Oldtimer has local connection

The New York Times ran a great story Tuesday (9-26-06) written by Alan Schwarz about soon-to-be 111-year-old Silas Simmons, who was born in 1895 -- the same year as Babe Ruth and opera singer Rudolph Valentino. Simmons played the outfield in what was the equivalent of the black major leagues between 1912 and 1929. Simmons worked as an assistant manager in Plainfield at the old Rosenbaum's Department Store, according to the story. He retired in 1971. He now lives in a nursing home in St. Petersburg, Fla. He'll turn 111 Oct. 14. The story said that Simmons isn't the oldest living American, that distinction belongs to Lizzie Bolden of Memphs who turned 116 in August. The oldest living person who played in the Major Leagus is Rollie Stiles, 99, who pitched for the St. Louis Browns in the early 1930s.