By the Texas Ringer Editorial Staff
(If you want to skip this introduction, Johnny's article is at the bottom of this page) We are fortunate that much of our THPA history has been preserved over the years and passed along to our present generation. For that, we owe a debt a gratitude to our organization's founding fathers, who worked under less than ideal conditions to compile and preserve what we take for granted today. But like any sport, some of our history, unfortunately, has faded away. And like any sport, there is missing and incomplete data, and in some cases, incorrect information. THPA Historian Johnny Davenport has been burning the midnight oil, pouring over mountains of old THPA and NHPA material, and anything else that he can get his hands on in an effort to "fill in the blanks" of missing information, correct some errors, and to better understand our organization's past. Of course, Johnny is not just plucking this information from thin air. In a cooperative spirit, many THPA members have been submitting old material to help in this endeavor. One of Johnny's most recent discoveries has been a major find. And one that may shake some of us up a bit. It has long been held that the great Hall of Famer Ed McFarland won 17 Texas State Championships, which is more than any other pitcher in Texas history. As you will see in his "Looking Back" article, Davenport has been researching this subject for a long time, and now has overwhelming and convincing evidence that McFarland's State Titles totalled 16 - not 17. It is with some fear and trepidation that we tamper with the established records of any sport's legends. And the Texas Ringer Website was initially reluctant to change this critical statistic in its online records, as altering this legend's amazing record was like going back in the record books and taking a home run title away from Babe Ruth. Or a rushing title away from Walter Payton. There have been just a few giants of our sport, and Ed McFarland was indeed one of those few. However, due to the supporting evidence the change has now been made. By the way, Johnny takes no delight in this adjustment to Ed McFarland's record, other than the fact that he is simply fulfilling his commission as THPA Historian. And our organization will be stronger as a result. No doubt, Johnny Davenport will write additional articles about the legendary Ed McFarland for our enjoyment, but for now, please read with interest, this extremely interesting revelation. Along the way, you'll be presented with a few pieces of evidence to support this important discovery. "Looking Back" - Ed McFarland (Part 1 ?)
Those early pioneers recorded much of what transpired back then by hand - with pen and paper, and in some cases a typewriter. They did not have the modern technology that we enjoy today - computers, the internet with our own website, cell phones, copiers, scanners, digital cameras, and other ways to gather and preserve our history.