raised in Tucson.

His family owned and operated Whitaker Pools until 1982. If you were to take a flight out of the Old Pueblo, you'd begin your trip with a view of the many kidney-shaped turquoise pools below, designed and constructed meticulously by the Whitaker family.

Brackston's father, Brackston Whitaker Sr., and his construction company dabbled in building underground bomb shelters. Of course, this was done during the Cold War in the 1960s, as Tucson residents were looking for ways to protect themselves from a Russian invasion.

Here we are in 2024, and Russia's Vladimir Putin is still at it...still causing havoc in the world with his war on Ukraine. 

As for Brack, he's worked his way into the starting lineups every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Udall Park as an outfielder chasing down fly balls hit by other old-time ballplayers who would like nothing better than to connect with a pitch and slam the ball over his head.

At first, that's precisely what happened, but in the years that have followed, Brack has improved his baseball skills. He now grabs his share of putouts and has been known to run down fly balls and squash an opposing team's rally more times than not.

There was a time fifty-five years ago when Specialist Four Whitaker found himself in a different field. At stake: Life itself and the safety of his platoon. The field was smack dab inside the Republic of Vietnam. 

The year was 1969. And for many members of the Tucson Old Timers who are closing in on their eighth decade on this earth, it was a year they will never forget. In the states, 450,000 onlookers filled the countryside of Bethel, New York, to witness the Woodstock Music Festival. On hand, performers like Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix took the stages on a dairy farm 43 miles southwest of Woodstock, New York. Bands like Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the great Santana bellowed out the music of the times.

It was rock and roll heaven. The place to be.

It was the year the great New York Yankee center fielder Mickey Mantle retired. The New York Mets won the World Series in 1969, knocking off the Baltimore Orioles in five games, Smokin' Joe Frazier sent Jerry Quarry to the canvass in the 7th round and won the heavyweight title. The Boston Celtics beat the Lakers, and Joe Namath predicted a win in Super Bowl VIII...and got it, as the New York Jets beat the Baltimore Colts, 16-7.

In 1969, the great Italian-American fighter Rocky Marciano died in a plane crash, and astronaut Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

Specialist Four Brackston Whitaker and his fellow soldiers were thousands of miles away in an unfriendly land. The news from home would have to wait. On February 23, 1969, while serving with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, while establishing a night defensive position, Company C came under heavy rocket, mortar, and automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force.

Immediately, Specialist Whitaker, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the hail of hostile fire as he provided communications for his platoon leader. Throughout the battle, Whitaker repeatedly ran to the command post with much vital information concerning the defense of the night location.

Due to his personal bravery and devotion to duty, Whitaker was awarded the Bronze Star.

The photo on the left shows Whitaker and teammate Jon Beady. Jon (on the right) received this year's Most Valuable Player Award, which was presented at the TOTS' annual luncheon in April.

Whitaker won this year's Sportsmanship Award.

Brack, we thank you for your service.

By the way, Beady, 62, is one of the TOTS youngest players and leads the club in home runs this season.

When Jon steps into the batter's box, Brack positions himself on the warning track.