799. Pensacola's Mister Baseball 1939

At 1601 North Reus Street there is a beautiful home that was built in 1939 for John Wallace "Wally" Dashiell and his wife Virginia. Wally was born on May 9, 1902 in Jewett, Texas, the son of Benjamin Douglas Dashiell, a lawyer (1856-1924) and May E. Reinhard (1869-1906). Wally's his claim to fame was his years he spent in professional and local baseball. He played shortstop and second base in 1924 for the Chicago White Sox before an injury to his arm sent him to the minors. He would reemerge after joining the Pensacola Pilots (aka Fliers) with the Southern League Class B. After 1930, he played with several other teams including the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Atlanta Crackers, and the Tyler Texas Trojans. He also became a radio announcer and part owner of the WCOA radio station in the early 1930s. Later, he would co-own his own company—Martin-Dashiell Insurance Agency.

A resurgence of the Southeastern League brought Wally back to Pensacola in 1937 with the Fliers only to develop a shoulder injury. With his playing days over Wally purchased the Fliers and took them to three consecutive Southeastern League pennants in 1937, 1938, and 1939. In 1939, he and Virginia would build their permanent home at 1601 North Reus Street designed by Virginia herself.

After WWII began, the Southeastern League was shut down and Wally was appointed the Supervisor of the Office of Price Administration (war rationing). When the league kicked back up after the war the Fliers recaptured the pennant in 1946,1949, and 1950. In addition to his baseball affiliations, Wally became involved in numerous civic and business groups such as president of the Pensacola Country Club, director of the Pensacola Kennel Club, secretary for Florida Greyhound Racing, director of the Pensacola Sports Association, vice president of Click Investment Company, and secretary of the Pensacola Real Estate and Investment Company.

Pensacola's "Mr. Baseball" would pass away on May 20, 1972 and was buried in Bayview Cemetery where his wife Lottie Virginia Murff would join him in 1990.