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SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Now To Include Amateurs, Teams

June 15, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame, created four years ago by The Post and Courier and the Charleston RiverDogs to recognize professional athletes who have reached stardom while playing in Charleston, has been redesigned to include amateur players.

According to the newspaper's marketing director Craig Rogers and RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols, the adjustment was made to honor as many deserving individuals, regardless of their playing status, who are truly worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame.

In addition, teams will also be considered for enshrinement.

The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame is jointly coordinated and operated by The Post and Courier and the RiverDogs. The Hall of Fame is located inside Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

In the Hall of Fame's inaugural year in 2003, James Island's Gorman Thomas and Holly Hill's Willie Randolph were enshrined as the first members. David Cone was inducted in 2004 and John Candelaria received the nod in 2005.

An advisory committee consisting of knowledgeable, local volunteers was created to come up with names as potential nominees. The group has selected 12 candidates for consideration and voting will be conducted by the newspaper's readership. There will be several advertisements in the sports section of The Post and Courier, which will serve as the official ballot. The four individuals/teams that receive the most votes will be inducted into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame during ceremonies prior to the Friday, August 11 RiverDogs game against the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Alphabetically, the 12 nominees are:

1955 Cannon Street YMCA Team: State champions who were not permitted to play in national tournament due to racism;

The Citadel's 1990 College World Series Team: Only military school ever to participate in NCAA World Series; SoCon champs defeated Miami at Miami to win the East regional; won CWS game vs. Cal-Fullerton & lost twice to LSU;

Ty Cline: Charleston/Clemson standout who played professionally with the Reds, Braves, Indians, Cubs, Giants & Expos; also played in the 1970 World Series (Reds vs. Orioles and batted .333);

Mike Cook: Local product played for St. Andrews High and the University of South Carolina (1983-85); was a 1st round draft choice of California Angels in '85 (19th overall pick); was a 1985 Baseball America All-America;

Irish Abney Danehay: One of the most sought-after young catchers in the country in 1939 when the Cleveland Indians offered him a contract; was catching for the General Asbestos and Rubber Co. team in North Charleston at the time and had one more year of college; World War II put an end to his aspirations to play big league baseball but he played minor league and semi-pro ball until he was well into his 40s;

Bryce Florie: Hanahan product who signed out of high school; played with Red Sox, Padres, Brewers and Tigers; continues to work with youngsters in the area;

Alfred von Kolnitz: Served as athletic director at the College of Charleston in the 1930s; played baseball at CofC; also played three seasons of major league baseball (1914and 1915 with the Reds and 1916 with the White Sox); played in 115 career games with 48 hits in 226 at bats (.212 average);

Gary McJunkin: Director of the Cooper River Parks & Recreation Commission; Commissioner of Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB); State Director for DYB; National Commission Member for DYB; served in DYB capacities for more than 50 years;

Chal Port: Coached Citadel baseball for 27 years and led the Bulldogs to seven SoCon titles and to the NCAA Regionals five times; 1990 National Coach of the Year; five-time SoCon Coach of the Year; 1990 team had 26 consecutive wins and a No. 6 final ranking;

Charlie Smith: Local Chicora/North Charleston standout at all levels; played professionally with several teams including 3rd base for the Yankees;

Billy Swails: Mt. Pleasant native who is a member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame; earned All-Southern Conference honors three times as a second baseman; captured a spot as a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association All-America Team in 1989;

Richard Wieters: St. Andrews & Citadel great; two-time SoCon Player of the Year; 1st team All-American (DH); played for the Braves and White Sox minor league organizations; a member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.

While the committee has determined 12 individuals/teams for consideration, there will be a blank on the ballot for write-in candidates. To nominate an individual or a team for consideration in 2007, please forward appropriate support information to The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame, c/o Charleston RiverDogs, PO Box 20849, Charleston, SC 29413.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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