Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame celebrates class of 2006
Published on April 13, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Pacific Coast League of Professional Baseball Clubs officially announces today the newest members of its historic Hall of Fame. This year's distinguished list of seven PCL greats represent over 100 years of service in the league spanning from 1921 to the present day. The celebrated class is compiled of such prominent individuals as former manager Tommy Lasorda, former players Eddie Basinski, Dominic "Dom" DiMaggio, Bert Ellison, Dario Lodigiani, Bill Schuster, and the current PCL Statistical Historian Bill Weiss.
Tommy Lasorda, who managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for 20 seasons, spent four seasons in the Pacific Coast League managing the Spokane Indians from 1969-71 and the Albuquerque Dukes in 1972. During his tenure, he led the Spokane Indians to the 1970 PCL Championship, compiling a 92-54 record. In 1972, as manager of the Albuquerque Dukes, he collected the Manager of the Year award while leading that club to another PCL Championship. Lasorda is the first manager of the modern-era (post 1957) to enter the PCL Hall of Fame.
Outfielder Dom DiMaggio, younger brother of PCL Hall of Fame member Joe DiMaggio, played three seasons with the San Francisco Seals, in which he hit .326 while collecting 593 hits and 123 doubles. Despite his impressive offensive stats, Dom was known more for his glove than his bat and was seen as one of the top Centerfielders of his day. During his final season in the PCL, DiMaggio was named the 1939 League MVP.
Often referred to as "the fiddler" for his time spent as an Orchestra Violinist, second baseman Eddie Basinski collected 1,426 hits and 579 RBIs during his career in the PCL and was once voted the "Most Famous Beaver" by Portland fans.
San Francisco Seals infielder, Bert Ellison played from 1921 to 1927 and served in a player/manager capacity for the 1923-1926 seasons. Ellison proved he could find success in many roles winning two PCL pennants, holding a career batting average of .327, and tallying a managerial record of 322-250.
Dario Lodigiani, a High School teammate of fellow inductee Dom DiMaggio, began his career in the PCL playing from 1935-1937 as an infielder with the Oakland Oaks. After serving World War II, he returned in 1,947 playing again in Oakland where he won a PCL Championship in 1948 before moving on to play with the San Francisco Seals. While in the PCL, Dario collected over 1,100 hits and maintained a .299 average.
Journeyman shortstop Bill Schuster racked up 1470 hits and swiped 173 bases and helped win three Governor's Cup Titles for clubs during his career. Two of these titles came in his first two seasons in the League playing with the Seattle Rainiers in 1940 and 1941. Schuster also spent six seasons with the Los
Angeles Angels, a season with the Sacramento Solons, and another with the Hollywood Stars where he won his third and final pennant in 1952.
The longest serving executive in PCL history and one of baseball's most highly-regarded statistical experts, Bill Weiss joined the League in 1950 serving as official statistician until the late 1990s before assuming his current position as Official League Statistical Historian. Known for his meticulous care of detail, Weiss has been a contributor to a variety of historical references including the Pacific Coast Baseball News publication. The 2006 inductees to the Hall of Fame were selected by the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame Committee, a blue-ribbon panel composed of Minor League Baseball, Coast League, and National Baseball historians. More information on the PCL Hall of Fame can be found on the League's web-site: www.pclbaseball.com
Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees:
Eddie Basinski (inducted as a player) 1947-1957 Dom DiMaggio (inducted as a player) 1937-1939 Portland, Seattle San Francisco
Bert Ellison (inducted as a player) 1921-1927 Tommy Lasorda (inducted as a manager) 1969-1972 San Francisco Spokane, Albuquerque
Dario Lodigiani (inducted as a player) Bill Schuster (inducted as a player) 1935-1937, 1947-1951; Oakland, San Francisco 1940-1943, 1946-1950, 1952 Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Hollywood Bill Weiss (inducted as an executive) 1950-present
About the PCL Hall of Fame: The Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame was created in 1936 by the Helms Athletic Foundation located in Los Angeles, California, which at the time also operated Halls of Fame for Major League Baseball, Golf, College Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Auto Racing, Professional Football, Track and Field, and College Football. In 1952, the PCL Hall of Fame ceased operation, but was brought back in conjunction with 2003's Pacific Coast League Centennial Celebration. The Hall currently consists of 64 members and includes such luminaries as Joe DiMaggio, Ernie Lombardi, Lefty O'Doul, and Steve Bilko.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 13, 2006
- Portland three-hit in 3-1 loss - Portland Beavers
- Express Split Series with Oklahoma after 3-2 Loss - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs win seventh straight - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks hold on for 3-2 win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame celebrates class of 2006 - PCL1
- Another Late Rally Dooms Sounds In 2-1 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Grizzlies to open 2006 season at Grizzlies Stadium - Fresno Grizzlies
- Isotopes end midwest swing with 11-5 loss to Omaha - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Oklahoma RedHawk Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Beavers come back but fall to late power surge - Portland Beavers
- Gonzalez and bullpen turn in quality performance to shut out Grizzlies 3-0 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Express survive slugfest with RedHawks - Round Rock Express
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