Jerry Adair
The Jerry Adair story is one rooted in tragedy. It didn’t start that way. Adair was born and raised in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. After graduating from Sapulpa High School, he played college baseball and basketball at Oklahoma State under legendary coach Hank Iba. He also played one year of baseball in a work/play program for the McPherson (KS) BJ’s in the Ban Johnson League. Adair helped lead the BJ’s to the Ban Johnson tournament finals that year.
The Baltimore Orioles liked what they saw and signed Adair to a free agent contract in September of 1958 for $40,000.