Robert V. Whatley

2005 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Rob was born in Savannah, Georgia on May 28, 1912 to Mrs. Pearl Nease Whatley and Mr. Frank R. Whatley, Sr.  When Rob was a teenager the family moved to Marlow.

As a young boy Rob began his career in sports by playing with the Savannah Police Department. The guys on the force taught him how to play baseball, softball and boxing.  After moving to Marlow, Rob played baseball with Guyton in the Oglethorpe League.  He tried out and was chosen for the Savannah Indians Team in the South Atlantic League. He played for a half season and was released because of a knee injury that left him unable to run. He played with Union Camp in the Service Defense League from 1941 to 1945. After the war Rob played on the Savannah River League, the Georgia Carolina League and the Effingham County League. Rob was very well known throughout the area for his catching ability. He had a famous habit for stealing the ball from the batter.

Rob also instructed and taught many young men, including his son Paul, how to pitch.  Paul benefited from his instruction and played for the St. Louis Cardinals Farm Team for two years in Hazlehurst, Georgia.

Rob was married to Adelaide Tetterton Whatley. They had one son Paul, a daughter-in-law JoAnn, and two grandchildren Jerry and Patty.  Rob died on May 4, 1957 at the age of 44 from burns he received in a lawn mower explosion. He is buried in Vidalia, Georgia.