(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Marco Stoovelaar, Henk Seppen & Peter Elenbaas/Inside Magazine)
IN MEMORIAM
...Jan van Wieringen...
(1939 - 2023)
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
 Longtime Dutch big league-player Jan van Wieringen passed away
Nederlands
 MEDEMBLIK (Neth.) -
Jan van Wieringen, who had a long career as active player in the Dutch big league, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, at the age of 83.
Van Wieringen, who began his career as a second baseman, but became more known as first baseman, played in the highest Dutch league in eleven seasons, but that spanned a period of four decades (1958-1982).
In his final big league-season, he was the oldest active player in the highest league at age 43.
The memorial and cremation service will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 2:30 PM at Crematorium Purmerend at the Purmerweg 92 in Purmerend.
Jan van Wieringen was born on July 2, 1939 in Makassar, the capital city of the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan) on the island of Celebes.
When Jan was born, the city was part of what then was known as the Dutch East Indies, the Dutch colony that became the independent Republic of Indonesia in August 1945.
Jan later grew up in the Netherlands.
There, he lived in Amsterdam, where he also went to school and went on to play in sports.
Jan van Wieringen has been active in several sports through the years, mostly in baseball and soccer.
Later, he also played tennis and table tennis.
Jan started playing baseball somewhere in the fifties at Amsterdam-based club VVGA, which then was one of the leading clubs.
It was in 1958, at age 18, that he made his debut in the main-team of VVGA, which played in the highest league.
Back then, although he already had an impressive length, Jan van Wieringen initially was a second baseman.
This was the beginning of his career in the highest Dutch baseball-league and he played for VVGA through 1965.
Jan had a memorable 21st birthday on July 2, 1960.
On that day, he played with VVGA against Sparta, which then was an upcoming team in the Dutch big league.
The Rotterdam-based club would capture the Dutch championship-title five teams in the sixties.
VVGA faced pitching-ace Jaap de Koning, who dominated in the 5-0 shutout-win for Sparta.
Besides that, De Koning was supported with some fine defense from players such as Toon Fabrie, Henk Hendriks, Hans Corpeleijn and Simon Arrindell.
Pitching for VVGA that day was Nico Brands, who was a pitcher of the Netherlands National Team.
He gave up only five basehits, but his defense committed five costly errors.
De Koning retired one batter after another, except Jan van Wieringen, as he was the lone VVGA-player to reach base.
In the fifth inning, Van Wieringen singled, but stranded on first base.
In the eighth at bat, he added another single, then moved into scoring position on a grounder by Harry Nijhuis, but then also was left behind.
And so, De Koning faced only two batters above the minimum and it was Van Wieringen, who prevented him from throwing a No-Hitter or maybe a Perfect Game.
Jan van Wieringen was not really a powerhitter, although he did hit some homeruns in his long career.
He was more a contact-hitter, who reached base frequently and moved runners around.
Besides that, maybe because of his length, he also walked regularly.
Jan played a big part in the second win of a double victory on June 30, 1962 against OVVO, which was another leading team from Amsterdam and of course, it was the club of legendary pitcher Han Urbanus.
On this day in the 1962 season, the two teams played a double-header at the site of VVGA, which then was coached by Max Rietbergen.
The double-header was introduced in the highest league this season and was used for a few seasons.
VVGA won 1-0 and 10-6.
In the first game, VVGA scored the lone run in the second inning.
Jan van Wieringen and Henk Vissers then both walked.
Van Wieringen was forced out on a hit by Martin Gaus, then a hit by Piet Ferwerda was followed by an error by Han Urbanus, which enabled Vissers to score.
Winning pitcher Nico Brands gave up only two basehits.
...The team of Giants Diemen in 1967...
...Back: Gé Oosterbaan (Head Coach), Martin Gaus, Peter Broeshart,...
...Jan van Wieringen, Piet Ferwerda, Joop Schuurhuizen,...
...Mink Ferwerda and Maurice Cranston...
...Front: Rob Tromp, Ruud Koene, Guus Faulstich (Asst. Coach),...
...Peter van den Bergh and Julio Hazel... |
In the second game, OVVO led 5-4 halfway the fourth inning.
Moments later, Piet Sint Nicolaas walked for VVGA and Jan van Wieringen was hit by a pitch.
Both then scored when Martin Gaus followed with a double to put VVGA ahead, 6-5 with Van Wieringen scoring the lead run.
