ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Baseball season is underway and the Rock Island Rocks are honoring their legacy.
At 92 years young, Frank Edwards is the oldest living Rock Island baseball player, graduating from RIHS in 1949. This past Saturday, he threw out the first pitch at the Rocks game against United Township.
"It's very special to me," Edwards said. "That they take off time to do this is just astonishing... I appreciate it very much."
Besides leaving for college and a brief stint in the military, Edwards has been a lifelong Rock Island resident, according to his daughter Mary Johnson. She said he has always been a big fan of the town and has remained friends with the people he met his entire life.
"There is a group of them who get together every year from the Class of 49," Johnson said. "They were a crowd in high school, and they remained very good friends throughout their lives."
Edwards played on the baseball team senior year and was on the football team during his other high school years back when it was a spring sport at the school.
"The stories that go back to when he was growing up, baseball and sports have always been a big part," Johnson said. "He does continue to read the paper every day to follow the sports scores. Every Sunday night, we get an email that outlines all of the sports scores from Rock Island and Alleman, so we keep in touch on how the sports teams are doing."
Watch the full interview with Edwards' daughter
Editor's note: This video was recorded prior to Edwards throwing the first pitch.
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