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Russia
Field Baseball Champs
– Gloria M. Theodore (wife of Teddy Theodore)
Many here in Niles may recall various experiences
with the Russia Field Market and its owner, Phillip Theodore.
The market was located at 750 Belmont Avenue, in Niles, at the
corner of Belmont Avenue and Olive Street in the 1930’s.
Students and younger children may remember how
Mr. Phillip Theodore, known as “Phillip the Butcher,”
would slip them an extra piece of candy or two along with the
candy they purchased for 1 or 2 cents.
Mr. Theodore also “carried” quite
a few families in the Russia Field area during some of the Depression
Era in the 1930’s by letting people build up charges for
food and supplies–many of whom never paid off their bill.
Among the (Russia Field) memories would be the
days that relatives, neighbors, and friends looked forward to
the few yearly lamb roasts when all could gather for that special
summer picnic fun day.
Click here to discover
why there is a “Russia Field” area in Niles.
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![Russia Field Market, 750 Belmont Avenue.](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/Russiax750.jpg)
Russia Field Market, 750 Belmont Avenue.
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The Theodore
family resided at their three bedroom ranch home at 740 Belmont
Avenue next door to the market. On the other side of their home
property was the Monroe School Building.
The family consisted of: Phillip, the market
owner; his wife, Zoe “Zita” Zafirou; and
their two sons, Theodore “Teddy” Phillip Theodore,
and his four-year younger brother, Constantine “Gus”
Theodore. |
![](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/IMGx7889.jpg)
Russia Field Market, 750 Belmont
Avenue. |
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![1951 Summer League Baseball Champs](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/IMGx7074.jpg)
1951 Summer League Baseball Champs |
Mr. Theodore
also sponsored a summer league baseball team which at one point
experienced and enjoyed the glory of being the Champs in 1951.
Most of the team members were from that same
neighborhood, and according to one of the team members I recently
spoke with, they became the “Talk of the Town” with
their special red team jackets and their victory.
Mr. Theodore’s ownership of the Russia
Field Market ended when he sold it in the early 1960’s to
the Cikosh brothers. |
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![Phillip Theodore and his two sons; Teddy and younger Constantine.](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/IMGx7076.jpg)
Phillip Theodore and his two sons; Teddy and
younger Constantine. |
![Team jacket for the Russia Field Market,](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/jacketx.jpg)
Team jacket for the Russia Field
Market,
1951 Champions. |
![Close-up of jacket emblem.](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/emblemx.jpg)
Close-up of jacket emblem. |
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![Player's tee shirt from Russia Field Market](../Stryz2/RussiaBall/shirtx.jpg)
Player's tee shirt from Russia
Field Market |
Facebook
comments about the Russia Market team photograph:
Brian McGuirk
“Last person in second row is Monte Bond. He played
football, basketball and baseball for Niles McKinley and was drafted
by Cleveland Indians class B farm league in 1957.”
Diane Cikosh Cross
“My dad was raised on Carle Street and worked at Russia
Field Market as a kid, then bought it along with his brother Mike
in 1963. I don’t remember it ever having the awning. It’s
now Niles Table and Chair! Lots of memories.”
Ace Medovich
“Don’t forget Freddie’s Market on Olive Street,
AKA Medovich Dairy, Tassone Dairy, right next door to Russia Field
Market.”
Karen Johnson Fisher
“I lived at 740 Belmont. I knew the Market as Bimbos.”
Diane Cikosh Cross
“Bimbo is my Uncle Mike Cikusa, my dad’s
brother.” |
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