Clarke A. Pittenger, better known as “Pinky” after a comic strip character, was born in 1899. He attended Waite High School and Toledo University, where his athletic agility flourished. In 1918, Pittenger set a UT single-game scoring record in basketball, achieving 49 points against Bluffton, Ohio.
Switching sports, Pittenger became a professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox team in 1921. He moved to the Chicago Cubs in 1923, and finally, played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1927-1929.
After his professional baseball career concluded, he was the owner of the well-known Ottawa Tavern in Toledo and later the Westmoreland Inn near Monroe and Bancroft streets. He also refereed football and basketball games in retirement. Pittenger died in 1977.