Al Meau served in World War II, worked as a prison guard and raised 13 kids. He also hit a home run in 1947 that they're still talking about in Bluefield, W.Va.
The Boston Braves signed Meau that year and assigned him to the Class D Bluefield Blue-Grays. His pitching accuracy helped him lead the team in wins, ERA and innings. Meau showed similar precision one day at the plate.
A local trucking company partnered with the team and hung a tire above the right field fence. The tire displayed the company logo and offered cash to any batter who hit a ball through the hole in the middle of the tire.