Halfway the seventh inning, VVGA led 7-6, but then took more distance via a 3-run rally.
The team got the bases loaded via two walks and an error, then Eric d'Arnault and Van Wieringen followed with runscoring singles to raise the lead to 10-6.
Jan van Wieringen kept on delivering crucial basehits in important games for VVGA.
On August 31, 1963, VVGA played another double-header against OVVO and was coached by (pitcher) Nico Brands, who filled in for Max Rietbergen.
OVVO won the opener with a 6-4 score.
VVGA then won the second game, 3-2.
In the top of the ninth inning, VVGA led 2-0, but a pop-fly behind the mound then led to a collission by pitcher Reg Smith with two infielders.
Smith left the game with an injury and had to undergo a check-up in the hospital.
Shortly thereafter, OVVO scored twice to come alongside.
But in the bottom of the ninth, VVGA came back to win.
With Ruud Koene being a pinch-runner in scoring position, it was Jan van Wieringen who delivered a walk-off, game-winning single off of OVVO-pitcher Flip le Cuivre.
In the 1964 season, double-headers were still played in the highest league.
Again, VVGA split its double-header against OVVO, which back then were the highlight-games of the season.
VVGA won the opener 4-3, thanks to the input by Van Wieringen.
The team took a 3-0 lead with one run being batted in by Van Wieringen.
However, OVVO came alongside.
It was then Jan van Wieringen who delivered a runscoring double, which gave VVGA a renewed 4-3 lead, which also was the final score.
OVVO won the second game with a 14-9 score.
A week later, VVGA played against Ajax with the games then being played on Saturday and Sunday.
VVGA won both games, 5-1 and 10-3.
Jan van Wieringen contributed with a homerun, but it was Eric Nahar, who played an important offensive role, as he collected eight basehits (including a double and two homeruns) in the two games.
Another big role was played by Reggie Smith, who not only was the winning pitcher in both games, but also threw two complete 9-inning games in two days!
In the 1965 season, VVGA mainly remained unchanged, but nevertheless, the team relegates to the First Division.
Jan van Wieringen is still primarily a second baseman at this point in his career and remains a productive hitter, hititng at least two homeruns.
The team has solid pitchers in Nico Brands (who also is the Head Coach) and the brothers Piet and Mink Ferwerda and has powerful hitters in newcomers Maurice Cranston and Julio Hazel.
But in July, relegation is a fact.
For VVGA, which had celebrated its 40th anniversary a year ago, the relegation came in its 30th season in the highest league.
Amongst Jan's teammates at VVGA in these eight seasons were Eric d'Arnault, Loek Berrevoets, Ger Boers, Frank Bouman, Nico Brands, Maurice Cranston, Guus Faulstich, Mink Ferwerda, Piet Ferwerda, Martin Gaus, Alex Gumbs, Julio Hazel, Hans Hellingman, Ruud Koene, Jan van Leeuwen, Eric Nahar, Harry Nijhuis, Piet Sint Nicolaas, Ab Slaman, Reggie Smith, Eef Treurniet, Cas Tromp, Henk Vissers and Hugo Walker.
From this group, Gaus and Walker became wellknown television-personalities.
Gaus hosted his own shown about dogs, while Walker came a popular and leading sports-announcer, covering both baseball and soccer for NOS Studio Sport.
Berrevoets is the brother of Adrie Berrevoets, who later became the longtime Team Scorer of HCAW.
...The team of Ajax in 1972...
...Back: Reggie Smith (Head Coach), Leo van Wijk, Marco Nagelkerken,...
...Jack Cousin (Asst. Coach), Bram Vermeer, Ben Richardson, Jan van Wieringen,...
...Hennie van de Bovenkamp and Ed Klokkers (Asst. Coach)...
...Front: John Ludenhoff, Peter Hendriks, Herman Vegter, Hans Walraven,...
...Dick van den Berg, Jessie de Lanoy and Ruben Leysner... |
After the 1965 season, Jan van Wieringen decided to play for HVA, another Amsterdam-based club in the highest league.
Again, in a game played in June 1966, he accounted for a crucial basehit in an important 6-5 win against Ajax.
With the score at 5-5, Ruud Geestman reached on a fielder's choice, then stole second base, moved to third base on a single by Van Wieringen, then scored the winning run on a basehit by Peter Broeshart.
This would be his lone season with HVA, which later merged with Rap and then became Amsterdam Pirates, where Van Wieringen would end his career.
