John "Owen" Brendel played baseball for the Troy Advertisers from 1945 to 1946, for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league from 1947 to 1948, and for the Troy Redbirds from 1949 to 1958. He also served the community as the first commissioner of the Troy Boy's Baseball League in 1958 and as a manager in the Troy Boy's Baseball League from 1958 to 1968. He was remembered as truly dedicated to his family, his friends, and his community.