Science Hill High School

John Mackley

John Mackley 1949

John Mackley was the starting catcher as a sophomore on Science Hill's 1947 state championship team, the TSSAA's first champion. His senior year, Science Hill was upset in the state tournament, but still advanced and won the Southeastern Region, a more difficult and prestigious achievement in that era.

Mackley also played end in football, first in Plowboy Farmer's T-formation in 1947 and then in Niles “Mule” Brown's Single-Wing offense. Mackley was also second team all-state in football and all-conference in basketball and track.

He began an 11-year professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals in 1949. From then until 1960, Mackley played professionally in Lebanon, Pa., Columbus, Ga., Charleston, S.C., Montgomery, Ala., and Knoxville before spending 1957-60 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Former Major League pitcher Joe McClain doubts that Science Hill's had a better backstop.

"I thought he should've been in the big leagues,” McClain said. “He could hit as well as any catchers the Braves had up there, in my opinion. John Mackley was in charge back there. He called the pitches and we generally didn't shake him off."

Mackley appeared headed for the Majors. His contract had just been purchased by Triple A Louisville when he was drafted into the military in 1955.

"Mackley was a heck of a catcher," said former big-leaguer Ferrell Bowman. "He became a fixture down there in Jacksonville."

Added Mackley: "I loved it in Jacksonville. I still ended up having a chance to go to Triple-A after (the military), but I liked being in Jacksonville and didn't think I'd ever get a fair shot to beat out all of the bonus babies."

Mackley was living the dream anyway, playing ball for a living in places like Charleston, S.C., and Jacksonville for a decade.