In the 1966 season, HVA was coached by legendary Wim Geestman, Sr..
Amongst Jan's teammates were Arnoud Blom, Peter Broeshart, Ruud Geestman, Wim Geestman, Jr., Jan Goossen, Peter van 't Klooster, Rob de Leeuw, Terry McIntosh and Benno Niemeijer.
Ruud Geestman played professional soccer for Blauw-Wit, Telstar and Go Ahead Eagles in 1963-1976.
After the 1967 season, Jan van Wieringen returned to VVGA, which then had become HVGA and changed its name to Giants Diemen.
The club had officially moved to Diemen, but got its own site there a few years later.
At that moment, Giants Diemen played in the First Division and came close to promoting back to the highest league several times.
In a 5-year period (through 1971), Giants won the title three times, but then ended up empty-handed in the Promotion Play-Offs.
In the meantime, Reggie Smith had become the Head Coach and Henk Dorenbos was the Team Manager, handling all administrative affairs of the team.
Due to working commitments, Smith stepped down in June 1971 and was succeeded by Ruud Koene.
In 1967, Giants Diemen captures the First Division-title by winning 5-4 against Rap, thanks to homeruns by Peter van den Bergh, Rob Tromp and Van Wieringen.
But the team then loses the deciding Promotion Play-Off after the season.
The same happens in 1968.
In the 1969 season, Van Wieringen contributes with a homerun in a big 11-1 win against Neptunus, but this year, the team finishes in second place.
The third title in five years is then captured in 1971.
This time, Giants meets HCK (Kinheim) (the winner of the other First Division Pool) in the best-of-three Promotion Play-Off.
Giants begins with a 4-2 loss, then wins 1-0.
In the third game, Van Wieringen collects two basehits, but Giants ends up short 7-1, which means that HCK promotes.
Giants then has to play another series against Ajax, which wins twice to prolong its stay in the highest league.
In the first game, Ajax wins 11-1, thanks to an important contribution by Ben Richardson, who collects four basehits (including a grand slam) and is the winning pitcher.
In the second game, Ajax wins 6-1.
The lone run scored by Giants is a homerun by Van Wieringen off of winning pitcher Marco Nagelkerken.
Amongst the Giants-players in these seasons were Peter van den Bergh, Nol Diemel, Mink Ferwerda, Piet Ferwerda, Alex Gumbs, Franco Martis, Frank Smit, Ad Smith, Rob Tromp, Kees Vree and Kees Wijdekop.
After having played in the First Division for five seasons, Jan van Wieringen decided to transfer to big leaguer Ajax after the 1971 season.
At Ajax, Van Wieringen is re-united with Reggie Smith, who then is the new Head Coach of the team.
In 1972, Ajax is playing much better than the season before, but still is in last place of its Pool (back then, the big league had two Pools).
Late in the season, Ajax splits an important series with HCK.
The latter wins the first game with a 3-2 score.
The next day, Ajax wins 7-2, thanks to a powerful performance by Jan van Wieringen.
He hits a 3-run homerun in the first inning, then adds a 2-run homerun in the sixth inning.
A deciding third game is needed.
Ajax wins 8-1, thanks to a good pitching-performance by Marco Nagelkerken and homeruns hit by Ben Richardson, Dick van de Berg and John Ludenhoff.
With that, HCK relegates and Ajax has to play a following series against First Division-champion UVV.
A third game is needed, but Ajax wins 6-4, thanks to a deciding 4-run rally in the second inning on a triple by Ben Richardson, basehits by Marco Nagelkerken and Jan van Wieringen, two walks and an error.
...Jan van Wieringen playing for...
...Dustbane Pirates in the 70s... |
In the 1972 season, which is his comeback in the highest league, Jan van Wieringen leads the Ajax-team with 15 runs batted in, which is the ninth highest total in the league.
Besides Van de Berg, Ludenhoff, Nagelkerken and Richardson, other teammates at Ajax included Hennie van de Bovenkamp, Peter Hendriks, Jessie de Lanoi, Ruben Leysner, Herman van Os, Herman Vegter, Bram Vermeer, Hans Walraven and Leo van Wijk, who later became President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Head Coach Reggie Smith was assisted by Ed Klokkers and Jack Cousin.
With the win, Ajax stays in the highest league.
However, the club, which is also more known for its successful soccer-section, abandons the baseball-section, which plans to continue under a new name HC Amsterdam.
