NEWCOMERSTOWN, Ohio — Denton True “Cy” Young was born in the nearby town of Gilmore but called Newcomerstown home.

He went on to become a member of the Cleveland Spiders and Naps, and Major League Baseball's all-time winningest pitcher, 511 wins, a number that may never be matched.

Young was also a fixture in the Newcomerstown community — his life and a treasure trove of photos and memorabilia are on display at the Olde Main Street Museum.

John Ourant and Richard Mathias are the long-time curators of the museum that features an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent.

“He spent a lot of time on his farm. He did a lot of heavy work. Was a lifetime member of the local Newcomerstown Elks Lodge, and he was involved with the creation of what we now call the Cy Young Youth League,” said Ourant.

“He went up to the Tri-State League in Canton, try-out up there. He said let’s see what you got farmer. So he threw a couple pitches, nobody could catch him. When he got done he busted the backstop and splintered it, and somebody said that backstop looks like a Cyclone,” said Mathias.

So the nickname “Cyclone” or Cy for short stuck his entire life.

Even though Young retired from baseball in 1911, there are still remnants all these years later...a historical marker, statue and a three-day festival every June, welcoming families and former Cy Young award winning pitchers alike.

And in the late 40s, it wasn't uncommon to see Young in Newcomerstown at a local baseball game, on the bench, giving hitting and pitching advice. He was a big inspiration to Thomas Gardner, a bat boy at the time, that later went on to a 50-year umpiring career.

“Cy Young wasn't Cy Young to me, he was just a gentleman with an old hat. If it was a foul ball he'd say Tom, go get that ball, or straighten up those bats,” said Gardner.

Newcomerstown native and Port Washington Mayor Thomas Gardner said he sat right beside the baseball legend from the age of 8 to 11. He said Young was instrumental in bringing in scouts to help recruit local talent hoping to make it to the minor leagues, many were American Legion Vets coming back from World War II.

“Newcomerstown noted they had one of the best teams around because he influenced the team and players so much. He wasn't one to tell you, you had to ask him information, but he spread the love all over,” said Gardner.

Mayor Pat Cadle said there will never be another Cy Young, and he hopes his town can one day host a trophy presentation to the American League and National League winners.

“We would love to have that happen here as a new tradition to highlight the history of Cy Young, because there will never be a another Cy Young,” said Cadle.

Young passed away in 1955 at the age of 88. He's buried eight miles away, near his farm, in the small community of Peoli.

Newcomerstown residents and Cleveland fans will never forget their humble star that forever changed the game both on and off the field.