Southern League Hall of Fame Class of 2017
February 16, 2017 - Southern League (SL1) News Release
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 16, 2017*
*SOUTHERN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017*
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announces the induction of three members to the Southern League Hall of Fame Class of 2017, as chosen by a panel of 20 voters. The 2017 inductees are Tom Glavine, Gabe Kapler and Tony LaRussa.
Before earning 10 trips to the MLB All-Star Game and a spot in Cooperstown, Glavine started 22 games for the 1986 Greenville Braves, compiling an 11-6 record and 3.41 ERA. Currently working on the player development side of the game, Kapler continues to hold numerous Southern League records after his 1998 season with the Jacksonville Suns earned him the MiLB Player of the Year award. One of the greatest managers in baseball history, LaRussa spent time in the Southern circuit as both a champion skipper and player, earning three total titles.
As part of the fourth induction class to the Southern League Hall of Fame, nominees were accepted from the member clubs and voting committee. Upon receipt of the nominees, the 2017 ballot was sent back to the committee and the top three names were selected by the voting panel. For the full list and bios of each inductee, please see the attached document.
The inductees' names will be recognized at the 2017 All-Star Game in Pensacola, Florida, while individual clubs may honor those relevant inductees during the season. The purpose of the Southern League Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the League on the field of play or in an administrative role. This shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, players, managers, coaches, umpires, League and team executives, owners, and media members.
*FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:*
*SOUTHERN LEAGUE*
*(770) 321-0400 **johnharris@southernleague.com*
-- --f403045fb550042efe0548a8a506
FOR IMMEDIATE 2 February 16, 2017
SOUTHERN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announces the induction of three members to the Southern League Hall of Fame Class of 2017, as chosen by a panel of 20 voters. The 2017 inductees are Tom Glavine, Gabe Kapler and Tony LaRussa.
Before earning 10 trips to the MLB All-Star Game and a spot in Cooperstown, Glavine started 22 games for the 1986 Greenville Braves, compiling an 11-6 record and 3.41 ERA. Currently working on the player development side of the game, Kapler continues to hold numerous Southern League records after his 1998 season with the Jacksonville Suns earned him the MiLB Player of the Year award. One of the greatest managers in baseball history, LaRussa spent time in the Southern circuit as both a champion skipper and player, earning three total titles.
As part of the fourth induction class to the Southern League Hall of Fame, nominees were accepted from the member clubs and voting committee. Upon receipt of the nominees, the 2017 ballot was sent back to the committee and the top three names were selected by the voting panel. For the full list and bios of each inductee, please see the attached document.
The inductees' names will be recognized at the 2017 All-Star Game in Pensacola, Florida, while individual clubs may honor those relevant inductees during the season. The purpose of the Southern League Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the League on the field of play or in an administrative role. This shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, players, managers, coaches, umpires, League and team executives, owners, and media members.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
SOUTHERN LEAGUE
(770) 321-0400
johnharris@southernleague.com
-- --f403045fb550042efe0548a8a506-- --f403045fb550042f040548a8a508
tmp Tom Glavine (Greenville Braves, 1986)
A first-ballot Hall of Famer and two-time Cy-Young winner, Tom Glavine was one of the craftiest lefthanders in Major League history. Before his time in the Big Leagues, though, Glavine posted an 11-6 record with a 3.41 ERA in 22 starts with the 1986 Greenville Braves. Tossing two complete games for the G-Braves that season, the ten-time All-Star fanned 114 batters, while walking just 70 in over 145.1 innings pitched. One season later, the southpaw would make his MLB debut, where he won 305 games in 22 seasons, while striking out 2,607 batters. His number 47 was retired by the Atlanta Braves on August 6, 2010.
Year W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP BB SO 1986 11 6 3.41 22 22 2 1 145.1 70 114
Gabe Kapler (Jacksonville Suns, 1998)
The 1998 USA Today and Sporting News MiLB Player of the Year, Gabe Kapler pieced together one of the finest seasons in Southern League history on his way to the Most Valuable Player award. Setting SL records with 146 RBI, 81 extra-base hits and 319 total bases, in addition to a share of the lead with 47 doubles, Kapler's name continues to dot the league books. During his award-winning season, the slugger also paced the league with 28 homeruns, 113 runs scored, and 176 hits, just eleven short of the league- record. Chosen to both the Double-A and Southern League All-Star Games, he was recognized as the circuit's midsummer classic MVP as well as a Postseason All-Star. Later that year, Kapler received his well-earned promotion to Detroit before embarking on a World Series-winning, 12-year MLB career.
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB BA OBP SLG 1998 139 547 113 176 47 6 28 146 6 66 .322 .393 .583
Tony LaRussa (Birmingham Barons/A's, 1965, 67; Mobile A's, 1966; Knoxville Sox [MGR], 1978)
A Southern League Champion as a player and manager, Tony LaRussa's time in the loop served notice to baseball of the title-winning pedigree he would exhibit as a 3-time World Series champion skipper and eventual Hall-of-Famer. Drafted by the Athletics, LaRussa's first season in the League came in 1965 with the Birmingham Barons. One season later, and a move to Mobile, he played in 51 games with the SL pennant-winning Athletics. His final year as a player in the circuit came in 1967 with a return to the then-named Birmingham A's, where he was again a part of a Southern League title-winning team.
LaRussa retired from playing in 1977, but one year later he was selected by the White Sox to command their Double-A affiliate in Knoxville. LaRussa guided the Knoxville Sox to a 72-63 record and Western Division crown where they would defeat Jacksonville three games to two in the SLCS. In 1979, LaRussa finished the season as Chicago's manager, beginning his stellar 33-year MLB managerial run.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PLAYING CAREER Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB BA OBP SLG 1965 75 259 24 50 11 2 1 18 5 26 .193 .273 .263 1966 51 170 20 50 9 4 4 26 4 23 .294 .379 .465 1967 41 139 12 32 6 1 5 22 3 10 .230 .287 .396 SOUTHERN LEAGUE MANAGERIAL CAREER Year G W L W-L% 1978 144 88 56 .611
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