After the 1972 season, Van Wieringen returns to Giants Diemen, which then had returned to the highest league.
But in the off-season of 1972-1973, the new HC Amsterdam merged with Giants Diemen and so, several of the former Ajax-players now went on to play for Giants and again became teammates of Jan van Wieringen.
1973 is Van Wieringen's lone season with the main-team of Giants Diemen, which is coached by Teun Gaartman that season.
The now 33-year old Van Wieringen has shifted to first base, but he misses several games, as he sustains a fracture of his nose.
Amongst his teammates this season are again Dick van de Berg, Peter van den Bergh, Piet Ferwerda, Hendriks, Ludenhoff, Nagelkerken, Richardson, Smit, Vree, Wijdekop and Van Wijk, but also Flip le Cuivre, Peter de Graeve and Joop Siervogel.
From 1974 on, Jan van Wieringen continues his career as first baseman of Amsterdam Pirates, which then played in the second highest league, the First Division.
At Pirates, Jan was re-united with Head Coach Max Rietbergen, who also was his coach at VVGA in 1962 and 1963.
Before 1974, the team was known as Rap, but that had just changed to Amsterdam Pirates after the club became an independent baseball/softball-club, separating from soccer-club Rap.
Also in 1974, Canadian company Dustbane became the first main-sponsor of the club and some Canadian players were added to the roster.
In that first season, they were pitcher Yves Dubucq and catcher Daniel Bellegarde.
Pirates often finished high in the standings, but was unable to set the next step to the highest league.
In those years, many players had long hair, including Jan van Wieringen.
A wellknown story is that Jan didn't want to wear his cap when he was not ON the field, so for example during pre-game activities and between innings, because of his hair.
He regularly wore a helmet instead while playing first base.
That led to several discussions with Coach Max Rietbergen.
After the 1974 season, several players left and some younger talented players from within the club were added.
Van Wieringen was one of the players who stayed with the team, but after the 1976 season, he transfered to De Spartaan for whom he then played in the next three seasons.
Amongst his teammates at Pirates are André van Beest, Jan van Beest, Chester Berkel, Mario Berkel, Maurice Cranston, Michael Davidson, José Faneyte, Rob Filipiak, Wim Geestman, Jr., Albert Husken, Hans Jansen de Vries, Kurt Lourens, Franco Martis, Laurens van der Poel, Martin Ronnenbergh, Martin van der Steeg, Kees van Vegten, Sjaak Verbij, Jan Visser, Marten Walsma and Herman Wijnands.
In those seasons, Wim Kwekkeboom was the Team Scorer.
Amongst his teammates at De Spartaan were Tom Geestman, Hennie Heijsteeg, Louis Hofer and Mike Stenzler.
Gerard Stenzler, who passed away last month, of course is the Head Coach and Wim Geestman, Sr. is the Pitching Coach.
...The team of Amsterdam Pirates that promoted to the big league in 1981...
...Back: Loek Loevendie (Equipment Manager), Ruud Koene (Head Coach),...
...Jan van Wieringen, Peter van Erk, Alex Nansink, John Ludenhoff,...
...Leo Kalinowski, Marten Walma, Coen Stoovelaar (Team Manager),...
...Nico Meijers (Asst. Coach) and Marco Stoovelaar (Team Scorer)...
...Front: Bas Rodermans, Mark Sullivan, Han Husken, Ronald Stoovelaar,...
...André Smit and Edsel Martis... |
After the 1979 season, Jan is 40 yeas old and initially retires.
But another challenge follows shortly thereafter, as he is asked back to come play for Amsterdam Pirates with whom he then plays in the First Division in 1981.
A successful season, as Pirates captures the title and promotes to the highest league.
The addition a some veteran players completely fitted in the policy of Pirates back then.
The team had several very talented young players, but with the addition of some veterans, the team got more depth.
In 1979, former big league-coach (and Jan's former teammate at Giants) Ruud Koene became the new Head Coach.
In 1980, former big leaguers Jan Dick Leurs and André Boddendijk played for Pirates, which then promoted from the Second Division to the First Division, while American players Leo Kalinowski and Mark Sullivan were also added to the team.
In 1981, Van Wieringen was joined by former big leaguers John Ludenhoff and (former Pirates-player) Marten Walsma.
And in 1982, former big leaguers André van Beest and Franco Martis(who both also had played for the team earlier) briefly played for the team, as did André Boddendijk (again).
