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Dick Bartell was the Cal-Hi State baseball player of the year while at Alameda High school in 1926.  He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played his first game in the major leagues at 19. By 1929 he was a star shortstop for the Pirates with a .302 average, 184 hits and 40 doubles.  In 1930 he led all shortstops in the league in total chances and hit .320, but was traded to the Phillies after feuding with management. Bartell was known for his hyper-aggressive play with the Phillies, and was chosen to start the very first All Star game at shortstop, reflecting his status as a top player. During his four years with the  Phillies he had three seasons with 40 doubles and 100 runs scored. After four years he was traded to the New York Giants, and helped them win two National League pennants. Bartell hit .381 in the 1936 world series in a losing effort to the powerful New York Yankees.  In 1937, the Giants again won the pennant with Bartell hitting .306; and he was chosen to be an all star again. After one year playing with the Cubs, he was traded to the Tigers in 1940 and helped lead them to a pennant.   Bartell was known as “Rowdy Richard” because of his fiery attitude and aggressive style of play.  Although only 5’ 9” and 160 he was often involved in fights and was known to never back down from anyone.  He was accused of spiking players on the base path and was traded six times in his career. During his 18 year big league career he amassed an impressive 2165 hits with an excellent lifetime batting average of .284. Dick Bartell is a member of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, and the baseball field at Lincoln Park in Alameda is named in his honor.  He passed away in 1995 at age 87 in Alameda.