Frank Graham honored

Frank Graham is a familiar face at Taylor Stadium. As a long-time season ticket holder, he can frequently be seen in Section C, Row 5, Seat 1, cheering on his Tigers.

Graham was a member of the Tiger baseball team from 1940 to 1942, a team that won the Big Six conference title in '41 and '42.

He is always good for a few stories about Mizzou Baseball in the old days, including tales of John "Hi" Simmons, who had only been on the job for a couple of years prior to Graham.

But Frank Graham is more well known in the state of Missouri for other achievements. He was honored this week for his involvement with the state 4-H program.

■ Longtime donor, former state 4-H director, honored Thursday night (Columbia Missourian)

Graham, 90, began his career with the extension program after he graduated from MU in 1942. He was a star pitcher for the Tigers' baseball team but passed on a chance to play for the St. Louis Cardinals while he waited for the Army to draft him.

He never saw combat in World War II. Instead, he helped train paratroopers in Georgia. After the war, he moved back to Columbia and was the director of the Missouri 4-H program.

The pitcher in Graham showed through, said Charlie Alexander, 68.

"He used to try to teach the 4-H kids how to throw a curve-ball," he said. "Of course none of us ever caught on, but I remember him teaching us how to hold the ball."