And so, Amsterdam Pirates made its debut in the highest league in 1982.
By the way, in that season, there four teams coming from the Amsterdam-area.
Besides Pirates, they were Amstel Tijgers and De Spartaan from Amsterdam and Giants Diemen from suburd Diemen.
Initially, Jan van Wieringen was not to be part of the team in 1982.
After helping the team in 1981, he decided to step down and wanted to play in the second team of the club.
During preparations and exhibition games before the 1982 season, Head Coach Ruud Koene hoped he had some four candidates to be the regular first baseman.
But three of them, all new players, simply didn't fit in the team and were dropped from the roster.
Besides that, American pitcher Bob Frishette was released a few days before the start of the new season.
Frishette had replaced Mark Sullivan, who had played for the team in 1980 and 1981.
Koene called Van Wieringen, asking him to re-join the team as first baseman.
American Leo Kalinowski, who had been a solid pitcher in the previous two seasons, was to be an infielder in 1982.
But after the release of Frishette, he now would be one of the pitchers again, sharing that duties with Peter van Erk (who also played at first and third base), Edsel Martis and Alex Nansink.
Martis also was a back-up first baseman and played in the outfield, while Nansink also was an outfielder.
Frishette was replaced by American Paul Stockley, who became one of the best short stops ever to have played in the highest Dutch league.
And so, Jan van Wieringen returned to the main-squad of Amsterdam Pirates to play in another big league-season, his first in the highest league since 1973.
For Van Wieringen, that was his fourth different decade (after the fifies, sixties and seventies) in which he played in the highest league, becoming part of an small group of players, who had accomplished that feat.
Besides that, during the season, Van Wieringen turned 43 to become the oldest active player in the highest league at that moment.
Although he now lacked running-speed, Van Wieringen still was a solid (towering) first baseman.
His compact, short swing didn't looked impressive, but he still remained a batter not to be under-estimated.
He underscored that thoughout the season, making several contributions on important moments.
...Jan van Wieringen hitting for Amsterdam Pirates...
...in his final big league-season 1982...
(© Photo: Peter Elenbaas/Inside Magazine) |
Just after having opened a complete new clubhouse at its home-site at Sportpark Jan van Galen, Amsterdam Pirates started the 1982 season very well, winning its first two games against Amstel Tijgers, which was expected to win twice.
However, the season started painful for Van Wieringen.
In the opening-game at home on Saturday, April 24, Pirates won 3-2.
Debuting, 16-year old pitcher Tonny Cohen gave up only three basehits to the strong offensive line-up of Amstel Tijgers, which led 2-0 halfway the seventh inning.
Cohen gave up a homerun to Jaap Land in the first inning, then gave up another run in the seventh when Paul Smit walked (for the fourth time) and scored.
An error led to the first Pirates-run in the bottom of the seventh.
But in the bottom of the ninth inning, with one out, Tijgers-pitcher Charles Urbanus gave up a single to Paul Stockley, who had arrived only three days earlier.
Stockley moved into scoring position via a wild pitch, then scored when Leo Kalinowski hit a walk-off homerun on the next pitch.
The next day, at Sportpark Sloten, Pirates won 6-1.
This time, Kalinowski went the distance and was the winning pitcher.
Pirates rallied for four runs in the first inning off of Jan Hijzelendoorn, who was another pitching-ace for Amstel Tijgers and went the distance in this game.
With a 4-1 lead, Pirates added two runs in the third inning on a 2-run homerun by Ronald Stoovelaar, which was his first basehit in the highest league.
Jan van Wieringen contributed in this game with two basehits.
Halfway the game, Van Wieringen was running at first base.
On a following grounder towards the middle infield, he ran towards second base, was forced out, but didn't made a slide to break up the double play.
The throw to complete a double play followed, but the ball hit Van Wieringen on his helmet and the top of his head.
The tall player fell down and needed several stitches in his eye-brow, but in one way or another, the double play was broken up.
He was back in action the next week.
For Amstel Tijgers-player Don Wedman, the season ended in Saturday's game.
While standing in the on-deck circle preparing for this first at bat, the second baseman of the National Team re-injured his knee.
Wedman never played another game.
In his eleventh big league-season (and his fourth decade), Jan van Wieringen played in 28 of the 36 regular season-games.
He batted .211 with three doubles, scored six runs and batted in seven.
