SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame to Induct Three New Members

Published on July 25, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - A day after he was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Roberto Alomar led the balloting for the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted along with local philanthropist William Ackerman and former Wando High and Clemson pitcher Mike Kimbrell.

Formal induction into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame will take place on the field of Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Friday, August 5, prior to the Charleston RiverDogs - Savannah Sand Gnats game that begins at 7:05 p.m.

A member of the 1985 Charleston Rainbows as a 17-year old who later spent 17 years in the majors playing for the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, Alomar is a 2011 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. While in Charleston in 1985, he batted .293 with 54 RBI and 36 stolen bases. He later became a 12-time All-Star who was the 1992 ALCS MVP (with Toronto) and the 1998 All-Star Game MVP(in Colorado as a member of the Orioles). He played in the 1992 and '93 World Series as a Blue Jay and during his career, he played in 2,379 games and had a career batting average of .300.

Ackerman, a local philanthropist who kept professional baseball alive and thriving in Charleston when he owned the Charleston White Sox from 1959-61, had the opportunity but declined the chance to purchase the Chicago White Sox in the early 1960s. He passed away in 1999.

A former standout pitcher at Wando High who lettered four times at Clemson from 1988-91, Kimbrell had a career record of 17-1 with a 3.63 ERA, including a perfect 11-0 mark as a senior. He continues to hold the Clemson record for career winning percentage at 94.4 percent. Kimbrell played on teams that won Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season titles in 1988 and '91, the '89 and '91 ACC Tournaments. He also started a game in the '91 College World Series.

An advisory committee consisting of knowledgeable and local volunteers was created to come up with nine names as potential nominees. Voting was conducted by the fans of the RiverDogs through an official ballot that appeared at the ball park and online.

The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame is coordinated and operated by 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. Ty Cline, Mike Cook, Gary McJunkin and Coach Chal Port comprised the Hall of Fame's Class of 2006, marking the first time that amateurs and teams were considered for induction.

In 2007, the 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Star team and The Citadel's 1990 College World Series team, Modie Risher and Anthony Jenkins were enshrined. In 2008, Bryce Florie, Danny Jones, Charley Smith and Richard Wieters were inducted, and last year, the Hall of Fame welcomed John Dodds, Jr., W.S. "Bull" Durham, Donald Morillo and Doug Pounder.

Last year, Lee Glaze of James Island and The Citadel, Citadel coach Fred Jordan, American Legion coach D.K. Walters and coach Kenny Wilkinson were enshrined.

CHARLESTON BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2011 - William Ackerman

Roberto Alomar

Mike Kimbrell

2010 - Lee Glaze

Fred Jordan

D.K. Walters

Kenny Wilkinson

2009 - John Dodds, Jr.

W.S. "Bull" Durham

Donald Morillo

Doug Pounder

2008 - Bryce Florie

Danny Jones

Charley Smith

Richard Wieters

2007 - 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Star Team

1990 Citadel World Series Team

Anthony Jenkins

Modie Risher

2006 - Ty Cline

Mike Cook

Gary McJunkin

Chal Port

2005 - John Candelaria

2004 - David Cone

2003 - Willie Randolph

Gorman Thomas

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from July 25, 2011


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.

OurSports Central