Pro Boim

On November 7th 2011, Chikopi's very own Pro Boim was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.Irving "Pro" Boim got the nickname "Pro" at five-years old, because he did spot-on imitations of pro baseball greats; the nickname stuck for life. He was a high school phenom who, upon recommendation, attended U of M., ultimately pitching on the University of Michigan baseball team that won the 1942 Big Ten Baseball Championship. He was known for having a great curve and live fastball. In 1942, he had a 1.40 ERA when he enlisted in the Navy. Pro's greatest baseball moment may have been in 1944 during WWII when he pitched for Pensacola Naval Air Station against Bronson Marine Air Base. Ted Williams was on the Bronson team, and Pro faced him 4 times, striking him out twice in a row. In 1946, after college, Pro enjoyed a 9-year career in the Minor Leagues with Pittsburgh, the Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati where he played with or against 56 Big Leaguers. He was the winning pitcher in a Minor League All-Star game in 1948. He also played some for the House of David traveling baseball team. Had he not spent 3 years in the war in his prime, he probably would have been in the Majors. Pro's greatest achievement was inspiring thousands of kids whom he taught at Camp Chikopi in Ontario, in baseball camps and as an elementary P.E. teacher for 44 years.