As Rams fans attend Paoli Baseball games this season, they might notice something new on prominent display. The town of Paoli partnered with Paoli Community Park and Paoli Possibilities and donated a mural of Ken Trinkle. Trinkle was a professional baseball player and a WWII veteran born in Paoli and attended school here. The PHS baseball field is also named after Trinkle.

Trinkle was born in Paoli, Indiana, on December 15, 1919. After graduating from Paoli High School, Trinkle signed with the Baltimore Orioles in the International League in 1939. He played with them from 1940-1942 until the New York Giants bought them out. He made his Major League debut with the Giants on April 25, 1943.

During the season, Trinkle entered the military with the United States Army in World War II. Trinkle served in the 9th Armored Division military unit, fought during the Battle of the Bulge, and earned a Bronze Star for his service. After the German surrender in May 1945, Trinkle would head back to the New York Giants and play for them in 1946-48.

In 1948, Trinkle was bought by the Philadelphia Phillies and played for them during the 1949 season until he was sent back to the International League and played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 1951 and 1952, Trinkle ended his career back where it all started: with the Baltimore Orioles. His career stats were 216 appearances, a 21-29 record, 435.1 innings pitched, and 130 career strikeouts. After his baseball career was over, Trinkle returned to Paoli, where he passed away on May 10, 1976, at 55 years old.

The mural, created by local artist Adam Long, was donated to Paoli High School and Trinkle Field in honor of Ken Trinkle. Long has also created various murals throughout the community.

“(The mural) is part of a bigger project to beautify the parks in Orleans, Paoli, and French Lick West Baden. There are 12 total murals that size. Most are baseball-related,” said Long. “This idea was given by many to paint Ken.” 

The mural is an exact replica of Trinkle’s rookie season baseball card, front and back, which has all of his stats and records on it. 

“I used a few different concepts and pictures and overlayed the visuals to create a balanced image. It’s all acrylic and several, several layers. There might be 40 hours in that piece with over 10 layers of black and white,” said Long.

The Paoli Parks Department and Paoli Possibilities Organization felt that the Trinkle mural would be a great addition to the baseball field because of his connection to PHS. Head Baseball Coach Jeremy Payton appreciates the mural and its meaning to his program. 

“As the current coach of the baseball program, it is nice to have the mural donated. It is something we can be proud of, having a pro baseball player graduate from Paoli,” said Payton. “This is an awesome mural that will be placed at the field to go along with the name of the field. It allows us to see the gentleman the field is named after.”