When it comes to the true sports ‘personalities’ of Midland, past or present, there’s never been anyone like Fred Jackson. He is simply one of a kind.
Fred Jackson is recognized for his contribution to sport in Midland for his involvement with the Midland Indian baseball clubs and the Midland Flyers hockey teams from the 1950s to the 1970s. Born in 1939, a Midlander from the start, ‘Freddy’ was a fixture on both these teams. During baseball season, wearing his Indians uniform, number one, Fred served as bat boy, equipment man, and ‘rescuer of stray baseballs.’ Chester Graham remembers, “Fred was an integral part of the team. He looked after our every need, such as water, bats, catcher’s equipment, and, above all, baseballs. Fred saved the team many dollars over the years by hustling after every foul ball, even wrestling with others to get the ball back in the game.” Fred was there for every practice, every home game, and every contest out of town. He was also on the job when Midland captured the Ontario Baseball Association Intermediate A championships in 1958, 1963, 1966, 1968, and 1969 – and reached four other provincial finals (1962, 1964, 1971, and 1972) during that golden era.
