Our Forgotten But Notable Neighbors: Five MLB Rocklanders

Spring officially begins with the vernal equinox, an astronomical phenomenon that takes place when the sun crosses the earth’s equator, falling between March 21-23 each year. But for most people in our area, springtime is more a state of mind than a day on the calendar.

Thoughts of spring start to develop when people begin to anticipate that the harsh reign of winter, with its frigid air, snow, ice, bare trees, and extended darkness will soon be over, to be replaced by extended daylight, the sun’s warmth, beautiful and vibrant colors, and the chirping of birds.

But there are those of us who consider spring to start when Major League baseball players arrive in Florida and Arizona for their spring training preparations. Once those distinctive sounds, the crack made when a Louisville Slugger smashes a hardball, and the pop of an aggressively thrown pitch smacking into a catcher’s mitt, are heard, we have proof positive that spring is about to be sprung. Soon the Boys of Summer, baseball’s Major League players, will be breaking camp and spreading out across the nation to start a new pennant race. For all baseball fans, the umpire yelling, “Play ball” on opening day is the true indicator that spring has arrived and winter is in the rear-view mirror.

If young boys were to be surveyed as to what they want to do when they grow up, it is very likely that playing baseball in the big leagues would be right at the top of the list — not only today, in 2026, but since the inception of organized baseball. But the reality is that the dreams of almost all of those youngsters to play in the big leagues will never come to fruition. The talent needed to make it to the Majors is a very rarefied one, possessed by just a lucky few.  

Reaching the pinnacle of baseball success sets one apart from the multitudes and, therefore, is glorified. Those players garner attention and respect normally accorded only to military heroes, certain politicians and Hollywood stars. They become a “name” such that children (and many adults, too) ask for their autographs, want to be photographed with them, and even just to touch them

But the attention and adulation given to Major Leaguers do not normally last very long. Unless you are a Joe Dimaggio, Derek Jeter, Mickie Mantle, Will Mays or one of the other “best of the best”, the fame dwindle with time. Despite that, those who have ever transcended into the pantheon of Major League status can never have that accomplishment taken away from them.

In recent years, Rockland County has had a number of boys who have made it to the Majors, the most well-known being Walt Weiss of Suffern. But, going back to the pre-expansion era, there were only five local players who made it all the way to the top. Although these fellows’ names have, for the most part, evaporated into the ether of oblivion, their accomplishments deserve to be remembered.  

Currently there are 30 Major League teams, with two more scheduled to be added in the next few years. However, up until 1960, there were only 16 teams, eight each in the National and American Leagues, and therefore proportionately fewer Major Leaguers. So, to make it to  the big leagues at a time when there were so few teams was indeed quite a feat. 

The first Rocklander to make it to baseball’s pinnacle was Jim Eschen. Jim was raised in Sloatsburg, and at age 23, after a few years in the minors, he was called up by the Cleveland Indians in early July of 1915.  Praised for his speed and strong arm, he was an outfielder who played in 15 Major League games during which he had 10 hits, 2 Runs-Batted-In, and scored 11 runs.  However, he was sent back to the minors after his short sojourn with the Indians, never to return to the bigs.

Jim retired from professional baseball a few years later, returned to Sloatsburg, and would eventually become the general manager of the Ringwood Company. A veteran of WWI, Jim passed away in 1960 and is buried in the Airmont 

The next Rocklander to make it to the big leagues was none other than Lawrence “Larry” Eschen, Jim Eschen’s eldest son. Larry was an all-around athlete at Suffern High School where he was quarterback and captain of the 1938 championship football team. Following graduation, he continued his education at St. Lawrence College, and continued to play professional baseball during the summer. He made his MLB debut on June 16, 1942, as a 21-year-old infielder with the Philadelphia Athletics.  The Athletics, or simply the A’s, is American League team that started in Philadelphia, but would re-locate, first to Kansas City and then Oakland. The A’s are scheduled to move to Las Vegas in 2028. Larry played in 12 games with the A’s and had 11 at bats. Although he didn’t have a base hit, he did get on base four times through walks. After a month in the big leagues, on July 17, Larry was sent back down to the minors. 

Larry would enlist in the Army Air Corps, reaching the rank of Captain during WWII. Upon returning from the war, Larry played in the minor league for a while before becoming a high school teacher and coach. He taught at Suffern H.S. for a while and eventually moved to Florida where he taught until retirement.  He passed away in 2006.

Come back next week to learn about three more  Rocklanders who made it to the big leagues