KANSAS
HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION
HALL OF FAME
ALVIN GANDY
Topeka, KS
1979
PLAYER INDUCTEE
Topeka, KS
1979 PLAYER INDUCTEE
Alvin Gandy grew up in the Manhattan area and learned to pitch horseshoes at an early age. He soon developed his game and became one of the best players in Kansas Horseshoe Pitching history. A carpenter by profession, Alvin moved to the Topeka area and soon was a dominant figure in the game in the late 1930s and early 1940s as evidenced by his Kansas State Horseshoe Pitching titles in 1935, 1938, 1939 and 1940 when he set the record at the time for highest tournament average in the Kansas State Tournament of 75.3 percent ringers. One can only wonder what would have happened if World War II had not occurred, as Alvin saw service in the Armed Forces during this time. Although still a fine player when he returned, he was never quite the same. Alvin also represented Kansas with 11 appearances in the World Tournament Championship Class, where his best finish was 5th place in 1940 with a record of 23-8 and a ringer percentage of 78.2. During this tournament, Alvin made his mark by defeating the great champion Fernando Isais, thus preventing Isais from claiming the title that year. Alvin was a stocky, heavyset individual, known for his short stride and high 1¾ turn shoe. He was known as a stickler for the rules while pitching but congenial off the courts. Alvin competed in many local tournaments over the years and was also the Topeka City Champion during his career. He played in many Kansas State Tournaments and had finished third in the 1969 tournament when he passed away suddenly of a heart attack on September 26, 1969, shortly after the State Tournament. For his outstanding long career as one of the best players in Kansas history and his four State Titles, Alvin Gandy was elected to the Kansas State Horseshoe PitchersHall of Fame in 1979 as a player. Following is a summary of Alvin’s Kansas State Tournament record, as well as his World Tournament results. Individual records for some years are not available; only those years that are known are summarized here.
