Ralph Eugene Whatley

2004 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Ralph was born in Marlow, Georgia on July 4, 1928 to Mr. Frank R. Whatley, Sr. and Mrs. Pearl Nease Whatley. He has lived there his entire life and is an active member of Marlow United Methodist Church.

Ralph graduated from Marlow School in 1945 where he played on the school baseball team all four years, 1942-1945. He began playing recreation baseball in 1947 and played through 1968. He played on the Effingham County League, Savannah River League, Georgia/Carolina League, Little Ogeechee League and Oglethorpe League. Positions he played were catcher, 1^st base and out-field. Ralph maintained a 333 batting average for 4 years consecutively, 1952-1956. He began playing softball on the Zion Lutheran Church softball team and played 1966-1972. Ralph ahs served as a committee member of the Effingham County Recreation Department “Sports Hall of Fame” since its inception in 2002.

After graduating from high school Ralph served one tour of duty in the U. S. Air Force.

He worked at Savannah Machine and Foundry for 15 years and retired from Kemira Pigments in 1993 after 23 years of service. He is currently enjoying his retirement. Baseball and softball have always been a great interest and hobby for Ralph. Now that he is no longer playing himself he enjoys attending games and cheering for his grandchildren. Ralph is married to Joann Hanna Whatley. They have 3 daughters and sons-in-law and 8 grandchildren.