“gaylord perry” this painting derived from original photo of Gaylord Perry courtesy of the Mesa Preservation Foundation and the Mesa Historical Museum. 2.5 x 4 inches, acrylic on photo paper.
You might not recognize this baseball player sitting in a tub filled with hot mineral water at Buckhorn Baths in Mesa, Arizona, but it’s Gaylord Perry. A major league pitcher, who played with the Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres, Yankees, Braves, Mariners and Royals from 1962 to 1983, Perry was known for driving batters crazy with his spitball.
Buckhorn Baths was known for its healing and restorative water and became a catalyst in connecting baseball and Arizona.
“The Sligers (Buckhorn Baths owners) provided a unique service to the community and they knew the role they would play in Mesa history and Cactus League history. She (Alice Sliger) had a great fondness for Giants players, the owner Horace Stoneham, and said her favorite player of all-time was Gaylord Perry. She didn’t treat anyone like a celebrity, they were part of the family.” Lisa Anderson, Mesa Historical Museum
Source: East Valley Tribune
Perry was a visitor to the baths along with a slew of other notoriety: Don Ameche, Joe DiMaggio, President Harry Truman’s sister, Mary Jane, and JFK, to name a few.
