May 21, 2013
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Barons Welcome Trio To Hall of Fame

May 29, 2012 - Southern League (SL) Birmingham Barons

Birmingham, AL - The Birmingham Barons have announced a trio of inductees for the 2012 Barons Hall of Fame class. Joining a 27-man group that includes baseball legends Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers and Frank Thomas will be former Black Barons shortstop Artie Wilson, longtime Birmingham News columnist Alf Van Hoose and Bob Scranton.

"The Barons are proud to induct another stellar class into the Barons Hall of Fame", said Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. "All three men are well deserving of the honor, having performed at the highest level in their chosen professions while showing great character and reputation in contributing to the success and promotion of professional baseball in Birmingham."

Wilson played for the Birmingham Black Barons from 1942 to 1948, during which time he was considered to be one of the league's top shortstops. He was named the starting shortstop of the league All-Star team four times from 1944 to 1948, missing out only in 1945 when Jackie Robinson earned the nod. During his time with the Black Barons, the team won the league championship in 1943, 1944 and 1948, advancing to, but never winning, the Negro League World Series. In the 1948 regular season Wilson batted .402 and is credited as the last player in a top-level league to bat over .400. In 1948 Wilson's contract was bought by the New York Yankees and sold to the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League where he was instrumental in helping the Oaks to the 1950 PCL Championship. Wilson made his Major League debut with the New York Giants in 1951, receiving 22 at-bats from April 18 - May 23. From 1949 through 1962 Wilson won four PCL batting titles and in 2003 was elected to the PCL Hall of Fame.

Van Hoose was a longtime sportswriter who covered the Barons with The Birmingham News for 43 years, including 21 as sports editor and 10 as a featured columnist. He attended the University of Alabama before being drafted in 1942 for duty during World War II where he rose to the rank of Captain and earned a Silver Star at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he returned to Alabama and began working for the News in 1947. During his career he covered the Birmingham Barons and Southeastern Conference football as well as other national sporting events. He was promoted to sports editor in 1969 and retired in 1990. Van Hoose was inducted into the Alabama Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame in 1989 and in 1999 was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Over a 40-year period, Scranton went from traveling secretary to concession manager to part owner of the Birmingham Barons. He joined the Barons in the 1940s as the traveling secretary. Scranton stayed in Birmingham as a businessman when the franchise moved to Montgomery in 1976 until resuming association with Barons as part of Art Clarkson's ownership group that was instrumental in returning the Barons to Birmingham in 1981.

The inductees will be honored during the 2012 Rickwood Classic on May 30th as the Barons take on the Chattanooga Lookouts. This year's classic will pay tribute to Wartime Era Baseball. Since it's inception in 2005, the Barons Hall of Fame has inducted 30 members. The 2011 Hall of Fame class featured outfielder Elliot Bigelow, manager Roy Majtyka and former Black Baron George "Mule" Suttles.

Birmingham Barons tickets are currently available on the web, over the phone or by visiting the Regions Park Box Office. For ticket information, game schedule, or promotions calendar, call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or follow us on Twitter: @bhambarons.

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Southern League Stories from May 29, 2012


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