Fred Kipp, alumni and author, held a book signing for “The Last Yankee Dodger” in front of the Memorial Union bookstore last Saturday as a part of the Homecoming festivities. Fred Kipp graduated from Emporia State in 1951. After graduation, he went on to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Fred Kipp had people stopping by his signing table and display. The book was released in January, according Lorraine Kipp, Fred Kipp’s wife. “We’re married 28 years and I’ve come to Homecoming every year,” Lorraine Kipp said. “It’s fun because it brings him back to where he played and those people he played with and Fred says that ESU was the greatest thing that ever happened in preparing him for the major leagues.”

He had his books available for purchase and signing as well as two posters up that explained what he did throughout his career and where he had played baseball. He also had a video playing nearby of him being interviewed.

During his visit, Fred Kipp reminisced about his days at ESU and he’s been to more of the Homecoming breakfasts than most, he said. “I started going to K-Cup breakfasts in 1950,” Fred Kipp said.

“I’ve gone on and off for years.” In their time spent at ESU, the two are both thankful for the memories made here, Lorraine Kipp said. “Just thank you (to the college), for the fond memories that Fred has of alma mater,” Lorraine Kipp said. “I’m from the east coast and don’t get back there that much. I feel like I came here too because I know so many people through him.”

During the signing, Fred Kipp ran into Tom Haskett, his second cousin and fellow ESU alumni. The two were even able to catch up at the event. Haskett saw a notice in the Emporia Gazette and decided to come to the signing, he said. “I don’t come to a lot of the reunion stuff,” Haskett said. “But he’s my second cousin…I was a little afraid at first (to meet him), but he’s very warm and very easy to visit with.”