Browse Interviews

George Havens grew up in East Cleveland. He wrote a book about living in the area so much of this interview focuses on his childhood. The YMCA, Big Band era music, dancing and dating were important to Havens. He grew up during the Depression era and he explains how his family was affected. He highlights how fads that many thought would be around forever always seemed to fade like talkies, streetcars and Big Band dance music. He served in World War II and had his own advertising firm. Later in…

Robert Sheridan discusses the evolution of hockey, both locally and nationally, describing changes in the game since the 1950s. Sheridan also outlines the evolution of other sports teams in Cleveland, from the high school to professional level.

In this 2005 interview, Jacob Rosenheim, a retired copy editor in the sports department of the Plain Dealer, talks about growing up in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood in the 1940s and 1950s. Rosenheim recalls when, in the 1950s, one white family sold its house to a black family, how the "for sale" signs popped up immediately thereafter. He also recalls attending Indians' ball games in both the old League Park as well as the old Municipal Stadium, and has many memories of the 1948 and 1954…

Bob DiBiasio is works in public relations for the Cleveland Indians. In this 2005 interview he discusses his personal love of baseball and the Cleveland Indians' history. He also discusses the team's interaction with the city and some of the minor league teams associated with the Indians.

Scott Longert is the sports archivist at the Western Reserve Historical Society. In this interview he discusses the history of the Cleveland Indians, through the team's name changes, park changes and changes in baseball's rules. Longert also discusses his work at WRHS.