Public History Project: Topics from the Spink Family Papers

by Sabrina Halstead and Madisyn Pannier

Certain themes found within uploaded files contain references to sexual violence.

John F. Box, Jr., convicted of forgery with 11 detainers filed against him. He was sentenced in 1943 after a check forging spree at St. Louis hotels and banks as well as in other cities. Spink and Box were colleagues due to Box serving as a sports editor for the prison paper, Echo. They had correspondence about sporting news. Box and another prisoner by the name of Thomas (Pete) Norris escaped the Texas prison running from the law. They found themselves in St. Louis and “borrowed” money ($20) from Spink. Spink was warned by S.E Barret, the superintendent from the prison, about Box’s possible attempt to contact Spink for money. Spink was concerned for Box and was hoping he wouldn't be in too much trouble after his escape from prison.

Manuel Joseph Rivera, otherwise known as Jim, was an MLB outfielder for a 10-season career across multiple teams. In 1952 at 31 years old Rivera was off to a promising start with the Chicago White Sox, even being regarded as the most promising rookie of the year. However, after the final game of ‘52 season at Comiskey Park with the White Sox, Rivera was arrested and charged with rape. While the stories of what exactly happened vary a little with each source, it is known that in some way Rivera crossed paths with a 22-year-old female who made a complaint that he raped her on a Saturday night in her own apartment. While Rivera did admit to being in her apartment that previous Saturday night, he denied attacking her, claiming to have been intimate, but with full consent. This Hyde Park housewife making the complaint was the wife of an Army Captain. Rivera was tried and convicted, and even though the charges were dropped down to attempted rape, he still spent 4 years in an army prison serving time.

Later on there was an investigation completed to determine whether or not Rivera should be permitted to continue his professional baseball career. As stated in transcripts from the Sporting News Network archives,

“The Elements of our investigation were:

(1) An inquiry of the Atlanta ball club, which gave us the history of the player prior to joining the Atlanta Club, and a recital of the department of the player while a member of that club.

(2) A further interrogation of the father of the lad who was involved in the incident at Atlanta.

(3) A conference by a qualified representative of this office with the divorced wide of the player in Gainesville, Florida.

(4) Several conferences with representative of the medical profession and psychiatrists who have had much experience in this particular field.

(5) An examination of the play by Dr. Frank F. Tallman, the Commissioner of Mental Health for the State of California...”

Ultimately, Dr. Tallman decided with professional opinion and all things into consideration, that he sees no contradiction for Rivera to continue to play professional baseball.