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AA St. Paul Saints

St. Paul Saints to Induct Dodger and Brave Scout into Professional Baseball Scout Hall of Fame

May 12, 2008 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK (MAY 12,2008)- The Goldklang Group today announced the induction of the inaugural class of twelve scouts into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame (PBSHOF) sponsored by The Topps Company Inc. The Group-affiliated clubs (Charleston RiverDogs, Ft. Myers Miracle, Hudson Valley Renegades, St. Paul Saints, Brockton Rox, Sioux Falls Canaries) will honor the inductees with an on field ceremony along with the unveiling of their bronze plaque.

The following scouts and ceremony dates shall represent our 2008 Inaugural Induction Class:

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES- JUNE 21

John Tumminia - Chicago White Sox

Tom Giordano - Texas Rangers

FORT MYERS MIRACLE- JULY 12

Tom Kotchman - Los Angeles Angels

Rudy Satin - San Francisco Giants

BROCKTON ROX - JULY 20

Lennie Merullo - MLSB

Buzz Bowers - Boston Red Sox

CHARLESTON RIVERDOGS - JULY 25

Lon Joyce- LA Dodgers

Donny Rowland- New York Yankees

SIOUX FALLS- AUGUST 8

Brad Sloan - Los Angeles Angels

Art Stewart - Kansas City Royals

ST. PAUL SAINTS - AUGUST 15

Phil Rizzo - LA Dodgers

Hep Cronin - Atlanta Braves

Phil Rizzo

Phil Rizzo got his first taste of professional baseball at the tender age of 19, signing his first contract out of high school. Rizzo spent eight years playing Minor League ball before making the transition into scouting.

Rizzo's scouting career spanned 40+ years including stints with eight different Major League organizations. During his tenure as a scout he was responsible for the signing of numerous Major League players such as; Bob Kipper - left-handed pitcher, Erick Pappas - catcher, Bob Wickman - right-handed pitcher, Mark Loretta - second baseman and Tim Unroe - third baseman.

In 1989 Rizzo was recognized as the recipient of "The Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago - Scout of the Year Award."

Harold Cronin - HEP

While teaching and coaching high school basketball, he began his scouting career in 1966 as an Associate Scout for the Cincinnati area under Paul Snyder. Cronin became a part-time scout for three states in 1980 and scouted and signed several Major League players including Rookie of The Year David Justice in 1985. In 1988 he became a full-time scout in charge of four states. He then moved onto East Coast Supervisor then Midwest supervisor before becoming a National Supervisor in 2004. During his long career Cronin has scouted every facet of baseball from the Independent Leagues to the Major Leagues.

In conjunction with the ballpark campaigns, Topps plans to feature scouts on their trading cards including the creation of special cards to share with each inductee.

Criteria upon which selection was based: Minimum 20 years professional scouting experience. The selection of inductees shall be based on a combination of quantifiable success in the field, contributions made to the game in other areas of the sport whether professional or amateur, and importantly their involvement and dedication to the local community that is honoring them through induction.

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