Sept. 2021 Est. 1985
The Northside Chronicle
Volume 37 Issue 9 - FREE -
The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside
Local boxers ‘knocking on the door’ of 2024 Olympics By Ashlee Green Two young local boxers are fighting for the chance to put Pittsburgh’s Northside on the international map. Delbert “Sonny” Taylor of Historic Deutschtown and Michael “Spoonie” James, ages 19 and 15 respectively, won
Photo: Ashlee Green
The "Minton Seven," as they're playfully called, gather at the fifth annual Kenneth Minton Memorial Softball Picnic to commemorate their father, the late Kenneth Minton Sr., former Northside Little League and baseball coach for 34 years. A new plaque was unveiled on the Fineview Field fence at this year's picnic to honor "Coach Ken" and his legacy. Full story below.
Photo courtesy of James "Coach" Hoy
Michael "Spoonie" James, 15, won gold in this year’s 2021 National Junior Olympics. gold in this year’s 2021 National Junior Olympics held by USA Boxing, the governing body of the U.S. Olympic team. A third competitor, Antwoine Dorm Jr., 16, won silver. The competition was held from July 8 to 17 in Lubbock, Texas. “These kids are the real deal,” said James “Coach” Hoy, who trains the boxers through the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League (WPAL). Hoy credits a week of DIY boxing camp in Dubois, Pa., where the young boxers trained four times a day, and the assistance of former world See Boxing, Page 9
INSIDE
Fineview Field dedicated in honor of 'Coach Ken' Minton By Ashlee Green Joe Valorie Sr. doesn’t know for sure, but the team name ‘Ken’s Dragons’ was likely inspired by the classic Bruce Lee film “Enter The Dragon.” Kung fu was popular back then, in the 70s, and Ken Minton was getting his first-ever softball team together at the same time, so it must’ve seemed like a good fit. This was back before the I-279 Expressway was constructed, splitting up Pittsburgh’s Northside; back when, Valorie remembers, he and the other neighborhood children played on their original field on Madison Avenue.
“Years ago, we were just a bunch of kids that played softball unorganized,” Valorie says. It was Ken Minton who decided to coach the neighborhood children, then made and bought the group their own t-shirts, and with that, formed a team. “From that, it just evolved,” Valorie says. “[Minton] worked full time, and in his spare time, we played softball.” “He was more than a coach, he was a father to a lot of kids, more than just his own,” says Michael Smith, who also used to play for Minton. “He bent over backwards, he did extra things to make sure we made it to all of our games; bought us uniforms; did everything he could.”
ONLINE
- The Government Center Re-Opening, Page 10 STORIES, COLUMNS, - Northside Business Briefs, Page 15 WWW.THENORTHSIDE FEATURES & MORE - Mary Roberts Rinehart, Page 19 CHRONICLE.COM
Valorie and Smith joined a crowd of family, community members, and Councilman Bobby Wilson on Sunday, Aug. 22 to dedicate and unveil a new plaque on the Fineview Field fence: The field will now be known as the “Kenneth W. ‘Kenny’ Minton Sr. Memorial Ballfield.” In addition to coaching for 34 years, Minton was the 23rd Ward Chairman for 24 years, a state constable for 26 years, an inspector in the Controller’s Office for 11 years, and a City Council staff member for four years. He also worked in patient transport at Allegheny General Hospital and served in the Army. See Minton, Page 8
- Latest Northside news - Weekly real estate transfers - Event coverage and photos
