Ned Skeldon
Encyclopedia
Edward J. "Ned" Skeldon was a Toledo
local politician remembered for his promotion of baseball in the fourth most populous city in the U.S.
state of Ohio
.
. A life long resident of the area who attended Central Catholic High School
, save military service and working for Toledo interests in Washington D.C.. Skeldon entered local politics by winning the vice mayor
position and later served four terms as the county commissioner
. Skeldon also fought to clean up the Maumee Valley Country Day School
, heading the Clear Water Inc. and serving as vice chairman of Ohio Water Development Authority, groups advocating environmental cleanup of the Maumee River
and Northwest Ohio.
franchise, the longest such period in the then seventy year history of Toledo baseball. One man was determined to end that drought as soon as possible, Edward J. "Ned" Skeldon. In the early 1960s, Skeldon proposed that the racetrack at the county fairgrounds be converted into a baseball park
and set out to build a committee that would help him to accomplish it. The committee that was created to bring baseball back to Toledo was made up of area businessmen and civic leaders. The group included Toledo Trust's president Henry Morse and his vice Steve Stranahan, Monsignor Jerome Schmit of St. Patrick's Church
(Secretary-Treasurer), and Ray Johnston (General Manager).
After the reconstruction of the park, Skeldon was able to bring the Triple-A franchise from Richmond, Virginia
to Toledo, along with an affiliation with the New York Yankees
. Toledo was given another shot at minor league baseball, resuscitating the Toledo Mud Hens
moniker, and field a team for the 1965 International League season at the new Lucas County Stadium
. Skeldon continued to have a working relationship with the team. The stadium was eventually renamed Ned Skeldon Stadium in 1988 in his honor. Edward J. Skeldon died just three months after the stadium dedication.
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
local politician remembered for his promotion of baseball in the fourth most populous city in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Politics
Ned Skeldon was a longtime advocate for Toledo and Northwest OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. A life long resident of the area who attended Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic High School (Toledo, Ohio)
Central Catholic High School , is a Catholic, co-educational, college prep secondary school in Toledo, Ohio. It is operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo and is the largest Catholic high school in the area. CCHS was founded as Cathedral High School in 1919, with its name change in 1920...
, save military service and working for Toledo interests in Washington D.C.. Skeldon entered local politics by winning the vice mayor
Deputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
position and later served four terms as the county commissioner
County commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
. Skeldon also fought to clean up the Maumee Valley Country Day School
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Maumee Valley Country Day School is an independent and non-religious private school located in Toledo, Ohio. The school was founded in 1842 as an all-girls finishing school in Western New York and was moved to Toledo in 1884, where it became The Smead School for Girls...
, heading the Clear Water Inc. and serving as vice chairman of Ohio Water Development Authority, groups advocating environmental cleanup of the Maumee River
Maumee River
The Maumee River is a river in northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana in the United States. It is formed at Fort Wayne, Indiana by the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers, and meanders northeastwardly for through an agricultural region of glacial moraines before flowing into the...
and Northwest Ohio.
Baseball
For nine years, Toledo was without a minor league baseballMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
franchise, the longest such period in the then seventy year history of Toledo baseball. One man was determined to end that drought as soon as possible, Edward J. "Ned" Skeldon. In the early 1960s, Skeldon proposed that the racetrack at the county fairgrounds be converted into a baseball park
Baseball park
A baseball park, also known as a baseball stadium, ball park, or ballpark is a venue where baseball is played. It consists of the playing field and the surrounding spectator seating...
and set out to build a committee that would help him to accomplish it. The committee that was created to bring baseball back to Toledo was made up of area businessmen and civic leaders. The group included Toledo Trust's president Henry Morse and his vice Steve Stranahan, Monsignor Jerome Schmit of St. Patrick's Church
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Toledo, Ohio)
The Historic Church of St. Patrick is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo located at 130 Avondale Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.- History :...
(Secretary-Treasurer), and Ray Johnston (General Manager).
After the reconstruction of the park, Skeldon was able to bring the Triple-A franchise from Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
to Toledo, along with an affiliation with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Toledo was given another shot at minor league baseball, resuscitating the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
moniker, and field a team for the 1965 International League season at the new Lucas County Stadium
Ned Skeldon Stadium
Ned Skeldon Stadium, originally opened as Lucas County Stadium, is a stadium in Maumee, Ohio. It was primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball team. It opened for minor league ball in 1965, and closed for the minors in 2002 when the Mud Hens...
. Skeldon continued to have a working relationship with the team. The stadium was eventually renamed Ned Skeldon Stadium in 1988 in his honor. Edward J. Skeldon died just three months after the stadium dedication.