IL1 Norfolk Tides

Tides to Induct Four into Tidewater Baseball Shrine

Published on August 2, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


The Norfolk Tides today announced that Mike Cubbage, Michael Cuddyer, Clint Hurdle and Billy Swoope will be inducted into the Tidewater Baseball Shrine on August 21st at Harbor Park. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area.

"These four inductees have devoted their entire lives to the game of baseball, and they are worthy recipients of this exceptional honor" said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. "There are so many legendary names on the plaques adorning the Harbor Park concourse, and these new inductees and their amazing career accomplishments will fit right in as we celebrate the storied tradition of baseball in Hampton Roads."

MIKE CUBBAGE enjoyed an eight-year Major League career, appearing in 703 games with the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and New York Mets. He registered 20 career big league home runs, and he hit for the cycle on July 27, 1978 as a member of the Twins. He capped his playing career with the Tidewater Tides, hitting .268 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI as a member of the 1982 Tides - a team that captured the Governors' Cup championship. A University of Virginia product, Cubbage went on to manage the Tidewater Tides from 1987-1989, posting a record of 235-192 with two postseason appearances. After managing the Tides, Cubbage served as a coach with the New York Mets, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox before becoming a scout for the Tampa Bay Rays. He's currently the Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager for the Washington Nationals.

MICHAEL CUDDYER played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, registering 1,522 hits and 197 home runs over stints with the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies and New York Mets. A two-time All-Star, Cuddyer won the National League batting title and took home a Silver Slugger Award when he hit .331 for the Rockies during the 2013 campaign. Cuddyer is a Chesapeake native and was drafted in the first round of the 1997 draft out of Great Bridge High School. A member of the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, Cuddyer is a lifelong Hampton Roads resident who has taken an active role in youth baseball in the region.

CLINT HURDLE played for the Tidewater Tides in 1983, 1984 and 1987, a stretch that included a 105-RBI campaign in 1983 that still stands as a franchise record. After a 10-year MLB career that included stints with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, he began an illustrious managerial career. He managed the Tides in 1992 in their final year at Met Park, then skippered the Norfolk Tides in their first season at Harbor Park in 1993. Hurdle served as the manager for the Colorado Rockies for eight years before going on to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he earned the National League Manager of the Year Award in 2013 after leading the Pirates to their first postseason appearance in 21 years.

BILLY SWOOPE was a baseball standout at Norfolk Catholic High School, and he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a catcher in the 1976 draft. He played six years in the Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates systems before continuing his baseball career as the Head Coach at Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was named the 1985 Division 3 NCAA Coach of the Year. He served as an Assistant Coach at VCU and a Head Coach at Virginia State University before moving on to serve as a scout in the Chicago Cubs organization - a position that has resulted in over 15 players being selected in the Major League draft.

The Tides will induct the four new members of the Tidewater Shrine in a ceremony prior to their 7:05 game vs. Charlotte on Tuesday, August 21st at Harbor Park. Mike Cubbage, Michael Cuddyer and Billy Swoope are expected to be in attendance, while Clint Hurdle will provide a video acceptance speech.

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