With his .211 batting average, Van Wieringen was the eighth best hitter of the Pirates-team, following Leo Kalinowski (.398), Paul Stockley (.337), Ronald Stoovelaar (.287), Marten Walsma (.257), Edsel Martis (.248), John Ludenhoff (.240) and Peter van Erk (.213).
As mentioned, Van Wieringen initially wanted to play in the second team in 1982, as he planned to do it somewhat easier.
On the other hand, at the same time, he still played soccer in the main-squad of Amsterdam-based KNSM, where he also played in the Second Division of its table-tennis section.
Oh, for the 1982-1983 soccer-season, Van Wieringen would become the goal-keeper of KNSM.
...Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Amsterdam Pirates...
...in 2009 at its home-site at Sportpark 'Ookmeer'...
...Back: Jan van Wieringen, Maurice Cranston and...
...co-founder 'Mr. Pirates' Loek Loevendie...
...Front: Hans Jansen de Vries, José Faneyte,...
...Kurt Lourens and Mario Berkel...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
Despite his age and his lack of running speed, Jan van Wieringen was well-respected by his teammates, as well as the fans and members of Amsterdam Pirates in the 1981 and 1982 seasons.
He remained a popular player, also because he shared his baseball-knowledge with the young talented players, but also offered some 'advise' to Head Coach Ruud Koene, which sometimes led to discussions.
Jan simply loved to play baseball and to be on a field.
In an article for Inside Magazine, written by Johan Carbo in July 1982, Van Wieringen is interviewed regarding his comeback.
Carbo writes that 'there is every reason to tip your hat to him' and adds that 'Jan van Wieringen may be old, but he is not worn out yet'.
Concerning the chances of Pirates in its first big league-season, Van Wieringen says in the article:
,,Because of the pitching, Pirates will survive this first big league-year.
To become a solid major league team for years to come.
Cohen and Loevendie are still lightweights, but you don't know what you see them throwing.
What club would not be happy with these lads.
And then of course, we have a catcher in Stoovelaar who is surprising everyone in the Netherlands.
With that very strong arm of his, I give Stoovelaar a good chance to become the prime catcher of the Dutch team.
Look further at Walsma and Ludenhoff.
Written off for the big league when they left Giants?
No one can deny that they have both blossomed again this season.
Pirates must remain in the big league.
The talents must now finally be preserved.
I also appreciate the board for their businesslike approach.
Yes, sometimes they can be hard, but you just have to if you are one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands''.
In his two seasons with Amsterdam Pirates, as mentioned, the team was led by Head Coach Ruud Koene, who was assisted by Nico Meijers.
Amongst Jan van Wieringen's teammates in these seasons were André van Beest, André Boddendijk, Tonny Cohen, Peter van Erk, Han Husken, Marco Loevendie, John Ludenhoff, Edsel Martis, Franco Martis, Peter Meijers, Alex Nansink, Laurens van der Poel, Bas Rodermans, André Smit, Ronald Stoovelaar and and Americans Leo Kalinowski, Paul Stockley and Mark Sullivan.
Coen Stoovelaar was the Team Manager and Marco Stoovelaar the Team Scorer and Media Officer.
After the 1982 season, Jan van Wieringen is succeeded at first base by Peter van Erk.
New Head Coach Bart Seidel had no room anymore for the veteran player, who this time, really decided to take it somewhat easier and continued his career in the second team of Pirates.
From 1984 on, Van Wieringen played some more seasons for De Boekaniers, a team created by Amsterdam Pirates within the club.
Through the years, Jan van Wieringen was mostly soft-spoken and sometimes appeared modest.
However, during a game, he could get into arguments and could clearly say what his thoughts were.
Also against a coach.
And yes, also against an umpire.
Jan didn't like losing a game and he didn't like it when players (whether they were veteran of young) didn't to there best during a game of made unnecesssary errors, whether it was as a hitter, runner or defensively.
And he told them so when he felt it was needed to do so.
It was that attitude that he was well-respected within the team and within the Pirates-family.
Especially since he was mad at himself when he made an error himself.
After his final big league-season in 1982, Jan van Wieringen remained a frequent visitor of games of the Pirates main-squad.
In 2009, he attended the 50th anniversary of Amsterdam Pirates.
His son Antoine (Toine) was one of the young talented players from within the club and would also go on to play in the main-team.
Later, he also would play for De Spartaan and Flying Petrels.
Jan van Wieringen was much-liked and will be missed by many of us.
The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Jan's partner Marijke, son Toine, grandchildren and other family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.
(February 21)
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