The Late Joseph E. Haberman of Regina will be inducted, posthumously, into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, Individual Category as a player on Saturday, Aug. 18 in Battleford.
Joe Haberman, called Joe the Farmer or Joe-Joe the Clown, by his teammates, started playing baseball in 1926 at the age of 19, continuing until 1939 when the league he played in was dissolved because of the war.
The game of baseball was serious business for these senior amateur players. They were out to win every game, local, tournament or exhibition, and 3,800 dedicated fans filled Regina Park De Young Ballpark to cheer them on. Some of the teams they competed against had imported paid players from both the Major and Negro Leagues in the United States, but the boys battled with all of them, winning their share of games.
Haberman played the outfield positions mostly, but would play shortstop, first, second and third base when needed. He was an all-around, diverse player with hitting and base running his strengths. Numerous game reports highlighted Haberman’s home runs, triples, doubles and singles along with his skilled base running. Douglas, grandson of Joe, was told by his father that Haberman would do the Babe Ruth point at the plate when up to bat. He was invited to attend spring training in the United States by a major league scout, but did not accept.
A 13-year span of success by teams Haberman played with included being the 1926-27 Darkes Hardware provincial runners up. Haberman played shortstop and third base.
From 1928 to ‘31 he played shortstop, outfielder and second base for the Regina Balmorals that won the 1929 southern provincial championship and named Haberman to the Regina Northside all-star team.
From 1932 to ’36, with the Regina Nationals, Haberman played outfield, shortstop and first base. This team was both southern and provincial champs for four consecutive years. In 1937, with the Regina Pilsners, he played outfield, shortstop and second base. In 1938, with the Regina Senators, Haberman played in the outfield and then in 1939, with the Regina Army and Navy, he played third base. In 1943, Haberman played with the Regina Industries Commandoes.
Records throughout these years indicate Haberman’s prowess as an extremely strong hitter with home runs, triples, doubles and singles, as well as his ability in running the bases, as was relayed to the nominator by his father about his grandfather, Joseph E. Haberman.
Haberman died in 1996, at the age of 89.
