They were named, JoJo, Bo-Bo, Oils, Buffalo Bob, Eels, The Wheel, Big Tom, Granny, Bouncer and The Face. They were the neighborhood kids. On one small block of Claremont Street, every door off the marble steps led to a tremendous soccer star.
They were Baltimore Pompeii. This church team rose into a national power. 60 years ago, they played at Kirk Avenue Stadium in a National Soccer Championship. This would be like a Perry Hall Rec team playing the Ravens. What they did was remarkable. What they left was a major reason why soccer is so loved in East Baltimore, especially Highlandtown. On Friday night, Baltimore Pompeii went into the Soccer Hall of Fame.