PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame to induct six new members

Published on July 22, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, which was created in conjunction with last year's Triple-A All-Star Fiesta, will welcome six new members in a pre-game ceremony before tomorrow's game. The Hall of Fame Class of 2008, which includes former Dukes manager Del Crandall, former General Manager Pat McKernan, the 1981 Dukes Team, Dukes Triple-Crown outfielder Mike Marshall, former manager and outfielder Hershel Martin, and executives Tom Bolack/John McMullen as well as former Albuquerque Journal Sports Editor J.D. Kailer was chosen by a special Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

At 6:45 PM, a special ceremony will held on the field at Isotopes Park hosted by former Dukes PA announcer Connie Alexander and long time Voice of the Dukes Mike Roberts during which each inductee will officially be enshrined. Either each honoree or a representative of each person being inducted will then say a few words to the crowd.

A committee of 14 Albuquerque Baseball experts spanning seven decades chose the inaugural Hall of Fame class based on their contributions to baseball in Albuquerque both on and off the field. In addition to the induction ceremony, a plaque commemorating their achievements will be posted in the Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame display in McKernan Hall located in Isotopes Park.

Crandall managed the Dukes for five years, posting an impressive 471-314 (.600) record while winning four Pacific Coast League Championships. The 1981 team Crandall helmed is considered one of the best in Minor League History, going 94-38 en route to a PCL title. A key component of that squad was Marshall who that season won the Triple Crown after batting .373 with 34 homers and 137 RBI. McKernan was a three-time PCL executive of the year, serving as General Manager of the Dukes for 21 years from 1979 to 2000, a period that is considered one of the team's best. A longtime supporter of baseball in Albuquerque, Kailer was sports editor for the Journal from 1950 to 1959. Representing the era before the Dukes were a Triple-A team is Hershel Martin, who was an outfielder/manager for the Dukes from 1948 to 1951, leading the team to two West Texas-New Mexico League crowns while also making the League's All-Star team three seasons and leading the circuit in hitting in 1948 with a mark of .425. Bolack and McMullan, who will be inducted together, were both instrumental in establishing the relationship between the Dukes and Los Angeles Dodgers which flourished for 35 years. Martin, Bolack and McMullan will be inducted posthumously.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 22, 2008


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