COMEDY: Who would think baseball and comedy would go together?

In 1950, “Baseball’s Ace Comedian” Johnny Price visited Bradford during a game between the Bradford Phillies and Hornell Dodgers at the Community Park.

“Among the many incredible feats developed by Price are a series of catches made while standing on his head; batting while hanging from his heels; upside-down throws and a group which he calls ‘Twenty Ways How Not to Hit a Baseball.’ Besides these he has devised a number of other stunts such as throwing three baseballs at one time to three different catchers, catching flies while driving a jeep, tossing a baseball out of the park with a slingshot, and catching fungoes in his shirt or trousers. One of his newest stunts involves throwing two baseballs in the air and with one swing of the bat, driving one forward to a waiting fielder and one behind him to a receiver,” read an advertisement in the Aug. 1, 1950, edition of The Era.

Johnny Price, nicknamed Jackie, signed his first professional contract at the age of 19. After 10 seasons in the minors, he realized he might never be in the major league. So he decided to master a large number of tricks with baseballs and bats.

In the 1930s, while he was playing in the Pacific Coast League, he started showing off his tricks. And the crowds started showing up.

In 1946, he was signed to a MLB contract with the Cleveland Indians with the thought that he would be entertainment for the crowd before the game. He did play seven games as shortstop for the team.

In 1947, he appeared in the MGM short “Diamond Demon,” showing off his remarkable skills. He retired in 1959.