Ernest Grady Shore, or “Ernie, was born at Shore in Yadkin County in 1891. His ancestors in Yadkin County were farmers.
Ernie attended school in Yadkin County, then went to Guildford College where he played baseball. He was signed by the Boston Red Sox, then joined the New York Yankees. While he was with the Red Sox, he pitched a perfect game against Washington in 1917. He came to the Red Sox with Babe Ruth, and they were roommates. He later pitched for San Francisco for a year before he left professional baseball and returned to North Carolina in 1923.
Winston-Salem celebrated “Ernie Shore Day” at Piedmont Park in 1920. The game was between the Yankees and the Dodgers, and the newspaper reported that 6,000 people attended the event, coming from Forsyth, Yadkin and surrounding counties to see the baseball players and the game. The teams were feted all day, with a luncheon and a dinner in their honor. Babe Ruth spoke at the dinner, as did Ernie Shore. Then they left the city on the train.
Ernie served in World War I and graduated from Officers Candidate School. He was a member of the local American Legion Post just after it was formed in 1923, and remained a member all his life.
Ernie worked in the automobile and insurance businesses, then was elected sheriff in 1936. He served as sheriff for 34 years, retiring in 1970. The sheriff’s department was rather minimal in the early days, with little staff and equipment. Under Sheriff Shore’s administration, the department added staff, cars, and more up-to-date equipment for hunting and catching criminals.
When the new baseball field was being considered and funds were being raised, Ernie Shore helped in the fund-raising. The baseball field was named in his honor, and opened in 1956. The home of Winston-Salem minor league baseball remained at Ernie Shore Field until the new BB&T Stadium was built. Wake Forest University bought the former field and changed the name.
Ernie Shore passed away in 1980.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
