In 1949, then a 19-year-old John Spring made his debut in ASA national championship play by hurling a three-hit shutout for Briggs Beautyware of Detroit, MI against Cincinnati. In the years that followed Spring established himself as one of the great pitchers of all-time, winning 483 games and losing 62. He had a record of 44-13 in ASA national championship play and was named an ASA All-America 10 times. Spring was the mainstay for Briggs when it won ASA national titles in 1952 and 1953. Spring was 24-2 in 1952 and 21-8 in 1953. He also was a member of a national championship team in 1955, 1958 and 1965. In the 1953 national he also was named the MVP. After Briggs disbanded in 1954, Spring joined the the Raybestos Cardinals and compiled a record of 209 wins and 35 losses. One of his wins was a perfect game in the finals of the 1958 Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship. Spring finished his career playing for the Aurora, IL Sealmasters from 1963-1966, recording a 76-5 record before retiring. With a degree in engineering from the General Motors Institute (1953), Spring worked for Eonic Inc. for 29 years before retiring in 1994. Spring also is a member of the Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut ASA Halls of Fame. Spring was born August 23, 1930 and passed away on May 4, 2014.
